Update
The July 27, 2026 meeting, vote #125, reported the city attorney’s office would be sending information on claims form #2873 in the AFFF multidistrict PFAS litigation after Whatcom Watch had been sent to the printer. The city attorney’s office announced they could not find any information on claims form #2873. The office stated the form was filled out on the internet, and nothing in print exists. The following information was obtained from the internet. Over 15,000 active lawsuits are consolidated in the aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) multidistrict litigation (MDL 2873) in South Carolina federal court, addressing toxic PFAS’ contamination or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are chemicals primarily used in industrial, oil processing, and firefighting foam (AFFF) activities. Water contamination is one of the most significant issues related to PFAS.
Action Taken at August 10, 2026 Meeting
Mayor’s report
Mayor Lund provided an update on the Regional Fire Authority (RFA). The RFA committee has drafted a plan that will provide fire and emergency medical services in Bellingham and Fire District 8. The committee has agreed upon the RFA boundaries, financial structure ($1 per $1,000 of assessed property value and a fire benefit charge), a governance board structure, and operational structure. A draft proposal will be brought forward to the council in October after additional community engagement. The council will consider a resolution in November to approve the draft RFA plan prior to submission for voter approval in the February 2027 election.
Shall the council:
135. Authorize the mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the City of Bellingham as a defendant in litigation: Oldham v. City of Bellingham, et al? In July 2020, Julie Oldham tripped and fell on a sidewalk near North Forest and East Champion streets. She sustained a fractured femur, fractured metatarsals, acute deep vein thrombosis, and various injuries to her knee, elbow, shoulder, and spine. A settlement agreement was approved at the 8/24/2026 meeting, vote #145. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
136. Authorize the mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the City of Bellingham as a defendant in litigation: Jewett v. City of Bellingham, et al? Christine Jewett was walking home from work when she was hit by a pickup truck at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Eldridge Avenue. The impact severely broke her leg, which is now held together by two metal plates and dozens of screws. According to Jewett’s legal team, the intersection is darker than state standards. Litigation was resolved at the 7/24/26 meeting, vote #145. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
137. Authorize the mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the City of Bellingham and the city employees as defendants in litigation: Blomeen v. City of Bellingham, et al? Courtney Rose Allison Blomeen filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Bellingham in July 2026, alleging her RV home was unlawfully seized and destroyed. The plaintiff lived in her RV, which served as her home. The city and associated entities impounded the vehicle, declaring it a junk vehicle. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
138. Reject the pending purchase and sale agreement for 2020 Pacific Street? The city’s potential purchase of property located at 2020 Pacific Street for use as a day center was rejected due to the city’s inability to find an operator for the site. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
139. Authorize the mayor to award the lowest fee proposal of 6.50 percent to Walsh Construction Company of Tukwila for preconstruction and construction services for the Post Point wastewater treatment plant emission control upgrades? Preconstruction services are estimated at $900,000 and and construction at $40 milllion, respectively. The work will upgrade air pollution control equipment for both Post Point incinerator units, reduce air emissions from solids processing of the wastewater treatment system and maintain uninterrupted, safe, and compliant operations. A request for proposals was issued; six proposals were received and reviewed by the purchasing division, city selection committee, and the owner’s advisory team. Two of the six proposals were determined nonresponsive and were not considered. Walsh Construction Company submitted the lowest contractor’s fee proposal and received the highest combined score from the review committee. Following the council award, the mayor is authorized to contract with Walsh to provide preconstruction services and to act as the construction manager and general contractor during the construction phase. (AB25013) Approved 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
140. Appropriate $6,288,186 for payroll checks issued from June 16 through June 31, 2026? (AB24996) Approved 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
141. Appropriate $16,694,795 for goods and services checks issued from June 26, 2026 through July 23, 2026? (AB25007/25008/25009/25010) Approved 6-0, Hannah Stone excused.
142. Adopt permanent zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking standards and establish consistent bicycle parking standards? (Public hearings held at 6/15 and 7/13 meetings.) A driving force behind this parking reform is to remove obstacles to housing production, reduce environmental impacts, and support the city’s climate goals. The council initially passed an interim ordinance at the 1/13/2025 meeting, vote #14, and extended it at the 11/17/2025 meeting, vote #246 and the 7/13/2026 meeting, vote #123. After the public hearing on 7/13/2026, council members voted to refer this item to committee of the whole for a work session and it was amended. AB24970 (Ordinance 2026-08-019) Approved 6-0, Hannah Stone excused, Michael Lilliquist opposed.
______________________________________-
Action Taken at August 24, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
143. Authorize the mayor to spend $2,500 to purchase Lake Whatcom watershed property from Daniel Gibboney? The property 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
144. Authorize the mayor to sign a $115,000 settlement agreement with Julie Oldham? In July 2020, Julie Oldham tripped and fell on a sidewalk near North Forest and East Champion streets. She sustained a fractured femur, fractured metatarsals, acute deep vein thrombosis, and various injuries to her knee, elbow, shoulder, and spine. The settlement includes a reimbursement of $3,000 in mediation costs to GLP Attorneys, P.S. Inc. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
145. Authorize the mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the city in litigation challenging the federal Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule regarding federal grant conditions? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
146. Enter into a reimbursement agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham, for What-Comm Communications Center funding? The State E911 Coordinator’s Office has contracted with Whatcom County to provide reimbursement for certain approved incurred eligible expenses as described in state code. By law, these funds must be distributed to Whatcom County. This sub-recipient agreement allows Whatcom County to provide said funds to the What-Comm Communications Center to cover eligible expenses. (AB25017) Approved 7-0
147. Appropriate $5,962,085 for payroll checks issued from July 01 through July 15, 2026? (AB25020) Approved 7-0
148. Appropriate $5,293,263 for goods and services checks issued from July 31, 2026 through August 6, 2026? (AB25021) Approved 7-0
149. Approve an online survey for tenant data? At the 4/1/2026 meeting, the council requested the legislative policy analyst research a process for tenant engagement to gather survey data from tenants similar to the information collected during the 2025 survey of landlord and property managers. During the same meeting, the council also approved moving forward with a follow-up survey in 2026 for landlords and property managers. Factors to consider when reaching out to tenants include cost, time and return. Unlike with landlords, there is no email list of renters in Bellingham. The survey will be posted on the Bellingham Engage page and responses will be solicited through a variety of digital outreach options. This is the lowest cost option; staff time would be the main expense. (AB25022) Approved 7-0
150. Implement procedural changes to council meetings? Changes include moving public comments to the start of the meeting, allowing a 30-minute block for speakers at two minutes each, working with the Native counsel to recognize a formal land acknowledgement statement, and making the city’s media materials available in multiple language translations, specifically by using the language line services. Changes to language access will have an impact on the council office budget and savings will be reallocated, including to other community engagement efforts. (AB25024) Approved 6-1, Michael Lilliquist opposed.
151. Adopt the name “Bakerview Meadows Park” for the park in the 900 block of East Bakerview Road? In accordance with city policy, the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has recommended City Council adopt an official name for the park located on East Bakerview Road, between Deemer Road and James Street. A naming survey resulted in over 100 suggestions and 220 people participating. (AB25025) Approved 7-0
152. Adopt the Bakerview Meadows Park Master Plan? Bakerview Meadows Park, located between Telegraph and Bakerview east of Deemer roads. At the 3/9/2020 meeting, vote #38, the council authorized the expenditure of $2,310,000 to acquire 29 acres from Bakerview Nursery Property for park purposes. The master plan is a culmination of two years of work with local residents and the community to design and phase the 26-acre space for use as a park, while holding a portion along Bakerview for future low-income housing. The plan includes sections on public outreach, site design, park security, a phasing plan, and cost estimates. Full implementation of the master plan will take 10-15 years, with immediate access to the park and temporary trails. (AB25026) Approved 7-0
153. Approve three separate agreements with the cities of Blaine, Ferndale and Lynden for sharing of public safety data? This agreement authorizes the police departments of Blaine, Ferndale and Lynden to share limited records management system data with What-Comm 911. What-Comm public safety telecommunicators will receive read-only access to the “names” file in records management systems to support person checks and provide more efficient service to police officers and other agencies they assist. What-Comm public safety telecommunicators are trained and certified to handle criminal justice information in compliance with applicable security requirements. The agreement does not allow an outside police department to access Bellingham Police Department records. Access is limited to basic identifying information, associated case relations, and related vehicles or associates; public safety telecommunicators cannot view full case reports. (AB25028/25029/25030) Approved 7-0
154. Confirm the mayor’s appointments to the Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group? This limited-term work group was created at the 5/11/2026 meeting, vote #82. It is composed of 13 members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The purpose of the work group is to research, discuss, and develop informed recommendations regarding the city’s landlord and tenant requirements and programs. Appointed: Lizet Albarran, McLean Bowers, Stacey Carroll, Nathan Cathersal, Margo Hammond, Selena Knoblauch, Lacey Lutjemeier, Charly Myers, Bailee Peterson, Kevin Schilling, Rebekah Sharf, Jessica Silver, and Kimberly Vermeulen. (25033) Approved 5-2, Lisa Anderson and Jace Cotton opposed.
155. Establish the docket of Comprehensive Plan amendments to be reviewed in 2026 amendment cycle? The Growth Management Act limits amendments to the comprehensive plan (the Bellingham Plan) to once a year. The seven proposals are listed below. AB25023 (Resolution 2026-19) Approved 7-0
156. Adjust the city’s land use application fee schedule? The city has not updated the land-use fee schedule since its adoption at the 10/8/2007 meeting, vote #201. Fee revenue is no longer keeping pace with the cost of service. Land-use application fees have been revised to account for inflation and include an annual adjustment based on the consumer price index. They will go into effect on 10/1/2026. The revenue generated from this adjustment will, in part, be used to fund a market study to help inform future adjustments to the fee schedule as well as a cost recovery system. AB25014 (Resolution 2026-20) Approved 7-0
157. Extend the emergency ordinance regulating the preservation of landmark trees for another six months? (Public hearing held at August 10 meeting.) The extension will provide staff the opportunity to complete the requested changes based on the Planning Commissions recommendations. At the 5/20/2024 meeting, vote #104, the council passed the emergency ordinance. It was extended at the 11/4/2024 meeting, vote #225, the 3/10/2025 meeting, vote #60, the 8/25/2025 meeting, vote 175 and the 3/9/2026 meeting, vote #36. Emergency extensions require public hearings. The City of Bellingham is recognized as a member of Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. This emergency extension expires on 3/26/2027. AB24999 (Ordinance 2026-08-020) Approved 7-0
158. Amend the rental registration and safety inspection program, and code regarding rental agreements? At the 3/9/2015 meeting, vote #223, the City Council adopted the Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program. It currently has 22,578 registered rental units. These amendments will authorize the city building official to undertake audits of inspectors and enact applicable disciplinary measures, and introduce requirements and process for using the rental safety inspection checklist for inspections performed under the chapter. Amendments will also refine the process for sending licenses to code compliance, including authorizing code compliance officers to issue citations, and refining the appeal process. Private inspectors will be audited every year as part of their performance review. City inspectors will be audited every two years as part of their performance review. AB25012 (Ordinance 2026-08-021) Approved 7-0
159. Update the city code regarding the One Percent for Art program? This amendment removes the “vicinity” requirement and allows collection care as an eligible expense. Integration of artwork into the generating capital project continues to be the preferred approach. This change would create flexibility when integration is impractical or undesirable, as reviewed by relevant city staff, the Bellingham Arts Commission, legal department and mayor. It also allows a portion of the allocated artwork funds to be used for ongoing collection care and management. A motion giving preference to integrated artwork elements failed 2-4 with Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Jace Cotton opposed and Hannah Stone excused. AB25006 (Ordinance 2026-08-022) Approved 7-0
___________________
Bellingham City Council
For more information about the Bellingham City Council,
see the print edition of the Whatcom Watch (available on some stands) ;
or receive every issue in the mail by subscribing:
Click on the “Subscribe” link at the top of this page.
