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

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.