City Council - Committee Of The Whole
City Council - Committee Of The Whole
Mon, January 5, 2026
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Meeting summaryAI-generated
Bellingham City Council – Committee of the Whole — January 5, 2026
This was the first meeting of 2026 and served as the annual reorganization session. All seven council members were present. The meeting covered leadership elections, committee assignments, board appointments, the 2026 state legislative agenda, and a brief discussion of public comment policy.
Agenda Item 1: 2026 City Council Reorganization (Bill 24797)
Council President Election
The meeting opened with nominations for Council President. Council Member Lilliquist nominated incumbent Council President Hollie Huthman for a second consecutive term, seconded by Council Member Stone. Discussion was substantive: Lilliquist argued that leadership continuity benefits staff and ongoing initiatives. Williams expressed strong support for Huthman based on her conduct in meetings. Huthman herself said she could "go either way," acknowledged the unusual nature of a second consecutive term, and expressed genuine admiration for other potential leaders — particularly Stone — noting she'd like council members who may not seek reelection to have a chance at the role.
Stone then self-nominated, was seconded, and spoke at length about her reasons: her background as an attorney (relevant to potential conflicts with state and federal authorities, including immigration enforcement), her desire to advance a council communications plan, her involvement in council staff hiring, and her interest in making the Council President Pro Tem role more substantive and formalizing transitions between outgoing and incoming presidents. She also stated she would not seek a second presidential term if she runs for reelection in 2026.
The motion to re-elect Huthman as president failed when no affirmative votes were cast (all members either voted no or abstained, with Huthman declining to vote for herself). Lilliquist then moved to nominate Hannah Stone as Council President.
Vote (Council President): Moved by Lilliquist, seconded. Passed unanimously. Hannah Stone is the new Council President.
Council President Pro Tem and Mayor Pro Tem
Huthman self-nominated as Council President Pro Tem; Anderson seconded. Passed unanimously. Williams self-nominated as Mayor Pro Tem; Hammill seconded. Passed unanimously.
Standing Committee Chair and Membership Assignments
After considerable back-and-forth, the council approved the following committee structure:
Budget & Finance — Chair: Anderson; Members: Hammill, Lilliquist
Community & Economic Development — Chair: Cotton; Members: Huthman, Williams
Parks & Recreation — Chair: Williams; Members: Hammill, Cotton
Planning — Chair: Huthman; Members: Anderson, Lilliquist
Public Health, Safety, Justice & Equity — Chair: Hammill; Members: Williams, Huthman
Public Works & Natural Resources — Chair: Lilliquist; Members: Anderson, Cotton
The planning committee generated extended negotiation, with Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton, Hammill, and Huthman all expressing interest. The matter was resolved through a competitive vote in which Anderson and Lilliquist received the most votes for the two available member seats.
Vote (full committee slate): Moved by Stone, seconded by Hammill. Passed 7–0.
Board, Commission, and External Body Appointments
After a lengthy but good-natured discussion, the council approved appointments to all required external boards and committees. Key assignments include:
Community Development Advisory Board: Lilliquist
EMS Oversight Board: Hammill
Fire Pension Board: Anderson
Greenways Advisory Committee: Williams
Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force: Williams (primary), Huthman (proxy)
Justice Project Finance & Facility Advisory Board: Lilliquist
Justice Project Oversight & Implementation Committee: Hammill
Lake Whatcom Policy Group: Williams, Anderson
Library Board of Trustees (liaison): Hammill
Mount Baker Theater Board: Huthman
Open Space Committee (joint city/county): Huthman, Anderson, Lilliquist (planning committee members)
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: Williams
Police Pension Board: Stone (or Huthman as designee)
Tourism Commission / Eltech: Anderson
Whatcom Communications 911 Admin Board: Hammill
Whatcom Council of Governments – Executive Committee: Lilliquist; Policy Committee: Cotton
Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee: Anderson
Whatcom Museum Foundation Board: Cotton
Whatcom Racial Equity Commission: Williams
Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA): Cotton, Lilliquist
The WTA appointment also drew competitive interest from Williams, Cotton, and Lilliquist. Cotton and Lilliquist received the most votes and were appointed. Williams noted as Mayor Pro Tem he also carries fire and police pension board obligations not listed on the formal assignment sheet.
Lilliquist raised a motion to formally establish a two-person work group consisting of the incoming and outgoing council presidents to create continuity on council communications initiatives. After discussion, the motion passed 5–2 (Anderson and Huthman abstained), with the understanding that the scope would be revisited at a planned council retreat in Q1.
Vote (full external appointments slate): Moved by Stone, seconded by Hammill. Passed 7–0.
Agenda Item 2: 2026 City Legislative Agenda (Bill 24798)
Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller presented the draft 2026 state legislative agenda alongside contract lobbyists Nick Federici and Luke Esser, who joined remotely. The legislative session runs January 13 through approximately March 8 — a 60-day session — with the state facing a significant operating budget deficit. The lobbyists noted that Bellingham's priorities align closely with the Association of Washington Cities' top issues: housing supply, preserving shared revenues, indigent defense costs, and transportation.
The council's legislative priorities as presented include:
Housing and vacant/blighted properties: Tools to address encampments, illegal dumping, and incentives or penalties related to vacant buildings — building on conversations started with other cities in the 2025 session.
Capital funding requests: Renovation of the former federal courthouse for Bellingham Municipal Court; a day shelter facility; preservation of Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) funding for Bellingham Bay cleanup.
Fiscal sustainability and local options: Addressing barriers to implementing the public safety sales tax passed last year; flexibility in use of funds appropriated for a 23-hour crisis center (in coordination with Whatcom County); removing prescriptive LEED requirements from Department of Commerce-funded projects, which are currently diluting Library remodel grant funds.
Transportation and infrastructure: Bridge and road preservation; wastewater regulations protective of Puget Sound; mitigation banking timelines; e-bike and e-scooter enforcement; retail delivery fees; a regional fire training facility.
Healthcare access: Legislative pathways to foster more competition in healthcare markets.
Council members highlighted the vacant buildings provisions and the behavioral health/public safety sales tax implementation as especially high priorities. Anderson noted the document strikes a good balance between funding requests and cost-saving or low-cost legislative asks, and expressed particular interest in a statewide prohibition on rent-setting algorithms. The lobbyists explained that they provide the council's legislative working group (Stone, Cotton, Lilliquist) a weekly Thursday heads-up report on upcoming hearings, with a standing Friday afternoon call, and can facilitate remote testimony with roughly one week's notice in most cases.
Vote: Moved by Lilliquist, seconded by Hammill. Passed 7–0.
Agenda Item 3: Old/New Business — Public Comment Time Limit
Cotton moved to reduce public comment time from three minutes to two minutes per speaker, citing a desire to hear from more diverse community voices and reduce the barrier for people who cannot stay for long meetings. Williams seconded.
Discussion was thoughtful but ultimately consensus pointed toward deferral. Lilliquist noted the change would address one problem (long meetings) but not the deeper issue of who participates. Anderson raised concerns about accessibility — particularly for people not comfortable public speaking, who may need more time — and said she would not support the change without complementary engagement options (such as town halls) already in place. Stone and Huthman both expressed support for the *idea* but wanted it handled as part of a holistic public engagement discussion at the upcoming retreat, not as a standalone change. Williams, despite seconding the motion, agreed it was one piece of a larger puzzle.
Anderson moved to table the motion until the council retreat. Cotton seconded.
Vote (to table): Passed 7–0.
The council will also consider accessibility accommodations (language access, disability accommodations) as part of the broader public engagement discussion at the retreat.
The meeting closed with notice of an executive session covering two litigation matters (Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals) and a potential property acquisition.
Key Takeaways
Hannah Stone elected Council President for 2026, ending an informal tradition of annual rotation after Huthman — who served in 2025 — stepped aside graciously. A work group of Stone and Huthman is formally established to ensure continuity on council communications work.
Hollie Huthman becomes Council President Pro Tem and Skip Williams becomes Mayor Pro Tem, giving Williams additional responsibilities including fire and police pension board representation.
Six standing committees fully staffed with chairs and members after an unusually competitive round of nominations, particularly for the Planning Committee.
2026 state legislative agenda approved unanimously, focusing on housing tools (especially vacant/blighted property), capital funding for the municipal court and a day shelter, Bellingham Bay cleanup preservation, fiscal flexibility, and transportation infrastructure — all during a challenging 60-day session amid a state budget deficit.
Public comment time reduction tabled to the Q1 council retreat, where a broader public engagement strategy — potentially including town halls and improved accessibility — will be discussed holistically.
AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.
What happened at this meeting
Old/New Business
# Old/New Business Summary
Council Member Cotton raised concerns that current public comment periods fail to reach a diverse cross-section of the public, citing barriers for those unable to commit 3+ hours to attend hearings. Cotton proposed exploring alternative engagement forums such as issue-specific town halls or open houses, similar to county models, and moved to reduce public comment time to two minutes per speaker to allow more voices. Multiple council members, including Council Member H, supported this adjustment as part of a broader communication strategy to gather wider public input. Council Member Anderson moved to table the motion for further consideration at an upcoming Q1 retreat, which Cotton seconded and the council passed unanimously. The council acknowledged the need to address accommodations such as language access and disability services within any two-minute comment format.
Council Member Cotton raised concerns that current public comment periods fail to reach a diverse cross-section of the public, citing barriers for those unable to commit 3+ hours to attend hearings. Cotton proposed exploring alternative engagement forums such as issue-specific town halls or open houses, similar to county models, and moved to reduce public comment time to two minutes per speaker to allow more voices. Multiple council members, including Council Member H, supported this adjustment as part of a broader communication strategy to gather wider public input. Council Member Anderson moved to table the motion for further consideration at an upcoming Q1 retreat, which Cotton seconded and the council passed unanimously. The council acknowledged the need to address accommodations such as language access and disability services within any two-minute comment format.
2026 City Council reorganization
# 2026 City Council Reorganization Summary
During the 2026 City Council reorganization meeting, the council elected Hannah Stone as City Council President, Huffman as President Pro Tem, and Williams as Mayor Pro Tem, after discussion regarding whether the presidency should involve consecutive terms or maintain the traditional annual rotation. The council then appointed committee chairs: Anderson (Budget and Finance), Cotton (Community and Economic Development), Williams (Parks and Recreation), Hudson (Planning), Hamill (Public Health, Safety, Justice and Equity), and Loquist (Public Works and Natural Resources). Council members subsequently voted to assign themselves to various standing committees and regional boards, with the council ultimately approving the comprehensive slate of board and committee assignments by unanimous vote, while deferring more detailed discussions about workload and work plans to a future retreat.
During the 2026 City Council reorganization meeting, the council elected Hannah Stone as City Council President, Huffman as President Pro Tem, and Williams as Mayor Pro Tem, after discussion regarding whether the presidency should involve consecutive terms or maintain the traditional annual rotation. The council then appointed committee chairs: Anderson (Budget and Finance), Cotton (Community and Economic Development), Williams (Parks and Recreation), Hudson (Planning), Hamill (Public Health, Safety, Justice and Equity), and Loquist (Public Works and Natural Resources). Council members subsequently voted to assign themselves to various standing committees and regional boards, with the council ultimately approving the comprehensive slate of board and committee assignments by unanimous vote, while deferring more detailed discussions about workload and work plans to a future retreat.
Presentation and discussion of 2026 City legislative agenda
# 2026 City Legislative Agenda Summary
Deputy Administrator Janice Keller introduced the 2026 state legislative agenda with remote presentations from lobbying team members Nick Federici and Luke Esser, outlining a 60-day session (January 13–March 8) that will face a severe state budget deficit while presenting opportunities for policy advancement in housing, revenue, and capital funding—particularly Toxics Control Act cleanups in Bellingham Bay. The agenda, developed by Council Members Liquist, Cotton, and Stone, aligns Bellingham's priorities with statewide goals identified by the Association of Washington Cities, including housing supply, shared revenue preservation, indigent defense, and transportation, with a weekly workgroup meeting schedule planned through the legislative session. Key priorities include vacant buildings and properties incentives, day shelter and municipal court funding, Bellingham Bay cleanup grants, fiscal sustainability options, behavioral health facilities, and a public safety sales tax, with Council Member Hamilton emphasizing alignment with the JPOP and financial plan. Council Member Mary Anderson raised concerns about balancing future funding requests with cost-saving measures and implementation feasibility. The motion to approve, moved by Council Member Liquist and seconded by Council Member Hamilton, passed 7-0.
Deputy Administrator Janice Keller introduced the 2026 state legislative agenda with remote presentations from lobbying team members Nick Federici and Luke Esser, outlining a 60-day session (January 13–March 8) that will face a severe state budget deficit while presenting opportunities for policy advancement in housing, revenue, and capital funding—particularly Toxics Control Act cleanups in Bellingham Bay. The agenda, developed by Council Members Liquist, Cotton, and Stone, aligns Bellingham's priorities with statewide goals identified by the Association of Washington Cities, including housing supply, shared revenue preservation, indigent defense, and transportation, with a weekly workgroup meeting schedule planned through the legislative session. Key priorities include vacant buildings and properties incentives, day shelter and municipal court funding, Bellingham Bay cleanup grants, fiscal sustainability options, behavioral health facilities, and a public safety sales tax, with Council Member Hamilton emphasizing alignment with the JPOP and financial plan. Council Member Mary Anderson raised concerns about balancing future funding requests with cost-saving measures and implementation feasibility. The motion to approve, moved by Council Member Liquist and seconded by Council Member Hamilton, passed 7-0.
Agenda items (3)
Council Business
3Council BusinessOld/New Business
This is an open time for council members to bring up any leftover business from previous meetings or new items that need brief discussion.
What happened
# Old/New Business SummaryCouncil Member Cotton raised concerns that current public comment periods fail to reach a diverse cross-section of the public, citing barriers for those unable to commit 3+ hours to attend hearings. Cotton proposed exploring alternative engagement forums such as issue-specific town halls or open houses, similar to county models, and moved to reduce public comment time to two minutes per speaker to allow more voices. Multiple council members, including Council Member H, supported this adjustment as part of a broader communication strategy to gather wider public input. Council Member Anderson moved to table the motion for further consideration at an upcoming Q1 retreat, which Cotton seconded and the council passed unanimously. The council acknowledged the need to address accommodations such as language access and disability services within any two-minute comment format.
24797Council Business2026 City Council reorganization
City Council will reorganize for 2026, which typically involves selecting council leadership positions like mayor and deputy mayor for the coming year.
What happened
# 2026 City Council Reorganization SummaryDuring the 2026 City Council reorganization meeting, the council elected Hannah Stone as City Council President, Huffman as President Pro Tem, and Williams as Mayor Pro Tem, after discussion regarding whether the presidency should involve consecutive terms or maintain the traditional annual rotation. The council then appointed committee chairs: Anderson (Budget and Finance), Cotton (Community and Economic Development), Williams (Parks and Recreation), Hudson (Planning), Hamill (Public Health, Safety, Justice and Equity), and Loquist (Public Works and Natural Resources). Council members subsequently voted to assign themselves to various standing committees and regional boards, with the council ultimately approving the comprehensive slate of board and committee assignments by unanimous vote, while deferring more detailed discussions about workload and work plans to a future retreat.
24798Council BusinessPresentation and discussion of 2026 City legislative agenda
Council members will hear a presentation about and discuss what legislative priorities and goals the city should focus on during 2026.
What happened
# 2026 City Legislative Agenda SummaryDeputy Administrator Janice Keller introduced the 2026 state legislative agenda with remote presentations from lobbying team members Nick Federici and Luke Esser, outlining a 60-day session (January 13–March 8) that will face a severe state budget deficit while presenting opportunities for policy advancement in housing, revenue, and capital funding—particularly Toxics Control Act cleanups in Bellingham Bay. The agenda, developed by Council Members Liquist, Cotton, and Stone, aligns Bellingham's priorities with statewide goals identified by the Association of Washington Cities, including housing supply, shared revenue preservation, indigent defense, and transportation, with a weekly workgroup meeting schedule planned through the legislative session. Key priorities include vacant buildings and properties incentives, day shelter and municipal court funding, Bellingham Bay cleanup grants, fiscal sustainability options, behavioral health facilities, and a public safety sales tax, with Council Member Hamilton emphasizing alignment with the JPOP and financial plan. Council Member Mary Anderson raised concerns about balancing future funding requests with cost-saving measures and implementation feasibility. The motion to approve, moved by Council Member Liquist and seconded by Council Member Hamilton, passed 7-0.
Additional votes recorded in minutes
Nominate Hollie Huthman for Council President
abstain 7
Daniel Hammillabstain
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsabstain
Hannah Stoneabstain
Hollie Huthmanabstain
Jace Cottonabstain
Lisa Andersonabstain
Michael Lilliquistabstain
Nominate Hannah Stone for Council President
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Nominate Hollie Huthman for Council President Pro Tempore
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Nominate Edwin H. 'Skip' Williams for Mayor Pro Tempore
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Approve committee chair positions
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Nominate Michael Lilliquist as Chair of Planning Committee (failed)
abstain 7
Daniel Hammillabstain
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsabstain
Hannah Stoneabstain
Hollie Huthmanabstain
Jace Cottonabstain
Lisa Andersonabstain
Michael Lilliquistabstain
Approve committee membership
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Recommend approval of 2026 state legislative agenda
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Table motion to modify public comment time
aye 7
Daniel Hammillaye
Edwin H. 'Skip' Williamsaye
Hannah Stoneaye
Hollie Huthmanaye
Jace Cottonaye
Lisa Andersonaye
Michael Lilliquistaye
Verbatim transcript available
334 transcript segments indexed
[music] Oh, sorry. Ready? Okay. Welcome to first meeting of 2026 for the Bellingham City Council. Who need to hold this afternoon? We have two agenda items. I'll note that all council members are present.
City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes January 5, 2026, 1:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Daniel Hammill, Edwin H.
We have two agenda items. The first up is agenda bill 24797, the city council reorganization. At this annual reorganization meeting, the city council will nominate and elect city council officers, appoint city council members to council standing committees, and appoint city council members to boards, task forces, and other committees and work groups.
“Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist and Jace Cotton Call to Order Council President Huthman called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Roll Call Present: Council President Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H.
"Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Council Standing Committee Meetings: Open to the public to attend.
So we don't have any business or comments to start with. We can just get rolling on starting with our uh president prom and mayor prom nominations and council member Hamilton. >> Yeah, I nominate council uh member for council.
Note: there is generally no public comment period for Committee sessions. Standing Committee Members receive reports and information, ask questions and, when appropriate, vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the Regular Meeting.
Okay, we need seconds. We do, I think. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. I'll second. >> Do you want me to speak to the motion? >> Go ahead and speak to the motion. >> I think that um the uh I think that council member Huffman has done an excellent job as president.
The notice of Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice of Special Meetings of the City Council at the times identified as Council Members who are not members of the committee routinely attend and participate in the Committee Meetings.
Um we have a a precedent of having a pre a president for two consecutive terms and council member Stone uh during a very difficult tenure during um co I don't recall if you were president during part of when we came out of co okay it was all during co very challenging but um it I think it shows that it can be done and I think that that leadership continuity is important and that's why I'm nominating council member Her president >> council member >> I appreciate the work that husband Huffman has done but I wasn't really happy with the president to begin with.
Um I will not be supporting the motion but please understand this is not a criticism of council member husband's worker jobs president >> go to the president of two terms >> consecutive terms we we moved it around a lot in the past I think that's been helpful um I had a conversation with one other council member and I liked where they might have taken the the the work of the council office you know I that's all just a preference ever happened.
Committee Chairs give a report of the Committee Meeting at the Regular Meeting in the evening prior to deliberation and formal vote. 24797 1. 2026 City Council reorganization p. 3 COUNCIL OFFICERS Council President: Daniel Hammill / Hannah Stone moved to nominate Hollie Huthman to serve as Council President.
Would you be willing to speak to this? >> I'm very happy to. Yeah. Um, thank you. Uh, thank you for the nomination. Thank you for the comments. Um, I think this is something I've been batting around in my head and uh, with others.
MOTION FAILED 0-0. ABSTAINED: Stone, Huthman, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton Michael Lilliquist / Jace Cotton moved to nominate Hannah Stone to serve as Council President. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
The I think county council does two years if I'm not mistaken. Um, city council has almost exclusively done every other year uh for for council president. I think that there are benefits to two years in a row being the consistency um for staff members in particular and council staff in particular.
Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 January 5, 2026 Council President Huthman turned the gavel over to Council President Stone who chaired the remainder of the meeting. Council President Pro Tempore: Hollie Huthman / Lisa Anderson moved to nominate Hollie Huthman to serve as Council President Pro Tempore.
Um that said, it would be unusual to do two years in a row. Um I do enjoy it. I would accept if that was the will of the council. Um I also think that we have others on this council that are that are um very skilled uh leaders and would like to see them as president as well.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Pro Tempore: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved to nominate Edwin H. "Skip" Williams to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE Council Members discussed the role of standing committees and decided to retain the current committee structure.
Particularly uh [clears throat] would like to see some other folks that might not um potentially run again. um when when re-election is up, I'd like to see those people have a shot at being president if they wanted to do that.
1. Budget and Finance 2. Community and Economic Development 3. Parks and Recreation 4. Planning 5. Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity 6. Public Works and Natural Resources COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Hannah Stone / Daniel Hammill moved to approve the committee chair positions as: Lisa Anderson, Budget and Finance Committee Jace Cotton, Community and Economic Development Committee Edwin H.
"Skip" Williams, Parks and Recreation Committee Hollie Huthman, Planning Committee Daniel Hammill, Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee Michael Lilliquist, Public Works and Natural Resources Committee MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
So, I ultimately I could really go either way and would want to I know this is tough um that there isn't a strong yes or no from me, but um it really is I think that we as a council work best when people are in the roles that work to their strengths.
And so, um, I I want to see that for everybody on the council because we work best that way. And so, if the council feels that that is me um for the next year, I would accept. Um, I also want to contemplate others.
*Note for the record. Council Member Lilliquist was also nominated to serve as Chair of the Planning Committee. All Council Members abstained from voting on his appointment and the motion failed. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to approve the committee membership as: Budget and Finance: 1.
Lisa Anderson (Chair) 2. Dan Hammill Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 January 5, 2026 3. Michael Lilliquist Community and Economic Development: 1. Jace Cotton (Chair) 2. Hollie Huthman 3. Edwin H.
So, council member Stone. So, I second the motion because I would be I mean, supportive of council member Husband continuing to serve. I, you know, have gone back and forth with whether two years in a row is a precedent that we want to set or not.
Um, and have that be a standing, you know, change sort of our operations. Um, I think legally it's still permissible either way, but so I'm supportive of, you know, Council Member Huffman if the again if that was the will of the council.
“Skip” Williams Parks and Recreation: 1. Edwin H. “Skip” Williams (Chair) 2. Jace Cotton 3. Dan Hammill Planning: 1. Hollie Huthman (Chair) 2. Lisa Anderson 3. Michael Lilliquist *Notes for the record.
Similarly, I mean, I would nominate myself to serve as as president in the alternative. Um, and just I don't know if I can speak to the motion without it being seconded or not. Um, >> can I second that?
Council Member Cotton failed to garner enough support for the Planning Committee. Council Member Hammill and Council Member Williams were nominated to serve as members but withdrew. Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity: 1.
Daniel Hammill (Chair) 2. Hollie Huthman 3. Edwin H. “Skip” Williams Public Works and Natural Resources: 1. Michael Lilliquist (Chair) 2. Lisa Anderson 3. Jace Cotton EX-OFFICIO AND OTHER ASSIGNMENTS Community Development Advisory Board: Michael Lilliquist EMS Oversight Board: Daniel Hammill Fire Pension Board: Lisa Anderson was appointed as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
[laughter] >> Okay. Um, so I've gone back and forth about similarly recognizing the work that falls, you know, to the president. Um I think in the year ahead there are a number of pieces of work that are of you know personal importance.
Greenways Advisory Committee: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams Incarceration Prevention Task Force: Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 January 5, 2026 Daniel Hammill Hollie Huthman, Proxy Justice Project Finance & Facility Advisory Board: Michael Lilliquist Justice Project Oversight & Implementation Committee: Daniel Hammill Lake Whatcom Policy Group: Edwin H.
Um thinking about the communications plan that I know we're all supportive of but really wanting to see that move forward. And so having some um you know historical and institutional knowledge at different stages in in that work coming forward thinking about the ongoing tension between potentially our municipality and our state and the federal administration.
"Skip" Williams Lisa Anderson Library Board of Trustees: Daniel Hammill Mt. Baker Theatre Board: Hollie Huthman Open Space Committee - Joint City/County: The following were appointed as members of the Planning Committee, Hollie Huthman Lisa Anderson Michael Lilliquist Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: Edwin H.
I think my position as an attorney and then severing apart, you know, immigration enforcement if that comes to our city limits in a more um impactful way or not, you know, being in the room and in those conversations um in real time wanting to continue the, you know, the lobbying work where I see that there's a lot of, you know, overlap with with the council president position.
So, think about that. um I was involved in the hiring of um council staff but have not had the opportunity to work you know as closely with them. Um so that was another piece that I would look forward to you know the opportunity to um throw on that.
"Skip" Williams was appointed as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Police Pension Board: Hannah Stone was appointed as Council President. Tourism Commission/LTAC: Lisa Anderson was appointed as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
I think there um the other piece that I wanted to mention is that with respect to council leadership, I think there's a lot of value in it not being just a blanket passing of the torch and that we, you know, lose some of that.
WHAT-COMM Communications (911) Admin Board: Daniel Hammill was appointed as Chair of the Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee. Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG): Michael Lilliquist, Executive Committee Jace Cotton, Policy Committee Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee: Lisa Anderson Whatcom Museum Foundation Board: Jace Cotton Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 4 January 5, 2026 Whatcom Racial Equity Commission: Edwin H.
"Skip" Williams Whatcom Transportation Authority: Michael Lilliquist Jace Cotton *Note for the record. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams failed to garner enough support for the WTA board. 24798 2. Presentation and discussion of 2026 City legislative agenda p.
again speaking to the continuity and consistency within our our office. And so one of the things I've been thinking about is you know does it make sense for the council prom you know in some way to be connected and more of a an integral piece to that leadership because I feel like the council prom I mean the president prom has sort of been in name only but if the council president is really active in all of the meetings then that just sort of seems to be a title but without any real duties behind it.
So wanting to utilize that position more. The other piece is thinking about do we have like a past president position or is there some um agreed sort of collaboration with the outgoing president incoming president because otherwise I think if it's not formalized in some way that can put staff as well in an awkward position where it's like okay we were and you can also suffer from sort of whiplash between you know one leader and the next within the council office.
80 Janice Keller, Deputy Administrator, presented a draft summary of the City's 2026 legislative priorities for the state session. City lobbyists Luke Esser, and Nick Federici, provided a preview of the upcoming legislative session.
Council Members discussed the priorities, upcoming legislative session, and asked questions. More information is available at cob.org/state-government-relations. Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the 2026 state legislative agenda.
and so having some more um of a transition you know between those roles or ongoing collaboration. So, I think there's some additional growth and work that we can do um in that respect, but I have not been minimizing at all the work that I know the council president position requires.
Um and so giving a lot of thought to that and whether or not I could commit to that that time and I have come that I I can and I feel confident um in that. Similarly, guess next year would be an election cycle for myself if I run again and I would not, you know, be seeking a second term or, you know, for serving as council president if I was appointed this year um because I don't believe in serving in that role while you're campaigning.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Old/New Business Council Member Cotton reflected upon how Council currently receives public comment and would like to explore additional opportunities for public engagement. Jace Cotton / Edwin H.
So, >> I would like to follow up with you, but I will let you go first. Council member Williams. One of the things that I think about a lot is that whoever gets to be in leadership has to be the right person at the right time to face the challenges that we're going to meet in the upcoming year and in the last year.
"Skip" Williams moved to recommend modifying public comment discussion time from three minutes to two minutes. Lisa Anderson / Jace Cotton moved to table the motion until the City Council retreat. MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED 7-0.
Well, first of all, my sense of of um whoever sat in the president's seat was more along the lines of kind of well, it's your turn as opposed to who would be the best person with the right talents and skills to move the city's agenda forward.
Council moved into Executive Session at 2:47 p.m. to discuss three items until 3:15 p.m. 1. Litigation: Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Matter 2. Litigation: Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Matter 3.
and watching you this last year be president and running for office at the same time. I know that was hard, but um >> recommend it. >> You say what? >> Wouldn't recommend it. >> I wouldn't either. But that being said, watching you and how you conduct yourself in the in the meetings and and the work that you have done, I would totally support you being the next president.
And because our language is silent on terms, our thinking should be based on what I what I just said rather than well, our tradition has been changing every year and and whoever's moving up the ladder gets the next shot at it whether they should be the next one or not.
Um, but I just want to tell you that I totally support you for one more year. thought I would get that out. >> Yeah, I'll take another go. Um, I'm going to support Council Member Stone um as council president.
And my biggest con or my biggest reason I would support myself um in a second term is that consistency piece. And I think that whiplash comment of changing um every year for for the staff, I think that we can better um account for that with smoother transitions.
I think that we can be more intentional about smoother transitions. Um, I think that if if you are president and you will have me being in some of those meetings early on, particularly in the year, so that some some of that historical knowledge can be passed on.
Um, I think that it would have benefited me to have our past health president and some of the meetings that we had um because there's probably information I didn't know that would have been helpful um for those meetings.
And so I think that there are ways that we can work with that to make those transitions a little bit smoother. As a past council president, still having some involvement um as the new year changes over.
Um I think that also personally I really enjoy you as a leader of the council and you got a tough break doing it during COVID um completely virtually during chaotic times. I would really like to see you see how you would lead this council during normalish times.
Um and um so personally for me I I I would appreciate that. Um and so I as much as I really liked being council president, as much as um I enjoyed myself this past year and would do it again, uh I I would really like to pass the torch to you because I admire your work so much.
Oh, council member Lquis. >> So, uh, two things. Um, one with regard to that continuity piece. I've had discussions on that already. I'm prepared to make a motion. I think it's it is really important that we create continuity with the immediate past president.
I think that's an easy uh thing that we can put into effect and I think that would address one of the downsides of the annual rotation. Um, I know that I have started a number of things that have felt like I couldn't carry to completion when I was president.
Um, when I've been president, we haven't a job office job office description for the council president, right? We didn't we didn't have a communications person, right? I' I had intentional things that I started and it felt like when I rotated off, I didn't quite finish them or at least I wasn't the one who carried them across the way that I wanted to do them.
May not I don't get to have my way but I felt like I didn't there's nothing I could do that ended on December 31st and I would have liked some way of creating official continuity which in no way undermine the current presidents.
I think we can do that. So I'm I'm supportive of doing adding that to it. That's that's my piece. just want to thank you for your support behind council member um Stone because that's a good sign of leadership is passing the porch and giving other opportunity.
I also agree that continuity is extremely important and I think the collaboration of a a strong uh handoff is really important so that work that has begun can transition and you can see uh that effort continue on.
Um I do support council member Stone um had excellent leadership during COVID um started the listening sessions because the public was very um discontent of having access during that time. So a lot of us spent a lot of evenings online um our version of the town hall um and I really appreciated the um the creative thinking that went behind trying to meet the public needs.
I too would look forward to seeing what in-person um collaboration is going to look like over the next year. Um I think in times of extreme duress and hardship, the continuity of a second term only makes sense.
Um I don't know if we're here. I've appreciated the leadership and um the service you've provided over the last year. we've done an exceptional job and it does deserve another term, but it it might come in a year or two if still interested and not during a re-election year.
Um because that is a lot to undertake. And I do appreciate the the concept of um looking towards that opportunity for people knowing that should council member Stone decide to run again, next year may not be the right um avenue to serve as president again.
So given that type of consideration, not to say, you know, [clears throat] who knows what's going to happen in a year, um but looking forward to ensuring that um whoever is serving as president will be able to give the full focus and I do believe um council member Stone um will be able to do that if she's looked at her schedule and those and I did appreciate to the availability.
So anyway, thank you for not that a vote has happened, but I really do appreciate um your willingness to support that again shows really strong leadership and um consideration. >> Okay, we have a motion.
Oh, >> just give them the follow-up remarks. Someone will be supporting the motion. >> The first one or the >> the first one? The one that I >> We need to Yeah. >> No, we need to dispose of that one. >> We need to do >> Yeah.
Can we do that? >> You'll have to vote against me. >> Sorry. Wait a minute. >> Myself. I mean, you don't have >> the motion. The motion was to um for the for Huffman to have a second term as president.
Okay. But given the follow-up remarks that were made, >> I'm not going to be supporting that that motion. >> I might suggest that >> to vote against you abstain motion. If we all abstain, it fails. >> No.
>> Can you just an affirmative vote? I'm majority means to pass it. So if we all abstain, it fails. >> I can draw the motion. >> Oh, you can't. Okay. >> Okay. Fair enough. Uh all in favor say I. Any opposed?
Any abstensions? >> All right. Uh council member Lquest. >> Make a motion to nominate Council Hannah Stone as council president. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Seeing none. All in favor say I. I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Welcome, Council President Stone. Take it over. >> Thank you very much. Um, I appreciate the the support and I recognize that Council Member Hudman and I are both the two that would equally right defer to the other and and not be um the biggest egos in the room.
So to have us pitted against each other is a a challenging position. [laughter] >> Nothing personal about that. No. Um okay. So with that we have a couple of other leadership positions to fill. So that it's the president prom and mayor prom position.
So we'll take um president prom first. Any nomination? >> I nominate myself. >> I nominate I second it. Go ahead. >> So, we have a nomination for council member Huffman to serve as president prom and a second from um the first from council member Huffman and a second from council member Anderson.
Any other nomination? Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Any extensions? Member Hudman serving now as president prom >> and for mayor prom >> like to nominate myself. >> Second.
>> We have a nomination for council member Williams. Seconded by council member um Hamill. Any other nominations for mayor promp? [clears throat] Seeing none. All in favor will say I. I. I. >> Any opposed?
Any extensions? Seeing none that passes. So those um votes in place, we will move to committee assignments. Um we've handled this a couple of different ways in past years. Sometimes going through the chair positions first for each committee and then filling in the um respective membership maybe cleanest.
I just want to preliminarily confirm that the existing committees, the six that are listed on page 100 in the packet are the same as what the council is prepared to move forward with this year. Um there are any proposed changes.
I just wanted to note that I'm within the first quarterly sooner rather than later. I would like for the council to have a retreat and one of the things to discuss is sort of how we handle our work through whether those are you know work sessions and committee work um as well as public comment and other those logistical pieces.
Um but for now those committees just wanting to note that climate action committee we'd made this change earlier in the year and that budget and finance right became a committee obviously now we are on an annual budget cycle so I imagine that that that work will continue to be front and center.
Okay, if there are no changes, um, we can go through committees in order, I suppose. So, budget and finance, >> I nominate council member Anderson for chair. >> I'd accept. >> Um, any other nominations for chair of budget and finance?
>> Um, whether to do all of the chairs. Do we need individual votes or can we vote as a slate? >> The chairs first. >> Okay. >> And we could but could we vote for all of the chairs on one slate or do we need to vote on them individually?
>> Could if you had just one person for each chair. >> Okay. Give it a try. [clears throat] >> So we have council member Anderson currently listed as chair for budget and finance community and economic development.
I would self nom second. >> Any other nominations for community and economic development, parks and recreation. So I'll watch hands quickly. Council member >> nominate council member Williams. >> Second.
>> Any other nominations for parks and recreation? um or planning department. >> I nominate uh Michael Quest if we need it. >> Any other nominations for planning? I'll self nominate for that one too. >> Anyone want to um any other nominations for planning for chair?
Get in there. Make it fun. [clears throat and laughter] >> So, this could work out. Just keep going. Just keep going. >> Well, to have a clean slate that we would vote on, I think >> Keep going. Keep going.
[laughter] >> Go the way it goes. >> We'll go back. Public health, safety, justice, and equity. A nomination for that committee. Council Williams. >> Nominate Council Member Hamill. >> Second. Any other nominations for public health safety?
Just the next public works and natural resources. >> Council member Loquist. >> I second. >> So, as long as I'm still on the planning committee, I think that's a a smart shift. >> You're very good at chairing that committee.
>> It's also really a busy committee. Is that the real reason? You're very good. >> Okay. I have been nominated. >> I've heard commentary about yes wanting committees that meet often. So the consistent >> appearance during agenda.
>> Um >> I would suggest we go back and vote on planning committee and then we might have a clean picture. >> Okay. So for the planning committee we have currently two nominations. Council member Liquist and Council Member Huffman.
Either of you want to speak to those nominations. >> I'm going to back out. Okay, fair enough. >> Yeah, I can't. We have vote me out though. I mean, just decide do do it the right way. >> Um Oh, we have a nomination for council member Loquist to serve as dire.
I missed the chair of the planning committee. >> Can we just vote on hers first? Then it be affirmative instead of negative. >> We can abstain. Unless you'll have to. >> Thank you for the courtesy. Vote yes or no.
Um so three options. All in favor say I. All oppose nay. Any abstensions? >> So that nomination fails with the abstensions. Um now we have a full slate. So with the chair of the budget and finance committee being council member Anderson, the chair of community economic development being council member Cotton, chair of parks and recreation, council member Williams, chair of the planning committee being council member Hudson, the chair of the public health, safety, justice and equity committee being council member Hamill and the chair of the public works and natural resources committee being council memberist.
With that I will um move to approve that slate. Second. >> Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, that passes 70. So, we'll go back to the top. And just the reminder that each council member would serve on two committees that were from the committee that you already chair.
So, for budget and finance, we need two um committee members to serve on that. Council member >> Hamilton nominations for budget and finance. >> Well, come on, guys. That's fun. >> We can come back. We can come back.
>> I can do that one. Yeah. >> Next, we have um community and economic development. Two members to serve on that committee with member Council Member Hudson. I'm interested. [snorts] Other nominations for community and economic development.
>> Can we come back? >> We can parks and recreation. Any nominations for parks and recreation? Soon know what everyone's waiting for. We'll come back to that planning committee. So, council member Williams, [clears throat] is there another game?
>> Okay. >> Yeah, you can do this by the way. >> Williams, you sure you don't want Can that make sense? Make it a full It's like >> throw me in. [laughter] So this is one of the um [snorts] I guess one of the examples for why perhaps seven member committees [laughter] um be advantageous where everyone's at the committee meetings.
Um I know in the past most recently we have had attendance by lots of council members at committee meetings. Um personally I think attendance at the committee meetings is helpful because that's when the bulk of the discussion and um presentation happens and so you have that information to reflect on when um when the votes final votes come forward in the evening.
Um but at this time under the current structure of three members so we have council member I'll take them in order if you'all want to speak to the um appointments. So, Council Member Hamill first. >> I'm withdraw um my nomination from planning.
>> Council member Anderson. [clears throat] Um kind of planning and community planning is a passion of mine. I've been involved um from a community member to neighborhood leader to city council for over 20 years.
I have a broad depth of knowledge and I am extremely committed to helping um the planning department clean the slate of a lot of the um agendas that council has proposed over the last five years. Um, one of the things that I've been asking is for a list of all of the work, um, and where we are in that process.
Um, because I think it's really important for us to be able to assist with planning to ensure that the work that has begun over the last few years now that the comp plan has been completed has a chance to come forward and then we can as a council look at new um, legislation.
Some of the things that I'll be interested in bringing forward um once we get some of the work cleared will be areas of um like uh the the rental uh price fixing that happens with some of the algorithm companies.
I've been researching um for the last six months multiple municipalities that have been working on um areas of affordable housing and um being on the planning committee and again once we get some of the work cleared I feel will um be advantageous for some of the work that I want to see happen over the next year and a half of my term as a counselor.
>> Yeah. So I mean planning is what first got me into city council work. I think is what got a lot of us into it. I do a lot of independent reading and discussing and exploring and if it's not planning is planning adjacent or planning related.
You all completely understand that. So all I'm really saying is that I think this is really important work and I think I'm both experienced and knowledgeable and well suited to this work. I think I'd be um a very good productive member on this planning committee and um the work list that Blake outlined for this coming year looks really exciting.
So I'd love to be there. >> Council, >> um well I look forward to a retreat because maybe this should be a candidate for a seven member committee um with its own chair. Um but um I know that yeah land use is the one of the areas where local government is really the one that matters the most and um yeah also excited about our work plan for the next year.
Um but uh I have not been on the planning committee yet. I believe others may have had that opportunity and so I I would look forward to doing that some of that work in committee and talking about a submember committee structure perhaps um because I would agree we've got brilliant talent all around with the nominees and and others.
So um vote for me >> Williams >> I am actually going to with with draw my name because anything I I could get from the planning committee being on it I can get it not being on the committee as well. So long long as we have three people >> and it's a good point to be made as stated previously those meetings are open to the public.
Everyone can attend but all council members as well can be in attendance. Um so this time we have three nominations. We have two slots. So everyone is able to vote twice in the affirmative. We all able to handle that do one after the other.
Okay. Um, so anyone else want to speak to the nominations or that's what I've got. >> No, this is why we should do rank choice voting. [laughter] Any other comments? Okay. Um, so the affirmative, yes, everyone can vote twice in the affirmative.
Okay. Um, so Council Member Anderson, all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. I. >> So that is. >> Those opposed? Hey, we need to do the opposition or only in favor. We're gonna abstain because we're nice. Yeah.
>> I think they just need to do the >> things. >> Okay. Council member Lilloquist. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Council member Cotton. All in favor say I. >> I. Great. >> Did everyone vote twice? >> Mhm.
>> Enter. So that could be 14 >> I only voted for myself >> strategic >> strategic right that's the nose would have told us >> the nose would have pulled us >> no but you get two of votes in the affirmative >> or you can abstain twice >> I suppose >> we're saying once >> okay so if we take those as they are if people opted not to vote twice then that would leave councilor Anderson with four votes with five and cotton with three.
So the top two Anderson and >> council >> a personal privilege. My goal at this point is to take whatever is left at the very end of this. So no one sweat the rest of it in terms of like me vying for anything.
>> Okay. So public health, safety, justice, and equity. We have two slots on that committee. Any nominations? Council Williams. >> Oh no. I'll self nominate. >> I really like that committee, too. If somebody really wants budget and finance, I would I would take public health, safety, justice, but I already said I would take budget.
So, somebody wants to find it out for budget. I I have a chair. Okay. >> And I'll take full move >> under budget. >> Oh, wait. No, you can't. You're You can't because you'd have to give up planning. >> Good point.
>> Just do the next one and >> public works and natural resources. >> I self-nominate yourself. >> So that's Anderson and Cotton. Other council members seeking to serve on public works and natural resources.
>> No. Okay. >> Hold on a minute. [clears throat] So then just going to double check that [clears throat] Anderson is on >> Anna. >> Yeah. >> Who is on who was on planning? >> Holly chairs, myself and Lisa.
That's what I have. >> Yeah, I'll go through >> and who's on public health and safety? >> Well, so we'll go through them in order. So currently, Council Member Anderson is chairing P budget and finance and serving on planning and public works.
Those are her three assignments. Council member Cotton is chairing community and economic development. Um and then serving on public works and natural resources. So there's one seat still be filled by Council Member Cotton.
Then we have Council Member Williams chairing parks and recreation um and serving on public health safety, justice, and equity. So that leaves one additional position for council member Williams. Um the and so in that respect, Williams is already serving on public health, safety, and justice and is chairing parks and wreck.
And the only other open seat at this time is on community economic development. So Council Member Williams, are you >> that that I can do? >> Okay. Then we have council member Huffman chairing the planning committee and serving on the budget and finance committee as well as community and economic development.
So those are the three assignments for council member Huffman. Council member Hamill is chairing public health, safety, justice, and equity and then serving on the budget and finance committee. And so that leaves one more assignment for council member Hamill.
Council member Hamill. Yeah, I'll self nominate for parks and w. >> Okay. >> And we have council member Liilquist chairing public works and natural resources and serving on the planning committee. Um and so we have an opening on public health safety, justice and equity.
Opening on parks and rec >> public health safety and justice and equity if >> so it's you and council member Cotton between the two of you. One of you needs >> parks and one's >> there's an opening on parks and recreation.
>> That would defer to anybody. So, >> and an opening on public health, safety, justice, and equity. >> You want to stay on parks? >> Sure. [clears throat] >> I'll say on parks. >> I would appreciate being on public health.
>> Scott and Council Member Anderson. >> Um, council member um Hman, was it the um public health and safety that you would like to switch to? Yes. Is there William either of you willing to go to budget?
Thank you. >> I would like to go to budget, please. >> Okay. So, Huffman and Liquist are going to switch. >> Yep. >> From what to what? >> Well, thank you, Council Member. Oh, so >> so Holly is going where?
>> She's going to public health safety and justice and council member is going to budget. So, I'm gonna start from the top to read it for a full slate motion hopefully. So, budget and finance committee is chaired by council member Anderson, joined by council members Hamill and Lil.
Community and economic development is chaired by council member Cotton, joined by council members Hutman and Williams. Parks and recreation is chaired by council member Williams, joined by council members Hamill and Cotton.
Planning chaired by council member Hudman, joined by council members Anderson and Lilquist. Public health, safety, justice, and equity chaired by council member Hamill, joined by council members Williams and Huffman.
And public works and natural resources is chaired by council member Liiloquist, joined by council members Anderson and Cotton. I would move approval of the full site. >> So I heard council member Anderson perhaps because she's closest to me, but um so Motioned by the chair and a second by council member Anderson.
All in favor say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Seeing none, that passes. 70. >> All right. Council, >> we're now going to council assignments. So, there's two things I would like to bring up.
One's justformational. Um, in the memo that was sent around by outgoing President Huffman, it forgot to mention that as Mayor Fim, I've been attending the budget. I'm sorry, the >> pension board meeting.
>> So, just that's not listed on here, but I think it should be noted in terms of the workload because that's you normally >> I did it before. >> Are you mayor prom? Who's mayor prot? >> I am now, but when I was mayor pro 10 before >> I was substituting for the mayor.
So, just be aware that Skip already has that workload. And the other thing I wanted to mention is um I'm wondering if the council would appreciate a motion to establish a work group to consist of the current council president and the outgoing president uh to focus on um council communication initiatives.
This is this is an attempt to create a formal way of creating continuity, but then it also then be recognized as the duty that the outgoing president would have in regards to assigning all the rest of the work.
>> I haven't heard >> a second. You mentioned >> Wait a minute. >> Can you clarify the motion? >> Yeah. So I so we have these occasional work groups and the work groups are just two people and and they go do stuff and they're way below quorum and they're not a committee but they're doing work that the council officially endorses and recognizes and one way to officially endorse and recognize.
We're talking about creating a mechanism for continuity so that Holly can carry forward the work and Hannah can do it too. Um, as president and as past president, I thought we should create what we have done in the past, which is two person, two committee member, two council member work groups.
And I wanted to bring that up now because that will also indicate that Holly has this little extra thing on her plate, too. And that'll be important for us to recognize when we're trying to give away activities that Holly's already carrying a little bit of weight and Skip's already carrying a little bit of weight.
>> So, I'm going to speak to that, I guess. for today. Um, one of the things I'm thinking about is the need, as I mentioned previously, for a retreat and whether it's in tandem with that or running parallel.
Another discussion that I'd really like for the council to have um is about the work, right, the workload and work plan for 2026. And so I think that's a work plan when you think about council action, right?
And things that are priorities for council, but looking at that in alignment with what is on the city, right, staff's work plan as well. So I imagine coming out of our comprehensive plan, right, there's a work plan that's quite extensive and spans a number of years.
But if there are things that the council would say, well, these are priorities and we'd like to move those up. I think with communications and other I think about our lobby work, right? I mean, that's not on the list either, but that certainly is an additional assignment.
I think there could be lots of those, and so I'd like to discuss those in a more holistic way rather than start to assign them one off, but that's my >> personal preference, but um I'll leave it to the council council member Hudsman and then Williams.
Um I'm I'm I'm with you. I also think we can defer the formal discussion to a retreat. This is something that'll happen informally I think between the two of us um anyways and so I think that we can carry this work the spirit of that idea into this year before we have a fuller discussion.
So um I I don't necessarily think we need to have it formalized right now. Um we can we can work informally involved with a bigger discussion to be had >> and there may be I mean you mentioned two people I mean there could be someone else on the council that wants to be engaged in that work.
So um but we do have a motion and a second now before us. Um so any other discussion about the motion before we vote? Well, I was I was on the list, but I think basically I concur with what council member Huffman said, which is something like this is going to require a little more deeper discussion and a a retreat format would be today.
So, any other comments from other council members? Okay. Seeing none, I'll call the question on the motion. All in favor will say I >> any opposed. >> No. >> Any abstensions? >> You a no or an abstension?
Con? >> I said no, but I can assume. >> No, it's okay. I just wanted to make sure I had the count right. Um, so that's five. So 052. The abstensions were council Anderson and H. But but the understanding is this will be deferred to a retreat.
>> Yes, absolutely. Yeah. >> Okay. Other items before I mean I think it is council member goes to your point there are lots of those moving pieces that I think are important for council members to think about when we divvy up right this new list of assignments.
know that looking at the list that council member um Huffman had sent out, you know, it is there are some council members caring more than than others. And so if we want to now that with that shorter list reshuffle that one of the proposals I was going to have as we go down this list is you know to not just defer into what has been because I know that this year we already deferred once to just maintain um the positions that were held the previous year and we didn't really get to to revisit that.
And so this time you know there are multiple nominations. I'd encourage that just to to make sure we have um the SUD people in those positions. So any other comments or discussion before we start down the list?
>> Okay, seeing none, I guess we'll take them in alphabetical order. So we are on page 101 of the packet. First is community development advisory board. >> I'll self nominate. Second. >> Any other nominations for community development?
>> Let me just indicate my sadness, but >> Oh, do you want it? >> I've never done it, but I I don't know. Well, >> sure. >> That an okay thing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm just trying to do something new and different before I get old and scenile.
>> Everybody abain. >> Too late. [laughter] >> I think it's an informal nomination. >> Okay. Just pencil in for now. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, you're withdrawing and >> Michael, but you can have it. >> Okay.
>> Anyone else interested in community development? >> The EMS oversight board. >> So, I currently do that work. I'm willing to continue, but I'm I don't need to continue in that work. Uh it largely deals with looking at well actually mostly the finances.
The biggest issue the board's discussed has to do with the long-term finances, the future levy for renewal for the EMS. Um the fact that the county council didn't take its entire capacity but then did.
So that's we don't talk about deployment of EMS rigs. We we that's that's the level we talk at. So if anybody's interested in that, that's what it is. I did have a question about that because the so budget and finance committee members if it is financial in nature Anderson Hamilton and Liloquist serving there I was curious to how much overlap or right shared interest with Watcom communications admin board if that you're saying it >> I'm not so maybe we could have that person speak to what that board does right now >> maybe help our decision I don't know yeah I mean do >> they go together [snorts] >> to some extent Yeah.
Um I mean basically right now we're in the midst of a capital um uh endeavor with a new facility that's would be colllocated on the same property. That's going to thing. We just hired a new co-director.
So our director is um DCORF um who oversees who works with the police department and uh we just um hired a co-director. So there's, you know, ongoing um structural components to making sure that our that response component of our 911 system is up and running.
As far as overlap with um EMS oversight, I don't know what those components would be. >> I think our detentions are less programmatic and yours actually sound more programmatic. >> They can be, but there's also a finance involved with that.
>> Chief Hub. Yeah, I was going to say structurally the EOB and the Waccom admin board what the EOB was structured similarly after what the WCOM admin board was, which was [clears throat] is a group that is supposed to govern how the finances of the EMS levy go and that's supposed to go to the their recommendations go to the county council and the county council is supposed to support those recommendations.
much like the city council supports the WCOM admin board's recommendations. So, um, EOB is, um, a little different in that there's maybe more tension, uh, on different things recently on different parts of it and and how the money has come in and and organized and that, but in theory, they're a similar structure in that it's supposed to be the governing board for that fund with the respective legislative bodies supporting that.
>> Just a question for um CMUS. Uh that's a quarterly meeting for EOP. >> A little more than quarterly. I'm not sure officially what it is. It's uh on a Wednesday. It's Zoom, which has been Zoom. Um is it quarterly, more than quarterly?
>> It's supposed to be. >> Okay. It seems like it was maybe a little more than quarterly. >> WCOM is theoretically quarterly. about three meetings scheduled quickly. >> What I what I'm saying is I've done EOB.
I don't mean to keep doing the EOB, but I continue doing the EOB. >> I'd be happy to take it. The EMS, >> the Minnesota board. Y >> fire pension board is the budget and finance committee chair. Anderson, >> the greenways advisory committee.
>> Well, I've been doing it, but I thought that was connected with being chair of the uh arts and red >> necessarily. No, >> I don't think it's required, but that's been a natural connection in the past.
>> Okay. Well, so another parks member. >> That's what I was thinking. >> So, parks is Williams Hamilton Cotton. >> It's early morning. >> Oh, greenways is in the >> Oh, that's right. It's the parchment >> and there well >> you want to take it >> or we can both take it.
>> Yeah, you take it and I'll come sometimes. Okay. >> No, you take it. I'll come. No. >> That was >> I I will continue the practice of going to both. >> Okay. Council member Williams. um incarceration prevention reduction task force.
>> Um so I'm appointed by the Mock County Council for that as a permanent member. So I'll self nominee I guess. >> Has the proxy been important anytime? >> You just go to every meeting. >> Yeah. And every Yeah.
>> Was the proxy last year? So is the proxy part of the structure where we're supposed to appoint a proxy or was that something >> I'd be we should formally have a proxy >> is nodding. >> Yeah, it's it's better to have the proxy if if for some reason I can't attend a meeting this year.
>> I'm happy to continue. >> I would nominate me. >> Okay. and the justice project finance and facility advisor >> similar I'm actually appointed by the county but we of course proposed me and my name um for continuity sake I think I should continue but I have to >> and so that is for the >> an overseas >> finance and facility advisory board piece but then there's also a justice project oversight and implementation committee member that's different Okay.
So, Lilquist is for the first and then the oversight and implementation committee member >> self-nominated. I can't remember if that's a um >> that's the JPOP. >> No, it's not. >> Yeah, it is. >> The acronym doesn't work out.
>> Well, it's JPOP. [clears throat] >> I just I don't recall if that's a council appointed, but I've been on it for years thus far. So, saw nominated by police. Next we have Lake Watcom Policy Group. So we need two members.
>> I'd like to self-nominate. >> Like to self-nominate. >> Anyone else interested in serving on the Lake Washington policy? >> If not, we have those two positions in Anderson and Williams. The library board of justice council member Williams.
I mean council member Um, I'd go ahead and uh self name for that. Can we back up the lake walking policy? I was thinking some notes here. So, Williams is number one and sir number two. >> Anderson. Sorry about that.
>> Okay. Then we have Hamilton on the library and board of trustees leazison position. And then we have Mount Baker Theater Board. >> I'll self-nominate for that one. >> Is there anyone else interested in that position?
>> You want to take it? You want to give something up? I'd be happy to take that one. >> Okay. >> You've got you've got a lot. But >> you can have a lot if you want a lot. >> Well, he's retired. >> He's retired.
>> No, I'm tired. [laughter] >> But if you're feeling and you we can think of you can wait till the end if you want. But um if you want to give, we can wait till the end if you would like to, but if you want to give something up, I would take I would take that one.
>> But I'm not like gung-ho. I have to have it. >> Not Baker Theater board. >> Yeah. I received the >> Okay. >> Open space committee. This is joint city and county. It's the planning committee members.
So that will be council members Hudson, Anderson, and Liloquist. Then we have the parks and recreation advisory board which is the parks and recreation chair. That's Williams >> police pension board. That's council president alternate.
>> Who was the third one on the open space? >> Open space. It's Huffman Anderson and Lilston as the sitting planning committee members then police pension board um that the stone I can't remember if the wording [clears throat] if it's alternate or designate if the um bias can attend and yeah Whatever that could be happen and then tourism commission.
This is Eltech. It has budget and finance committee chair or designate. So that would be council member Anderson. Although you said you can't attend in the Is that correct? >> What time do they follow?
>> Oh, what time do they meet? I didn't write it down. 3:30 to 5 on Tuesdays. >> That is a tough time because it bumps right into my um DB SAS board of directors meeting >> and I I haven't done that for the past four years.
Um [clears throat] >> is it Tuesday or just once monthly? >> Once a month. >> I do enjoy it, but if somebody else was I have done it for four years, so I would be willing to let somebody else have an opportunity.
I I enjoyed it when I did it years ago, but I think I'm saving my powder. If if it's open, I'd be happy to. I think Well, Wednesdays I've got a EOB is Wednesday. >> Tuesday. >> What time on Tuesdays? >> I don't know.
Maybe it's difficult. >> Since it's part of my role, I'll make it work. I just don't need to step off the de's desk. But >> I'm happy to keep doing it. Anyone else interested in tourism or eltech? >> Which Tuesday is it?
The first, second, third, fourth, >> end of the month. >> I could actually make that work. >> I can take it. >> Then we have Watcom Communications 911 admin board. Um, this is the public health safety justice and equity chair or a separate design delegate.
Council member Hamilton at the Watcom Council of Governments. So again, these are two separate positions. One is the executive committee and one is the policy committee. You need a member for each. >> We pivot back to that because it interacts with um WTA.
I've been a COG member for WTA in one capacity and a COG member for the city in another capacity. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Anyone else interested in the com >> but we can certify. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Which one?
>> Both >> the cogs. >> Which executive committee or policy committee? >> You know, I can't remember. Yes. I >> the lines are pretty way beyond >> I think from the from the city I've been executive committee.
So, and I can't service policy anymore. If I can and pointed by WTA as well, then that's not guaranteed that that will be true. >> We'll look back and then you're up and fall. Watcom County Marine Resources Committee.
>> I currently serve on that committee, but I have a conflict. I also admit it's not in my wheelhouse, but it's very interesting. I was interested. So the V resources committee meets on Thursdays from 5 to 7.
Looks like it's the first Thursday at that time andor interest in the marine resources committee. >> It was previously not filled before I stepped up. So >> I don't think [clears throat] I'm not that's a position that we are required to build US law to build Um my recollection there was a ask from that organization that you will appoint somebody but I not believe we had for several years.
>> Okay. Leave that at the moment and we'll come back to it. Wacom Museum Foundation Board any nominations for that? >> Can I ask a question? The learning resource is it in person or online? >> Um, it's like it's hybrid.
>> It's often just online. They don't >> offer the the choice of hybrid versus online. This here it says alternates between hybrid and strictly remote. >> So it's either >> like remote is always an option it sounds like.
And sometimes every time if you need it. >> So I could take the marine resource because I it's transporting it somewhere by 5:00. That's difficult. But I can turn on a computer at 5 from my other world.
Um if somebody wants to take the museum as I'm getting a walk through by for me. So, somebody wants the museum, I'll take the um morning resource. >> The museum. >> The museum is um >> Wednesdays 3 >> Wednesday at 3:00 usually about an hour, hour and a half and it is hybrid.
So, you do have a choice. >> My Wednesday afternoons are Yobi and COG and one of their meetings. >> You can take the museum board and you'll like the Mr. I believe >> the racial equity commission position >> of selfnominate.
>> We have the WTA self. >> So I saw three fingers. So Cotton, Williams, and Liiloquist. Anyone [clears throat] else interested in the WT? Do you want to some commentary or words in support of those positions?
That's >> I've been beefing up over the last year on transit policy, reading a lot of good books and um watching meetings online and I think it's a really exciting time for WTA and um uh just the intersections with our planning work over the next year.
um place I'd like to be in an unofficial or even better official capacity. So, I appreciate your >> I've I've been on this board now um three years and uh I thought it was only two but three years and um it we're right in the middle of a very important strategic planning process that um I've taken on as a u working with the executive director and so forth and I would like to continue that for one more year.
Locus. >> Yeah, WJ has been doing some really big thinking and strategic planning in addition to some rethinking of the budget. There's actually a a lot more going on at WT than there has been in past years.
Um, in my favor, I would say that the general manager has urged me very strongly to continue that um, he and other people uh, appreciate the role I've been able to play. So I think I bring great value to DEFA um separate from just representing the city but to the organization it know >> if I was not sitting in this position I would be lobbying to be a city on the WTA board.
Um and part of that argument was just going to be about being an actual user of the WTA transit system. Um I don't know if there are other council members who ride the bus with any frequency, but I think it would be great for the board to have some representation of recusers.
So um but I'm not in that position though. Um other comments or questions nominees and this is an annual appointment. I mean we reappoint. It's not like another organization where you're serving a term separately from this appointment.
Okay. Um, okay. So, there are everyone gets there two positions and we have three nominees who will be able to vote twice. I'm going to try that again or um yeah or we can do them. I mean a or all the way.
So, okay. So, we'll start with council member Cotton. >> Hi. [laughter] >> All right. So, council member Cotton. >> Yeah. >> I just want to speak to the nomination. So, Cotton has one um appointment here on this on this list here.
So, I think that that would make sense to support Council Member Cotton or WTA. Second motion. Um, any other comments before me? Okay, so first up, council member Cotton. All in favor say I. >> I opposed.
Any obsession? Council Williams, which way did you vote? Did you vote? Yes. Um, so that is 61. Then um council member Williams. So all in favor say I. >> I. Can I speak to the motion for? >> Um I'd note that Williams has four positions here on this list and that Little Quest has three.
So I'm just trying to like figure out some equity here. So >> okay. >> Also, Mayor Prom, >> correct with the pension board things. >> It's not on the list. That was thing I brought up. That's fire. >> Both fire and police unless the mayor wishes to attend.
>> Oh, I see. I gotcha. >> So that brings Williams to three. >> Are there additional >> additional additional? So as mayor prom, he serves on this. So the pension board has representative from council and representative from the mayor's office mayor.
And so as mayor proim sits >> she could designate me to go to those meetings or periodically go if the mayor wanted to go. >> So I'd be attend six >> four on the list and two promises. >> He's an overachiever.
>> I'm retired. [laughter] >> Okay. So right now we're going to vote. So for council member Williams to serve on the WTA board. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Any abstension? >> So how many abstensions?
[clears throat] >> Six. There are six. Okay. Council member Liquist. Hi. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Can I vote three times? [laughter] >> Um, so all in favor again? >> I oppose any abstensions. >> So that's 61.
Okay. So, Council Member Cotton and [clears throat] Council Member Liquist. Um, [snorts] >> you get those votes. >> All right. So, we are going back to the Watcom Council of Governments where we have the executive committee and the policy committee.
So, council member >> Yeah. So, um, the COG is transportation planning body. It has a city representation on the executive board. Um, and then it also has WTA representation on the policy board. Since you will now be on the WTA board, you could serve in either of those seats like I can see in either of those seats or both of those seats or none of those seats.
That's now an option for you to consider. The thing we aren't in control of is who is the representative from the policy because that decision actually will be made by deputy itself by that board. Um I've been doing it for a while.
Um you and then yeah just what I'm saying. So you we may want to splitse that if you want to get on the you have many ways of getting on the cog board if you want to or you don't have to get on to it at all.
But now there's more relevance for you to be there. Do you think you're a shoe in for the WTA policy swap? [laughter] >> Probably because I think it has to do with other people's work schedules. >> It's a Wednesday thing, by the way, which is I'm jammed up a little bit on the Wednesday.
I don't know how your Wednesdays are. >> So, Council Lopez, are you saying that the policy committee appointment position is actually >> No, no, there there's a there's a WTA policy committee. There's also a city policy committee, and you can't do both.
So what I've always done is I've been the executive committee member because I can't be the policy if I'm policy from WTA. There are three slots here. The one's assigned by the ch and it's not here but that one slot conflicts with the policy committee.
So for example, we could appoint Jason myself to the COG, but whoever is appointed to the policy committee will not be eligible to be WTA's rep. But it makes sense that we're both COG members. It's just the question now is which of us takes executive and which takes policy.
The executive committee tends to um mostly do budget and bylaws and the juicier stuff is in the policy committee but truth is people tend to attend both because there's one's a halfhour meeting and one's like a meeting right after same room same zoom >> link.
The lines of demarcation are very wavy on that because I was not on the executive committee but when Michael couldn't be there and said, "Oh, you're here. You're on the exe." So, >> but there's no direct >> I mean aside from that other position that comes through an appointment from the WTA directly.
These COG members wouldn't have to be associated with the WTA board. >> Request to be the executive committee member because I also want to be WTA's policy committee member. >> Make a motion or self. >> I would nominate myself for executive committee on the cog and council cotton for policy committee.
Representative Cog second both. >> Anyone else have interest in serving on the cog? Two cards are enough for one. Okay. >> So, I will go through this list from the top. >> So, you're here. >> So, for community development advisory board, we have council member Lillquist.
EMS oversight board, Council Member Hamill. Fire Pension Board, Council Member Anderson. Greenways Advisory Committee, Council Member Williams. Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force. Council Member Hamill with the proxy.
Council member Fusman. Justice Project Finance and Facility Advisory Board. Council Member Liiloquist. Justice Project Oversight and Implementation Committee. Council Member Hamill. Lake Watcom Policy Group.
Council Members Williams and Anderson. Library Board of Trustees. Council Member Hamill. Mount Baker Theater Board, Council Member Huffman. Open Space Committee, joint city and county. Those are planning committee members, Huffman, Anderson, and Liiloquist.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, that's the parks and recreation chair, Council Member Williams. Police pension board, that's council president, council member Stone, or um designate the council pro president prom council member Hudman.
Tourism Commission, Eltech, Council Member Anderson as the budget and finance committee chair. Watcom Communications 911 admin board. This is the public health safety justice and equity chair or designate.
Council member Hamill. Watcom Council of Governments. The Executive Committee. Council Member Liquist or Policy Committee. Council Member Cotton. Watcom County Marine Resources Committee is Council Member Anderson.
Watcom Museum Foundation Board, Council Member Cotton, Watcom Racial Equity Commission, Council Member Williams, and Watcom Transportation Authority, Council Members Cotton and Liiloquist. Okay. So with that um that concludes the required assignments to be appointed um reconciled today as part of the reorganization meeting.
any we have another item before us but just for this agenda bill um the reorganization again there are some other items that we will address before later retreat um in the short term so developments >> oh yes so I move to approve the slate as read >> a motion by the chair second by council member Camel all in favor Say I >> any opposed or abstensions.
Seeing none that ask 70. Thank you. Council member Hill. >> Any other items for the reorg? Seeing none, the second item before the committee will go today is agenda 24798. This is a presentation and discussion of the 2026 city legislative agenda.
city's 2026 lobbying team will present a proposed 2026 state legislative agenda for discussion in city council direction. For this item, I'm going to turn to um Janice Keller, deputy administrator and other lobbying team members.
So, we are joined remotely by Nick Federici and Luke Esser. Welcome. So, our lobby team helping us out in Olympia this session. >> First, I'll turn to you. Yeah. Okay. >> So, before I turn it over to Nick and Luke for an introduction introduction to the 2026 legislative session, I just want to apologize for not getting this document to you earlier um than I did.
I mailed it out on Friday afternoon. between holiday travels and being under the weather. I just didn't get it done until Friday afternoon. So, especially for members of the public, I'll screen share it when we start talking about it and you all have copies of it as well and you can submit it Friday afternoon in your email.
Um, we've invited Nick and Luke to do a quick introduction to session and in particular to our proposed legislative agenda for 2026. Go ahead. Whichever one of you is starting us off. >> I think I'm kicking us off.
Uh happy new year to everyone and uh thanks for working with us again this year. Excited to uh uh help you achieve your objectives this year. It's going to be a tough legislative session as it was last year.
Um, this year's a 60-day session from June uh January 13th through I think it's March 8th or thereabouts. Um um to get the legislaturator's business done. Um states facing another severe uh uh operating budget deficit.
Um, Governor Ferguson released uh one plan for his plan for how to um how to balance that budget uh a couple weeks ago and um um legislature will mostly be grappling with that. But in in uh uh despite that um difficulty, there are lots of opportunities to get good policy done as well as to try to obtain funding for particularly capital um funding and to try to protect uh the funding for things like model toxics control act cleanups in Bellingham Bay and elsewhere.
And so, um, despite the fact that it will be, uh, short, um, um, and not particularly sweet, we think that the, uh, the, um, agenda that was put together by your staff is exceptional in in terms of being very much in tune with the, um, a number of items particularly around housing, um, around revenue policy, um, around capital budget that, uh, fit very well with what the legislature is likely to be uh, spending its attention on.
So, um I'm happy to answer questions about the specifics. Um but, um all the items that are on here, I think have um uh positive chance um based on what we've seen and heard from uh the legislative environment and from the governor's office to date.
Luke, anything to add? >> You're muted. Still muted. >> And there and there it is. only the third time today somebody told me I'm I'm I'm still muted. Thank you very much, Nick. Uh >> it's the most commonly uh mentioned phrase of the 2020s.
You're on mute. >> Yes. And the only thing I'll add is that the challenges city of Bellingham are facing are very similar to challenges all over the state. And I'll note that the the top four priorities of the Association of Washington Cities this year are housing supply, uh preserving shared revenues with the cities, uh getting some help with the increase in cost and indigent defense as a result of recent uh case load mandates from the state supreme court and uh further effort in terms of transportation both for new projects and for preservation and maintenance.
So a a session that was full of challenges even before the current uh budget uh challenge was exacerbated at the state level and floods and all of that. So uh pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl plenty of uh plenty of good work to be done.
>> Thank you both so much. I'm just uh screen sharing the document that we've passed out. And um I want to take a moment to thank Nick and Luke for representing us so well um in Olympia. We've gotten great feedback about your work in the past year and look forward to working with you in the months ahead as well.
Um, council, you'll recall that you chose council members Liquist, Cotton, and Stone to participate on the work group that we have formed with the um administration. And we've been meeting roughly every other week during the fall and we will >> [clears throat] >> um start meeting every Friday afternoon um from here on out through the end of session.
This list is not at all intended to be comprehensive or an itemized list of everything that we might support or oppose during session, but rather to describe broad categories that are priorities, especially those things that the city of Bellingham um and the city of Bellingham only can champion on our behalf.
So, while there's many, many items that we care about and other priorities that might not be listed here, um we're relying on our other partners to champion those priorities as well. So, um, this is our curated list that, um, has items on it that we've discussed as a workg group and as a staff team that we now present to the council for approval as we get started with the session.
Um, I'm just going to go through it quickly and I'll ask workg group members to weigh in as well. um as um as is predictable, we've prioritized access to housing for all as a top priority. Along with our work addressing vacant buildings and properties and I'll note in particular um we have a lot of encampment and illegal dumping work that falls into this category as well.
We've identified three priorities for three priority capital needs for funding. Um Bellingham Municipal Court and the renovation of the former federal courthouse to house the court, expanded services and um other services that will serve our downtown well as well as serving the court's needs.
We also have prioritized um day shelter needs on this list and we expect to um pursue this vigorously in 2026. And then just a note about the importance of Bellingham Bay cleanup grants to the city of Bellingham and the and the greater community wanting to make sure that we're weighing in to preserve MCKA funds regardless of state funding shortfalls.
From there we move into a category that's kind of a grabag of fiscal sustainability, flexibility, and local options. Um, as was mentioned, this is also an Association of Washington Cities priority that we'll be watching carefully and includes things like new options and um, updates to refunding um, continuing to address barriers to implementing the public safety sales tax that was put into place during last year's session.
Um, we're joining Watcom County looking for flexibility in use of funds that were appropriated last year for a 23-hour crisis center. Um, we joined the county in wanting to support a more sustainable financial model and uh services that are more in tune with our community's needs.
And then we'd like to um advocate for removing um longstanding prescriptive lead requirements from Department of Commerce funded projects. Um those requirements are significantly diluting our grant funds directed to the Bellingham Public Library remodel.
So, we can talk more about those if needed, but we think we can meet the goals and expectations of lead requirements without um being held to specifics. We have a category of transportation, utility, and other infrastructure needs um that include priority maintenance items for bridge, bridges, and road preservation.
um uh wastewater regulations that are protective of Puget Sound while continuing financial sustainability for rateayers and residents. Um improved regulatory timelines for mitigation banking. Um attention to transportation interests like ebike and ecycle regulations and enforcement of regulations that are already on the books.
retail delivery fees, highway usage fees, and other um transportation interests. And um we'd like to join a regional fire chief's group in supporting planning and funding for a regional fire training facility.
We also added to our list an interest in preserving and expanding access to health care by developing legislative pathways to foster more competition. Um, from there I'll just add that we also will be monitoring the legislative activities of um area partners um including Watcom County, the Port of Bellingham, other government partners, and our tribal um tribal nation neighbors.
We support their priorities where our needs and interests align. And as always, we'll be watching this session closely for things that emerge and we'll add to our lists or pivot where needed as things play out during session.
So, that's our draft document. Um, do workg groupoup members have anything you'd like to add or council members have questions? >> Um, I really appreciate that addressing vacant buildings has been highlighted more than it was last year.
Last year, I think the point was kind of just [clears throat] leading on starting the conversation with other cities in the state and I think we did a great job of that. um being able to to talk about our own experiences in Bellingham with vacant buildings and those challenges and frustrations.
Um and then other cities adding to the conversation of their own frustrations and challenges. Um and so I really appreciate seeing that um there that we can continue to add to that conversation. Um so appreciate that to the group um making that decision.
Sorry, I I'm not tracking. >> I just want to make sure you were displaying that on the screen for anybody. Got it. >> In the universe. >> Any other comments or questions from council council member Hamilton?
>> Yeah, I appreciate the the comments that this is not an exhaustive uh or comprehensive list of living document. We're going to be um evolving over time. I do want to point out the importance of the there's a couple bullet items here under actively support.
They are the the ones that are pursuing to public safety uh sales tax and um the behavioral health facility. Those are really important as we move forward with the um the JPOP and the um the financial plan that Council Member Loquist is a part of.
So I'm pretty sure that that's included um in this document. Um, it's high priority for us. >> Council member >> as a subcommittee member, whatever we call that group, um, I appreciate that the document has evolved and improved.
Um, a few items that weren't there, they're added and I think they were organized. It's an improved or it seemed like a list now. It doesn't seem like a list. Now it actually seems like I can understand where we're going and the the thrust behind them.
So, I like this. I would actually move that we approve the 2026 state legislative agenda. >> Second. >> Have a motion from council member Lquist and a second by council member Hamill. Any other discussion questions?
Council. >> Yes. A question more to uh Dick and to Luke. um knowing how the universe works these days down in Olympia, um do you foresee the val a value in um online or in-person testimony on these bills?
And if so, how will you be working to create a Bellingham presence when that comes up? I think in particular given the advances in use of remote testimony that that's just as valuable as in-person testimony and a lot less arduous for those of you in uh uh in northwest uh Washington.
Um so I think that um particularly on some of the key items that um are here that as um as Miss Keller indicated are things that nobody's going to do if we don't. Um so specific things around the vacant buildings and properties um incentives uh in particular and as somebody said sharing those examples uh from the the city of uh uh Bellingham um when we have capital budget hearings in ways and means and uh house capital budget committee adding our voice to others around um you know preserving the MTKA funding in particular which is going to be a tough uh a tough battle this year as well as uh obtaining additional funding for day shelters and the municipal court needs.
I think those are the things that sort of rise to the top in terms of things that would be most helpful probably for us to have um a voice on um other opportunities. >> What kind of lead time will you have on knowing when you might want a city official to testify remotely?
>> It it depends. Sometimes we know well in advance when what bills are are being heard. Usually we find out the Wednesday before the the week of uh of hearings. um when those hearings are going to be and can share that with uh you all immediately and then um we also have a meeting with that uh that subgroup of the of the council and staff um every Friday afternoon where um if that message hasn't gone through or we're just finding out what's happening the following week that we're able to share that directly with you all.
And and just as a reminder on on Thursday night, we provide a a heads up report on all of the public hearings of interest for the following week, which uh folks at the city have a chance to review Friday morning before our weekly conversation at at two.
So hopefully we're we're providing that early warning system at the very least the week before uh any public hearings. As Nick said, in some instances, we can get a heads up from a committee chair on an issue we've been working closely on, even even more than that.
But hopefully at least the week before, we'll be able to uh to make sure it's not sprung on on no notice whatsoever. And just to jump on Luke's remarks, uh, when we receive that from usually from Luke and sometimes it's late Thursday night between Iris and I, we distribute that as soon as we can get to it to the working group and others.
So, we're trying to go as fast as we can to get information people's hands so we can act on it. >> Mary Anderson, >> thank you. I just want to say that um I appreciate the slate because we all know budgets are going to be just a huge impact in Olympia and we have a nice balance of things here where we're making requests um for future funding um but also we're looking at items that can save the city money and then hopefully things that aren't going to be cost prohibitive on a legislative side in Olympia to fund because as we know the bigger tickets that cost a lot of money to implement um might get sidelined.
So um one of the things that I really hope come out of this will be the um pro prohibition of rent setting algorithms. Um I'd like to see that at a state level than having to enact that at a municipal level and then also the um the the blighted property um giving us more tools of what we can do um with property that is being laid vacant.
um some kind of incentivizing um for development because we need the development and secondly it it costs the city money and in different um formats when you have property that is blighted and becoming issues.
Um I live next to one of them and I can only imagine how much the city is spending responding to complaints to the property over the last 10 years. Um so that should be a cost shared on those property owners.
Um, so I'm looking forward to hopefully some tools that come out of that other questions or comments. We have a motion before us by Council Member Liquist, seconded by Council Member Hamill, and that's to move approval of the 2026 state legislative agenda.
Again, this is the draft that was um distributed by Deputy Keller. There are no further items specifically related to this, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed or extensions?
Seeing none, that passes 70. Um, and Luke and Nick, I hope you had a very restful um holidays because I know that the Yeah. the session is upon us and that things are going to move quickly in this short session.
So, look forward to working with you both. >> The chaos is about >> same as the for the storm. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> Did you have anything further? Nope. Thank you so much for joining us, Nick. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks for being here. >> Thanks for having us. >> Good afternoon. >> Okay, there's nothing further on this item. Um, next we have old new business. >> Any items for old new business? Council member Cotton?
>> Yeah. Um and we can certainly pick up this conversation at a retreat, but um I have been reflecting on our public comment periods and um the tendency to not hear necessarily from a very diverse representative sample of the public and sometimes hearing from the same individuals across three or four public hearings and public comment periods.
um and thinking about especially late into the night um the barrier that that poses to people who don't have 3 hours of their time um to give up. Um so I would like to explore in the future some more um perhaps welcoming and like meaningful forums for public engagement either you know issue specific town halls or open houses.
I've seen the county do some of that. Um but um in order to make um public comment more functional and um hopefully also uh more consistently meaningful. Um I will move to allow public comments up to two minutes and that would involve amending our um uh council uh >> rules procedure >> rules and procedure.
>> Um and so happy to speak to that motion more, but I'll wait a second. Second. >> We have a motion by Council Member Cotton and a second by Council Member Williams. Again, the motion is to change the allotted time during public comment from 3 to 2 minutes.
Council Lquist, >> so you outlined several shortfalls of public comment. Um the time that occurs at night potentially having to do with just whether or not we're getting uh all the voices heard because they don't show up, don't know, or aren't invited.
um and maybe hearing some voices more than others. Um and the two minutes versus three minutes doesn't address any of those, but it potentially addresses the one issue when we have a very packed night and then people we can go through more hear more feedback without everyone being exhausted.
So it addresses am I correct in saying it addresses that one problem but the others aren't addressed by this and would need to be maybe looked at at the retreat as you say? >> Yes, I think it's a Can I direct you?
Um y >> um I I think it's a a a measure that would make some short-term improvements to the function of of our public comment periods. Um and also that I mean I don't think there's any um defense of three minutes.
You couldn't apply to five minutes or 10 minutes. I think we are we're we have traditionally went with three minutes because that's what we went went um to. And I think that the um there's uh people will fill the time and and um what [clears throat] whatever time they're allotted most the time and so I think incentivizing conciseness and um I care less about our time um because we're paid to be there but for the members of public who are waiting to address the council I think um [clears throat] having an opportunity to hear from more people in those public comment um periods is part of my intent.
Anderson, >> I'm going to abstain because I would like to see what other type of methodologies we might be extending like town halls or other things that would give more opportunity for people to speak because the the three minutes um I look at it with a lens of someone who works in education and knowing public speaking, not everyone is very comfortable getting up to the mic.
Not everyone gets into a flow of speaking right away. We do have people who are very good and they're very practiced and they can get a lot of content in. But I think about the kind of accommodations of individuals who aren't comfortable, who might not have their thoughts collected and ready to go.
Two minutes will evaporate very quickly. And I feel that for some members of our community, um, because I work in testing, so I know what time implementation does with people's mental process and knowing you have two minutes to try to get something out that's important to you is not sustainable for some people to be able to communicate.
So I worry about those voices that we might potentially shut down. Now, if we have another venue that's on a quarterly basis where people can come forward and have an opportunity to speak, then I would have no opposition to the two minutes.
But until we have something else in place, I just hesitate squeezing or funneling that time down in regards of my concern for those people who are not comfortable speaking. I I do think the um the unintended consequences would be shutting down some of those people we don't hear from often that we want to be able to give the opportunity.
I think the impact might be too great. I'd like to know um we have something else in place to um to give that opportunity and until then I'm not comfortable voting for it. >> Guess I would speak for that.
I would similar to I guess council member Liiloquist's um earlier motion with respect to you know a communications work group is that this is something I'm actually supportive of the two minutes um I think during the town halls that two minutes is sort of a sweet spot you think about in Olympia and how um sometimes you get even less time than that those you coming off the campaign trail you know get even shorter amounts of time but I would like to have this um discussed more thoroughly and brought forward as part of I think what council member Anderson was getting at more of a holistic approach to public comment and public engagement and what that looks like because I feel like this would feel much like a one-off where it's taking away versus I mean you articulated some of the reasons why maybe it would benefit um other members of the public who are waiting to speak um but otherwise I feel like the perception would be that it's you know taking away and then the notice and roll out of that change I would want to be handled you know tactfully so um personally I would be voting no against the motion and but wanting that to be a a really fundamental part of that discussion at the retreat because I think there's a lot that we could do with public comment or that public engagement um that would benefit as you're saying members of the public as much as as us.
So that that's a fruitful opportunity. Council member Williams. And then >> all right. >> Even though I second seconded the motion, I think that this is just one piece of a bigger issue. And the bigger issue is how do we communicate with our public as a whole of which public comment is just a piece of it.
Um I happen to believe that no matter what the time limit is, people get used to what it is. And uh so I would defer any discussion on this until we we have a retreat with a larger uh uh perspective on our I'm I'm I mean I remember I think when you were president last we did some um I think it was three or four you know uh uh what did you call them?
Open houses or >> town halls. uh town hall meetings and um although I do support the concept but I think it's just one piece of a bigger puzzle that's all >> I support the idea of going to two minutes I agree that I think that it should be part of a bigger conversation particularly just because of the way that we roll it out I think it would be helpful if it's understood that it was part of a bigger Council member H.
>> Yeah, I too support the um the adjustment time. I think that that makes sense to me. Um and I think that you articulated very well when it comes to getting more voices at the podium to so we can get a broader sense of what the public's thinking, but it is one of many.
It's been has been brought up by several council members here today of ways of interacting with the city and with the council. Um so it is a um kind of a mosaic of different ways of communication. Um my question I guess to the chair or to the um to the president is when do we anticipate that uh retreat um happenings at quarter one?
>> Yeah. I mean I definitely want it within quarter one but sooner rather than later. >> Yeah. So plan to check with staff and um administration about timing as well as council members. But yeah, in the short term council member >> question to maybe Allan.
Um if we were to move to table this motion, would we move to table to the retreat or to the meeting following the retreat? What would be the right motion for somebody? >> Either the retreat will be official meeting where we can >> dig that would be a meeting.
We'd have to be special maybe. Could you just do you >> um what is the impact similar to council member Liquoquist's motion earlier if there are just abstensions and so therefore it it fails it can be brought forward again in the future >> right it's a >> well I mean >> well that would be the reconsideration technically involves someone on the prevailing side >> yeah someone >> yeah but there wouldn't be a prevailing If that was the case, motion to table is a good idea because one of the things that does is it it creates a future time that's supposed to exist which motivates the creating of that future time.
So, but we have a current motion. So, someone else would make a mo or yourself a motion to table. >> Council member Andrew [laughter] in your blind spot. I I I move to table um until our uh for consideration during our retreat.
Second. >> So we have a motion table from Council Member Anderson, a second by Council Member Cotton. Nothing further. >> And it was a motion to table until the retreat. >> Right. >> Discussion. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor will say I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstensions? Seeing none, that passes 70. Add that to the list. >> Thank you very much. Any other items for old and new? Okay. Um and just in closing on that point, one of the things council member Anderson mentioned was the accommodation when some people write two minutes.
Whether those are, you know, language or other um accommodations that are needed. I think being able to set up platform too that allows and welcomes you know those accommodations when they're needed would be helpful.
>> Doesn't our current process have those things built in >> the language that contain for disability >> specifically for language at a set disability not which would be good for consideration. >> Council member H.
>> I thought we did under um accessibility for remote >> yeah for remote access. >> Yeah. For those that are unable to attend in in person, there was I recall being some reducing length >> but as far as the time if they needed.
>> Oh, I see if it was shortened to two minutes. >> But thank you for bringing that forward. >> Any other items for old Indian? >> Seeing none, we do have executive session. Um we have three items before us during executive.
So first is a litigation matter, board of industrial insurance appeals matter. This is with Chaplain for approximately 10 minutes. Litigation matter board of industrial insurance appeals matter with Chaplain approximately 10 minutes.
And then the third item is a potential property acquisition with stamps for approximately 5 minutes. Um so be looking at approximately 10 after um the quarter after 3:15. Um I will I guess return to this room to adjourn at 3:15.