City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting minutes May 18, 2026, 7 p.m. 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 p.m. Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second 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 Excused: Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward 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 7  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 On June 1, 2026, the Council will hold a public hearing to consider the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan. Details will be available on meetings.cob.org seven days prior to the meeting. 4. Next Council meeting The next City Council meeting with be held on June 1, 2026. Presentation 24942 1. A presentation of Keep Washington Working Act advisory work group p. 6 recommendations and final report Summary: Janice Keller, Deputy City Administrator, and members of the Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Work Group including Eamon Bollinger, Ian Garconnette, Abigail Senuty, Catalina Hope, Rebecca Agiewich. and Holly Pai presented the recommendations and final report to Council. Council Members discussed the presentation and report and asked questions Action: Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to accept the workgroup's final report as presented and request the administration to schedule a work session for future discussion. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor's report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Summary: Mayor Lund thanked members of the Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Work Group for their presentation and commitment to the rights and safety of everyone in our community and also recognized City staff who participated in the workgroup. Mayor Lund highlighted recent engagements with the Lummi Nation including the First Salmon Ceremony, opening of the House of Healing Longhouse, and the opening Page 2 of 7  ceremony for Lummi Nation's secure withdrawal and recovery facility. She recognized the leadership of the Lummi Tribe in healing and serving the community. Council assignment reports Standing time for Council Member reports from assigned committees, boards, and other groups. Summary: Council Member Lilliquist reported that he virtually attended a statewide mini-housing academy with leadership across Whatcom County, which focused on housing affordability and root causes. Council Member Anderson echoed Mayor Lund’s sentiments as she also attended the opening of the Lummi Nation Recovery Center. She expressed support for tribal partnerships and the Lummi Tribe's work in the community. 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. Special Meeting 1 p.m. Hannah Stone, Chair Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24940 1. A closed record hearing to consider an ordinance relating to the vacation p. 159 of the eastern one-half (15-feet) of Fir Street abutting the western 110- feet of block 13, Silver Heights add to Whatcom, in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington Summary: James Erb, Deputy City Attorney, and Steven Sundin, Senior Planner, presented the street vacation ordinance relating to the eastern one-half (15-feet) of Fir Street. The Hearing Examiner held a hybrid public hearing on the street vacation petition on April 15, 2026. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Hannah Stone / Hollie Huthman moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Page 3 of 7 Budget and Finance 1:10 p.m. Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24941 1. An interlocal agreement with Washington State Criminal Justice Training p. 176 Commission for a Local Law Enforcement Grant award Summary: Ty Elmendorf, Deputy Chief of Police, Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Mayor Lund presented the interlocal agreement (ILA) with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which awards $3,703,583 as a Public Safety Funding Program Award for operational support through June 2028. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Action: Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into the interlocal agreement with Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for a $3,703,583 grant through the Local Law Enforcement Grant Program. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RECUSED: Lisa Anderson 24937 2. An ordinance amending the 2026 budget to recognize revenues and p. 183 expenditures associated with the Public Safety Funding Program award - Amendment 2 Summary: Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Ty Elmendorf, Deputy Chief of Police, presented the ordinance, which amends the 2026 budget to recognize revenues and expenditures associated with the Public Safety Funding Program Award. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RECUSED: Lisa Anderson Page 4 of 7 24932 3. A discussion of the Land Use Application Fee Schedule p. 187 Summary: Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Mike Wilson, Public Works Assistant Director of Engineering, presented a draft update to the Land Use Application Fee Schedule for Council's input. Council Members discussed the fee schedule and asked questions. Public Works and Natural Resources 2:15 p.m. Michael Lilliquist, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24933 1. An ordinance adding a new Chapter 11.05 to the Bellingham Municipal p. 207 Code regarding speed limits Summary: Tim Hohmann, Public Works Assistant Director of Transportation, and Shane Sullivan, City Transportation Engineer, presented the ordinance, which lowers City speed limits. Council Members discussed the ordinance, asked questions, and recognized National Public Works Week. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Committee Of The Whole 2:40 p.m. Hannah Stone, Chair Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 1. Old or new business Summary: There were no items for Old/New Business. Executive session 2:50 p.m. Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only. Page 5 of 7  1. Litigation: Scopeletti v. City of Bellingham, et. al (Phillips, approx. 10 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a litigation matter. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the City of Bellingham as a defendant in this matter. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 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. 24934 1. Approval of the March 23, 2026 City Council committee and regular p. 276 meeting minutes 24935 2. Approval of the April 13, 2026 City Council committee and regular meeting p. 294 minutes 24939 3. Approval of the April 20, 2026 special City Council meeting minutes p. 313 24938 4. Approval of the April 27, 2026 City Council committee and regular meeting p. 316 minutes 24936 5. Authorization of payroll labor cost payments dated April 1, 2026 to April p. 342 15, 2026 Action: Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Public comment period City Council heard public comments from 11 individuals. Page 6 of 7 Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 6/15/2026 Page 7 of 7