City Council - Special Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 31, 2022, 1:00 PM Mayor: Seth Fleetwood 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 Kristina Michele Martens All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order President Stone called the meeting to order at 1pm. Roll Call 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 Kristina Michele Martens, At Large 23508 1. Budget Work Session p. 3 Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig provided an overview of the 2021-2022 Department Achievements and outlined the proposed 2023-2024 budget. Budget highlights include:  4 additional Police Officers, 1 additional Records Supervisor, 3 additional What-Comm Dispatchers while currently down 13 Commissioned positions (5 Vacancies, 8 Conditional Offers).  Continued investments in recruiting and retention efforts to include targeting a more diverse workforce and mitigation through wellness programs.  Continue to meet and exceed accreditation requirements of Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs. Councilmembers asked questions. Blake Lyon, Director of Planning and Community Development, provided an overview of the 2021-2022 Department Achievements and outlined the proposed 2023-2024 budget. Budget highlights include:  Planning & Community Development funding increased from approximately $18.5M in FY22 to approximately $34.7M in FY23. The more noticeable City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 1 October 31, 2022  elements associated with this increase are $1.3M more in Low Income Housing, $4.2M in Affordable Housing Sales Tax, and $2M for Tourism. (p. 99)  The City’s continued support for Childcare, Families with Children experiencing homelessness, and emergency shelters continue to be a primary focal point.  Increase in Professional Services funds, totaling $2.2M, in part for Long-Range planning efforts. (p. 98)  Focus on filling existing vacancies, supporting the professional development of existing staff.  Addition of 2 more FTEs (Planner II & Permit Technician). Councilmembers asked questions. Patricia Leach, Director of the Whatcom Museum, provided an overview of the 2021- 2022 Department Achievements and outlined the proposed 2023-2024 budget. Budget highlights include:  Since the museum collection is owned by the COB and because it is growing and in need of care and conservation, the line item for supplies has been increased from $4,000 to $10,000.  All museum exhibitions and programs, including the operation of the Family Interactive Gallery, are covered under the Foundation budget. Councilmembers asked questions. The 2022 Budget Work Session meetings continue from 1:00pm-3:00pm at City Hall on the following dates:  November 7, 2022 (Mayor, Council, Municipal Court) Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:56pm. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 October 31, 2022