Name: Bellingham City Council - Regular Meeting meeting, Apr 27, 2026
Start: 2026-04-27
End: 2026-04-27
Location: City of Bellingham

City Council - Regular Meeting

Mon, April 27, 2026

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF Watch Video

Agenda items

Vote records

Discussion summary

Transcript

Meeting summaryAI-generated

Bellingham City Council — Regular Meeting, April 27, 2026

This was a full regular meeting of the Bellingham City Council with all seven members present (Councilmember Cotton arrived slightly late). The agenda was heavy, spanning a municipal court presentation, multiple committee reports, budget amendments, transit planning, library renovations, and executive session action items.

State of the Court Presentation

Municipal Court Judge Deborah Lev, newly sworn-in Judge Nicholas Henry, and Court Director Tammy Bennett delivered the annual State of the Court report. Key takeaways from their presentation:

Record caseload: 2025 saw 3,065 criminal filings — the highest in the court's history — along with 2,022 infractions and nearly 22,000 parking citations, for a total of 27,079 cases filed. Q1 2026 is already running 22% above Q1 2025 in criminal filings, and 49% above Q1 2025 when infractions and parking are included.

Hearing volume: Approximately 14,500 criminal hearings were held in 2025, with an 18% year-over-year increase in Q1 2026.

DUI crisis: 446 DUI or physical control charges were filed in 2025 — an all-time record — with many involving repeat offenders (second, third, fourth offense and beyond) and high intoxication levels. Q1 2026 is tracking slightly below Q1 2025 on DUIs, but still above pre-2025 levels.

Active warrants: The court carries about 4,000 active bench warrants, up from a pre-COVID norm of 2,000–2,500. The court is issuing roughly 2,600 per year but also quashing or serving approximately 2,700 annually, with two new warrant quash calendars (Monday and Friday afternoons) potentially clearing up to 300 per month.

Jail alternatives: Friendship Diversion Services (FDS) provides electronic home monitoring at roughly $15/day, compared to $235/day plus a $78.33 booking fee at the Whatcom County Jail. In 2025, 12,792 electronic home monitoring days were used — representing substantial savings to the city.

Therapeutic courts: The Wellness (Mental Health) Court celebrated its 10th anniversary; graduates from 2023–2024 showed an 84% reduction in subsequent criminal charges and law enforcement contacts. Community Court launched in January 2025, has 28 active participants, and graduated 4 members in its first year — with charges dismissed and no conviction record for graduates. Both programs are at or near capacity. The court is working to better connect Community Court participants with community service providers such as Dv'álʼach.

ICE activity: Judge Lev noted the court has been offering virtual hearings since 2022 and has expanded that offering partly in response to ICE activity near the courthouse, which she stated may be in violation of state law. Signage was posted around the courthouse quickly following coordination with the mayor and council president.

Staffing concerns: The judges indicated the court is likely approaching a point where at least one additional prosecutor and additional public defenders will be needed to handle the growing caseload.

Technology upgrade: The court will transition from a DOS-based case management system (in use since the early 1990s) to a new cloud-based statewide system in fall 2026, along with mandatory e-filing.

In response to council questions, the judges noted that the number of people held in the Whatcom County Jail on Bellingham-only charges is very small — likely only two or three individuals serving significant sentences — and that the court's contribution to overall jail capacity pressure is minimal.

*This was an informational presentation; no vote was taken.*

Appointments

Historic Preservation Commission: Mayor Lund sought confirmation of Johan Neam to a first term.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Huffman. Passed 7-0.

Whatcom Museum Foundation Board of Trustees: Mayor Lund sought confirmation of Sam Gerhart and Amy Navarro, each to first terms.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Anderson. Passed 7-0.

Community Development Advisory Board: Mayor Lund announced the appointment of Denise Catalano to a first term. (Information only; no confirmation vote required.)

Mayor's Report

Mayor Lund addressed a circulating community petition calling on the city to immediately turn off its wastewater incinerators. She stated the city agrees with the long-term goal of transitioning away from incineration — a direction in place since 2022 — but disagrees with the petition's call for an immediate shutdown. She argued that trucking waste to landfills hundreds of miles away would be more expensive, less reliable, legally risky, and would shift environmental burdens onto rural communities. She stated there is no proven alternative ready to deploy, and that landfilling could become a 10–15 year commitment at significantly higher costs. The mayor invited the public to a Water Resources Advisory Board preview meeting on April 28 at the Pacific Street Operations Center to learn more about the community input process on long-term wastewater planning.

Mayor Lund also highlighted the Parks Department's 2025 volunteer statistics: 162 volunteer events, nearly 4,000 unique volunteers, more than 14,000 volunteer hours, and a record 2,500 native trees and shrubs planted. Volunteer work parties are scheduled nearly every weekend in May and June at volunteerbellingham.org.

Budget and Finance Committee Items

Ordinance 24900 — Budget reconciliation of reserve balances: Reconciles estimated vs. actual 2026 beginning reserves, adding approximately $6 million in expenditures (largely increased medical costs) and updating estimated ending reserves to approximately $17 million.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Hammill. Passed 7-0.

Ordinance 24901 — Reappropriation of 2025 budget authority: Reappropriates $105 million in expenses and $33 million in revenues from the 2025 budget cycle for ongoing projects and contracts that were authorized but not yet completed.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Williams. Passed 7-0.

Ordinance 24902 — 2026 Budget Amendment No. 1: Corrects budgetary errors and adds authority for unanticipated costs, including increased medical compensation, $1.7 million for jail housing and home monitoring, and a $1.5 million contingent loan to Medic One to cover timing gaps in payments.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Williams. Passed 7-0.

Parks and Recreation Committee Items

The committee presented the 2025 Greenways and Park Impact Fee Annual Report (information only, no vote). Highlights included: acquisition of 66 acres on Samish Crest completing a key open-space connection; opening of the Little Squalicum Park pier; trail and wetland restoration work; and $4.85 million in park impact fee expenditures across 17 projects. The Parks Operations Division update (also information only) noted the division manages 57 parks, 85 miles of trails, and 5,600 street trees with 58 permanent and 16 seasonal staff.

911 Lift Assist Penalties Ordinance (Public Health, Safety, Justice & Equity)

The ordinance amends Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.10 to allow the Fire Department to assess a $1,000 penalty per incident when licensed care facilities misuse the 911 system to obtain non-emergent lift assistance for residents. The Fire Department responds to more than 230 such calls per year, pulling crews away from genuine emergencies. An amendment specifying the $1,000 penalty amount was added in committee. Fire Chief Hewitt clarified that adult family home caregivers are required to have first aid, CPR, and 70-hour basic long-term care training, supporting the rationale that facilities should handle routine lifts themselves.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Hammill, seconded by Councilmember Williams. Passed 7-0.

Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Items

Squalicum Creek Habitat Grant (Resolution 24899): Authorizes the city to apply for a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant for property acquisition along Squalicum Creek to support fish passage near the Meridian Street crossing. The estimated project cost is $500,000; the grant would cover approximately half.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Anderson. Passed 7-0.

Culvert Remediation Interagency Agreement: Adopts a cooperative implementation plan between the City of Bellingham, the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to remediate fish passage barriers. The top 60 priority projects are estimated to cost $280 million total; the six-year goal is to open 25% of currently blocked fish habitat, starting at the mouths of Squalicum, Whatcom, and Padden Creeks and working upstream.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Cotton. Passed 7-0.

Fleet Building Improvements Contract (EF-164): Awards a contract to Highline Construction LLC for roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and fluid distribution improvements at the Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building. The winning bid was $808,459.37 — well below the engineer's estimate of $1.33 million.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Anderson. Passed 7-0.

Rapid Transit Locally Preferred Alternative (Resolution 24917): Adopts a plan identifying transit improvements — including signal upgrades, roadway and sidewalk enhancements — along priority corridors to improve WTA bus speed and reliability, with a long-term target of 10-minute service headways. Short-term projects alone are estimated at $36 million. Councilmember Lilliquist described this as a roadmap for grant applications and budget planning.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Cotton. Passed 7-0.

MOU with WTA for Rapid Transit Implementation (24919): Formalizes the working relationship between the City and Whatcom Transportation Authority to implement the rapid transit plan, clarifying each party's responsibilities. Increased bus service frequency, once the infrastructure improvements are in place, is estimated to cost WTA $2–4.5 million annually.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Williams. Passed 7-0.

2026 Action Plan — CDBG, HOME, Housing Levy, and Affordable Housing Funds

Council President Stone recused herself due to her role as a voting member of the Opportunity Council board, as the action plan includes significant funding allocations to the Opportunity Council. Council President Pro Tem Huffman presided. The plan covers over $30 million in expenditures, including $13 million being reappropriated for new or annual housing and human services projects, and directs the Mayor to submit the plan to HUD.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Cotton, seconded by Councilmember Williams. Passed 6-0-1 (Stone recused).

Downtown Vacancy Presentation

Staff presented data on downtown commercial ground-floor vacancy rates as part of the Downtown Forward initiative, including causes and potential strategies. The committee ran out of time for a full discussion; this will be continued at a future committee meeting. Information only; no action taken.

Cybersecurity Grant Acceptance

The city accepted a $96,500 state and local cybersecurity grant for two projects: a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) gap assessment ($46,500) and a zero trust network access system ($50,000). Grant acceptance is required before any reimbursable work can begin.

Vote: Moved by Council President Stone, seconded by Councilmember Huffman. Passed 7-0.

Central Library Interior Renovation Update

Phase two of the central library renovation is in design, with construction expected to begin late 2026 or early 2027 and conclude by end of 2027. The $8.53 million project will renovate the youth services space, improve ADA accessibility throughout, relocate the teen space downstairs, and add ground-floor restrooms. Funding includes $2 million from the state library capital improvement program, $1.03 million from a state local community project grant, $2 million from city REET funds, and $2.5 million raised through private donations via the Whatcom Community Foundation and Friends of the Library. During construction closure, expanded programming space will be available at Bellis Fair Mall, and branch hours at Fairhaven, Barkley, and Bellis Fair will be extended. The library ranked in the top 5% nationally in per-capita circulation in 2025 (1.2 million physical and 600,000 digital items circulated). Information only; no action taken.

Old and New Business

Algorithmic Price Fixing Initiative (Measure 26-01): Council President Stone briefed the council on a community initiative brought by Community First Whatcom that would prohibit algorithmic price fixing. Signatures must be submitted by June 26, verified by July 26, and the council must act by August 4 — leaving only one meeting (July 27) to decide. The council voted to request a legal review of the ordinance and separately voted to ask the city attorney to propose code changes to the initiative timeline process to give the council more time to act in future cycles.

Both votes: Passed 7-0.

Communications Staff Change: Council President Stone announced that David Braun's position — previously shared between the Mayor's Office and City Council — will become a full-time council office position effective May 1, retitled "City Council Communications and Community Relations Manager."

Public Comment Time: Stone reported that a motion from earlier in the year (by Councilmember Cotton) to reduce public comment time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes was deferred at last week's council retreat, to be reconsidered in a future public session alongside a broader suite of public engagement options.

Executive Session — Opioid Settlement

Following executive session on potential litigation, the council voted to authorize the Mayor to execute all documents necessary for Bellingham to participate in the national opioid settlement with six remaining defendants.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Hammill. Passed 7-0.

Three additional potential property acquisition items (all in the watershed, all presented by Rosenblatt) were discussed in executive session for information only; no action was taken.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda — including two AP transaction authorizations, acceptance of a 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant, and an MOU between the Bellingham Police Department and Seattle Police Department — was approved without discussion.

Vote: Moved by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Huffman. Passed 7-0.

Final Consideration of Ordinances

Multimodal Transportation Impact Fees (24891): Passed on third and final reading, 7-0.

Historic Preservation Commission Composition (24886): Updates membership qualifications. Passed on third and final reading, 7-0.

Key Takeaways

Municipal Court at a breaking point: Criminal filings hit an all-time record in 2025, and Q1 2026 is up another 22% over that record year. The judges signaled that additional prosecutors and public defenders will likely be needed soon, and that therapeutic court programs (Wellness Court, Community Court) are at capacity and showing strong results.

Opioid settlement approved: The city will join the national opioid settlement with six remaining defendants, marking a formal legal resolution to Bellingham's participation in that litigation.

Rapid transit plan adopted: The council approved both the bus rapid transit locally preferred alternative and an MOU with WTA — a significant step toward 10-minute bus headways on key corridors, backed by an estimated $36 million in near-term infrastructure improvements.

Central Library renovation moves forward: The $8.53 million Phase 2 renovation of the downtown library, funded through state grants, city REET, and $2.5 million in private donations, will begin construction later this year, with a temporary closure anticipated in 2027.

Wastewater incineration debate: Mayor Lund publicly pushed back against a petition calling for immediate shutdown of the city's incinerators, framing a rushed transition to landfilling as costly, legally risky, and environmentally uncertain — while reaffirming the city's long-term goal of moving away from incineration.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

What happened at this meeting

An ordinance 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

An ordinance relating to the composition of the Historic Preservation Commission, updating qualifications for membership and amending Bellingham Municipal Code chapter 2.54, was presented for third and final consideration. Motion was made by Councilmember Cotton and seconded by Councilmember Williams. No discussion was raised, and the motion passed 7-0 on roll call vote.

An ordinance regarding multimodal transportation impact fees; amending

# Summary

An ordinance amending Bellingham Municipal Code chapter 19.06 regarding multimodal transportation impact fees was presented for third and final consideration. Councilmember Huffman moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Cotton, and it passed 7-0 without discussion. In a separate matter, the Chair motioned for the legal team to propose language changes to BMC section 1.02 regarding initiative petition timelines and signature verification processes, addressing auditor concerns about insufficient time for signature gatherers to remedy deficiencies and the need for clearer deadlines. Councilmember Lilliquist noted that a similar 30-day extension attempted previously had not resolved the ongoing time pressure issues. This motion also passed 7-0.

A resolution relating to the adoption of the 2026 Action Plan, the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Bellingham Housing Levy and affordable housing sales tax funds, the allocation of funds to support selected City housing and human services agencies and directing the Mayor to submit the 2026 Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Staff presented a resolution for adoption of the 2026 Action Plan requiring submission to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which budgets over $30 million in expenditures including $13 million in new or annual projects, programs and administration for housing and human services agencies, with the remainder reflecting prior commitments. The committee unanimously recommended adoption. Councilmember Stone recused himself due to his service on the Opportunity Council board as voting member, resulting in a 6-0-1 vote (one recusal). The motion was made by the chair and seconded by Councilmember Williams and passed without discussion.

A resolution authorizing the City to apply for and enter into a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project grant for property acquisition on Squalicum Creek

# Summary

Staff presented a resolution authorizing the city to apply for a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project Grant for property acquisition along Squalicum Creek to support fish passage improvements and riparian habitat function at the Meridian Street crossing. The estimated project cost is approximately $500,000, with the grant expected to cover half the cost or $250,000. The state Recreation and Conservation Office requires a council resolution to authorize the grant application and designate grant administration authority before the city can apply. Staff, presented by Rosenblatt, also provided information on three potential property acquisitions in the watershed for discussion purposes only. The committee recommended approval of the resolution, and the motion passed 7-0.

An ordinance amending the 2026 adopted budget, reconciling the differences between estimated 2026 beginning reserve balances and actual 2026 reserve balances and applying the differences to the ending reserve balances

Staff presented an ordinance amending the 2026 adopted budget to reconcile differences between estimated and actual beginning reserve balances. The finance department explained that during each budget cycle, the city must update the budget with actual beginning reserves and estimate new ending reserves, a process done in tandem with reappropriations to keep fund reserves in balance. The amendment adds approximately $6 million in expenditures across all budgets, primarily for increased medical costs, and updates estimated reserves to approximately $17 million. The Budget and Finance Committee voted unanimously to approve the item, which passed 7-0.

Agenda items (35)

Procedural (8)

1ProceduralIn-person: Headsets are available to attendees in Council Chambers.

Headsets are available for in-person attendees in Council Chambers to hear the meeting.

2ProceduralOnline: Join the Zoom meeting at cob.org/cczoom, then select the interpretation channel at the bottom of the screen. Those wishing to offer public comment in Spanish will be able to do so and their comments will be interpreted into English. Meeting records: Video recordings of each meeting are available online at cob.org/meetings within five business days following each meeting.

Remote attendees can join via Zoom at cob.org/cczoom and access Spanish interpretation; meeting videos are posted online within five business days.

4ProceduralIn person: Sign-up sheets are available outside the Council Chambers doors starting at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the meeting.

Sign-up sheets for public comment are available outside Council Chambers starting at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the meeting.

6ProceduralIn person: Meetings are held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall.

City Council meetings are held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall.

7ProceduralOnline: Join the Zoom meeting at cob.org/cczoom and follow staff instructions at time of the hearing or public comment period.

Residents can join the Zoom meeting at cob.org/cczoom to participate in public comment periods or hearings remotely.

8ProceduralOver the phone: Call 253-215-8782, enter Meeting ID 871 5188 5205, and Password 9. Follow staff instructions at the time of the hearing or public comment period. Before or after a meeting: The City of Bellingham meets the Open Public Meetings Act by accepting written public comment in advance of City Council meetings. Send written input before or after a meeting.

Residents can call 253-215-8782 to join the meeting by phone using Meeting ID 871 5188 5205 and Password 9; written public comment can also be submitted before or after meetings.

9ProceduralBy mail addressed to: City Council, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Written public comments can be mailed to City Council at 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

10ProceduralOnline: o For a public hearing: cob.org/publichearing. o For general public comment: E-mail all Council Members at ccmail@cob.org.

Residents can submit written comments for public hearings at cob.org/publichearing or email general comments to all Council Members at ccmail@cob.org.

Council Business

3Council BusinessOld or new business

Council members can raise any other old or new business not listed on the agenda.

5Council BusinessPotential Property Acquisition (Rosenblatt, approx. 3 min.)

The City may consider acquiring a property; this item will take approximately 3 minutes.

24898Council BusinessA resolution relating to the adoption of the 2026 Action Plan, the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Bellingham Housing Levy and affordable housing sales tax funds, the allocation of funds to support selected City housing and human services agencies and directing the Mayor to submit the 2026 Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

The Council will approve how to use federal and local housing funds in 2026 to support affordable housing and human services agencies.

What happened

24899Council BusinessA resolution authorizing the City to apply for and enter into a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project grant for property acquisition on Squalicum Creek

The City will seek state grant funding to purchase property along Squalicum Creek for habitat conservation.

What happened

24900Council BusinessAn ordinance amending the 2026 adopted budget, reconciling the differences between estimated 2026 beginning reserve balances and actual 2026 reserve balances and applying the differences to the ending reserve balances

The Council will adjust the 2026 budget to match the actual reserve balances from the start of the year instead of the estimates that were used.

What happened

24901Council BusinessAn ordinance amending the 2026 budget increasing appropriation authority in various funds to pay for goods and services authorized in the previous budget cycle

The Council will increase spending authority in the 2026 budget to pay for goods and services that were authorized in the previous budget cycle.

What happened

Staff presented an ordinance to increase appropriation authority in various funds by reappropriating $105 million in unused budget authority from the 2025 budget, along with $33 million in revenues. The ordinance addresses the requirement that remaining budget authority lapses at the end of each budget cycle, even if work is under contract. Staff explained that many projects remain in process with funding from previous cycles that has been encumbered but not fully paid out, necessitating reappropriation to allow continuation of work in 2026. The Budget and Finance Committee voted to approve the item.

24902Council BusinessAn ordinance amending the 2026 budget - amendment no. 1

The Council will make the first amendment of the year to the 2026 budget.

What happened

Staff presented an ordinance amending the 2026 budget to correct errors, adjust appropriation authority, and add budget authority for missed items or post-adoption expenses. Key expenditures discussed included medical compensation, jail housing and home monitoring costs ($1.7 million), and a contingent $1.5 million loan to Medic One to manage timing differences between payments received and spent. Councilmember Anderson moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Williams, with no discussion from council members. The ordinance passed 7-0 with no opposition or abstentions.

24910Council BusinessAcceptance of a grant from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant

The City will accept a state grant to strengthen cybersecurity protections for city systems.

What happened

The city was awarded a $96,500 reimbursement grant from the state and local cybersecurity grant program administered by the Washington Technology Solutions Team for two cybersecurity enhancement projects: a PCI DSS Gap Assessment ($46,500) and a zero trust network access system ($50,000). Information Technology Services Director Don Birdik and Cybersecurity Analyst Joshua Knight presented that total project costs are estimated to equal the grant amounts. The Committee of the Whole unanimously recommended approval to accept the grant and authorize the mayor to enter into the grant agreement, which passed 7-0 with no discussion or opposition.

24911Council BusinessAn update on Central Library interior renovations

City staff will provide an update on the renovation work underway inside the Central Library.

What happened

# Central Library Interior Renovations Update

The Bellingham Public Library is proceeding with phase two of its central library interior renovation project, currently in the design phase with construction expected to run from late 2026 through late 2027. Library Director Rebecca Judd and board co-chair Christy Van Ness highlighted the library's strong performance—circulating 1.2 million physical items and 600,000 digital items in 2025, ranking in the top 10 per capita in Washington state and top 5% nationally. Phase two improvements, budgeted at $8.53 million and funded through state grants, city REET funding, and private donations, will include renovated youth services, modernized children's areas with improved sightlines, relocated teen space, ADA accessibility upgrades, and new ground floor restrooms. During the closure, the library will offer temporary expanded programming and meeting space at Bellis Fair and expanded branch hours at Fairhaven, Barkley, and Bellis Fair, while all catalog items remain available through the library system. Staff also noted that phase three exterior improvements are being considered with tentative federal funding of $850,000 through Congressman Larsen's office, pending formal council consideration.

24912Council BusinessA presentation on downtown occupancy trends and strategies to address vacancies

City staff will report on vacancy rates in downtown Bellingham and discuss strategies to fill empty storefronts and office spaces.

What happened

Staff presented findings from the downtown forward initiative project analyzing commercial vacancies, including ground floor vacancy rates compared to industry standards and underlying causes. The report offered potential strategies and outlined future actions to address downtown occupancy trends. The committee ran out of time to fully discuss the presentation and plans to continue the discussion at a future committee meeting.

24913Council BusinessA presentation of the 2025 Greenways and Park Impact Fee annual report

City staff will present the annual report on fees collected and spent for greenways and park improvements.

What happened

Staff presented the 2025 Greenways and Park Impact Fee annual report covering accomplishments in four categories: property acquisition (66 acres purchased on Samish Crest completing connection from Governor Road to Racine), park and trail development (Little Squalicum Park pier, Bear Creek trail designs, Sunset Pond Loop Trail, 100 Acre Woods restoration), maintenance operations (29 benefited employees in facilities and grounds), and climate resilience initiatives (shoreline habitat enhancement at Boulevard Park, LED lighting, energy efficiency upgrades). Park impact fee expenditures totaled $4,852,066.72 covering 17 projects including Cordata Park Phase 1, Story Brook Park Phase 1, and Bloedel Donovan Park dock alternatives. Councilmember Williams stated this represented good use of Greenways and park impact fee funds. No action was taken as this was an information and discussion item.

24914Council BusinessAn update on the Parks Operations Division Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity 1 p.m.

The Parks Operations Division will update the Council on public health, safety, justice, and equity initiatives.

What happened

Staff provided a thorough update on the Parks Operations Division's status and operations. The division manages and maintains 57 community parks, 85 miles of trails, and 5,600 street trees, supported by 58 permanent staff, 16 seasonal staff, and one regular non-benefited position. Councilmember Williams highlighted that the department manages various leases, licenses, contracts, and agreements supporting the recreation program. The presentation included a park trails progress report as part of the comprehensive division overview.

24915Council BusinessAn ordinance regarding ambulances, amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.10 to establish penalties for misuse of the 911 dispatch system to obtain non-emergent lift assistance

The Council will establish penalties for misusing the 911 emergency system to request non-emergency lift assistance for ambulances.

What happened

Staff presented an ordinance amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.10 to establish penalties for misuse of the 911 dispatch system to obtain non-emergent lift assistance at licensed care facilities. The fire department responds over 230 times per year to care facilities for non-emergent lift assists, which takes crews out of service and delays emergency response. Councilmember Williams moved to amend the ordinance to authorize a $1,000 penalty charge per incident. The committee recommended approval with this amendment, and Chief Hewitt provided clarification that adult family home caregivers receive extensive training including first aid, CPR, and 70-hour basic long-term care training. The motion passed 7-0.

24916Council BusinessAn interagency agreement adopting a voluntary culvert remediation implementation plan

Multiple agencies will adopt a shared plan to voluntarily fix culverts that block fish passage.

What happened

Staff presented an interagency fish barrier remediation implementation plan developed cooperatively since 2022 by the City of Bellingham, Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plan inventoried and prioritized city-owned fish passage barriers in three major creeks—Squalicum, Whatcom, and Padden—with a six-year goal to unblock 25% of currently blocked habitat, focusing on prioritized projects rather than all 60 identified barriers that would cost an estimated $280 million. Councilmember Lilliquist moved to adopt the interagency memorandum of agreement, Councilmember Cotton seconded the motion, and it passed 7-0 with no discussion or opposition.

24917Council BusinessA resolution adopting the rapid transit locally preferred alternative

The Council will adopt the preferred rapid transit plan that was developed through community input.

What happened

# Summary

Staff presented the rapid transit locally preferred alternative for Whatcom County, which proposes enhanced bus service with 5-10 minute headways along priority corridors through $36 million in infrastructure improvements to intersections, sidewalks, traffic signals, and roadways rather than dedicated bus lanes. The plan includes both short-term and long-term projects that must be completed before increased bus service implementation, with operational costs to Whatcom Transportation Authority ranging from $2-4.5 million annually. Staff explained that these infrastructure improvements are essential to prevent bus bunching and traffic delays, enabling faster travel times and frequent enough service that passengers won't need to check schedules. The resolution provides a roadmap for funding applications and identifies priorities for both WTA and the City of Bellingham. Councilmember Lilliquist moved approval and Councilmember Cotton seconded; the resolution passed 7-0 with no discussion or opposition.

24918Council BusinessA contract award for the Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building improvements, Project EF164, Bid No. 8B-2026

The Council will award a contract to improve the fleet building at the Pacific Street Operations Center.

What happened

Staff recommended awarding a contract for Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building improvements (Project EF-164) to Highline Construction LLC, the lowest responsive bidder at $808,459.37, compared to an engineer's estimate of $1,331,922. The project includes roof replacement, upgraded heating and ventilation systems, and improved fluid distribution, which will enhance safety, reliability, and create more usable workspace for vehicle maintenance while reducing the footprint of equipment. The motion was made by Councilmember Lilliquist, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, and passed 7-0 with no discussion or opposition.

24919Council BusinessAuthorization to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Whatcom Transportation Authority for implementation and prioritization of the rapid transit locally preferred alternative Community and Economic Development 2:35 p.m.

The City will sign an agreement with Whatcom Transportation Authority to implement and prioritize the rapid transit plan.

What happened

Staff presented a memorandum of understanding between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom Transportation Authority to implement and prioritize the rapid transit locally preferred alternative. The MOU outlines the specific focus areas and responsibilities for each jurisdiction, defines overlapping efforts, and establishes how the two entities will work together to achieve rapid transit goals. Councilmember Lilliquist made the motion and Councilmember Williams seconded; the authorization was approved 7-0 with no discussion or opposition.

Ordinance

24886OrdinanceAn 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

The Council will update the qualifications required to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission and change how many members sit on the board.

What happened

24891OrdinanceAn ordinance regarding multimodal transportation impact fees; amending

The Council will update the fees developers pay when creating projects that affect transportation on multiple types of roads and pathways.

What happened

Consent Calendar

24893Consent CalendarAuthorization of AP transactions issued March 20, 2026 through March 26, 2026

The Council will approve accounts payable transactions from March 20–26, 2026.

24903Consent CalendarAcceptance of 2025 Emergency Management Performance grant

The City will accept a 2025 Emergency Management Performance grant.

24904Consent CalendarMemorandum of understanding between Bellingham Police Department and Seattle Police Department

The Bellingham Police Department and Seattle Police Department will formalize an agreement to work together.

What happened

Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter related to the national opioid settlement with six remnant defendants regarding their role in the opioid crisis. The council considered a motion to authorize the mayor to execute all documents necessary for the city of Bellingham to participate in the national opioid settlement. Motion was made by Councilmember Williams and seconded by Councilmember Hammel. The motion passed 7-0 with no discussion or opposition.

24906Consent CalendarAuthorization of AP transactions issued April 3, 2026 through April 9, 2026

The Council will approve accounts payable transactions from April 3–9, 2026.

What happened

The Chair announced a budget adjustment affecting the council office, effective May 1st. David Braun's position as assistant communications and community relations director will transition from a shared position between the mayor's office and city council to a full-time council position with the new title of city council communications and community relations manager. This change aligns the position with other communications managers throughout the city and will allow focused attention on council communications and public engagement.

General Business

24905General BusinessA presentation on the State of the Court

The City Court will present a report on its current state of operations.

What happened

# State of the Court Summary

Bellingham Municipal Court officials Deborah Lev, Nicholas Henry, and Tammy Bennett presented the 2026 State of the Court report, reporting record-breaking caseload numbers with 27,079 cases filed in 2025 (3,065 criminal filings, 2,022 infractions, and approximately 22,000 parking citations) and a 22% increase in criminal filings in Q1 2026, necessitating the hiring of Judge William Wisdom as a judge pro tempore and highlighting resource constraints requiring additional prosecutors and public defenders. To manage capacity, the court implemented a fully virtual court system allowing sessions to be conducted via Zoom from judicial officers' offices, and will transition from a DOS-based case management system to a cloud-based JIS platform in fall 2026. The court addressed significant operational challenges including approximately 4,000 active bench warrants (up from pre-COVID levels of 2,000-2,500) and an average of 785 active probation cases monthly, while successfully operating three therapeutic court programs—domestic violence court, wellness court (celebrating 10 years with an 84% decrease in criminal charges among graduates), and community court (launched in 2025)—that serve as alternatives to incarceration and result in charge dismissal upon successful completion. Staff also highlighted cost-effective diversion programs such as electronic home monitoring at $15 per day compared to $235 per day for jail, and noted that 15,696 individuals came through Bellingham Municipal Court in the past year.

24907General BusinessConfirmation of the Mayor's appointment to the Historic Preservation

The Council will vote to confirm the Mayor's appointment of someone to the Historic Preservation Commission.

What happened

Mayor Lund sought confirmation of Jonathan Neam's appointment to a first term on the Historic Preservation Commission. Councilmember Williams moved approval and Councilmember Huffman seconded the motion. No discussion was raised by council members. The appointment passed 7-0 with no opposed votes or abstentions.

24908General BusinessMayor's appointment to the Community Development Advisory Board (information)

The Mayor has appointed someone to the Community Development Advisory Board; this is for informational purposes only.

What happened

The Mayor announced the appointment of Denise Catalano to a first term on the Community Development Advisory Board. This was presented as an informational item for council and community knowledge. No discussion or questions from council members were recorded on this appointment.

24909General BusinessConfirmation of the Mayor's appointments to the Whatcom Museum

The Council will vote to confirm the Mayor's appointments to the Whatcom Museum board.

What happened

Mayor Lund sought confirmation of appointments to the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board of Trustees, specifically for Sam Gerhart and Amy Navarro each to their first terms. The discussion on this item was not completed in the provided transcript excerpt.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Approve appointment of Johan Neam to Historic Preservation Commission

aye 1

voice voteaye

Approve appointments of Sam Gerhart and Amy Navarro to Whatcom Museum Foundation Board

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Ordinance amending 2026 budget to reconcile beginning reserve balances (Agenda Bill 24900)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Ordinance amending 2026 budget for reappropriation of 2025 funds (Agenda Bill 24901)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Ordinance amending 2026 budget - first amendment (Agenda Bill 24902)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Ordinance amending BMC chapter 6.10 establishing penalties for misuse of 911 for non-emergent lift assistance

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Resolution authorizing grant application for Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project Grant (Squalicum Creek)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Approve interagency agreement adopting voluntary culvert remediation implementation plan with Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife

aye 1

voice voteaye

Award contract for Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building improvements to Highline Construction LLC (Project EF-164, Bid 8B-2026)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Resolution adopting the rapid transit locally preferred alternative

aye 1

voice voteaye

Authorize MOU with Whatcom Transportation Authority for rapid transit locally preferred alternative implementation

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Resolution relating to 2026 Action Plan for CDBG, HOME, Bellingham Housing Levy, and Affordable Housing Sales Tax allocations

aye 6 · recused 1

Dan Hammillaye

Hannah Stonerecused

Hollie Huthmanaye

Jace Cottonaye

Lisa Andersonaye

Michael Lilliquistaye

Skip Williamsaye

Accept state and local cybersecurity grant and authorize mayor to enter grant agreement (Agenda Bill 24910)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Request legal review of ordinance submitted by Community First Whatcom re: Initiative Measure 26-01 (algorithmic price fixing)

aye 1

voice voteaye

Request legal review of BMC section 1.02 to address initiative timeline concerns raised by auditor's office

aye 1

voice voteaye

Authorize mayor to execute documents for national opioid settlement with six remnant defendants

aye 1

voice voteaye

Approve consent agenda

aye 1

voice voteaye

Adopt Ordinance on multimodal transportation impact fees amending BMC chapter 19.06 - third and final reading (Agenda Bill 24891)

aye 7

Dan Hammillaye

Hannah Stoneaye

Hollie Huthmanaye

Jace Cottonaye

Lisa Andersonaye

Michael Lilliquistaye

Skip Williamsaye

Adopt Ordinance relating to Historic Preservation Commission composition and qualifications amending BMC chapter 2.54 - third and final reading (Agenda Bill 24886)

aye 7

Dan Hammillaye

Hannah Stoneaye

Hollie Huthmanaye

Jace Cottonaye

Lisa Andersonaye

Michael Lilliquistaye

Skip Williamsaye

Verbatim transcript available

465 transcript segments indexed

Good evening and welcome to the Bellingham City Council regular meeting. Today is Monday, April 27th, 2026. So, good evening and thank you for joining us. I'm going to begin by calling the meeting to order and we will start with roll call.

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting minutes April 27, 2026, 7 p.m. Chair: Hannah Stone Phone: 360-778-8200 Members: Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Email: ccmail@cob.org Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Web: cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton Regular meeting The following items are heard in the Regular Meeting only.

Call to order and roll call The meeting was called to order by Council President Stone at 7 p.m. Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H.

Ali Huffman? Here. Dan Hamill? Here. Skip Williams? Here. Lisa Anderson? Here. Michael Lilliquist? Here. Hannah Stone? Here. I believe that Councilmember Caton is on his way. So, he should be here soon.

"Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Announcements and upcoming meetings The Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act.

Um, but we still have a quorum, so we will get started. Um, So, first, announcements and upcoming meetings. The Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the state of Washington Open Public Meetings Act.

We will begin this evening with the land acknowledgement. Who would like to read the land acknowledgement? And just Councilmember Lilliquist, and just a reminder for our interpreters to read slowly. Thank you.

1. Land acknowledgement statement Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish and Semiahmoo People who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial.

Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth.

Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, and Semiahmoo people, who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial.

We pay respect to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events.

Truth and acknowledgement are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring truth.

2. Language access The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the Page 1 of 13 headsets located at the front of the room.

We pay respect to their elders, past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events.

Remote viewers can log on to cob.org/cczoom and click on the “Language” icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. 3. Next Council meeting The next City Council meeting with be held on May 11, 2026.

Thank you. The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the headsets that are located at the front of the room.

Remote viewers can log on to cob.org/cczoom and click on the language icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. So, just a reminder, our next Council meeting will be held on May 11th. So, this evening we are starting with a presentation.

Presentation 24905 1. A presentation on the State of the Court p. 7 Summary: Debra Lev, Municipal Court Judge, Nicholas Henery, Municipal Court Judge, and Tami Bennett, Court Director, provided the annual State of the Court presentation.

Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. Appointments 24907 1. Confirmation of the Mayor's appointment to the Historic Preservation p. 30 Commission Summary: Mayor Lund appointed Johann Neem to a first term on the Historic Preservation Commission expiring on April 27, 2029.

Um, this is a presentation from the state of the court, so the municipal court here in Bellingham. Agenda bill two 4905. Bellingham Municipal Court officials will provide this evening the annual state of the court presentation.

Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved to confirm the Mayor's appointment of Johann Neem to a first term on the Historic Preservation Commission, which expires on April 27, 2029. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

The court continues to operate effectively while managing an increasing caseload. Progress has been made in improving case flow and reducing backlog through certain case types. Though certain case types continue to place demands on resources.

Staff and judicial officers remain committed to providing fair access to justice. Overall, the court is functioning well while continuing to identify areas for improvement. So, this evening I would like to welcome, we have um, so Deborah Lev, municipal court judge, as well as Nicholas Henry, municipal court judge, recently sworn in to join the bench, um, former commissioner, and Tammy Bennett, who's our court director at the municipal court.

24908 2. Mayor's appointment to the Community Development Advisory Board p. 34 (information) Summary: Mayor Lund appointed Denise Catalano to a first term on the Community Development Advisory Board expiring on April 27, 2029.

24909 3. Confirmation of the Mayor's appointments to the Whatcom Museum p. 40 Foundation Board of Trustees Page 2 of 13 Summary: Mayor Lund appointed Sam Gearhart and Amy Navarro to first terms on the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board of Trustees expiring on April 27, 2029.

So, I will turn it over to the three of you. Thank you and good evening. On behalf of Bellingham Municipal Court, thank you for inviting us here today, this evening, to present the state of the court 2026.

Thank you to the president, City Council, Mayor Lund, I see you there. And uh, um, as you know, Tammy Bennett is our court director, and Nick Henry and I sit as municipal court judges. I just also wanted to acknowledge that we have part of our Bellingham Municipal Court team here present, and we wouldn't be able to function so efficiently without them.

Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved to confirm the Mayor's appointments of Sam Gearhart and Amy Navarro to first terms expiring on April 27, 2029, on the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board of Trustees.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Summary: Mayor Lund expressed appreciation for the State of the Court presentation. Mayor Lund acknowledged a petition requesting the City to shift course on incineration at Post Point.

So, just wanted to acknowledge them. I'm going to turn it over to Ms. Bennett so that she can, um, advise you or remind you of our mission statement. The mission of the Bellingham Municipal Court is to administer the operations of the judicial branch of city government in a neutral and effective manner to ensure justice for all individuals.

She shared that while the City agrees that incineration is not the desired long- term solution, landfilling waste is not a viable short-term alternative. The City is focused on investing in a long-term solution at Post Point and will be engaging the community through the Comprehensive Sewer Plan process.

I want to give you an overview of the court municipal court jurisdiction. We are a court of limited jurisdiction. We hear gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, infractions, and some civil appeals. Gross misdemeanors are the, um, where the maximum sentence is 364 days in jail and or a $5,000 fine.

Mayor Lund highlighted the Parks and Recreation Committee Parks Operations Division update and thanked volunteers for their time. In 2025, over 4,000 individuals volunteered at the City, contributing 14,000 hours, and planting 2,500 native trees and shrubs.

Examples would be, uh, driving while under the influence of intoxicants, assault in the fourth degree, both non-domestic and domestic violence cases, theft in the third degree, just as examples. Misdemeanors, the maximum sentence is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

This would include things such as shoplift, uh, criminal trespass in the second degree, uh, disorderly conduct, fighting under the Bellingham Municipal Code. We also hear infractions, which are not punishable by a jail sentence, but rather a fine only.

Learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities at volunteerbellingham.org. Council assignment reports Standing time for Council Member reports from assigned committees, boards, and other groups. Summary: Council Member Hammill attended the April 21, 2026 Behavioral Health Subcommittee meeting of the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Taskforce.

He encouraged individuals interested in data related to incarceration rates to learn more via the Whatcom County website. Council Member Lilliquist shared the Justice Project’s Facilities and Finance Advisory Board met and provided tentative recommendations to the Whatcom County Council for how to manage and spend declining Public Safety Health sales tax revenue.

Civil appeal appeals, we hear cases that are filed by Whatcom Humane Society and on certain parking issues. We hear, uh, also hear, uh, hearing examiner cases. As far as cases filed in 2025 criminal matters, we had 3,065 filings of criminal charges, 2,022 infractions, parking citations near 22,000.

He encouraged the public to attend and pay attention to Whatcom County Council decisions. Page 3 of 13 Committee meeting reports The following committee meetings are held during the day. Committee chairs will present a summary of each agenda item during the evening meeting, and further discussion or action may take place if needed.

The total cases filed 27,079. So, a lot of cases filed in municipal court. I want to point out as well, the criminal filings over 3,000 is officially, I believe, the highest in the history of the Bellingham Municipal Court.

So, uh, caseloads continue to increase, uh, pretty, pretty dramatically, actually. Uh, so I just want to point that out. I also want to, uh, note, you'll see some photographs that are within our, um, presentation here.

Committee meetings are open to the public to attend, however committee agendas do not include public comment sessions. Budget and Finance 10 a.m. Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24900 1.

An ordinance amending the 2026 adopted budget, reconciling the p. 47 differences between estimated 2026 beginning reserve balances and actual 2026 reserve balances and applying the differences to the ending reserve balances Summary: Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget and Treasury Manager, presented the ordinance, which reconciles the differences between estimated 2026 beginning reserve balances and actual 2026 reserve balances.

These are all mostly within the court. Uh, you'll see part, you'll see, uh, representative of our court team. We also have, uh, program where you can bring your pet to work on, uh, casual Fridays. So, you'll see some of our extended family members in some of these slides.

One more thing I did want to add is, uh, not only did 2025 have the highest number of cases that we've ever had, but we do track them on a monthly basis. Uh, at the end of quarter one in 2026, uh, as far as criminal filings go, we've had a 22% increase over 2025.

Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24901 2. An ordinance amending the 2026 budget increasing appropriation p.

54 authority in various funds to pay for goods and services authorized in the previous budget cycle Summary: Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget and Treasury Manager, presented the ordinance, which amends the 2026 budget by increasing appropriation authority in various funds to pay for goods and services authorized in the previous budget cycle.

So, obviously a little over 20% what was already a record year for us, so it does continue to grow. And when you include infractions and parking as well, it becomes a 49% increase in quarter one 2026 over quarter one of 2025.

So, continue to show pretty dramatic growth. All right, looks like actually, yeah, I'm I think I'm next, so I'm I'm just going to keep going. I do want to, uh, also just say good evening to all the Council members, good evening to Mayor Lund in Zoom.

Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Page 4 of 13 24902 3. An ordinance amending the 2026 budget - amendment no.

1 p. 72 Summary: Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, and Eric Johnson, Budget and Treasury Manager, presented the ordinance, which amends the 2026 budget by correcting budgetary errors, adjusting appropriation authority to provide positive estimated ending reserve balances for all City funds, and adding budget authority for items missed during budget development or after adoption of the 2026 budget.

Uh, I do just want to thank you one more time for Mayor Lund, the recent appointment, and of course Council confirming me to the bench. So, uh, with that, uh, let's talk about hearings held. So, you can see the numbers up there.

Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Parks and Recreation 10:20 a.m. Edwin H.

It sort of speaks for itself. Uh, about 14,500 criminal hearings. Uh, that obviously is the, the bulk of our caseload. Uh, Judge Lev and I are in court every single day, generally morning and afternoon.

We do get one or two either mornings or afternoons a week where we get to catch up on office stuff, but otherwise we're in court every single day dealing with the criminal hearings. Uh, there has been an increase in quarter one there as well, which stands to reason with an increase in filings, there'd be an increase in hearings as well.

"Skip" Williams, Chair Daniel Hammill, Jace Cotton 24913 1. A presentation of the 2025 Greenways and Park Impact Fee annual report p. 81 Summary: Nicole Oliver, Parks and Recreation Director, Peter Gill, Park Planning and Development Coordinator, Zach Cook, Greenways Advisory Committee Chair, and Laine Potter, Park Design and Development Manager, presented the 2025 Greenways and Park Impact Fee Annual Report.

Uh, that's been, I believe, an 18% increase, uh, year over year. So, 18% higher in quarter one 2026 than quarter one 2025. Uh, and then it looks like that's been a 31% increase in hearings over 2024 over the same time frame.

Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24914 2. An update on the Parks Operations Division p. 104 Summary: Steve Janiszewski, Parks Operations Manager, and Freya Fradenburgh, Parks Stewardship Supervisor, provided an overview of the Parks Operations Division accomplishments, ongoing challenges, 2026 goals, and Parks Stewardship Program.

So, as you can see, it just continues to go up. Uh, as far as parking and infractions go, uh, with the overall caseload increase, we have had, uh, in this year's budget, uh, which of course was approved by council, we have the money to hire a judge pro tempore.

Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity 1 p.m. Daniel Hammill, Chair Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams Page 5 of 13 24915 1. An ordinance regarding ambulances, amending Bellingham Municipal p.

So, that's it's a a temporary judge essentially or a fill-in judge. And we've contracted with Judge William Wisdom, who's actually the Lynden Municipal Court Judge, and he's been filling in. He's handling all of our infractions and all of our parking tickets this year because frankly we just don't have time to get to them.

151 Code Chapter 6.10 to establish penalties for misuse of the 911 dispatch system to obtain non-emergent lift assistance Summary: Fire Chief Bill Hewett, and Steve Larsen, Community Paramedic Captain, presented the ordinance, which amends Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.10 to establish penalties for misuse of the 911 dispatch system to obtain non-emergent lift assistance.

So, that's another another consideration. Um one of the additional I guess aspects of the increased case filings are that it does increase court time. That's not just Judge Levinai. It is our court clerks.

Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading as amended during the Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public Works and Natural Resources 1:20 p.m. Michael Lilliquist, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24899 1. A resolution authorizing the City to apply for and enter into a Washington p.

It is the prosecuting attorneys and it is the public defenders as well. We've had to add a number of new calendars, new court calendars to accommodate all the extra cases, and the more we're in court, the more it strains the attorneys as well.

So, I I do think we are reaching a point where ultimately we probably will need at least one additional prosecutor and additional public defenders. Um because their their resources are getting stretched pretty thin as well with the case increases.

156 Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project grant for property acquisition on Squalicum Creek Summary: Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, and Analiese Burns, Habitat & Restoration Manager, presented the resolution, which authorizes the City to apply for and enter into a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project Grant for property acquisition on Squalicum Creek.

We can only do so much as far as new court calendars as is supported by the other interested players. One thing we wanted to talk about this year was the quantity of warrants that we have currently at the Bellingham Municipal Court.

Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved final approval of Resolution #2026-06. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24916 2. An interagency agreement adopting a voluntary culvert remediation p.

162 implementation plan Summary: Page 6 of 13 Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, and Analiese Burns, Habitat and Restoration Manager, presented the interagency agreement between the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, City of Bellingham, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, adopting a Fish Barrier Remediation Project Implementation Plan.

Um currently we have a little over 4,000 active bench warrants. Um prior to COVID, we always had roughly 2,000 2,500. Since COVID with booking restrictions and our warrants not being able to be served, restrictions on the amount of court time, um we've seen that number escalate.

Council Members discussed the agreement and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Jace Cotton moved to recommend approval of the interagency memorandum of agreement with the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Fish Barrier Culvert Remediation Project.

Um we do currently issue roughly 2,600 warrants a year. Last year, we served or we quashed within the courthouse 1,400. What I didn't get up on the slide is the fact that the Bellingham Police Department also served roughly 1,300.

So, we had a total of 2,700 warrants actually returned. So, the amount of warrants that are being issued are still being quashed and served. It's just the backlog still that we're working through. One of the two of the calendars we've been able to add this year with the contracted pro tem judge are two warrant quash calendars.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24918 3. A contract award for the Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building p. 276 improvements, Project EF164, Bid No. 8B-2026 Summary: Carol Rofkar, Public Works Assistant Director - Internal Services, and Scott Jorissen, Facilities Project Manager, presented the contract award for the Pacific Street Operations Center Fleet Building Improvements Project.

So, now we have a Monday and Friday afternoon calendar where we can hear roughly 25 to 30 people per calendar. So, with the additional warrant quash calendars that we already had, we can serve potentially or we can um potentially quash up to 30 300 individuals' warrants a month.

The project will replace the roof, upgrade heating and ventilation systems, and address fluid distribution at the fleet building. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to award bid No.8B-2026 for the Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building improvements, Project EF164, to Highline Construction, LLC in the amount of $808,459.37.

So, over that year that hopefully we'll be able to start making a dent within those active warrant amounts. One one thing I do want to point out with warrants, um it always depends on people showing up.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24917 4. A resolution adopting the rapid transit locally preferred alternative p. 282 Summary: Tim Hohmann, Public Works Assistant Director - Transportation, Tim Wilder, Whatcom Transit Authority Planning Director, and Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, presented the resolution, which adopts the rapid transit locally preferred alternative.

Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. The presentation is available here. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Jace Cotton moved final approval of Resolution #2026-07. Page 7 of 13 MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

So, we can open as many bench warrant quash calendars as we can, and we really have no control whether defendants show up to to quash the warrant. So, that is one consideration. Sometimes everyone shows up.

Sometimes we'll have 25 people on a calendar and eight or 10 people show up. So, that's just one thing you have to consider when we are addressing warrants. Also keep in mind that if someone were to just show up to court and have an active warrant, if we have a open court session, we'll hear that case and you know, hear the the basis to quash.

24919 5. Authorization to enter into a memorandum of understanding with p. 357 Whatcom Transportation Authority for implementation and prioritization of the rapid transit locally preferred alternative Summary: Tim Hohmann, Public Works Assistant Director - Transportation, presented the memorandum of understanding with Whatcom Transportation Authority for implementing and prioritizing the rapid transit locally preferred alternative.

So, it's not like we wouldn't hear the case if it's not scheduled. It's nice to have the person there, and if they want to address the warrant, we'll we'll do so. Um we wanted to talk about our pre-trial and post-conviction services.

Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into the memorandum of understanding with Whatcom Transportation Authority for implementation and prioritization of the rapid transit locally preferred alternative.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Community and Economic Development 2:35 p.m. Jace Cotton, Chair Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams Summary: Council President Pro Tem Huthman managed this agenda item. 24898 1.

We do have an average of 785 active probation cases per month or we did in 2025. So, as far as the services go, um as you know, we contract with Whatcom County District Court Probation. I always like to mention each year that we present this annual report that they are by far the best probation department in this state, in my humble opinion.

A resolution relating to the adoption of the 2026 Action Plan, the use of p. 364 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Bellingham Housing Levy and affordable housing sales tax funds, the allocation of funds to support selected City housing and human services agencies and directing the Mayor to submit the 2026 Action Plan to the U.S.

And so, we're really fortunate to have such excellent probation officers supervising both pre-trial and post-conviction cases. They do the case management. They do the alcohol drug testing. They monitor treatment.

They do also monitor domestic violence treatment. They have an in-house DVMRT and DV pots program. When we have pre SCRAM and post-conviction SCRAM bracelets attached, they monitor not only that, but also Smart Start, which is an in-home testing service, and active GPS for those domestic violence cases that the person is ordered to wear the GPS bracelet.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Summary: Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager, and Samya Lutz, Housing and Human Services Manager, presented the resolution, which adopts the 2026 Action Plan, the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Bellingham Housing Levy and affordable housing sales tax funds, the allocation of funds to support selected City housing and human services agencies and directing the Mayor to submit the 2026 Action Plan to the U.S.

Department Page 8 of 13 of Housing and Urban Development. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. The presentation is available here. Action: Jace Cotton / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved final approval of Resolution #2026-08.

They monitor anger management, which is different than domestic violence uh treatment and MRT. They do also do our community service hour monitoring, verifying the proof of that and the filing of that.

MOTION CARRIED 6-0. RECUSED: Hannah Stone 24912 2. A presentation on downtown occupancy trends and strategies to address p. 374 vacancies Summary: Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager, Darby Galligan, Senior Planner, and Sarah MacPherson, Limited term Temp presented downtown occupancy trends and strategies to address vacancies.

Restitution to the victims, they monitor that those payments are made. Ignition interlock device verification when a person's ordered either pre or post-conviction to have that device on their vehicle.

Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. This item will return for additional discussion. The presentation is available here. Committee Of The Whole 3:25 p.m. Hannah Stone, Chair Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H.

Uh they monitor that it's actually placed on their vehicle and also license plate surrenders for those that are ordered to surrender plates to vehicles registered in their name for various reasons. Um and they also coordinate the firearm surrender to the Bellingham Police Department.

So, these are critical services that are um pre and post- conviction probation services do for the court. Another thing I do want to point out with probation is um the increase >> We have had an increase, a somewhat substantial increase in defendants placed both on pre-trial and post-conviction probation.

"Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24910 1. Acceptance of a grant from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant p. 407 Program for cybersecurity projects Summary: Don Burdick, IT Director, and Joshua Knight, Senior Information Security Analyst, presented the grant award from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for cybersecurity projects.

The grant will fund two projects, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) gap assessment and a zero-trust network access system. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions.

I believe it's about 25% since 2024. So, somewhat substantial. Last year when we presented to council, I remember that we discussed that there had seemed to be a pretty dramatic increase in DUI cases.

Action: Hannah Stone / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend acceptance of the grant and authorize the Mayor to enter into the grant agreement. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24911 2. An update on Central Library interior renovations p.

That did bear out throughout the course of the year. Our final count was 446 either DUI or physical control charges, which was a pretty substantial increase from 392 in 2024, which correct me if I'm wrong was 446 also an all-time record for Bellingham.

453 Page 9 of 13 Summary: Rebecca Judd, Library Director, provided an update on the Central Library interior renovation plans and timeline. Council Members discussed the project and asked questions. 3.

Yeah. It was. So, an all-time record for DUI or physical controls in the city of Bellingham. One of the main reasons I do point that out is it helps explain why there are so many people on pre-trial supervision and of course post-conviction probation.

Often times defendants who have DUI charges, it is not their first DUI. It's their second, third, fourth. I've seen eighth, ninth, 10th. And when those individuals are um pre-trial orders are entered, often times the court will place them on pre-trial supervision as a safety measure to help protect the community and also balance perhaps not necessarily having to keep them in custody.

Old or new business Summary: Council President Stone acknowledged receipt of Initiative 26-01, prohibiting algorithmic price fixing, from Community First Whatcom which is actively gathering signatures.

If we can order SCRAM, which is a 24/7 alcohol monitor, ignition interlock, order them to submit to testing and report to the probation department. So, that partially explains why the probation numbers have gone up.

She highlighted upcoming deadlines and the overall process for how the City manages initiatives in connection with the Whatcom County Auditor. Council must decide whether to support, defer, or submit a parallel initiative prior to August 4, 2026.

Action: Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist moved to request the legal department review the Community First Whatcom draft ordinance that was brought forth in connection with Initiative 26-01. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

And we're also first quarter set to meet or exceed that number as far as the increase goes. All right. Um FDS, we have kind of already touched on, but I do want to to briefly touch on that as well just so these aren't just letters that I'm saying.

Action: Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to request the legal department to propose language to modify the initiative timeline as currently outlined in the Bellingham Municipal Code to address concerns raised by the Whatcom County Auditor's Office.

Everyone knows what that is. FDS is Friendship Diversion Services. It's a a company that we do contract with here locally. They run essentially our jail diversion program or jail alternatives. So, they do have electronic home monitoring.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Summary: Council President Stone highlighted adjustments to the 2026 budget amendment, which included a change within the City Council department. The Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director - Intergovernmental Focus will now be budgeted 100% under City Council and the position title will change to City Council Communications and Community Relations Director.

That's very important for a number of reasons. Not all cases require that a defendant, even if they are convicted, serve time actually in the jail. DUIs and physical controls do have mandatory jail time, but many other offenses don't.

So, by being able to place people on electronic home monitoring in lieu of booking them into the Whatcom County Jail, A, they can generally keep their jobs. They are allowed to go to work while they're on electronic home monitoring.

Council President Stone recapped the City Council retreat held on April 20, 2026. During the retreat, Council revisited the idea of reducing public comment time from three minutes per person to two minutes.

Council deferred a decision until the communications engagement plan is finalized and can be discussed at a Council meeting. Executive session 4:15 p.m. Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only.

And B, it does present substantial savings to the city. Um I know that the FDS costs have been increasing dramatically as well, but I want to point out that uh those numbers going up would equate to really a substantial increase if all of those people were booked into the jail.

Page 10 of 13 1. Potential property acquisition (Rosenblatt, approx. 5 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2.

The cost for FDS, I think is roughly $15 a day. I think it's about $15 a day. The cost to house someone in the Whatcom County Jail is $235 a day plus a $78.33 booking fee. So, when we see the FDS costs going up, just keep in mind that could be astronomically higher if they were all held in the Whatcom County Jail.

Um other than that, FDS does have a few other programs. They do have the SCRAM bracelet. That's the 24/7 alcohol monitor that we discussed. Essentially, you attach it like the other ankle bracelet and it and it monitors a defendant's sweat to make sure that they're not consuming alcohol.

Potential litigation (Erb, approx. 10 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the Mayor to execute all documents necessary for the City of Bellingham to participate in the national opioid settlement with the Six Remnant Defendants related to their role in the opioid crisis.

It can detect that um if they do. So, that's another tool that we have at our disposal to try and keep people out of custody perhaps while their cases are pending and still maintain the safety of the community.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Potential property acquisition (Rosenblatt, approx. 3 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken.

4. Potential property acquisition (Rosenblatt, approx. 3 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 5. Potential property acquisition (Rosenblatt, approx.

Do you want to explain any of the numbers or I mean, you can see that it's a it's a substantial savings if, you know, comparing the bracelet to actual in-custody time. We don't have any discretion on on the man mandatory jail, which they have to serve.

3 min.) Summary: Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. Page 11 of 13 Consent agenda Consent Agenda items are considered routine and/or non-controversial and may be approved in a single motion.

We are permitted to allow them to serve any additional um sentence that isn't in-custody mandated to be served on on the bracelet, like the EHM requirement on DUIs. And the way I came to the total for what it would cost if the Whatcom County Jail um that is for the EHM days, so the electronic home monitoring days only, which was the 12,792 days.

Uh if those same 12,000 days were served at the jail, that's how much it would have cost the city in 2025. At the Bellingham Municipal Court, we also have security screening at whenever anyone comes into the building.

A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 24893 1. Authorization of AP transactions issued March 20, 2026 through March p. 476 26, 2026 24906 2.

Um last year, there were 4,476 prohibited items um confiscated at the time of screening. Those are items that could be blades, sharp and tools, illicit drugs, drug paraphernalia, all the way down to a bottle of water or some um food.

Authorization of AP transactions issued April 3, 2026 through April 9, p. 477 2026 24903 3. Acceptance of 2025 Emergency Management Performance grant p. 478 24904 4. Memorandum of understanding between Bellingham Police Department p.

611 and Seattle Police Department Action: Michael Lilliquist / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final consideration of ordinances 24891 1. An ordinance regarding multimodal transportation impact fees; amending p.

Um but we also had 15,696 individuals come in through the Bellingham Municipal Court last year. That. Moving on to our therapeutic court programs, we do have three uh presently, uh domestic violence court, wellness calendar, and the community court.

622 Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 19.06 Action: Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Stone, Huthman, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2026-04-008.

So, the domestic violence court, um basically, it's been around for about 23 years now. Um and we do have uh a pretty pretty full calendar each time. We have it every Thursday afternoon weekly. Uh we also have uh the city has um a victim advocate who's present for most of those hearings, and so we do want to hear whatever input the alleged or the victim um wants the court to know in victim impact statements at sentencing or uh in regards to pretrial or post-conviction no-contact orders.

24886 2. An ordinance relating to the composition of the Historic Preservation p. 635 Commission, updating the qualifications for membership on the commission, and amending Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.54 Page 12 of 13 Action: Jace Cotton / Edwin H.

So, we do welcome that input in making our determinations. There were 307 domestic violence-related cases that were filed in 2025. I believe that's up. Probably. So, I'm going to turn it over to uh Judge Henry for his discussion on wellness court.

>> Sure. All right. Well, uh wellness court did celebrate its 10-year anniversary last year. I know many of you went to the celebration actually for that. That was um really really tremendous. We've uh took a pretty deep dive actually last year into the recidiv- recidivism rates of our past graduates.

"Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Stone, Huthman, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2026-04-009.

Um and of course, with a program like this with people still in it, we can only go back so far. So, people in the program right now can't give you any data on that, but our most recent graduates from 2023 and 2024 have shown an 84% uh decrease essentially in uh criminal charges and contacts with law enforcement.

Public comment period City Council heard public comments from 18 individuals. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 5/18/2026 Page 13 of 13

So, I think it shows pretty clearly that when you make it through the program and you graduate, it it is genuinely a helpful program and it's doing the work that we want it to do. Um the program itself, uh you do need to have a diagnosed behavioral health issue to qualify for the program.

Uh we have a whole team essentially that does the pretrial screening. So, we have mental health professionals who can actually do that, make sure someone's eligible for the program, and then essentially the city attorneys and the defense attorneys come to an agreement that yes, this person's a good fit.

We're going to let them into the program. Throughout the pendency of the program, it is 18 months to 24 months. So, you can graduate at 18 months if you do everything pretty much perfectly, uh up to 24 months.

They have wrap-around services. So, we have case managers. We have treatment providers. It's both uh substance use oftentimes along with mental health. So, both attending therapy and attending substance use treatment.

And uh essentially, they come to court every 2 weeks. We have check-ins with them. And as they progress through the program, they're phased. We have five phases that each focus on different different aspects essentially of their mental health and their recovery.

And as they get promoted through those, uh if they make it to the end, at the end of phase five, their charges are dismissed. There's no cost imposed, and of course, they don't have a conviction on their record.

So, that's essentially how the program works, and uh I continue to believe that it's going very well. Community Court. Um we did finally launch this after COVID kind of set us back for a bit, but um we launched it January of 25.

We have uh Well, that says Yeah, in 2025, we had 28 members. We're I mean, it's it's it's packed full of participants at this point. I just had two more this morning that wanted to join. I do want to recognize on top, there's Andrew.

He's our director of therapeutic court doing an amazing job. And his um basically assistant director would be Cassie underneath there, and they both uh contribute so much to the success of this program.

Um so, basically, Community Court um we did launch it. We had our first par- participant actually enter in March. So, we have about a year now of uh active participants. It's a really interesting forum.

It's not like any Well, I mean, wellness court is similar, but for both of these, it's not your typical courtroom scene. We all sit around a big oval table. Uh we address I mean, it's informal, but very focused in on the individual.

And the um uh Ryan Anderson is the prosecutor who basically uh screens and sees what cases and individuals are appropriate, makes that recommendation, works with the public defender. Um every participant has a public is eligible for a public defender to help through the process.

But the two of them work together, come up with a case plan. We review it. Uh the if the individual agrees to go uh through the program. Same kind of idea. Tailored services. Whatcom County District Court Probation is doing our pretrial services and kind of the point of contact for the individual with questions and such.

But um and also Andrew and Cassie uh provide that support as well. It's a very supportive environment. And um it seems to be very successful. So far, we had four graduates in 2025. Again, the same end result.

You make it through the program, um you're going to have the city attorney make move to dismiss any and all charges. There's no costs, and they also don't have the conviction or convictions on their record.

Uh so, it it's it's actually kind of a >> [laughter] >> it's kind of a positive fun court to participate in, at least from my perspective. So, and probably Judge Henry's >> so. Um we are we hold Well, basically, again, connecting these participants to the service providers for various needs.

You don't have to have uh a diagnosed behavioral health issue, but these are people that have repeated contacts from law enforcement, have low-level crimes uh charged, uh shoplifts and thefts and driving suspended thirds even.

We try to help them get their license. Um and Yeah, so what happens is we try to meet those individualized needs and resolve the cases without any jail. We focus again on reducing recidivism and community harm, improving lifestyle as well, giving them tools to um succeed.

And I want to also um relay one of the graduates um statement about Community Court, and these are in her words. And I think it's important to share her words. I am humbled for the opportunity that has been given to me and to be part of the solution, not the problem.

I know your jobs can be exhausting at times, and you feel overwhelmed seeing violators with alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health issues on a daily basis. I commend you all for what you do. My motto all my life has been to give of myself to make a difference to others and I see you making a difference every day even though some days can be frustrating for you.

This is a little note to let you know you made a difference to me and your efforts have not gone unnoticed. And this quote was to not only community court Bellingham Municipal Community Court but to all the stakeholders here.

We know that you supported it, mayor supported it and this was a note for all of us to hear. There was a PS. I'd like to volunteer my time, thoughts and or words to hopefully help another suffering. It would be a reminder of where I came from and help with the choices I make in the future.

And I just think Mary's words kind of relay what we're trying to do here to help people. Oh, so I Can [laughter] I Can I interject for 1 second? >> do. I I do also um just want to add that I think one thing I find very special about community court is that because it's such a new program we are still making changes and we're you know, we're getting better and we're seeing what works and what doesn't work.

I also have to shout out to Andrew and Cassie. They do a phenomenal job for us. They they really do. The work that they're doing uh for our community is is just top-notch and they're always uh trying to figure out what are you know, new trainings we can do, what are best practices, how are other courts around the state doing it and as time has gone on over the past 13 months or so since we launched, we have already made changes and uh just I think last month we had uh sort of a year one year in check-in with all the stakeholders, the city attorney's office, the public defenders, probation, of course the court and we all had a big round table and I think that you know, we just continue to improve the program.

So, it's really an exciting time. I think we've done honestly an amazing job so far but it's only going to get better from here. >> [clears throat] >> One of the aspects of community court is that we have a community pantry.

It's not only for the participants in community court, anyone in need can come and and take what they need, essentials. Um big shout-out to the executive branch for their donations. They did a drive. Um we've had volunteers uh also do drives and we've had a lot of support and donations as you can see the top right there.

It's just amazing what this community can do when they come together to help others. So, we have all kinds of things, food, hygiene, clothing, all household items and um anyone can come in and take any essentials.

We also have a point system with community court. If you do what you're um what what's on your list your action plan uh for the net before the next court hearing if you've done that, and with pre-trial services, done your community service hours, made maybe a $10 restitution payment to the alleged victim, whatever the case may be, contact DOL about your license holds um you can score points.

Uh so, if you get those points, we have kind of the sparkle part of the pantry where they're not essentials but they're fun stuff that someone might like and if you can spend your points on those. But anything anything essential you can just take, you don't need to spend any points.

So, we do want to thank uh the community and the uh executive branch and all of you that have helped with this. There was one situation when we did have observers at community court and this young woman who was charged with driving suspended third had done everything she needed to do but needed to come up with a re-licensing fee that DOL charges and anonymously we had that support uh financial support through the attendees um and she was able to get her license reinstated because of your generosity.

And um it was the first she told us it was the first time she's had a license in like 10 or 11 years. So she was really thrilled. So, thank you for that. And I'm going to keep talking because of swearing in.

So, I've had the honor and pleasure of swearing doing swearing in ceremonies in 2025, I was honored to swear in four city council members and 16 Bellingham police officers. It's such a joy to be part of that.

And one judge. And one judge. Well, that was in 2026. Was that this year? I can't keep track of time. >> in the next year of the court. Otherwise, I'd be all thrilled. Well, I am thrilled about that. But Judge Henry had the honor of doing a swearing in.

I did. I think I had the the sweetest one by far and I know uh actually I think Chief Mertz is here via Zoom. So, Chief, I just wanted to uh give you a shout-out to you as well. Um I really appreciated you letting me be a part of the Bellingham police chief for a day.

I thought that was so much fun personally. Our chief for a day, as you can see, I think he had a great time. I know I sure had a great time and I just really appreciate everyone letting me take part in that.

We do still continue our award-winning Law Day program. I think it's been going on for like 25 years. So May 1st Law Day, we're having our program again where we invite students uh local middle school students to celebrate Law Day with us.

Um celebrating the rule of law, cultivating that deeper understanding of the legal system. We really appreciate um all three branches coming together to celebrate. We're hoping that Mayor Lund will give the proclamation again.

It's like such a powerful uh part of the presentation. And the Bellingham Police Department, amazing how they contribute to this program. Uh they always show up. Uh we've had bike patrol, we've had excuse me, we've had um K9.

K9 unit. Oh my gosh, the how the students love the K9 presentation, of course. But over these years, we've had that participation and it's been uh really a amazing an amazing event and I and the students and the teachers walk away really grateful that this is going on.

So, we're going to continue that this year. Um yeah. Projects? Things we are looking forward to you for this year. So, this year we are we have put together a fully virtual court. This is something we came up with out of the necessity of needing a third courtroom.

Initially um all of the court's recording programs that the clerks use in the courtroom are within this cart that we are able to take into the judicial officer's office, plug it into the network and conduct court from their office.

So public defense, prosecutors and everyone is able to zoom in and have a court session fully virtually. Um We've been doing our jail calendars semi fully virtually um since COVID. We everyone except for the attorneys are in our courtroom but we basically zoom into the jail but now we'll be able to expand this to other court hearings as well.

I wanted to add in as far as the virtual court goes that we've been live streaming and offering virtual court sessions since um 2022. Uh as you all know, there's been recent ICE activity in the city outside the Bellingham Municipal Courthouse uh which allegedly is in violation of state law, by the way.

But in any case, um we've been offering these virtual hearings for anybody including anybody who might have a fear of coming to our court because people are required to come to a court session, obviously, or have a warrant issued.

Um so, we do offer virtual hearings uh for anybody. I also wanted to um as far as the um ICE activities that we've been witnessing lately uh my discussions with Mayor Lund and President Stone um I think it was President Stone, might have been your your previous president but in any case, uh um that resulted in some concern being expressed and the signage that you see now around the city and and outside the courthouse um that happened in like a matter of 2 days.

It was amazing to me. The concern was was relayed and all of a sudden, you know, there had been of course a lot of work before that by the executive and legal department but the signs were up and I just have to add that I've seen like several people taking pictures of those signs outside the courthouse.

Uh hopefully to pass on that word so that other um entities will will put up signage or at least be aware of it. We're doing all we can to address those concerns about that ICE activity within the confines of the law, of course.

Um, before you go on, can you go back to that slide about programs court? One more. >> Which Yeah. Okay, I just want to make sure that you understand we do not dress this way when we have court sessions every day.

This was a team activity about making paper airplanes, so you can see that, you know, it it we can't we do intense work there as as we all do. And so, we also like to have our potlucks and our little bit of team spirit events to take to alleviate that kind of pressure.

Just wanted to mention we're not always looking like that. This year, the administrative office of the courts is replacing our case management system. As you can tell by the screenshot on the above you, we've been using a DOS-based system since the early '90s.

>> [laughter] >> This platform was developed >> in the state has. >> Every court except for Seattle and now Spokane. But every other court but those jurisdictions have been utilizing JIS. So, this year, fall of this year, we are um When did it No.

We're converting to a new cloud-based system that is, you know, up-to-date. It's going to bring a lot more efficiencies to all the courts throughout the state. Um, there's also going to be mandatory e-file.

So, even though we've been having a paperless courtroom since 2020 two two. Um, the entire court system for filings will be paperless now as well because attorneys or pro se um defendants have been able to come in and file paper.

That will be going away this fall, as well. Um, but this will also streamline all of our online payments cuz even though we offer online payments through the city's website, clerks still have to process those.

This system will take that away. So, as soon as they make a payment through the website, it automatically um, deposits to their account and credits it. So, this is something that we're really looking forward to.

It's going to be a little stressful, >> [laughter] >> but any new conversion is. With that And we want to thank you again for having us here tonight to give you the state of the court 2026. This is a, you know, we've got an amazing Bellingham Municipal Court team.

It's like family. We all, um as you can see, our team showed up for the Pride Parade last year. We're hoping to do so again this year. Thank you again. Thank you all so very much. We appreciate your time.

And I guess we can take questions if you have them. Yeah, thank you for the presentation. I will turn to council members for any questions or comments. Council member Hamel. Yeah, thanks again for the presentation tonight.

I know that some members of the the court were at the sequential intercept model training back in the at the end of February at the ferry terminal. Um, and that was basically an inventory of programs and um, that Bellingham and Whatcom County have to help folks.

Um, yeah, there was a slide up there that said pre-arrest diversion. It was on on one of the therapeutic courts. So, my question, I guess basically is uh, to what extent do therapeutic courts use those services like D'Wally'ch, um, And Dicken Center, the LEAD program.

There there are many many more than that. Like Whatcom Center and and private providers. Is do the does the court and the therapeutic court courts within the court, do they work with those programs? Is that successful?

Is there work to be done? What just what does that look like? I would say extensively. Uh, particularly with mental health court, I guess I'll start there. Um, we do have our, you know, our program manager uh, is a member of the Whatcom County Health Department, but their office contracts.

I know they work with LEAD. We basically work with uh, Lake Whatcom Center is a very common one. Um you know, treatment providers, you know, Unity Care, all those sorts of places. They they use uh, those community uh, resources pretty dramatically, actually, in wellness court.

Almost every single person is connected to one of those uh, resources. Community [snorts] Court is a little bit different so far, and that actually is one of the major talking points that we had at our our meeting last month discussing how do we want to make improvements moving forward.

And I think that's one of the things we really want to work towards is trying to get uh, you know, more people in community court hooked up with, you know, LEAD and and and other resources like that. Um, so far, I think >> have a representative join us at Community Court probably a couple times.

Yeah, from D'Wally'ch. >> Yeah, from D'Wally'ch and um, that worked out really well. So, we have I I know Andrew's been working on him, probably Cassie, too, trying to reach out and have that person return.

I can't remember if it was Brent. I can't remember her name, either. Yeah. >> But I I will say that was one of the major sticking points was we found that when we had someone from a treatment agency, in that case D'Wally'ch, at court, it was often far easier to connect people with services.

It is pretty common for someone to leave court and then they just don't find their way to those services, but when you had someone who was physically present there, right away, they're getting appointments scheduled.

Sometimes, time permitting, they'd even do an evaluation or at least start an evaluation right there. Um, so that's something [clears throat] that we really want to try and and push forward with in the coming year.

Get them a bed date like right there, you know, it's pretty remarkable. Um, so we are trying to connect in Community Court and those connections are already made in the in the Wellness Court, Mental Health Court.

Council member Lilliquist. Um, you know that I love the community court and our wellness court ideas. Um, but I'm want to ask a question about their capacity and the selection of the participants and how my relate to their success.

You can't just put anybody in that program if if if they're not committed, if if they don't understand, if they don't really kind of choose it themselves. Um, so we can't necessarily compel everyone to go this route.

It wouldn't work. Um, but of those people who are ready and do understand it, um are there more of them than there are spaces or are there more spaces than there are them? How if if we could where where is the the limit on this program right now?

It's different depending on Community Court versus Wellness. There, as far as Community Court goes, we do have to cap it. We're hoping to increase maybe court sessions somehow if we can. Again, that depends on other resources and other like prosecutors being available and things like that.

Um, we are at cap. So, I would say to answer your question, I believe, since I'm not in the initial um, part of it, but I would believe that, and Andrew might know better, there are probably more individuals that want to come in that we have to hold off, but I don't think we've done that yet.

Community Court is busting at the seams. I mean, we do have the issue that we continually run into is that we only do it every other Tuesday morning, and this really is just a function of we have limited time.

We are already in court pretty much every morning and afternoon. Same thing with the prosecutors, same thing with the public defenders, and we have limited space on calendars. We find that we can handle about 12 members each court session, and that generally will get us done by about noon, which is essentially the cut-off for lunch before we have our afternoon court.

And I think it's safe to say we are approaching a point where we we're kind of having to figure out, okay, where do we put people to make sure they can get in in a reasonable time frame and and not get set out too far.

One of the most important things in therapeutic court is that you don't want to lose track of people. You want to make sure that they have that review date with the court and they're coming in regularly enough so that you can check in on their progress.

So, when you first come in and say you have to have an SUD, substance use disorder, evaluation, we're going to send them away saying this is what you need to do and we have all the support here for you to get there, but you're coming back in 2 weeks because we want to make sure that you've done something.

Once they have the evaluation, once they're engaged in treatment if it's recommended, we can set them out a little bit farther, which means we can take someone else in in that 2-week slot because we can set them out 4 weeks.

Um, but yeah, there's only a certain amount of court calendars that we have and a an allotted a lot allotted period of time to hear all those cases. When you still don't want to rush it and you want it to be an individualized, you know, focused in on that in know, person who needs whatever support they need.

So that's community court. We're we're we're filling every space we have. Wellness court is a different story. Um it's a lot higher threshold to get admitted into mental health court because you need to have that diagnosed behavioral health issue.

So generally speaking, I would say you know, we probably get several referrals per month. I would average maybe about two per month of people who are interested in joining. But then they have to go through the whole process.

They get they do a a pre-screening essentially where they make sure that they have a diagnosed behavioral health issue. And then of course the city attorney needs to determine is this a charge or charge are these charges that we want to admit into the program.

And if all of that checks out, then it's still on the person to ultimately decide do they want to join? Mental health [clears throat] court is a heavier lift because it's the 18 to 24 month program. It's a long program and you have to really really put in a lot of work.

Community court is a little bit of a lower bar. We generally start at a 6-month program. So I think that defendants often have an easier time accepting entrance into that program because 6 months sounds a heck of a lot better than 18 to 24 months.

But you make a good point. None of this is going to work if the person isn't committed to do it. Both courts, both therapeutic courts. Um and we we don't force them. And there are people that don't choose to go that route.

But that's okay because it's their choice. They go the standard route and then we have another space for someone who does want to do it. So um the member the participants of community court, I believe are very committed.

They're very authentic and sincere about it and they appreciate the support that we're giving them. So it seems to be working. Yeah, last thing that I'll just add is because the mental health court is a longer program and it is smaller, I really really get to know the members and I feel like we we build genuine strong relationships.

They understand that they're there for court, but they're there because they want to get help themselves and they genuinely do want to improve their lives. They don't want to be back in this situation.

So that's always been pretty special to me. It's just over the course of you know, generally 2 years. You get to know these people very well and you get to be actually pretty close with them even though uh it's a different dynamic than maybe you'd normally have.

Councilman Huttman. You mentioned some pretty significant increases in cases filed for 2025. And I assume there are multitude of factors that could influence those numbers. Um what do you know and not know about what's affecting those numbers?

There's more Bellingham police officers out there. So there's going to be more activity as far as uh charges go. I would think that would contribute to the increase. There's uh an obvious substance use problem that we all know about that would contribute to additional charges.

I think almost anything I'd say would be conjecture to be completely honest with you. I can't really explain it. I don't know. All I know is the numbers are going up. And the cases are getting often more complicated.

The DUIs as as Judge Henry mentioned, we're not seeing all these first offense, you know, made a mistake young person, you know, charged with a DUI. We're seeing serious charges. Um fentanyl cases, driving um passed out, you know, middle of the road kind of thing.

Um And we're seeing like this morning I I took a a plea on someone who who had five DUIs, lifetime DUIs that we know about. And so they're just getting more complicated, take more time and and attention uh as far as uh processing through the court system.

But I don't I mean maybe the police would know better because they're out, you know, the they're out there and see what's going on firsthand. We see it once it's filed. It's not a great answer, but just Wait, yeah, I think I mean I think it's definitely fair to to say that you're not sure.

I think that because there are so many different factors that could be influencing >> even population increase. Yeah, but something I'm curious about. So thank you. Yeah, we are too. Be nice nice to have put your finger on it, but Along that same I guess line, I was wondering if there was another update regarding the DUIs because I know last time you presented, that's what you were sharing is that the number of DUIs had increased and the severity of those as far as the alcohol level, right, or intoxication level was high.

Yeah. And you're continuing to see that same trend right now. Is that I I think that the numbers have leveled out. They're roughly similar right now. First quarter of 2026 is pretty it's slightly below 2025.

But we've also found first quarter of any year is a little bit slower. So it'll just be a matter of how the rest of the year goes. We're still at higher levels than previous years prior to 2025. Cuz I was wondering with respect to the SCRAM bracelets.

So those SCRAM bracelets only detect alcohol or also other intoxicants? >> That is one of the limitations. It's only alcohol. So we do anyone who's on SCRAM is also going to be on pre-trial supervision with the Whatcom District Court Probation.

So they will be doing urinalysis and other testing as well. So if there are other substances allegedly involved, hopefully that would be caught on the UAs. But if it's drug DUI and and there should be supervision and it's ordered, they're going to be doing UAs to detect any illegal non-prescribed drugs.

Cuz with the recidivism that you're talking about when you see multiple, right, same person with multiple DUIs, um whether there's any potential for the expansion of the use of SCRAM, if that's been, right, successful and is it not until someone's off supervision and or off the SCRAM that then they have a sort of reoffend in that way.

I'm just wondering how we can expand those support services to try and break that that cycle. I I do think that the issue really is mostly post-conviction in that sense. Department of Licensing orders mandatory ignition interlocks like the blow and go machine that you have to have in your car for a certain period of time based on your overall DUI history.

What we often see is that people who are getting second, third, fourth lifetime DUIs, they simply don't have the ignition interlock in their car. They're driving not on a valid license. And so I it's been ordered.

They just aren't doing it. Same enforcement. Councilmember Lilliquist, did you have Yeah, so I have an alternate ulterior motive in asking this question. It has to do with the jail. Um so one of the advantages of these diversion programs and and home monitoring and and the bracelets is that we can keep people out of jail.

But still there are some people um that are in the jail under Bellingham only charges, I assume. Um and I don't mean like the one or two days before arraignment. People are there longer term. How many people are we talking about?

Is it two people on average at any one moment or 25? And what accounts for the length of their stays? And I'm asking this because the jail bed days is really high and it's not because we have a lot of people in jail, but we have a few people in jail who are there for a long time.

And so that's actually one of the issues I think the county needs to address. So I'm asking about our Bellingham, those few people and how many are there that are on their on Bellingham charges? How long are they there?

Are they also showing this same pattern? Well, I think you need to focus in on held on Bellingham only charges because there aren't very many that are held only on Bellingham charges. They have those felony matters that are holding them.

Uh the presumption is if we can release, we do release and release with conditions, of course, with the pre-trial supervision and such. Um Judge Henry handles the jail calendars. He probably has a really good feel for that.

>> Yeah. I mean what I can tell you um Bellingham only holds it is a fairly small number. Uh generally speaking, if someone appears, you know, in front of the court on the in-custody calendar, if it's a non-violent offense, the presumption is you're getting out.

The times those people do get hold held is if they have significant warrant history and perhaps they are these returned warrants. So someone gets booked, they had 12 active cases in warrant status. It's just a number that I made up there, but a lot of cases.

At that point, the court is going to find they are a risk of flight. They've been released probably seven, eight, nine, 10 times. Not only have they not come back to court, they've then subsequently picked up new charges.

That's kind of the point where okay, they are going to get held even if it's a non-violent offense because they simply won't come to court otherwise. Beyond that, it's typically someone who does have a felony charge as well or it's a domestic violence charge where there's significant DV history or a DUI DUI charge where there's significant DUI history.

Those are kind of the two exceptions where yes, you may get held on bail on only Bellingham, but it's because they've shown and the court has found that there is a substantial community safety risk, whether that be a risk of a violent offense being committed or whether that be a DUI risk as well.

That sounds totally appropriate, but what I'm hearing is that the number of Bellingham only cases that are being held long-term is probably vanishingly small and it's in these severe cases. I'm just wondering whether we're contributing to the jail capacity problem or not.

I'm saying not. I'm drawing that conclusion. I would say very little are we contributing towards that. I can think off the top of my head of truly maybe two or three people who have fairly significant jail sentences out of Bellingham and first of all, those were sentences that were recommended by the city attorney's office.

They were agreed upon generally by defense as part of a plea bargain and they were those recommendations were made because of the defendant's criminal history. So, those but even those are it's very little.

There's very few of those that are currently sitting out a significant sentence in the Whatcom Jail. From what I've seen tallied in the past, it is very insignificant as far as the number of people that are being held on Bellingham matters or serving on Bellingham matters.

We're still looking for all alternatives we can. Sometimes they can't do those because they're held on felony matters. But yeah, we we're we are aware of that situation and I I think it's pretty insignificant as far as Bellingham.

Okay. Thank you very much for the presentation for joining us this evening after our long [clears throat] days as well. So, Judge Love, Judge Henry, Spinnet, thank you very much for your service as well to the community.

Thank you so much. We appreciate it. So, the next item we have this evening are appointments. So, for those matters, I will turn to Mayor Lund. Good evening, council, members of the community, and staff.

I have a few appointments this evening. Some for confirmation and one for information only. First up is I am seeking confirmation of an appointment for Jonathan Neam to or Johan Neam to a first term on the Historic Preservation Commission.

Move approval. Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Williams and a second by Councilmember Huffman. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

Thank you. Next for council's confirmation tonight are some appointments to the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board of Trustees. I'm seeking appointment of Sam Gerhart and Amy Navarro each to their first terms on the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board.

Move approval. Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Williams and a second by Councilmember Anderson. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

Thank you. And last for council's and the community's information, I am appointing Denise Catalano to a first term on the Community Development Advisory Board. I want to begin mayor's report tonight by just expressing appreciation for the presentation that we just heard and the and the state of the court.

And I also want to acknowledge um that we are aware of a petition that is circling circulating and calling on the city to reverse its course on our plans for our wastewater treatment. And I want to speak tonight about where we agree with the petition's proponents and where we don't.

We agree that we need to transition away from incineration over the long term. That has been the city's direction since 2022 when we paused plans for a new treatment facility due to concerns about PFAS and the need for more certainty around costly future technologies.

Where we disagree right now is on our timeline and approach. Critics are advocating that we turn off our incinerators now and truck waste to landfills that are located hundreds of miles away. But turning off the incinerators over the next few months is neither responsible nor realistic.

I want to be very clear. Landfilling our wastewater solids would be more expensive, less reliable, legally risky, and without a guarantee of improved environmental or public health outcomes. As we are gathering here tonight, we do not have a proven next step.

Without a clear alternative, landfilling will not be temporary. It becomes a 10 to 15 plus year commitment with significantly higher costs over time. It is a gamble we cannot afford. It is a gamble we can't afford today and it is one that may prove to be very costly in the decades to come for the less resourced rural communities where our waste would go.

It is not lost on me that the city's most expensive capital project of 2026 and 2027 is in part the environmental remediation of a former landfill. The work currently underway at Post Point is necessary to maintain safe, continuous operations in the near term.

We have been clear that this investment would be needed as part of a transition strategy, a temporary bridge to the future and that it would be significant. This is not a theoretical decision for us. We are accountable to the community for this choice and we have to bear the responsibility and the costs if things go wrong.

That is why we've made this decision carefully in accordance with real-world constraints, guided with the expertise of engineers, regulators, and wastewater management professionals, and with full transparency.

We would not be going down this path if it jeopardized our community's well-being. Understandably, community members want to see progress on this issue. >> [gasps] >> And now it is time to look forward to our shared goal, a new long-term solution that is reliable, technically feasible, and protective of public health and the environment.

We are inviting community members to be part of that comp plan process, including a preview at the Water Resources Advisory Board meeting tomorrow night, April 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the city's Pacific Street Operations Center.

There, the city team will lay out the timeline and approach to community input on this important topic. I am looking forward to the comp plan progressing and robust conversations over the years ahead because it is worth saying again, this is not a theoretical decision for the city team nor the city council and we have not made it lightly.

Nor is it a theoretical or inconsequential decision for the Bellingham community to whom we are all accountable. And something more fun to update on tonight is today's parks program update from an earlier committee meeting.

Bellingham thrives in part because of the wonderful volunteers who give their time with generosity to so many causes in our community. I want to give a special shout-out tonight for the volunteers who work tirelessly in our city parks.

During an update on the work of our Parks and Recreation staff this morning, the team shared some statistics about park volunteers, including volunteer effort data from the previous year. In 2025, we held 162 volunteer work parties and events, received engagement from almost 4,000 unique volunteers who totaled more than 14,000 volunteer hours, and planted nearly 2,500 native trees and shrubs, our most ever.

Of course, this is in addition to the work of our dedicated and outstanding Parks and Recreation staff, which were also highlighted in today's presentations. If you are interested in helping out in our beloved parks, we have volunteer work parties scheduled almost every weekend in both May and June.

See volunteerbellingham.org for information and the required pre-registration. We hope to see you out there. And that concludes mayor's report tonight. Thank you very much, Mayor Lund. Next this evening, we have council assignment reports.

So again, this is a standing time for council member [clears throat] reports from assigned committees, boards, or other groups. Any updates this evening? Councilmember Hamel? Yeah, I just wanted to touch on this real quick since the courts brought it up here tonight.

So on April 21st, we had a behavioral health meeting for the incarceration prevention and reduction task force. And it touches on something Councilmember Lilliquist had asked about when it comes to um um average length of stay, jail bookings, charges, multiple charges.

And I was trying to glance at my phone when you were talking to see if I could just quickly come up with some numbers. I think the I think if people are interested in in these issues, and I I know a lot of people are, I would encourage folks to go back and watch that meeting.

Um uh so um April 21st behavioral health um committee of the incarceration prevention and reduction task force. There's a video online at wacom. I think it's wacom.wa. gov or us. You can just look it up.

It's pretty easy to find. Um but it does go into detail um the report goes into detail and the meeting goes into into detail as to why we're seeing very few Bellingham only charges because people are showing up at the um at the jail with with multiple charges and perhaps in multiple jurisdictions.

So that's really it's driving the um those booking numbers. So I just want to provide that. So Councilmember Lilliquist? Yeah, I think I should mention something, but not in in great detail. So one of my external assignments is the Justice Project's Facilities and Finance Advisory Board.

And the important point behind that is that that advisory board, which includes myself, uh other elected representatives including the mayor, um has been trying to guide the county in its decision on how to spend the money from the public safety sales tax to build both a jail and a behavioral care center and support behavioral care services that can help address the the root issues of crime.

Um we have made a tentative recommendation along with several other bodies toward the county council. Tomorrow night, I believe, they will be considering that issue. So rather than go into detail on that, I would recommend that council, which I'm sure has been following it, and the public pay attention to that county council meeting.

They are the deciders on this matter. And the main decision that I think if I can oversimplify the complex issue, is that the jail's tax, the safety tax, the public safety tax revenue is less than anticipated and costs are higher than projected.

Meaning it's going to be very hard to afford what we need. And nobody wants to shortchange on what we've promised to the public, which is both a safe, humane, modern jail with services and and and space for treatment and programs, and also behavioral care center, and also behavioral care programs.

And what's happening is that there are difficult decisions being made and less than perfect solutions, I think, will need to be adopted by the county council with your guidance and with the county council's um own uh wisdom uh and their own experience.

I just thought I should report out because that's been a very significant major thing, and it's been one of my uh duties is to help represent the the city on that board. So I thought I'd mention that tonight.

Any other reports? Seeing none, I'll turn to committee meeting reports from earlier today. So we started meetings this morning with Budget and Finance. That's chaired by Councilmember Anderson. So I'll turn to them for a report.

Thank you. Um we had three items before us today. Um I was joined by Councilmember Hamel, and Councilmember Williams has sat in for Councilmember Lilliquist. Um our first item was And um these three are kind of like dominoes.

They they all kind of have to go together, but we'll address each one individually. Um so um agenda item 24900, um an ordinance amending the 2026 adopted budget, reconciling the difference between estimated 2026 beginning reserve balances and actual reserve balances, and applying the difference to the ending reserve balances.

The summary statement um Basically, during the budget development process, the finance department estimates beginning reserve balances based on budgeted expenditures and revenues for the year in which the budget is developed.

Pursuant to city financial policy, at the beginning of each budget cycle, the city must update the budget with actual beginning reserves and estimate the new ending reserves. Um the finance department undertakes this process in tandem with reappropriations process to ensure the various funds reserves remain in balance at the end of the year.

The reappro- uh reappropriation process brings budget forward from the previous budget cycle for programs and projects authorized but not completed. Um this will create a change in the general fund um balance.

Um basically, we're adding about um $6 million in expenditures. Um a lot of those are based on um needing to take care of um increased medical costs. So it goes across all budgets. Um and then um we'll be updating our estimated reserves, um which will go to about $17 million.

The committee um voted to approve this particular item, and I so move. Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Anderson, and [clears throat] a second by Councilmember Hamel. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say aye.

Aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0. So our second item um agenda item 24901, an ordinance amending the 2026 budget, increasing appropriation authority in various funds to pay for goods and services authorized in the previous budget cycle.

Um the ordinance increases appropriations in the 2026 budget by reappropriating unused budget authority totaling $105 million in expenses and a little over 33 million in revenues from the 2025 budget.

At the end of each budget cycle, all remaining budget authority lapses even if the under contract for the project, program, or product. To pay for these contracts and continue project authorization in previous budget, the city council must reappropriate the funds.

So this section basically um we have a lot of projects that are in process. Um funding from previous budget cycles has been encumbered but not fully paid out. So we have to reappropriate to move it into the 2026 so they can continue doing their work.

So the committee voted to approve, and I so move. Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Anderson, and a second by Councilmember Williams. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say aye. Aye.

Aye. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0. So our last item is agenda item 24902, an ordinance amending the 2026 budget. This is our first amendment of the year. The ordinance amends the 2026 budget to correct budgetary errors, adjust appropriation authority to provide positive estimate ending reserve balances for all city funds, and add budget authority for items missed during the budget development or materialized after the adoption of the 2026 budget.

This ordinance is part of a this series to reconcile funds um reserve balances and reappropriate the budget from previous budget cycles. So some of the expenses that we talked today um that are unavoidable cost, again as mentioned earlier, is the um medical compensation, um the increase in jail housing and home monitoring, which I think is 1.7 million.

And then we are doing a contingent loan to Medic One. So if needed, they have 1.5 million. Usually at the end of the year, things don't reconcile with our payments coming in and what has been spent. So this funding will make sure that the contingent loan is in place um in order to take care of any payments going out before payments come in.

Um the committee moved approval, and I so move. Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Anderson, and a second by Councilmember Williams. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstentions?

Seeing none, that passes 7-0. Wonderful. End of committee and back to Council President. Thank you very much. The next committee meeting we had this morning was Parks and Recreation and that committee is chaired by Councilmember Williams.

So, I will turn to them at this time. Thank you, President Stone. Today we had two items on our agenda. The first item being a Greenways Park Impact Fee annual report. Now, this is in accordance with Bellingham Municipal Municipal Code 2.20040 and Code 19.04.

So, we we received an annual report from the Greenways program summarizing the last year of Greenways Advisory Committee work based on the goals that have been adopted in the 20 uh 2022-26 Greenways Strategic Plan and the Greenways 5 Levy Resolution uh passed in uh 2023.

Um it has been reviewed by the Greenways Advisory Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board before coming to us. So, I'm just going to hit mostly on um some of the program accomplishments in the areas that were outlined in the Greenways Levy um So, so the first area was to to acquire property connecting parks, neighborhoods, open space, and habitat across Bellingham and its urban growth area.

So, last year in 2025, 66 acres were purchased on Samish Crest which completed the full connection of Samish Crest open space from the end of Governor Road north to Racine. Connecting two parts of our city which is in accordance with the Greenways program.

Develop and restoring public parks, open space, trails, and natural environments. That's our second category. The use of Greenways funds included opening the pier at Little Squalicum Park trail design projects at Bear Creek open space connecting Cordata Park to Meridian and construction of the Sunset Pond Loop Trail.

Completing wetland restoration, trail development, and illegal trail decommissioning at 100 Acre Woods. And now 100 Acre Woods is fully uh going with full steam ahead. Category 3, maintaining Greenways open space sites, parks park facilities, and trails.

Greenway funds supported maintenance staff and projects in the Parks Operations Division which in which includes 29 benefited employees in the facilities, grounds, trails, and urban forestry in our Parks Department.

And uh last but not least um an item that was added to the Greenways program in the last Levy was climate resilience. And under climate resilience uh Greenways funds were used to um to enhance the shoreline habitat project at at uh Boulevard Park putting in new LED lighting at Roosevelt Park uh at Bloedel Donovan Park in installing energy efficiency up grades and funding for five benefited employee positions on the stewardship team.

So, that was the Greenways side of our uh presentation. And I just want to add that um as we heard all of these things um it seems to me and I think to the rest of our council, but I'm I'm not speaking for everyone maybe up here, but um that was a good use of our Greenways funds.

So and then they the final part of the uh report was was the year-end park park im- impact fee funds. And [clears throat] um I'm just going to quickly go down this part of this. I'm not going to go into great uh detail again.

But um the park impact fee expenditures totaled um well 4,852,000 and uh and $66.72. But but all of that covered 17 items that were done that were that were projects. Cordata Park Phase 1, Story Story Brook Park Phase 1 um Bloedel Donovan Park dock all alternatives uh developing the Pros Plan in Squalicum Landing just to name a few.

But that covered a total of 17 items. Once again, I think that was a good expenditure of those funds and it helps make our city parks department and our city parks facilities wonderful. So uh this report was for in- formation and discussion, so no action was taken on it.

So, the second item we had was agenda bill 24914 which was an update on the Parks Operations Division and we received a rather thorough report on the status of our Parks Operation Division and some of the work that that they do.

The part I I and I'm just going to cover a couple of things. Uh the mayor outlined some of the um some of this in her remarks. But the the Operations Division in our park manages and maintains 57 community parks 85 miles of trails 5,600 street trees and a variety of leases, licenses, contracts, and other agreements that enhance our our recreation program.

That department is comprised of 58 permanent staff, 16 seasonal staff, and one regular non-benefited position. So some of the things that they mentioned in their uh report. The park trails progress report.

Uh th- they resurfaced 10,560 linear feet of limestone gravel trails. Completed pedestrian bridges, boardwalks, and railing repairs in our parks. Assisted with storm damage repairs in in in- cluding the Little Squalicum pier.

And they maintain several trail corridors built on private development. So once again, their work is is well done. They manage several programs, the Parks Volunteer Program, the Environmental Education Program, Community Collaborations, Community Gardens ecological restoration pet waste outreach and that's just a few.

So we got a rather thorough uh uh presentation about that uh department. And if you and the public would like to get the whole picture of the presentation um it will be on the uh city's website um when that is active.

So, that was also for discussion. And um so no action was uh taken on that. And that was the end of our committee meeting and I'll pass it back to you. Thank you very much. The next committee meeting started this afternoon at 1:00.

That was the Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee and that is chaired by Councilmember Hammel. So, I'll turn it over to them for a report. Uh thank you. Um I was joined this afternoon by Councilmembers Williams and Huffman.

We We one item before us. This was an ordinance regarding ambulances amending Bellingham Municipal Code chapter 6.10 to establish penalties for misuse of the 911 dispatch system to obtain non-emergent lift assistance.

Uh so I'll read the summary statement here and there's some there were some changes. I want to include those two here. Uh so licensed care facilities are required by state law to provide adequate staffing to meet their residents' needs, which implicitly includes the ability to lift and move their residents in non-emergent settings.

The fire department responds, on average, over 230 times per year to licensed care facilities to assist facility staff in lifting or removing a resident who has no emergent medical issues. Approval of this ordinance would allow the fire department to assess a penalty to the care facility where they are called for these non-emergent assists.

These calls put crews out of service and unavailable to respond to emergency calls in their area. This creates a scenario where the emergency callers are now waiting for response from a station uh further away and delays the response.

The ordinance holds care facilities financially responsible when requesting lift assistance in situations where no medical emergency exists and where staff with appropriate training and equipment should be able to manage the lift safely.

This afternoon, Councilmember Williams moved to amend the ordinance uh with the following language under section D, assessment of penalty, the fire chief or designee shall be authorized to issue a $1,000 penalty charge for each incident determined to be a non-emergency lift assist at licensed care facilities.

Uh this afternoon, the committee recommended approval with this uh amendment change and I so move. Second. Motion's been made by Councilmember Hamel and a second by Councilmember Williams. See that we have Chief Hewitt with us.

Yeah, good evening, Council. Just wanted to provide some clarity on a question from this afternoon and that was on the adult family home. Uh the caregivers there are required to have first aid training, CPR training, and a 70-hour basic long long-term care training course in addition to orientation and safety training.

So they they definitely have a broader scope of training. They're not quite the same as a skilled nursing facility, but they do have very specific training in what they're doing there. Thank you for following up on that, Chief.

Okay. Any other discussion? Okay. Seeing none, we have a motion by Councilmember Hamel and a second by Councilmember Williams. All in favor will say I. I. >> I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

Uh end of committee report. The next committee this afternoon was Public Works and Natural Resources. That committee is chaired by Councilmember Lilliquist. So I will turn it over to them at this time.

Thank you, President Stone. Joining me on the committee are Councilmembers uh Anderson and Cotton and we had five action items before our committee today. I'll bring them all forward. The first one is a resolution authorizing the city to apply for and enter into a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Conservation Project Grant for the property acquisition along Squalicum Creek.

Basically, the staff is preparing to apply for this grant for property acquisition along Squalicum Creek. The property would support fish passage improvements and riparian habitat function associated with the crossing at Meridian Street where Squalicum goes underneath Meridian.

Uh Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office requires that the city council resolution authorizing the grant application and it um requires a city council resolution to authorize the grant application and designate authority for administration of the grant.

Basically, we cannot apply for this grant until we pass the resolution. We're hoping to uh we estimate the uh request will be for um a 500,000 or half million dollar project and uh the grant is hoping would if we receive the grant, it would cover approximately half the cost or a quarter million dollars.

This afternoon, the committee recommended approval of the resolution and I so move. Second. Motion from Councilmember Lilliquist and a second by Councilmember Anderson. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I.

I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0. The president has reminded me to speak more slowly for our translator, so I will try. The second item is an interagency agreement adopting a voluntary culvert remediation implementation plan.

The City of Bellingham, along with the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife voluntarily entered into a 2022 memorandum of agreement to cooperatively remediate city-owned fish passage barriers.

Since 2022, these entities have inventoried and prioritized city-owned barriers and created an implementation plan to guide future actions. Staff is recommending the council adopt the new interagency fish barrier remediation project implementation plan memorandum of agreement affirming each entity's commitment to cooperative culvert remediation.

Uh basically, we got together, we that is the experts, over a multi-year process both technical and policy and orientation to inventory all of the passage barriers um whether complete or incomplete passage barriers, agree upon a prioritization prioritization scheme, which took into account the benefits for the fish and to the habitat and the quality both upstream and downstream of the project, and then develop an implementation plan on how to prioritize how to go about doing that.

Um and then set goals and milestones. First the not so good news then the good news. The not so good news is if you add up the top 60 projects alone, that'd be 280 million dollars estimated to do all the remediations.

And even if you look at the top 20, it would still be maybe 100 or 140 million dollars estimated to cost to do that. Um however, with they've broken it down with a prioritization scheme and you'll see that it's actually a very workable project.

There are three major creeks, Squalicum Creek, Whatcom Creek, and Padden Creek that have the highest priority projects on it. And the goal then, rather than to do all of it in 20 years time, is to set a six-year goal to reduce to get rid of 25% of all the block blocked habitat.

So open up 25% of all the habitat that is currently blocked with those prioritized projects, basically starting near or the mouths of all those creeks and moving upwards till you get to a point where there's a natural fish passage barrier and there aren't there only native or local species above that rather than the the anadromous species that that come and go from salt water to fresh water.

Um if you uh look at the plan, it's very detailed, it's very impressive. This afternoon, the committee moved to approve the interagency memorandum of agreement with the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Washington State Fish and Wildlife and I so move.

Second. Motion's been made by Councilmember Lilliquist and a second by Councilmember Cotton. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

I sped up, didn't I? I did. The next one is a contract award for the Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building improvements, project number EF-164. This project would replace the roof, upgrading the heating and ventilation systems, and addressing fluid distribution at the fleet building in the Pacific Operations Center complex.

The city publicly opened eight bids on March 24th of this year and Highline Construction LLC was the responsible bidder who submitted the lowest responsive bid at 808,459 dollars and 37 cents including sales tax.

The engineer's estimate was higher at 1,331,922 dollars. And the project, uh given its uh estimated dollar amount over a million dollars, will include an apprenticeship hour requirement. Um these are some uh pretty basic and important improvements, not just the roof, but the old heating equipment took up far more room, was far less energy efficient.

The uh the the fluid collection systems tended to have spills and leaks. These improvements not only improve their safety and reliability and effectiveness, they have a smaller footprint, so there's actually more workable space, especially ceiling space, uh for lifting up the large um vehicles and working on them.

This afternoon, the committee recommended awarding the bid number 8B-2026 for the Pacific Street Operations Center fleet building improvements, project EF-164, to Highline Construction LLC in the amount of 808,459 dollars and 37 cents and I so move.

Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Lilliquist and a second by Councilmember Anderson. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

The The two items are related. They all have to do with what's known as the rapid transit locally preferred alternative. The first item is a proposal to adopt a resolution adopting that local preferred alternative.

And the second one is an interlocal agreement to work on that alternative with Whatcom Transportation Authority. The rapid transit locally preferred alternative identifies a series of transit improvements along priority corridors designed to improve travel time and operational reliability for Whatcom Transportation Authority's enhanced Go Line bus service.

The treatments include enhancements to city assets including traffic signals, roadways and sidewalks that reduce delays and improve access to bus service. The time savings achieved through these enhancements will reduce overall trip times and allow for additional the addition of more frequent bus service with a target of 10-minute headways.

Basically, if you just start adding more buses, it doesn't actually make for better service. They pile up against each other and they're still stuck in traffic. And so prior to adding more frequent bus service, we want to make improvements and the plan basically outlines where and what those improvements would be so that the buses actually travel through their routes more quickly.

By traveling through the routes more quickly, the buses don't bunch up and therefore you can actually run them closer together. And when that happens and there's only 10 minutes between buses, you never have to look at a schedule again.

Cuz when you show up, you know a bus will be there in 10 minutes or less, on average 5 minutes. So this is what City of Bellingham or I'd Whatcom Transportation Transportation Authority are referring to as bus rapid transit.

So in many other contexts, there's dedicated bus lanes and that's where the buses travel and no one else travels there and that's bus rapid transit. The version in Whatcom County under this plan would be basically these enhancements to the bus service that would allow greater bus frequency.

Once you have that level of bus frequency, now you have an enormous degree of reliability, predictability and and better service. That is the long-term goal. The operational cost to WTA with the increased bus services in the end may be from two to four and a half million dollars when these are instituted.

But perhaps more importantly, this outlined the numerous projects both short-term and long-term to intersections and sidewalks as well as to signage and other things and even the short-term projects add up to 36 million dollars to create all these changes which would need to be in place before it even makes sense to add more bus frequent service.

Um nonetheless, what's really great in my opinion, I'm editorializing about this plan like the covert plan, is it actually breaks it down into exactly which projects and makes it easy to start moving in to our transportation improvement programs, to move into grant applications.

So in other words, it outlines with great priority that there are two jurisdictions, Whatcom Transportation Authority and the City of Bellingham, that have a set plan when we go for funding and when we establish our own funding to create these.

So this gives us the road map to get to this long-term goal. This afternoon, the committee recommended to approve the resolution adopting the rapid transit locally preferred alternative and I so move.

Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Lilliquist and a second by Councilmember Cotton. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

So this next item is related. It is an authorization to enter into a memorandum of understanding between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom Transportation Authority for the implementation and prioritization of the rapid transit locally preferred alternative which I've just described.

But this new document outlines exactly where the focus is of energy and attention will be for Whatcom Transportation Authority and where the focus and attention will be for the City of Bellingham and where there will be an overlap and how we will work together to achieve these goals.

This afternoon, the committee recommended to move to authorize the mayor to enter into the memorandum of understanding with Whatcom Transportation Authority for implementation and prioritization of the rapid transit locally preferred alternative and I so move.

Second. Motion was made by Councilmember Lilliquist and a second by Councilmember Williams. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

And that was the last of our five items. Committee report is ended. Thank you very much, Councilmember Lilliquist. Um the next committee is Community and Economic Development which is chaired by Councilmember Cotton.

Um prior to the start of this item, I just want to mention I'm going to recuse myself for the first agenda item due to my service on the Opportunity Council board as a voting member there. This item includes consideration of some significant allotments to the Opportunity Council as a housing partner.

So in due diligence, I'm going to recuse myself and I will turn this part of the meeting over to Council President Pro Tem Huffman as needed. So I will be back. We need to physically let Councilmember Stone leave the room.

So one moment. Great. So our first item on this committee today was a resolution relating to the adoption of the 2026 action plan, the use of community development block grant, home investment partnership program, Bellingham housing levy and the affordable housing sales tax, the allocation of funds to support selected housing and human services agencies and directing the mayor to submit the 2026 action plan to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

That was just the title. Um so to summarize, the city uses the action plan to budget specific projects and is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Um it includes over 30 million dollars in expenditures including 13 million that is being reappropriated for new or annual projects, programs and administration with the remainder reflecting prior commitments.

Um the committee unanimously adopt recommended adoption and I so move. Second. Motion by the chair, second by Councilmember Williams. Further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions?

Motion passes 6-0-1 recusal. I would certainly recommend watching that recording for more details about some great work and we'll wait for Councilmember Stone to return. Great. Our next item was a presentation on downtown occupancy trends and strategies to address vacancies.

As part of the downtown forward initiative, the city initiated a project to better understand and address commercial vacancies. So this involved calculating the overall ground floor vacancy rate, comparing that against industry standards and then exploring some of the underlying causes.

Um and the report ends by offering a variety of potential strategies as well as an outline of future actions. Um we ran out of time in that committee to really dive in today. So we'll plan on picking that up in a future committee meeting.

But this discussion was for information only and so back to you, Council President Stone. Thank you very much. So the next committee this afternoon was Committee of the Whole. All council members were present this afternoon and we had two items before us.

The first is agenda bill 24910. This is acceptance of a grant from the state and local cybersecurity grant program for cybersecurity projects. The city has been awarded a grant from the state and local cybersecurity grant program administered by the Washington Technology Solutions Team in coordination with the Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department for two cybersecurity enhancement projects.

This reimbursement grant is specifically allocated to two projects. First is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard PCI DSS Gap Assessment and the second is a zero trust network access system. Approval of the grant by the City Council is required before any work eligible for reimbursement can commence.

So we were joined this afternoon by our Information Technology Services Director, Don Birdik, as well as the Cybersecurity Analyst, Joshua Knight. Just wanting to note that the grant total amount is 96,500 dollars with 46,500 dollars allocated to project costs associated with the PCI DSS Gap Assessment and 50,000 dollars allocated to the zero trust network access system.

Information technology services estimates that the total project costs will be equal to the grant amounts for each project. So this afternoon there was a unanimous recommendation to move to approve acceptance of the grant and authorize the mayor to enter into the grant agreement and I so move.

Second. Motion was made by the chair and a second by councilmember Huffman. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any oppose or abstentions? Okay, seeing none that passes 7-0. The next item before the committee this afternoon was agenda bill 24911.

This is an was an update on the central library interior renovations. So the Bellingham public library is moving forward with phase two of the central library interior renovation project. This is an important step in updating the building to meet the needs of today's community.

This revitalization of the nearly 75-year-old library is currently in the design phase. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 this year or early next year and continue through late next year 2027.

The central library continues to remain open regular hours for most of this year um but then there will be a closure while that work is taking place. So staff presented an overview of the project this afternoon.

We were joined by the library director Rebecca Judd and just wanted to note that Christy Van Ness um was also present. Christy serves as a co-chair of the board of trustees for the library here in Bellingham.

Um just a few highlights from the presentation this afternoon that I wanted to um note one encouraging members of the community to go back and watch the presentation if you have specific interest in the project.

Um at this time there are several >> [snorts] >> updates. Um can you want a moment? So one wanting to highlight that here in Bellingham in 2025 we circulated 1.2 million physical items and 600,000 digital items.

So just during that year and for the size of Bellingham that's much higher than other cities our size. In addition um the library here in Bellingham ranked in the top 10 in circulation [clears throat] per capita among public libraries in Washington state and ranked in the top 5% in circulation per capita among public libraries nationally.

So overall the the library is um serving the community well and is certainly a loved resource here. >> [snorts] >> Um wanting to mention that so in phase two this will be renovating the youth services space which is downstairs in the current library um downtown and focused on that particular part of the the library will include you know sprucing up ceiling tiles, carpeting, paint, furniture, lighting, things of that sort um but also also modernizing the children's area in particular with improved sightlines relocating the teen space from upstairs to downstairs in the library um and and providing ADA improvements throughout the library so making sure that the stacks and all of the services there in the library are accessible to those um community members who may be using a wheelchair to um navigate the the space.

There will also be new ground floor restrooms um added. But also um wanting to note that there was discussion about the fact that this will um result in in a closure. So I want to highlight those pieces but first phase two the budget is $8.53 million for this particular phase of the remodel.

$2 million is coming from the state through the library capital improvement program and then $1.03 million is also coming from the state through the local community project grant that the city received during this last um legislative session.

Also $2 million from the city of Bellingham REET so that's the real estate excise tax funding will help um meet the need. Then really wanting to highlight that the update today was that there's currently $2.5 million that has been raised through private funding um in partnership with the Whatcom Community Foundation and the Friends of the Library.

So big shout out to the Friends of the Library and the community and those private donations to help make um this project possible. And with respect to the um closures wanting to note that during that time you know all of the items that are currently in the catalog or available through the library system will still be available during that during that year.

Um to compensate for that there will be temporary expanded space for programming and meetings at the Bellis Fair. So if you've been to the mall and seen the library space there the old Champs um space that's was next door was vacant and so there will be a temporary use of that space during the closure as well as expanded branch hours at Fairhaven, Barkley, and Bellis Fair um to try and help the community navigate um that time during the closure.

So again that will be late this year um early next year and then hoping to have that work um finished up at the end of next year. So this was coming forward for information and discussion only. There was no action needed from the council at this time.

Although there was note that there additional external exterior improvements that the library is hoping to be able to make um in a phase three after this phase is completed and there is a um tentative expectation of some federal funding $850,000 through Congressman Larsen's um office helping to secure that grant funding um and so if that comes forward that announcement will come before the council for formal consideration and acceptance of that grant.

So hopefully we'll receive that news soon. Um otherwise that was all for the committee of the whole and next we have old and new business. Any items for old and new? I have a couple of items for old and new.

So one is as councilmembers may already be aware we received notice of a proposed initiative measure 26-01. This is prohibiting algorithmic price fixing. Um this proposed initiative is being brought forward by Community First Whatcom and as you may be aware from past years when we have initiatives that come forward from the community we end up on somewhat of a tight timeline.

So for this particular initiative I just wanted to highlight that um the ballot title and short description was sent to the auditor's office by the city on March 24th so just this past month um and the petition language was then finalized for signature gathering to begin.

So my understanding is that Community First Whatcom is actively gathering signatures. What happens is that those signatures have to then be submitted submitted to the auditor's office for verification at least 130 calendar days before the general election this year.

So the general election in November will be November 3rd. 130 days prior to that is June 26th. So June 26th would be the deadline for those signatures to all be gathered. Then they're handed over to the auditor's office.

The auditor's office requires at least 30 days to verify those signatures which would then bring us to July 26th if the full 30 days were required. And then the council has to make a decision with respect to that initiative prior to August 4th which is the deadline that the auditor needs to receive direction from council to place that item on the ballot for the general election in November.

Which means we have one meeting on July 27th to review and consider that initiative and to make a decision about the right efficacy of that, whether there are any legal concerns, whether we want to adopt the initiative outright, if we want to defer that to um the voters, if we want to submit a you know parallel initiative that may address any concerns that are raised and often we reach that one meeting and there's not sufficient time for legal review or to assess you know really what wants to be done and so in the end we almost always defer to just sending it to the voters to see what happens.

Um the vote threshold as you may know we changed um that a bit ago and so the vote the threshold for signature gathering um was changed so it's 10% of the total votes cast for the mayor in the last preceding general municipal election.

So the last mayoral election in 2023 there were 31,674 votes cast. So 10% 3,167 signatures required for that initiative to be able to move forward to the ballot. I feel confident that like the Community First Whatcom, all of their, you know, work, the community organizing, and others will be able to secure those those signatures.

Um for that reason then, and because this issue, the algorithmic price fixing, has been raised by Councilmember Lilliquist in the past, it was also a part of our legislative priority list this past legislative session.

There was consideration in Olympia that did not move forward. Um But, for a number of those reasons, what I'm hoping for, and I guess I will make a formal motion, would the motion would be for um the ordinance that was brought forward by Community First Whatcom in connection with proposed initiative measure 26-01 um to be I guess for there to be a request to legal to review that ordinance um and report back to council if there are, you know, any red flags or legal concerns, and to be able to schedule perhaps a council session for us to be able to review that in advance of that one that one day.

So, I know sometimes we're wanting to reserve those resources because we don't know what's going to happen, and so I can understand, you know, sometimes the the delay. Um but, under the circumstances, I would like to get to get ahead of that.

So, I guess the first piece of it would be a motion to request legal review of the ordinance that has been submitted by Community First Whatcom in connection with proposed initiative measure 26-01. So, motion by the chair and a second by Councilmember Lilliquist.

Any discussion or questions about I know that was a lot to No. Okay. Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0. So, in connection with that, because we are in the situation that we're in that I just outlined, we end up in that situation anytime an initiative is brought forward.

There has been a request by the auditor's office to for a potential change because that's actually that timeline is outlined in our own code. So, we are putting ourselves in that position, either by design or inadvertently.

Um And so, I have a subsequent motion or request, which would be for um legal to bring forward proposed language change that would address that the timeline that we're currently up against. Um my understanding is that we could make that, you know, a different number of calendar days counting back from election.

Technically, community members can bring forward an initiative up to a year in advance of the election, but often don't. And so, often it's, you know, pushed later. Um so, we could either change the number of days, or we could set maybe a hard date that as, you know, May 1st or June 1st, or it could be a a hard date.

But, I would I guess defer to legal and their team to come up with some proposed language to address that concern um as well as there are some other potential cleanup items within that section of the code, I believe, that we also allow if there aren't the number of signatures required is not verified, or there are, you know, deficiencies in those signatures, our code does allow for then the signature gatherers to go back and try and, right, remedy that before the the deadline.

But, under the current code, there's really not sufficient time for that to be happening. So, um I have spoken with legal team, and there's some understanding about what the concerns are and what we're trying to address.

And so, this time, the short motion would be to request that legal um review this is Bellingham Municipal Code. It's section 1.02 that um to address the concerns that have been raised by the auditor's office.

Second. Motion by the chair and a second by Councilmember Anderson. Councilmember Lilliquist. Well, I believe in trial and error and improvement. I would just note that we already, a couple years ago, pushed the deadline back 30 days in an attempt to buy ourselves more time, but clearly it didn't really solve the problem.

So, we we we face this same time pressure before. We tried to fix it once, it's worth trying again. Any other discussion? Okay. Seeing none, um all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay.

Seeing none, that passes 7-0. Okay. Um the other item I just wanted to highlight for old and new, we took action this afternoon one of the budget items were what addressed adjustments to the 2026 budget.

Um so, just wanting to highlight that one of those changes impacted our office directly. So, that was with respect to our communications staff member in the council office. So, as you may recall, it was previously um a position, a shared position between the mayor's office and the city council, the assistant communications and community relations director intergovernmental focus.

That's the title of the position. Um David Braun serves in that position currently in the council office. And so, there has been coordination to change that to then be now a full-time council position.

And the title will change slightly um to city council communications and community relations manager to align with the other communications managers that are embedded in other departments throughout the city.

Um so, the idea is that that position will be embedded in the council office to focus specifically on council communications and and engagement. Um so, not only for the council, but for members of public to make sure that that was um known, and that that formal change as far as reporting and title change will be effective May 1st.

So, I wanted to make that announcement this evening so that the public was aware. Um and also to just express appreciation to David Braun and for um his commitment and support to the council office, and looking forward to um to that that relationship and that work continuing.

So, um the final item that I had for old new business was related to our council retreat, which we had last week. Um just wanting to note for the public that there the only action taken during that meeting was with respect to a motion that had previously been made at the beginning of the year during our um reorganization meeting when Councilmember Cotton requested consideration of a change to the public comment time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes.

Um at So, that was originally put out to the council retreat for discussion. In short, at the council retreat, the the motion was then to defer that vote to a time allotted in the future when the public could be present.

That retreat was open to the public, but there weren't members of the public present. Um and that meeting was not recorded due to planned activity um based in small group work as well as limitations to technology at that space.

So, feeling like that discussion should come forward in these chambers, and should be accompanied by um sort of a a suite of engagement options to consider so that it's not being done in isolation. Um so, that will be reported out as part of the minutes from the retreat, but I know that there were some members of the public following that particular item in consideration, and just wanting to to loop everyone in that there was no the action taken was to defer that to a a future time for consideration.

Um and I'm expecting for that to come forward after the council communications work group at our next meeting, working collaboratively with David Braun again to, you know, try and formalize a a suite of options for engagement that could come forward for consideration by the council, and then reconsider that proposed amendment at that time.

So, Okay. Think that's everything I had. Any other items for old and new? Okay. If not, we had executive session this afternoon. There were several items. The first was a potential property acquisition.

This was with Rosenblatt. Staff provided information on potential property acquisition. This was for information and discussion only, and no action was taken. Next, there was a potential litigation matter.

This was with Erb. Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. This was for information and discussion, and there is one action item for consideration. So, at this time, I would entertain a motion to authorize the mayor to execute all documents necessary for the city of Bellingham to participate in the national opioid settlement with the six remnant defendants related to their role in the opioid crisis.

So moved. Motion was made by Councilmember Williams, and a second by Councilmember Hammel. Any discussion? Okay. Seeing none, all in favor will say I. I. Any opposed or abstentions? Okay. Seeing none, that passes 7-0.

And then, we had three additional potential property acquisitions. These were all with Rosenblatt where staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. These were also all in the watershed.

Um that was for information and discussion only at this time, and no action was taken. So, that is the end of the executive session. Next, we have consent agenda. Second. Motion was made by Council member Lilliquist and a second by Council member Huffman.

Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor will say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstentions? Seeing none, that passes 7-0. Now, we have final consideration of ordinances. Agenda bill 24891, an ordinance regarding multimodal transportation impact fees, amending Bellingham Municipal Code chapter 19.06.

Move third and final. Second. Motion was made by Council member Huffman and a second by Council member Cotton. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. Hollie Huthman. Aye. Dan Hamill. Aye. Skip Williams.

>> Aye. Lisa Anderson. Aye. Michael Lilliquist. >> Aye. Jace Cotton. Aye. Hannah Stone. Aye. The motion passes 7-0. And finally, we have agenda bill 24886, 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.

Move third and final. Second. Motion was made by Council member Cotton and a second by Council member Williams. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. Hollie Huthman. Aye. Dan Hamill. Aye. Skip Williams.

Aye. Lisa Anderson. Aye. Michael Lilliquist. [clears throat] Aye. Jace Cotton. Aye. Hannah Stone. Aye. The motion passes 7-0. Thank you very much. So, just another reminder that the next City Council meeting will be Monday, May 11th.

So, that concludes the regular business of the meeting and we will now move to the public comment period. If you are watching live online or on BTV, the broadcast will now end. However, you can continue watching via Zoom at cob.org/cczoom or listen via phone by dialing 253 215-8782 and entering meeting ID 871 and password 9.

Again, that's cob.org/cczoom or dial 253 215-8782 and enter meeting ID 871 and password 9 to continue to watch or listen live. If you're watching a recorded version of this meeting, you can view public comment videos at cob.org/ccpubliccomment.