### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee met on November 7, 2024, at 7:00 PM to discuss committee business, acquisitions spending, and upcoming planning efforts. The meeting was notable for significant acquisition activity this year, with $3.59 million already spent and another $4.8 million in properties under consideration. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Greenways Fund:** A dedicated fund supported by 35% of the city's Greenways Levy, generating approximately $3.3 million annually for land acquisition and trail development. **Due Diligence:** The preliminary research and evaluation process conducted before the committee makes a recommendation to purchase property. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting portion where the committee discusses confidential property acquisition matters before making public recommendations. **Properties of Interest Map:** An online mapping tool where committee members have identified potential future acquisition targets throughout the city. **Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan (Pro Plan):** The city's master planning document that will be updated in 2025 to guide future park and greenway development. **Acquisition Matrix:** A proposed evaluation framework to systematically assess potential property purchases against multiple criteria including equity, connectivity, and community need. **Trail Standards:** Guidelines that determine the construction requirements and costs for different types of trails, with discussion about creating lower-impact standards for less-used areas. **Land Acknowledgement:** A formal recognition that the committee meets on traditional homeland of the Lummi, Nooksack, and other Coast Salish tribes. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Sarah | Committee Chair (term expiring, willing to serve again) | | Jacob Stewart | Committee Member (term expiring, reappointed) | | Peter | Staff member presenting acquisition data | | Laine Potter | City staff member with budget information | | Tina | Committee member (declined officer roles) | | Ray Dellecker | Committee member, equity work contributor | | Kate | Committee member (first term ending March 2025) | ### Background Context The Greenways Advisory Committee operates under Bellingham's voter-approved Greenways Levy, which funds land acquisition and trail development throughout the city. This year has been exceptional for acquisitions, with the committee spending nearly four times their typical annual amount of $1 million. Recent major purchases include the Newland property ($1.4 million), two Robinson property donations, and the DNR Squalicum Creek property ($2.19 million). The committee has been working to address equity concerns raised by their Diversity and Equity Subcommittee, which found that the north end of Bellingham was underrepresented in park and trail access. The committee faces a transition period as they approach spending most of their acquisition reserves while simultaneously working on major planning updates including the city's Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan and the Greenways Strategic Plan. This creates tension between continuing aggressive acquisition while reserves are available and building sustainable long-term operations and maintenance capacity. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee reappointed Sarah and Jacob to new terms after their current terms expire this month. They discussed the 2025 meeting calendar, moving the July 3rd meeting to July 10th due to the holiday. Officer nominations were discussed with Sarah willing to continue as chair and others expressing varying levels of interest in leadership roles. Staff presented acquisition spending data showing $3.59 million spent this year on four properties, with another $4.8 million in properties currently under consideration. This would leave less than $1 million in acquisition reserves, prompting discussion about focusing on planning and maintenance in 2025 rather than major new purchases. The committee discussed developing better criteria for evaluating future acquisitions, including an acquisition matrix and consideration of equity factors. They talked about trail standards and the need for lower-impact trail options for less-used areas. The meeting concluded with a 15-minute executive session resulting in approval of due diligence on an unnamed "property number one." ### What to Watch Next - December officer elections for chair and vice-chair positions - Development of the acquisition matrix for evaluating future property purchases - Updates on the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan process starting in 2025 - Progress on the Sandwich Crest Greenway Trail Master Plan expected in December - Site visit to the recently acquired Squalicum Creek property planned for late November or December ---