City Council - Regular Meeting
Mon, September 28, 2026
City Council Regular Meeting — September 28, 2026
This was a regular City Council meeting chaired by Council President Hannah Stone. Council Member Hollie Huthman was excused for the entire meeting, so all votes were 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Public Comment
Six members of the public spoke during the public comment period. The minutes do not detail the substance of their remarks.
Public Hearing: Proposition 2026-06 — Mayor's Salary Commission (Resolution #2026-21)
The Council held a public hearing on a resolution supporting a ballot proposition that would authorize the City's salary commission to set the Mayor's salary, removing that determination from the Council's direct purview.
Vote: Moved by Lisa Anderson, seconded by Michael Lilliquist. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused). Approved as Resolution #2026-21.
Public Hearing: Proposition 2026-07 — Electronic Signatures for City Contracts (Resolution #2026-22)
The Council held a public hearing on a resolution supporting a ballot measure that would streamline the City's contract review process by allowing electronic signatures in place of traditional wet signatures.
Vote: Moved by Jace Cotton, seconded by Skip Williams. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused). Approved as Resolution #2026-22.
Contract Award: Overwater Maintenance and Repair Services
The Parks and Recreation Committee brought forward a contract award to Boss Construction for indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity overwater maintenance and repair services (Bid No. 46B-2026), in an amount not to exceed $400,000. This type of contract allows the City to call on services as needed rather than for a fixed scope.
Vote: Moved by Skip Williams, seconded by Dan Hammill. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused).
Advanced Life Support & Paramedic Agreements with Whatcom County
The Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee brought three related public safety items:
Amendment to ALS Interlocal Agreement (Item 25066): An amendment to the existing interlocal agreement with Whatcom County governing advanced life support services. No specific dollar figures were noted in the action summary.
Vote: Moved by Dan Hammill, seconded by Skip Williams. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused).
Paramedic Training Agreement with Whatcom County (Item 25068): A new interlocal agreement with Whatcom County specifically for paramedic training.
Vote: Moved by Dan Hammill, seconded by Lisa Anderson. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused).
Multi-Agency Public Safety Joint Training Facility Agreement (Item 25067): A new interlocal agreement establishing a shared training facility among multiple agencies — a regional approach to public safety training.
Vote: Moved by Dan Hammill, seconded by Skip Williams. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused).
Introduction of the 2027 Preliminary Budget
The Committee of the Whole received an introduction to the City's 2027 preliminary budget. This was an informational presentation only — no action was taken. The Council will hold the first of two formal public hearings on the proposed budget on October 5, 2026. The budget is available for public review at cob.org/budget.
Executive Session: Potential Property Acquisitions (Lake Whatcom Watershed)
The Council met in closed executive session to receive information on two separate potential property acquisitions in the Lake Whatcom watershed, both presented by staff member Rosenblatt. No action was taken on either item; both were for information and discussion only. Lake Whatcom is Bellingham's primary drinking water source, and the City has an ongoing interest in acquiring watershed lands to protect water quality.
Consent Calendar
The following routine items were approved together without separate discussion:
Vote: Moved by Michael Lilliquist, seconded by Dan Hammill. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused).
Ordinance: Kratom Ban (Ordinance #2026-09-025)
On third and final reading, the Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products within Bellingham, adding a new section to the Bellingham Municipal Code and establishing penalties. Kratom is an herbal substance with opioid-like properties that has raised public health concerns.
Vote: Moved by Dan Hammill, seconded by Skip Williams. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused). Enacted as Ordinance #2026-09-025.
Ordinance: Vehicle Impoundment (Ordinance #2026-09-026)
On third and final reading, the Council approved an ordinance amending the City's vehicle impoundment rules, updating Bellingham Municipal Code Chapters 2.56 and 11.18. The action summary does not detail the specific changes, but the ordinance has been through two prior readings.
Vote: Moved by Dan Hammill, seconded by Skip Williams. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused). Enacted as Ordinance #2026-09-026.
Ordinance: Sister Cities (Ordinance #2026-09-027)
On third and final reading, the Council approved an ordinance relating to Bellingham's sister cities program. The ordinance formally recognizes the ongoing contributions of the Bellingham Sister Cities Association and repeals the existing Municipal Code chapter (2.82) governing sister cities, presumably replacing it with updated language or a different governance structure.
Vote: Moved by Lisa Anderson, seconded by Skip Williams. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused). Enacted as Ordinance #2026-09-027.
Resolution Honoring Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller (Resolution #2026-23)
In a late-added item, the Council approved a resolution honoring Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller for her outstanding contributions to the City of Bellingham.
Vote: Moved by Hannah Stone, seconded by Dan Hammill. Carried 6-0 (Huthman excused). Approved as Resolution #2026-23.
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.
What happened at this meeting
An ordinance regarding vehicle impoundment, amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapters 2.56 and 11.18
An ordinance relating to Bellingham sister cities, recognizing the ongoing contributions of the Bellingham Sister Cities Association, and repealing
An ordinance prohibiting the preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products, adding a new section to chapter 10.08 of the Bellingham
An interagency agreement with the United States Geologic Survey for water resource investigations
An amendment to the interlocal agreement with Bellingham Technical
Agenda items (28)
What happened
Approval of the August 24, 2026 City Council committee and regular meeting minutes was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
An ordinance regarding vehicle impoundment, amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapters 2.56 and 11.18 was considered for final reading. Daniel Hammill and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading, which carried 6-0 and was named Ordinance #2026-09-026.What happened
An ordinance relating to Bellingham sister cities was considered for final reading. Lisa Anderson and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading, which carried 6-0 and was named Ordinance #2026-09-027.What happened
An ordinance prohibiting the preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products was considered for final reading. Daniel Hammill and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading, which carried 6-0 and was named Ordinance #2026-09-025.What happened
An interagency agreement with the United States Geologic Survey for water resource investigations was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
An amendment to the interlocal agreement with Bellingham Technical College for paramedic training was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
An interlocal agreement with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs for a traffic safety grant was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
Authorization of payroll labor cost payments dated August 1, 2026 to August 15, 2026 was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
An interagency agreement for reimbursement from the Administrative Office of the Courts for interpreter services was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
Authorization of payroll labor cost payments dated August 16, 2026 to August 31, 2026 was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
An interlocal agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration for reimbursement of overtime was approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Michael Lilliquist and Daniel Hammill moved approval of the entire Consent Agenda, which carried 6-0.What happened
Introduction of the 2027 preliminary budget was presented for information and discussion only; the budget is available to view online at cob.org/budget.What happened
Edwin H. "Skip" Williams presented a contract award for indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity for overwater maintenance and repair services, Bid No. 46B-2026. Williams and Daniel Hammill moved to award the bid to Boss Construction in the amount not to exceed $400,000, which carried 6-0.What happened
Daniel Hammill presented an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for advanced life support services. Hammill and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the mayor to amend the interlocal agreement, which carried 6-0.What happened
An interlocal agreement for a multi-agency public safety joint training facility was presented. Daniel Hammill and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into the interlocal agreement, which carried 6-0.What happened
An interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for paramedic training was presented. Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into the interlocal agreement, which carried 6-0.What happened
A public hearing was held on a resolution in support of Proposition 2026-06 authorizing the City's salary commission to set the Mayor's salary. The Council heard public comments from six individuals. Lisa Anderson and Michael Lilliquist moved final approval of Resolution #2026-21, which carried 6-0.What happened
A public hearing was held on a resolution in support of Proposition 2026-07 streamlining the City's contract review process to allow electronic signatures. Jace Cotton and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved final approval of Resolution #2026-22, which carried 6-0.Additional votes recorded in minutes
Adopt Resolution #2026-21 (Proposition 2026-06, Mayor's salary commission)
Adopt Resolution #2026-22 (Proposition 2026-07, electronic signatures)
Award Bid No. 46B-2026 for overwater maintenance and repair services
Authorize amendment to interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for advanced life support services
Authorize interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for paramedic training
Authorize interlocal agreement for multi-agency public safety joint training facility
Approve Consent Agenda
Adopt Ordinance #2026-09-025 (prohibiting kratom products)
Adopt Ordinance #2026-09-026 (vehicle impoundment)
Adopt Ordinance #2026-09-027 (Bellingham sister cities)
Adopt Resolution #2026-23 honoring Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller
Verbatim transcript available
35 transcript segments indexed