Action Taken at August 11, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
153. Authorize the mayor to spend $310,000 to purchase 5.92 acres on Toad Lake Road from property owners Robert Cessaro and Christa Russell? The Lake Whatcom Watershed property has one potential development unit. (Discussed in Executive Session) Motion carried 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
154. Authorize the mayor to spend $1,450,000 to purchase 5.96 acres of forested shoreline from The Dubois 1988 Trust? The Lake Whatcom Watershed property has one potential development unit. (Discussed in Executive Session) Motion carried 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
155. Authorize city staff to negotiate a contract with Janicki Logging and Construction Company of Sedro Woolley to thin trees on Galbraith Mountain? The city acquired and manages an assemblage of watershed parcels on the north side of Galbraith Mountain known as the North Beaver Preserve. The city acquired the property and it is managed through the city’s Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. The only tree species to be harvested is Douglas fir; all other species will be left to increase biodiversity. Any road building will need to be approved by the city prior to the harvest starting. Current conditions of the 80-acre Douglas fir stand contain roughly 250 trees per acre, and the target condition post-harvest is 150 trees per acre, reducing the average tree spacing from 13’ to 18’. This site has difficult legal access due to a patchwork of private land surrounding the area. Janicki Logging and Construction Co. Inc. is one of the adjacent landowners and currently has an agreement in place for hauling trees through two private parcels. Harvested timber cannot be exported. (AB24618) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
156. Authorize the mayor to sign a renewed agreement with the state of Washington for funding and support of the city’s Pollution Prevention Assistance Partnership? The agreement was initially approved at the 3/31/2008 meeting, vote #83. This agreement provides $255,741 to fund city employees and $13,500 for direct business reimbursements. The city partners with the state Department of Ecology to provide pollution prevention assistance specialists for technical assistance and education outreach to small businesses to prevent pollution of waters of the state as part of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Partnership (formally known as the Local Source Control Partnership), and will commence on 7/1/2025 and expire on 6/30/2027. (AB24619) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
157. Grant a noise variance to an as-yet unnamed city contractor for construction of the Boulevard Park Shoreline Enhancement project? Construction work in residential zoned areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. Construction in the intertidal area will occur at night during select days when the tide levels are at their lowest. Federal and state permitting regulations require that work below the ordinary high-water mark occur “in the dry” to protect water quality and habitat. The lowest tides during the permitting window are anticipated to occur during the nighttime hours. Significant shoreline erosion occurred during the 2021 storm season, prompting staff to install hazard fence and signage at the park. The project includes creation and enhancement of two beach areas to improve public access, improve habitat, and address ongoing erosion along the park shoreline. The work will take place at night between 10/1/2025 through 12/31/2025. (AB24620) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
158. Approve assorted amendments to countywide planning policies? The Growth Management Act requires Whatcom County, in cooperation with the seven cities, to adopt countywide planning policies (CWPPs). The policies, originally adopted in 1993, are intended to be used as a guide when jurisdictions update their comprehensive plans. Recent changes to state law require the county to amend the CWPPs related to housing and establish policies for tribal cultural resources, as well as climate change and resiliency. The county executive initiated the proposed amendments for review on 10/29/2024 and 12/19/2024 in accordance with the CWPP. In addition to input from county and city staff, comments on the proposed amendments were received from a variety of advisory boards, organizations, and jurisdictions. These amendments require County Council approval. (AB24623) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
159. Appropriate $16,897,358 for goods and services checks issued from July 11 through July 31, 2025? (AB24626/24627/24632) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
160. Approve an agreement between the Bellingham Police Department and Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (WSCJTC) in Burien for part-time instructional services? The Bellingham Police Department may provide to WSCJTC parttime services of on-duty and qualified agency personnel to provide instruction and instructional support. This work directly impacts public safety by supporting training and providing certification requirements of criminal justice professionals in accordance with state law. WSCJTC will reimburse the agency for the payment of part-time instructors. The hourly rate assigned to each instructor will be based on the WACJTC contractor pay scale. This contract runs from 7/1/2025 to 6/30/2028. (AB24630) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
161. Appropriate $5,638,302 for payroll checks issued from July 1 to July 15, 2025? (AB24631) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
162. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County to expand the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic & Sexual Violence? In 1998, a Commission Against Domestic Violence was created by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County. At the 1/28/2019 meeting, vote #11, the commission was expanded to include sexual violence. This vote increases voting members from 31 to 35. The four additional seats will include one representative from the Whatcom County school districts, one member of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, and two additional members from the community at large. This agreement allows the Bellingham city attorney “or designee” to serve on the commission and removing the requirement that members be registered voters. (AB24633) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
163. Increase fees at the Lake Padden Golf Course? Built in 1972, the course is is just over 50 years old. Other than a major expansion and renovation of the clubhouse in 1995, the city has not had the money in the Enterprise Fund to reinvest in the aging infrastructure and irrigation system. At the 6/26/2023 meeting, vote #123, , the council approved a facility reinvestment/water conservation fee of $4 per round of golf and $2 per round of disc golf starting in January 2024. The fee raised approximately $105,000 the first year towards the replacement of the irrigation system which has reached its end of life. On July 7, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended a $2.00 increase for 18 holes, a $1.00 increase for nine holes, and no increase for disc golf. The increased fees with raise an estimated $35,000 per year. The fee increase will allow the city to replace sprinkler heads, obtain a new weather station, and soil moisture sensors at an accelerated rate. AB24621 (Resolution 2025-13) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
164. Authorize the mayor to sign a development agreement with Talbot Real Estate LLC, setting the terms and conditions for the anticipated buildout of Barkley Village? (Public hearing held at July 21 meeting.) The city and Talbot have negotiated an agreement to provide predictability and certainty as to development regulations, development phasing, the SEPA process, flexibility for future development, and impact fee credits related to the development, structure, use, subdivision and/or activity proposed for a portion of within Barkley Village for a period of 25 years. In exchange, Talbot has agreed to provide certain public benefits including, for example, dedicating approximately 40 acres of property located on the eastern portion of the Barkley Urban Village as open space. This property will remain in its natural, forested state in perpetuity. AB24607 (Resolution 2025-14) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
165. Set September 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for a public hearing before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner to consider a petition to vacate the the western one-half of Iron Street abutting Big Rock Park between Potter Street and Interstate 5? The petitioner has submitted the vacation petition with the required signatures and has paid the application fees. The public hearing will be held in City Council chambers. AB24628 (Resolution 2025-15) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
166. Set September 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for a public hearing before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner to consider a petition to vacate a portion of an alley between Iowa and Kentucky Streets and between Pacific and Racine Streets? The petitioner has submitted the vacation petition and has paid the application fees. The public hearing will be held in City Council chambers. AB24629 (Resolution 2025-16) Approved 6-0, Lisa Anderson excused.
__________________________________________
Action Taken at August 25, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
167. Authorize the mayor to sign all documents necessary for the City of Bellingham to participate in additional opioid settlements? The attorney general’s office announced settlements with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as well as eight generic opioid manufacturers including Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus. (Discussed in Executive Session) Motion carried 7-0
168. Reject all bids for repairs to the police department building? The project addresses water infiltrating the exterior of the building. The engineer’s estimate was $925,000. Two bids were submitted, CDK Construction of Duvall submitted the low bid of $1,875,845, the other bid was $2,169,100. Since the lowest responsible bid was significantly higher than the engineer’s estimate, staff recommended the rejection of all bids. After discussions with the bidding contractors, it appears the uncertainty in the extent of masonry and stucco repairs was the root cause of the significant discrepancy between the low bid and the engineer’s estimate. The project will be rebid once review and adjustments are made to the project scope. In the meantime, staff will continue to do patching and minor repairs to the building. (AB24638) Approved 7-0
169. Approve the Britton Road/Northern Heights annexation? (Public hearing held at July 21 meeting.) On 10/19/2023, the City of Bellingham received an annexation petition from property owners for approximately 146-acres located in Bellingham’s Urban Growth Area, adjacent to the Barkley neighborhood. The review process was initiated by the City Council at the 3/25/2024 meeting, vote #60, and the required 60 percent annexation petition was submitted by the applicant on 5/8/2024. The Whatcom County assessor’s office certified the petition and issued a Certificate of Sufficiency on 7/17/ 2024. The annexation proposal is consistent with and implements the 2016 Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. Annexation of the subject area would allow urban levels of development where existing city utilities and services are available, create logical city boundaries, and provide additional land area to help meet Bellingham’s 20-year forecast of population growth. Both the city and county designated this area as a logical extension of the city and an area appropriate for annexation and urban levels of development. Council members expressed concerns about the long-term costs associated with annexation. (AB24608) Failed 5-1-1, Lisa Anderson, Dan Hammill, Hollie Huffman, Hannah Stone, and “Skip” Williams opposed, Jace Cotton abstained.
170. Appropriate $8,993,305 for goods and services checks issued from August 1 through August 14, 2025? (AB24644 /24647) Approved 7-0
171. Appropriate $5,729,159 for payroll checks issued from July 16 to July 31, 2025? (AB24645) Approved 7-0
172. Authorize the police chief to enter into a cooperative agreement with the United State Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration concerning the the trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs? The Bellingham Police Department will detail one sergeant and one experienced officer for not less than two years, and the DEA will assign five special agents to the BRO (Bellingham Resident Office) Task Force. The task force will disrupt illicit drug traffic in the Bellingham area by targeting violators and trafficking organizations, gather intelligence data relating to trafficking, conducting undercover operations and engaging in other traditional methods of investigation. The DEA will, subject to the availability of funds, reimburse the City of Bellingham for overtime. (AB24646) Approved 7-0
173. Authorize the mayor to initiate consideration of a one-tenth of one percent sales tax? As part of the 2025 legislative session, the state Legislature created an additional one-tenth of one percent sales tax for criminal justice. To impose the tax, the city must adhere to a strict timeline that includes submitting eligibility documentation as soon as possible. Submitting the documentation in no way binds the city to imposing the tax; it merely creates the opportunity to do so in the future. The new state tax is authorized by Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015, adopted by the state Legislature on 4/22/2025. AB24648 (Resolution 2025-17) Approved 7-0
174. Set September 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council chambers for a public hearing before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner to consider a street vacation petition for an unimproved portion of Burns Street within the Barkley Urban Village? The petitioner has submitted the vacation petition with the required signatures and has paid the application fees. AB24649 (Resolution 2025-18) Approved 7-0
175. Extend the emergency ordinance regulating the preservation of landmark trees for another six months? (Public hearing held at August 11 meeting.) The extension will provide staff the opportunity to address other workload priorities that have statutory timelines. At the 5/20/2024 meeting, vote #104, the council passed an emergency ordinance for the preservation of landmark trees. It was extended at the 11/4/2024 meeting, vote #225, and the 3/10/2025 meeting, vote #60. Emergency extensions required public hearings. AB24634 (Ordinance 2025-08-018) Approved 7-0
176. Adopt the Barkley Urban Village Subarea Plan and associated development regulations? (Public hearing held at July 21 meeting.) Barkley neighborhood has evolved from a commercial/industrial hub to an “urban village” with pedestrian-oriented streets, quality design, and construction of mid-rise residential buildings and commercial and public space amenities. However, the regulatory structure, a land use and zoning system established in the early 1990s, has not evolved with the urban village buildout. This ordinance (250-acre site) includes amendments to the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Development Code (Title 20), including changes to zoning designations and development regulations, and amending portions of the Barkley Neighborhood Plan and zoning table to reflect this new overlay. The Talbot Group, the primary landowner, has begun to implement an urban village form at an increasingly faster rate than the 1-2 projects they were historically able to produce. This is primarily due to new partnerships, including with affordable housing developers, to build housing at a quicker rate. They’ve also partnered with public agencies and the city to provide amenities such as a public library branch and nature play park. The development agreement is a 20-year contractual agreement between the city and Talbot and any successors to Talbot’s interest in property located in the Barkley Urban Village. AB24605 (Ordinance 2025-08-019) Amended and approved 7-0
177. Establish the Barkley Village Planned Action pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act? (Public hearing held at July 21 meeting.) SEPA allows for up-front environmental analysis (Planned Actions) to be conducted for a specific geographic area typically associated with a sub-area planning effort. These “Planned Actions” require an environmental impact statement to be conducted and potential impacts and mitigation measures identified. This upfront analysis streamlines future project specific review and provides clarity and certainty on required mitigation for both developers and the public. This Planned Action represents the findings of the final EIS for the Barkley Urban Village and identifies mitigation measures associated with the buildout of the urban village. AB24606 (Ordinance 2025-08-020) Amended and approved 7-0
_____________________________
Action Taken at September 15, 2025 Meeting
Mayor’s Report:
178. The mayor reappointed Scott Pratschner to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. He was initially appointed to a partial term at the 2/12/2024 meeting. He has a B.A. from WWU in engineering geology and for 13 years has been an air quality specialist with the Northwest Clean Air Agency. He has lived in Bellingham for 20+ years. His first full term will end on 8/30/2028. (AB24664) Nonvoting issue.
Shall the council:
179. Authorize the mayor to spend $256,000 to purchase five acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property from the owner Vernon Hartle? 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
180. Reconsider the Britton Road/Northern Heights annexation? At the 8/25/2025 meeting, vote #169, the council defeated a motion (5-1-1, Lisa Anderson, Dan Hammill, Hollie Huffman, Hannah Stone, and “Skip” Williams opposed, Jace Cotton abstained) to approve the Britton Road/Northern Heights annexation. This vote requires staff in late 2026 or early 2027 (after the annexation plan is completed) to bring back the annexation proposal for the City Council to reconsider. (Old/New Business) Approved 5-2, Hannah Stone and Lisa Anderson opposed.
181. Send letters to Evergreen Supporting Living leadership and SEIU 775 staff members? Workers there are bargaining their first contract. The letters encourage reaching a fair and equitable agreement that prioritizes the health and safety of clients and employees and addresses the rising cost of living in Bellingham and Whatcom County. (Old/New Business) Approved 7-0
182. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $48,779,160 to IMCO General Construction of Ferndale for cleanup of the R.G. Haley/Cornwall landfill sites and construction of the Salish Landing Park? The engineer’s estimate was $60,710,444. All three sites are located at the south end of Cornwall Avenue. At the 9/14/2009 meeting, vote #193, the council authorized the purchase of the R.G. Haley property from the Douglas Management Company for $1.00. Phase 1 of the project will remediate the R.G. Haley and Cornwall landfill cleanup sites. From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, the R.G. Haley site was used for lumber, coal and wharf operations and is the location of a former wood treatment facility. Cleanup will consist of approximately six acres of uplands and approximately 60 acres in the water. The Cornwall site was the city’s landfill from 1954 to 1965. The cleanup site consists of approximately 13 acres of uplands and approximately 3.5 acres in the water. Once cleanup work is complete, the first phase of the Salish Landing Park, including a small parking area and trails, will be constructed. The city received five bids; the high bid was $65,014,782. (AB24651) Approved 7-0
183. Authorize the mayor to sign a joint funding agreement with the federal government for the operation and maintenance of stream gages? The city partners with U.S. Department of Interior/ U.S. Geological Survey for the operation and maintenance of stream gauges. The program monitors the stream flows of Anderson Creek, Brannian Creek, Olsen Creek, Carpenter Creek, Chuckanut Creek, Euclid Creek, Silver Beach Creek, Squalicum Creek and the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River near Deming. Information from the program helps the city manage the water supply. The total cost of the program is $244,915 — the city’s share is $208,087 and the federal government’s share is $36,823. The agreement runs from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026. (AB24657) Approved 7-0
184. Appropriate $14,585,862 for goods and services checks issued from August 15 through September 4, 2025? (AB24658/24660/24661) Approved 7-0
185. Appropriate $5,435,403 for payroll checks issued from August 1 to August 15, 2025? (AB24659) Approved 7-0
186. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the state of Washington to renew the sponsorship of two Washington Conservation Corps crews? Total cost to the city will not exceed $260,260 and will run from 10/1/2025 to 9/30/2026. The total estimated cost is $346,957. The work will continue the city’s long-term commitment to improving and protecting the community’s water quality, salmon habitat, and open space. The program is a partnership with Washington state and the federal AmeriCorps program. Crews (ages 18-25 and military veterans) will perform riparian restoration work throughout the city of Bellingham and the Lake Whatcom watershed. The previous agreement was approved at the 9/30/2024 meeting, vote #189. (AB24662) Approved 7-0
187. Authorize the mayor to sign a sub-recipient reimbursement agreement with Whatcom County for the What-Comm Communications Center? This agreement provides for pass-through funding from the Washington State Military Department. It is directed to the City of Bellingham’s What-Comm Communications Center in support of reimbursement for capital equipment expenses. The state has contracted with Whatcom County to provide reimbursement for certain eligible expenses. By law, these funds must be distributed to Whatcom County. This agreement begins on 7/1/2025, and ends on 8/15/2026. The maximum allocated amount is $74,045. A notable difference is that the 2025-26 contract adds a new reimbursement category, CPD8 – 911 PSAP Salaries. Up to $20,000 for FY26 is authorized for salaries and benefits for specific positions in the 911 PSAP Center. (AB24663) Approved 7-0
188. Grant a noise variance to Faber Construction for the fish passage project on Padden Creek? Construction work in residential zoned areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. At the 5/19/2025 meeting, vote #110, a low bid of $4,326,716 was awarded to Farber Construction of Lynden to replace two partial fish barriers and fish ladders with bridge-like arched culverts, pools, and large woody debris at two creek crossings between 12th and 14th streets. Twice during the August cleanup, a faulty pump spilled a total of approximately 675 gallons of diesel into the creek resulting in a project delay. The work is required to be completed by 9/30/2025 due to the regulatory fish window. In order to facilitate the required timeline, the project envisions allowing the contractor working 24 hours a day if needed. The city has applied for a variance with the state Department of Ecology so work may continue into mid-October. (AB24666) Approved 7-0
189. Adopt the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan? The Bellingham Public Library completed a Facilities Master Plan in 2022 and shared the results with City Council at that time. Later this year, Planning and Community Development staff will bring forward the draft Comprehensive Plan, which will incorporate the library’s Facilities Master Plan by reference. To prepare for this step, the City Council is now asked to formally adopt the 2022 Library Facilities Master Plan. The document outlines priorities for the 20-year planning period. These projects represent important steps toward addressing the council’s adopted Level of Service goals and aligning library growth with community needs and citywide development patterns. AB24652 (Resolution 2025-19) Approved 7-0
190. Designate the Cascadia Daily News as the city’s official newspaper of record? The city is required by state law to designate an official newspaper of record by City Council resolution. For many decades, The Bellingham Herald has served as the city’s official newspaper of record. The city issued a request for proposals and the the only newspaper that responded was the Cascadia Daily News. It meets all requirements specified in state law to be an official newspaper of record, that includes being a newspaper of general circulation in Bellingham and that is published at least once a week. AB24656 (Resolution 2025-20) Approved 7-0
191. Amend temporary shelter regulations? (Public hearing held at August 25 meeting.) Temporary shelter regulations were established at the 10/22/2018 meeting, vote #170. The original intent was to prevent temporary shelters from becoming concentrated in any one area of the city, and it was assumed that temporary shelters would generate negative impacts to nearby properties. Since 2018, the city has permitted several temporary shelters and monitored their operations in coordination with the Bellingham Police Department. In general, the feared impacts of temporary shelters have not played out. Amendments to the regulations are necessary to comply with Washington State law. AB24635 (Ordinance #2025-09-021) Approved 7-0
192. Vacate a portion of Donovan Avenue between 35th and 36th streets? Twenty-two years ago, in 2003, the city received a street vacation petition for a portion of the Donovan Avenue right-of-way. The Bellingham Hearing Examiner held a public hearing on 6/23/2004 on the proposed vacation and recommended approval of the vacation. The council held a closed record hearing on 10/11/2004, and approved the vacation. The application expired due to the lack of action by the petitioner. In June 2024, the petitioner hired a land use consultant to file another land division application that incorporated the vacation area and created three new lots. City staff determined the city has no plans to use the remaining portion of the right-of-way for utility purposes. The petitioner is required to dedicate a private easement for the portion of the existing driveway located in the vacated right-of-way that serves the abutting property to the south. This change will enable the creation of three new lots while retaining most of the landmark trees located on the property. AB24641 (Ordinance 2025-09-022) Approved 7-0
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Mayor, Kim Lund
360–778–8100 (phone), 360-778-8101 (fax)
mayorsoffice@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2027
City Council
360–778–8200 (phone), 360–778–8108 (fax)
ccmail@cob.org
At-Large, Jace Cotton
360-778-8214, jacotton@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2025
Ward 1, Hannah Stone
360–778–8211, hestone@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2027
Ward 2, Council President,Hollie Huthman
360–778-8216, hahuthman@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2025
Ward 3, Dan Hammill
360–778–8213, dchammill@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2027
Ward 4, “Skip” Williams
360–778–8215, ehwilliams@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2025
Ward 5, Lisa Anderson
360-778-8217, laanderson@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2027
Ward 6, Michael Lilliquist
360–778–8212, mlilliquist@cob.org
Term expires: Dec. 2025
_________________________________
_________________________________
* More information about City government included in the printed paper. Click on Subscribe at the top of this page.
