Action Taken at January 5, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Authorize the mayor to spend $1.8 million to purchase 5.02 acres of property from Loren Demuth and Theresa Green and a 1.36-acre conservation easement located on a separate parcel owned by Loren Demuth and Theresa Green? The properties are located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed, will be acquired through the Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. The program is funded by water customers through a surcharge on their utility bill. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
2. Approve the reorganization of the City Council and committee assignments? At this annual reorganization meeting, the council nominated and elected officers, appointed members to standing committees and to community boards, commissions, advisory boards, task forces and other groups. Council meetings follow Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. (AB24797) Approved 7-0
3. Approve the 2026 legislative agenda? The city’s lobbying team presented a proposed 2026 state legislative agenda for discussion and City Council direction. A standing project team led by the mayor’s office coordinates this work and a contract lobbying team represents the city in Olympia during the legislative session and year-round. The 2026 legislative agenda can be viewed here: https:// cob.org/state-government-relations. (AB24798) Approved 7-0
4. Appropriate $9,974,543 for goods and services checks issued from December 5 through December 18, 2025? (AB24805/24806) Approved 7-0
5. Authorize the City of Bellingham to issue up to $19 million of general tax obligation bonds to construct a What-Comm 911 dispatch building? The What-Comm building will house operators to receive emergency calls, police dispatching operations, offices, employee facilities plus technology and communications equipment. The 2026 budget includes $10.5 million for this project and a $1.5 million reimbursement for the project design. What-Comm user fees will pay the debt service. This measure also allows the refund of the Public Facilities District debt remaining on the 2016 limited obligation bonds. Effective 7/27/2025, the state extended the duration of the state-shared sales tax for Public Facilities Districts from 40 years to 55 years. The district will refund approximately $3.3 million of outstanding debt and extend the debt for 20 years allowing it to continue to collect the state-shared sales tax through 2046. AB24787 (Ordinance 2026-01-001) Approved 7-0
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Action Taken at January 26, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
6. Ratify a four-month contract the Fraternal Order of Police? Duration: 1/1/2026 through 4/30/2026. Wages and compensation: extends the current agreement through 1/30/2026. Existing future changes clause provides that the Fraternal Order of Police will receive a “me too” agreement for changes in wages, deferred compensation, educational incentives, or longevity negotiated with the Bellingham Police Guild. Effective 1/1/2026: equivalent to 3.75 percent cost-of-living-adjustment. Medical insurance: increase the city’s contribution to medical insurance by 6 percent each year. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
7. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $5,982,839 to Earthwork Solutions of Arlington for the redevelopment of Old Town? The engineer’s estimate was $6,868,663. As part of a public/private partnership, the city is constructing street improvements in accordance with a 2020 development agreement with Parberry Inc., a 2023 development agreement with Old Town Village LLC, and a 2024 agreement with Whatcom County. Work includes street improvements from C, D, and E streets between Holly Street and Bancroft Street, and Astor Street from C Street to F Street. Specific features are new curb and gutter, widened streets in conformance with the Old Town Urban Village Plan, lighting on Astor and C streets, stormwater improvements, and sidewalks on C Street and Astor Street (between E and F streets). Overhead utilities will be placed underground except for electrical transmission lines. Funding includes a $1.5 million grant and a $1.5 million EDI loan. The city received eight bids; the high bid was $7,861,776. (AB24807) Approved 7-0
8. Appropriate $5,617,799 for payroll checks issued from December 1 to December 15, 2025? (AB24809) Approved 7-0
9. Appropriate $7,029,872 for goods and services checks issued from December 19, 2025 through January 8, 2026? (AB24810/24812) Approved 7-0
10. Authorize the mayor to accept two state grants — totaling $2,949,000 — for interior renovations at the central downtown library? The total budget for architecture, engineering and construction is $8,449,100. The city applied for two grants of $2,000,000 and $1,030,000 and received grants of $1,950,000 and $999,100. The library was constructed in 1950 to serve a population of 35,000 people. It was remodeled in 1985 for a population of 47,000 people, with an expected 25-year life span. Forty years later, the same building is now serving a population of nearly 100,000 people and receives nearly 500,000 visits per year. The grant funding will be used for youth and staff space improvements that were not included in the previous renovations, such as new framing, drywall, LED lighting, carpet, paint, ceiling tiles, furniture and fixtures; as well as safety and security updates including renovated public restrooms, a more open floor plan on the lower floor, and a relocated help desk on the main floor. The project is anticipated to open bidding towards the end of summer 2026, with construction starting late fall 2026 or early 2027 with anticipated completion in late fall 2027. The library intends to close the central building to the public during construction and expand hours at the three branch locations. (AB24815/24816) Approved 7-0
11. Increase green fees by 5 percent at the Lake Padden Golf Course? In December 2017, the city entered into a management agreement with Premier Golf Centers of Seattle to operate and maintain the Lake Padden Golf Course. Under the agreement, the city receives all revenues and pays direct costs plus a management fee to Premier. At the 1/27/2020 meeting, vote #14, the council approved an increase in green fees and allows for up to a 3 percent annual increase for the life of the management agreement. From 2023-2025, Premier broke records in golf rounds played and total revenue. This proposal exceeds the three percent cumulative annual green fee increase approved in 2020. The golf course budget is slightly over $2 million in expenditures with $2.45 million in projected revenue. The proposed increase in green fees will help offset increased costs related to payroll, utilities, and will keep pace with inflation. This action is expected to increase revenues by an estimated $100,000 per year. AB24814 (Resolution #2026-01) Approved 7-0
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