City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 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 Hearings On October 20, 2025, the Bellingham City Council will hold two public hearings to take public comment on the following items: 1) Consideration of amendments to Bellingham Municipal Code Titles 20 and 21 for purposes of improving accessory dwelling unit (ADU) standards, permitting process, and consistency with state legislation. 2) The City of Bellingham’s 2026 Revenue Forecast, including the 2026 property tax levy. Detailed information on each item will be available on meetings.cob.org five days before the hearings. Roll Call Present: Council President Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 10/6/2025 Minutes  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 Public Hearing 24680 1. First Public Hearing on the 2026 Budget p. 6 Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, and Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, provided an overview of the proposed 2026 budget. Council Members discussed the budget proposal and asked questions. Council President Huthman opened the public hearing. Five individuals provided testimony. Council President Huthman closed the public hearing. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Mayor Lund highlighted the upcoming focus on the Bellingham Plan, which Council will vote on before the end of the year. She thanked staff for their work and encouraged the public to learn more about the proposed changes and provide feedback. Mayor Lund acknowledged several upcoming events around the City including: • Housing Week October 14-17, 2025, building awareness of innovative housing solutions • Indigenous People's Day, nilh tu o: Weaving the Past, Present and Future, on October 13, 2025 at the Lummi Nation School • City walking tour of "Sunset Alley", on October 15, 2025 showcasing a dozen local and national artists in a new public art destination Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Committee Of The Whole 9:30 AM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24681 1. Budget Work Session p. 7 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 10/6/2025 Minutes  Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, provided an orientation to the preliminary 2026 Budget Book. Fire Chief Hewett provided an overview of the Fire Department’s 2026 proposed budget and work plan. Council members discussed the department's proposed budget and asked questions. Police Chief Mertzig provided an overview of the Police Department’s 2026 proposed budget and work plan. Council members discussed the department's proposed budget and asked questions. 24682 2. The Bellingham Plan Overview p. 8 Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner, and Blake Ly Anya Gedrath, Planner, presented an overview of the Bellingham Plan, the City’s Comprehensive Anya Ge Plan for growth, including the content of the plan, the process to develop it, and the timeline for the Bell Council to review and approve it. 24683 3. Discussion and Approval of Proposed Legislative Lobbying Guide for City Council p. 52 Iris Nott, Legislative Policy Analyst, presented the Legislative Lobbying Guide to inform Council on roles, expectations, and how Council Members can participate in 2026 legislative lobbying efforts. Council Members discussed the guide and asked questions. Participants for the lobbying committee will be selected in November. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to adopt the Legislative Lobbying Guide for City Council. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Old/New Business Council Member Stone provided an update from the Lake Whatcom Policy Group, which is interviewing three respondents to a request for proposals (RFP) to meet an objective to conduct a comprehensive Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment and create educational materials based off the results of the assessment. Executive Session 3:05 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Litigation (Stamps, approx. 15 min.) Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. Public Works and Natural Resources 3:30 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 10/6/2025 Minutes 24684 1. Contract Award for Post Point Resource Recovery Plant Emergency Generator p. 64 Replacement Project EU188, Bid No. 12B-2025 Mike Olinger, Deputy Director Public Works, and Stephen Day, Plants Engineer, presented the contract award for the Post Point Resource Recovery Plant Emergency Generator Replacement Project. The project will replace the backup power generators and associated electrical switchgear at the plant. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to award contract No. 12B-2025 for the Post Point Resource Recovery Plant Emergency Generator Replacement Project to CDK Construction, LLC, as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of $5,323,494.60, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24690 2. Presentation on Speed Limit Setting Policy p. 70 Shane Sullivan, Transportation Engineer, and Jon Pascal, Principal at TranspoGroup, presented a new speed limit methodology that the City is adopting to align with national standards and ensure continued safety. The draft policy will be presented to Council for approval in early 2026. Council Members discussed the policy change and asked questions. Budget and Finance 4:20 PM Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24685 1. An Ordinance Creating a New Fund to Account for the Renovation of the Central p. 92 Library Facility and Amending the 2025 Budget - Amendment No. 2 *Please note that due to a technical error, the audio recording from this meeting is primarily missing. Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, presented on the ordinance, which creates a new fund to account for the Central Library facility renovation and amends the 2025 budget. The change will improve transparency and financial tracking. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading. 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. 24686 1. Amendment To Original Agreement for Inmate Housing : Amending Fees, Charges, p. 96 and Services. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 10/6/2025 Minutes 24687 2. Department of Ecology Grant Acceptance - Community Litter Cleanup Program p. 101 24688 3. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated September 1, 2025 to p. 126 September 15, 2025 24689 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 19, 2025 through September 25, p. 127 2025 Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24653 1. An Ordinance Imposing an Additional Sales and Use Tax of One-tenth of One Percent p. 128 for 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 Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval for third and final reading. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend the ordinance as follows, • "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, IMPOSING THE SAFE AND STABLE COMMUNITY SALES TAX, 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; ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 4.79 TO THE BELLINGHAM MUNICIPAL CODE"; and • "WHEREAS, City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City and its residents to impose the Safe and Stable Community Sales Tax, an additional sales and use tax to adequately fund the City’s public safety system and avoid significant disruptions to public safety levels of service."; and • "Chapter 4.79 THE SAFE AND STABLE COMMUNITY SALES TAX, AN ADDITIONAL SALES AND USE TAX FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PURPOSES"; and • “4.79.010 Imposed. There is hereby imposed the Safe and Stable Community Sales Tax, an additional sales and use tax as authorized by Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025 on all taxable events, as defined in RCW 82.14.020, occurring within the city. The tax shall be imposed upon and collected from those persons from whom sales tax or use tax is collected in accordance with chapter 82.08 or 82.12 RCW.” AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. 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 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 10/6/2025 Minutes  NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-10-023. 24667 2. An Ordinance Authorizing the Relinquishment of a Surplus Utility Easement and p. 133 Covenant within Vacated Iowa Street Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill 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 #2025-10-024. 24672 3. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.05 to Adopt Uniform p. 139 General Business License Requirements Mandated by the State of Washington 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 #2025-10-025. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from 10 individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 10/20/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 10/6/2025 Minutes