Community Development Advisory Board

Community Development Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM March 13, 2025 Mayor's Boardroom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Community Development Advisory Board meeting was called to order by the Chair at 6:00 PM. 1. Introductions Present: Karin Jones (Chair), Andrew Calkins, Ben Spicer, Jasmine Fast, Katherine Freimund, Matt Unger, Ryan Wood, and Shannon Laws Absent: Deidra Prado and Jace Cotton (Council Representative) City Staff: Samya Lutz, Kathleen Morton and Heather Aven Guests: Lola Thompson (current applicant) 2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting February minutes were approved by general consensus 3. Link to Meeting Video Click here to view the meeting Public Comment Period During this time, citizens may take up to three (3) minutes to address the members about any topic not on the agenda. Citizens wishing to speak during this time will be recognized by the Chair for comment. Agenda Items 1) Presentation - 2025 Annual Action Plan Kathleen and Samya provided an overview of the draft 2025 Action Plan including: • Planning/Strategic documents that help to inform the plan • Funding Sources • Funding Programs • Available Funds for program allocations Staff also reviewed each of the applications that were submitted in response to the NOFA. 2) Public Hearing - draft 2025 Annual Action Plan The public hearing was opened, there was no public comment received, the public hearing was closed  Application discussion: The members discussed which applications they would like to fully fund, partially fund (and to what degree) or not fund at this time. They reviewed the rankings that were submitted by the group and considered the preliminary staff recommendation for each program. 3) Work Session – Review of 2025 Housing, Human & Social Service Applications There was general consensus to fully fund the following programs: • Bellingham Food Bank • Bellingham School District • DVSAS – Safe Shelter Program • DVSAS – Safe Start Program • Max Higbee • NWYS – 22 North • OC – Homeless Outreach Team • OC – Rapid Rehousing / Prevention • Sean Humphrey House – Resident Needs • Unity Way – Way Station • Whatcom Council on Aging • Whatcom Literacy Council • YWCA – Housing Programs There was general consensus to fund at the most recent funding level: o Brigid Collins o NWYS – Transitional Living Program o NWYS – Education/Employment o NWYS - PAD o NWYS- Ground Floor o OC – Volunteer Chore o OC - Whatcom Homeless Service Center o Road 2 Home – Ally Program o WDRC – Housing Stability Program There was general consensus to partially fund (which includes funding at previous allocation) the following programs: o Catholic Community Services o Lydia Place – Family Housing Program o Lydia Place – Mental Health Program o Mercy Housing o OC – Maple Alley There was general consensus to not fund the following programs: o Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center o Compass Health o Entrepreneurial Institute of WA  o Street Outreach o NWYS – Teen Court o OC – Housing Navigation o World Relief – Housing Program o World Relief – Orientation Program o Sun Community Services Adjourned at 8:20pm Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Community Development Advisory Board members.