Bellingham City Council

The Bellingham City Council held its annual reorganization meeting on January 5, 2026, marking the beginning of a new year with new leadership and committee assignments. Hannah Stone was elected Council President, with Hollie Huthman as President Pro Tempore and Edwin H. "Skip" Williams continuing as Mayor Pro Tempore. The meeting efficiently handled routine reorganization business alongside approval of the city's 2026 state legislative agenda. Beyond the leadership transition, the Council approved a significant $19 million bond ordinance to finance construction of a new 911 dispatch facility and refund existing debt obligations. This represents the largest financial decision of the evening, supporting critical public safety infrastructure improvements. Mayor Kimberley Lund outlined several transparency and engagement initiatives for 2026, including an agenda improvement project launching January 26, a new state-of-the-city video format, and expanded "department head road show" town halls throughout the city. These efforts signal a continued focus on civic accessibility and community engagement. The meeting concluded with executive session approval of a $1.8 million Lake Whatcom watershed property acquisition, demonstrating ongoing commitment to protecting the city's drinking water supply. The transaction involves 5.02 acres plus conservation easements, funded through dedicated water customer fees. All actions passed unanimously, reflecting strong Council consensus as they begin the new year. The streamlined 44-minute meeting set an efficient tone for 2026 governance while addressing both administrative necessities and significant policy decisions.

**Council Reorganization (AB 24797) - Passed 7-0** - Hannah Stone elected Council President - Hollie Huthman elected President Pro Tempore - Edwin H. "Skip" Williams continues as Mayor Pro Tempore - Committee chair assignments: Anderson (Budget/Finance), Cotton (Community Economic Development), Williams (Parks/Recreation), Huthman (Planning), Hammill (Public Health/Safety/Justice/Equity), Lilliquist (Public Works/Natural Resources) - Individual board and commission assignments distributed across all council members **2026 Legislative Agenda (AB 24798) - Passed 7-0** Council approved the city's priorities for the upcoming state legislative session, focusing on capital needs including municipal court renovation, day shelter facilities, and Bellingham Bay cleanup funding. **911 Dispatch Facility Bond (AB 24787) - Passed 7-0** Final passage of ordinance authorizing up to $19 million in limited tax general obligation bonds to finance new WHAT-COMM 911 dispatch facility construction and refund existing 2016 bonds. **Lake Whatcom Property Acquisition - Passed 7-0** Authorized Mayor to purchase 5.02 acres plus 1.36-acre conservation easement from Lauren Demuth and Theresa Green for $1.8 million, funded through dedicated watershed preservation program. **Mayor's Appointments - Information Only** Christina Byrne reappointed to Sexual and Domestic Violence Commission; Amy Navarro appointed to Community Development Advisory Board. **Consent Agenda Items (AB 24801-24806) - Passed 7-0** Approved previous meeting minutes and accounts payable transactions totaling routine administrative matters.

**Mayor Kimberley Lund, on transparency improvements:** "We have also modernized the agenda templates and we are increasing attention to the written materials presented with the agenda. These steps and others are meant to improve readability to provide more complete information to increase our accuracy and our consistency." **Mayor Lund, on community engagement:** "Over the last two years, the city's entire departmental leadership team and I have held two open invitation opportunities to meet with us in a casual downtown venue. It gives my team a chance to introduce ourselves to a broader range of constituents to mingle and to visit in person." **Mayor Lund, on new council leadership:** "I would like to take a moment to congratulate the 2026 council president, Hannah Stone, selected by her peers to lead the council this year with the support of Holly Huffman, who will serve as the council president prom." **Council Member Michael Lilliquist, on watershed property acquisition:** "This is the comment made earlier today. We have been buying up a lot of the cheaper properties away from the water the the shoreline and some of the most important properties however on the shoreline themselves. And so that's why the day would come when we would need to start buying some more expensive uh parcels directly on the waterfront or on the shoreline of the lake." **Council President Hannah Stone, on reporting improvements:** "One item moving forward this year with our assignments in addition to old and new business, hopefully having an opportunity for just council member reports from our different assignments."