City Council - Regular Meeting

Name: City Council - Regular Meeting — Bellingham, WA
Start: 2025-09-15T19:00:00
End: 2025-09-15T21:00:00
Location: Bellingham, WA

Regular Meeting

Bellingham, WA · September 15, 2025

Agenda Minutes Packet Video Recording

Minutes

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2025, 7:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist and Jace Cotton Call to Order The City Council Regular meeting was called to order by Council President Huthman at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. Land Acknowledgement Statement Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish and Semiahmoo People who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial. Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth. We pay respect to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events. 2. Language Access The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the headsets located at the front of the room. Remote viewers can log on to cob.org/cczoom and click on the “Language” icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. 3. Upcoming Public Hearing The Council will hold a public hearing on September 29, 2025 to hear public comment on a proposed ordinance authorizing the relinquishment of a surplus utility easement encumbering 427 Ohio Street. Further details can be found at meetings.cob.org five days prior to the hearing. Roll Call Present: Council President Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24664 1. Mayor's reappointment to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (Information) p. 6 Mayor Lund reappointed Scott Pratschner to a first full term on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, which will expire on August 30, 2028. 24665 2. Mayor's reappointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 10 (Information) Mayor Lund reappointed Colin Beazley to a second term as the York Neighborhood Representative, which will expire on January 30, 2027. Mayor Lund highlighted Committee of the Whole discussions about a proposed public safety tax that the City is considering as a means to address the structural deficit in the General Fund. The Mayor will share her proposed 2026 budget with Council on September 29th. City Council Special Meeting 1:00 PM 24654 1. A Closed Record Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Relating to the Vacation of p. 14 Rimland Drive Between Woburn Street and Barkley Boulevard Alan Marriner, City Attorney, and Steve Sundin, Senior Planner, presented the ordinance related to the street vacation of Rimland Drive between Woburn Street and Barkley Boulevard. Talbot Real Estate, LLC, petitioned the City for this vacation, and the Hearing Examiner recommended approval of the vacation on April 11, 2012 though the petition was never presented to City Council for approval and adoption of a vacation ordinance. Council Members discussed the street vacation ordinance and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the vacation and move the ordinance for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources 1:30 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes 24651 1. Contract Award for RG Haley Site Cleanup, Cornwall Landfill Cleanup, and Salish p. 34 Landing Park Phase 1 (EC018) Bid #19B-2025 Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, Craig Mueller, Engineer, Nicole Oliver, Parks & Recreation Director, and Amy Kraham, Senior Assistant City Attorney, presented the contract award for the R.G. Haley Site Cleanup, Cornwall Landfill Cleanup, and Salish Landing Park Phase 1 Project. The project remediates contamination at the R.G. Haley and Cornwall Landfill cleanup sites. Once that work is completed, the first phase of the Salish Landing Park will begin. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to award contract No. 19B-2025 for the R.G. Haley Site Cleanup, Cornwall Landfill Cleanup, and Salish Landing Park Phase 1 Project to IMCO General Construction, as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of $48,779,160.34, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24666 2. Noise Variance for Padden Creek at 12th and 14th Streets Fish Passage Improvement p. 40 Project (EN056) Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, and Craig Mueller, Engineer, presented the noise variance request for the Padden Creek at 12th and 14th Streets Fish Passage Improvement Project. The project will remove partial fish passage barriers at two Interurban Trail creek crossings and requires the contractor to work 24 hours a day if needed in order to complete work by September 30, 2025 or later if approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Council Members discussed the noise variance and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the noise variance for the Padden Creek at 12th and 14th Streets Fish Passage Improvement Project through mid-October if the fish window is extended by the Department of Ecology. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole 2:00 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24652 1. A Resolution Adopting the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan p. 44 Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner, and Rebecca Judd, Library Director, presented the resolution adopting the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan. City Council is asked to formally adopt the 2022 Library Facilities Master Plan for incorporation into the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2025-19. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24653 2. Ordinance Imposing an Additional Sales and Use Tax of One-tenth of One Percent for p. 95 Criminal Justice Purposes as Authorized in Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025; Adding a New Chapter 4.79 to the Bellingham Municipal Code Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, presented the ordinance, which imposes an additional sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized in Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025. To implement the tax by January 1, 2026, the City must deliver to the Washington State Department of Revenue an ordinance imposing the tax by October 17, 2025 and attest that the City's Police Department meets the training requirements. The third and final reading of this ordinance will be deferred until October 6, 2025 while the Police Department completes the training requirements. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading as amended during the Committee of the Whole meeting. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Old/New Business Council President Huthman recapped Old/New discussions on the Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation. Jace Cotton / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to reconsider City Council’s August 25th decision to deny the annexation proposal known as the Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. OPPOSED: Hannah Stone, Lisa Anderson Hollie Huthman / Daniel Hammill moved to amend the original motion to deny the annexation proposal to a motion directing staff to bring back the annexation proposal for City Council consideration in late 2026 or early 2027 after the City completes its Annexation Plan. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. OPPOSED: Hannah Stone, Lisa Anderson Council Member Cotton shared updated drafts of letters to the Evergreen Supported Living leadership and SEIU 775 members working at the facility for Council’s approval. Jace Cotton / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of sending letters to Evergreen Supporting Living leadership and SEIU 775 members. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes Executive Session 2:25 pm Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) ITEM ADDED 9.11.25 Staff briefed Council on the City’s pending agreement to purchase a 5-acre property from Vernon Hartle. The property is located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed and is identified by Assessor’s Parcel Number 380418 160370. The purchase price is $256,000. Closing is set to occur on or before September 26, 2025, subject to Council approval. The property will be acquired through the City’s Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation Program using restricted funds dedicated to that purpose. The Program is funded by City water customers through a watershed surcharge on their utility bill. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the Mayor to close the real estate transaction described in the City’s executed purchase and sale agreement with the property owner, Vernon Hartle, with a purchase price of $256,000. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Consent Agenda All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial items and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 24655 1. Approval of the 8/25/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 101 24656 2. Resolution Designating Cascadia Daily News as the City's Official Newspaper of p. 116 Record Become known as Resolution #2025-20. 24657 3. Interlocal Agreement with United States Geologic Survey for Water Resource p. 123 Investigations 24658 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 15, 2025 through August 21, 2025 p. 128 24659 5. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated August 1, 2025 to August 15, p. 129 2025 24660 6. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 22, 2025 through August 28, 2025 p. 130 24661 7. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 29, 2025 through September 04, p. 131 2025 24662 8. Interagency Agreement with Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) to p. 132 sponsor Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Members for Restoration and Conservation Work City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes 24663 9. Subrecipient Agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham p. 142 (What-Comm Communications). Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24635 1. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Chapter 20.15 (Temporary Shelters) p. 166 to Delete Shelter Guest Maximums, Extend Permit Duration for all Shelter Types, Modify Permit Renewal Requirements, and Clarify Operational and Infrastructure Requirements Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Huthman, Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-09-021. 24641 2. An Ordinance Relating to the Vacation of the Donovan Avenue Right of Way, Except p. 178 the Southerly 42.5 Feet (Approx) West of the Easterly Boundary of the Alley, Located Between 35th and 36th Streets and within the City of Bellingham Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Huthman, Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-09-022. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from six individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 9/29/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 7 9/15/2025 Minutes

Agenda

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Agenda September 15, 2025, 7:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist and Jace Cotton Legislative Office Manager: Jackie Weller Watch Council Meetings Live The City Council Regular meetings are conducted in a hybrid setting: both in-person and online. In Person: All meetings are held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, unless otherwise noted. The doors unlock at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. meeting. Live on YouTube and Comcast: Council meetings are streamed live via the City’s website at https://cob.org/meetings and on the City’s YouTube channel at https://cob.org/btv. Meetings are also broadcast on BTV: Comcast channels 321 and 10. Via Telephone: Members of the public who do not have cable or internet access may listen to the meeting via telephone by calling (253) 215-8782 and entering Meeting ID: 896 9801 2044 and Password: 9 Language Access: Spanish interpretation will be available at the Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. In-person attendees will have interpretation headsets available to them. Remote attendees can navigate to www.cob.org/cczoom to login via Zoom, then select the interpretation channel at the bottom of the screen. Those wishing to offer public comment in Spanish will be able to do so and their comments will be interpreted into English. Provide your Input During a Meeting: To speak during a Public Hearing or Public Comment Session, you must sign up in advance. Online sign up is available at https://cob.org/ccsignup on the day of the meeting. Sign-up sheets will also be available outside the Council Chamber doors starting at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the meeting. Sign-up, both online and in- person, closes at 7:00 p.m. Speakers may participate via the following options: • In person: Meetings are held in Council Chambers located at City Hall, 210 Lottie St., Bellingham • Remotely via Zoom: Use the following link to launch the Zoom meeting and follow staff instructions at the time of the hearing or public comment period: https://cob.org/cczoom. • Remotely via phone: Call (253) 215-8782 and enter Meeting ID 896 9801 2044 and Password 9. Follow staff instructions at the time of the hearing or public comment period. Before or After a Meeting: Advance written Public Hearing testimony and general written Public Comment can be presented: • By mail addressed to: City Council, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 • Electronically: o For a public hearing: https://cob.org/publichearing o For general public comment: E-mail all Council Members at ccmail@cob.org. Regular Meeting The following items are heard in the Regular Meeting only: Call to Order Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Meetings Act. 1. Land Acknowledgement Statement Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish and Semiahmoo People who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial. Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth. We pay respect to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events. 2. Language Access The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the headsets located at the front of the room. Remote viewers can log on to cob.org/cczoom and click on the “Language” icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. 3. Upcoming Public Hearing The Council will hold a public hearing on September 29, 2025 to hear public comment on a proposed ordinance authorizing the relinquishment of a surplus utility easement encumbering 427 Ohio Street. Further details can be found at meetings.cob.org five days prior to the hearing. Roll Call Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 24664 1. Mayor's reappointment to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (Information) p. 6 24665 2. Mayor's reappointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 10 (Information) City Council Special Meeting 1:00 PM 24654 1. A Closed Record Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Relating to the Vacation of p. 14 Rimland Drive Between Woburn Street and Barkley Boulevard Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Open to the public to attend. Note: there is generally no public comment period for Committee sessions. Standing Committee Members receive reports and information, ask questions and, when appropriate, vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the Regular Meeting. The Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice for Special Meetings of the City Council as Council Members routinely attend and participate in Committees they are not a member of. Committee Chairs give a report of the Committee Meeting at the Regular Meeting in the evening prior to deliberation and formal vote in the order shown below: Public Works and Natural Resources 1:30 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24651 1. Contract Award for RG Haley Site Cleanup, Cornwall Landfill Landfill Cleanup, and p. 34 Salish Landing Park Phase 1 (EC018) Bid #19B-2025 24666 2. Noise Variance for Padden Creek at 12th and 14th Streets Fish Passage Improvement p. 40 Project (EN056) Committee Of The Whole 2:00 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24652 1. A Resolution Adopting the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan p. 44 24653 2. Ordinance Imposing an Additional Sales and Use Tax of One-tenth of One Percent for p. 95 Criminal Justice Purposes as Authorized in Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025; Adding a New Chapter 4.79 to the Bellingham Municipal Code 3. Old/New Business Executive Session 2:25 pm Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) ITEM ADDED 9.11.25 Consent Agenda All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial items and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 24655 1. Approval of the 8/25/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 101 24656 2. Resolution Designating Cascadia Daily News as the City's Official Newspaper of p. 116 Record 24657 3. Interlocal Agreement with United States Geologic Survey for Water Resource p. 123 Investigations 24658 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 15, 2025 through August 21, 2025 p. 128 24659 5. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated August 1, 2025 to August 15, p. 129 2025 24660 6. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 22, 2025 through August 28, 2025 p. 130 24661 7. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 29, 2025 through September 04, p. 131 2025 24662 8. Interagency Agreement with Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) to p. 132 sponsor Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Members for Restoration and Conservation Work 24663 9. Subrecipient Agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham p. 142 (What-Comm Communications). Final Consideration of Ordinances 24635 1. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Chapter 20.15 (Temporary Shelters) to p. 166 Delete Shelter Guest Maximums, Extend Permit Duration for all Shelter Types, Modify Permit Renewal Requirements, and Clarify Operational and Infrastructure Requirements 24641 2. An Ordinance Relating to the Vacation of the Donovan Avenue Right of Way, Except p. 178 the Southerly 42.5 Feet (Approx) West of the Easterly Boundary of the Alley, Located Between 35th and 36th Streets and within the City of Bellingham Public Comment Period Advance sign-up is required for participation. An electronic sign-up form will be available online at https://cob.org/ccsignup on the day of the meeting and paper sign-up sheets will be outside the chamber doors starting at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the meeting. Registration closes when the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Each speaker will have three minutes. Please see the first page of the agenda for further details. Video of the public comment session will be available by visiting, https://cob.org/commentrecordings. Adjournment Agenda Information Council Committee and Regular Meeting agendas and agenda packets, which contain the supporting documentation for agenda items, are available to the public Wednesday afternoon prior to the meeting. They are posted at https://cob.org/meetings. A hard copy of the agenda packet is available for review from the reference desk at the Finance Office at City Hall. Meeting Live Broadcasts and Recordings The Bellingham City Council Committee Meetings are broadcast live on BTV Bellingham at the times listed on the agenda. Committee session start times between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. are estimated. A specific Committee may start later than the time published but will not begin earlier than its published time. Television: BTV can be found on Comcast channels 10 (standard definition) and 321 (high definition). Meetings are rebroadcast on the following schedule: • Tues. 12 p.m. – Repeat broadcast of Monday afternoon Committee meetings • Tues. 7 p.m. – Repeat broadcast of Monday night regular meeting • Wed. 8 a.m. – Repeat broadcast of Monday night regular meeting • Sat. 12 p.m. – Repeat broadcast of Monday afternoon Committee meetings • Sat. 7 p.m. – Repeat broadcast of Monday night regular meeting Online Streaming: The meetings are streamed live at https://cob.org/btv. Online viewers will see exactly what cable customers would see. Video: Video recordings of each meeting are available on the Internet at https://cob.org/meetings within five business days following each meeting. Accessibility The Council Chambers is fully accessible. Elevator access to the second floor is available at City Hall’s west entrance. Hearing assistance is available, and a receiver may be checked out through the Deputy City Clerk prior to the evening session. For additional accommodations, contact the Council Office at (360) 778-8200 in advance of the meeting. Next City Council Meeting Monday, September 29, 2025 Deadline to submit material for any public hearing for inclusion in the published agenda packet is 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the meeting.

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