Bellingham City Council

The April 28th Bellingham City Council meeting was a business-focused session centered on infrastructure investments, grant acceptances, and budget reconciliation. With Mayor Kimberley Lund absent, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Lilliquist presided over the mayor's report. The meeting processed nine action items, all passing unanimously 7-0, demonstrating Council alignment on the evening's agenda. The most significant financial decision was the approval of a $3.7 million contract for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail Project, which will create critical trail connections linking three neighborhoods to regional trail systems and park destinations. This project, coming in under the engineer's estimate, represents a major investment in Bellingham's recreation infrastructure with completion expected by February 2027. Council also accepted nearly $2 million in grant funding across two major infrastructure projects: $970,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the new WhatComm 911 Dispatch Center Building and $950,000 from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for James Street multimodal improvements. These grants demonstrate successful state partnerships to advance critical public safety and transportation infrastructure. Three budget ordinances passed, reconciling 2025 beginning reserve balances, reappropriating $104 million in unused budget authority from the previous biennium, and making technical corrections to the 2025 budget. These administrative actions ensure proper financial management and budget authority alignment. The meeting concluded with an extended public comment period featuring 51 speakers, indicating significant community engagement on issues not detailed in the available source documents.

**AB 24517: WhatComm 911 Dispatch Center Grant Acceptance** - **Action:** Approved 7-0 - **Amount:** $970,000 from Washington State Department of Commerce - **Project:** New 8,000 square foot dispatch center building (EF-183) - **Timeline:** Bid in fall 2025, completion December 2026 - **Total Project Cost:** $12 million (increased from original $8.5 million estimate) **AB 24518: James Street Multimodal Grant Acceptance** - **Action:** Approved 7-0 - **Amount:** $950,000 from Washington State Transportation Improvement Board - **Project:** James Street multimodal improvements segments 3 and 4 (ES565) - **Scope:** Multi-use path from Telegraph Road to King Avenue, bike lanes and sidewalks to Gooding Avenue **AB 24527: Federal Building Re-Roof Bid Rejection** - **Action:** Rejected all bids 7-0 - **Issue:** Lowest bid of $533,010 significantly exceeded engineer's estimate of $323,833 - **Next Steps:** Project will be rebid with adjusted scope and budget **AB 24529: Alley Grading Equipment Contract Award** - **Action:** Awarded to J. Ritter Dirt and Asphalt 7-0 - **Amount:** $42,250 (three-year IDIQ contract, not to exceed $375,000) - **Scope:** Annual alley grading equipment rental and services **AB 24528: Sunset Pond Loop Trail Contract Award** - **Action:** Awarded to Faber Construction 7-0 - **Amount:** $3,730,404 (under engineer's estimate of $4,421,115) - **Timeline:** Begin June 2025, completion February 2027 - **Features:** Trail extension, boardwalk, two new bridges, complete loop around Sunset Pond **AB 24511, 24512, 24513: Budget Ordinances** - **All three passed 7-0** - **AB 24512 Amendment:** Corrected revenue figure to $10,131,421 - **Total Reappropriation:** $104 million in expenses, $10 million in revenue from 2023-2024 biennium **AB 24521: Waterfront District Interlocal Agreement Modification** - **Action:** Approved 7-0 - **Purpose:** Enable development of skatepark under Roeder Avenue Bridge - **Parties:** City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham **Consent Agenda (AB 24522-24526)** - **Action:** Approved 7-0 - **Items:** A/P transactions, payroll authorizations, meeting minutes, DNR interlocal agreement

**Michael Lilliquist, on International Workers Memorial Day:** "Today is International Workers Memorial Day. And it's at that event, I read a proclamation, which mentioned the theme for Workers Memorial Day, which is mourn for the dead in Fight for the Living. Famous quote from Mother Jones." **Hannah Stone, on the dispatch center project cost increase:** "I know it included the grant proposal and project outlines which at that time I noted this this afternoon was $8.5 million, but my understanding is that this project is now estimated to be $12 million." **Skip Williams, on the Sunset Pond Trail project:** "[This] makes this the Lake Patton of the North, as someone said." **Hollie Huthman, on the skatepark agreement:** "Essentially all those fancy words mean that in order to have a skate park under the Rotor Avenue bridge, the city and the port had to make some legal agreements and Needed to to create this document in order to to facilitate that." **Hannah Stone, on federal building roof bids:** "The engineer's estimate for this project was $323,833.55 because the lowest response of bid was significantly higher than the engineer's estimate staff is recommending rejecting all bids at this time." **Skip Williams, on the alley grading contract:** "These type of indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts allow the city to basically have a contract on record in order to respond to the need for grading as it arises without having to go out to bid every time."

## Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council convened for its regular meeting on April 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. All seven council members were present, with Council President Hollie Huthman presiding and Council Member Lisa Anderson participating remotely. Mayor Kimberley Lund was absent, so Mayor Pro Tempore Michael Lilliquist delivered the mayor's report. The meeting was notably efficient, lasting just over 25 minutes for the regular business portion before transitioning to an extended public comment session that ran until 10:08 PM with 51 speakers. The regular agenda focused primarily on routine municipal business: accepting state grants for infrastructure projects, awarding construction contracts, and making annual budget adjustments. Despite the straightforward nature of most items, the evening represented the steady work of municipal governance — approving millions in spending, securing grant funding, and maintaining city operations. ## Grant Funding for Emergency Communications Center The council unanimously approved accepting a $970,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the new WhatComm 911 Dispatch Center Building. Council Member Hannah Stone, chairing the Public Works and Natural Resources Committee, explained that this project "is currently in the construction documentation stage and will be ready for bid in the fall of this year, 2025, with completion currently anticipated in December of 2026." The new 8,000-square-foot dispatch center represents a significant upgrade to the region's emergency communications infrastructure. Stone noted an important cost escalation, stating that while the original grant proposal estimated the project at $8.5 million, "my understanding is that this project is now estimated to be $12 million." The remaining funding gap will be addressed through bond financing that will come before the council at a later date. ## James Street Transportation Improvements The council also accepted a $950,000 grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for the James Street Multimodal Improvements project. This funding will support construction of "a multi-use path on the west side of James Street from Telegraph Road to King Avenue, followed by bike lanes and sidewalks to Gooding Avenue," Stone reported. The project is strategically timed to integrate with the ongoing James and Bakerview Roundabout construction, with the improvements "planned for construction next year in 2026." The work aims to "improve connectivity for walking and biking in the area," addressing longstanding gaps in the city's pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. ## Federal Building Roof Replacement Setback In a less successful procurement outcome, the council unanimously voted to reject all bids for the Federal Building re-roof project after contractors submitted bids significantly higher than expected. The lowest responsive bid came in at $533,010 from CDK Construction, LLC, nearly $210,000 over the engineer's estimate of $323,833. Stone explained that "the interior light court roof on the federal building has begun to develop leaks and has been patched as needed," but the cost overrun forced a reconsideration of the project scope. Staff will "continue to do patching and minor repairs on the roof as needed" while preparing to rebid the project "once adjustments are made to the scope and budget." ## Major Trail Construction Contract Awarded The evening's largest single expenditure was the $3.73 million contract awarded to Faber Construction for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail Project. Council Member Edwin "Skip" Williams, chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, described this as a transformative connectivity project. "Construction of the Sunset Pond Trail Project aims to meet the goals of the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan by closing a very critical trail gap, connecting three neighborhoods to a regional trail and other park destinations," Williams explained. The project will create connections leading to "Bellingham Bay and a Northwest connection leading to the Barkley Trail, Railroad Trail and beyond." The trail will feature "a trail extension along an upland slope to sunset drive, a boardwalk trail through the floodplain, two new bridges, one over Squalicum Creek and another over an unnamed tributary, and a complete loop trail around Sunset Park," which Williams noted makes this "the Lake Patton of the North." Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025, with in-water work completed by September and final completion anticipated by February 2027. ## Annual Budget Adjustments and Administrative Changes The council processed three budget-related ordinances, all passing unanimously. These technical adjustments reconciled differences between estimated and actual reserve balances, reappropriated $104 million in unused budget authority from previous years, and made corrections to the 2025 budget. Council Member Daniel Hamill, filling in for Budget and Finance Committee Chair Lisa Anderson, handled the motions efficiently, though there was a brief moment of confusion over bill numbers that was quickly resolved. These routine but essential adjustments ensure the city's financial operations remain properly authorized and aligned with actual circumstances. ## Regional Economic Development Partnerships The council received informational presentations from two economic development partners. The Western Washington University Small Business Development Center reported serving 572 local small businesses in 2024, while facing challenges including tariffs and reduced Canadian visitor traffic. Council Member Jace Cotton, chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee, encouraged residents interested in starting businesses to utilize the center as a resource. The Port of Bellingham's Regional Economic Partnership also provided an update on their 2025 work program. Both presentations highlighted the ongoing collaborative approach to economic development between the city, county, port, and university. ## Waterfront District Agreement Modification The council approved a modification to the interlocal agreement with the Port of Bellingham for facilities within the waterfront district. This technical change was necessary to enable construction of a skate park under the Roeder Avenue bridge. Council President Huthman noted that while the legal language was complex, the practical effect was straightforward: "in order to have a skate park under the Rotor Avenue bridge, the city and the port had to make some legal agreements and needed to create this document in order to facilitate that." ## International Workers Memorial Day Recognition During the Old/New Business portion, Mayor Pro Tempore Lilliquist highlighted the city's observance of International Workers Memorial Day. He had read a proclamation at an event earlier that day featuring the theme "mourn for the dead and fight for the living," a quote from labor organizer Mother Jones. "It's a somber event because we read a list of nearly 100 names for lives and families who were affected by worker related accidents or disease or exposure to toxins in the workplace, and these are a hundred fallen workers in the state of Washington alone," Lilliquist reported. The recognition underscored the city's commitment to workplace safety and honoring those who have died in work-related incidents. ## Executive Session and Property Acquisitions The council conducted a brief executive session regarding three potential property acquisitions in the Lake Whatcom watershed. All three items were for information and discussion only, with no action taken. These closed sessions are typical when the city is considering land purchases, as public discussion could affect negotiations. ## Consent Agenda and Routine Business The consent agenda passed unanimously, covering routine financial authorizations including accounts payable transactions totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, payroll payments, meeting minutes approval, and an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for forest land response. The efficiency of the consent agenda process demonstrated the council's ability to handle routine business quickly while ensuring proper oversight of municipal operations. ## Closing and What's Ahead The regular meeting concluded efficiently at approximately 7:25 PM, but the evening was far from over. Council President Huthman announced the transition to the public comment period, which would continue until after 10 PM with 51 community members signed up to speak. The broadcast arrangements changed for public comment, with regular television viewers directed to online streaming or phone access to continue following the proceedings. This hybrid approach balances broad public access with the practical needs of broadcasting and council operations. The meeting exemplified the steady rhythm of municipal governance — processing grants, awarding contracts, adjusting budgets, and maintaining partnerships that keep the city functioning. While lacking dramatic debate or controversy, the evening's work authorized millions in infrastructure improvements and maintained the administrative framework that enables city services. The real energy of the evening would come in the hours of public comment that followed, where community members would have their say on issues facing Bellingham.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** BEL-CON-2025-04-28 A structured study guide helping readers understand the meeting's content and context. ### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council held its regular meeting on April 28, 2025, led by Council President Hollie Huthman with Mayor Pro Tem Michael Lilliquist filling in for Mayor Kimberley Lund. The council reviewed afternoon committee recommendations and approved multiple infrastructure projects, budget amendments, and grant acceptances totaling over $6 million in funding. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Agenda Bill:** A numbered legislative item that comes before the city council for consideration, formatted as bill number followed by year and sequence (e.g., 24517 for the 517th bill of 2024). **Grant Acceptance:** The formal process by which the city agrees to receive and use grant funding from state or federal agencies, which requires council approval and typically includes conditions for how the money must be spent. **Interlocal Agreement:** A legal contract between two or more government entities (like the city and port) that defines shared responsibilities, costs, and authority for joint projects or services. **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all council members participate in discussion, typically used for items requiring full council input before formal action. **Consent Agenda:** A group of routine, non-controversial items that are approved together in a single vote to save meeting time, though any member can request separate consideration. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting portion where council discusses confidential matters like property acquisitions or legal issues, with no public attendance allowed. **Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract:** A contracting method that allows the city to have services available on-call without rebidding each time, with predetermined rates but flexible quantities. **WhatComm 911:** The regional emergency dispatch center that serves multiple jurisdictions in Whatcom County, including Bellingham. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hollie Huthman | Council President, Second Ward | | Michael Lilliquist | Mayor Pro Tem, Sixth Ward | | Hannah Stone | First Ward, Public Works Committee Chair | | Daniel Hammill | Third Ward | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Fourth Ward, Parks & Recreation Committee Chair | | Lisa Anderson | Fifth Ward, Budget & Finance Committee Chair (remote) | | Jace Cotton | At-Large, Community & Economic Development Chair | | Joel Pfundt | Interim Public Works Co-Director | | Andy Asbjornsen | Finance Director | | Nicole Oliver | Parks & Recreation Director | | Tara Sundin | Community & Economic Development Manager | ### Background Context This meeting addressed several significant infrastructure investments that reflect Bellingham's ongoing growth and development needs. The WhatComm 911 dispatch center represents a regional approach to emergency services, with multiple jurisdictions sharing costs for a centralized facility. The James Street multimodal improvements are part of the city's broader effort to create better walking and biking infrastructure, connecting neighborhoods to regional trails and transit options. The budget amendments discussed are routine annual processes required by state law and city policy, reconciling estimated versus actual fund balances and reappropriating unused budget authority from previous years. The skate park agreement under the Roeder Avenue Bridge demonstrates the ongoing coordination between the city and Port of Bellingham as both entities develop the waterfront district. The substantial public comment period with 51 speakers suggests significant community interest in issues not reflected in the regular business agenda, highlighting the importance of this democratic forum for residents to address council directly. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council efficiently processed afternoon committee recommendations, approving all items unanimously. They accepted nearly $2 million in state grants for emergency dispatch and street improvements, rejected overpriced roof bids to save taxpayer money, and awarded contracts for major trail construction and routine alley maintenance. Three budget ordinances were passed to align city finances with legal requirements and actual fund balances. The council also approved an agreement modification to enable a skate park project in the waterfront district. ### What to Watch Next • Construction of the new WhatComm 911 dispatch center, which will go to bid in fall 2025 with completion expected December 2026 • The rebidding process for the Federal Building roof project after adjustments to scope and budget • Construction timeline for the $3.7 million Sunset Pond Loop Trail project beginning June 2025 ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** BEL-CON-2025-04-28 **Q:** Who served as Mayor Pro Tem at this meeting? **A:** Michael Lilliquist served as Mayor Pro Tem in Mayor Kimberley Lund's absence. **Q:** How much grant funding did the city accept for the WhatComm 911 dispatch center? **A:** The city accepted $970,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the new dispatch center building. **Q:** What is the total estimated cost of the WhatComm 911 dispatch center project? **A:** The project is currently estimated at $12 million, with the remaining funding secured through bonds. **Q:** Why did the council reject all bids for the Federal Building roof project? **A:** The lowest bid of $533,010 was significantly higher than the engineer's estimate of $323,833.55. **Q:** Who won the contract for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail project and for how much? **A:** Faber Construction won the contract for $3,730,404, which was under the engineer's estimate. **Q:** What type of contract was awarded for alley grading services? **A:** An Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract allowing the city to call for services as needed without rebidding. **Q:** How many people provided public comment at this meeting? **A:** 51 individuals provided public comment during the session. **Q:** What are the three indigenous peoples acknowledged in the land acknowledgment? **A:** The Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, and Semiahmoo peoples (actually four peoples were acknowledged). **Q:** Which committee discussed the James Street multimodal improvements? **A:** The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Hannah Stone. **Q:** What was the purpose of the interlocal agreement modification with the Port? **A:** To enable the city to develop a skate park under the Roeder Avenue Bridge. **Q:** How much unused budget authority was reappropriated from the 2023-2024 biennium? **A:** $104,570,732 in expenses and $10,131,421 in revenue. **Q:** What is the three-year not-to-exceed amount for the alley grading contract? **A:** $375,000 for the three-year term. **Q:** When is the Sunset Pond Loop Trail project scheduled to begin construction? **A:** Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025. **Q:** What percentage of apprenticeship utilization is required for the trail project? **A:** 15% apprenticeship utilization is required for project labor hours. **Q:** Who appointed Nina Rommelmann, Lola Thompson, and Matthew Main? **A:** Mayor Lund appointed all three to the Community Development Advisory Board. **Q:** What event did Councilmember Lilliquist mention in Old/New Business? **A:** International Workers Memorial Day, which honors workers who died from workplace injuries or diseases. **Q:** How many Lake Whatcom watershed property acquisitions were discussed in executive session? **A:** Three potential property acquisitions were discussed. **Q:** What was the total amount of the James Street multimodal improvements grant? **A:** $950,000 from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. **Q:** What will happen to the Federal Building roof while waiting for rebidding? **A:** City staff will continue patching and making minor repairs as needed. **Q:** When does the trail project need to complete its in-water work? **A:** All in-water work must be completed by September 2025. ---