City Council - Regular Meeting
City Council - Regular Meeting
Mon, July 27, 2026
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Meeting summaryAI-generated
Bellingham City Council — Regular Meeting, July 27, 2026
This was a regular evening Council meeting chaired by Council President Hannah Stone. Six of seven members were present; Council Member Hollie Huthman (Ward 2) was excused. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Appointments
Interim City Attorney (Item 24989)
The Council unanimously confirmed Mayor Kim Lund's appointment of James Erb as Interim City Attorney.
Vote: Williams / Cotton. Carried 6-0.
Mayor's Report and Council Updates
Mayor Lund opened with condolences to the Seattle community following the tragic events at the Bite of Seattle festival. She also highlighted community feedback opportunities and accessibility as discussion themes from the day's committee meetings, and read aloud a letter from a resident praising improvements at Joe Martin Field (new bleachers, accessible parking, and lighting).
Council Member Williams reported that a subcommittee has spent several months developing a framework to merge the Greenways Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board into a single body, reducing meeting redundancy while preserving key functions. All existing members will transition to the new board without displacement; vacancies will only be filled under the new structure as current terms expire. Council should expect a revised ordinance for review this fall.
Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Items
Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Street Overlay — Contract Award (Item 24997)
Council awarded a construction contract for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Street overlay project to Faber Construction Corporation for $2,829,638.31.
Vote: Lilliquist / Anderson. Carried 6-0.
Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay — Noise Variance (Item 24994)
To allow work on the same overlay project to proceed efficiently, Council approved a 30-calendar-day noise variance from the city's nighttime construction noise ordinance (BMC 10.24.120(C)(4)).
Vote: Lilliquist / Williams. Carried 6-0.
Interagency Agreement with Department of Enterprise Services — Energy Performance Contracting (Item 24998)
Council authorized the Mayor to enter into an interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services to participate in the statewide Energy Performance Contracting Program, which helps public agencies fund energy efficiency upgrades.
Vote: Lilliquist / Anderson. Carried 6-0.
Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee
Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force 2026 Annual Report (Item 24993)
The Task Force's 2026 annual report was presented to Council. This was an informational item only; no action was taken.
Committee of the Whole Items
Algorithmic Rent Price-Fixing Initiative — Referred to Voters (Item 24990)
Council gave final approval to Resolution #2026-18, sending Initiative No. 2026-01 to Bellingham voters. The initiative, if passed by voters, would prohibit algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market — a practice where software uses shared landlord data to set rents in ways that critics argue function like illegal price coordination. The resolution was amended during the day's Committee of the Whole meeting before final passage.
Vote: Stone / Williams. Carried 6-0.
Movable Dwelling Units — Work Session and Interim Ordinance (Item 24992)
Council discussed a proposed interim ordinance related to movable dwelling units (such as tiny homes on wheels or similar structures). Rather than advancing the ordinance immediately, the majority voted to refer it to a future Committee of the Whole work session for further deliberation. Council Member Lisa Anderson was the lone dissenting vote, suggesting she may have preferred a different approach or timeline.
Vote: Stone / Williams. Carried 5-1. Opposed: Anderson.
Elimination of Minimum Parking Requirements — First and Second Reading (Item 24970)
Council advanced an ordinance that would permanently eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements citywide and establish consistent bicycle parking standards across Bellingham. This is a significant land-use reform often associated with encouraging denser, more transit-friendly development and reducing the cost of housing construction. The ordinance passed first and second readings as amended, moving it toward final adoption. Council Member Michael Lilliquist cast the lone dissenting vote.
Vote: Stone / Williams. Carried 5-1. Opposed: Lilliquist.
City Council Communications and Community Engagement 2026 Work Plan (Item 24973)
Council approved the City Council Communications and Community Engagement 2026 Work Plan, which guides how the Council will communicate with and engage the public over the year.
Vote: Stone / Williams. Carried 6-0.
Executive Session — Litigation and Labor Matters
The Council met in closed session to discuss five matters, four of which resulted in action reported publicly afterward:
Claim No. 2026-18 (Nelson settlement): Council authorized the Mayor to settle a claim filed by Laeth and Kara Nelson for $27,968.22 to resolve damages related to the claim. Vote: Hammill / Williams. Carried 6-0.
Claim No. 2026-19: Discussed for information only; no action taken.
Labor relations / collective bargaining strategy: Discussed for information only; no action taken.
PFAS/AFFF Multi-District Litigation: Council authorized the Mayor to submit a claims form in the national AFFF (firefighting foam) multi-district PFAS litigation (No. 2873). This positions the City to potentially recover damages related to PFAS contamination from firefighting foam. Vote: Williams / Lilliquist. Carried 6-0.
Post Point Resource Recovery Plant — Environmental Legal Representation: Council authorized the Mayor to retain Marten Law to represent the City on environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and enforcement matters related to the Post Point Resource Recovery Plant (the city's wastewater treatment facility). Vote: Williams / Hammill. Carried 6-0.
Consent Calendar
Council approved payroll labor cost payments for June 1–15, 2026.
Vote: Hammill / Lilliquist. Carried 6-0.
Ordinance — Downtown Tax Credits (Item 24985)
Council gave third and final reading to an ordinance amending BMC Chapter 6.04 to expand the existing urban village phased tax credit and create a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit. These tax incentives are designed to encourage development and investment in designated urban areas and the downtown core. The ordinance was enacted as Ordinance #2026-07-018.
Vote: Hammill / Lilliquist. Ayes: Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton. Nays: None. Excused: Huthman. Carried 6-0.
Public Comment
Thirteen individuals addressed the Council during the public comment period. The action summary does not detail the substance of individual comments.
Key Takeaways
Rent algorithm initiative goes to voters: Council unanimously placed Initiative 2026-01 — which would ban algorithmic rental price-fixing software — on the ballot for Bellingham voters to decide.
Parking minimums eliminated citywide: An ordinance advancing through Council would permanently remove minimum car parking requirements and standardize bike parking rules, a major shift in how development can be designed across the city.
$2.83 million street overlay contract awarded: The Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln streets paving project is moving forward with Faber Construction; a temporary noise variance will allow the work to proceed on a tighter schedule.
City joins PFAS lawsuit and hires environmental counsel for Post Point: Two executive session actions signal active legal engagement on environmental issues — the City is pursuing PFAS litigation recovery and retaining specialized legal help for its wastewater plant.
Movable dwelling units sent back for more study: A proposed ordinance on tiny homes and similar structures was not advanced, instead referred to a future work session, with Council Member Anderson opposing the delay.
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
A work session on an ordinance relating to land use and zoning, amending multiple chapters in the Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) to adopt permanent zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establish consistent bicycle parking standards citywide
Council President Hannah Stone presented on a work session regarding an ordinance relating to land use and zoning to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establish consistent bicycle parking standards. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved for first and second reading as amended; the motion carried 5-1 with Michael Lilliquist opposed.
A work session on the City Council Communications and Community
Council President Hannah Stone presented on a work session regarding the City Council Communications and Community Engagement 2026 Work Plan. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved to recommend approval, which carried 6-0.
An ordinance to amend Chapter 6.04 of the Bellingham Municipal Code to expand the urban village phased tax credit and establish a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit
No staff report noted. Daniel Hammill and Michael Lilliquist moved approval for third and final reading of the ordinance to amend Chapter 6.04 of the BMC to expand the urban village phased tax credit and establish a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit; the motion carried 6-0 and the ordinance was named Ordinance #2026-07-018.
Confirmation of the Mayor's appointment of an Interim City Attorney
No staff report noted. Council Members Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams and Jace Cotton moved to confirm James Erb as Interim City Attorney, which carried 6-0 with no public comment or further discussion.
A resolution deferring initiative no. 2026-01, which prohibits algorithmic price fixing in the rental market, to the voters
Council President Hannah Stone presented on Resolution #2026-18 regarding a resolution deferring initiative no. 2026-01, which prohibits algorithmic price fixing in the rental market, to the voters. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved final approval as amended, which carried 6-0.
Agenda items (21)
Procedural (11)
1ProceduralIn-person: Headsets are available to attendees in Council Chambers.
Headsets are available for in-person attendees in Council Chambers to assist with hearing the meeting.
2ProceduralOnline: Join the Zoom meeting at cob.org/cczoom, then select the interpretation channel at the bottom of the screen. Those wishing to offer public comment in Spanish will be able to do so and their comments will be interpreted into English. Meeting records: Video recordings of each meeting are available online at cob.org/meetings within five business days following each meeting.
Online meeting access via Zoom with Spanish interpretation available; residents can submit comments in Spanish and video recordings will be posted online within five business days.
3ProceduralUpcoming special meeting On August 10, 2026 at 9 a.m., the Council will hold a special meeting for a quasi-judicial hearing to consider the appeal from Protect Mud Bay Cliffs of the Bellingham Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat, subdivision variance, and critical areas permit for the project known as the Woods at Viewcrest.
A special Council meeting on August 10, 2026 at 9 a.m. will hear an appeal by Protect Mud Bay Cliffs regarding the approval of the Woods at Viewcrest development project.
4ProceduralIn person: Sign-up sheets are available outside the Council Chambers doors starting at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the meeting.
Sign-up sheets for public comment are available in person outside Council Chambers starting at 6:30 p.m. on meeting nights.
5ProceduralSign up, both online and in person, closes at 7 p.m. Once signed up, speakers may participate via the following options:
Registration to speak closes at 7 p.m. (both online and in-person), and speakers can then participate through multiple options outlined in the agenda.
6ProceduralIn person: Meetings are held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall.
City Council meetings are held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall.
7ProceduralOnline: Join the Zoom meeting at cob.org/cczoom and follow staff instructions at time of the hearing or public comment period.
Residents can participate in meetings online by joining the Zoom meeting at cob.org/cczoom and following staff instructions during the hearing or public comment period.
8ProceduralOver the phone: Call 253-215-8782, enter Meeting ID 871 5188 5205, and Password 9. Follow staff instructions at the time of the hearing or public comment period. Before or after a meeting: The City of Bellingham meets the Open Public Meetings Act by accepting written public comment in advance of City Council meetings. Send written input before or after a meeting.
Residents can call 253-215-8782 to participate in meetings by phone using Meeting ID 871 5188 5205 and Password 9, or submit written comments to the City Council by mail or email before or after meetings.
9ProceduralBy mail addressed to: City Council, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Written public comments can be mailed to the City Council at 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 before or after meetings.
10ProceduralOnline: o For a public hearing: cob.org/publichearing. o For general public comment: E-mail all Council Members at ccmail@cob.org.
For public hearings, residents can submit written comments at cob.org/publichearing; for general comments, email all Council Members at ccmail@cob.org.
24989ProceduralConfirmation of the Mayor's appointment of an Interim City Attorney
The Council will confirm the Mayor's appointment of an Interim City Attorney.
What happened
No staff report noted. Council Members Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams and Jace Cotton moved to confirm James Erb as Interim City Attorney, which carried 6-0 with no public comment or further discussion.Council Business
24970Council BusinessA work session on an ordinance relating to land use and zoning, amending multiple chapters in the Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) to adopt permanent zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establish consistent bicycle parking standards citywide
The Council will discuss and work on a permanent zoning ordinance that eliminates minimum parking requirements for new development and establishes consistent bicycle parking standards citywide.
What happened
Council President Hannah Stone presented on a work session regarding an ordinance relating to land use and zoning to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establish consistent bicycle parking standards. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved for first and second reading as amended; the motion carried 5-1 with Michael Lilliquist opposed.24973Council BusinessA work session on the City Council Communications and Community
The Council will hold a work session on Communications and Community matters.
What happened
Council President Hannah Stone presented on a work session regarding the City Council Communications and Community Engagement 2026 Work Plan. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved to recommend approval, which carried 6-0.24990Council BusinessA resolution deferring initiative no. 2026-01, which prohibits algorithmic price fixing in the rental market, to the voters
The Council will decide to delay putting a voter initiative on the ballot that would prohibit algorithmic price fixing in the rental market.
What happened
Council President Hannah Stone presented on Resolution #2026-18 regarding a resolution deferring initiative no. 2026-01, which prohibits algorithmic price fixing in the rental market, to the voters. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved final approval as amended, which carried 6-0.24992Council BusinessA work session on movable dwelling units and discussion of proposed interim ordinance
The Council will work session and discuss a proposed interim ordinance regulating movable dwelling units in the city.
What happened
Council President Hannah Stone presented on a work session regarding movable dwelling units and a proposed interim ordinance. Stone and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved to refer the ordinance to a future Committee of the Whole work session; the motion carried 5-1 with Lisa Anderson opposed.24993Council BusinessA presentation of the Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force 2026 Annual Report
Staff will present the Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force's 2026 annual report on efforts to reduce jail populations.
What happened
Committee Chair Daniel Hammill presented on the Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force 2026 Annual Report. This item was for information and discussion only with no action taken.24994Council BusinessA noise variance for the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569)
The Council will approve a noise variance to allow construction work on the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Street overlay project.
What happened
Committee Chair Michael Lilliquist presented on the noise variance for the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569). Lilliquist and Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams moved to recommend approval of the thirty-calendar day noise variance, which carried 6-0.24997Council BusinessA contract award for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569), Bid No. 35B-2026
The Council will award a contract for street overlay work on Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Streets (Project ES569).
What happened
Committee Chair Michael Lilliquist presented on the contract award for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569). Lilliquist and Lisa Anderson moved to award the contract to Faber Construction Corporation for $2,829,638.31, which carried 6-0.24998Council BusinessAn interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services in support of the statewide Energy Performance Contracting Program Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity 10:50 a.m.
The Council will approve an agreement with the state Department of Enterprise Services to participate in an energy performance contracting program to improve city building efficiency.
What happened
Committee Chair Michael Lilliquist presented on the interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services for the statewide Energy Performance Contracting Program. Lilliquist and Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into the agreement, which carried 6-0.Ordinance
24985OrdinanceAn ordinance to amend Chapter 6.04 of the Bellingham Municipal Code to expand the urban village phased tax credit and establish a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit
The Council will pass an ordinance expanding the urban village tax credit program and creating a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit to encourage development in these areas.
What happened
No staff report noted. Daniel Hammill and Michael Lilliquist moved approval for third and final reading of the ordinance to amend Chapter 6.04 of the BMC to expand the urban village phased tax credit and establish a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit; the motion carried 6-0 and the ordinance was named Ordinance #2026-07-018.Consent Calendar
24991Consent CalendarAuthorization of payroll labor cost payments dated June 1, 2026 to June 15, 2026
The Council will authorize payment of payroll and labor costs covering June 1-15, 2026.
What happened
No staff report noted. Daniel Hammill and Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety, which carried 6-0.Additional votes recorded in minutes
Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Interim City Attorney
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Contract award for Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569)
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Noise variance for Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569)
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services for Energy Performance Contracting
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Adopt Resolution #2026-18 deferring initiative on algorithmic price fixing to voters
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Refer movable dwelling units interim ordinance to future Committee of the Whole
aye 5 · absent 1 · nay 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonnay
Michael Lilliquistaye
First and second reading of ordinance eliminating minimum automobile parking requirements
aye 5 · absent 1 · nay 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistnay
Approve City Council Communications and Community Engagement 2026 Work Plan
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Authorize settlement agreement for Claim No. 2026-18 (Nelson)
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Authorize Mayor to submit claims form in AFFF multi-district PFAS litigation
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Authorize Mayor to retain Marten Law for Post Point Resource Recovery Plant matters
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Approve Consent Agenda
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Adopt Ordinance #2026-07-018 amending BMC Chapter 6.04 for urban village and downtown tax credits
aye 6 · absent 1
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanabsent
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Verbatim transcript available
206 transcript segments indexed
City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting action summary July 27, 2026, 7 p.m. Chair: Hannah Stone Phone: 360-778-8200 Members: Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Email: ccmail@cob.org Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Web: cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton Legislative Office Manager: Jackie Weller Disclaimer This document is provided as a courtesy follow-up of the City Council meeting.
Good evening and welcome to the Bellingham City Council meeting. Today is Monday, July 27th, 2026. So, we're going to call the meeting to order and begin with roll call, please. >> Dan Hamill >> here.
>> Skip Williams >> here. >> Lisa Anderson >> here. >> Michael Liiloquist. >> Jay Cotton >> here. >> Hannah Stone >> here. >> All right. Six council members are present with council member Huffman excused.
This document is not to be considered the minutes from the meeting but rather a report of the action taken by Council. All information contained herein is subject to change upon further review of recordings of the proceedings and composure and approval of the meeting minutes.
>> Thank you very much. So, to begin with announcements and upcoming meetings, the Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the state of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unseated territory of the Lummy, Nuksac, Samish, and Seamyamu people who have cared for and tended this land since time in memorial.
Comments and suggestions are welcome. Regular meeting The following items are heard in the Regular Meeting only. Call to order and roll call The meeting was called to order by Council President Stone at 7 p.m.
Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Excused: Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Announcements and upcoming meetings The Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act.
Truth and acknowledgement are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth.
1. Land acknowledgement statement Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish and Semiahmoo People who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial.
We pay respect to their elders, past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events.
Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth.
The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the headsets that are located at the front of the room.
Remote viewers can log on to co.orgccoom and click on the language icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. So, we have an upcoming special meeting on August 10th. 10th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
We pay respect to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many Page 1 of 7 legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today.
the council will hold a special meeting for a quasi judicial hearing to consider the appeal from protect mudbay cliffs of the Bellingham hearing examiner's decision approving the preliminary plat subdivision variance and critical areas permit for the pro for the project known as the woods at Viewrest.
And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events. 2. Language access The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the headsets located at the front of the room.
Remote viewers can log on to cob.org/cczoom and click on the “Language” icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. 3. Upcoming special meeting On August 10, 2026 at 9 a.m., the Council will hold a special meeting for a quasi-judicial hearing to consider the appeal from Protect Mud Bay Cliffs of the Bellingham Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat, subdivision variance, and critical areas permit for the project known as the Woods at Viewcrest.
So again, that will be at our next meeting on August 10th at 9:00 am. So, our next council meeting will be on August 10th. We're going to begin this um evening with appointments. Um so, there is one very important appointment this evening.
So, this is agenda bill 24989. This is confirmation of the mayor's appointment of an interim city attorney. So, the mayor appoints James Herb as the interim city attorney until such time as a permanent city attorney is appointed and confirmed.
4. Next Council meeting The next City Council meeting with be held on August 10, 2026. Appointments 24989 1. Confirmation of the Mayor's appointment of an Interim City Attorney p. 6 Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Jace Cotton moved to confirm the Mayor's appointment of James Erb as Interim City Attorney.
Mr. B meets the qualifications of city attorney as defined in article 6, section two of the city charter. Let me take the take the vote first. >> Sure. >> Okay. Um, so this is up for confirmation. The name is coming forward from Mayor Lond.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor's report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Summary: Mayor Lund expressed condolences and support to the City of Seattle community, leaders, victims, and first responders for the tragic events at the Bite of Seattle.
So, we are looking for a motion and a second. >> Microphone microphone. >> I move that we confirm the appointment of James Herb to be the interim city attorney. >> Second. >> Motion was made by council member Williams and a second by council member who was it was it was okay.
Mayor Lund highlighted two discussion topics from the day committee meetings including opportunities for the public to submit feedback to the City and accessibility. Mayor Lund read a handwritten letter from a community member who shared appreciation for the new bleachers, handicap access parking, lighting and other improvements at Joe Martin Field.
Okay, there was a soft voice. Council member Cotton. Okay, any discussion? Okay, seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? Okay, seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused.
Page 2 of 7 Council assignment reports Standing time for Council Member reports from assigned committees, boards, and other groups. Summary: Council Member Williams shared an update on the merger of the Greenways Advisory and Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards.
>> Thank you. I'm pleased that Mr. Herb has accepted the role of interim city attorney. And for the community's awareness, Mr. Herb will serve in this role in the months ahead as we evaluate how to best move forward.
A subcommittee has been working for several months to evaluate a pathway for combining the boards by creating a framework for Council’s consideration to reduce meeting redundancy, retain key functionalities of the boards, and update membership requirements.
Initially, no vacancies will be advertised as all board members will transition to the new body and as terms expire, the new proposed structure will begin so as not to cut any positions. Council should anticipate a revised ordinance for review and approval this fall.
We are fortunate to have James' leadership and deep knowledge of the organization serving in this important role. His appointment will provide continuity for the department and the city as we move through the transition uh that began with former city attorney Alan Mariner's retirement on June 30th.
Please join me in thanking James for his continued dedication and willingness to serve in this capacity. Any comments this evening? I just wanted to thank you very much for stepping into this role. I know you know short notice but grateful for your leadership and um willingness to attend the meetings and um support council as well.
Committee meeting reports The following committee meetings are held during the day. Committee chairs will present a summary of each agenda item during the evening meeting, and further discussion or action may take place if needed.
So, obviously in the city attorney position, there's a broad um yeah, broad amount of work across the entire city. So, I look forward to working together. >> You're welcome. [laughter] >> Thanks. Wonderful.
Committee meetings are open to the public to attend, however committee agendas do not include public comment sessions. Public Works and Natural Resources 10:30 a.m. Michael Lilliquist, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24997 1.
A contract award for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569), Bid No. p. 9 35B-2026 Action: Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to award contract No. 35B-2026 for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569) to Faber Construction Corporation, in the amount of $2,829,638.31.
Um and next this evening, we have the mayor's report. To begin mayor's report tonight, I wanted to take a moment to speak to the tragic events at the bite of Seattle yesterday. As leaders of our city, we can only imagine what a difficult 24 hours this has been for Seattle.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24994 2. A noise variance for the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569) p. 14 Action: Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the thirty- calendar day noise variance from BMC 10.24.120(C)(4) for the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay Project.
I'm deeply sorry for the tragic loss of life, for those that were injured or lost their lives, and for everyone that has been affected. To Seattle city leaders and their first responders, to the victims and those who knew and loved them, and to all the people of Seattle, you are in our hearts as you navigate the difficult days ahead.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Page 3 of 7 24998 3. An interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services in p. 17 support of the statewide Energy Performance Contracting Program Action: Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into the interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services.
We are grieving with you, and we are wishing you strength. And last but not least tonight, we talked at length this afternoon about the many ways that we can receive public feedback, including emails and letters, which are both good ways for community members to reach out with their compliments, their concerns, and their questions about Bellingham.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity 10:50 a.m. Daniel Hammill, Chair Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24993 1. A presentation of the Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and p.
I've been reflecting on that, and from time to time, I may share some selected examples with council and the community during mayor's report. And we also touched on earlier today um accessibility issues and the importance of centering that work during several items.
So tonight it felt apppropo to share this recent handwritten letter from community member Pam Perry. So I have a photocopy of the card that we received at the mayor's office. It reads, "Dear Mayor Lond, I would like to s express my sincere thanks to you, the city council and parks and recreation department for the brand new bleachers and handicap access at Joe Martin Field.
31 Reduction Task Force 2026 Annual Report Action: Information and discussion only. Committee Of The Whole 1 p.m. Hannah Stone, Chair Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24990 1.
It has been such a pleasure attending games there this season." writing as a senior citizen exclamation mark. I am particularly grateful for the handicap access and the rails that center down the aisles.
A resolution deferring initiative no. 2026-01, which prohibits algorithmic p. 85 price fixing in the rental market, to the voters Action: Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved final approval of Resolution #2026-18 as amended during the Committee of the Whole meeting.
The new lights are so much easier on the eyes. I appreciate all the decisions and the finances that have gone into this upgrade. Yours sincerely, Pam Perry. And that's the end of Mayor's report tonight.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24992 2. A work session on movable dwelling units and discussion of proposed p. 88 interim ordinance Action: Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to refer the ordinance to a future Committee of the Whole for a work session.
>> Thank you very much, Mayor Lund. Next we have council assignment reports. So this is a standing time for council member reports from assigned committees, boards, and other groups. Council member Williams.
Page 4 of 7 MOTION CARRIED 5-1. OPPOSED: Lisa Anderson 24970 3. A work session on an ordinance relating to land use and zoning, p. 157 amending multiple chapters in the Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) to adopt permanent zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establish consistent bicycle parking standards citywide Action: Hannah Stone / Edwin H.
"Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading as amended during the Committee of the Whole meeting. MOTION CARRIED 5-1. OPPOSED: Michael Lilliquist 24973 4. A work session on the City Council Communications and Community p.
>> Thank you. Um I'd like to give a little brief uh report on the progress that's being made on the merger of the parks and recreation board and the greenways advisory board. Um, and I'm going to focus on the process and then where uh where we are with it.
So for several months, a designated subcommittee of two people from each group has met with the parks and recreation staff basically to evaluate multiple ideas and options regarding combining the two committees.
297 Engagement 2026 Work Plan Action: Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the City Council Communications and Community Engagement 2026 Work Plan. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
agreeing on a basic framework for achieving this and upon discussion envision a new unified ordinance that will replace the existing ones establishing both boards. So, at a joint meeting of both boards on on uh June 4th, there was a consensus agreement to keep working on the proposed basic framework to create a a parks, recreation, and greenways advisory board with appointments ultimately approved by the city council.
5. Old or new business Summary: There were no discussion items for Old/New Business. Executive session 4 p.m. Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only. 1. Potential litigation, claim no.
2026-18 (Phillips, approx. 5 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Action: Page 5 of 7 Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with Laeth and Kara Nelson with the following terms: Resolution of Claim No.
And based upon the public uh comment and other factors that were expressed uh the the working group agreed that by combining the two committees some important elements were were needed to make this successful.
first was to reduce the redundancy of the meetings. And I can't express a feeling of going to to two meetings a month, one for each of them with identical agendas uh and then combining them into one cohesive and efficient group rather than two separate siloed groups.
2026-18 for the payment of $27,968.22 to the claimants for damages related to this claim. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 2. Potential litigation, claim no. 2026-19 (Phillips, approx. 10 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter.
For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Labor relations: discuss collective bargaining strategy (Danner, approx. 15 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on labor relations matters. For information and discussion.
Uh, another item was to retain the key functionality of both boards and require all the members of the larger group to have comprehensive knowledge of all the elements that affect our parks and recreation program, the uh uh pros plan, the greenways levy mandates, and all other parks and recreation policies.
So to make this transition successful and inclusive as the project moves forward, no matter what it looks like, no vacancies will be advertised initially. Current members of each committee will become members of the new combined committee.
No action taken. 4. Potential litigation (Rosenblatt, approx. 10 min.) ITEM ADDED 7/24/26 Summary: Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the Mayor to submit a claims form in the AFFF multi-district PFAS litigation (no.
And as vacancies occur over time due to uh term limits, those po those positions will be replaced accordingly into the new structure. That way the current committee members initially will have a seat at the table.
2873). MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 5. Potential litigation (Rosenblatt, approx. 10 min.) ITEM ADDED 7/24/26 Summary: Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the Mayor to retain Marten Law to represent the City on environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and enforcement matters concerning the City's Post Point Resource Recovery Plant.
Page 6 of 7 MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Consent agenda Consent Agenda items are considered routine and/or non-controversial and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
So, future meetings to get this project finished, the subcommittee will meet again on August 7th to review and finalize their recommendations. Another joint meeting of both committees will be scheduled in early September to discuss the final recommendations.
24991 1. Authorization of payroll labor cost payments dated June 1, 2026 to June p. 306 15, 2026 Action: Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
And the goal after all this input and discussion is to bring a final unified recommendation for for approval of a new ordinance to the city council for final consideration. So, I just wanted to make sure the public was aware of the process that is being used and hopefully come out of this process with a more unified approach to dealing with the parks and recreation policies.
Final consideration of ordinances 24985 1. An ordinance to amend Chapter 6.04 of the Bellingham Municipal Code to p. 307 expand the urban village phased tax credit and establish a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit Action: Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved approval for third and final reading.
So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. Any other reports from council members? Okay, seeing none, um, next we have committee meeting report outs. So, these are reports from the committee meetings that were held earlier today.
The first meeting that we started with was public works and natural resources. That committee is chaired by council member Liiloquist. So, I'll turn it over to him for a report. >> Thank you, Hannah. That happened quickly, but I can handle it.
Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: Huthman MOTION CARRIED 6-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2026-07-018.
Public comment period City Council heard public comments from 13 individuals. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk kngoetz@cob.org Page 7 of 7
Uh, we had three items today for the public works and natural resources committee. The first two are related. They have to do with a contract award for Ellis Frasier and Lincoln Streets overlay project ES569 bid number 35B-2026.
This project includes pavement restoration and then water mane replacement underneath those same road segments and upgrades to pedestrian infrastructure. Uh the ramps we brought up to ADA standards. The city publicly opened seven bids on July 2nd.
Faber Construction Corporation was the responsible bidder who submitted the lowest responsive bid of 2,829,638.31 including any applicable sales or use tax. The engineers estimate was a bit higher than that about $3.4 million.
And due to the size and the number of hours on the project, it will include an apprenticeship hour requirement. I think basically covered most of the details on that. And so this afternoon, the committee recommended awarding the contract for Ellis Frasier and Lincoln Street overlay to Faber Construction Incorporation in the amount of 2,829,638.31.
And I so move. >> Second. >> Motion was made by Council Member Lillquist and a second by Council Member Anderson. Council may Anderson, >> I just wanted to add um since there's three projects and a um a time period, I did want to note that the Lincoln Street is by uh where uh Western Washington University has their off-campus parking lot and uh the bus uh transfer there.
But in talking with staff earlier, that should be one of the earlier projects of the three. So hopefully by the time um Western goes back into session and that parking lot gets pretty full and the bus station there gets uh pretty active getting students up on campus, there shouldn't be a disruption for their transportation there.
So just wanted to make note that that should be one of the earlier projects that begin um and hopefully there won't be a disruption for students and staff and faculty. >> Thank you. Any other comments or questions regarding the motion?
>> Council member L. >> A little educational comment just so the public knows here are the bids we received. There's a spread of about a million dollars. The engineers estimate was in the middle and of course we took the lowest one for the responsive bidder.
>> Anything else? >> Seeing none. Um, so this motion again is to move to award the contract number 35B-2026 for the Ellis Frasier and Lincoln Overlay ES569 to Faber Construction Corporation in the amount of 2,829,638.31.
All in favor will say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? Seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. >> The next item was a noise variance for that very same project. That overlay project includes replacing aging pavement and replacing an upsized existing water mane on Ellis Street between east Illinois and Squallum Parkway.
That's the section leads directly to the to the hospital. To reduce disruptions to the hospital and other medical services which rely on this corridor, work in the area needs to be done at night instead of during the day.
Staff is requesting a variance from the noise restrictions contained in Bellingham Municipal Code section 10.24120 section C4 for a total duration of 30 calendar days during the project. So there are the three project areas.
It's just the one near the hospital where they we wanted to avoid disruptions which is why it's a request to allow them to work at night when normally we wouldn't allow them to work at night because it's obviously disruptive to nearby residents.
Um this afternoon the committee recommended approval of the ordinance and I so move. >> Second. >> Motion was made by council member Liiloquist and a second by council member Williams. >> I misspoke. Approval of the variance in pursuance to the ordinance.
>> Sorry. >> No worries. >> Still have a second. [laughter] >> Okay. Your second doesn't change. Okay. Um so yes, again this is motion to approve a variance from BMC 10.24. 24.120 C4. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I.
>> I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? Seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. >> And the final item for our committee this morning was an inter agency agreement with the state's Department of Enterprise Services in support of statewide energy performance contracting program.
Washington State Department of Enterprise Services has an energy program that contracts with qualified energy service companies or escos to provide energy project management services to participants. The city would like to be a participant.
Actually, the city already is a participant. This is a renewal of this agreement. Staff is seeking council authorization to enter into an inter agency agreement with the state's department of enterprise services to participate in the program.
Their service provided are intended to reduce the city's ongoing operational costs by improving energy efficiency and support implementation for the city's climate action plan. Basically, this contract for services, these vendors are already vetted by the state government.
They've already agreed to a price. There is a scheduled worksheet that's agreed to. You look up the value of the project and that there's a management fee for them overseeing it. So we can bring in outside expertise that experts that have already been vetted to oversee exactly this sort of um pro uh projects that we have in place.
For example, uh boiler and heating upgrades here in city hall. That was a project we brought in someone to do that service. This brings them faster, cheaper, and they're already vetted. This afternoon, the committee recommended to authorize the mayor to enter into the inter agency agreement with the Department of Enterprise Services.
>> Second. >> That's a move. Sorry. Second >> motion was made by council member Liiloquist and a second by council member Anderson. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor we'll say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed or abstensions?
Seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. >> I need to quit. End of report. >> Thank you, Council Member Liquist. The next committee this morning was public health, safety, justice, and equity. That committee is chaired by council member Hamill.
So I will turn it over to him at this time for a report. >> Thank you, Council President. I was joined on the committee today uh with Council Members Cotton and Skip Williams. We had one item before us uh today.
This was a presentation of the Wakom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force and they were here co-chairs uh Heather Flity and Peter Frasier were here to talk about the 2026 uh annual report.
They covered um enormous amount of ground today. So, I'm not going to try to encompass um here tonight what they talked about. But I would encourage folks if you are interested in what's happening with the new jail facility um and other works other things in the work uh works um regarding incarceration to please take a look at that video from uh this morning from that committee.
I do want to cover a couple of highlights though. We did discuss um the importance and value of a second courtroom in the new jail facility. Right now just a single a courtroom is slated and uh with a second courtroom that will help drive down the average length of stay and the average daily population for the new jail facility.
Uh and then the other item that we uh really stressed was the rapid resource center which would also contribute to driving down uh numbers in the in the jail facility. Um we did cover um data systems and how important it is for us to actually move beyond anecdotal um stories and move into hard data for um for us to make policy decisions.
And just uh so the community is aware that task force is made up of dozens of people including myself um in the as the behavioral health co-chair uh for that committee. And there's also an information needs and data exchange committee and a legal and justice systems committee.
Um, and that task force has been around I think I joined it in 2015. So, it's been 11 years since I've been on it uh as the city's uh representative. So, um, like I said, if folks are interested in in um, learning more about that, please watch the video from this morning.
And with that, end of committee report. >> Thank you very much, Council Member Hamill. Um then we reconvene this afternoon with committee of the whole. We had several items before us. Um all council members were present with the exception of council member Huffman who is excused today.
So the first item before the committee of the whole agenda was agenda bill 24990. This is a resolution deferring initiative number 2026-01 which prohibits algorithmic price fixing in the rental market to the voters.
So, the city council discussed initiative bill number 2026-01, which prohibits algorithmic price fixing in the rental market. After receiving notice from the Watcom County Auditor that the initiative sponsors had gathered a sufficient number of signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot, council directed staff to bring forward a resolution deferring the initiative to the voters at the election to be held on November 3rd, 2026.
staff draft drafted a resolution for council's review and approval. Um so this afternoon we were joined by interim city attorney James Herb um and reviewed the resolution and there was just one small amendment to fix a typo in the first whereas um section to ensure that there was a T in rental market.
Um, and with that amendment, there was a unanimous recommendation to defer this to the voters. And I so move. >> Second. >> Motion was made by the chair and a second by council member Williams. Any discussion?
>> Seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed or abstensions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. And so for that item, just noting that there will be pro and con committees to write statements that will accompany the initiatives.
Um the administration has been collecting names to support that effort. Um that closed today. So hopefully that work will be going forward. The deadline for us to send this to the auditor's office to ensure that it makes it on the ballot in November is August 4th.
So wanted to make sure to take care of that in business today. The next item before the committee of the whole was agenda bill 24992. This was a work session on movable dwelling units and discussion of a proposed interim ordinance.
So backyard movable dwelling units known as MDUs such as certain RVs and tiny homes on wheels are currently legal for full-time residents within the city but are restricted to manufactured home communities.
The proposed interim ordinance would expand opportunities to benefit from this affordable housing option to all residential zones excluding critical areas and the Lake Watcom wershed. This would allow implementation during the interim period to inform policy design prior to cotification.
Council member Cotton gave a presentation on the proposal to allow MDUs as an affordable housing infill strategy. If council wishes to move forward with the project, the proposed interim ordinance would come back in the future for a first and second reading at a subsequent meeting.
And so this afternoon, there was discussion um some discussion about the proposal, a detailed presentation from Council Member Cotton. Just wanted to recognize the work that Council Member Cotton has been um engaged in to bring this before the the council for consideration.
One of the things um under review at this time is just the workload within the planning department. And so at this time, the item has been referred to come back before the committee of the whole at a future meeting when the planning department can bring forward um just the work plan because there's a a long list of code amendments following um some changes in state law as well as the adoption of our Bellingham comprehensive plan that have some pretty um specific time constraints that need to be addressed before the you know end of this year and early into next year.
And so just wanting to be mindful that if a large body of work like this goes forward that there may be some offset right to other work that's already in the queue. So wanting to be mindful of those decisions and considerations.
This item will be coming um back before the council at a future meeting. Um but in the interim I would encourage people to review the detailed information that's in the packet as well as the letters of support that were compiled by council member Cotton um and certainly follow along in this work.
So, the motion I don't believe it needs another vote, but we can vote again. The motion for the council was to refer this item um for another work session before the committee of the whole. And I so move.
>> Second. >> Motion was made by the chair and a second by council member Williams. Any discussion or comments? >> Seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? Okay. So, that passes 51 with one excused.
>> Yes, Council Member Anderson. >> Um, if I could take liberty to speak because I did have my hand up when there's questions. So, I just wanted to say I do support the idea of MDUs. Um, my concern is the staff time.
When we hold a meeting, we're going to inevitably ask staff for a lot of questions which will take time for them to work on things. Um staff had mentioned that in the second quarter of next year they would have more time to work on this type of project.
And I would have definitely been supporting had the motion been to um have staff bring back this content once some of this really critical work that they're working on is um completed and there is more time to focus on doing this right.
So to me, it's just signaling to staff that I support them getting the work done that we have in front of them and that um the time for this will come. I just want to make sure that we're doing it right and all meetings take staff time.
So bringing this back before we could actually what I feel have time to do serious work on it um is pulling staff away from other work that um just kind of delays all projects. So, for me, it's a matter of principle, not a matter of the content or whether or not I support um MDUs being part of our housing solution.
>> Thank you, Council Member Anderson. Anything else on this item? No. Okay. The next agenda bill was Agenda Bill 24970. So, this was a work session on an ordinance relating to land use and zoning, amending multiple chapters of the Bellingham Municipal Code to adopt permanent zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements, and establish consistent bicycle parking standards citywide.
This parking reform reflects the city's current priorities, removes obstacles to housing production, reduces environmental impacts, and supports our climate goals. A type six public review process is required for permanent amendments to the parking regulations in the Bellingham Municipal Code.
Following two extensions of an interim parking ordinance originally adopted in January of 2025, the planning commission recommended approval of the proposed code changes at a public hearing on June 4th, 2026.
The council held a public hearing on July 13, 2026 after which council members discussed and voted to refer this item to the committee of the whole for a work session. So this item came before the council this afternoon.
We were joined by Mayor Lund as well as director Lion and Elizabeth Ericson who's a senior planner in the planning department who's been working very closely on this project from the beginning. Um, and this afternoon there was an amendment um to edit the ordinance to adopt and include exhibit C, which was included in the packet on page 173 for those following along.
Um, and there was a unanimous recommendation to move to approve the ordinance for first and second reading. And I so move. >> Second. >> Motion's been made by the chair and a second by Council Member Williams.
Any discussion? >> Council member Liquist. >> Yeah. Um, I support parking reform, especially eliminating excessive and burdensome mandates for parking, which just drive up costs and give us more parking than we need.
We know we've done it wrong. Um, and limiting parking mandates is an effective tool to increase development. We've seen it locally. We've seen it in other uh communities, especially housing production.
And this can actually increase the the production in affordable housing that's already being built where they can also cut back on the amount of parking that they provide. It saves nonprofit developers money just as much as it saves for-profit developers.
Um, and to be clear, this reform does not eliminate parking, eliminates requirements that where the government tells you how much parking you need to provide. People still provide parking. Most projects still provide parking.
Um, and in particular, we're going to see parking in what people call big box stores. They're going to provide big parking lots whether we ask them to or not. And in high-end housing projects, the consumers will demand parking spaces, extra parking spaces, threecar garages, and they will be provided.
Um, however, I'm going to end up voting no on this and I want to make it clear that this is a soft disscent and it's a disscent based upon degrees and upon my idea of greater or lesser effects and greater or lesser risks of unintended consequences.
So, this is not a black and white issue. I think it's an issue not just of good and bad but of like could we have been more nuanced with our policy. I personally had concerns as I expressed many months ago under this system parking for housing often becomes a paid or can become not necessarily a pay-to-play system.
As I said, someone will get a threecar garage, someone else will move into a house or a housing development that doesn't provide parking and they'll have to find it on the street. It's a pay-to-play system and I worry about that especially because some people rely on parking.
They don't work from home. They need to travel to see their clients that they're inhome caregiver or they need to travel to the job site because they're a worker and they take their truck and their tools to the job and they come home every day.
So, people still need parking and I worry about who it'll impact. I also worry about where it will have impacts. Not all neighborhoods are the same. In some neighborhoods, there's plenty of on street parking.
No harm, no foul. Uh other parts of our community, we know there's a huge crush for parking. There's competition. And in some parts of our neighborhoods, we know there's not safe infrastructure for walking or bicycling.
We can't tell people, "Oh, just walk or bike when there's no bike lane or there's no sidewalk." Again, many places have sidewalks. They do have bike lanes. It won't affect everyone everywhere. Some communities have plenty of available on street parking.
Others don't. I introduced an amendment this afternoon where I wanted to create kind of a nuanced approach where if we identified areas where there was no available parking on street so you couldn't assume to be taken care of and there was no pedestrian infrastructure on either side of the street just needed one side of the street.
In those cases we default to the state's new rules which says a very minimal amount of parking one half parking space per dwelling unit and by the way exempting anytime you build a smaller unit below 1,200 square feet.
This is a sort of nuance worried about unintended impacts that I would have liked to have seen in this ordinance. Um, it's enough for me to vote no as a protest, but I want to make it clear this is a soft no because I see great benefit and I hope all my concerns will not be realized Anderson.
>> Thank you. Um, for people who know Michael and I and know where I've been standing on this is it's kind of like the bizarre world just turned upside down because I will be supporting this for a lot of reasons, but there are reasons I'd like to not support it.
But unfortunately, the areas that I would like not to support it is things that the state is going to require regardless. Um, since the beginning, my main concern has been disability parking. Um, we have areas that doesn't have the infrastructure like Happy Valley.
Um, areas of the York neighborhood. There are there's no parking near the street. There are ditches. There's no sidewalks. Um, I think of a resident from um what used to be Shucksa Nursing Home in a wheelchair, having to go downhill on a street that didn't have sidewalks and she would be in the middle of the street and I just prayed every day she didn't get hit.
um the city does not necessarily go back and put in that infrastructure in well-developed neighborhoods. It has to be a lid project that all those neighbors agree to go ahead and put that infrastructure in.
Um, one of the things is is that if somebody does tear down or adopt, adapt um differently uh within a neighborhood, a house, make it a triplex, we might be able to require them or require them to do a third to like threequarters development, but then you have these little islands of sidewalks.
And so one of the options might be to put money in a fund that might continue a sidewalk in another section of town or another section of the neighborhood, but it doesn't necessarily help that particular area.
Um because the state any um development under 1,200 square feet, we don't have a say in requiring parking. Basically, they by right get to have no parking and ADA parking is only a percentage of the parking that goes in.
So, um, my main concern would not be alleviated by saying no. Um, because I cannot require ADA parking to go into, um, we have a a potential permit for 54 units. Um, yes, it has it's near a, you know, a go line, but it doesn't have a block away.
It doesn't have sidewalks and it has ditches. And so we are going to create situations where people with disabilities may not have the option to live in a particular unit. Even if they use public transportation, they might have caregivers that come in and those caregivers won't have a place to park.
So those are my concerns. Um but there is a caveat that unfortunately if things get bad enough the city could have um you know if the data comes in that this has become a big hardship and some of our neighborhoods that don't have the infrastructure the city could petition the state in order to um basically we have to provide a study that shows that having no parking has been a safety detriment and so we could petition to the state but unfortunately all that development um would still stand and we might be able to address those issues going forward before the entire area is completely developed.
I foresee that 20 25 years from now. So it won't be in my lifetime on council. Um so anyway um I'm kudos to you for standing for that. I will be voting yes, but um for those people I've been working with I am I have not given up my concern about ADA parking.
Um, if you have issues, I uh even if you're not part of my ward, I uh invite you to contact me um if you're a resident. We did talk with staff about what some of our reporting structures are and I'll try to help you with that process in the future as long as I'm on counsel.
>> Council member Cotton. Yeah, I'm just reflecting. It was I think more than two years ago, Council Member Huffman um made a motion for us to in look at options on parking reform. Um and we've sure had a lot of conversation, sometimes circular, but not [laughter] always since then.
Um and u as Council Member Anderson mentioned, since then we've also had Senate Bill 5184 come in and and really change the landscape, I think, for the better across the state. Um, and just to note, one of the components of that bill was having the state building code council look at updating requirements around accessible parking and we'll continue to have conversations as a city around curb management and other strategies to address that.
Um, but just to go back to the why we have a housing crisis in Bellingham. Um and these, you know, outdated arbitrary mandates on parking lead to less homes getting built and uh less space for green infrastructure and trees and uh lock us into a development pattern that ultimately really negatively impacts affordability.
Um and so um what we're moving to is a fully flexible system where you can right size parking based on um the location, the demographics um and um and really what makes the site pencil because it's not just sometimes that you get an extra couple homes or you're able to preserve a tree.
A lot of times this is a difference between a project being able to pencil or not. And in the context of people desperately needing homes they can afford in our community and in the long run the necessity of addressing our housing shortage.
Um this has felt like a no-brainer. But I really appreciate how thoughtful the council has been in thinking through um all of the um good questions about how to better integrate our land use and transportation um policies moving forward.
And um if you want to learn more about this, there are hours and hours and hours of council deliberation over the last two years. Um and anyway, thanks for going on this journey together. Um and um I'll be voting yes.
>> Any other comments? Seeing none, we have a motion by the chair and a second by council member Williams to move to approve the ordinance for first and second reading. All in favor will say I. >> I. >> Those opposed?
>> No. The motion passes 51 with another one excused. Okay. Final item before committee of the whole is agenda bill 24973. This was a work session on the city council communications and community engagement 2026 work plan.
The proposed city council communications and community engagement 2026 work plan lays out recommended tactics for this council to consider implementing. These communications tactics are designed to increase and improve community engagement with the council.
The work plan addresses priorities that council members identified at their April 20th, 2026 retreat. The city council communications work group provided input on the work plan and will help guide its execution.
This is the last of three guiding documents that form the structure of communications work in the council office. The first two being the city council strategic communications and community engagement plan, which is a long-term plan to better connect Bellingham residents with the city council and the city council communications and community engagement charter, which lays out the specific roles and responsibilities required to support this important work.
The city council voted to approve the latter two documents on April 13, 2026. And on July 13th, 2026, the city council communications and community relations manager presented the work plan. Council members at that time discussed and voted to refer this item to committee of the whole for a work session which we held today.
So, we were joined this afternoon by David Braraw, who is our city council communications and community relations manager. We're discussing some of the um changes that have been updated since the last um the last version that we were reviewed back on the 13th.
And there are I guess I would just encourage members of the community to review the work plan. It's highlighting in the introduction just um some of the aspects of community engagement that individual council members engage in in many different ways beyond their work here at the city or sitting at this dis.
So sometimes volunteer boards and commissions and other um activities that they engage in um in their daily lives as well as just a history of all the work that's come before as far as trying to um bring forward a more cohesive communications plan for the council.
Some of the logistical considerations um that will be taken into account with each um priority that as it is implemented. Um, so some of the ideas and tactics that are included in the plan include public engagement priorities, um, such as an email newsletter, social media posts, as well as regular guest opeds published in the local news outlets, an in-person public engagement um, to include conversation circles, joint open office hours, a formal process to request council member presence at community events um, or meetings.
coffee with council members as well as coordinated email responses when there's a large campaign or um a particular topic of interest in the community. Also looking at public comment revisions. So these revisions include moving public comment to the beginning of the meeting instead of the end.
Um public comment would be for 30 minutes. Um and the speaking time um for each community member would be two minutes and that will accommodate for um 15 people to speak. Talking about a randomization as far as how speakers will be um you know called so there's not a race to sign up but that those present are able to um speak but wanting to make sure that that work is part of a much larger um engagement plan with the community.
So some of the future public engagement opportunities considered um include listening sessions as well as discretionary public hearings and block parties which is an aspiration for the um coming year.
But wanting to highlight the listening sessions and discretionary public hearings in particular um because sometimes there are topics of interest that um bring a lot of people to chambers, you know, wanting to speak on a particular topic.
And so then feeling like maybe 30 minutes, you know, of public comment at the beginning of the meeting isn't sufficient. Just wanting to recognize that the council has the opportunity um to schedule a listening session that would be topic specific.
Think about listening sessions as a more informal opportunity to engage with community members that would potentially be outside of chambers. So depending on the topic um and you know what location is most comfortable those wanting to come forward or most pertinent to the topic um being addressed, that would be one option.
and then also having discretionary public hearings here in chambers. And so there are times when we are legally obligated to hold a public hearing on a particular item that's coming before the council for consideration, but we also have the ability to schedule discretionary public hearings.
So that if there is an item that's coming before the council for consideration that maybe doesn't require a public hearing, but we're receiving a lot of feedback from the community, um we can schedule that public hearing in order to um hear from the community again on a specific topic prior to a council action being taken or a vote being cast by the council.
Um so initially there had been you know some suggestions for amendments to public comment that was brought forward at the beginning of the year during our reorganization meeting and that has been sort of bumped along while we've worked on bringing together sort of a more cohesive work plan because not wanting those you know changes to public comment to be in isolation but more as part of a much broader engagement um engagement plan that we are looking forward to tackling and beginning this year.
um those changes you know would not be implemented immediately. There are some other logistical matters to consider. So changes within the city from Zoom to Teams and um just the logistics of moving into the beginning and streamlining so that the meetings are all um archived together and not public comments not pieced off separately in the in the Zoom world.
Um so that will not happen immediately but we will keep the public posted on when those changes can be expected. So with that, this afternoon there was recommendation from the um from the council to move to approve the city council communications and community engagement 2026 work plan and I so move.
>> Second. >> Motion's been made by the chair and a second by council member Williams. Any discussion? Okay, seeing none. All in favor will say I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? It's like an exclamation mark.
Okay, seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. Okay, next we have old and new business. Any items for old and new? Okay, seeing none, next we had executive session. There were a number of items before us during executive session.
So, the first was a potential litigation matter. This is claim number 2026-18. It was with Phillips. Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. The action coming forward is to entertain a motion to authorize the mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with Laith and Cara Nelson with the following terms.
Resolution of claim number 2026-18 for the payment of $27,96822 cents to the claimants for damages related to this claim. >> It's a move. >> Second >> motion by council member Hamill and a second by council member Williams.
Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? Okay, seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. Second item was also a potential litigation matter. This was claim number 2026-19 with Phillips.
Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. This was for information and discussion only and there was no action taken. Third item was a labor relations matter with Danner. Staff provided information on labor relations matters.
This was for information and discussion only and there was no action taken. The fourth item was a potential litigation matter with Rosenblat. Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter.
The forthcoming action is as follows. To entertain a motion to authorize the mayor to submit a claim form in the AFF multidist PAS litigation number 2873. >> So move second. Motion by Council Member Williams and a second by Council Member Liiloquist.
Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed or abstensions? >> Seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. The fifth and final item was also a potential litigation matter with Rosenblat.
Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. The action is as follows. to entertain a motion to authorize the mayor to retain Martin Law to represent the city on environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and enforcement matters concerning the city's postpoint resource recovery plant.
>> So move >> motion by council member Williams and a second by council member Hamill. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed or abstensions? Okay, seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused.
Next, we have consent agenda. >> Approve. >> Second. >> Motion by council member Hamill and a second by council member Lilloquist. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, we'll say I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstensions?
Seeing none, that passes 6 with one excused. Now we have final consideration of ordinances. >> Agenda bill 24985, an ordinance to amend chapter 6.04 of the Bellingham Municipal Code to expand the urban village phase tax credit and establish a new downtown pedestrian core tax credit.
>> Third, >> second >> motion by council member Hamill and a second by council member Lilloquist. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Dan Hamill. >> Hi. Skip Williams. >> I >> Lisa Anderson.
>> Hi. >> Michael Liquist. >> Hi. >> Jace Cotton. >> Hi. >> Hannah Stone. >> Hi. >> The motion passes 6. >> Thank you very much. So once again, our next meeting will be on Monday, August 10th, 2026. Um, so that concludes our regular business and we will now begin to transition to the public comment period.
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