Action Taken at November 3, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
215. Authorize the mayor to close the $75,470 real estate transaction with the property owner, BNSF Railway Company? The property is being acquired for street improvements. The property is located on Wharf Street near the State Street roundabout. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
216. Authorize the mayor to close the $227,500 real estate transaction for 4.62-acres from James C. Steel? The property will be acquired through the Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
217. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $115,186 to SRS Roofing Company of Bellingham for roofing repair and maintenance services? The contract is for three years and an amount not to exceed $1 million. Previously, the city has executed multiple contracts with multiple contractors for roofing repairs and maintenance services on the city’s buildings. Due to the number of repairs needed, the varying type, age, and manufacture of roofing systems, city staff has found it difficult to keep up with the needed required repairs and maintenance for each system. This Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity request seeks to consolidate this work into a single, comprehensive agreement serving to provide centralized on-call maintenance and repairs at competitive prices. The city received three bids — the high bid was $130,151. The bid amount is based upon a hypothetical set of jobs for bid comparison purposes. (AB24710) Approved 7-0
218. Authorize the mayor to sign an three-year agreement with Whatcom County to renew probation services? The city of Bellingham contracts with Whatcom County for probation services for persons who have been found guilty of violating ordinances of the city. The city will commit up to $1 million per year for this program. Probation has seen an average yearly increase of 20 percent. Active probation services include: monitoring compliance with drug, domestic violence, mental health, sexual deviance and other court ordered treatment programs; monitoring completion of community service and payment of restitutions; indigence-status assessment; bail studies; and conducting breath, urine, and oral substance testing. This agreement expires on 12/31/2028. (AB24713) Approved 7-0
219. Appropriate $8,325,350 for goods and services checks issued from October 10 through October 23, 2025? (AB24717/24723) Approved 7-0
220. Authorize the police chief to accept a $8,200 state grant for traffic safety emphasis patrols? The Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant is in support of Target Zero to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries through impaired driving patrols, distracted driving patrols and seat belt patrols. Traffic fatalities in 2023 were the highest number since 1990. Pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries to pedestrians reached record highs in 2023. This agreement runs from 10/1/2025 to 9/30/2026. Patrols will not use funds for programs to check helmet usage or to create checkpoints that specifically target motorcyclists. (AB24718) Approved 7-0
221. Authorize the mayor and police chief to sign a renewal agreement with the Bellingham Housing Authority for police services? The housing authority will pay the city $168,402 and provide office space for a drug and crime prevention officer to work directly with staff and residents of housing authority-owned and managed properties and surrounding neighborhoods. The officer will provide both law enforcement and crime prevention services, such as setting up block watch meetings, coordinating with the police department crime prevention units in targeted neighborhoods, working to locate drug dealers and providing counseling to juveniles at risk of drug involvement, doing a weekly inspection of multifamily developments and filing monthly reports with the housing authority and an annual report with the city. It continues a program that has been in place since 2000, and it expires on 1/13/2027. (AB24722) Approved 7-0
222. Authorize the Municipal Court director to sign an agreement with the state Administrative Office of the Courts to seek reimbursement for interpreter services? Interpreters will help improve access to the court for those with limited English proficiency, deaf and hard of hearing persons, and the agreement will address financial needs. The award allows up to $30,211 in reimbursement and it expires on 6/30/2026. (AB24724) Approved 7-0
223. Add the impact fee schedule for the Bellingham School District to the Capital Facilities Plan? At the 9/29/2025 meeting, vote #199, the council passed a resolution adopting the Capital Facilities Plan. The plan guides both city-managed and other facility and service needs over the next 20 years. The Capital Facilities Plan passed on 9/29/2025 was missing the impact fee schedule for the school district. No other changes have been implemented in the resolution. Impact fees are as follows: $4,133 per single-family dwelling unit, and $1,793 per multifamily dwelling unit. AB24711 (Resolution 2025-24) Approved 7-0
224. Set the dates and times of the 2026 regular City Council meetings? Twenty-four meetings are scheduled; meetings will start at 7:00 p.m. “Roberts Rules of Order” are to be used unless otherwise provided by the Charter. AB24719 (Resolution 2025-25) Approved 7-0
225. Adopt a legal framework for the operation of a Bellingham Mitigation Bank? Regulatory approval for a mitigation bank is a formal process coordinated by the interagency review team co-chairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Ecology, with participation from other federal, tribal, state, and local agencies. Federal, state and local regulations require development projects with unavoidable wetland, and other aquatic impacts to mitigate for the impacts to achieve no net loss in ecological function. The Bellingham Mitigation Bank ordinance establishes the framework for operating the bank and creates a new special revenue fund for acquiring, establishing, constructing, operating, monitoring, maintaining, and managing the Bellingham Mitigation Bank. AB24695 (Ordinance 2025-11-027) Approved 7-0
226. Vacate a portion of an unimproved alley generally located between Iowa and Kentucky streets and Pacific and Racine streets? (Public hearing held before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner on 9/10/2025.) The owners of Bat Cave LLC, Bellingham40 LLC, DCI Commercial LLC, Ralph Krueger and E. Lewis requested the vacation. None of the abutting property owners rely on the alley for access; it is used for storage and other reasons. There are no utilities within the alley. The hearing examiner recommends to the City Council that the requested vacation should be granted. AB24707 (Ordinance #2025-11-028) Approved 7-0
227. Vacate the western one-half of Iron Street abutting Rock Hill Park between Potter Street and Interstate 5? (Public hearing held before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner on 9/10/2025.) The the City of Bellingham is the petitioner for this right-of-way vacation; it plans to use the vacated right-of-way to construct a new playground in Rock Hill Park. There are no public or private utilities within the subject right-of-way. The hearing examiner recommends to the City Council that the requested vacation should be granted. AB 24708 (Ordinance #2025-11-029) Approved 7-0
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Action Taken at November 17, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
228. Authorize the mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the City of Bellingham as a defendant in litigation: Scarmuzzi v. City of Bellingham? David Scarmuzzi was riding an electric scooter down West Holly Street when he was hit by a pickup truck driven by an uninsured driver. His injured leg required surgery and he is in lengthy physical therapy. He is asking for monetary damages to be determined at trial. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
229. Authorize the mayor to spend $275,000 to purchase a 20-acre property from Darrell K. Bornstein, Jr., Robert D. Bornstein, and Linda L. Neilan? The property will be acquired through the Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
230. Authorize the mayor to spend $15,000 to purchase a 0.4-acre property from Whatcom County? The property will be acquired through the city’s Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
231. Authorize the mayor to sign a lease agreement with property owner, La Mirage Kiffman, for storage, office, and laboratory space? The 5,504 square feet of space is located at 3125 Mercer Avenue and will be used by the Bellingham Police Department. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
232. Authorize the mayor to sign the proposed settlement agreement with the Northwest Clean Air Agency resolving the notice of violation dated 3/27/2024? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
233. Appoint councilmembers Hollie Huthman and Michael Lilliquist to the Trifunder CEDS? The Port of Bellingham, City of Bellingham and Whatcom County are parties to regional economic partnership agreement providing leadership to support the economic development division at the port and its related activities. Two City Council members will participate in the 2027-2031 engagement plan, which will establish the priorities, goals, aspirations and visions of Whatcom County’s economy. (Old/new business) Motion carried 7-0
234. The mayor reappointed Zachary Cook and Neil Schaner to the Greenway Advisory Committee. The committee identifies, develops, reviews, and recommends selection criteria, general project priorities and specific actions relating to the expenditure and allocation of Greenway levy funds. The committee works in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department staff. The board consists of 11 members appointed by the mayor. Appointments will be for three-year terms and a member may be reappointed.
234A. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of Zachary Cook to the Greenway Advisory Committee? Zachary Cook is a 39-year resident and currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Greenway Committee since his appointment on August 24, 2025. He has also worked for WTA as an operations supervisor and training supervisor. His first full term will expire on 10/28/2028. (AB24744) Approved 7-0
234B. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of Neil Schaner to the Greenway Advisory Committee? Neil Schaner was appointed to a partial term at the 9/28/2020 meeting, vote #163, and to a full term at the 10/24/2022 meeting, vote #190B. He served as vice chair in 2021 and chair from 2022-2024, chairing the successful Greenways 5 levy campaign in 2024. His final term will expire on 11/18/2028. (AB24744) Approved 7-0
243. Adopt the 2025 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan? The Washington Administrative Code requires each local emergency management organization to develop and update a comprehensive emergency management plan. Staff from the state Office of Emergency Management have been working throughout 2025 to update the city’s plan. The plan is a broad overview of the city’s local emergency management systems to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of disasters. It utilizes all hazards planning foundations and concepts and help jurisdictions address local vulnerabilities through identification of assets, resources, organizational structures, and responsibilities. The plan has been reviewed and approved by the state and is now ready for city adoption. AB24755 (Resolution 2025-27) Approved 7-0
244. Relinquish a public utility easement in vacated Douglas Street? (Public hearing held.) On 9/19/1966, the City of Bellingham vacated a portion of the Douglas Street right-of-way from the easterly line of 10th Street to the westerly line of 11th Street. The owner of 925 10th Street has plans to improve and redevelop the site but needs the added area encumbered by the city’s retained utility easement to facilitate development of private property. A re-dedication of public right-of-way will also be part of the development plan. AB24731 (Resolution 2025-28) Approved 7-0
245. Relinquish a public water main easement at 404 Baker Street? (Public hearing held.) On 10/28/1931, James and Emma Jule granted the City of Bellingham an easement for construction, maintenance, and operation of a water main. The owner of that easement at 404 Baker Street has plans to improve and redevelop the site but needs the added area encumbered by the city’s water main easement to properly complete the design and meet current regulations. The property is zoned light industrial with a residence on site. The city has no need or plans to place a water main in the water main easement area. AB24732 (Resolution #2025-29) Approved 7-0
246. Extend interim zoning regulations to eliminate parking minimums citywide and establish bicycle parking standards for six months? (Public hearing held at November 3 meeting.) Bellingham city code regulates the number of minimum parking stalls throughout the city. On 5/20/2024, the council directed staff to explore policies and regulations to eliminate parking minimums. At the 1/13/2025 meeting, vote #14, the council initially passed the interim ordinance that would remove the regulations in response to mayor’s executive order expanding housing options in Bellingham. This six-month extension eliminates the minimum number of required parking spots and allows property owners and developers to provide parking as necessary. It allows staff time to explore the feasibility of implementing various parking management tools. The interim regulations will terminate on 7/28/2026. The amendment endorsed the staff work plan. AB24715 (Ordinance 2025-11-030) Approved 7-0
247. Establish the property tax levy for 2026? (Public hearing held at October 20 meeting.) State law requires the city to pass an ordinance stating its intent to increase property taxes. State law limits the increase of property tax to the lessor of one percent or inflation, as measured by the implicit price deflator. There are four main components that make up the city’s property tax levy: the general fund ($18,436,859), the pension fund ($2,983,742), Greenway ($9,830,477) and housing levies ($1,366,730). The dollar amount of the increase over the actual levy amount from the previous year shall be $304,818, which is a percentage increase of .9573 percent from the previous year. Th is increase is exclusive of additional revenue resulting from new construction, improvements to property, newly constructed wind turbines, any increase in the value of state assessed property, any annexations that have occurred and refunds. AB24714 (Ordinance #2025-11-031) Approved 7-0
