Bellingham City Council

The reorganization process dominated policy discussion, with Council members discussing the structure of committee assignments and board representations. Council President Stone noted intentions to create alternative reporting mechanisms for council members serving on various boards and commissions, moving beyond traditional "Old and New Business" updates to ensure better information sharing. The 2026 legislative agenda discussion, while brief, highlighted the city's strategic priorities for state advocacy. Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller and the city's lobbying team presented items categorized by those unique to Bellingham versus collaborative regional efforts. Capital funding priorities include renovating the former federal courthouse for municipal court use, supporting day shelter facilities for unsheltered populations, and preserving Model …

**Mayor Kimberley Lund** emphasized transparency and community engagement initiatives for 2026, announcing the agenda improvement project, state-of-the-city video format, and expanded town hall meetings. She congratulated new Council leadership and thanked outgoing President Huthman for her service. **Council President Hannah Stone** expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead and indicated interest in improving council member reporting on board and commission assignments beyond traditional meeting formats. **Council Member Michael Lilliquist** provided context during the property acquisition discussion, explain…

**Mayor Kimberley Lund, on transparency improvements:** "We have also modernized the agenda templates and we are increasing attention to the written materials presented with the agenda. These steps and others are meant to improve readability to provide more complete information to increase our accuracy and our consistency." **Mayor Lund, on community engagement:** "Over the last two years, the city's entire departmental leadership team and I have held two open invitation opportunities …

**Leadership Structure:** Hannah Stone now serves as Council President, replacing Hollie Huthman who moves to President Pro Tempore role. New committee chair assignments redistribute policy oversight areas. **Legislative Priorities:** City adopted formal 2026 state legislative agenda emphasizing capital funding requests, housing policy, and environmental protection priorities. **Financial Commitments:** Council authorized up to $19 million in new bond debt for 911 dispatch facil…

## Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council met on January 5, 2026, for their first regular meeting of the year, combining their annual reorganization with regular business. The main focus was reorganizing council leadership and committee assignments for 2026, approving the state legislative agenda, and conducting routine city business. ## Key Terms and Concepts **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all seven council members participate together to discuss items before they come to the regular evening meeting for formal votes. **Mayor Pro Tempore:** A council member who serves as acting mayor when the mayor is unavailable. This is an annual appointment made during reorganization. **Council President:** The council member elected annually by their peers to run meetings and provide leadership. For 2026, Hannah Stone was elected to this role. **Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition Program:** A city program funded by water customer surcharges that purchases land around Lake Whatcom to protect the city's drinking water source. **Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds:** A type of municipal borrowing backed by the city's ability to levy property taxes, used here to finance a 911 dispatch facility and refinance older debt. **State Legislative Agenda:** The city's annual priorities and positions for the Washington State legislative session, covering issues like housing, transportation, and municipal funding. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting where the council discusses confidential matters like litigation or property acquisitions before making decisions in public. **Consent Agenda:** Routine, non-controversial items grouped together for a single vote to streamline meetings. ## Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Newly elected Council President, Ward 1 | | Hollie Huthman | Outgoing Council President, Ward 2, new President Pro Tempore | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member, Ward 3 | | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Council Member, Ward 4, Mayor Pro Tempore | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member, Ward 5 | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member, Ward 6 | | Jace Cotton | At-Large Council Member | | Kimberley Lund | Mayor | | Christina Byrne | Reappointed to Sexual and Domestic Violence Commission | | Amy Navarro | Appointed to Community Development Advisory Board | ## Background Context This meeting represents the annual "fresh start" for Bellingham's city government. Every January, the c…