City of Bellingham Committee of the Whole

The Bellingham City Council Committee of the Whole convened for a brief but productive 40-minute session focused primarily on municipal court expansion and council operational updates. The committee unanimously approved creating a second full-time municipal judge position to address increasing case loads and complexity, with the new position replacing the current court commissioner role while providing enhanced trial capabilities. Beyond the judicial expansion, Council President Hannah Stone used the meeting to introduce significant changes to the council's agenda format and publication timeline, moving to a one-week advance publication schedule to improve transparency and accessibility. The committee also handled routine business including a committee assignment change for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and last-minute support for state legislation supporting collective bargaining rights for Western Washington University student employees. All three formal motions passed unanimously (7-0), demonstrating clear consensus on the items before the committee. The meeting concluded with a brief executive session to discuss labor relations matters related to the Fraternal Order of Police contract proposal.

**AB 24813 - Second Municipal Judge Position** - **Vote:** 7-0 approval to recommend to full council - **Staff Recommendation:** Aligned with council action - **Key Details:** Creates second full-time municipal judge position; freezes current court commissioner position; allows new judge to hear trials (unlike commissioners); appointment by mayor with council approval anticipated for second February meeting; elections for both positions synchronized every four years starting with 2030 term **LTAC Committee Assignment Change** - **Vote:** 7-0 approval - **Action:** Council Member Anderson removed from Lodging Tax Advisory Committee due to scheduling conflicts; Council Member Huthman appointed as replacement - **Effective:** Immediately, with first meeting January 27, 2026 **HB 1570 Support - Western WWU Student Employee Collective Bargaining** - **Vote:** 7-0 approval for city support - **Background:** Council previously supported similar legislation; places operational student employees within same statutory framework as other public employees for bargaining rights - **Timing:** Deadline to sign in for hearing was 4:30 p.m. same day

**Forrest Longman, on judge vs. commissioner capabilities:** "The difference between having a commissioner and a judge is my understanding is that a judge can hear trials where a commissioner cannot. So that's the advantage of having an additional judge instead of a commissioner." **Council Member Cotton, on agenda neutrality:** "I just think it's good for the agenda bill to be as neutral as possible and not be something that I mean, I think we should save as much weighing of policy trade-offs for our meetings rather than publishing it beforehand." **Council President Stone, on transparency goals:** "One of the many efforts to modernize our systems and make city government more transparent, understandable, and accessible." **Alan Marriner, on election timing requirements:** "The state's not requiring that they all be on the same four cycle. They are... It is a requirement." **Council Member Anderson, on LTAC scheduling:** "Tomorrow is their first meeting. Um, at 3:30, if you're unable to attend, um, I could attend because it would be hybrid, but hopefully if you're available, that would be great." **Council President Stone, on lobbying scope:** "When things like this come up, and previously, as council member Cotton noted, we'd provided a letter of support... it felt like there was support, but it also felt like sort of a slippery slope and setting a precedent."