Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

The Bellingham City Council Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met for a brief 38-minute session to address three agenda items covering infrastructure maintenance, clean energy funding opportunities, and Lake Whatcom watershed protection strategies. The committee approved two contracts totaling over $343,000 and authorized pursuit of federal clean energy tax credits, while staff provided an update on ongoing Lake Whatcom water quality improvement programs. The most significant action was approval of a $343,997.46 contract with Queen City Sheet Metal & Roofing for critical warehouse roof repairs at the Pacific Street Operations Center. The winning bid came in significantly under the engineer's estimate of $618,215.36, representing substantial cost savings for the city. Committee members expressed disappointment that solar panel installation was excluded from the current contract due to budget constraints and logistical challenges, though staff indicated this remains a future priority. The committee also unanimously approved retaining Avisen Legal PA to help the city access federal clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, with all costs covered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. This represents a strategic move to maximize federal funding opportunities for clean energy projects like electric vehicles, charging stations, and solar installations. The longest discussion focused on Lake Whatcom watershed protection, where staff provided an update on efforts to encourage private property water quality retrofits. Stormwater Utility Manager Jason Porter outlined recent improvements to the Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) and explained why staff recommend waiting for critical data from ongoing studies before implementing new programs. Council Member Michael Lilliquist, who initiated the original motion requesting this discussion, pressed for more aggressive outreach to property owners beyond the "early adopters" currently particip