### Meeting Overview The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on November 18, 2024, to discuss three major infrastructure projects that will significantly impact Bellingham's transportation and environmental systems. Committee Chair Hannah Stone led the meeting with committee member Lisa Anderson joining remotely and council member Williams sitting in for the excused Michael Lilliquist. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Interlocal Agreement:** A formal contract between two or more government entities to share responsibilities and costs for a public project or service. **60% Design:** An industry standard milestone in project development where the design is advanced enough to apply for permits and develop reliable cost estimates, but not yet ready for construction. **Fish Passage Barrier:** Infrastructure that blocks or limits fish migration upstream, preventing salmon and other fish from reaching spawning habitat. **Roundabout:** A circular intersection where traffic flows continuously around a central island, designed to improve safety and traffic flow compared to traditional signalized intersections. **Estuary Restoration:** The process of returning a river mouth ecosystem to its natural state to improve fish habitat and flood control. **Noise Variance:** An exemption from city noise ordinances that allows construction work outside normal permitted hours. **AOP (Aquatic Organism Passage) Program:** Federal funding program that helps remove barriers preventing fish migration. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair, First Ward Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member, Fifth Ward Council Member (remote) | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Fourth Ward Council Member (sitting in) | | Joel Pfundt | Interim Public Works Co-Director | | Analiese Burns | Habitat and Restoration Manager | | Kyle Carlson | Project Engineer | | Mike Wilson | Assistant Public Works Director for Engineering | ### Background Context These projects represent years of planning and significant federal and local investment in Bellingham's infrastructure. The Squalicum Creek project addresses critical environmental restoration needs that have been decades in the making - since the late 1800s, about 90% of Puget Sound nearshore habitat has been lost. The James Street roundabout tackles growing traffic problems in the rapidly developing King Mountain neighborhood. Both projects illustrate how modern infrastructure development must balance environmental restoration, traffic safety, economic impacts, and community needs. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee approved three related items: First, they endorsed an interlocal agreement with the Port of Bellingham to jointly fund the design phase of a complex fish passage restoration project at Squalicum Creek, which will cost $2.3 million and involve three separate property owners. Second, they awarded a $4.25 million contract to Faber Construction to build a new roundabout at James Street and Bakerview Road, replacing the current traffic signal. Finally, they approved a noise variance allowing 24-hour construction for 50 consecutive days to minimize traffic disruption during roundabout construction. ### What to Watch Next • Design work on the Squalicum Creek project will begin in early 2025 and continue through 2027 • Roundabout construction will start in April-May 2025 with significant traffic impacts expected • Additional agreements with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad are still being negotiated for the creek project • Community outreach will intensify as both projects move toward construction ---