[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6060644,"mediaKeyId","3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60","parentId",3289125,"title","Council committee updates: water system plan review, budget reappropriation deferred; landlord-tenant ordinances set for more public feedback","audioSeconds",773,"startMs",3918000,"endMs",4691000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60&start=3918&end=4691","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60/thumbnail_3918000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060644/Bellingham/Whatcom-County/Washington/Council-committee-updates-water-system-plan-review-budget-reappropriation-deferred-landlord-tenant-ordinances-set-for-more-public-feedback","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060644-41e7229f9f6e04beae4009960f0993a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766466&Signature=hdLWD9P--j6gIW-4xHr5P9dxaDSd~b-EAlVaJV7GeJdKDsvzqwE4cqB~4jGkt31G2-fVHkAO2VbesPc5gI5N9v~nlKIjSGAbsEyoHC1RcYDFh2s5ENk-qLprUsrwdMomxqlKQW9jP9pxqeI4fx2P-g-MqNxwNf36S9DbKBOqa4wD0JUp2gRfHqA1xtdaWFxInUlvLTUj262dop5NuQyFxmSq5iP52M05z9LOjI3zrqTedXBWJd~aa0wj-ZutRz3uwTjUWZIl5~yfKrA5PVW-2XzrvBIMGRjq4SeAlFQi4Wedm7byI-4DN53KIXXmCiC1A6er1U24NSaFsgvtKhxjZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bellingham Meetings","date","2025-04-15T19:46:38Z","article","BELLINGHAM, Wash. — City Council committees reported a mix of informational briefings and procedural decisions at the April 14 meeting, including a status update on the water system plan and the city’s nutrient reduction evaluation, and a decision to keep a large set of budget reappropriations in committee for further review.

Public Works update: Water system plan and nutrient reduction evaluation

Council member Anna Stone, chair of Public Works and Natural Resources, said the city submitted an agency-review draft of the water system plan to the Washington State Department of Health and other regulators and is awaiting a regulatory review that staff estimated could take 90 days or longer. The city and its consultant have also advanced the Postpoint nutrient reduction evaluation required in response to Ecology’s Puget Sound nutrient general permit; the evaluation is intended to identify nutrient-reduction strategies for the Postpoint Resource Recovery Plant to protect the Salish Sea.

Stone said immediate capital work will focus on projects such as pump-station upgrades, additional storage reservoirs and pipeline improvements that may be needed for fire suppression and operational reliability. She said the likely scale and timing of nutrient-control projects are still being determined and that staff will bring financing and rate discussions to the Budget and Finance Committee once project definitions and costs are clearer.

Budget and finance: Reappropriation deferred

Council member Lisa Anderson, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, summarized three related budget items. The reappropriation ordinance would carry forward previously authorized but unspent budget authority from the 2023–2024 biennium into 2025; the first amendment to the 2025 budget would correct errors and adjust estimates. The packet included proposed reappropriations totaling roughly $104 million in expense authority and $10 million in revenue adjustments; the committee voted to keep the measures in committee to allow time for additional review because they involve large sums and multiyear contracts.

Landlord-tenant and mobile/manufactured home work sessions

Council held work sessions on proposed ordinances that would add new chapters to Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code to prohibit certain “unfair or excessive” landlord fees in residential and manufactured/mobile home rental agreements. Staff presented public engagement results and council members offered amendments and direction. Several council members asked staff to refine definitions — for example, whether to use “family member” or an alternative term such as “household member” to address fee protections when people add occupants to a lease. Council directed staff to return the ordinances for further consideration at the May 5 meeting.

Lodging tax grant

The committee voted to approve a recommendation from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for a $54,000 grant to Sparks Design for an art and lighting installation on the alley side of the Lightcatcher Building at the Whatcom Museum; council approved the grant on April 14.

Votes at a glance (key actions taken April 14)

- Appointment: Derek Amorad — Greenways Advisory Committee. Motion to approve by Council member Lisa Anderson; second by Council member Jace Cotton. Vote: 7–0 (passes).

- Appointment: Kelsey Stein Roe — Whatcom Museum Foundation Board. Motion to approve by Council member Lisa Anderson; second by Council member Skip Williams. Vote: 7–0 (passes).

- Lodging Tax grant: $54,000 to Sparks Design for Lightcatcher alley art/lighting. Committee recommended approval; council vote passed 7–0.

- Property acquisition authorized: Lake Whatcom Watershed parcel (42.37 acres) purchased from Jeffrey & Rebecca Curtis and Douglas & Marilyn Curtis for $653,500; closing to occur on or around April 28, 2025. Motion by Council member Skip Williams; second by Council member Michael Luluquist. Vote: 7–0 (passes).

- Letters supporting negotiations at PeaceHealth: Council approved two letters to parties involved in PeaceHealth labor negotiations. Motion by Council member Williams; second by Council member Cotton. Vote: 7–0 (passes).

- Motion directing Council member Anna Stone to draft an updated resolution reaffirming Resolution 2017-10 (Affirming the Safety of All People Residing in Bellingham). Motion by Council member Michael Luluquist; second by Council member Jace Cotton. Vote: 7–0 (passes).

- Consent agenda and routine items: Passed 7–0.

What happens next: The water-system and nutrient-plan materials returned to committee after the Department of Health review; the budget reappropriation and first-amendment ordinances remain in Budget and Finance Committee for additional review. Staff will return landlord-tenant and manufactured/mobile-home ordinance drafts on May 5 for further council direction and potential formal votes.

Ending: Committee recordings, staff reports, and public engagement summaries are available on the city’s meetings website for members of the public who wish to review the detailed presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - Regular Meeting\t4/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council committees received an update on the water system plan and nutrient reduction evaluation, deferred action on a major budget reappropriation, advanced work sessions on landlord-tenant ordinances and mobile/manufactured home rules, and approved several appointments and grants.","taxTitle","Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington","taxId",2977,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060649,"City awarded $1.7 million Northwest Clean Air Agency grant to build community solar array",165,3139000,3304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60&start=3139&end=3304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60/thumbnail_3139000.jpg","/articles/6060649/Bellingham/Whatcom-County/Washington/City-awarded-17-million-Northwest-Clean-Air-Agency-grant-to-build-community-solar-array","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060649-2d6533e6bb5d37fa3c1f94502b9fe8d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766466&Signature=aaKR9y6nfqzr61vtP7xucvExqkvV2pABJ4cyVwdDW3y3Ox1NVzYoBWm8GIjpde6lL5yZasurUICDs7WeJqS85A2x1C~Mirb3H0M2iHvgEUxm3QTYmyfEZEYYT~FpJ6q7Ii2YE6GL9VBnYYlj9Vt-MfCf0NZ-1N9Gqhr3uF7cyCKHuKviHrZU2PKiJealyy8~0s1y6BEBXzDh5v7ERJEVsM9ACu7WVFviqIaN48wJjZl0O8bh0SR~ENDaeUzJo5gLF4OZxdGlc9DS4n08q~wtnfwrXXejoTzy6DkWAJI5WDQfLneKFIZCJZw3vFFQpbke5uv9yBNn8tRG1nD9meDkqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The City of Bellingham has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the Northwest Clean Air Agency to construct a community solar array, Mayor Ally Huffman announced at the April 14 council meeting.

The mayor said the agency chose the city’s application as the highest-scoring proposal in a competitive process. The grant funds were part of a multimillion-dollar penalty the agency collected from a Whatcom County corporation; the agency directed the funds to local climate projects.

“The proceeds from this community solar array will fund ongoing climate actions creating enduring good for this community,” the mayor said.

Why it matters: City staff framed the award as consistent with the council’s earlier 2017 resolution affirming safety and welcoming communities and the city’s ongoing climate commitments. The mayor said the city will use the grant to build renewable infrastructure that will support local climate goals.

Next steps: The mayor did not specify a construction timeline during the presentation; staff will bring project details to relevant committees and to council as planning and procurement proceed.

Ending: The city will post grant and project documents on the city website as they become available, the mayor said.","Mayor announced the city received a $1.7 million grant from the Northwest Clean Air Agency to build a community solar array; the grant proceeds will fund local climate actions and support the city's climate commitments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060653,"Bellingham municipal court reports surge in cases, asks council to consider third judicial officer",2443,104000,2547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60&start=104&end=2547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289125-8ad108ecdd8279638d116ecb0cfa4b60/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6060653/Bellingham/Whatcom-County/Washington/Bellingham-municipal-court-reports-surge-in-cases-asks-council-to-consider-third-judicial-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060653-430da5b43bceef4482d539af4d9548d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766466&Signature=mm3KlrlIS4XTFN~eoe8klKfYk~9iYBwwPYGFE77LdDrZMCJ3cs4PR~Gt57BKZlYObyqrAd~qt53W36KW5vBzLA6e56uj5cCnA2xvu5nOejDA8J7no7B-89YdfFcnveNZ0s5DkPQGPATQV1XvtL2QLX4rVDULcQyeyzXq0F8KQM69ERfzuGR0p7z10ZLV-zN5HjhcBvA7lHKt6gMpvhpQBdHzCDLhUOxtWtwE8Zxhq6GfqWk5rD1zCJmnFNAyuMBobdynBB~qdbV3lHk03zHyEAb0ndjNsgbjkC8mQIKF7KuRHzKKAxjQyeKQk1qqUwzQ5KE11QSW2T6ZnKLUXBo6sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Municipal Court officials told the City Council on April 14 that caseloads have jumped sharply and the court needs more capacity to meet demand.

Judge Deborah Lev said the court handled “just under 24,000” total case filings in 2024, including roughly 2,490 gross misdemeanors and 392 DUI or physical control cases; parking citations alone totaled 19,778. She said those filings represent an overall increase of about 33 percent from 2023 and that the court is prioritizing criminal hearings because criminal cases involve potential loss of liberty.

The numbers matter because the court must meet speedy-trial timelines for people not held in custody. Commissioner Nicholas Henry told council that out-of-custody cases are being set about 75 days out for trial hearings — longer than the typical 40–60 days the court used to set — and that backlog pressures are forcing staff to set jury trials at the earliest available dates, sometimes within weeks.

“We have 15 criminal calendars per week,” Lev said, “and both courtrooms are in session simultaneously six times a week. We need basically four to five additional criminal calendars per week to accommodate the increased caseload.” She asked the council to consider adding “a third judicial officer” — either a full-time commissioner and two elected judges — and a third courtroom as the city’s population approaches 100,000.

Why it matters: Court staff described operational consequences of the caseload surge. Tamara Bennett, court director, and Commissioner Henry said most of the court’s time is spent on criminal hearings; online parking appeals and other infractions are handled afterward or by temporary pro tem review because in-court time is scarce. Henry said the court had about 500 outstanding online parking appeals at the end of 2024.

The court also described programs it uses to avoid incarceration and reduce jail days. The court partners with Friendship Diversion Services (FDS) to provide active GPS, electronic home monitoring (EHM), and SCRAM alcohol monitoring. Judge Lev said about 19,172 days were served on SCRAM and related monitoring in 2024; the total billed to the city for monitoring services in 2024 was $657,222.70. She said using monitoring since 2016 has saved the city “almost $11,000,000” compared with incarcerating those days in the county jail, per the court’s accounting.

Lev and court staff outlined specialty and diversion programs they said reduce recidivism and provide treatment rather than jail. The court’s domestic-violence specialty docket had 355 cases in 2024, a 20 percent increase from 2023. The wellness (mental health) court, a joint city–county program established in 2015, admits participants to an 18–24 month program; Lev said five members were active with three pending admissions and a 10‑year anniversary graduation planned. The court launched a “community court” pretrial diversion program in January 2025 and reported five enrolled participants and six pending entrants.

Rising DUIs: Lev warned of a marked increase in DUI and drug-impaired driving cases, saying the court is on pace in early 2025 for roughly 470 DUI/physical-control filings through March — “at least a 25% increase” from 2024. She said about 35 percent of 2024 DUI offenders had at least one prior DUI conviction in Washington, and that out-of-state DUI histories are not fully captured in local statistics.

“People are passed out in their cars in the middle of the roadway,” Lev said. The court proposed exploring a dedicated DUI court to pair substance-use treatment with monitoring (ignition interlocks, SCRAM, GPS) and other conditions intended to protect public safety while honoring least-restrictive-release principles.

Other operations and outreach: Staff described a variety of internal improvements and community programs: an annual all‑staff training day; a “protein for all” program offering high‑protein snacks at arraignments to reduce stress and trauma responses; and Law Day events that bring hundreds of eighth-graders to observe court. Security screening at the courthouse prevented more than 2,100 prohibited items from entering in the past year, but staff raised concerns about people who are unhoused having no secure place to store belongings when they must come to court and suggested installing lockers.

Council questions and next steps: Council members asked about the composition of cases eligible for public defenders, the makeup of parking infractions (expired meters versus vehicle‑residence situations), and the proportion of hearings conducted online versus in person. Court staff said arrears and parking appeals are handled largely online — “at least probably three quarters” of infractions are processed online — and that Zoom remains widely used for hearings unless in-person appearance is specifically ordered.

The court did not receive an immediate vote on new judicial staffing on April 14. Lev said the court is coordinating with executive and legislative leaders on space and staffing and is seeking council consideration of an additional judicial officer and courtroom to address the backlog.

Lev closed by reiterating the court’s dual goals of protecting public safety and using the least-restrictive tools available to keep people out of custody when appropriate.

Ending: Council did not take action on staffing or facility requests at this meeting; Judge Lev and staff asked council members to consider the court’s staffing and physical-space needs as part of upcoming budget and capital planning discussions.","Bellingham Municipal Court officials told City Council the court handled nearly 24,000 cases in 2024, saw large increases in DUIs and parking infractions, and asked the city to consider adding a judicial officer and courtroom to handle a growing criminal docket.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council committee updates: water system plan review, budget reappropriation deferred; landlord-tenant ordinances set for more public feedback

City awarded $1.7 million Northwest Clean Air Agency grant to build community solar array

Bellingham municipal court reports surge in cases, asks council to consider third judicial officer