City Council - Regular Meeting

Name: City Council - Regular Meeting — Bellingham, WA
Start: 2025-09-29T19:00:00
End: 2025-09-29T21:00:00
Location: Bellingham, WA

Regular Meeting

Bellingham, WA · September 29, 2025

Agenda Minutes Packet Video Recording

Minutes

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 29, 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 Pro Tempore Williams 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. Public Hearing on the 2026 Budget On October 6, 2025, the City Council will hold its first hearing on the proposed 2026 budget. The budget document can be viewed online at cob.org/gov/budget. An additional public hearing is planned for November 3rd. Detailed information can be found at meetings.cob.org five days prior to the hearing. Roll Call Present: 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 6 9/29/2025 Minutes Excused: Council President Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Public Hearing 24667 1. A Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Authorizing the Relinquishment of a p. 6 Surplus Utility Easement and Covenant within Vacated Iowa Street Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, and Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, presented the ordinance authoring the relinquishment of a surplus utility easement and covenant encumbering real property located at 427 Ohio Street. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Council President Pro Tempore Williams opened the public hearing. No individuals provided testimony. Council President Pro Tempore Williams closed the public hearing. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24668 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against p. 23 Domestic Violence (Information) Mayor Lund appointed Katie Chandler to a first term on the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence, which will expire on September 29, 2029. 24669 2. Mayor's Reappointment to the Design Review Board (Approval) p. 28 Mayor Lund recommended the reappointment of Ryan Van Straten to a second term on the Design Review Board, which will expire October 14, 2029. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the reappointment of Ryan Van Straten to a second term on the Design Review Board, which will expire October 14, 2029. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor Lund highlighted the introduction of her 2026 budget proposal to Council, which seeks to address the budget deficit in the General Fund. The Mayor shared a video outlining how the city’s budget works. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 9/29/2025 Minutes 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 1:00 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24670 1. Authorize Application to the State Project Review Committee to Use General p. 31 Contractor/Construction Manager Delivery Method for the Post Point Emission Control Upgrades and Retain Michael Loulakis to Provide Legal Services for the Project Mike Olinger, Public Works Deputy Director, Stephen Day, Plants Engineer, and Matt Stamps, Assistant City Attorney, provided a summary of the request to use a General Contractor/ Construction Manager delivery method for the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Emissions Control Upgrades Project and to retain Michael Loulakis for legal services. Council Members discussed the project and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the State Project Review Commission application, use of the General Contractor/Construction Manager delivery method for the Post Point Emission Control Upgrades Project, and to retain Michael Loulakis for legal services for the project. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Community and Economic Development 1:25 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24671 1. An Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County for a Severe Weather Shelter p. 92 Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager, and Chris D'Onofrio, Whatcom County Housing Supervisor, provided an overview of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Whatcom County to support the 2025–2026 severe weather shelter operations. Tara Sundin noted that there was an error in the summary statement for this item; costs for the shelter will be incurred between October 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026, which is not the operating timeframe for the shelter. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Jace Cotton / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County for 2025-2026 severe weather shelter operations. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Budget and Finance 1:40 PM City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 9/29/2025 Minutes Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24672 1. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.05 to Adopt Uniform p. 103 General Business License Requirements Mandated by the State of Washington Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, presented the ordinance, which amends the Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.05 to adopt uniform general business license requirement standards as mandated by Washington State. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Lisa Anderson / Michael Lilliquist moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Committee Of The Whole 2:00 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24673 1. A Resolution Adopting the Capital Facilities Plan p. 106 Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, and Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner, presented the resolution, which adopts the Capital Facilities Plan and will be included in the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved final approval of Resolution #2025-21. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24674 2. A Resolution Adopting the Multimodal Transportation Plan p. 170 Dylan Casper, Transportation Planner, Sydney Prusak, Planner, and Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, presented the resolution, which adopts the Multimodal Transportation Plan and will be included in the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2025-22. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24678 3. Introduction of the 2026 Proposed Budget p. 234 Mayor Lund, Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, and Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, introduced to the Council the 2026 budget proposal, which includes an operating budget of $543 million and a capital budget of $154.8 million. Council Members discussed the budget and asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 9/29/2025 Minutes 4. Old/New Business Council Member Hammill thanked the Bellingham Fire Department crew at Fire Station 1 for recently hosting him. Council Member Lilliquist highlighted the “All Hands Whatcom Summit” that he, Council Member Williams, Council Member Cotton, and Council Member Hammill attended last week. The summit focused on how the community systematically tackles addiction and substance abuse. Council Member Stone requested to work with the Legislative Policy Analyst to create a one-pager to assist community members navigating resources and services. The Administration will brief Council Member Stone on current efforts in this area. Council Member Lilliquist requested Legislative Policy Analyst staff time to review algorithmic price fixing for rentals and to connect with King County to learn about their efforts on this issue. Council expressed support for this work. Executive Session 3:50 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 4. Potential Litigation (Champlin, approx. 10 min.) - ITEM ADDED 9.26.25 Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the Mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the City in litigation challenging FEMA grant conditions. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 5. Potential Litigation (Kraham, approx. 5 min.) - ITEM ADDED 9.29.25 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 9/29/2025 Minutes Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Daniel Hammill / Hannah Stone moved to authorize the Mayor to sign onto an amicus brief in Planned Parenthood v. RFK Jr., Nos. 25-1698; 25-1755 (1st Cir.). MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 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. 24675 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated August 16, 2025 to August 31, p. 238 2025 24676 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 05, 2025 through September 11, p. 239 2025 24677 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 12, 2025 through September 18, p. 240 2025 24679 4. Approval of the 9/15/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 241 Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24654 1. An Ordinance Relating to the Vacation of Rimland Drive Between Woburn Street and p. 255 Barkley Boulevard - ITEM REMOVED 9.26.25 Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from 21 individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Council President Pro Tempore ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 10/20/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 9/29/2025 Minutes

Agenda

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Agenda September 29, 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. Public Hearing on the 2026 Budget On October 6, 2025, the City Council will hold its first hearing on the proposed 2026 budget. The budget document can be viewed online at cob.org/gov/budget. An additional public hearing is planned for November 3rd. Detailed information can be found at meetings.cob.org five days prior to the hearing. Roll Call Public Hearing 24667 1. A Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Authorizing the Relinquishment of a p. 6 Surplus Utility Easement and Covenant within Vacated Iowa Street Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 24668 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against p. 23 Domestic Violence (Information) 24669 2. Mayor's Reappointment to the Design Review Board (Approval) p. 28 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 1:00 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24670 1. Authorize Application to the State Project Review Committee to Use General p. 31 Contractor/Construction Manager Delivery Method for the Post Point Emission Control Upgrades and Retain Michael Loulakis to Provide Legal Services for the Project Community and Economic Development 1:25 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24671 1. An Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County for a Severe Weather Shelter p. 92 Budget and Finance 1:40 PM Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24672 1. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.05 to Adopt Uniform p. 103 General Business License Requirements Mandated by the State of Washington Committee Of The Whole 2:00 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24673 1. A Resolution Adopting the Capital Facilities Plan p. 106 24674 2. A Resolution Adopting the Multimodal Transportation Plan p. 170 24678 3. Introduction of the 2026 Proposed Budget p. 234 4. Old/New Business Executive Session 3:50 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) 2. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) 3. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) 4. Potential Litigation (Champlin, approx. 10 min.) - ITEM ADDED 9.26.25 5. Potential Litigation (Kraham, approx. 5 min.) - ITEM ADDED 9.29.25 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. 24675 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated August 16, 2025 to August 31, p. 238 2025 24676 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 05, 2025 through September 11, p. 239 2025 24677 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 12, 2025 through September 18, p. 240 2025 24679 4. Approval of the 9/15/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 241 Final Consideration of Ordinances 24654 1. An Ordinance Relating to the Vacation of Rimland Drive Between Woburn Street and p. 255 Barkley Boulevard 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, October 6, 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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