# When Democracy Pauses to Listen: A Committee's Moment of Humanity In the Council Chambers of City Hall on June 23, 2025, the Bellingham City Council's Committee of the Whole convened for what would become a revealing afternoon of municipal governance — not just for the formal agenda items advanced, but for the raw humanity that emerged when elected officials confronted the weight of their responsibilities to a community in need. Council President Hollie Huthman called the 1:00 p.m. meeting to order with all seven council members present: Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Skip Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, and Jace Cotton. The agenda contained two substantive items: renewal of funding for the Alternative Response Team program and a groundbreaking ordinance to protect LGBTQ+ residents. But it was the emotion underlying the second discussion that would define this afternoon. ## Meeting Overview The Committee of the Whole serves as the council's primary working session, where members dive deep into policy details before items advance to formal votes at evening council meetings. Unlike regular council sessions, these afternoon gatherings typically generate little public drama — they're spaces for technical questions, procedural clarifications, and the mundane machinery of local government. This meeting followed that pattern for its first agenda item, with members efficiently advancing a funding agreement for a crisis response program. But the second item — an ordinance codifying protections for LGBTQ+ residents — opened a window into the profound human tensions that elected officials navigate when community safety, legal limitations, and public expectations collide. ## Renewing the Alternative Response Team The meeting began on familiar ground with Jason Korneliussen, the city's Strategic Initiatives Manager, presenting alongside Malora Christensen from Whatcom County Health & Community Services to discuss the Alternative Response Team (ART) program. This innovative first responder initiative, launched in January 2023, sends two behavioral health specialists rather than police officers to respond to specific non-violent mental health crisis calls. The program operates 10 hours a day, five days a week, deployed through What-Comm's 911 center. Rather than traditional law enforcement responses, ART teams work collaboratively with police, emergency medical services, and community partners to create individualized support plans for people who frequently interact with emergency systems. The proposed 18-month interlocal agreement with Whatcom County would commit the city to $375,000 in funding through December 2026, drawn from Justice Project sales tax revenue. Council members asked practical questions about deployment protocols, staffing levels, and coordination with existing programs like the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion. The discussion was businesslike and supportive. Daniel Hammill and Jace Cotton moved to recommend approval, and the committee voted unanimously 7-0 to advance the agreement to the evening council meeting. It was the kind of smooth, professional interaction that characterizes most municipal business — identifying a community need, crafting a measured response, and allocating resources accordingly. ## The Weight of LGBTQ+ Protections The afternoon's tone shifted dramatically when Council Member Hannah Stone rose to present the second agenda item: a comprehensive ordinance creating new protections for LGBTQ+ residents in Bellingham Municipal Code. Stone, who had sponsored the item, began by explaining that this ordinance would put into action the values affirmed in a resolution the council had unanimously passed on June 9, 2025. That resolution reaffirmed the city's commitment to equity, human rights, and opposing hate and discrimination. Now, two weeks later, the council was considering how to translate those principles into concrete policy. The proposed ordinance was sweeping in its scope and detail. It would create an entirely new chapter in municipal code affirming that "all people are valued, have inherent liberty interests, and should be afforded dignity and respect regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression." But beyond philosophical statements, the ordinance established specific operational requirements for city departments. City employees would be required to use individuals' preferred names, pronouns, and gender designations without requiring legal name changes. Gender-segregated facilities at city buildings would be accessible based on gender expression or identity. The police department would investigate transphobic and homophobic hate crimes. No city resources could be used to investigate or detain someone based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Perhaps most significantly, the ordinance declared the city's intention to "oppose legislation or actions at the state or federal level" that threaten LGBTQ+ rights, with the mayor and council determining what steps the city would take in such opposition. Council members asked detailed questions about implementation, legal implications, and coordination with existing state anti-discrimination laws. The discussion was thorough and substantive, with members clearly wrestling with both the moral imperatives and practical complexities of the proposal. ## A Moment of Raw Vulnerability But it was what happened next — captured only in fragments in the transcript as members spoke from the heart rather than from prepared remarks — that revealed the deeper emotional currents running through this policy discussion. Council Member Stone began speaking about the broader context surrounding the ordinance, her voice carrying a weight that transcended the formal language of municipal governance: "Scared and traumatized and feeling attacked because of some things that are really beyond, you know, their control or choice or sort of innate in who they are or where they are at a point in time in their life. And it feels very inhumane." These words, spoken haltingly as Stone seemed to search for the right way to express something profound, acknowledged what everyone in the room understood: this ordinance wasn't emerging in a vacuum. It was the city's response to a broader national climate where LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people, faced increasing legislative attacks and social hostility. "I understand the community's desire for us to do more and to try and fix all of that," Stone continued. "But the reality is, is that there are limitations on what we are able to do at the same time. I appreciate the call for us to try and do more. I just don't want us to find ourselves in this position where we are all pitted against each other, and somehow we are looked at as the enemy or somehow now against them, because we aren't doing enough." The councilwoman was articulating one of the most difficult aspects of local elected service: the gap between community expectations and governmental capacity. Residents look to their city council to protect them from threats that often originate at state or federal levels, where local officials have little influence. The resulting dynamic can leave everyone frustrated — communities feel unprotected, and local officials feel helpless to address problems beyond their jurisdiction. "And so it's just a tender position to be in," Stone said, using a word — tender — that rarely appears in the formal proceedings of municipal government but perfectly captured the emotional complexity of the moment. "And at the same time, it's not to put the community in a position to feel like, oh, you shouldn't advocate for, you know what you want, you shouldn't be yelling and screaming from the rooftops because things are unjust, or you feel like the sky is falling." She was acknowledging the legitimacy of community fear and anger while also expressing the vulnerability of elected officials caught between limited powers and unlimited expectations. "It's like, yes, I want to feel that passion and know, I mean, that's part of our humanity. But I also just don't want to set ourselves up to fall short." Stone concluded with remarkable candor: "So at this point, I mean, my goal is to do no harm and to continue to make strides to make improvements everywhere that we can. Thank you for the grace of letting me be human." The phrase "letting me be human" hung in the air — a request for understanding that elected officials, despite their positions of authority, are people grappling with complex emotions and competing demands. It was a moment of vulnerability rare in public proceedings, where officials typically project confidence and control. ## Seeking Real Understanding Council Member Williams responded with his own reflection on the challenges of community engagement on emotionally charged issues. Drawing from the council's recent experience with police accountability discussions, he emphasized the importance of creating spaces for genuine dialogue rather than performative displays. "When I look back at the process we used for the excessive fees piece, there was a reason we did it that way," Williams said, referencing previous community conversations about police practices. "And one of the reasons was we wanted it to be objective and give us some real information that we could use to impact the ordinance. If it was set up in a way that the 6 or 7 of us were in the room, the whole dynamic changes." Williams was articulating a fundamental challenge in public engagement: how to create environments where community members can share their authentic experiences without the distortions that come from speaking directly to decision-makers in formal settings. "Rather than speaking directly to an issue, to come to a conclusion, they'll be speaking to us, trying to impact us in a way that could pit us against each other, which we do not want to have happen." His preferred approach involved smaller, more intimate community sessions where some council members could attend as listeners rather than decision-makers. "I would rather lean towards the original concept of having some reach out sessions where some of us could go. Some of us don't go, but so we can have real conversations and hopefully come to an understanding of what can be done and what can't be done." Williams emphasized the goal of building mutual understanding: "So that when we can't do it, there's a level of understanding and support for helping us move forward. And maybe in another arena or further down the road, there would be that understanding to take some action at a higher level to impact that." He wanted to get beyond political positions to human experiences: "I want to get to the why. Why do these segments of our population feel unsafe, and what would it take in a realistic way to help them feel safe that we can do at this level?" The questions Williams posed were fundamental: "Why does the use of Sanctuary City, what does that mean to you, and how would that make you feel safer or not? Or would it? Those are the things we need to talk about. And I believe the only way to do that is through time meetings. So we can have those conversations and hopefully lead to an understanding about what they are suffering and how we can address their suffering in a way that is effective." His words revealed a deep commitment to authentic engagement: "I want honest, straightforward discussions" rather than what he called "a show." ## Planning Next Steps President Huthman acknowledged the weight of the conversation, noting they had run over their scheduled time but recognizing the importance of the discussion. "This is a really important conversation to have, and I know it's not finished," she said. "And so we can put a pin in it and move on to our next agenda item. Again this will likely come back. This will come back. Agenda item will come back. Next meeting for the very least. An update if not a vote." The committee decided to delay action on the ordinance to allow for additional community input — a reflection of the members' commitment to ensuring that such significant policy changes emerge from genuine community dialogue rather than council chambers alone. ## Routine Business and Executive Matters With the heavy emotional work of the LGBTQ+ ordinance discussion complete, the committee moved through its remaining business efficiently. There were no items for old/new business, and the meeting transitioned into executive session at 2:25 p.m. The executive session agenda reflected the ongoing legal and business complexities of municipal governance: two potential property acquisitions, a litigation matter involving Land versus City of Bellingham, and two additional potential litigation claims. These closed-door discussions, covering topics like real estate negotiations and legal strategy, represent the more mundane but essential work of city management that rarely generates public attention. ## Closing Reflection The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 2:51 p.m. after executive session, concluding an afternoon that had begun with routine business and evolved into something more profound. The Alternative Response Team funding renewal advanced smoothly to the evening council meeting, representing the kind of collaborative, evidence-based policymaking that characterizes effective local government. But it was the discussion of LGBTQ+ protections that revealed the deeper tensions inherent in democratic governance. Council members found themselves navigating the space between community fears and governmental limitations, between moral imperatives and legal constraints, between political expectations and human capacity. Stone's request for "grace of letting me be human" and Williams's call for "honest, straightforward discussions" highlighted a fundamental challenge in contemporary local government: how to maintain authentic human connections in an increasingly polarized political environment. Both council members acknowledged the legitimacy of community concerns while also expressing the vulnerability of elected officials asked to solve problems that extend far beyond municipal boundaries. The decision to delay action on the ordinance to allow for additional community input reflected a commitment to deliberative democracy — the belief that better policies emerge from genuine dialogue than from top-down declarations, even when those declarations align with broadly shared values. As the summer of 2025 continues, Bellingham's City Council faces the ongoing challenge of translating good intentions into effective governance. The Alternative Response Team represents one successful model — identifying a specific problem, developing an evidence-based solution, and committing resources for implementation. The LGBTQ+ protection ordinance represents a different challenge — using local authority to address community needs that transcend local boundaries while building the kind of understanding that makes sustainable progress possible. The tender humanity revealed in this afternoon's discussion suggests that Bellingham's elected officials understand both the importance of their work and the limitations of their power. Whether that understanding translates into policies that genuinely serve the community's needs will depend on their ability to maintain the kind of honest dialogue that Williams advocated and the grace that Stone requested — not just from each other, but from the community they serve.

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council Committee of the Whole met on June 23, 2025, to discuss funding for the Alternative Response Team (ART) program and review a draft ordinance providing equal protection for LGBTQ+ community members. The meeting highlighted the city's commitment to both mental health crisis response and civil rights protections. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Alternative Response Team (ART):** A program that sends two behavioral health specialists to respond to specific non-violent behavioral health 911 calls instead of traditional law enforcement responses. **Interlocal Agreement (ILA):** A contract between two governmental jurisdictions (in this case, Bellingham and Whatcom County) to share resources or services. **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all City Council members participate in detailed discussion of agenda items before formal votes at regular council meetings. **Gender Identity:** One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. **Gender Expression:** Having an external appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice. **Gender-Affirming Care:** A service or product that a health care provider provides to an individual to support and affirm the individual's gender identity. **Executive Session:** A closed session where council members discuss confidential matters like litigation, property acquisitions, or personnel issues. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hollie Huthman | Council President, Committee Chair | | Hannah Stone | Council Member, First Ward (presented LGBTQ+ ordinance) | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member, Third Ward | | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Council Member, Fourth Ward | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member, Fifth Ward | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member, Sixth Ward | | Jace Cotton | Council Member, At-Large | | Jason Korneliussen | Strategic Initiatives Manager | | Malora Christensen | Response Systems Manager, Whatcom County | ### Background Context The ART program represents Bellingham's innovative approach to mental health crisis response, launched in January 2023. Rather than sending police to every behavioral health emergency, the program deploys trained specialists who can de-escalate situations and connect people with appropriate services. This reflects a broader national movement toward reimagining public safety responses. The LGBTQ+ ordinance emerges from ongoing concerns about discrimination and attacks on transgender rights nationally. While Bellingham has long been considered LGBTQ+-friendly, the proposed ordinance would formally codify protections in city law, ensuring equal access to city services regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee unanimously approved continuing the ART program funding through an 18-month interlocal agreement with Whatcom County, committing up to $375,000 from Justice Project Sales Tax funds. Council Member Stone then presented a comprehensive draft ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ residents' rights to equal city services and affirming their dignity and safety. The ordinance would create new policies around pronoun usage, facility access, and protection from discrimination. The committee discussed both items but noted the LGBTQ+ ordinance needs community input before final action. The meeting concluded with a 26-minute executive session on property and litigation matters. ### What to Watch Next • Community feedback period for the LGBTQ+ ordinance before it comes back for a vote • Regular Council meeting where both items will be formally voted on • Implementation of ART program expansion once the funding agreement is finalized ---

**Q:** What is the Alternative Response Team (ART) program? **A:** A program that sends two behavioral health specialists to respond to non-violent behavioral health 911 calls instead of traditional law enforcement. **Q:** How much funding did the committee approve for the ART program? **A:** Up to $375,000 over 18 months (July 2025 through December 2026). **Q:** What hours does the ART program currently operate? **A:** 10 hours per day, 5 days per week (currently Monday-Friday). **Q:** Who operates the ART program? **A:** Whatcom County Health Department, with deployment coordinated through What-Comm. **Q:** What vote was taken on the ART funding agreement? **A:** The committee voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the interlocal agreement. **Q:** Who presented the LGBTQ+ ordinance? **A:** Council Member Hannah Stone from the First Ward. **Q:** What would the LGBTQ+ ordinance create? **A:** A new chapter of the Bellingham Municipal Code providing equal protection of city services for LGBTQ+ community members. **Q:** What funding source will pay for the ART program? **A:** Justice Project Sales Tax. **Q:** Who is Hollie Huthman? **A:** Council President and Chair of the Committee of the Whole, representing the Second Ward. **Q:** What is Whatcom County's role in the ART program? **A:** They serve as the lead administrative agency, overseeing staffing, operations, reporting, and coordination with community partners. **Q:** How long has the ART program been operating? **A:** Since January 2023, about two and a half years. **Q:** What happens next with the LGBTQ+ ordinance? **A:** The council plans to solicit community feedback before taking formal action on the ordinance. **Q:** Who is Jason Korneliussen? **A:** Strategic Initiatives Manager for the City of Bellingham's Health & Human Services department. **Q:** How many behavioral health specialists work for ART? **A:** Five specialists with at least 3 years of experience supporting vulnerable populations and de-escalation. **Q:** What policy areas would the LGBTQ+ ordinance address? **A:** Pronoun usage by city employees, access to gender-segregated facilities, and protection from discrimination in city services. **Q:** How long did the executive session last? **A:** 26 minutes, from 2:25 p.m. to 2:51 p.m. **Q:** What topics were discussed in executive session? **A:** Two potential property acquisitions, litigation matters, and potential litigation claims. **Q:** When was this committee meeting held? **A:** June 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. **Q:** What must happen before the ordinance can be voted on? **A:** Community feedback must be collected and considered. **Q:** What does "interlocal agreement" mean? **A:** A contract between two governmental jurisdictions to share resources or services. ---