Action Taken at January 13, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Authorize the mayor to spend $500,000 to purchase property from Sanday LCC? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
2. Authorize the mayor to spend $507,500 to purchase property from owners Stephanie and Gregory Corcoran? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
3. Ratify the agreement with the What-Comm Dispatcher’s Guild? Duration: 1/1/2025 through 12/31/2026. Cost of living increase: 1/1/2025: 4 percent and 1/1/2026: 3 percent. In conjunction with implementation of the longevity premiums, eliminate the 3 percent master dispatcher premium, 2 percent service quality step at 10 years and 2 percent service quality step at 20 years. Increase shift differential from $0.60 to $0.85 for the swing shift. Increase the employer contribution to medical insurance by 6 percent each year. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
4. Authorize the mayor to accept an $11,622,085 state grant for R.G. Haley site cleanup? The R.G. Haley site is located at the south end of Cornwall Avenue. The site consists of approximately six acres of uplands and approximately 60 acres in Bellingham Bay. Project components include upland capping, nearshore capping and armoring with a soil cap, in-water soil capping and eelgrass mitigation. The Model Toxics Control Act grant funds cover 50 percent of the eligible costs — total costs are currently estimated at $28,300,000. The city will construct Phase 1 of the Salish Landing Park in conjunction with the cleanup. Project bidding is expected to occur this spring. (AB24393) Approved 7-0
5. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Nooksack Indian Tribe to fund preliminary design of high priority fish passage projects? The city-owned fish passage projects are expected to consist of two fish passage barriers on Squalicum Creek at West Street. The tribe has been awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant for $300,000. It is providing the federal grant funding to the City of Bellingham. The total cost of the preliminary design is expected to be approximately $390,000; therefore the city will be contributing $90,000 to fully fund the project. (AB24394) Approved 7-0
6. Authorize the mayor to sign a two-year agreement (amendment #5) with Whatcom County to extend the jail facility use agreement? The city will pay the county $3 million annually. The 2025 fee schedule: In-custody base rate $184.00 and booking fee $116.00. All terms and conditions in the original contract and any previous amendments remain in full effect. The agreement terminates on 12/31/2026. (AB24396) Approved 7-0
7. Request the United States Congress and the President to pass and sign legislation creating a National Infrastructure Bank? The council believes that a new national infrastructure bank could directly finance much of our nation’s infrastructure and would require no new federal spending. It would allow the city to have a greater climate impact faster and reap secondary benefits through regional and state projects. Additionally, the city could see direct benefit through low-interest funding for city projects such as street, wastewater, and energy improvements and increased affordable housing. AB24399 (Resolution 2025- 02) Approved 7-0
8. Appropriate $6,569,408 for payroll checks issued from December 1 through December 15, 2024? (AB24403) Approved 7-0
9. Appropriate $16,623,952 for goods and services checks issued from December 6, 2024 through January 2, 2025? (AB24404/24405/24406/24407) Approved 7-0
10. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County for the Home Electrification Appliance Rebate Program? At the 12/9/2024 meeting, vote #249, the council approved the receipt of a $999,999 state grant for the Home Electrification Appliance Rebate. The city and Whatcom County will each be responsible for half the grant. The funds will support electrification efforts for low- and moderate-income households and nonprofits/small businesses with a focus on serving disadvantaged communities. To administer this program, the city is partnering with the Opportunity Council for residential sites and Sustainable Connections for commercial sites. (AB24408) Approved 7-0
11. Authorize the police chief to accept a $95,000 state grant for increased traffic patrols? This safety grant project is from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. It is for overtime pay for high-visbility enforcement of Holiday DUI, distracted driving, Click it or Ticket it and Summer DUI campaign. The grant ends on 9/30/2025. (AB24409) Approved 7-0
12. Set 2/26/2025 at 6 p.m. for a public hearing before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner for consideration of a street vacation for Army Street? Located between W. Holly Street and Roeder Avenue in the Old Town Urban Village? The petitioner intends to use Army Street as part of a future development project on the property abutting to the southeast. (AB24410) Approved 7-0
13. Adopt a revised fee schedule for temporary rights-of-way permits? The permit fees were last updated at the 4/22/2019 meeting, vote #74. This update applies to sidewalk cafes, food trucks, parklets, scaffolding, construction staging, fences and dumpsters for work on adjecent properties and other temporary uses or encroachments by abutting property owners’ occupants. AB2398 (Resolution 2025-01) Approved 6-0, Hollie Huffman recused.
14. Adopt interim zoning regulations to eliminate parking minimums citywide and establish bicycle parking standards? (Public hearing held.) 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. This interim ordinance would remove the regulations in response to the mayor’s executive order expanding housing options in Bellingham. This interim ordinance does not prohibit the construction of parking but will eliminate the minimum number of spots required and allow property owners and developers to provide parking, as necessary. It will allow staff time to collect community feedback and prepare final parking regulations. This interim ordinance will terminate on 1/28/2026. The council voted on three amendments: the first passed 6-1, Lisa Anderson opposed. The second and third failed: the second failed 0-7, and the third failed 3-4 with Hollie Huthman, Hannah Stone, Lisa Anderson, and Michael Lilliquist opposed. AB24375 (Ordinance #2025-01-001) Amended and approved 5-2, Lisa Anderson and Michael Lilliquist opposed.
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Action Taken at January 27, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
15. Authorize the mayor to spend $3,650,000 to purchase 754 acres on Stewart Mountain from the owner, Nielsen Brothers? The purchase is part of the city’s eff ort to protect the Lake Whatcom watershed from logging and development. Th e acreage is contiguous with county-owned property. In addition, the city will pay designated forestland compensating tax ($184,412 est.) and real estate excise tax ($96,830 est.). (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
16. Authorize the mayor to sign a $25,000 settlement agreement with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937, for a withdrawal of all grievances and a waiver of all related claims? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
17. Ratify the agreement with the AFSCME Local 114L? Wages and compensation: 1/1/2025: 3 percent increase; 1/1/2026: 3 percent increase; 1/1/2027: 3 percent increase. Increase deferred compensation match to 2 percent. Increase longevity premium to 1.5 percent at 10 years of service and 2.5 percent at 20 years of service. Medical insurance: increase the city’s contribution to medical health care by 6 percent each year. Other signifi cant issues: If the city provides E-Team or Teamsters 231 employees with a 2026 or 2027 wage increase greater than 3 percent, the city shall increase the total compensation by the same percentage for 114L employees. Duration: 1/1/2025 through 12/31/2027. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
18. Declare property located at Cornwall Avenue and E. Pine Street surplus and authorize its sale for $7,500 to Farm View LLC? (Public Hearing held.) Th e city purchased the property from the Port of Bellingham in 1972 for $1,800. The small, triangularshaped parcel is approximately 4,792 square feet in size. Farm View LLC is an affi liate of Neilsen Brothers. The city has a pending agreement (see vote 15) with Nielsen to purchase 754 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Th e watershed sale is contingent upon the city selling the Pine Street parcel to Nielsen (or one of its affi liated companies). The city retains a sewer easement. (AB24412) Approved 7-0
19. Approve the mayor’s initial appointment of eight members to the Keep Washington Working Act Work Group? Th e Keep Washington Working Act was established by the state Legislature in 2019 to restrict local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. At the 9/30/2024 meeting, vote #193, the council created the Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Work Group to replace the Immigration Advisory Board. Per the resolution, the work group will include not less than fi ve and not more than nine community members with lived experience and/or connections to the immigrant community in Bellingham and people with experience and training in specifi ed fi elds relating to the goals and requirements of the work group. (AB24413) Approved 7-0
The following were appointed to the work group.
19a. Rebecca Agiewich is a two-year resident of Bellingham and has interpreted some of the City Council meetings since the spring of 2024. She spends part of every year traveling in Latin America.
19b. Eamon Bollinger has lived in Belligham for two years, is an elementary school teacher, and has worked as a residential counselor at 22 North Housing.
19c. Catalina Hope is a 15-year resident of Bellingham, is a member of an immigrant family, teaches in multiple departments at Whatcom Community College and has worked in a hospital for many years in behavioral health.
19d. Holly Pai has lived in Bellingham for nine years, is an attorney and previously served on the Immigration Advisory Board.
19e. Scott Powell is a six-year resident of Bellingham, and before retiring, he worked from 1998-2018 for Seattle City Light as a science/policy advisor, in environmental compliance and salmon recovery.
19f. Krystal Rodriguez has lived in Belligham for nine years, and has 20+ years’ experience ensuring compliance with state laws and rules as an environmental specialist.
19g. Abigail Senuty is a 22-year resident of Bellingham, works as a career counselor at Western Washington University, and has been a Peace Corps recruiter.
19h. Ian Garconnette has lived in Bellingham for three years, is an immigrant, a Navy veteran and currently a student.
20. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of Sarah Gardner to the Greenways Advisory Committee? The Greenways Advisory Committee shall identify, develop, review and recommend selection criteria, general priorities and specific actions relating to the expenditure and allocation of Greenways levy funds. Sarah Gardner was initially appointed to a partial term at the 8/29/2022 meeting, vote #151. A four-year resident of Bellingham, she has been president of the Birchwood Neighborhood Association, a member of the Maplewood/McCleod Park Master Plan Committee, and has served on the Wild Whatcom Governance Committee. Her full term will expire in January 2028. (AB24414) Approved 7-0
21. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of Katy Scherrer to a second term the Transportation Commission? The commission is expected to help shape the future of Bellingham by taking a long-range, strategic look at transportation issues and providing recommendations on policy choices and investment priorities. Katy Scherrer was initally appointed at the 12/6/2021 meeting, vote #239. She is a landscape architect/urban designer and returning resident with 26 years total residence in Bellingham. She has a master’s degree in landscape architecture from University of Washington and is co-founder the COurban Design Collective. She has been researching children’s health and air quality and how it relates to transportation for the city of Copenhagen. Her second term will expire on 1/27/2028. (AB24415) Approved 7-0
22. Approve the reappointment of Sharon Rice as the Bellingham Hearing Examiner? On 6/30/2014, Dawn Sturwold retired as hearing examiner; she was a city employee. Th e council approved the appointment of Sharon Rice as a temporary hearing examiner at the 6/23/2014 meeting, vote #124. When fi rst appointed, Sharon Rice provided hearing examiner services for eight cities and three counties. Th e mayor decided it would save money to keep Sharon Rice as the part-time hearing examiner rather appoint a full-time employee. Th e contracted hearing examiner bills hourly. The budget for the hearing examiner’s office is $146,889. (AB24416) Approved 7-0
23. Approve the implementation of the Community Streets Program? Traffic conditions on residential streets affect neighborhood safety, quality of life, and sense of community. The program aims to address the shortcomings of the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program by prioritizing proactive and targeted community engagement. The Community Streets Program will operate on a rotational basis, dividing Bellingham into four geographic areas. Each year, the program will focuse on a different area, encompassing approximately 25 percent of the city’s population. The plan will include surveys, workshops, and targeted in-person and online outreach to gather a range of perspectives. Residents will have multiple opportunities to share their insights and suggestions for traffic safety improvements based on their lived experience in the area. (AB24418) Approved 7-0
24. Authorize the mayor and fire chief to sign an $83,782 agreement with Whatcom County EMS for up to 46 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) that are Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) free? Traditional firefighting PPE contains PFAS chemicals that have been associated with multiple adverse health risks including cancers, liver, and thyroid diseases. This funding will be used to provide alternative, PFAS-free PPE to reduce health risks to fire department employees, that may be worn on rescue calls where there is a chance for a flash fire to occur or where firefighters might suffer cuts or other injuries if they were only wearing their daily uniforms. Purchases will include jackets, pants, belts and boots. (AB24421) Approved 7-0
25. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement to share costs with Whatcom County for operations of a severe weather shelter? Severe weather shelter programs operate on a temporary basis, and open when temperatures have fallen below a certain threshold (32 degrees or below), and when there has been additional precipitation in the forecast. The severe weather shelter will be located at 925 N. Forest Street, and will operate out of the basement of the church facility onsite. The program will have capacity to host 70 individuals and will coordinate with various outreach organizations to refer guests to the facility. The county will invest the first $450,000 with the city sharing up to an additional $150,000. Additional information about the program can be viewed at https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3167/Winter-Shelters. (AB24423) Approved 7-0
26. Dissolve the Climate Action Committee and create a Finance and Budget Committee? During the 2025 reorganization meeting, council members expressed interest in revising standing committees to better reflect the needs of the council. The mayor’s office recommended two changes: 1) remove the Climate Action Committee and distribute climate action items in their relevant committees and committee of the whole, to acknowledge the infusion of this work throughout city services and operations; and 2) add a Finance and Budget Committee, to elevate and provide structure to city financial actions and stewardship. Councilmember Anderson will be chair, and councilmembers Lilliquist and Hammill will be members. (AB24425) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill abstained.
27. Appropriate $5,455,631 for payroll checks issued from December 16 through December 31, 2024? (AB24429) Approved 7-0
28. Appropriate $7,146,718 for goods and services checks issued from January 3 through January 16, 2025? (AB24430/24431) Approved 7-0
29. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement (amendment #5) with the Whatcom Conservation District for wildfire risk reduction education? The original agreement was approved at the 5/10/2021 meeting, vote #81. The city will pay the district $83,336 for the education program. As the number of wildfires occurring annually in Western Washington increases, there is also an increase in the potential for wildland fires to impact nearby residential buildings and other structures. The Whatcom Conservation District will provide risk reduction outreach to property owners within the wildland urban inteface/intermix zone of Bellingham as defined by Washington Department of Natural Resources. This will include wildfire risk reduction education in the form of individual risk assessments for private property owners and community presentations on wildfire preparedness. The agreement ends on 12/31/2026. (AB24432) Approved 7-0
30. Adopt the five-year Lake Whatcom Management Program work plan? Formed in 1992, it is a joint effort of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. This is the sixth five-year work plan, and consolidates the planned efforts in one place to ensure actions are efficient and effective. The LWMP is comprised of 12 program areas that each contain various programs, projects and activities. The total budget for 2025-2029 is $71,187,565. AB24419 (Resolution 2025-04) Approved 7-0
31. Adopt temporary rights-of-way use permits for non-transportation purposes? Structures built within on-street parking areas to create space for outdoor dining are called “Streateries.” Between March 2020 and December 2022, around 30 streateries were permitted and approximately 18 are still in active use/ or permit status. This amendment defines the term “streatery,” which applies to sidewalk cafes, food trucks, parklets, scaffolding, construction staging, fences and dumpers for work on adjacent properties and other temporary uses or encroachments by abutting property owners’ occupants. It establishes an annual use fee and imposes leasehold excise tax for uses of 30 or more continuous days in accordance with Washington State law. AB24397 (Ordinance 2025-01-002) Approved 7-0
