Bellingham City Council

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council held its regular meeting on December 8, 2025, where members conducted swearing-in ceremonies for newly elected officials, adopted the 2026 budget, passed several housing-related ordinances, and received progress reports on the mayor's housing executive order and various ongoing city projects. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Tourism Promotion Area (TPA):** A special assessment district where qualifying businesses pay fees to fund tourism marketing and promotion activities. The 2026 TPA budget totaled $1,488,655 for Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism activities. **Interlocal Agreement:** A contract between different government entities (like cities and counties) to share services or costs. Several interlocal agreements were discussed, including ones for emergency medical services and economic development partnerships. **Interim Zoning Ordinance:** Temporary zoning rules that remain in effect while the city develops permanent regulations. Council extended interim housing regulations for an additional six months. **Co-living:** A housing arrangement where residents have private bedrooms but share common areas like kitchens and living rooms. The council approved new regulations to allow co-living in multifamily zones. **Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs):** Secondary housing units on the same lot as a primary residence, such as basement apartments or backyard cottages. Council updated ADU regulations to encourage more affordable housing options. **Community Streets Program:** A resident-driven initiative that addresses traffic safety concerns on residential streets through data collection and community input, with 2025 being the first year of implementation. **GRACE Program:** Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement - a county program that helps frequent users of emergency services through intensive case coordination. **Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC):** A group that recommends how to spend tax revenue collected from hotel and motel stays, typically funding tourism-related events and facilities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hollie Huthman | Council President, Second Ward | | Hannah Stone | Council Member, First Ward | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member, Third Ward | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Council Member, Fourth Ward | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member, Fifth Ward | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member, Sixth Ward | | Jace Cotton | Council Member, At-Large | | Kimberley Lund | Mayor | | Debra Lev | Municipal Court Judge (sworn in) | | Tim Holman | Assistant Director of Public Works (Transportation) | | Nicole Oliver | Parks Director | | Andy Azbjornson | Finance Director | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during a significant period of housing policy reform in Bellingham. Mayor Lund's housing executive order, issued in November 2024, directed all city departments to take immediate action to increase housing opportunities. The various housing-related ordinances passed at this meeting represent the implementation of that directive, aimed at addressing Bellingham's growing housing affordability crisis through regulatory changes that encourage diverse housing types and reduce development barriers. The city is also facing budget pressures, as evidenced by the third budget amendment of 2025 that required interfund loans totaling $1.1 million. Despite starting with a balanced 2026 budget, ongoing expenses beyond the city's control have created fiscal challenges that will require ongoing attention. ### What Happened — The Short Version Council members and a new judge took their oaths of office to begin new terms. The mayor updated council on housing initiatives and upcoming civic complex planning. Committee chairs reported on morning meetings that covered street improvements, police building repairs, tourism budgets, and parks fees. Council approved all committee recommendations including a $1.5 million contract for police building repairs, tourism and lodging tax budgets, and new cemetery services. They passed the 2026 city budget and adopted the new comprehensive plan with housing policy additions. Several housing ordinances received final approval, including rules for co-living arrangements and accessory dwelling units. In executive session, council authorized property purchases and sales worth over $900,000 total. ### What to Watch Next - December 10th community meeting at Bloedel Donovan on the Civic Athletic Complex master plan - December 15th public hearings on utility easement relinquishments - Spring 2026 completion of Holly Street bike facility alternatives analysis - Ongoing implementation of the mayor's housing executive order initiatives ---