City Council - Regular Meeting

Name: City Council - Regular Meeting — Bellingham, WA
Start: 2025-10-20T19:00:00
End: 2025-10-20T21:00:00
Location: Bellingham, WA

Regular Meeting

Bellingham, WA · October 20, 2025

Agenda Minutes Packet Video Recording

Minutes

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 20, 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 November 3, 2025, the Bellingham City Council will hold three public hearings to take public comment on the following items: 1) A proposed ordinance relating to land use and zoning, extending interim zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establishing consistent bicycle parking standards citywide for an additional six months. 2) A proposed ordinance adopting the 2025 City of Bellingham Comprehensive Plan, including the future land use map. These proposed revisions comprise the Bellingham Plan and address recent state legislation, changed conditions, and shifted priorities. 3) The Proposed 2026 Budget. The Proposed Budget has been filed with the City Clerk and is available to view online at: https://www.cob.org/budget. Hard copies are available to view in the Finance Department at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 10/20/2025 Minutes 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 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 24694 1. A Public Hearing on the 2026 Revenue Projections, Including a One Percent Increase p. 6 to the Regular Property Tax Levy Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, presented on the 2026 revenue projections, which includes a 1% increase to property taxes. Council Members discussed the forecast and asked questions. Council President Huthman opened the public hearing. Two individuals provided testimony. Council President Huthman closed the public hearing. 24693 2. A Public Hearing on an Ordinance Relating to Land Use Planning, Amending p. 7 Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) Titles 20 and 21 Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, Kurt Nabbefeld, Planning Development Services Manager, and Chris Koch, Planner, presented on the ordinance, which amends Bellingham Municipal Code Titles 20 and 21 regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to comply with Washington State law (HB 1337). Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Council President Huthman opened the public hearing. Two individuals provided testimony. Council President Huthman closed the public hearing. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to refer this agenda item to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 10/20/2025 Minutes MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24703 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Arts Commission (Approval) p. 52 Mayor Lund appointed Adonia Cairns to a first term on the Arts Commission, which will expire on October 20, 2029. Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of Adonia Cairns to a first term on the Arts Commission, which will expire on October 20, 2029. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Lund thanked the community for a peaceful No Kings Rally over the weekend. Mayor Lund highlighted the Committee of the Whole presentation on the final four chapters of the Bellingham Plan, specifically the creation of a new Community Wellbeing Chapter. The plan is the summation of tremendous work across the City and a reflection of the City’s commitments and values. Mayor Lund acknowledged ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with tribal partners including recent meetings to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, collaborate on natural resources, and support safe housing for individuals impacted by domestic violence. Mayor Lund expressed gratitude to the Mariners for thrilling October moments. 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 10:30 AM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24705 1. Budget Work Session p. 58 Don Burdick, ITSD Director, provided an overview of the department's proposed 2026 budget and work plan. Council members discussed the department's proposed budget and asked questions. Rebecca Judd, Bellingham Public Library Director, provided an overview of the department's proposed 2026 budget and work plan. Council members discussed the department's proposed budget and asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 10/20/2025 Minutes 24704 2. An Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Probation Department p. 61 This item was removed from the agenda on October 17, 2025. 24697 3. The Bellingham Plan Chapters 7-10 p. 66 Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner, Anya Gedrath, Planner, and Sydney Prusak, Planner, presented on Chapters 7-10 (Climate, Environment, Economic Development, Community Wellbeing). Council members discussed the plan and asked questions. 4. Old/New Business There were no discussion items for Old/New Business. Executive Session 2:45 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy (Danner, approx. 10 min.) Discuss collective bargaining strategy. Staff provided information on a labor relations matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Litigation (Kraham and Chaplin, approx. 10 min.) – ITEM ADDED 10/20/2025 Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Lisa Anderson / Hannah Stone moved to authorize the Mayor to sign onto an amicus brief in United States v. Newark et al., No. 2:25-cv-05081, (D.N.J.). MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public Works and Natural Resources 3:00 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24695 1. An Ordinance Regarding the Establishment and Operation of a Bellingham Mitigation p. 172 Bank Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, and Analiese Burns, Acting Public Works Assistant Director of Natural Resources, presented the ordinance, which establishes a framework for operating the City's mitigation bank and creates a new special revenue fund. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved for first and second reading. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 10/20/2025 Minutes MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24696 2. A Joint Resolution of the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and Lake p. 198 Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners Adopting the Lake Whatcom Invasive Freshwater Mussel Rapid and Extended Response Plan Mike Olinger, Deputy Public Works Director, Mike Parelskin, Superintendent of Natural Resources Mike Ol Field Operations, and Mark Cecchini Beaver, Senior Scientist at Four Peaks Environmental Science &Field Op Data Solutions, presented on the resolution which was drafted in collaboration with Whatcom Data So County and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners. The resolution County establishes the Lake Whatcom invasive freshwater mussel rapid and extended response plan. Whatco Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. discusse Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved final approval of Resolution #2025-23. 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. 24698 1. Approval of the 9/29/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 289 24699 2. Approval of the 10/6/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 301 24700 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 26, 2025 through October 02, p. 313 2025 24701 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated September 16, 2025 to p. 314 September 30, 2025 24702 5. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued October 03, 2025 through October 09, 2025 p. 315 Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24685 1. An Ordinance Creating a New Fund to Account for the Renovation of the Central p. 316 Library Facility and Amending the 2025 Budget - Amendment No. 2 Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 10/20/2025 Minutes AYES: Huthman, Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-10-026. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from four individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 11/3/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 10/20/2025 Minutes

Agenda

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Agenda October 20, 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 Hearings On November 3, 2025, the Bellingham City Council will hold three public hearings to take public comment on the following items: 1) A proposed ordinance relating to land use and zoning, extending interim zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establishing consistent bicycle parking standards citywide for an additional six months. 2) A proposed ordinance adopting the 2025 City of Bellingham Comprehensive Plan, including the future land use map. These proposed revisions comprise the Bellingham Plan and address recent state legislation, changed conditions, and shifted priorities. 3) The Proposed 2026 Budget. The Proposed Budget has been filed with the City Clerk and is available to view online at: https://www.cob.org/budget. Hard copies are available to view in the Finance Department at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street. Detailed information on each item will be available on meetings.cob.org five days before the hearings. Roll Call Public Hearing 24694 1. A Public Hearing on the 2026 Revenue Projections, Including a One Percent Increase p. 6 to the Regular Property Tax Levy 24693 2. A Public Hearing on an Ordinance Relating to Land Use Planning, Amending p. 7 Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) Titles 20 and 21 Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 24703 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Arts Commission (Approval) p. 52 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: Committee Of The Whole 10:30 AM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton Note: The Budget Work Session will take place in the Mayor’s Boardroom on the second floor of City Hall. The Council will then take a lunch break and reconvene in the Council Chambers at 1:00 PM for the remainder of the agenda items. 24705 1. Budget Work Session p. 58 24704 2. An Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Probation Department p. 61 ITEM REMOVED 10/17/25 24697 3. The Bellingham Plan Chapters 7-10 p. 66 4. Old/New Business Executive Session 2:45 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy (Danner, approx. 10 min.) 2. Potential Litigation (Kraham and Chaplin, approx. 10 min.) – ITEM ADDED 10/20/2025 Public Works and Natural Resources 3:00 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24695 1. An Ordinance Regarding the Establishment and Operation of a Bellingham Mitigation p. 172 Bank 24696 2. A Joint Resolution of the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and Lake p. 198 Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners Adopting the Lake Whatcom Invasive Freshwater Mussel Rapid and Extended Response Plan 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. 24698 1. Approval of the 9/29/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 289 24699 2. Approval of the 10/6/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 301 24700 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 26, 2025 through October 02, p. 313 2025 24701 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated September 16, 2025 to p. 314 September 30, 2025 24702 5. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued October 03, 2025 through October 09, 2025 p. 315 Final Consideration of Ordinances 24685 1. An Ordinance Creating a New Fund to Account for the Renovation of the Central p. 316 Library Facility and Amending the 2025 Budget - Amendment No. 2 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, November 3, 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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