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Community Development Advisory Board

Community Development Advisory Board

Thu, June 11, 2026

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Community Development Advisory Board — June 11, 2026


This was a regular meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB), held in the Mayor's Boardroom. Ten of eleven members were present (Ben Spicer was absent), with two members participating online. No public comment was received.


Approval of Minutes


Minutes from the previous meeting were approved by general consensus.


Board Member Training


Heather Aven from the Planning & Community Development Department (PCDD) led a training session for board members covering the purpose and role of CDAB, expectations of membership, highlights of the Washington State Public Meetings Act, and practical exercises on motions, abstentions, and amendments. This kind of orientation training helps ensure members understand their responsibilities and how to conduct board business properly.


Home Rehabilitation Program Overview


Matt Bautista from PCDD presented an overview of the City's Home Rehabilitation Program. The presentation covered eligibility requirements for homeowners, the types of repairs and replacements typically funded, the program's goals, its annual budget, and a typical project timeline. No specific dollar figures or eligibility thresholds were captured in the minutes. This was an informational presentation; no action was taken.


Bellingham Home Share Program


Kathleen Morton from PCDD updated the board on the Bellingham Home Share program, which connects homeowners with spare rooms to people seeking housing through the platform Nesterly. Morton described recent successful matches, current outreach strategies, and an upcoming presentation to City Council. Board members asked questions about how the program is advertised and how long listings remain active. This was an informational update; no action was taken.


Review of 2026 Action Plan & CAPER


Kathleen Morton led a discussion of the City's annual Action Plan and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) process. She explained how these federal reporting documents relate to one another — the consolidated plan sets multi-year goals, the action plan details how funds will be used each year, and the CAPER reports on actual performance. The discussion also touched on potential modifications to the current plan, including projects related to a day center and a tiny home village. Board members asked questions about their role when plan modifications are proposed. This was an informational discussion; no formal action was taken.


Staff Updates & Announcements


Staff noted a change in methodology for the City's annual rental study, which will now use CoStar data for greater efficiency. Staff also mentioned upcoming community events connected to the World Cup and local businesses.


Under announcements, board members shared several community highlights: Katherine Freimund recognized Chair Shannon Laws for receiving a literacy award from Village Books. Jasmine Fast shared information about upcoming concerts and crafts events hosted by the Cordata Neighborhood Association. Amy Navarro announced that the Whatcom Museum has hired a new executive director.


No future agenda items were identified.


Key Takeaways


Home Rehabilitation Program was presented to the board for the first time (or as a refresher), giving members grounding in one of the City's key housing assistance tools.
Bellingham Home Share is active and making matches through Nesterly; a City Council presentation is forthcoming, suggesting the program may be seeking expanded support or policy direction.
Action Plan modifications are under consideration, including a day center and a tiny home village project — the board is developing clarity on its own advisory role in that process.
Board training on the Public Meetings Act and parliamentary procedure signals an effort to strengthen governance practices within CDAB.
Rental study methodology is shifting to CoStar data, which may affect how the City tracks and reports on local housing market trends going forward.

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

Approval of minutes from previous meeting

The minutes from the previous meeting were presented for approval. General consensus was reached to approve the minutes.

Board Member Training

Heather Aven from the Planning & Community Development Department provided board training on the purpose of CDAB, roles and expectations of membership, the Washington State Public Meeting Act, and practice scenarios involving motions, abstentions, and amendments.

Home Rehabilitation Program Overview

Matt Bautista from the Planning & Community Development Department presented an overview of the Home Rehabilitation Program, covering eligibility requirements, typical items replaced/repaired, program goals, annual budget, and typical project timeline.

Bellingham Home Share Program

Kathleen Morton provided an update on the Bellingham Home Share program, detailing recent matches facilitated by Nesterly, outreach strategies, and an upcoming council presentation. Board members asked questions about advertising and listing durations.

Review of 2026 Action Plan & CAPER

Kathleen Morton led a review of the annual action plan and CAPER process, explaining relationships between the consolidated plan, action plan, and performance reporting, and discussing potential modifications including day center and tiny home village projects. Board members questioned their role in plan modifications.

Agenda items (9)

Procedural (3)
1ProceduralRoll Call & Introductions
Board members will introduce themselves and respond to a roll call at the start of the meeting.
2ProceduralApproval of minutes from previous meeting
The board will review and approve the official written record from the previous meeting.

What happened

The minutes from the previous meeting were presented for approval. General consensus was reached to approve the minutes.
8ProceduralAnnouncements / "What's the Buzz"
Board members and staff will share general announcements, community news, or other items of interest.

What happened

Katherine announced Shannon Laws' literacy award accomplishment with Village Books; Jasmine shared information about Cordata Neighborhood Association upcoming concerts and crafts events; Amy provided an update on the Whatcom Museums hiring a new executive director.
General Business
3General BusinessBoard Member Training
Board members will receive training on their roles, responsibilities, and how to effectively participate in the Community Development Advisory Board.

What happened

Heather Aven from the Planning & Community Development Department provided board training on the purpose of CDAB, roles and expectations of membership, the Washington State Public Meeting Act, and practice scenarios involving motions, abstentions, and amendments.
4General BusinessHome Rehabilitation Program Overview
Staff will explain how Bellingham's home rehabilitation program works, including what types of home repairs it covers and who qualifies for assistance.

What happened

Matt Bautista from the Planning & Community Development Department presented an overview of the Home Rehabilitation Program, covering eligibility requirements, typical items replaced/repaired, program goals, annual budget, and typical project timeline.
5General BusinessBellingham Home Share Program
Staff will present information about the Bellingham Home Share Program, which helps residents find shared housing options or roommates.

What happened

Kathleen Morton provided an update on the Bellingham Home Share program, detailing recent matches facilitated by Nesterly, outreach strategies, and an upcoming council presentation. Board members asked questions about advertising and listing durations.
6General BusinessReview of 2026 Action Plan & CAPER
The board will examine Bellingham's 2026 action plan and CAPER (a federal report on how community development funds were used), providing feedback before final approval.

What happened

Kathleen Morton led a review of the annual action plan and CAPER process, explaining relationships between the consolidated plan, action plan, and performance reporting, and discussing potential modifications including day center and tiny home village projects. Board members questioned their role in plan modifications.
7General BusinessStaff Updates
City staff will brief the board on recent updates, ongoing projects, and other relevant developments.

What happened

Staff provided updates on changes to the annual rental study methodology using CoStar data for efficiency, and announced community events related to the World Cup and local businesses.
9General BusinessFuture Agenda Items Next Scheduled Community Development Advisory Board Meeting
The board will discuss and plan topics for upcoming meetings and confirm the date of the next scheduled Community Development Advisory Board meeting.

Verbatim transcript available

9 transcript segments indexed

Community Development Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM June 11, 2026 Mayor’s Boardroom https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Community Development Advisory Board meeting was called to order by the Chair at 6:00 PM.
Video link available upon request. - Members: ☒ Shannon Laws (CDAB Chair) ☒ Katherine Freimund ☒ Andrew Calkins ☒ Lola Thompson ☐ Ben Spicer ☒ Matt Unger ☒ Bernice Portervint ☒ Matthew Main ☒ Jasmine Fast (online) ☒ Saachi Chugh (online) ☒ Amy Navarro Staff/ Other Panelists: Attendees: Heather Aven, PCDD Matt Bautisa, PCDD Kathleen Morton, PCDD Approval of minutes from previous meeting General consensus to approve.
Public Comment Period During this time, citizens may take up to three (3) minutes to address the members about any topic not on the agenda. No public comment. Agenda Items Presentation Home Rehab Presentation with Matt Bautista from the City of Bellingham's Planning & Community Development Department provided CDAB members with an overview of the Home Rehabilitation Program.
Materials covered eligibility, typical items replaced/repaired, goals of the program, annual budget and typical project timeline. Board Training with Heather Aven from the City of Bellingham’s Planning & Community Development Department touching on the purpose of CDAB the roles of CDAB members, expectations of membership, highlights about the WA States Public Meeting Act, with practice scenarios, motions and abstentions, amendments.
Information/Discussion Bellingham Home Share Kathleen Morton from the City of Bellingham provided an update on the Bellingham Home Share program, detailing recent matches facilitated by Nesterly, outreach strategies, and upcoming council presentation, with questions from board members about advertising and listing durations.
Action Plan/CAPER Kathleen Morton from the City of Bellingham led a review of the annual action plan and CAPER process, explaining the relationship between the consolidated plan, action plan, and performance reporting, and discussed potential modifications including the day center and tiny home village projects, with questions from board members about their role in plan modifications.
Other Business 1. Staff Updates – staff updates included changes to the annual rental study methodology using CoStar data for efficiency, and announced community events related to the World Cup and local businesses 2.
Announcements / "What's the Buzz" – Katherine shared accomplishment of CDAB chair Shannon on a literacy award with Village Books. Jasmin shared information about the local events with Cordata Neighborhood Association upcoming concerts and crafts events.
Amy shared an update with the Whatcom Museums hiring of a new executive director. 3. Future Agenda Items – N/A Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Kathleen Morton, Development Specialist II with input from Samya Lutz, Housing & Services Program Manager Minutes edited by both staff and Community Development Advisory Board members.