## Meeting Overview The final Bellingham City Council regular meeting of 2025 convened on the evening of December 15th in Council Chambers, with all seven members present: President Hollie Huthman, Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Skip Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, and Jace Cotton. The meeting lasted just over 45 minutes, making it a mercifully brief end to the year — something President Huthman noted with satisfaction as she opened the proceedings. The evening carried a dual significance: not only was it the last meeting of the year, but it coincided with the University of Washington men's soccer team winning their first national championship. "Go dogs," Mayor Lund declared during her report, capturing the celebratory spirit that punctuated what was otherwise a routine evening of municipal business. Despite the short agenda, the meeting addressed substantial matters including flood response emergency measures, labor agreements, major infrastructure projects, and the adoption of the city's updated comprehensive plan. The tone throughout was collegial and efficient, with unanimous votes on every item — a fitting end to what President Huthman would later describe as a year the council "should be really proud of." ## Harris Avenue and Alder Street Easement Relinquishments The meeting opened with two public hearings on easement relinquishments — the kind of technical municipal business that rarely draws public attention but demonstrates how government manages public assets accumulated over decades. Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented both items with the matter-of-fact efficiency of someone who has explained countless easements to countless councils. The first involved two surplus sewer easements at 801 Harris Avenue, property owned by the Port of Bellingham. The easements dated back to 1926 and 1939 — artifacts from an era when the city's infrastructure planning looked very different than today. "The port of Bellingham... they're pursuing stormwater improvements on their site," Wilson explained. "There's no new buildings on this site proposed. It's just some cleanup relative to a stormwater project that they've got going." Council Member Lilliquist cut to the heart of what made these easements obsolete: "Would these easements only be of use if our desire was to direct sewage into the water untreated?" Wilson confirmed the observation, noting how the easements ran directly to the waterfront — a relic from times when such direct discharge was standard practice. "Is that what the original intent to look like they are?" Lilliquist pressed. "Yeah it's interesting that they would go right to the waterfront and our sewer systems build up in the public rights way here and these are just not needed for any... the polls were anticipated future utilities," Wilson responded. The council swiftly approved relinquishing these easements, with Lilliquist moving approval with the wry comment: "As I said, they appear to be from a time when we wanted to put the sewage in the water and we don't do that." The second hearing addressed a partial utility easement relinquishment on vacated Alder Street at 403 North State Street. Wilson explained that this easement was retained when the city vacated Alder Street in 1955, but the property's development with townhomes made the easement unnecessary. "Both sides of the lot are being developed... as we've looked at the proposed development, the city and other utilities don't have any needs for an easement here," Wilson told the council. Both items passed unanimously with no public testimony, clearing away decades-old municipal obligations that no longer served any public purpose. ## Mayor's Report on Flooding and Recovery Mayor Lund's report began on a somber note, addressing the devastating flooding that had struck the region just days earlier. While Bellingham avoided the worst regional impacts that hammered parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties, the December 10th weather event still created significant challenges for city infrastructure and residents. "Our hearts are with the many families and communities across Watcom and Scagic counties impacted by last week's devastating flooding," the mayor said. "Many are facing long recovery efforts in the days, weeks, and indeed months ahead, with more heavy rainfall expected this week." The flooding tested Bellingham's infrastructure in multiple ways. Mayor Lund detailed the city's response: "We received many service requests for issues including flooding, sewer backups, erosion, roadway impacts, and more." The mayor praised city staff who "responded quickly and across all hours to maintain essential services and protect public health and safety." The storm created several ongoing challenges. Hanigan Road remained indefinitely closed due to what the mayor described as "a substantial culvert failure." A section of Woburn Street also remained closed while crews repaired localized roadway damage. Little Squalicum Pier sustained damage from the combination of "high tides and rain saturated soils," forcing its closure along with the trail leading to it. Perhaps most concerning for residents was a localized sewer backup near G-Street that required immediate response and ongoing follow-up with affected residents. The flooding demonstrated both the resilience and vulnerabilities of Bellingham's infrastructure. On a more positive note, Mayor Lund highlighted how newer infrastructure performed well under extreme conditions. "The good news is that, in most cases, flood control infrastructure designed, functioned as designed and reduced peak impacts," she reported. "For example, our new bridges at James Street and Meader Avenue and new restoration along pattern and squalicum creeks performed well during peak flood conditions." ## Transportation Commission Appointments The mayor presented two routine appointments to the Transportation Commission, though not without a minor administrative hiccup that illustrated how municipal appointments sometimes involve juggling multiple boards and applicant preferences. The first appointment involved Brad Johnson for a first full term. Mayor Lund noted some confusion in the paperwork: "I noted that in the materials that were included under Brad Johnson's application, it noted the planning commission and not the transportation commission, and so I just wanted to confirm that." The mayor explained that such confusion is common: "I know that... those are moving targets, and so if someone applies for a particular appointment they may end up place than another exactly what happened in case." Both appointments — Johnson to his first term and Cindy Dennis to a second and final term — passed unanimously. ## Emergency Declaration for Flood Response The centerpiece of the evening's substantive business was a resolution declaring an emergency and waiving competitive bidding requirements for flood response work. This item had been added to the agenda just days before the meeting, reflecting the urgency of the city's response needs. During the morning's Committee of the Whole session, staff had provided a comprehensive briefing on flood impacts. The resolution authorized emergency contracts for several critical repairs stemming from the December 10th weather event. The most significant damage occurred on Hanigan Road, where Baker Creek flooding caused "the failure of a culvert and long-term road closure... between Bakerview Road and Smith Road, resulting in the need to procure contractor services to reconstruct the roadway and drainage features." The resolution also addressed urban infrastructure impacts, including approximately ten residences that experienced "sewer backups into their basements due to the surrounding sewer main being at capacity" and a water main break "which was likely caused in part by the heavy precipitation impacting two residences." At Little Squalicum Pier, "sinkholes formed at the upper abutment... necessitating repair and stabilization by a contractor." During the committee session, an amendment had been added to include additional flood damage on Woburn Street. President Huthman read the amendment into the record, explaining how Cemetery Creek flooding had caused "erosion that caused failure of the roadway prism, requiring the closure of Wilburn Street to all traffic at the cemetery creek culvert location." The amendment emphasized the regional transportation impact: "The closure of Wilburn street to vehicle traffic at this location has a significant impact on the regional transportation network. With adverse effects to emergency service providers, the Bellingham school district, walk-com transportation authority, and the public in general." The resolution estimated repair costs at "$100,000 to $200,000" and noted that "delays associated with usual public procurement and bidding process will unnecessarily delay the reopening of the roadway to the public and emergency vehicles." Council Member Stone sought clarification from legal counsel about reading the amendments into the record, ensuring proper procedure was followed. The resolution passed unanimously, authorizing immediate emergency repairs without the normal competitive bidding delays. ## Labor Agreement Ratification Following an executive session on labor relations, the council ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937. The two-year agreement, running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, included significant compensation adjustments. The agreement implemented the 2025 Evergreen Market Study, bringing all bargaining unit employees up to market average while maintaining their position on the step schedule. It also provided a 3% general wage adjustment effective January 1, 2026, and a 2% adjustment the following year. Additionally, the city agreed to increase its medical healthcare contribution by 6% each year. These labor negotiations represented part of the city's broader effort to maintain competitive compensation in a tight regional job market, ensuring the city can attract and retain quality employees for essential services. ## James Street Multimodal Improvements Contract The council approved a major infrastructure contract that came in substantially under budget — always welcome news for municipal projects. The James Street Multimodal Improvements project, covering segments 3 and 4, will install a multi-use path on the west side of James Street from Telegraph Road to King Avenue, plus sidewalks and bike lanes from King Avenue to Gooding Avenue. RAM Construction submitted the lowest responsive bid at $3,880,135.05, nearly $1.4 million less than the engineer's estimate of $5,222,315. Council Member Stone, chairing the Public Works committee, noted the unusual discount prompted additional scrutiny: "Just wanting to confirm that there were no questions regarding the scope of work and that we felt confident that RAM construction understood the scope of work and would be able to deliver on that project." Project engineer Freeman Anthony explained that cost differences sometimes occur when consultants are based outside the region, in this case Seattle. The project includes street trees, stormwater infrastructure, illumination, fiber communications connections, and pavement overlay. Work is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, though recent flooding may cause some scheduling adjustments as contractors respond to emergency repairs throughout the region. The project is subject to the city's apprenticeship requirements under BMC 4.94, ensuring training opportunities accompany the infrastructure investment. ## Fish Passage Grant Applications The council authorized applications for three separate grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office's 2027 Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board program. These grants would fund fish passage improvements at multiple locations along Squalicum Creek, continuing the city's ongoing habitat restoration efforts. Habitat and Restoration Manager Annelies Burns and Environmental Coordinator Mateo Skoggins presented the proposal, which requires council authorization before submission. The grants represent the city's systematic approach to removing barriers that prevent salmon from accessing spawning habitat throughout the Squalicum Creek watershed. While the work wouldn't commence until 2027 if approved, the applications demonstrate the city's long-term commitment to environmental restoration and compliance with federal and state requirements for fish habitat protection. ## Emergency Sewer Service Extension The council approved emergency sewer service to 2496 Yew Street Road after the Whatcom County Health Department determined the property's septic system had failed. The property lies within the city's urban growth area and abuts existing sewer infrastructure, making the connection technically feasible. Development Manager Paul Reed explained that Bellingham Municipal Code normally prohibits extending retail sewer service outside city limits, but provides an exception "when such service is necessary to protect basic public health and safety and the environment." The Public Works Director determined this situation met that standard. The emergency connection illustrates how municipal boundaries and service areas sometimes create complex situations requiring case-by-case analysis to protect public health while maintaining consistent policy frameworks. ## $19 Million Bond Authorization for 911 Dispatch Facility Finance Director Andy Asboresen presented the ordinance authorizing up to $19 million in general obligation bonds for constructing a new Whatcom 911 Dispatch Building and refinancing existing debt. The current facility, located off Alabama Street in a repurposed fire station, desperately needs replacement. Council Member Anderson, chairing the Budget and Finance Committee, emphasized the facility's current inadequacies: "For anyone who is familiar with where WOTCOM is located, it's over off of Alabama and it's a kind of rehabbed, reutilized old fire station. And it seriously needs to be upgraded, not just for the health and safety and job function, a very essential public servants in our emergency dispatch, but looking towards the future of Bellingham and where we go, we should have a good facility that's going to be able to meet the community needs and our employee needs well into the future." The $19 million authorization provides flexibility before final construction bids are received. Asboresen explained that the actual bond amount will likely be closer to $16 million, but the higher authorization prevents delays if costs exceed estimates. "We have a little buffer because the bids have not come in yet so once we have the bids the final amount will be determined and we will only take out the amount of bonds needed," Anderson explained. The project addresses critical infrastructure for emergency services — the nerve center that coordinates police, fire, and medical responses throughout the region. The investment represents both immediate necessity and long-term planning for growing service demands. ## Parks and Recreation Updates Council Member Williams presented two parks-related items, beginning with an update on the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The planning process involved extensive community outreach, including 13 community events and a survey generating over 2,000 responses. The public feedback revealed clear priorities: maintaining and developing the trail system, ensuring access to nature, completing basic amenities like restrooms at existing parks, improving accessibility, hosting outdoor events and sports programs, and developing aquatics facilities and a community recreation center. Williams highlighted recent accomplishments including developing Little Squalicum Pier, finishing the Hundred Acre Woods project, and completing the Sunset Pond trail loop. The final PROS Plan will be published in January for public review, with council adoption scheduled for March 2026. The council also approved an amended lease agreement with Whatcom Sports and Recreation (WSR) for the Bellingham Sportsplex. The updated lease clarifies maintenance responsibilities, with WSR continuing monthly rent payments until the city's bond obligation is satisfied by the end of 2028. Parks Director Nicole Oliver explained how the lease fits into broader planning for the civic athletic complex, ensuring stable operations while the city develops long-term facility plans. ## Comprehensive Plan Adoption The evening's final substantive action involved adopting the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, including the Future Land Use Map. This document guides development and land use decisions citywide, making it one of the most significant policy documents the council considers. The adoption included an amendment proposed by Council Member Lilliquist addressing community wellbeing facilities. Working with the planning director, Lilliquist proposed adding "faith-based" institutions to the list of community wellbeing facilities that should face reduced regulatory barriers. "One aspect of community wellbeing in addition to facilities to have to do with healthcare, childcare, grocery storage and education are faith-based institutions," Lilliquist explained. "The policy would advise that we reduce barriers to the creation of these community wellbeing facilities." The amendment modified policy CW-2 to "reduce barriers to establishing health care, child care, grocery stores, faith-based and educational uses through permissive land use and navigable permitting and review processes." Lilliquist explained the rationale: "Many of these have been either conditional uses or had come, might have otherwise zoning barriers to their creation. Seeing as how these are facilities which actually promote community well-being, the policy says that we shouldn't erect zoning barriers but we should find ways to permit these were appropriate." Both the amendment and the comprehensive plan passed unanimously, completing a years-long planning process that will guide Bellingham's development patterns for the next several years. ## Routine Business and Communications Improvements The evening included routine items that nonetheless reflected the city's ongoing evolution. The consent agenda authorized standard payroll and accounts payable transactions. Three ordinances received final passage, including a fiber optic franchise agreement with Forged Fiber 37 LLC, budget amendments authorizing interfund loans, and the comprehensive plan adoption. Earlier in the day, the Committee of the Whole had received a presentation on the city's Strategic Communications and Engagement Plan for 2026-2028. President Huthman noted the communications team's growth from a single person when she joined council in late 2019 to a six-member team developing comprehensive strategies for community engagement. "They have been working on really establishing the foundation of what a good communications team looks looks like and what what thorough communication with our community looks like as well," Huthman observed. "I think our communications has improved drastically over the years and we'll continue to improve with the work that they're doing." ## Closing Reflections As the meeting concluded, President Huthman offered reflections on her year leading the council. "I never thought I wanted to be president, and so it's a bit of surprise to find out how much I actually enjoyed it. It was definitely a challenge. I felt like a good challenge, but it is a challenging position to be in." She praised the council's collaborative approach: "Thank you for being a great council. I think we have a year that is when we should be really proud of as a council. There was a lot that was accomplished... We got a lot done, and I think we set the groundwork to get a lot more done next year as well." Mayor Lund had earlier echoed similar themes about collaboration and shared mission: "As elected leaders, we are allies with the shared mission. And we are interconnected in our important work on behalf of the community which we all love. We approach this work with curiosity and with humility, and we act together with purpose and with excellence." The mayor's vision of "one city" — serving as a unified team rather than separate departments or branches — reflected the collaborative tone that characterized both this meeting and the year's work. The final meeting of 2025 thus captured both the routine and the significant aspects of municipal governance: emergency responses to natural disasters, long-term infrastructure investments, policy frameworks guiding development, and the human relationships that make collaborative governance possible. At just over 45 minutes, it demonstrated that effective local government can be both efficient and thorough, addressing immediate needs while planning for the future. As President Huthman noted with evident satisfaction, it was "a nice short one" — the perfect end to a productive year.

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council held its regular meeting on December 15, 2025, which was the final meeting of the year. The council addressed routine business including sewer easement relinquishments, emergency flood response authorizations, committee appointments, labor contract ratification, and adoption of the city's comprehensive plan update. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Sewer Easement Relinquishment:** The legal process by which the city gives up its rights to access private property for sewer infrastructure when those easements are no longer needed for utility service. **Emergency Declaration:** A formal resolution that allows the city to bypass normal competitive bidding requirements to quickly respond to urgent situations that threaten public health and safety. **Comprehensive Plan:** A long-term policy document that guides how the city will grow and develop over time, including land use patterns, transportation systems, and community services. **Collective Bargaining Agreement:** A contract negotiated between the city and a union representing city employees that establishes wages, benefits, and working conditions. **General Obligation Bonds:** Municipal bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the city, used to finance major capital projects like the new 911 dispatch facility. **Franchise Agreement:** A legal contract granting a private company permission to install and operate infrastructure (like fiber optic cables) within city rights-of-way. **Committee of the Whole:** A council committee format where all seven council members participate, used for presentations and discussion of city-wide issues. **Land Acknowledgement:** A formal statement recognizing that the city sits on the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples - specifically the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, and Semiahmoo peoples. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hollie Huthman | Council President (Second Ward) | | Hannah Stone | Council Member (First Ward) | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member (Third Ward) | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Council Member (Fourth Ward) | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member (Fifth Ward) | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member (Sixth Ward) | | Jace Cotton | Council Member (At-Large) | | Kimberley Lund | Mayor | | Mike Wilson | Assistant Director of Public Works | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during a challenging time for the region, following significant flooding on December 10, 2025, that impacted Whatcom and Skagit counties. While Bellingham avoided the worst regional impacts, the storms still caused emergency conditions requiring rapid city responses, including sewer backups affecting about 10 residences, road closures, and infrastructure damage. The meeting also marked the end of 2025, with Mayor Lund using her report to thank the council and highlight collaborative achievements throughout the year. Council President Huthman similarly reflected on a productive year of governance, setting a positive tone for 2026. The comprehensive plan adoption represents the culmination of extensive community engagement and planning work to guide Bellingham's development for years to come. The labor contract ratification ensures stable relationships with city employees through 2027. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council started with two public hearings about giving up old sewer easements that the city no longer needs. No one from the public spoke at either hearing, and both were approved unanimously. Mayor Lund appointed two people to the Transportation Commission and gave a report about recent flooding in the area. She thanked the city staff who worked around the clock to respond to flood emergencies and praised the council for their collaborative work throughout 2025. The council then approved several items that had been discussed in committee meetings earlier that day. This included authorizing emergency contracts to repair flood damage without going through normal bidding processes, awarding a contract for street improvements on James Street, and authorizing the mayor to sign agreements for sewer service and grant applications. In the budget committee report, the council approved issuing up to $19 million in bonds to build a new 911 dispatch center and refinance existing debt. The parks committee heard updates on the city's parks plan and approved a lease agreement for the Bellingham Sportsplex. The council ratified a labor agreement with city employees that includes wage increases and improved healthcare contributions. They also approved the 2025 comprehensive plan update, with one amendment to better support faith-based community facilities. Finally, they passed three ordinances on final reading, including one allowing a fiber company to install broadband infrastructure and another adopting the comprehensive plan. ### What to Watch Next • **Emergency flood repairs** will continue over the coming weeks and months, with Hanuken Road expected to remain closed for an extended period due to culvert failure • **James Street improvements** construction will begin in the first quarter of 2026, potentially delayed by contractors working on flood repairs • **New 911 dispatch facility** design and construction will move forward with bond financing now authorized ---

**Q:** What date did the flooding occur that required the emergency declaration? **A:** December 10, 2025. **Q:** How many residences had sewer backups due to the flooding? **A:** Approximately 10 residences had sewer backups into their basements. **Q:** What two Transportation Commission appointments did the mayor make? **A:** Brad Johnson to a first full term and Cindy Dennis to a second and final term. **Q:** What company received the contract for James Street multimodal improvements? **A:** RAM Construction received the contract for $3,880,135.05. **Q:** How much lower was RAM Construction's bid compared to the engineer's estimate? **A:** About $1.4 million lower than the $5,222,315 engineer's estimate. **Q:** What is the maximum amount of bonds authorized for the 911 dispatch facility? **A:** Up to $19 million in general obligation bonds. **Q:** What are the wage increases in the city employee labor contract? **A:** 3% effective January 1, 2026, and 2% effective January 1, 2027. **Q:** How long does the new labor contract with city employees last? **A:** January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. **Q:** What amendment was made to the comprehensive plan? **A:** Adding "faith-based" facilities to the list of community wellbeing uses that should have reduced zoning barriers. **Q:** Which roads remain closed due to flood damage? **A:** Hanuken Road (indefinitely due to culvert failure) and Woburn Street. **Q:** What art installation did Council Member Stone highlight? **A:** "Between the Ocean and the Sky" by Clayton Binkley at the Pacific Street Operations Center. **Q:** How many people are on the city's communications team now? **A:** About six people, expanded from just one person at the end of 2019. **Q:** What happened to Little Squalicum Pier during the flooding? **A:** Sinkholes formed at the upper abutment, requiring repair and stabilization. **Q:** Which creek caused damage to Woburn Street? **A:** Cemetery Creek caused flooding damage to Woburn Street. **Q:** What major university sports achievement was celebrated at this meeting? **A:** The University of Washington men's soccer team won their first national championship. **Q:** How many grant applications is the city submitting for fish passage improvements? **A:** Three separate Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board grants for Squalicum Creek. **Q:** What year will the Sportsplex lease agreement run through? **A:** Through 2028. **Q:** How many responses did the Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan community survey receive? **A:** 2,005 responses. **Q:** What are the top priorities identified in the parks survey? **A:** Maintaining and developing trail systems, access to nature, and completing basic park features like restrooms. **Q:** When will the final Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan be approved? **A:** Scheduled for March 2026 council approval. ---