### 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 ---