City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting minutes January 26, 2026, 7:00 PM Chair: Hannah Stone Phone: 360-778-8200 Members: Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Email: ccmail@cob.org Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Web: cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton Regular meeting The following items are heard in the Regular Meeting only. Call to order and roll call The meeting was called to order by Council President Stone at 7:00 p.m. Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second 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 Announcements and upcoming meetings The 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 Page 1 of 8  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. New agenda look and timing Beginning with this meeting, City Council agenda and packet documents have a new look and are being published further in advance of the meetings. Agendas and packets will now be available one week prior to regular meetings, or on the Tuesday prior to the meeting if the Monday prior is a holiday. This is one of many efforts to modernize our systems and make City government more transparent, understandable, and accessible. 4. Next Council meeting The next City Council meeting will be held on February 9, 2026 Mayor's report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Summary: Mayor Lund shared slides from her "Ask me Anything" session she held for City staff earlier in the week. Her presentation highlighted the One City approach to public service and leadership. Council assignment reports Council assignment reports section text here when determined in near future. Summary: Council President Stone introduced this new section, which is dedicated time for Council Members to report out from the various groups that they are members of in their capacity as Council Members. Council Member Lilliquist reported from the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Board. At their last meeting the board discussed bus route service guidelines, which are the metrics for how routes are evaluated. Revised guidelines will emphasize the most productive routes with higher ridership. Council Member Cotton reported that the WTA Board unanimously adopted a resolution thanking Council Member Williams for his past service on the board. He also highlighted the health and service agency free bus pass program, which gives free bus passes to social agencies. Council President Stone reported from the lobbying work group. This is a short session and bills are moving quickly. They are working with the lobbying team to track progress and engage in the most effective ways possible. Council President Stone provided some Page 2 of 8  highlights of advocacy actions they have recently taken, and priority bills they are tracking. Council Member Hammill reported that the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF) met this month to discuss the behavioral care center. They are recommending that the facility be an out of custody facility on Division Street. The Behavioral Health Committee of the IPRTF discussed the integration plan for 911 and 988. Council Member Hammill reported that he did a "sit-along" with a 911 dispatcher recently as part of his orientation to the WhatComm Board. Council Member Hammill reported that he had an orientation in preparation for his membership on the Library Board and will be touring branches soon. Council Member Hammill reported that he will be going on a fire station tour with Chief Hewett, a ride along with the Alternate Response Team, and a night shift ride along with Bellingham Police. Council Member Lilliquist reported that the Justice Project Facilities and Finance Advisory Board made the same recommendation as Council Member Hammill reported – an out of custody model located away from the jail. With this model, the facility can open up a full year earlier and will cost less. Council Member Lilliquist reported that he has been reappointed to the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) large city advisory committee. Topics include legislative priorities, public defender case load limits, and changes to laws surrounding homelessness. Committee meeting reports The following committee meetings are held during the day. Committee chairs will present a summary of each agenda item during the evening meeting, and further discussion or action may take place if needed. Committee meetings are open to the public to attend, however committee agendas do not include public comment sessions. Public Works and Natural Resources 1 p.m. 24807 1. A contract award for Old Town Redevelopment, Project ES562, Bid No. p. 6 81B-2025 Summary: Craig Mueller, Project Engineer, and Mike Wilson, Public Works Assistant Director - Engineering, presented the contract award, which includes street improvements from back-of-curb to back-of-curb on C, D, and E Streets between Holly Street and Bancroft Page 3 of 8  Street, and Astor Street from C Street to F Street. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Jace Cotton moved to award contract No. 81B-2025 for the Old Town Redevelopment Project to Earthwork Solutions LLC in the amount of $5,982,839.23. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24808 2. An ordinance granting NFC Northwest, LLC a franchise to operate and p. 11 maintain fiber optic broadband network components in City rights-of-way for the provision of commercial telecommunications services to businesses and residents Summary: Mike Wilson, Public Works Assistant Director - Engineering, and Matt Stamps, Senior Assistant City Attorney, presented the ordinance granting NFC Northwest, LLC a nonexclusive franchise to install and operate fiber optic broadband network components in City rights-of-way for the provision of telecommunications services to Bellingham businesses and residents. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24815 3. Acceptance of a grant from the Washington State Department of p. 29 Commerce for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project (Contract #26-96647-028) Summary: Carol Rofkar, Public Works Assistant Director - Internal Services, and Rebecca Judd, Library Director, explained that the City applied for a grant and received an appropriation of $1,030,000 in the 2025-2027 State Capital Budget for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. After administrative costs from the Department of Commerce, the net grant award will be $999,100. The grant money will be used for youth and staff space improvements, as well as safety and security updates. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions. Action: Page 4 of 8  Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the grant agreement with Washington State Department of Commerce Contract #26-96647-028 for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24816 4. Acceptance of a grant from the Washington State Department of p. 67 Commerce for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project (Contract #26-96647-001) Summary: Carol Rofkar, Public Works Assistant Director - Internal Services, and Rebecca Judd, Library Director, explained that the City applied for a grant and received an appropriation of $2,000,000 in the 2025-2027 State Capital Budget for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. After administrative costs from the Department of Commerce, the net grant award will be $1,950,000. The grant money will be used for youth and staff space improvements, as well as safety and security updates. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Hollie Huthman moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the grant agreement with Washington State Department of Commerce Contract #26-96647-001 for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Parks and Recreation 1:45 p.m. 24814 1. A resolution establishing fees for the use of the City Parks and Recreation p. 105 golf course Summary: Steven Janiszewski, Park Operations Manager, and Michael Fosnick, Director of Operations for Troon/Premiere Golf, presented the resolution, which increases green fees by approximately five percent, exceeding the three percent cumulative annual greens fee increase previously approved by City Council. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2026-01. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Page 5 of 8 Committee Of The Whole 2:10 p.m. 24813 1. An ordinance relating to the Municipal Court and amending Bellingham p. 124 Municipal Code section 2.16.030 to provide for the creation of a second full-time municipal judge position, an appointment process for newly created or vacated municipal judge positions, and an election for the second municipal judge position for a full judicial term beginning on January 1, 2030 Summary: Forrest Longman, Deputy City Administrator, and Alan Marriner, City Attorney, presented on the ordinance, which establishes a second municipal judge position and sets the process for appointing new judges mid-term and holding elections for any appointed judge positions. It also authorizes the Mayor to appoint a second municipal judge and specifies that an election should be held to fill the term beginning January 1, 2030. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Hannah Stone / Hollie Huthman moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Old or new business Summary: Council Member Hammill reported that he and Council Member Williams have been working on a resolution in response to current events on the national level, specifically in Minneapolis. He gave a brief overview, stating that the resolution recognizes prior Council work on this and related topics; recognizes lawsuits and amicus briefs the City has signed on to; explains the work of the Keep Washington Working Act Work Group; aligns with the recent video released by the Mayor on this topic; and lays out Bellingham Municipal code sections and policies related to the Bellingham Police Department. They plan to present the resolution to Council on February 9, 2026. Council President Stone shared an overview of the amicus brief Council Members recently signed on to. She gave a more detailed explanation earlier in the day during the Committee of the Whole old and new business. Executive session Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only. Page 6 of 8  1. Labor relations: review contract proposal for the Fraternal Order of Police (Danner, approx. 5 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on the proposed successor collective bargaining agreement between the City and the Fraternal Order of Police (representing the City’s Police Lieutenants)extending the current collective bargaining agreement for four months. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved to ratify the agreement reached with the following general terms: DURATION: January 1, 2026, through April 30, 2026 WAGES AND COMPENSATION: • Extends the current agreement through April 30, 2026. • Existing future changes clause provides that the FOP will receive a “me too” agreement for changes in wages, deferred compensation, educational incentives, or longevity negotiated with the Bellingham Police Guild. • Effective January 1, 2026: equivalent to 3.75% COLA MEDICAL INSURANCE: • Increase the City’s contribution to Medical Insurance by 6% each year. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Consent agenda Consent Agenda items are considered routine and/or non-controversial 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. 24809 1. Authorization of payroll labor cost payments dated December 1, 2025 to p. 128 December 15, 2025 24810 2. Authorization of AP transactions issued January 1, 2026 through January p. 129 8, 2026 24812 3. Authorization of AP transactions issued December 19, 2025 through p. 130 December 31, 2025 24811 4. Approval of the January 5, 2026 City Council committee and regular p. 131 meeting minutes Page 7 of 8  Action: Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public comment period City Council heard public comments from eight individuals. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 2/23/2026 Page 8 of 8