Bellingham City Council

Bellingham City Council began the year by launching significant improvements to government transparency while addressing major infrastructure and public safety needs. The evening's most visible change was the debut of new agenda formats published a full week in advance — part of a modernization effort to make city government more accessible and understandable to residents. Council unanimously approved five major contracts and agreements totaling over $9 million, including a $5.98 million street improvement project in Old Town and two state grants worth nearly $3 million for Central Library renovations. They also created a second full-time municipal judge position to handle increasing caseloads and authorized a 5% increase in golf course fees. The meeting introduced a new standing agenda section for council assignment reports, allowing members to share updates from their work on regional boards and commissions. This produced substantive reports on transportation planning, legislative advocacy, behavioral health initiatives, and criminal justice reform — providing the public with insight into the city's broader regional engagement. Council members also previewed upcoming work on a resolution addressing federal immigration enforcement, signaling continued attention to civil rights and community protection issues. All seven agenda items passed unanimously, demonstrating strong consensus on the evening's business.

**Old Town Redevelopment Contract Award (AB 24807)** - **Vote:** 7-0 to award contract to Earthwork Solutions LLC - **Amount:** $5,982,839.23 (came in 13% under engineer's estimate of $6.8 million) - **Scope:** Street improvements on C, D, E, and Astor Streets including new curbs, widened streets, underground utilities, stormwater improvements, and sidewalks - **Funding:** Mix of county grants/loans ($3 million), real estate excise tax, and transportation funds - **Staff recommendation:** Approve (council aligned) **NFC Northwest Telecommunications Franchise (AB 24808)** - **Vote:** 7-0 for first and second reading - **Details:** Non-exclusive 10-year franchise for fiber optic network installation in city rights-of-way - **Terms:** Standard city franchise agreement, $100,000 performance bond required - **Staff recommendation:** Approve (council aligned) **Central Library Grant Acceptances (AB 24815 & 24816)** - **Vote:** 7-0 on both grants - **Total award:** $2,949,100 ($999,100 + $1,950,000 from state Department of Commerce) - **Project:** Phase 2 library renovation including youth spaces, HVAC upgrades, staff areas, and safety improvements - **Timeline:** Construction starting late fall 2026, completion late fall 2027 - **Staff recommendation:** Accept both grants (council aligned) **Golf Course Fee Increase (AB 24814)** - **Vote:** 7-0 to approve Resolution 2026-01 - **Increase:** 5% across all categories (exceeds previously approved 3% annual cap) - **Revenue impact:** Estimated $100,000 additional annual revenue - **Exemption:** Junior rates held flat per Parks & Recreation Advisory Board recommendation - **Staff recommendation:** Approve (council aligned) **Second Municipal Judge Position (AB 24813)** - **Vote:** 7-0 for first and second reading - **Change:** Creates second full-time judge position, eliminates commissioner position - **Cost:** $288,547 offset by $250,359 savings from frozen commissioner position - **Election:** New judge position will be elected in 2029 for term beginning January 1, 2030 - **Staff recommendation:** Approve (council aligned) **Fraternal Order of Police Contract Extension** - **Vote:** 7-0 to ratify four-month extension - **Term:** January 1 - April 30, 2026 - **Wage increase:** 3.75% COLA, medical insurance contribution up 6% - **Staff recommendation:** Approve (council aligned)

**Mayor Kim Lund, on public service:** "Public service is noble work and that every individual that goes to work at the city of Bellingham has an important role in creating a safe, thriving and future ready community." **Mayor Kim Lund, on the One City philosophy:** "We can all benefit when we're leading in the work that we do when we approach it with curiosity and humility." **Council President Hannah Stone, on the agenda improvements:** "This is one of those changes and projects that the city takes on and when the final product is ready... it almost feels like we just flipped a switch and now we have this new agenda and it looks amazing. But you don't see all of the hard work and the heavy lift that it took to get us to this point." **Council Member Lilliquist, on WTA service guidelines:** "We're trying to shift to emphasize the most productive routes with the highest ridership and what measures do we need that would help us do that." **Council Member Hammill, on federal enforcement:** "What I'm looking for here is alignment with the value statements that have been expressed throughout." **Council President Stone, on amicus brief participation:** "The plaintiffs in this case do not challenge the authority of the federal government to remove individuals who do not have lawful status here in the United States... Instead, what it is challenging is really the potential violation of civil rights."