Action Taken at September 25, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
181. Spend $55,000 to purchase 0.12 acres with one potential development unit in the Lake Whatcom Watershed property from property owner Judy Walston? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
182. Lake Whatcom Water Level Dashboard. The City of Bellingham operates a dam on Whatcom Creek. Lake levels and creek flows are managed to benefit drinking water supply, flood control, habitat and recreational opportunities. Lake Whatcom water levels, rainfall, creek flows, weather patterns and other similar data is collected and used to make operational decisions. In an effort to make common questions centered around lake levels and Whatcom Creek water flow more widely available, staff developed an interactive dashboard hosted on the city website (cob.org) The dashboard also contextualizes seasonal targets used in operating the control dam on Whatcom Creek. (23860) Nonvoting issue.
183. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of David Stalheim to his second and final term on the Greenways Advisory Committee? David Stalheim’s initial appointment was approved at the 9/28/20 meeting, vote 163. He has lived in Bellingham for 15-plus years, recently retired as the long-range planning manager for the city of Everett, and has over 30 years of local government planning. His final term expires on 9/28/2026. (AB23858) Approved 7-0
184. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County for lateral paramedic training? The Bellingham Fire Department and Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services have recognized the financial benefit and reduced training time required when hiring an employee that holds a national or state paramedic licensure, and has been engaged in training lateral-entry firefighter/paramedics to provide paramedic services in Whatcom County. During this training, the paramedic students are taken away from their minimum-staff positions and placed into a trainee position on a medic unit. This agreement provides spending $66,916 from the countywide EMS levy to backfill the students while they are in the training role, and expands on a contract previously approved at the 12/13/2021 meeting, vote #243/244. The contract was extended at the 1/23/2023 meeting, vote #15, up to a maximum amount of $364,116. (AB23863) Approved 7-0
185. Take steps to ease housing cost burden for low-income renters? Staff advised council to modify the city’s Housing Development Guideline and Procedure Handbook to incorporate clear language for notifications and disclosures communicated at time of tenant application and lease requirements, to continue researching the feasibility of administering a Homeshare Program (facilitate the use of unused bedrooms), and to add $275,564 to the Eviction Prevention Program administered by the Opportunity Council to provide additional rental assistance resources for a total of $384,000. (AB23864) Approved 6-0, Hannah Stone abstained.
186. Approve an easement for Puget Sound Energy at Bloedel Donovan Park? Puget Sound Energy will be providing a new underground electrical service line at Bloedel Donovan Park, as well as a new electrical transformer. This work is needed to electrify the building to meet the city’s climate goals by installing energy efficient electrical systems. This easement is required for electrical service transmission and will provide access necessary for PSE to maintain and operate both their service line and their transformer. (AB23869) Approved 7-0
187. Authorize the mayor and court administrator to sign an agreement between the Bellingham Municipal Court and the state Administrative Office of the Courts to seek reimbursement for interpreter services? The interpreter will help improve access to the court for those with limited-English proficient, deaf, and hard of hearing persons and address financial needs. The award allows up to $18,987 in reimbursement and it expires on 6/30/204. (AB23870) Approved 7-0
188. Authorize the mayor to sign a data-sharing aggreement with Whatcom County? Confidential information will be shared between the city’s What-Comm 911 and Whatcom County Health and Community Services. The exchange of information is necessary for the coordination of care for clients enrolled in the Ground Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE), Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), mental health court, Alternative Response Team (ART), and co-responder programs. Health and Community Services’ Electronic Patient Care Records (EPCR) system. Participants will provide public health information dating as far back as the information is maintained on each participant’s system. (AB23871) Approved 7-0
189. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County for the Samish Way/Galbraith Lane crosswalk? At the 5/6/2019 meeting, vote #82, the council accepted a $350,000 donation from the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition to expand the Lake Padden Park parking lot from 30 cars to 140 cars. This agreement facilitates the construction of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) crosswalk and signage, which crosses Samish Way at the intersection with Galbraith Lane. The county prepared the conceptual design, will provide funding not exceed $22,100 for the project, and will be responsible for maintenance. The purpose of the new crosswalk is to provide a safer connection between the south Galbraith parking lot and Galbraith Lane. Project construction costs are estimated to not exceed $22,100. (AB23872) Approved 7-0
190. Appropriate $4,835,776 for payroll checks issued from August 16 through August 31, 2023? (AB23873) Approved 7-0
191. Appropriate $4,673,569 for goods and services checks issued from September 1 through September 14, 2023? (AB23874/23875) Approved 7-0
192. Encourage qualified city electors to vote yes on the Greenways 5 levy? (Public Hearing held.) At the 7/10/2023 meeting, vote #137, the council approved a property tax levy of $.41/$1,000 of assessed value, to continue the Greenways program. If approved by the voters, approximately $8,600,000 per year in tax revenue is anticipated for the next 10 years. The levy adds a new component to help improve our park system’s climate resiliency, including energy efficiency upgrades, urban forestry management, invasive species removal, expanded neighborhood trail development, and additional restoration and community garden projects. AB23855 (Resolution 2023-21) Approved 7-0
193. Encourage qualified city electors to vote yes on Proposition 2023-04? (Public Hearing held.) At the 7/11/2023 meeting, vote #180, the Whatcom County Council authorized submission to the voters the collection of a local sales and use tax of two-tenths of one percent (20 cents per $100.00) for costs associated with public health, safety, and justice facilities and services, including a new county jail, behavioral health, supportive housing, public safety, and other criminal justice facilities and programs. AB23856 (Resolution 2023-22) Approved 6-1, Kristina Michele Martens opposed.
194. Endorse the Buildable Lands Report? At the 12/7/2020 meeting, vote #225, the City Council amended countywide planning policies and establishing the “Buildable Lands” Program, which were also approved by the other cities and by Whatcom County. The Buildable Lands Report was adopted by the Whatcom County Council at the 3/21/2023 meetings, vote #75. The Buildable Lands Report evaluates growth accommodated by Whatcom County and each city therein from 2016 to 2021, which is the first five years of the 20-year timeframe covered by the 2016 Comprehensive Plan. The results of this report will inform the next periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan, which will be adopted in 2025 and will plan for growth out to 2045. AB23862 (Resolution 2023-23) Approved 7-0
195. Amend fees for accessory dwelling units, infill housing applications, and street vacation requests? At the 1/10/2022 meeting, vote #9, the council amended the infill housing toolkit, at the 8/7/23 meeting, vote #160, the council amended the accessory dwelling units and at this meeting, vote #199, the street vacation policies. Those ordinances streamlined the review process for ADUs and infill housing applications and clarified the review process for street vacation requests. At the 10/8/2007 meeting, vote #201, the hourly planning staff time was set at $107 per hour. The new proposed fee for Type I ADU applications is $214, which is also roughly 50 percent of the cost for a Type II ADU permit, with a further fee reduction ($107) for subsequent ADU applications submitted together. AB23865 (Resolution 2023-24) Approved 7-0
196. Amend the Cornwall Park neighborhood Area 7 Institutional Master Plan? (Closed record hearing held at 9/11/2020 meeting.) On 7/15/2022, PeaceHealth applied for an admendment to the 2006 Cornwall Park Institutional Master Plan. The Area 7 boundary contains approximaely 82 acres, 67.5 are owned by PeaceHealth, 12 acres are protected open space and 14.5 acres are privately held. The Institutional Master Plan for Area 7 (St. Josephs Hospital) was adopted in 1982, and a new plan was approved at the 12/11/2006 meeting, vote #312. PeaceHeath is planning a 6-floor addition to the West Pavilion and a rooftop helipad, additions to and remodels of existing medical buildings, a new office building and parking garage and improvements to the existing ground helipad. AB23843 (Ordinance 2023-09-026) Approved 7-0
197. Amend the 2023-2024 biennial budget (amendment #8)? A new ($320,000) temporary shower program will serve those lacking ready access to shower facilities and a new safety and worker’s compensation position ($127,211) to lead the city’s workplace safety and worker’s compensation programming. The Opportunity Council’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) will operate the shower program on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the parking lot behind City Hall on an interim basis. The HOT team members will be available to refer clients to other community resources. The new full-time position will oversee the Central Safety Committee, review and analyze accident and near-miss data and work to prevent injuries. AB23837 (Ordinance 2023-09-027) Approved 6-0, Hannah Stone abstained.
198. Prohibit the possession of firearms at city-operated stadiums and convention centers and City Hall? The city may adopt only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that state law specifically authorizes. State law allows the city to adopt a local ordinance prohibiting the possession of firearms at city facilities like civic stadium and Joe Martin Stadium to enhance public safety. This ordinance also incorporates by reference firearm regulations in state law so that alleged violations of those regulations may be prosecuted in Bellingham Municipal Court. AB23839 (Ordinance 2023-09-028) Approved 7-0
199. Repeal and replace the city’s street vacation policies and procedures and clarify that a City Council street vacation decision is a legislative matter? The city adopted its street vacation policies and procedures in 1978 and amended them in 1978, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1998. The street vacation policies and procedures are out of date and incomplete. This ordinance updates the city’s street vacation policies and procedures by: (1) updating and codifying the policies/criteria for approving street vacations, (2) codifying the city’s current procedures for reviewing street vacation petitions, and (3) incorporating the state law requirements for vacating streets into the Bellingham Municiple Code. AB23840 (Ordinance 2023-09-029) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at October 16, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
200. Reject all bids for chip seal services? The city put chip seal services (chip seal is a thin film of heated asphalt liquid sprayed on the road surface) out for bid. The city received two bids — the low bid of $1,924,050 was from Doolittle Construction of Snoqualmie, the other bid of $3,320,103 was from Huizenga Enterprises of Bellingham. The engineer’s estimate was $664,500. With the low bid coming in at three times the estimate and nearly four times the budgeted amount, the council chose to reject all bids. The project needs to be re-scoped, re-budgeted and re-bid. (AB23878) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
201. Authorize the mayor to sign an $137,000 agreement with Whatcom County to operate an interim shower program? At the 9/25/2023 meeting, vote #197, the City Council authorized an expenditure of $320,000 to contract with the Opportunity Council to operate an interim public shower program in the rear parking lot of City Hall. Whatcom County will pay for 50 percent of the cost of the operations. This program temporarily replaces services previously provided at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center and will help fill a gap in service needs prior to the anticipated opening of The Way Station in the summer of 2024. The mobile shower trailer with three stalls, including one ADA accessible unit, cost the city $100,000 using American Rescue Plan Act money. (AB23883) Approved 5-0-1, Hannah Stone abstained, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
202. Authorize the mayor to sign a $250,000 agreement with Whatcom County to fund a winter shelter at Civic Field? Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham are proposing to partner on a temporary 45-bed nightly winter shelter at the Civic Field. Whatcom County issued a request for proposals and selected Road2Home, a local nonprofit organization serving unsheltered community members. The shelter will operate from December 1 to February 29 at the cost of approximately $500,000. The county will reimburse the city for $250,000 of staffing and operational costs. Winter shelters operate on an ongoing basis, regardless of weather conditions. (AB23884) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
203. Authorize the mayor to sign a $262,806 agreement with Whatcom County to cover unanticipated medic unit start-up costs? In February 2023, the Bellingham Fire Department staffed a fourth medic unit (Medic 75) in support of the countywide EMS system. Over the two-year process of preparing to bring this unit online, unanticipated costs due to supply chain delays and increased facilities’ upgrade costs arose that were not provided for in the original start-up agreement. This agreement allows the fire department to bill Whatcom County for those additional start-up costs, with funding provided by the countywide EMS Levy. (AB23887) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
204. Authorize the mayor to sign a $959,861 agreement (amendment #2) to extend the agreement for First Response Emergency Medical Services and provide extra funds? The Bellingham Fire Department is party to a countywide agreement to provide first response and basic life support for medical emergencies. It was authorized at the 1/22/2018 meeting, vote #9, in cooperation with 12 fire districts, the City of Lynden, South Whatcom Fire Authority, and the City of Bellingham. That agreement expired in December of 2022. This amendment continues the existing agreement through 12/31/2023. (AB23888) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
205. Appropriate $15,547,944 for goods and services checks issued from September 15, 2023 through October 5, 2023? (AB23894/23895/23896) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
206. Appropriate $9,307,245 for payroll checks issued from September 1 through September 30, 2023? (AB23897/23898) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
207. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement (amendment #1) with Whatcom County to assist with solid waste cleanup at illegal encampments? Whatcom County will provide $150,000 to assist with the cleanup. City subcontractors will work to decrease or eliminate the threat of hazardous materials reaching the environment and/or exposure to hazardous or disease-causing materials or vectors associated with abandoned homeless encampments on public property. At the 12/12/2022 meeting, vote #249, the county provided $150,000, this amendment brings total funding from Whatcom County to $300,000 in 2023. This agreement expires on 12/31/2023. (AB23899) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
208. Authorize the mayor to sign a $600,000 cost-sharing agreement with Whatcom County, Whatcom Council of Governments and six small cities for planning studies associated with the Comprehensive Plan Update and Urban Growth Area review? This agreement defines the list of periodic update planning tasks to be jointly coordinated and funded. The agreement details the specific cost share for each jurisdiction, timing for invoicing and reimbursement to Whatcom County, project budgeting milestones, and agreement effective date, duration, and termination. Bellingham’s cost is $216,617 or 36.1 percent. (AB23900) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
209. Authorize the mayor to sign a $138,100 agreement between the Bellingham Fire Department and Whatcom emergency medical services to fund lateral paramedic training? Lateral paramedics are individuals who have an active paramedic certification. A lateral paramedic needs about six months of on-boarding time to become certified to practice as a Whatcom County paramedic. This contract provides funding to backfill the students while they are in the training role, as well as to cover preceptor and evaluation costs. The agreement expires on 3/31/2024. (AB23901) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
210. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement (amendment #3) to correct scrivener’s errors for first response emergency medical services? The Bellingham Fire Department has been party to a multiagency, countywide agreement to provide first response and basic life support for medical emergencies. It was initially approved at the 1/22/2018 meeting, vote #9, in cooperation with twelve (12) fire districts, the City of Lynden, South Whatcom Fire Authority, and Bellingham. This amendment removes Whatcom County Fire District 5 as a signer. (AB23902) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
211. Increase fees at Bayview Cemetery? The cemetery is managed as an enterprise fund. Currently the annual cost of maintenance and operations is approximately $457,255. Over the last three years, revenues have been up and the city subsidy has leveled off. A future goal is to eliminate the need to subsidize the cemetery and to cover all cemetery operations and maintenance. The last adjustment to fees and charges was at the 4/11/2022 meeting, vote #64, which only increased tombstone material costs. This increase will raise prices for casket burials, urn rates, labor fees for open and closing services, and costs for concrete grave liners, in addition to a 30 percent non-city resident escalator charge for all services and products. AB23880 (Resolution 2023-25) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
212. Increase the fees for city parks and recreational facilities? The fees have not been increased since the 1/28/2019 meeting, vote #12. These changes for park use fees include the elimination of commercial rates, reducing fee types for athletic facilities, and adjusting rates to offset increasing costs of staffing and facility enhancements and maintenance. It includes several new reservable facilities that are in the process of construction or improvement. AB23881 (Resolution 2023-26) Approved 6-0, Kristina Michele Martens excused.
Action Taken at October 30, 2023 Meeting
Mayor’s Report:
The mayor made two appointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The advisory board provides recommendations on plans and programs designed to enable the parks department to maintain and improve city parks and provide recreation programs for the general welfare of the people of the city. The board advises the City Council, mayor, parks director, and other city departments.
213. Jed Holmes is reappointed to a full term. Jed was initially appointed to a partial term at the 5/9/2022 meeting. He is a student at WWU and has been a city resident for the past five years. His term will expire on 11/25/2026, at which time he may be reappointed.
214. Jeannie Gilbert is reappointed to a final term. Jeannie was initially appointed to a full term at the 11/9/2020 meeting. She is a 20-plus-year resident of Bellingham, a retired scientific lab technician for WWU and currently acts a part-time restoration tech primarily for wetlands. She has a degree in biology with a background in ecology, restoration, marine science and fire ecology. Her final term will expire on 10/21/2026. (AB23904) Nonvoting issue.
Shall the council:
215. Spend $230,000 to purchase 6.06 acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property with one potential development unit from property owners Robert and Lonnie Nielsen? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion Carried 7-0
216. Spend $1,347,000 to purchase 104.95 acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property with five potential development units from the property owner Nielsen Brothers? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion Carried 7-0
217. Spend $138,000 to purchase Lake Whatcom Watershed property totaling 2.68 acres with one potential development unit from the property owner Timberline Logging? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion Carried 7-0
218. Appropriate $6,186,599 for goods and services checks issued from October 6 through October 19, 2023? (AB23913/23914) Approved 7-0
219. Amend the 2023-2024 biennial budget (amendment #9) in the amount of $220,033? The City Council is allocated $164,525 and the office of the mayor is allocated $55,509. Two positions in the City Council office will be reclassified and two positions will be added. The “legislative assistant” and “senior legislative policy analysis” will be changed to “City Council office manager” and “administrative assistant and policy analyst.” The two new positions are “communications and community relations manager” and “administrative assistant.” The communications position will be jointly funded with the executive department and supervised by the city’s communications director. The ordinance also includes funding for alterations to the City Council office to accommodate the new staff. AB23891 (Ordinance 2023-10-030) Approved 7-0
