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Real Briefings

Bellingham City Council

BEL-CON-2025-03-10 March 10, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting City of Bellingham 58 min
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The Bellingham City Council held a routine but substantive regular meeting on March 10, 2025, processing multiple infrastructure projects, financial updates, and policy discussions amid growing economic uncertainty. The meeting demonstrated efficient governance with all action items passing unanimously, while highlighting both fiscal challenges and continued investment in city infrastructure and services. The most financially significant action was approving $1.98 million for Storybrook Park Phase One and West Maplewood sidewalk improvements, representing the city's continued commitment to parks and transportation infrastructure despite budget pressures. Council also approved a $344,000 warehouse roof replacement at the Pacific Street Operations Center and authorized pursuing federal clean energy tax credits through outside legal counsel at no cost to the city. The Budget and Finance Committee, recently reconvened after being dissolved years ago, delivered concerning news about the city's financial outlook. While revenues remain relatively flat, expenses continue rising, prompting the mayor's office to request 6% budget cuts from department heads, with an additional 3% contingency in case of recession. Council Member Anderson noted that while general fund revenues face pressure, dedicated funds for water, sewer, and roads remain healthy, allowing infrastructure investments to continue. The meeting also featured substantive policy discussions on Lake Whatcom watershed protection and updates to the multifamily tax exemption program. Staff emphasized taking a cautious, data-driven approach to watershed retrofitting, waiting for results from recent program changes before implementing new requirements. The evening concluded with ratification of a two-year collective bargaining agreement with the Bellingham Police Guild, including 4.5% and 3.75% cost-of-living adjustments and new benefit structures.

**AB 24463 - Pacific Street Operations Center Warehouse Re-Roof:** PASSED 7-0. Awarded contract to Queen City Sheet Metal & Roofing, Inc. for $343,997.46. Staff recommended this bid significantly under the engineer's estimate of $618,215.36. The project addresses a failing roof causing water damage. Solar panel installation for the vehicle barn was deferred due to cost constraints but remains a future priority. **AB 24464 - Clean Energy Tax Credits Legal Counsel:** PASSED 7-0. Authorized the mayor to retain Avisen Legal PA to assist with accessing federal clean energy tax credits at no cost to the city. The Washington Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program, supported by the Department of Commerce, connects local governments with specialized law firms under the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. **AB 24468 - Storybrook Park and West Maplewood Sidewalk Improvements:** PASSED 7-0. Awarded contract to Premium Services, Inc. for $1,983,491.62, slightly above the engineer's e…

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**City Financial Outlook and Budget Constraints:** The newly reconvened Budget and Finance Committee received a sobering year-end financial review from Finance Director Andy Asbjornsen. While 2024 revenues remained stable, the city faces continued expense growth outpacing income. Sales tax and business tax revenues are "pretty flat on the curve," according to Council Member Anderson. Mayor Lund has requested 6% budget cuts from department heads, with an additional 3% contingency planning for potential recession. Anderson emphasized that dedicated utility and transportation funds remain healthy, allowing infrastructure investments to continue while protecting local jobs through construction contracts. **Lake Whatcom Watershed Protection Strategy:** Staff presented an update on water quality retrofit programs for private properties in the watershed, emphasizing a cautious approach before implementing new requirements. The city recently increased reimbursement rates from $1.66 to $2.00 per square foot and expanded eligibility to multifamily properties. T…
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**Mayor Kim Lund:** Advocated for safe St. Patrick's Day celebrations, citing 85 DUI arrests since January 1 and announcing increased enforcement for March 17. Highlighted the city's $800,000 investment in the Kulshan Community Land Trust project creating 18 permanently affordable homes in Birchwood. Recognized Marty Gray's 30 years of public service with the city. **Council Member Lisa Anderson:** Emphasized the importance of shopping local during uncertain economic times to support neighborhood jobs and maintain local tax revenue. As Budget and Finance Committee chair, stressed that while general fund faces challenges, dedicated utility funds remain healthy enough to support infrastructure investments that create local employment. **Council Member Hannah Stone (Public Works Committee Chair):** Led discussi…
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**Council Member Lisa Anderson, on economic uncertainty:** "I want to encourage our community that many years ago, a campaign was started by local and it was really about supporting downtown businesses and our small businesses to make sure that not only the jobs but the businesses locally were successful." **Council Member Lisa Anderson, on budget challenges:** "But the mayor's office has been working with departmental staff for a 6% cut, so that we are not dipping too much into our reserves.…
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**March 24, 2025:** City Council regular meeting with public hearing on middle housing interim zoning regulations (BMC 20.28) to permit infill housing citywide in residential areas, including urban village and residential transition areas. **April 2025:** Public hearing and final consideration of revised multifamily tax exemption program ordinance following Committee of the Whole work session. **April 2025:** Construction begins on James Street and Baker View Road roundabout, with completion expected by end of May 2025. **Dec…

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Following this meeting, the city has committed $2.33 million in new infrastructure spending ($1.98 million for Storybrook Park and $344,000 for warehouse roofing) while simultaneously planning for potential budget reductions. The Budget and Finance Committee's reconvening signals a more formal approach to fiscal oversight during economic uncertainty. The city gained access to specialized legal expertise for federal clean energy tax credits at no cost, potentially unlocking federal funding for renewable energy projects. The Police Guild received a ratified two-year contract with cost-of-living adjustments …
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# A Night of Steady Work and Economic Concerns ## Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting - March 10, 2025 The Bellingham City Council convened for their regular meeting on March 10, 2025, in City Hall chambers, with Council President Hollie Huthman presiding over a meeting that blended routine municipal business with growing concerns about the city's financial future. All seven council members were present for a session that would touch on everything from warehouse roofs to police contracts, while the shadow of economic uncertainty loomed over discussions throughout the day. The meeting began with the familiar ritual of acknowledgment and accessibility, as Mayor Kim Lund offered Spanish interpretation and recognized that the gathering took place "on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, and Semiahmoo People who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial." It was a moment of reflection that would contrast with the pragmatic work ahead. ## Mayor's Appointments and Community Recognition Mayor Lund opened with several appointments, quickly securing council approval for Chelsea Bodamer to represent the Barkley neighborhood on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Kelsey Klevenberg to serve on the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board, and Deron Belt to join the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Each appointment passed unanimously, reflecting the noncontroversial nature of civic volunteer positions. But the mayor's most meaningful moment came in her recognition of Marty Gray, who was retiring after 30 years with the city's Public Works department. "Earlier today, we had the chance to hear some expressions of gratitude and reflections on a career from Marty Gray," Lund said. "It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what it means to be in service, especially public service, and what that can mean for both those who serve and the public good that is created." The mayor then turned to upcoming infrastructure projects, noting increased construction on Woburn Street and the planned April start of a roundabout at James and Baker View Road. "Our intention is to improve safety, efficiency and access for all transportation modes, with an accelerated completion expected by the end of May," she explained. Lund also highlighted her recent attendance at the groundbreaking for a Culture and Community Land Trust project in the Birchwood neighborhood—18 permanently affordable homes with nearly $800,000 in city hous…
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### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council held its regular meeting on March 10, 2025, addressing infrastructure, budget concerns, and community development. The council approved several major contracts including a $343,997 warehouse re-roof project and a $1.98 million park and sidewalk improvements project, while also receiving updates on the city's financial position and discussions about housing incentives. ### Key Terms and Concepts **COLA:** Cost of Living Adjustment - an annual increase in wages to account for inflation and rising living costs. **HRA VEBA:** Health Reimbursement Arrangement Voluntary Employee Benefit Association - a tax-advantaged account that helps employees pay for qualified medical expenses. **Multifamily Tax Exemption Program:** A city program offering property tax breaks to developers who build multifamily housing, particularly affordable units. **Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL):** An environmental regulation that sets the maximum amount of pollutants that can enter a water body while still meeting water quality standards. **Lake Whatcom HIP Program:** Home Owner Incentive Program providing financial reimbursement to private property owners for installing stormwater treatment systems in the watershed. **Interim Development Regulations:** Temporary zoning rules put in place while the city develops permanent regulations, often used to control development during planning processes. **Consent Agenda:** A grouping of routine, non-controversial items that can be approved with a single vote to streamline meeting proceedings. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting portion where council discusses sensitive topics like personnel, legal matters, or labor negotiations. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hollie Huffman | Council President | | Kim Lund | Mayor | | Hannah Stone | Council Member, First Ward | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member, Third Ward | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Council Me…
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Budget & Finance Parks & Recreation Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations Bellingham Police Guild Department Of Commerce Kulshan Community Land Trust Premium Services Inc Queen City Sheet Metal Whatcom Conservation District Whatcom Museum Foundation Andy Asbjornsen Daniel Hammill Edwin Williams Hannah Stone Hollie Huthman Jace Cotton Kim Lund Lisa Anderson Marty Gray Michael Lilliquist Affordable Housing Budget Finance Climate Action Infrastructure Investment Lake Whatcom Watershed Parks Recreation Public Safety Transportation Policy