### Meeting Overview The Community and Economic Development Committee met on December 9, 2024, with committee members Jace Cotton (Chair), Hannah Stone, and Hollie Huthman. The committee reviewed three agenda items: an interlocal agreement for economic development funding, lodging tax funding recommendations for downtown activation projects, and updates to the housing levy administrative and financial plan. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Interlocal Agreement:** A formal agreement between multiple government jurisdictions (City, County, and Port) to coordinate funding and activities for economic development rather than operating separate programs. **Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC):** A committee that reviews and recommends projects to be funded using lodging tax revenue, which comes from hotel stays and must be used for activities that promote tourism and economic development. **Small Business Development Center (SBDC):** A program operated through Western Washington University that provides business startup, retention, expansion, and related services, funded through the tri-party agreement. **Housing Levy Administrative and Financial Plan:** A required plan that governs how housing levy funds (approved by voters) can be spent, including affordability requirements and program guidelines. **Area Median Income (AMI):** The median household income for a geographic area, used as a benchmark to determine eligibility for affordable housing programs (e.g., 50% AMI, 80% AMI). ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jace Cotton | Committee Chair, At-Large Council Member | | Hannah Stone | Committee Member, First Ward Council Member | | Hollie Huthman | Committee Member, Second Ward Council Member | | Tara Sundin | Community & Economic Development Manager | | Darby Galligan | Senior Planner | | Samya Lutz | Housing and Services Program Manager | ### Background Context The three agenda items represent ongoing collaborative efforts to address regional economic development and housing challenges. The economic development interlocal agreement continues a partnership that began in 2011, recognizing that coordinated regional efforts are more effective than separate jurisdictional approaches. The downtown activation projects reflect continued investment in making downtown Bellingham more vibrant and tourist-friendly, particularly important as the community recovers economically. The housing levy plan updates are necessary because the city is exceeding its original goals and has new funding sources (affordable housing sales tax) that need to be incorporated into the administrative framework. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee unanimously approved all three items. They renewed the tri-party economic development funding agreement with the County and Port, with Bellingham contributing $116,827 for 2025. They approved $235,080 in lodging tax funding for three downtown projects: a Coast Salish interactive mural ($160,000), silent films with live music ($25,080), and a radio-themed community event ($50,000). Finally, they updated the housing levy administrative plan to incorporate new consolidated plan goals, add the affordable housing sales tax, and increase manufactured home loan limits to $118,000. ### What to Watch Next - Tyler Schroer from the Port will present an overview of economic development work in the first quarter of 2025 - The approved projects will begin contracting processes and implementation - State legislative approval of an ADU grant that the Port hopes to receive ---