### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council's Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on June 9, 2025, chaired by Hannah Stone with members Lisa Anderson and Jace Cotton. The committee addressed two major items: accepting a $7.3 million loan for Cornwall Avenue landfill cleanup and reviewing results from the 2024 Community Tree Programs pilot. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Public Works Board Loan:** Low-interest financing from Washington State for local infrastructure projects, in this case at 1.71% over 20 years with no prepayment penalty. **Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA):** Washington state law requiring cleanup of contaminated sites, with funding available through grants and taxes. **Environmental Remediation Fund:** City account that collects and manages money for cleaning up contaminated properties. **Remedial Action Grant (RAG):** State funding that covers up to 50% of eligible cleanup costs for contaminated sites. **Tree Equity:** The concept that all neighborhoods should have adequate tree coverage for shade, air quality, and environmental benefits, regardless of income level. **Urban Canopy Cover:** The percentage of land area covered by tree branches and leaves when viewed from above. **Interlocal Agreement:** Legal contract between government entities (like the city and Port of Bellingham) to share costs and responsibilities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair, First Ward Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member, Fifth Ward Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member, At-Large Council Member | | Joel Pfundt | Public Works Director (recently appointed) | | Mike Wilson | Assistant Public Works Director | | Analiese Burns | Habitat and Restoration Manager | | Amy Kraham | Assistant City Attorney | | Mike Olinger | Deputy Public Works Director (recently appointed) | ### Background Context The Cornwall Avenue cleanup represents the city's largest environmental remediation project, addressing decades of contamination from a former municipal landfill. This waterfront site cleanup is essential for public health and will enable development of Salish Landing Park. The $30 million total cost reflects the complexity of cleaning contaminated soil and sediment in Bellingham Bay. The Community Tree Programs pilot emerged from the city's Climate Action Plan recognizing that most tree planting occurs on public land, while private property offers the greatest potential for expanding urban forest coverage. With climate change increasing heat and wildfire risks, tree coverage becomes critical for community resilience, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods that historically have less tree coverage. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee unanimously approved accepting a $7.3 million state loan to help fund Cornwall Avenue landfill cleanup, with construction bidding scheduled for July and contract award expected in August. Staff then presented results from four community tree programs that distributed 1,666 trees in 2024 at a cost of $127,000. Based on effectiveness and budget constraints, staff recommended continuing only two programs in 2025: tree giveaways and tree coupons, with increased focus on neighborhoods with low tree coverage. ### What to Watch Next • Cornwall Avenue cleanup construction contract award in August 2025 • Three-year construction timeline beginning late 2025 • 2025 Community Tree Programs launching in fall with reduced budget • Potential expansion of tree coupon program to additional nurseries ---