City Council - Committee Of The Whole
City Council - Committee Of The Whole
Mon, April 13, 2026
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Meeting summaryAI-generated
City Council Committee of the Whole — April 13, 2026
This Committee of the Whole session covered five substantive items, including a legislative session wrap-up, two commission governance changes, two communications policy documents, and an unscheduled but timely update from WSDOT on the I-5 landslide repair. All seven council members were present (Council Member Anderson participating remotely).
2026 State Legislative Session Update
Contract lobbyists Nick Federici and Luke Esser, along with Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller, briefed the committee on the recently concluded 60-day legislative session, which ended March 12, 2026.
Federici provided context: after last year's $16 billion state deficit, the legislature returned this session facing a $1.8 billion shortfall for the remainder of the biennium, which it addressed through additional spending cuts and limited short-term revenue. The major exception was a new millionaire tax signed by the governor, effective January 1, 2028, with revenue flowing beginning July 2029. Importantly for Bellingham and other cities, that tax legislation repealed a local sales tax option passed in 2025, creating a potential hole in local government revenues. The lobbyists said they are already working with the Association of Washington Cities to find a fix ahead of the 2027 session.
Esser highlighted four bills of particular significance to Bellingham:
HB 2266 (STEP Housing Bill): Placed new restrictions on the types of funding cities can use as a basis for negotiating health and safety operating provisions in transitional, emergency, and supportive housing agreements. Planning Director Blake Line had testified attempting to broaden the allowable funding sources but was not successful. City Attorney Alan Merkle and Blake Line noted the city has not yet fully analyzed whether existing operating agreements will need to be modified; State Senator Shoemake has indicated she believes Bellingham's reading is "too conservative," but staff said a closer review is warranted.
SB 6026 (Commercial-to-Residential Conversion): Requires cities to allow residential uses, including exclusively residential, in areas zoned commercial or mixed-use. The final bill allows cities to require ground-floor retail or commercial uses in up to 40% of total acreage zoned commercial or mixed-use — a compromise that works better for some cities than others. Bellingham sought language to preserve ground-floor retail requirements near corners and transit stops but was unsuccessful.
SB 6002 (Automated License Plate Readers): Establishes statewide rules for ALPR use. Final bill allows use of ALPR data to investigate stolen vehicles, missing persons, felonies, and gross misdemeanors. Data retention is generally limited to 21 days (extended if a case goes to court); parking enforcement data must be deleted within 12 hours of final disposition. All ALPR data is exempt from public records requests.
HB 2442 (Local Revenue Options): Expands allowable uses of the existing local $2 fee to include nuisance property abatement; broadens the local housing sales tax to cover rehabilitation and maintenance of existing affordable housing units (not just new construction); modifies the municipal fire protection district statute to remove a dollar-for-dollar tax revenue sacrifice requirement; and creates a new 0.1% local sales tax option for children and family services.
The lobbyists also highlighted a significant win: $1.03 million in state funding secured for Bellingham's permanent homeless day shelter, which aligned well with the priorities of the local legislative delegation.
Council Member Huthman asked about the long-standing priority of addressing long-term vacant commercial properties. Federici confirmed it did not advance to bill form this session due to unresolved technical questions from the Department of Revenue, but that legislative leaders in the House are engaged and he expects work-session discussions over the interim aimed at a 2027 bill.
Deputy Keller thanked what the lobbyists called the "dream team" — a Friday working group that included the mayor, department heads, Council President Stone, Council Member Cotton, and Council Member Lilliquist. The council discussed shifting legislative assignment rotations from the January reorganization process to a June-to-June calendar to better align with session timing.
*This was an informational briefing; no vote was taken.*
Historic Preservation Commission — Membership and Composition (Ordinance, Agenda Bill 24886)
Planner Emmy Share and Planning Director Blake Line presented a proposed ordinance amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.54 to make three changes to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC):
1. Reduce membership from nine to seven, aligning the HPC with other city boards such as the Planning Commission and Arts Commission, and addressing persistent difficulty reaching quorum.
2. Remove the "qualified elector of Bellingham" residency requirement, replacing it with a requirement that members live in, work in, or manage a business in Whatcom County. This is intended to broaden the applicant pool to include people with specialized expertise in building science, architecture, and historic preservation — noting that two recent qualified applicants lived in Skagit County but worked in Bellingham daily. It also opens the door to tribal representation.
3. Minor editorial updates, including changing meeting frequency language from "once a month" to "once a quarter" (since the HPC only meets when applications are pending).
Council President Stone raised a question about the 2/3 majority vote requirement for removing commission members, which City Attorney Marion clarified applies only to removal — not appointment or vacancy-filling. Council Member Cotton expressed support for keeping the geographic eligibility broad to attract tribal representation, noting that council confirmation provides a sufficient guardrail. Council Member Huthman raised the question of whether broadening to Whatcom County was sufficient since the two ideal recent applicants lived in Skagit County; staff confirmed that is why the language says "live in *or work in*" Whatcom County.
Vote: Moved by Council Member Williams, seconded by Council Member Huthman. Passed 7-0.
Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee — Appointments (Resolution, Agenda Bill 24888)
Fire Chief Billy Hewitt explained that at the previous council meeting, the council passed a motion to form a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee with Fire Protection District 8. District 8's Board of Fire Commissioners has since passed a reciprocating motion. The next step is a formal resolution naming three City of Bellingham officials to the joint planning committee (District 8 will separately name three of its commissioners).
Council Members Lilliquist and Hammill both expressed interest in serving, with Lilliquist noting relevant experience from a prior RFA planning effort roughly a decade ago. Council Member Huthman moved to appoint Mayor Lund, Council Member Lilliquist, and Council Member Hammill.
Vote on appointments: Moved by Huthman, seconded by Anderson. Passed 7-0.
Vote on the resolution (incorporating those names): Moved by Huthman, seconded by Williams. Passed 7-0.
City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan (Agenda Bill 24895) and Communications Charter (Agenda Bill 24896)
These two related documents were presented together by David Braun, Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director, and Communications Director Melissa Morin.
The Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan is a long-range guiding document (2026–2028) that sets objectives around proactive communication, public trust, and speaking with one voice. It calls for strengthening council-community connections, consistent use of communications channels, meaningful public engagement, and internal coordination.
The Communications Charter is a governance document defining roles and responsibilities for council-related communications. It establishes a City Council Communications Work Group comprising the current and past council president, the communications director, David Braun's position, the council office manager, and a legislative policy analyst, with the option to invite one additional council member on a rotating basis depending on the issue. The charter is explicitly a living document subject to amendment by council vote.
Council Member Lilliquist, who initiated the city's first communications plan in 2017 and later supported creating Braun's position, praised the documents as a significant step forward but raised a recurring concern: communications efforts need to be two-way, timely, and ongoing — not one-and-done — so that the public feels their input actually influences outcomes before decisions are made. He pointed to the solid waste issue as a current example where community members hold factual misunderstandings that ongoing communication hasn't yet corrected. Morin and Braun both acknowledged this dynamic, noting the work group is precisely where emergent and ongoing communication priorities would be managed, and that the annual work plan would address longer-term planful efforts. Deputy Keller acknowledged this will be a work in progress with real-world tensions to navigate between the council and administration on what constitutes a communications priority.
Council Member Williams noted that having a consistent framework will help all seven council members coordinate messaging without requiring unanimous agreement on substance. Council Member Huthman praised the communications team's professional development trajectory.
Vote on the Strategic Communications Plan: Moved by Huthman, seconded by Williams. Passed 7-0.
Vote on the Communications Charter: Moved by Cotton, seconded by Williams. Passed 7-0.
WSDOT I-5 Landslide Update (Old/New Business)
WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator Melissa Ambler and project geologist Britt Daily of Delve Underground presented an update on the I-5 northbound lane closure caused by a rock slide on the evening of March 19, 2026. The slide area measured 250 feet wide and 100 feet high. Stabilization required mobilizing three drilling crews from across the country, removing approximately 6,300 cubic yards of material (roughly two Olympic swimming pools), and installing over 2,060 linear feet of grouted steel anchors.
Ambler announced that both northbound lanes of I-5 are expected to reopen by 5:00 a.m. Thursday, April 17, pending a final inspection Wednesday. The freight detour along Samish Way drew frustration; Ambler noted there are no weight restrictions on Samish Way, so State Patrol could not ticket trucks using it.
Council Member Lilliquist asked about long-term slope stability; Daily confirmed the anchoring design accounts for the full slope from crest to road level and that recon found no instability between the northbound and southbound lanes. Council Member Anderson asked about lessons learned; Ambler confirmed WSDOT will hold an after-action review with Bellingham and Whatcom County once repairs are complete, to develop contingency plans for future I-5 closures including freight routing, signal coordination, and signage.
*This was an informational presentation; no vote was taken.*
Key Takeaways
Regional Fire Authority moves forward: The council formally appointed Mayor Lund, Council Member Lilliquist, and Council Member Hammill to the joint RFA planning committee with Fire Protection District 8 — a significant step toward potentially consolidating fire services regionally.
State millionaire tax creates local revenue gap: The legislature's new millionaire tax repealed a local sales tax option passed in 2025. Bellingham's lobbyists are already working with the Association of Washington Cities to pursue a fix in the 2027 session.
$1.03 million secured for homeless day shelter: The local legislative delegation successfully obtained over $1 million in state funding for Bellingham's permanent homeless day shelter.
Historic Preservation Commission reforms approved: The HPC will shrink from nine to seven members and open eligibility to anyone who lives or works in Whatcom County, aimed at recruiting people with specialized building and architecture expertise and enabling tribal representation.
I-5 northbound expected to reopen Thursday: After three weeks of emergency stabilization work following a major rock slide, WSDOT expects both northbound lanes to reopen by 5:00 a.m. April 17, with an after-action review of the emergency response to follow.
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
Old/New Business
# Old/New Business Summary
The chair announced the transition to Old and New Business and noted that representatives from WSDOT were present to provide an update on transportation matters. The Council President expressed appreciation for individuals who came to present in person and indicated that reports would be provided after the meeting. The Council also noted there would be another opportunity for old and new business items later in the evening if needed.
The chair announced the transition to Old and New Business and noted that representatives from WSDOT were present to provide an update on transportation matters. The Council President expressed appreciation for individuals who came to present in person and indicated that reports would be provided after the meeting. The Council also noted there would be another opportunity for old and new business items later in the evening if needed.
An ordinance relating to the composition of the Historic Preservation Commission, updating the qualifications for membership on the commission, and amending
# Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance Summary
Staff presented an ordinance to update the Historic Preservation Commission by reducing membership from nine to seven commissioners and expanding residency eligibility from Bellingham residents to those living, working, or managing a business in Whatcom County. Planning Director Blake Line and Planner Emmy Share explained that the current restrictive residency requirement has limited recruitment, particularly for tribal representation and applicants with specialized expertise in building sciences and architecture review, and has already excluded two qualified applicants with valuable building science backgrounds. Councilmember Cotton questioned the residency language and initially suggested aligning it with the Arts Commission standard, but ultimately supported the broader approach to facilitate tribal inclusion. The ordinance also includes minor changes such as adjusting meeting frequency from monthly to quarterly to match actual workload needs. The commission unanimously passed 7-0 on a motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Husmann.
Staff presented an ordinance to update the Historic Preservation Commission by reducing membership from nine to seven commissioners and expanding residency eligibility from Bellingham residents to those living, working, or managing a business in Whatcom County. Planning Director Blake Line and Planner Emmy Share explained that the current restrictive residency requirement has limited recruitment, particularly for tribal representation and applicants with specialized expertise in building sciences and architecture review, and has already excluded two qualified applicants with valuable building science backgrounds. Councilmember Cotton questioned the residency language and initially suggested aligning it with the Arts Commission standard, but ultimately supported the broader approach to facilitate tribal inclusion. The ordinance also includes minor changes such as adjusting meeting frequency from monthly to quarterly to match actual workload needs. The commission unanimously passed 7-0 on a motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Husmann.
An update on the 2026 state legislative session and City lobbying activities
# 2026 State Legislative Session Update
Contract lobbyists Nick Federici and Luke Esser, along with City staff, provided a comprehensive update on the 60-day 2026 state legislative session, which ended March 12th and addressed a $1.8 billion state deficit through budget cuts and limited revenues. Key legislative outcomes included a millionaire tax effective January 1st, 2028, which will repeal the local sales tax passed last year and create potential revenue challenges that the City and Association of Washington Cities will address together. The City's lobbying efforts achieved notable successes, including $1.03 million in state funding for a permanent homeless day shelter in Bellingham and collaboration on bills such as House Bill 2266 (STEP housing), Senate Bill 6026 (ground-floor retail requirements), SB 6002 (automated license plate readers), and HB 2442 (local revenue options), though efforts to expand allowable funding sources for health and safety programs were unsuccessful. Luke Esser credited the City's effectiveness to a collaborative "dream team" approach involving the Mayor, Council members, department heads, and subject matter experts who participated in weekly coordination meetings for three months. Long-term vacant commercial spaces and other priority issues were pushed to interim discussions with the Department of Revenue and legislators including Representatives Natasha Hill, April Berg, and Strom Peterson, with hopes for bill introduction in 2027.
Contract lobbyists Nick Federici and Luke Esser, along with City staff, provided a comprehensive update on the 60-day 2026 state legislative session, which ended March 12th and addressed a $1.8 billion state deficit through budget cuts and limited revenues. Key legislative outcomes included a millionaire tax effective January 1st, 2028, which will repeal the local sales tax passed last year and create potential revenue challenges that the City and Association of Washington Cities will address together. The City's lobbying efforts achieved notable successes, including $1.03 million in state funding for a permanent homeless day shelter in Bellingham and collaboration on bills such as House Bill 2266 (STEP housing), Senate Bill 6026 (ground-floor retail requirements), SB 6002 (automated license plate readers), and HB 2442 (local revenue options), though efforts to expand allowable funding sources for health and safety programs were unsuccessful. Luke Esser credited the City's effectiveness to a collaborative "dream team" approach involving the Mayor, Council members, department heads, and subject matter experts who participated in weekly coordination meetings for three months. Long-term vacant commercial spaces and other priority issues were pushed to interim discussions with the Department of Revenue and legislators including Representatives Natasha Hill, April Berg, and Strom Peterson, with hopes for bill introduction in 2027.
A resolution appointing members to a regional fire authority planning committee
Fire Chief Billy Hewitt presented a resolution to formalize the appointment of three City of Bellingham elected officials to a regional fire authority planning committee, following motions passed by both the City Council and Fire District 8's Board of Fire Commissioners at their previous meetings. The administration recommended that the mayor be one of the three appointees. Councilmember Liliquist requested consideration for appointment, citing nearly two years of experience with a similar regional fire authority effort about a decade ago, and Councilmember Hamel also requested consideration. Councilmember Husman moved to nominate Mayor Lund, Councilmember Hamel, and Councilmember Liliquist to the committee, which passed 7-0, and the resolution including these names was then approved 7-0.
Presentation and approval of the City Council Strategic Communications and
# Summary: City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan
Staff, led by Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director David Braun, presented the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan, which establishes long-term objectives for proactive communication, building public trust, and strengthening council-community connections through consistent use of communications channels and meaningful public engagement. Council President Stone noted this work has been ongoing since 2017 when Council Member Liliquist championed formalizing communications, explaining that the plan serves as a guiding framework supported by Braun's position and a new communications work group including council members, staff, and city communications director Melissa Moran. Council Member Liliquist raised concerns about ensuring engagement occurs early in processes before items reach City Council and are truly influential, while Council Member Huffman praised the professional work and noted the significant expansion from one communications person to a full team. Council Member Williams expressed appreciation for the plan's ability to provide a consistent framework for coordinated messaging across all council members, and staff emphasized that effective communication requires sustained, multi-channel efforts over time rather than one-time communications. The motion by Councilmember Huffman, seconded by Councilmember Williams, passed 7-0.
Staff, led by Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director David Braun, presented the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan, which establishes long-term objectives for proactive communication, building public trust, and strengthening council-community connections through consistent use of communications channels and meaningful public engagement. Council President Stone noted this work has been ongoing since 2017 when Council Member Liliquist championed formalizing communications, explaining that the plan serves as a guiding framework supported by Braun's position and a new communications work group including council members, staff, and city communications director Melissa Moran. Council Member Liliquist raised concerns about ensuring engagement occurs early in processes before items reach City Council and are truly influential, while Council Member Huffman praised the professional work and noted the significant expansion from one communications person to a full team. Council Member Williams expressed appreciation for the plan's ability to provide a consistent framework for coordinated messaging across all council members, and staff emphasized that effective communication requires sustained, multi-channel efforts over time rather than one-time communications. The motion by Councilmember Huffman, seconded by Councilmember Williams, passed 7-0.
Agenda items (6)
Procedural (6)
6ProceduralOld/New Business
This is an open time for council members to raise any additional business or discuss items not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
What happened
# Old/New Business SummaryThe chair announced the transition to Old and New Business and noted that representatives from WSDOT were present to provide an update on transportation matters. The Council President expressed appreciation for individuals who came to present in person and indicated that reports would be provided after the meeting. The Council also noted there would be another opportunity for old and new business items later in the evening if needed.
24886ProceduralAn ordinance relating to the composition of the Historic Preservation Commission, updating the qualifications for membership on the commission, and amending
The city is updating the rules for who can serve on the Historic Preservation Commission, including changing the qualifications members must have.
What happened
# Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance SummaryStaff presented an ordinance to update the Historic Preservation Commission by reducing membership from nine to seven commissioners and expanding residency eligibility from Bellingham residents to those living, working, or managing a business in Whatcom County. Planning Director Blake Line and Planner Emmy Share explained that the current restrictive residency requirement has limited recruitment, particularly for tribal representation and applicants with specialized expertise in building sciences and architecture review, and has already excluded two qualified applicants with valuable building science backgrounds. Councilmember Cotton questioned the residency language and initially suggested aligning it with the Arts Commission standard, but ultimately supported the broader approach to facilitate tribal inclusion. The ordinance also includes minor changes such as adjusting meeting frequency from monthly to quarterly to match actual workload needs. The commission unanimously passed 7-0 on a motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Husmann.
24887ProceduralAn update on the 2026 state legislative session and City lobbying activities
City staff will brief the council on what's happening at the state legislature in 2026 and explain what advocacy work Bellingham is doing to influence state decisions that affect the city.
What happened
# 2026 State Legislative Session UpdateContract lobbyists Nick Federici and Luke Esser, along with City staff, provided a comprehensive update on the 60-day 2026 state legislative session, which ended March 12th and addressed a $1.8 billion state deficit through budget cuts and limited revenues. Key legislative outcomes included a millionaire tax effective January 1st, 2028, which will repeal the local sales tax passed last year and create potential revenue challenges that the City and Association of Washington Cities will address together. The City's lobbying efforts achieved notable successes, including $1.03 million in state funding for a permanent homeless day shelter in Bellingham and collaboration on bills such as House Bill 2266 (STEP housing), Senate Bill 6026 (ground-floor retail requirements), SB 6002 (automated license plate readers), and HB 2442 (local revenue options), though efforts to expand allowable funding sources for health and safety programs were unsuccessful. Luke Esser credited the City's effectiveness to a collaborative "dream team" approach involving the Mayor, Council members, department heads, and subject matter experts who participated in weekly coordination meetings for three months. Long-term vacant commercial spaces and other priority issues were pushed to interim discussions with the Department of Revenue and legislators including Representatives Natasha Hill, April Berg, and Strom Peterson, with hopes for bill introduction in 2027.
24888ProceduralA resolution appointing members to a regional fire authority planning committee
The council will appoint Bellingham representatives to serve on a planning committee for a regional fire authority.
What happened
Fire Chief Billy Hewitt presented a resolution to formalize the appointment of three City of Bellingham elected officials to a regional fire authority planning committee, following motions passed by both the City Council and Fire District 8's Board of Fire Commissioners at their previous meetings. The administration recommended that the mayor be one of the three appointees. Councilmember Liliquist requested consideration for appointment, citing nearly two years of experience with a similar regional fire authority effort about a decade ago, and Councilmember Hamel also requested consideration. Councilmember Husman moved to nominate Mayor Lund, Councilmember Hamel, and Councilmember Liliquist to the committee, which passed 7-0, and the resolution including these names was then approved 7-0.24895ProceduralPresentation and approval of the City Council Strategic Communications and
City staff will present and ask the council to approve a strategic communications plan for how the council will communicate with the public.
What happened
# Summary: City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement PlanStaff, led by Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director David Braun, presented the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan, which establishes long-term objectives for proactive communication, building public trust, and strengthening council-community connections through consistent use of communications channels and meaningful public engagement. Council President Stone noted this work has been ongoing since 2017 when Council Member Liliquist championed formalizing communications, explaining that the plan serves as a guiding framework supported by Braun's position and a new communications work group including council members, staff, and city communications director Melissa Moran. Council Member Liliquist raised concerns about ensuring engagement occurs early in processes before items reach City Council and are truly influential, while Council Member Huffman praised the professional work and noted the significant expansion from one communications person to a full team. Council Member Williams expressed appreciation for the plan's ability to provide a consistent framework for coordinated messaging across all council members, and staff emphasized that effective communication requires sustained, multi-channel efforts over time rather than one-time communications. The motion by Councilmember Huffman, seconded by Councilmember Williams, passed 7-0.
24896ProceduralPresentation and approval of the City Council Communications Charter
The council will review and approve a communications charter that establishes guidelines for how the council communicates with residents and the community.
What happened
# SummaryStaff presented the City Council Communications Charter, a foundational document that outlines roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes for the Bellingham City Council's communications and community engagement work. David Braun explained that the charter establishes clear "lanes" for communications and creates a new city council communications work group—composed of the council president, past president, and four staff members—to handle both planned priorities and emergent issues that arise throughout the year. Council Member Liliquist praised the charter as a remarkable step forward but noted that it emphasizes outward communication effectiveness over public feedback and early-stage input, referencing a 2007 study showing the public values influencing outcomes through early decision-making participation. Council Member Williams supported the formalized procedure and coordinated work group as preferable to seven individual council responses to major issues, while Council Member Lilac confirmed that the charter includes mechanisms to address unplanned communications priorities with iterative implementation. The motion to approve, made by Council Member Cotton and seconded by Council Member Williams, passed 7-0.
Additional votes recorded in minutes
Recommend approval of ordinance amending Historic Preservation Commission composition (BMC Chapter 2.54)
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Nominate members to Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Recommend approval of resolution appointing members to Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Recommend approval of City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Recommend approval of City Council Communications Charter
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. "Skip" Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Verbatim transcript available
291 transcript segments indexed
Good afternoon and welcome back to our Council Committee meetings. Next we have Committee of the whole. Um just wanting to note that all Council members are present. Um majority here in chambers and Council member Anderson is joining us remotely.
City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole minutes April 13, 2026, 2:45 PM 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 City Council committee meetings Standing committee members receive reports and information, ask questions, and vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the regular meeting.
There is no public comment period during committee sessions. Call to order and roll call Council President Stone called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H.
So we have several items before the Committee this afternoon. The first is agenda bill 24887. This is an update on the 2026 state legislative session and city lobbying activities. So city staff and contracted lobbyists will provide an update on the 2026 legislative session.
"Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward (Attended remotely) Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Committee Of The Whole 24887 1.
This was a 60-day session that ended on March 12th, 2026. I believe our lobbyists are joining us remotely today. Um that's Luke Esser and Nick Federici, but I will first turn here in chambers to Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller.
An update on the 2026 state legislative session and City lobbying activities Summary: Janice Keller, Deputy Administrator, and the City's Contract Lobbyists, Luke Esser and Nick Federici, provided an update on the 2026 state legislative session and City lobbying activities.
Thank you, and I am turning it right over especially in the interest of time to Luke Esser and Nick Federici who are joining us via remote. They're going to do a quick update on the 60-day session and I think they will appear on screen as soon as they start talking.
Can you hear me? Yes. Excellent. This is Nick Federici, one of your two contract lobbyists in Olympia. Thank you again for working with us this year. I think we had a productive session despite a very fluid and quick legislative session.
Council Members discussed the presentation and planning for 2027 and asked questions. 24886 2. An ordinance relating to the composition of the Historic Preservation Commission, updating the qualifications for membership on the commission, and amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.54 Summary: Page 1 of 3 Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Emy Scherrer, Planner, presented the ordinance, which amends the membership composition of the Historic Preservation Commission, and makes other revisions to Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.54.
Just a little bit of of history and and context and then Luke will talk about our specific work this year. You may remember that last year, 2025, the state was facing a $16 billion deficit that they in their operating budget, which they resolved through about half cuts to programs or or eliminations of programs and and about half new revenues uh they put in place, this year came back with a $1.8 billion deficit um for the remainder of this biennium.
Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the ordinance. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24888 3. A resolution appointing members to a regional fire authority planning committee Summary: Fire Chief Bill Hewett presented the resolution appointing members to a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee.
Um they balanced that with more cuts and a small amount of renew of of uh short-term revenue. Um in general, the the caution was the watchword for this legislative session. There were not a lot of ambitious um things that moved forward with the due due to uh economic uncertainty uh political volatility, the geopolitical state that that you heard about in your discussion of your budget.
Fire District 8 also supported the creation of a planning committee. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Action: Hollie Huthman / Lisa Anderson moved to nominate Mayor Kim Lund, Council Member Michael Lilliquist, and Council Member Daniel Hammill to serve on the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee.
Um also was something that the legislature and the governor were very cognizant of. Um the one exception to that was the millionaire tax that the that the legislature passed and the governor signed um which is effective as of uh January 1st, 2028 and which um starts bringing in revenue based on those details on July 1st, 2029.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Action: Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the resolution. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24895 4. Presentation and approval of the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan Summary: David Brauhn, Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director Intergovernmental Focus, presented a Council strategic communications and community engagement plan.
Um that millionaire tax also had an impact on local government finances. It repealed the new local sales tax that was passed last year um and uh we'll be working with um AWC uh sorry, Association of Washington Cities, of which the city of Bellingham is a member to see uh between now and uh and 2028 what can be done to uh rectify that potential hole in um in sales tax revenue for local governments.
Council Members discussed the plan and asked questions. Action: Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan.
Page 2 of 3 MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24896 5. Presentation and approval of the City Council Communications Charter Summary: David Brauhn, Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director Intergovernmental Focus, presented a City Council Communications Charter, which outlines how the Bellingham City Council organizes and manages its communications and community engagement work.
Um uh lots of ups and downs, very fluid and short session as was as was discussed. Happy to answer your questions about the overall context or specific bills. Uh Luke's going to present on the the results of Bellingham agenda.
One thing I want to underscore is I think we had a very productive year thanks to the the team leadership approach, uh sort of the dream team that that came together uh um uh in your chambers um working with us down in Olympia.
Council Members discussed the charter and asked questions. Action: Jace Cotton / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the City Council Communications Charter. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6.
Old/New Business Summary: Janice Keller, Deputy Administrator, introduced Melissa Ambler, WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator of the Mt Baker Area, and Brittany Dayley, Delve Underground Project Engineering Geologist, who updated Council on the recent northbound I-5 landslide closure and WSDOT's response.
Great guidance from the mayor, council members, department heads, staff. So, whenever we had a question, we knew exactly who to ask. Good input, feedback. You know, an iterative process with us to let you know what was happening in terms of the the currents and political realities in Olympia and how to balance those against the the city's priorities and needs for the 2026 legislative session and we've already started the conversation about what what may still be on the on the agenda for the city and what new items are on the horizon including fixing that sales tax problem created by the millionaire tax for 2027.
Look forward to continuing to work with you and I'll hand things over to my colleague Luke Esser. Thank you very much, Nick. Appreciate that and I'll add my my thoughts about before I could dig into specifics that it was it was really a a blessing for us to be to have subject matter experts on the city who were able to weigh in on particular issues and and particular bills and I I particularly want to call out Blake for his for his willingness to wait an hour, sometimes several hours in order to testify for 2 minutes or 90 seconds or 60 seconds on a bill depending on how many other people are waiting to testify and then Nick and I are always willing to testify and and represent the city's interests, but there's no doubt that having a subject matter expert like we do with our department heads and other key city staff makes a lot of difference when we're trying to communicate with key legislators during the legislative session.
Council moved into Executive Session at 4:55 p.m. to discuss two items until 5:10 p.m. 1. Potential litigation 2. Potential surplus property sale Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
I'll just briefly spotlight a few of the most high-profile issues affecting cities that we dealt with this year. House Bill 2266 was known as the the step housing bill. Supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency housing, and it provided some some limitations on uh the cities' abilities to uh to to zone, and um and uh reach uh operating agreements with the sponsors of uh step housing projects.
The The one area where Blake in particular engaged on, there's a there's a a limitation on the the um the types of funding which a city may use and then ask for uh contract that allows for additional health and safety-related operating provisions, and they're they're they're very limited in the final version of the bill to the general fund and uh and to a specific uh forms of uh uh of dollars that can be used to require that and and and Blake tried to open that up just a little bit more, wasn't wasn't successful, but uh we I I think at least made that made that case and continued to establish Bellingham as a uh a place that offers thoughtful advice that's not intended to to kill bills, but hopefully to make them more implementable for cities, and I'm sure we'll have continued conversations on that particular aspect as time goes on.
The second most prominent housing bill was Senate Bill 6026 related to uh transitioning uh commercial housing into um into residential housing, and uh it requires that uh cities allow uh residential housing, including exclusively residential housing, in areas currently zoned for commercial or mixed use.
And probably the the the the the stickiest area of that bill was about requirements for ground-floor retail, which many uh cities require to make uh communities more uh walkable and to have uh services within uh easy distance of residents of their local uh communities, and there were a number of different uh numbers thrown out during the course of the session as to what what the city could uh in what percentage could they have those limitations going forward?
It started off early in the history of that bill that it was 40% of the entire city. And then it was 20% of the entire city. And finally they ended up on 40% of the total acreage zoned commercial or mixed-use, which works better or worse for various cities.
I know one of the issues that Blake weighed in on was trying to still allow ground floor residential requirements for for corners and transit stops. And once again, we weren't we weren't successful on that, but I think that's an aspect of the bill that'll be up for further consideration.
And we're again, very lucky to have that subject matter expertise available to us. Two other bills I'll touch on very briefly. Automated license plates readers or ALPRs received a lot of attention. Senate Bill 6002 established limitations on the use of ALPRs for both state and local agencies throughout the state of Washington.
The The biggest issues under debate were whether to include gross misdemeanors rather than just felonies among those offenses for which ALPR data could be used, the data retention period for ALPR data, and what does the words immediate surroundings mean because there's there's language that it's unlawful for agencies to collect ALPR data on the premises or immediate surroundings of facilities conducting an immigration matter, providing protected health care, elementary and secondary schools, places of worship, courts, or food banks.
And that that is still an ambiguous term, which probably means that the courts will ultimately decide on a case-by-case basis what exactly immediate surroundings is. General a gross misdemeanors, excuse me, were at the end of the day included in the bill.
Initially included only felonies, law enforcement agencies may use ALPR data to compare license plate numbers and vehicle characteristics, make and model, to investigate stolen vehicles, missing and endangered persons, felonies, or gross misdemeanors.
Data retention is in general limited to 21 days and for for for most um for most purposes. Though if if a a case ends up in the court system, it it is allowed to be maintained until the resolution of that particular case.
Parking enforcement data must be deleted within 12 uh within 12 hours after final disposition of of a case. So that's a very expedited timeline and all of this data is specifically exempted from the from from public records.
So that is that is one aspect that's no longer a concern to cities. And the the final bill I wanted to call out in particular was a bill that provides a number of new local revenue options or expands the use of existing revenue options for cities.
House Bill 2442 um it expands the options for utilizing existing local re $2 to now include abatement of nuisance properties. A relatively minor increase on that one. For the existing local sales tax for housing, it expands the allowable uses to include the rehabilitation, operations, and maintenance of existing units of affordable housing and not just new units.
So that is a a more significant expansion of that particular usage. There was changes made to the existing municipal fire protection district statute so that if a city wants to avail themselves of creating a municipal fire protection district, they no longer have to sacrifice on a dollar-for-dollar basis all of the the tax revenues that that would go currently for those for those purposes.
And finally, there's a new local sales tax of 0.1% that is allowed for local jurisdictions to fund children and family services. That that is the one new tax source that's allowed in that particular bill.
And finally, I wanted to save something really good for last and I know council is aware of this. Uh Everybody that's listening might not be aware. We were very thrilled that our local delegation was successful in obtaining $1.03 million for the permanent homeless day shelter in Bellingham.
I think I think he's made this point before. It was a project that really met the moment and it aligned very well with the priorities of local legislators and fit a really important need at both the state and local level.
And so we felt good about about the victory we were able to to share there. But as Nick mentioned, we're we're already thinking about what what what further successes can we have next session. So thanks again for everybody in the city team for helping to make your your contract lobbyist job as as as as easy as it can be in a crazy place like Olympia and we're happy to answer any questions.
Thank you very much. I'll turn to the committee if there are any questions. Councilmember Huffman. Thanks Nick and Luke for the end of session update. We've had addressing long-term vacant commercial spaces on our priority list for 2 years now.
Can you give me any updates on where the conversations are going on that issue? Absolutely. I participated in a number of conversations with a number of local governments and legislators interested in that.
Because it was a short legislative session, it didn't fully gel this year particularly because the Department of Revenue which obviously would oversee something like that had a lot of technical questions and so that was something that was pushed into the interim for trying to resolve.
I've spoken with representative Natasha Hill from Spokane who wants to who's been exercising leadership on that as well as representative April Berg from Mill Creek who's the chair of the House Finance Committee, representative Strom Peterson from Edmonds who's the chair of the House Housing Committee to try to figure out which one of them may be most appropriate to have a work session of that to talk through some of the details to hear from a number of different interests around the the the benefits and and potential hurdles with that and to and to us really move things to the next level with the Department of Revenue not just raising concerns but hopefully identifying solutions for some of those concerns that they raised during session.
So it didn't make it into bill form this year just because the session was fast and furious and they didn't have the time to take up something of this magnitude but I'm hopeful that working with Department of Revenue and those legislators over the interim on behalf of the city and and along with other municipalities will result in something productive for the 2027 legislative session.
Great. Happy to hear that there's still movement on that. Absolutely. Councilmember Lilquist? Yeah, I'm not sure who this is a question for maybe actually our own city attorney but maybe not. House Bill 2266 the step bill housing did put some restrictions on the sort of agreements the cities can have with regard to transitional emergency housing, supportive housing.
It was modified it's now some agreements can be tied to general funds which we don't do. Do we think that we have to modify or discontinue any of our current operating agreements with any of our current housing or will it with with the change in language will it change how we do things going forward?
Do we have an answer to that one yet cuz the language was confusing me? Alan Merkle city Attorney. You know, we we don't have an answer. I mean, this is the first time I've heard had that question asked.
We'd have to look at it. >> Senator Blake may have a guess. Good afternoon. Blake Line, Director of Planning and Community Development. Um in my discussions with Senator Shoemake around the language that you're describing, um I had expressed the city's reservation and discussion about that particular issue.
Uh Senator Shoemake assured me that I was uh reading it too conservatively and that we would be allowed to continue to do that, but I think it does I think it would be prudent to kind of go through and look at some case studies of our existing agreements.
We haven't had the time to do that with the agreements and where the state law landed. Uh so, she's she's convinced that that it's not going to be an issue, but we need to take a closer look at it, to be honest.
Are there questions from council members? No. Okay. Any other words from the administration? I just want to thank uh what Nick called the dream team, which was the administration's team plus Council President Stone, Council Member Cotton, and Council Member Liliquist, who met every Friday for 3 months and um uh fed information and testimony um either directly to our delegation or through the hearing process or to our lobbying team.
So, thanks for everyone um working together. I think in a difficult session, we we got a fair amount accomplished. And special thanks to Nick and Luke for all your work on our behalf. Thank you. Absolutely.
I just want to second that and extend appreciation to to Nick and Luke. It really is a partnership. I know this is a contract that, you know, the city put out a call for and we say they were selected, but it has really felt like a a great partnership and um has worked well and definitely feel like we are reaping the benefits of of that contract.
So, great appreciation. Um in follow-up, one of the things that we were discussing as that work wrapped up this year is I know sometimes we are delegating council assignments through our reorganization process at the beginning of the year, but really looking at the legislative sessions and the way that they fall, this will probably an assignment that we want to make on the off, right?
Not at that time, but maybe um we were thinking even June to to June. Um so, just to put that on your radar if that's something that you're interested in and we'll be coming back in the next couple of months to make those assignments.
So, um so, yeah, it'll be a short break, but look forward to that that continued work. So, thank you very much to both of you and our apology for running late this afternoon. Thanks for It's like you're in the session down in Olympia waiting waiting to testify.
Thanks so much for your time. Thanks so much. Thank you. >> afternoon. So, the next item before the committee this afternoon is agenda bill 24886. This is an ordinance relating to the composition of the Historic Preservation Commission, updating the qualifications for membership on the commission, and amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.54.
To aid in recruitment to the Historic Preservation Commission, city staff and the HPC propose eliminating the qualifier qualified elector requirement under Chapter 2.54.020 of the Bellingham Municipal Code, and allowing those who who or work in Whatcom County to apply and serve.
City staff and the HPC also propose reducing the number of HPC commissioners from nine to seven. Additional minor editorial amendments are proposed to BMC 2.54 for improved clarity and consistency. Um so first it looks like I will turn to planning director Blake Line.
Thank you and good afternoon. Um I have Emmy here with us who's going to walk us through a few details, but by way of introduction I just wanted to set the context as many of you are aware, but the public may not be.
We have a variety of boards, committees, and commissions. Some of those uh boards, committees, and commissions have um requirements within their membership to have certain kind of uh technical or subject matter expertise on them.
Uh the historic uh committee is one of those such that requires at least four of the members uh to have some of that. We also feel like given the um geographic constraints of being able required to reside in the city also limits us, especially when we start talking about our tribal partners and wanting to have representation there.
And opening up county-wide will give us an opportunity to draw in some of that expertise that we might not otherwise have available to us within the city proper. So Emmy's going to walk us through the details and happy to answer any questions once she's done.
Thanks. Great. Thank you, Blake. Uh my name is Emmy Share. I'm a planner two with the planning and community development department. One of the hats that I wear is coordinating our historic preservation program, working with our historic preservation commission, the HPC, um and maintaining our status as a certified local government, um which works with the state in historic preservation.
Um I will start just by kind of walking through the proposed ordinance, uh which is page 186 of your packet. Uh, as Blake mentioned, kind of it's twofold. We're proposing to reduce uh, the number of commission members from nine to seven.
That would bring us more in alignment with our other boards and commissions, including the Arts Commission, Planning Commission, City Council. Um, and then it's also to remove that uh, requirement that's currently in code of being an elected um, qualifier in the city of Bellingham.
Our qualified elector, sorry. Um, as Blake mentioned, it's been challenging in the past to reach quorum with nine members and part of that is cuz we have had challenges and this has been brought up to us by the HBC of actually finding folks who do have that kind of unique background in historic preservation.
Um, I think a lot of folks when they're cruising through openings in boards and commissions, they see historic preservation and they think public history or just history in general, but really kind of the one of the more main focuses of the Historic Preservation Commission is more building plan review, being um, knowledgeable in the Secretary of Interior standards, the state standards for historic preservation, and our local standards.
Um, the HBC is charged with uh, they actually make the decisions for certificate of alterations for any listed building on our local register. So, it's a lot of plan review, a lot of architecture review, and kind of that knowledge of building science and construction.
Um, because of that, it's been a little challenging to find folks who have that really niche background. We do have a number of commission members who are historians and they aid wonderfully, um, but we're also looking for that kind of more building background.
Which brings us to um, also, you know, opening it up to more of the county, getting folks um, who may work in Bellingham, but live outside of Bellingham. And again, as uh, Blake mentioned, aiding in getting more tribal representation and even possibly Western representation and students could could help us in this.
Um and then the rest of it is really just minor editorial changes for clarity. Um if you move down to page 187, that's where the code language proposed code language changes going from seven or from nine to seven.
Um and then removing that qualified elector members. What we're proposing must currently live in, work in, or manage a business in Whatcom County. Um just by example, we already have two folks who have applied who aren't um qualified electors of Bellingham, and they would have been perfect.
They had a background in architecture and building sciences. However, they wouldn't have met this requirement. Um we kind of tweaked uh just the background requirements. Um and then the rest, going to section two, is really just clerical, switching it from board to commission cuz this is a voting commission.
Um we did have a requirement that we were to meet once a month. However, we only meet when there's actually an application in for review. So, we switched that to once a quarter just to keep us meeting regularly, but not have that requirement to meet once a month if we had nothing to actually review.
Um and that's basically it. We recommend approval of the proposed ordinance, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Members, any questions? I have a couple of questions if anybody else does. Um And some of them are just unique.
So, in on page 187 in section 1 subsection D, it references and I know this is a little bit outside of what we're considering today, but it references subject to approval by a 2/3 majority vote of the city council.
And that struck me as odd because I think all of the other I looked at the planning commission and arts commission and others, it seems like it's usually just a majority vote. I think that would for seven would be four and 2/3 votes, which I guess would be five and don't know if that's a super majority, but since we're looking at it, I don't know if that would be an a amendment that would be um considered.
Yes. Um and cuz I think in other cases it just says subject to approval. Yeah, maybe by a majority. If we could just strike the 2/3. I don't know. Yes, Attorney Marion. I think that section is talking about just removal of a commission member.
Section D. Okay, specifically to the removal and >> Removal. Okay. That section starts off uh talking about vacancies and then the second uh the second portion of that same section, members may be removed by the 2/3.
Yeah. Prior to that when it says shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. >> you go up to item A, it references it's appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. So, uh that's true for the appointment of a member and for filling a vacancy is appointment by the mayor and confirmation, but if somebody needs to be removed, it's the 2/3.
Okay, that's helpful. Thank you, very much. Um and just confirming that in this case it's a 3-year term with possible reappointment and no term no term limits as noted by the current roster. Um And so, I know that the request obviously from 9 to 7, I think makes sense with alignment um with other commissions and boards as noted.
The change for the qualified electors, I just have a question. You spoke directly to a couple of applicants who say would have been perfect but would not meet that requirement. Do you know if they would have met the requirement if it had been broadened to speak to the ability to I think the proposed change is about um like living or working or conducting business in Bellingham because I think even if it was a Whatcom County resident, I would hope that they would still have some tie to Bellingham.
Um so, I was wondering if that would have remedied it also or not. Yeah, so both of them actually work in Bellingham and both of them live in Skagit, but they come to Bellingham for work every day. And so, actually the change to Whatcom County residency wouldn't I mean, would not have made them eligible either if they resided >> they No, yes, so they wouldn't live in Whatcom County.
So, that's why we included must currently live in or work in Whatcom County. Okay. Um I mean, one of my concerns and I guess it's obviously the mayor has um her due diligence about an appointment and who would be appointed or not, but if we were going to going to articulate, I guess I have some concerns that the way it's worded within Whatcom County, then it's like someone could have a business here, but yeah, live somewhere very far away, and is that sufficient um connection locally to to serve or not?
I don't I don't know. It was just a question that was raised in my mind and wondering whether instead of branding it to Whatcom County, if similar to I think it's the Arts Commission says live in, work in, or manage a business within the city limits of Bellingham.
If aligning it that way would help to to broaden that net or not. >> And a little background on that, we we did go kind of back and forth on that. We tried to keep it this broad, and one of the reasons was to try and get that tribal representation.
And so, that's why we propose this language. I just wasn't sure with like Children of the Setting Sun and other business organizations now, you know, within the city limits, if that would help, but Councilmember Cotton.
I I'd be inclined to leave it broad, and um what's great about th- this one is confirmed by council, so if there ever was a concern, we, you know, could certainly convince a majority of council members to object, but um just as a side note, at some point it would be great to revisit which commissions and boards we have a confirming power on which we don't, um cuz it's a little random.
But, in this case, I think that's a good guardrail, and I would agree, let's keep it broad to to try and get tribal representation and other participants. Okay. Could I address um Yeah. Deputy Kellar.
>> Councilmember Cotton's comment? Yes, a resounding yes, we're eager to do that. And for this particular group, they really wanted to move forward to be able to fill those vacancies, and so, we didn't slow them down any further with a comprehensive look at the other at the other groups, but we we share that interest in um having more consistency and having it be less random.
Only other n- was for our record keeping. I think the agenda bills that approved the most recent appointments, so for Judy Ford and Leonard Darberry, um, in the agenda bills reference a four-year term ending in 2028, but it looks like the roster's correct reflecting a three-year term ending in 2027.
Um, but just for future reference to note that this one is different. The others are sort of standard four-year four-year terms. So, I don't think that needs to be, um, amended in the in the vote. I think it just defers to whatever the statute requirement within the code would have been.
Um, so, okay. Anything further? Seeing none, this is up for consideration. Councilmember Williams. Yes, I move to approve this ordinance for first and second reading. Great. Second. >> Second. So, we have a motion by Councilmember Williams and a second by Councilmember Husmann.
Okay. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0. I think I heard Councilmember Anderson on line. Okay. Perfect.
Thank you very much. >> Next we have agenda bill 24888. This is a resolution appointing members to a regional fire authority planning committee. This resolution formally names three City of Bellingham elected officials to a regional fire authority, RFA, planning committee tasked with developing an RFA service plan.
Fire Protection District 8 will then name three of its commissioners to also join the committee. The administration requests that one of the City of Bellingham officials is the mayor. So, for this item, I will first turn to Chief Hewitt.
All right. So, Council, yeah, Billy Hewitt, your fire chief. Last meeting, if you recall, Council passed a motion to form a regional fire authority planning committee. Um that we took that motion and went to Fire District 8's Board of Fire Commissioner meeting here last week, and they reciprocated with a similar motion.
Um now that both parties have intended or clarified their intentions to form this committee, the next step is to formalize that through a resolution that would actually name the planning committee members.
So, that's what we're looking for here today. There's a um resolution in the packet there, but the most important part is we need some names. Mayor Linnehan. Um in the memo, the administration is making the recommendation that the mayor be one of the three appointees, but obviously, that's for Council's approval and discussion.
So. Thank you very much. I'll open it up to the committee. Councilman Liliquist. So, um I would ask that I be considered as one of the appointees, in part because I spent, oh, I don't know, a year and a half, almost 2 years uh about a decade ago on a regional fire authority endeavor much like this.
And I would hope that that would, and that we have other some other members of this administration who are also in that process, and we could sort of move more quickly through some of the things that took us a lot of time last time, and then move on to I think what I'll call the more important second half, because there are some very important issues that need to be worked out and I think in my participation it would go quicker to get to the kind of the the the nub of the matter, the the crux of the discussion.
So, I think I'd be a useful member. I'd ask to be considered. Councilmember Hamel? Yeah, I would ask that I'd be considered for that committee as well. Councilmember Husman? I'll make a motion to uh nominate Mayor Lund, Councilmember Hamel, and Councilmember Lilquist for the committee.
Second. We have a motion by Councilmember Husman with a second by Councilmember Anderson. And that motion would be to um so to appoint Mayor Lund, Councilmember Lilquist, and Councilmember Hamel as the members.
Um whether to vote Well, we can vote on that first. Uh Councilmember Williams? Is it a vote from our body to to nominate or is it a vote to recommend? So >> Who? It's actual point. >> Councilmember Husman is making a recommendation for those names.
I was going to say that those could be included. We can amend the motion to be voting on the resolution with those names added. We can vote on the appointments and then vote on the resolution with those names.
And then it will be brought forward for Well, that would be our piece of it and then Fire District 8 would pick their three. Okay, got it. >> So, our body is making that appointment. Um any opposition to the motion before we vote or questions or comments to them?
Okay. All in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay, seeing none that passes 7-0. I believe that was Present those names. Um So, we have another motion for the resolution. Councilmember Huffman.
I'll go ahead and make the motion to approve the resolution. Second. Motion by Councilmember Huffman, second by Councilmember Williams. Again, that resolution will include Mayor Lund, Councilmember Lilliquist, and Councilmember Hengerer.
All in favor will say I. I. >> I. I. Opposed? Or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0. Great. Thank you. Thank you very much, you feel it. The next agenda item is agenda 24895. This is presentation and approval of the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan.
So, the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan outlines a long-term commitment to helping Bellingham residents better understand the Council's work, participate in local government, and stay informed about issues and decisions.
This plan builds on earlier efforts and is supported by a growing citywide culture of communication. Um this item is connected to the next. Um So, we can address them individually or at one time. Um Do you have a Do you have a preference?
At one time. Okay. Um So, we will take separate votes if there is a motion for um consideration and adoption, but just to introduce both items. So, this is sort of in tandem with agenda bill 24896, which is presentation and approval of the City Council Communications Charter.
So, the City Council Communications Charter lays out how the Bellingham City Council organizes and manages its communications and community engagement work. It explains who is involved, what each role is responsible for, and how decisions about messaging are made.
This charter clarifies that communication efforts may serve individual council members, the city council as a whole, or specific subsets working on assigned tasks. It also outlines how communication requests should be directed and approved depending on the type, scope, and significance of the project.
This charter affirms that it is a living document subject to amendment by a formal vote of the city council. Um and so we'll look at these sort of both in tandem, but for that discussion, I will turn it over to David Braun, who's our assistant communications and community relations director for intergovernmental focus.
Thanks, Council President Stone. So, I'm David Braun, Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director, Intergovernmental Focus. And I'm introducing the City Council Communications Charter and the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan.
So, communications at the city is evolving and improving. Not so long ago, there was just one person responsible for communications at the city, and now there's more than a dozen in communications-related roles.
So, these documents are part of that trajectory, and they set a foundation for city council-related communications. Um they at once connect the city council more directly to this work, and they also embed it into the city's communications ecosystem.
So, the City Council Communications Charter sets up the lanes in which we do this work. It is a document that defines the roles and responsibilities for everyone involved in coordinating and creating communications for external audiences.
This clarity is necessary and helpful when navigating concerns that span branches of government, and also different combinations and configurations of council members. So, ensuring that everyone knows their part, knows who to make decisions, will result in increased efficiency and better service and connection with the community.
The charter factors in a few new things, my position which supports council communications and a city council communications work group, which can take on important emergent issues. These would be things that rise above day-to-day work, but fall below the level where full council involvement is required.
The work group will align efforts with the city council strategic communications plan and form the tactical city council communications work plan. So, the charter is the who and the plan is the why and high-level how.
So, the city council strategic communications and community engagement plan is a long-range document that sets the course. It does a few key things. Importantly, it shows how it is built upon prior efforts and it embeds it into a growing culture of communication at the city.
It lays out objectives of communicating proactively, building public trust, and speaking with one voice. It also lays out strategies for strengthening the connection between council members and the community, utilizing communications channels consistently, prioritizing meaningful public engagement opportunities, and internal coordination and messaging.
I think the most important thing that these documents do is create consistency. Uh it creates a structure and the regular ways that we reach people. And through both of those things, it will increase transparency and public trust and the manner in which we speak with one voice.
Thank you very much, David. Just wanting to also, you know, recognize this has been work that's been ongoing for a long time. I know that Council member Liliquist was very involved in the initial plan that was approved back in 2017 recognizing that that at that time, as David alluded to, there was only one person you know, leading that work for communications for the entire city and all branches of government.
And so it's changed a lot and part of the internal discussions with in our office has been to focus on this plan and the charter really as guiding documents that we can can look to that will guide that work, but those are pieces that would sort of stay in in place and obviously can be amended as as need be, but then having strategic pieces in place being David's current position and this work group to be able to, you know, manage that work on an ongoing basis.
So I think of that work group sort of akin to the lobby group in some respects where, you know, it's a small group that includes in addition to council members, key communications staff as well as members of the city council staff to really meet and have those internal discussions.
In addition, Melissa Moran, who's the director for communications for the city, being a part of that group as well to again accommodate for the the overlap with you know, other the other branches of government as well as what's already going on to make sure that this work isn't happening in a in a vacuum.
Um So the drafts included in the packet are for discussion and consideration by the committee. So if there are questions or or comments open up to all of you. Council member Liliquist. Well, first of all, yeah, thank you for noting that that it was a a priority of mine to formalize communications when I was Council President in 2017 and then next time I was President laid the groundwork to hire in David's position.
Um this is a remarkable step forward in that in that evolution area trajectory. So, really I want to thank everyone for this. This is This is what I was hoping to have started so long ago and I didn't know how it would look and I think this is how it looks.
So, I appreciate it. I'm very supportive of these documents and the way they work with the other uh uh documents we've created. Um, my one bit of feedback is that um just in terms of balance, I'm seeing more effort on how well the city communicates to the public, how well we communicate, whether we're uh proactive, fact-based, um and that we use a variety of channels to make sure that we reach people, and less about the feedback and inclusion.
Maybe that doesn't belong in the strategy, but I do remember I think it was a study in like 2007 by Demoss and Associates that said that our public, what they really were looking for is not more public meetings, but more opportunities where it felt like their input occurred at the right point early enough in the process that it influenced the outcome.
I didn't quite see that in here. It doesn't contradict that, but the the the point behind that insight is that people wanted input at the right way so that it felt influential to them. There is language in here about making sure to acknowledge the communications so that people felt heard.
That's not quite same as them feeling influential. Sometimes when I hear from the public, I hear you is all I can say because I'm weighing the opinion and I'm always going to agree with the input. I've got other inputs that I may be considering also.
Um, but I think that the one of the key parts is that it it's reciprocal, it's two-way, and that it that it uh meaningfully influences outcomes because it's timely. Like I said, I don't think anything in here contradicts that, but I also didn't see that clearly.
Um, is there some component in there where I have may have missed it, or is there a place where we might strengthen the language to include that um that idea as well. Uh, we can include that idea. So, there's also the strategic uh there's the communications work plan.
Um, which can add some more of those tactical considerations and those those kind of feedback loops where we we get back to people about um those those efforts. Um, but we can make that and there's also the retreat which is coming up and we can we want to get some ideas from council members as well.
I can respond to that. I mean, one of the things I'm thinking about and trying to be mindful in this work as it develops out also is I guess maybe to flesh out your question a little more is where that type of engagement lives because I think about, you know, the administration and efforts that are made at a department level and project level that really um requires sometimes legally, right, that that level of engagement what that looks like.
Um, so I just want to be mindful, too, of making sure that we stay focused on right the council's voice and role in in facilitating that engagement which certainly is of importance and consideration by us, but um I see Melissa Morrison's joined us, so I'll turn it over to her.
Thanks, Council Member Stone. Um, I'll add that I do see some of what uh Council Member Lilliquist is describing under section three of the strategies prioritize meaningful public engagement opportunities and fostering that authentic two-way connection.
And earlier in that uh strategic plan document, we also refer to several of the goals and policies outlined in the Bellingham Plan, which I think also speak to what you're describing. So, as a as a citywide, we are going to be um embarking on doing better in that way, and I think a lot of that will naturally also happen for council specific engagement opportunities, as well.
We can do some of that in tandem. We can do some of that separately, and then certainly as the administration is uh um providing those opportunities to hear from the community, we are also passing that information on to you as policy makers for the community, too.
And I guess one other piece, and then I'll sit back down, um is wanting to make sure, as well, that I think Melissa was really speaking to it, that this is a a guiding document of sort of the, you know, goals and what we're hoping to achieve, but that that specificity maybe that you're looking for, Councilmember Liliquist, may live, as David mentioned, in a work plan, you know, as projects or issues arise.
Um And so, we would hope that the opportunities and what guides that work lives here, but maybe that specificity would live um in a in a work plan or within the the direction from the work group, but I want to make sure that your issues are addressed.
So, Councilmember Liliquist. Well, to respond to both your points, I think you're right, Melissa. Three section uh strategy number three really is trying to address about two-way communication. And actually speaking to your point, what I was trying to say is that those opportunities need to come early in the process, be influential.
And on thinking about that, that probably is before it gets to the City Council. That probably is during the project specific engagement. So, for example, the comprehensive plan was a year-long a public engagement prior to it got to the council.
If you only had two-way interaction or input opportunities at the end of the process, that's exactly the opposite of what I was thinking. So, upon re-thinking it, I mean, I do think the council needs to be committed to supporting communication strategies that do provide two-way feedback early enough, but I I'm kind of I'm feeling more comfortable now understanding where that may reside and then it may actually be prior to the council is the proper place.
Other questions, I guess looking first at the strategic communications and community engagement plan. Any specific questions or comments or proposed um changes or additions or considerations? Other Councilmember Huffman.
Um uh I'm so impressed with the work that our communication staff has done with the city. Um again referencing the fact that we had one communications person not that long ago and what a huge umbrella um of work that that person was responsible for.
Um and now we are in the process, you know, but that years ago it was it was identified that we really needed to up our our game in the communications department and put more resources towards that. And um lo and behold it's not just as simple as hiring somebody and then say, go post on social media about what's happening.
Like it would be in my role. Um it's really incredible what a professional level of work is happening to lay this foundation and it's not the most exciting part of communications work, I would assume.
Um it's not the, you know, creating creating copy and graphics and videos, um but it's so important to make sure that we really do have solid um guidance on uh having that professional level of communications for our city and I think it will pay off.
Um it already it already has been um with both a better informed general public as well as a better informed uh decision makers for our city. So, um thank you for all of this work. Really really appreciate it.
It's great work. I will go ahead and move to approve the City Council strategic strategic communications and community engagement plan. Second. We have a motion by Councilmember Huffman and a second by Councilmember Williams.
Councilmember Williams? Yeah, I I just want to mention that um the thing that I like about this uh general plan is from my own perspective is that it it supports giving me the information that then I can take it and craft my interaction with the public which is one thing we didn't have before.
You know, the seven of us could take an issue and um and each one of us could have a different message. There there wasn't any consistent framework of it doesn't mean we have to all seven of us agree but the basic framework is here.
So that when an issue comes up, the way I see it you're going to give me the background information I need to communicate as an individual council person effectively with the public that I that have have either contacted me or sent us something and that I totally appreciate.
And I just wanted to let you know that. Both of you. All of you. Councilmember Littlequist? Yeah, I I'm definitely going to vote in favor of this. As I said, I think it's a significant step forward in both clarity and breadth and coordination.
Um lots to say about it positively. But I and I don't Please don't take this negatively, but I I want to ask about a particular example of a situation that's currently ongoing and how this would guide and continue to guide our response.
It has to do with the fact that we're there's a a a small community, a growing community of people due to a coordinated effort to question um the city's approach to uh solid waste handling. Um and we have done communicating on it.
We had open meetings, we had forums, we had discussions, we have uh you know, editorials that appeared in the paper written by staff. We've done a fair amount of communication and I still think it we have a communication problem because I hear talking points and assertions by uh these members of the public which are contradictory to the think what we've been trying to say and then the facts as I understand them.
Um And it's not that they're I think we're totally disagree with each other. Um but, I do feel like there's like still an incomplete communication failure going on. Um what uh Dave and what you and I are talking about is communication isn't a one-and-done thing.
We don't do our communication and move on to the next thing. I I think we need to understand that some things are kind of like ongoing um need to be repeated, multiple channels for multiple people. And maybe that some people heard it the first time in the first way and then a new group of people needs to now needs to hear it.
Um Where in here is there um language which indicates how we respond to ongoing uh communication issues as opposed to kind of a one-and-done issue. Well, sometimes you don't know something's ongoing until it happens more than once.
And sometimes, you know, people um things become like the problem du jour for people or they have strong feelings and something inspires them to coalesce around something. So, it's it's hard to predict some things, but I do think there's value in consistent and prolonged communications campaigns.
Um, and then matching those with with the resources that we have, right? Not everything is going to be something we continually communicate about, but some things may require more communication for longer periods of time.
But, as those are related to council, those may be few, but this this would be your example, I think, is more of an administration issue and a decision about how they want to communicate about that. For sure.
I'll add that the charter to me is a place where we would see the space to have those conversations about what that ongoing communication looks like. So, the intention of that city council communications work group would be to regularly have conversations about what our communication strategy is for any particular issue.
And that's where we'd be able to align with what council's communication needs and perspectives are for that issue and what the administration is doing or has planned or has already done and be able to align on those.
I think that the example you bring up is quite interesting to be framed as a communication as a communications failure as a communications challenge. I think we need to be really clear in those work group meetings about setting our goals for communication.
If our goal is that 100% of Bellingham residents agree with us, we will never achieve it. And it will feel like a failure. If our goal is to communicate authentically and transparently for folks to be able to have information available to them for us to be able to communicate our perspective, for council to be able to communicate their perspective, and for folks in our community to be able to weigh all of that information and draw their own conclusions, then we can be successful.
And I think that's what we see happening in this particular case. So, I've been here long enough that I could count two dozen similar, I still think our communication problems. And you're right, it's not that our goal is to get agreement or to have everyone agree with us or everyone agree with, you know, we all agree, but sometimes I hear assertions that just aren't actually the case.
Let me give you some other current examples for two other government entities. Um Whatcom County is facing criticism for sidelining the Behavioral Care Center in favor of the jail. When in truth, Whatcom County's not sidelining the Behavioral Care Center, but there's been significant, you know, concern in the community.
So, that is a communications problem because the county isn't actually doing what they fear. Um in WTA, there's where uh voted to raise the fare, and the concern is why are you raising the fare? What you need to do is you need to increase service.
And the communication failure there is the reason why our fares were increased is because we are facing cuts in service. So, you know, the exact opposite of what the public was thinking. So, I do think even in this case, I hear assertions from the public that are opposite or these different from what we're trying to say.
I do think these are communications efforts. And again, I could go back with my memory and find 20 other similar cases where I feel like we as public servants are working really hard, and half of the friction is misunderstanding, and the other half might be genuine disagreement, and we can live with that or we have to live with that.
So, on page three um of the plan, which is 198 in our packet, under the says 2026 to 2028 City of Bellingham Strategic External Communications and Community Engagement Plan. Those guiding principles, I mean I think the first one accurate, timely, coordinated communications and the fourth bullet ongoing improvement, right?
It says then owning successes, but I think these are again guiding principles about how we do that work and obviously there will be individual instances that arise that will require then the work group and a work plan to be put in place.
And so what I'm looking for is within this plan are there guiding principles that will help to direct, right, that work when those instances arise. Um and so I think in that respect if there's language that's, you know, you think is missing that could be here.
Otherwise, I think that level of work it's good to be highlighted. It's something that's going to I would envision living in the the work group, right, as as issues arise. Um and that communications plan is being tackled not only within the council office, but perhaps in coordination with the administration.
Or by the administration alone, it depends. We have a vote a motion before us just with respect to the plan. Um additional questions or comments? No? Okay. If not, I will call the question. So again, this was a motion by Councilmember Huthman and a second by Councilmember Williams to approve the City Council Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan.
All in favor will say I. >> I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0. And then the second item, which we mentioned as sort of being considered in tandem, is the City Council Communications Charter.
So looking at that specifically, if there were Councilmember Cotton? Um I move to approve the city council communications charter. Second. You have a motion by Councilmember Cotton and a second by Councilmember Williams.
Any questions or comments regarding the charter? And again, so this charter being a separate document but still um sort of a foundational document that we could look to for direction regarding specific roles and responsibilities and how that work moves forward.
And again, that would be sort of a guiding document that the work group and um and the communications team would would use when issues arise. Councilmember Cotton? Um just briefly, um when we adopt this, where will I go to find it again?
It will Where Where were we planning on on putting Uh we can put it on the website. Councilmember Littlequist? I really value this work and I and I want to understand how it's going to work um for the sort of situations that again I live through every year a couple times a year.
Um and I I think Melissa, you were you were uh indicating that there the city council communications work group is probably where the sort of stuff I'm referring to, the the judgments, the assessments that I'm talking about to identify when are we having What and what needs a communication effort and what may continue to need uh communication effort and um where our communication efforts maybe need to be renewed or prolonged.
And so, I guess that's um roles and responsibilities section two under the work group part B works with city council staff members on emergent communications priorities. I guess that's where it lives, right?
Cuz I'm talking about things that emerge every year. Ms. Keller and I know when we were doing this work at MAC in 2016-2017, that was on our minds. Like every year we know there's issues that emerge and then now what do we do about it?
Trying to Well, A, we try to get in front of it, but sometimes we're not in front of it. Sometimes we need to get back in front of it. And again, this is not to make everyone agree with us, but at least to eliminate the points of misunderstanding.
So, I don't know. I think that's where it lives. I just would almost want to put that in bold cuz I think that's going to do most of the heavy lifting right there. Councilmember Lucas, before we vote, since you did draw attention to it, I wanted to make sure that the council had reviewed and was clear about the composition of the communications work group.
Um, so in that subsection A on page 206, the first page of the charter, it says regular members of this group would include the current council president, past council president, communications and community relations director at this time, which is Melissa Morin, and city council communications and community relations position, currently David Braun, um, city council office manager, um, so Jackie Weller, and then legislative policy analyst, Iris Knott.
And so the thought there was one wanting some, right, consistency from year to year so that there wasn't complete turnover because this is work that doesn't recognize sort of our our terms or the even fiscal year.
Um, and so having that consistency from president and then past president, obviously there may be issues with election cycles when that needs to be considered. Um, but there could be as many as three without having a quorum, three council members.
At this time the proposal was leaving that sub-subsection one in place where the work group members may invite one additional council member to provide consultation because it leaves that third seat as sort of a rotating seat depending on the issue.
So, I think about when the excessive fees ordinance that you're working on, right? If there was a communications effort surrounding that, it would make sense for the person who's leading that work on the council to be in the room, right?
Helping support that that sort of brainstorming. But, I just wanted to be transparent about that and see if there was any feedback or questions from council regarding that. Council member Williams. >> I don't Sorry.
I don't have any questions, but Council member Lilac, could you explain your concern again? Cuz I'm not following what where you're going. >> know if concern is quite the right word for it. I just want to make sure that this both the plan and the charter do what I think it needs to do.
And what I wanted to make sure that there was a mechanism to be responsive to ongoing communication issues that emerge, aren't planned for, kind of emerge organically, you know, every year, a couple times a year.
And how these the plan and the charter handles it. So, that's why I've been trying to identify that. And I'm seeing in the charter the work group. And in the work group, I'm seeing that includes looking at emergent communication priorities.
And I'm trying to use that as a synonym for things we know we need to do better efforts on or continue efforts on that we didn't know about in January, but in March or April we now know we do or whatever it is.
So, I'm trying to find where my concerns are addressed in here. And I think I can find them even though it took me a while to like be sure that that that that was in there. Communications is so important.
I want to make sure this charter allows us to do what I think we need to do. So, I wouldn't call it a concern. I just wanted to I'm thinking out loud in in a sense to make sure this document is going to be successful.
Marilyn. And I just want to acknowledge, I think this will be a work in progress to figure out how we implement this and we'll we'll go forward and and we'll iterate because there is the reality that um the members of the work group as identified, Council could feel very strongly about communications.
You used the example on Post Point. Um and our communications director could leave that meeting with a directive that emerging, you know, this is an emerging communications priority, come to at the administrative side and we might have a a disagreement on whether that is an emergent com coms need or failure.
And so, we will be working together, I think, to figure out how to navigate that. Um so, I just want to acknowledge it's it's a work in progress as we implement this um new work group. Yes, Melissa. Um I just want another clarification that I think might be helpful.
When I think about emergent communications priorities, those are as you're describing things that come up that might be somewhat, I wouldn't say exactly unexpected, but potentially unplanned. What I think is also captured elsewhere in this roles and responsibilities document is having a work plan.
And that those would be planful, pre-identified items that that work group would be developing strategies for together with David and myself. Um and consistently working on over time, as well. So, I think um I wouldn't want to limit the the understanding of the work group to be only emergent priorities.
Annually or every 6 months, you may be checking in to see what else is on the docket. Something might come up at Council Communications or sorry at a at a council meeting that you recognize as a priority that you may say let's let's turn this over to the work group to take on and develop a strategy for.
So, I think there's ways for it all to flow and be both planful and responsive to what's emerging in at any one time. Councilman Williams. Yeah, once again, I just want to follow up that it's in the 4 years that I've been on the council that it's wonderful now that we have a procedure and a working group to deal with some of these issues as opposed to at at least from my perspective having seven different a potential of seven different responses to a major issue.
We we could still have seven. But we would have a platform and a working group to bounce this off of and get that input before we individually respond to things. And I welcome this. And I know that it's always going to be a work in progress as we go along.
Oops. Maybe we need to change this section or not. And so it's a good very good starting point. And um and I welcome it and I think we we need to move the question. I just wanted to um recognize as Councilman Williams just noted, you know, that this can be amended and reiterating what the mayor shared, this is a a work in progress and right the first time that the council is taking this on to this right to this level and and degree and hopefully it feels like we're formalizing work that's come for many many years before, but so for the charter we have a motion before us at this time from council member Cotton that was seconded by council member Williams to move to approve the city council communications charter.
There are no further questions or comments, I will call the question. All in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstaining? >> I. Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0. Great. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Um next we have old and new business and I wanted to make note that we have representatives from WSDOT with us this afternoon to provide an update, so I wanted to provide time for that first. Um Deputy Keller.
Uh I was going to introduce that item while Joel helps them get set up at the podium, if that if that's okay. Sounds great. >> So the closure of the northbound lanes of I-5 after a slide during the third week of March and a detour that included city streets has been an important reminder of how fully connected our transportation system is.
Disruptions impact us all and we need to work together across government agencies when incidents occur. We asked our colleagues at the State Department of Transportation to join us today to provide an update on the work underway to stabilize the bank and clean up the slide and reopen those vital lanes of travel.
Joining us today is Melissa Ambler who is the Washington State Department of Transportation assistant regional administrator for the Mount Baker area and I'll ask that Melissa introduce those joining her today.
Welcome. Thank you. All right. Well, thank you. Thanks for having us today. Um we're here to talk about the work that went that is going on at the I-5 uh slide right now. Um before we start, I did want to acknowledge that we know there's been some frustration with I-5 being closed, and that it is challenging to make decisions on your local roads when we can't tell you if it's going to be days or weeks or years before the the road opens again.
And so, um if you haven't heard the good news, um I-5 both lanes northbound will be open by this Thursday at 5:00 a.m. Let me throw my caveat out there. We have to do a final inspection, and as long as everything passes, then the road will be open.
If something doesn't pass, then it will delay the opening. So, but right now, we're very confident that Thursday 5:00 a.m. both lanes in northbound direction will be open. Um I want to let you know that WSDOT felt frustration as well, and we got the calls from the community as well with concerns about the closure, so we understand what you all have been dealing with um as we've been dealing with it, too.
Uh but I have with me Brett Daley, and she is our geotech guru, and she's going to take you through what has been happening up there for the last 3 weeks. Um I think everyone knows that this is a very methodical work process that you have to do um to stabilize the slope and make sure that it's stable before we open the road cuz we certainly wouldn't want another rock slide when there's live traffic on the uh lanes of I-5.
So, I will pass it on to Britt. Thanks. Yeah, so I'll introduce myself. My name is Britt Daily. I'm with Delve Underground. I'm a project engineering geologist and I specialize in unstable slopes and tunneling.
Uh on I guess to start, I want to show you guys all what the slope looked like before the failure. This is Google Earth imagery from March 2025. Uh the failure occurred during the evening of Thursday, March 19th, and the the northbound lane of I-5 was closed by 11:11 p.m.
Um the following morning, uh Washington DOT region materials engineer group reached out. I'm sorry. After the initial reporting by the regional materials engineers group early on 3/20/2026, the state geotechnical office activated Delve Underground to respond to the emergency.
Uh Delve Underground, myself, and principal geologist Jim Struthers responded the following day. We were on site Friday, March 20th, by 4:30 p.m. We have remained on site since. Uh Initial responses include geologic assessment for the stability and safety considerations up on the slope.
One of the biggest things and challenges of this type of work is figuring out what you're even dealing with. Every situation is completely unique and individual to the slope itself, the bedrock, and all of that.
So, we reported out March 20th and we got that work going. We also had a phase one designs complete, which included the initial scaling work of the upper slope. And we had ICI, which is a local contractor on site, and they began scaling for drillers safety within like 48 hours.
Uh UAV or drone survey and imaging was completed by Washington DOT in support of our efforts. And the to give you guys a little bit of scale of this, it's hard to really appreciate the size of this thing.
It's 250 ft wide and 100 ft high. Uh it's a big one. So, they came out, we got the UAV imagery done, and we began to mobilize scaling contractors from around the country. There's a handful of specialty rockfall and scaling contractors that we tend to work with, and we were able to mobilize three drilling crews to site, uh and they came from all over the country essentially.
So, here I'm just going to walk through week by week. So, by 1 week after the failure had occurred, here are some images you can look at. We had scaling ongoing, and we were working the upper portion of the slide, and we identified a tension crack running the entire length of it with a large, what we're calling the plate slab, near the center portion of the slide in the head scarp that was unstable.
Uh due to this, we had to pull scalers off the slope and reassess our approach to stabilizing the site. What we came up with with that is to start working from an outside in uh approach. So, we start drilling on the lateral flanks of the scarp, and we work in toward the central center plate, and then we can release that, stabilize it, and start working from the top down.
The reason this is really important is so that we don't put our workers at risk. Rock scaling and rockfall and unstable slopes are already inherently dangerous work uh just by the nature of the work itself, and so that was a really big important part of this.
As you can see in these images, the tension cracking was significant. Uh drilling began on March 30th with two drill rigs, and that occurred during daytime hours, again, just because of the hazard of working at night and unstable slopes.
There's no way to really be able to light a slope of this scale to be able to see it for nighttime work activities. Uh during that time, we also began breaking down the oversized materials in situ because they were essentially acting as a buttress for the upper portion of the slope until we could get enough anchorage in place to have it fully secured and start removing the debris.
We used expanding grout and manual pickers essentially on our long-reach excavators to do that while the scaling work in the initial drilling began. So, here we are at week two. You can see that we've got three drill rigs mobilized on the slope.
Um and by this point, they were nearly approaching that center plate, which I have outlined in the center or the second picture on the right. You can actually see below it that gray block. That's what we called the bus.
That's a very large boulder that came out of the face. It was approximately 67 ft wide, about 20 ft tall, and 20 ft wide. It was a big one. So, we started slabbing that off as well with the expanding grout in place to keep it as a buttress.
Um next. So, April 9th, we're on week three. You can see there's significant change to this to the slope by this point. That's because at this point, we had stabilized the upper portion of the slide, and we had successfully removed what we're calling the plate slab.
And so, we were able to start simultaneously doing the excavation work with the continued drilling. We kept all three drills on on site, and they continued going. During the the progress of this, we identified another block in the left that you can see that had tension cracking and was unstable.
So, we also began developing a plan to remove that safely uh before we mobilized offsite. By this point, we had removed approximately 4,042 cubic yards of material, and you can see there's still a lot left.
Uh night hauling was occurring at night by this point, so we were able to do the drilling, the scaling during the day, and then we were hauling offsite all night long. That's it. I guess that's it. So, but since then, since April 9th, it's actually come a lot further.
And at this point, we actually have removed close to 6,300 cubic yards roughly of material. That's close to two Olympic swimming pools. Um the drilling is complete, and so we're finalizing grouting and final testing, and we're in good position to do our final inspection on Wednesday and have it open back up on Thursday.
Just a couple more slides here. Um I'm sure we were all in the news and know this, but uh our detour route, we had I-5 closed at exit 246, and we were detouring people off onto a Sammamish Way. Uh our freight detour was SR 9, and we had signage down south at SR 20 to take uh freight over to SR 9.
We even had signage further south than SR 20, reminding freight drivers SR 9 is the path you should take. Um whether or not they listened, it's you saw what happened. And so, um we did work with Washington State Patrol um to see if there was anything we could do about freight traffic along Sammamish Way, but there are no weight restrictions on Sammamish Way.
So, the truck drivers were not technically breaking the law as as long as they weren't speeding. And so, Washington State Patrol could not ticket trucks that were on Samish Way. And as Brett mentioned, Thursday morning, 5:00 a.m., it should be open and the freight can continue how they usually go.
I wanted to remind everybody that there is other work in the area right now. We have ongoing maintenance operations that have been pre-scheduled that we're going to continue to do. We are going to try to do them at night when there's less traffic on I-5.
Those maintenance operations are north of the slide. And then south of the slide, we have a fish passage project going on. And so, drivers will see one lane of I-5 being closed for the fish passage project.
So, both of those need to continue in order to meet our schedules that we already had in place prior to this emergency. I just a little touch on coordination. We've done a lot. We had daily updates to the governor's office and to our headquarters down in Olympia.
We had weekly legislative updates. We had virtual briefings with elected officials. We met with Whatcom County and your own public works to talk about traffic and what we could do. And we hosted coordination meetings three times a week with the city, county, and the law enforcement PIOs.
So, we wanted to get the same message out there from multiple sources so that there wasn't a question of what was going on by the general public. We also sent two news releases out and we had the media come up to the site twice so they could take some drone footage and ask us questions and see the slide.
Twice a week we We out travel advisories letting people know I-5 is closed. This is what you should do. Um we posted blogs about the repair effort and uh we provided updates on our project website as well as our travel map through our wash.
app. And where would wash. be without its social media, right? So, we did a lot on social media. We posted on Facebook and Instagram and X and Blue Sky. So, I don't know if you are subscribing to all of those, but a lot out there.
Uh we had a flicker album that had photos and videos as well. So, anyone could see what kind of work was being done up there. Um I wrote this down cuz I thought it was kind of interesting. Uh so, we did a total of 50 posts and we had a total of 9.6 million impressions.
I had to look this up cuz I didn't know what it meant impressions versus engagement. But, impression is when it comes up on somebody's screen and engagement is when somebody likes it, comments, shares it, that sort of thing.
So, we had 9.6 impressions and over 500,000 engagements. So, that information was getting out there, which is great. Our flicker account uh had 67 photos, 16 videos, and 2,400 views. So, somebody was watching them.
So, that made us feel good. So, I will open it up to any questions anyone might have. Councilman Lilquist. Well, first of all, thank you for taking on this Herculean task and getting it done actually pretty darn quickly given the magnitude of it.
Um these are just curiosities about going forward. Um Ms. Daily, is there any concern about the geology of the roadbed kind of downhill? And what is the long-term prognostic prognosis about the uphill stability further up above the fall.
Are we Yeah, if you could hazard an opinion on either of those two. Absolutely. Are you talking about southbound lane downhill or just directly below the slide? Yeah, I mean if if this hill is sliding, is any part of the hill that has that has weaknesses in the road bed and below or all the weaknesses above and are all the weaknesses gone now or they still up there somewhere?
That's a golden question, right? So, we designed this to for shear essentially. The design that went in place is to account for the dead weight of the rockets there. This slope is stable and that accounts from the crest of the slope to the road level itself.
We put in over 2,060 linear feet of steel, number 10 steel with grout. So, this bedrock in particular is it's kind of a problem child in the geotech world because of the bedding and the jointing. Essentially, it's the geometry and the strength of the rock and how it is expressed in this area.
So, it doesn't mean that the rest of the corridor necessarily won't experience the same issues, but in this location they have been dealt with and taken down and that's what the anchoring that was put in place is to account for.
So, there isn't further instability in this area. And below? That includes so I didn't assess like down to the southbound lane, but there are no indications of instability between the north and southbound lanes.
We did run recon on that and there was no instability identified. Any other questions? Councilor Hudson? Um You have a really fascinating job, I think. Just even looking at the pictures, I think my three-year-old would have probably stood in the road road all day every day watching what was going on if they could, but I also commend the organization for the social media and the communications that that came out.
I think it probably quelled a lot of the frustrations from people because they could see what was happening because it's not a very visible spot unless you're going by Northbound on the freeway. So we you know, we as the general public couldn't really see although we drive by on the freeway and see if I could see any excavators or anything.
Um but I you know, and I think the both the getting getting the virtual eyes on the situation as well as Washdot's humor is always very appreciated and I think it it definitely quelled some of the potential frustrations and and negative feelings that could have come up.
So I appreciate all of the work that went into that. Any other questions or comments? Uh Council President, my hand's up. Councilmember Anderson. Thank you. Um so I always think of everything as being a good opportunity for learning lessons and I see there's a lot of things that went right and some things that could have probably have um done better especially with the truck traffic and the volume going down Sammamish.
Um I believe I read somewhere that there would be looking forward maybe more strategic planning for should something like this happen how we get out ahead of it and hopefully prevent some of the pitfalls that happened um using basically even though we don't have weight restrictions using a a road that really wasn't intended for a tremendous amount of semi traffic coming through it.
I'm just kind of wondering if you could speak towards some of those learning lessons and then perhaps how these will be viewed in order to ensure should something like this happen again how we'll have a plan in place.
As you had mentioned, maybe this section has been stabilized. We do have other sections of the highway that do periodically have rock fall and slough off. So, a little bit curious to that. Sure. So, one of the things that WSDOT has promised is an after-action meeting.
And so, we want to get the slide behind us first, get all the work done, and then we plan to meet with Whatcom County and Bellingham and find out um what all they heard or went through and what we can do the next time I-5 closes.
And so, coming up with a contingency plan to get freight and general traffic onto other roads, traffic signals, where flaggers should go, that sort of signage, things like that. And so, once the the repair is done, then we'll set up that meeting and and we'll we'll bring all the smart people together and come up with a really great plan, I'm sure.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I read about that, but the public may not necessarily be as aware. So, I think it's an important element for them to be cognizant that there will be an after review so that going ahead future we might have better plans in place.
So, thank you for sharing that. Marilyn? Council member Anderson, I think highlighted one of the opportunities we're looking forward to, and it is that after-action review where we can share our experiences and reflect on what went well and what didn't go well.
But I also want to acknowledge it's incredibly challenging just even in the presentation. This was an event that had tremendous error bars on it. We're looking at could this be days? Is it months? Is it a year?
That is a huge range of uncertainty. And at the same time, I think we can acknowledge that there was opportunity to better communicate. And so, um, I think the after action will be important for the future, um, should we be in a position again.
And I also want to express my appreciation for your willingness to come here today and accept our invitation to communicate more both the council and and our community. So, thank you. Just a second, the appreciation for you coming in also to recognize you coming in chambers in person, um, and waiting.
Sorry that we're running behind, but it means a lot, yeah, to see you here in person and for the presentation. So, thank you very much for for the work and yeah, we'll look forward to reports out after this is behind us and I know that that's a tentative 5:00 a.m.
on Thursday open, but we'll wish you the best of luck. I hope all of the checks, yeah, go well, um, and that mostly that the crew stay safe. And so, thank you for the work. Great. Okay. Thank you very much.
Any other items for old and new? We'll have another opportunity this evening if something comes up. Um, otherwise, we do have one executive session item. So, this is a potential litigation matter with Cram for approximately 10 minutes.
So, we are at and we'll Council President Stone, I believe there is one additional one added as well. I thought there was two and then I couldn't >> Yeah. So, in addition to the one you just announced, also potential surplus property sale of stamps for approximately 5 minutes.
Okay. Stamps for five, that'll be 15. Um, a brief break to get into the mayor's board room. So, I will come back at like 10 after 2:00. Okay. And for the rest of you, if you don't want to wait for me to come back in this room and adjourn formally, um we will reconvene this evening at 7:00 p.m.