### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council met on Monday, April 27th, 2026, for their regular meeting with all seven members present. The primary focus was receiving the annual State of the Court presentation from Municipal Court officials, along with considering multiple budget amendments and various city business items. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Municipal Court:** A court of limited jurisdiction that handles gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, infractions, and some civil appeals for the City of Bellingham. **Therapeutic Courts:** Specialized courts including Community Court and Wellness Court designed to address underlying issues like substance abuse and mental health problems through supportive services rather than traditional punishment. **SCRAM Bracelet:** A 24/7 alcohol monitoring device attached to an individual's ankle that detects alcohol consumption through sweat analysis. **Warrant Quash:** A court proceeding where individuals with active bench warrants can appear to have them canceled or resolved. **Reappropriation:** Budget process where unused funds from previous years are moved forward to continue authorized projects and programs. **Bench Warrant:** A court order issued when someone fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing, authorizing their arrest. **Judge Pro Tempore:** A temporary or fill-in judge hired to handle specific types of cases when regular judges lack capacity. **FDS (Friendship Diversion Services):** A local company providing jail alternatives like electronic home monitoring and SCRAM bracelets. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Council President | | Kim Lund | Mayor (via Zoom) | | Deborah Lev | Municipal Court Judge | | Nicholas Henry | Municipal Court Judge | | Tammy Bennett | Municipal Court Director | | Lisa Anderson | Councilmember, Budget & Finance Committee Chair | | Michael Lilliquist | Councilmem…