Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

**Fairhaven Safety Improvements Implementation** The 12th and Finnegan project addresses long-standing pedestrian safety issues in the Fairhaven Urban Village, an area that generates significant community feedback about safety concerns. The improvements target three distinct locations: the intersection of 12th and McKenzie (flashing beacon and pedestrian bump-out), the intersection of 12th, Mill, and Finnegan (new traffic signal), and along Finnegan Way (sidewalk, parallel parking, and another flashing beacon). Council members highlighted specific safety concerns, particularly visibility issues at the Mill Street intersection when vehicles turn left from the uphill approach, and the need for better pedestrian circulation in this busy urban village. The project represents a net loss of two parking spaces overall, converting some private parking lot spaces to metered on-street parallel parking. Construction is expected to have typical construction noise and traffic impacts during daytime hours, though most work elements are designed around the edges of the transportation corridor to minimize disruption. **Nitrogen Reduction Regulatory Framework** The Post Point wastewater treatment plant faces unprecedented regulatory pressure under the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit, which categorizes Bellingham as one of seven "dominant" load dischargers alongside much larger facilities like King County's treatment plants. The permit requires two parallel tracks: optimization of existing processes (already underway since 2022) and evaluation of nitrogen reduction alternatives. The AKART (All Known, Available, and Reasonable Treatment) standa…

**Council Member Michael Lilliquist:** Strongly supported the Fairhaven safety project, noting he had previously advocated for these improvements in the Urban Village plan. Raised detailed technical questions about visibility issues at the Mill Street intersection and parking impacts. On nitrogen reduction, expressed appreciation for the long planning timeline but concern about emerging technologies given past challenges with solids handling. Focused on understanding the chemistry and energy requirements of nitrogen removal processes. **Council Member Lisa Anderson:** Expressed satisfaction with the Fairhaven project addressing long-standing safety concerns, particularly noting Mill Street visibility issues and near-miss incidents she had observed. On nitrogen reduction, explored regional coordination possibilities and whether upstream communities like Lynden and Ferndale face similar requirements. Also raised concerns about potential unintended consequences of reclaimed water options, including PFAS and E. coli contamination…

**Council Member Lilliquist, on infrastructure decisions:** "Most people who run for city council don't do it because they want to oversee utilities. But I think that was one of the first discussions I had with you before you joined the council. Is do you like infrastructure? Because this is some of our biggest decisions are about this." **Council Member Anderson, on Mill Street safety concerns:** "Mill Street has always been a concern of mine, and partially because as we see more development …

**Infrastructure Investment Authorization:** The city committed $1.3 million in construction funding for Fairhaven multimodal safety improvements, representing the largest safety infrastructure investment in the area's recent history. **Nitrogen Reduction Planning Timeline Established:** The committee established a comprehensive 12-month timeline for evaluating nitrogen reduction options, with specific Council and Water Resources Advisory Board touchpoints throughout 2025. **Technology Preference Direction:** Council expressed clear preference for proven technologies over emerging alternatives for nitrogen reduction, given past challenges with innovative solids handling systems. **Regional Coordination Interest:** Council members expressed interest in exploring regional partnerships for nitrogen reduction, though staff clari…

### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on Monday, December 16, 2024, addressing infrastructure improvements in Fairhaven and beginning planning for major wastewater treatment plant upgrades. The committee approved a $1.3 million contract for multimodal safety improvements on 12th Street and Finnegan Way and received an extensive briefing on nitrogen reduction requirements at the Post Point Resource Recovery Plant. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RFB):** Pedestrian-activated warning devices with bright LED lights that flash in a rectangular pattern to alert drivers to crosswalk activity, enhancing pedestrian safety at busy intersections. **Multimodal Safety Improvements:** Transportation infrastructure enhancements designed to accommodate and protect multiple forms of travel including pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles through features like signals, crosswalks, and sidewalks. **Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN):** The dissolved forms of nitrogen (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) in wastewater that are most readily available for algae growth and therefore targeted for removal to protect Puget Sound water quality. **Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit (PSNGP):** A 2022 permit from Washington State Department of Ecology requiring wastewater treatment plants to optimize operations and evaluate nitrogen reduction to address dissolved oxygen problems in Puget Sound. **All Known, Available, and Reasonable Treatment (AKART):** A Washington state environmental standard requiring dischargers to use proven, affordable, and site-appropriate technology to minimize pollution, with "reasonable" defined by individual circumstances. **Post Point Resource Recovery Plant:** Bellingham's primary wastewater treatment facility that processes sewage from the service area before discharging treated water to Bellingham Bay, classified as one of seven "dominant" nitrogen dischargers to Puget Sound. **Apprenticeship Program Requirements:** City regulations mandating that public works projects utilize 15% apprentice labor hours to support workforce development in the skilled trades. **Nitrification/Denitrification:** The two-step biological process for nitrogen removal where bacteria first convert ammonia to nitrate (requiring energy) then convert nitrate to nitrogen gas (requiring carbon), effectively removing nitrogen from wastewater. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair, City Council First Ward | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member,…