Committee Of The Whole (City Council)
The Bellingham City Council's Committee of the Whole held an extensive meeting focused primarily on Mayor Kim Lund's Executive Order 2024-02, which takes immediate administrative actions to address the city's housing crisis and directs Council to consider three interim ordinances. The executive order represents the most significant housing policy initiative in years, calling for citywide removal of parking minimums, expansion of the infill toolkit, and streamlined design review. The meeting revealed sharp divisions among Council members on parking minimum removal, with Council Member Anderson expressing strong opposition unless tied to affordability requirements. She argued that other cities like New York, San Diego, and Boston successfully link parking reductions to affordable housing mandates, and warned that Bellingham's approach would miss a critical opportunity to create workforce housing. Council Members Lilliquist and Cotton strongly supported the executive order, with Cotton calling it "tremendous leadership" and Lilliquist praising its "professionally impatient" approach to housing production. Beyond housing policy, the Council approved a nearly $1 million state grant for home electrification programs serving low and moderate-income households, demonstrating continued commitment to climate action. They also passed the final 2023-2024 budget amendment, including a controversial $600,000 interfund loan to cover rising workers' compensation costs. The meeting concluded with extensive work sessions on landlord-tenant protection ordinances, where Council directed staff to move forward with simplified "staff versions" of rental fee regulations while adding back enforcement mechanisms. These ordinances aim to prohibit unfair "junk fees" charged by landlords to both residential tenants and manufactured home residents.
**AB 24357 - Home Electrification Grant (PASSED 6-0)** Council approved the Washington State Department of Commerce interagency grant agreement for $999,999 to expand the City's home electrification pilot program. The grant provides up to 100% cost coverage for low and moderate-income households (0-150% AMI) to install heat pumps, induction stoves, and electric vehicle charging equipment. Staff recommended approval; Council followed the recommendation unanimously. **AB 24358 - Budget Amendment No. 16 (PASSED 6-0)** Council passed the final 2023-2024 budget amendment totaling $4,975,000 in expenditures and $3,210,000 in revenue adjustments. Key components include $600,000 interfund loan to the Workers Comp Fund due to higher-than-expected claims, $1 million in Medic One overtime costs, and minor adjustments to Museum, Library, and Legal departments. Staff recommended approval; Council followed the recommendation. **AB 24359 - North Haven Tiny House Project Contract (PASSED 6-0)**…
**December 16, 2024**: Interim parking minimum removal ordinance scheduled for first and second reading at Council meeting. Additional work session on rental protection ordinances also scheduled. **January 2025**: Third and final reading on parking ordinance (if advanced), plus middle housing/infill toolkit ordinance expected in first quarter. **Early 2025**: Design review streamlining ordinance to be developed and presented. *…