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.