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Council committee approves DHS FIFA 2026 security grant; city attorney flags limited legal risk under injunction
Summary
The committee authorized the mayor to enter a U.S. Department of Homeland Security FIFA 2026 grant agreement to fund overtime and equipment for fan‑zone events; council members raised concerns about contract language referencing immigration enforcement, which the deputy city attorney said is currently constrained by a preliminary injunction.
The Bellingham City Council public health, safety, justice and equity committee voted to authorize the mayor to accept a U.S. Department of Homeland Security FIFA 2026 grant that will fund overtime and equipment to support local fan‑zone watch parties.
Deputy Police Chief Jay Hart told the committee the city will act as one of the state’s official fan‑zone locations and expects watch parties for six Seattle‑based FIFA matches, primarily at Colschen Trackside and a block party on the 1300 block of Commercial Street. Hart said the grant will pay overtime and standby costs and buy equipment "to enhance our ability to prepare for, protect against, and respond to these security threats," adding the funding would purchase two drones, protective equipment for a bicycle response team and a portable X‑ray machine for the hazardous devices unit.
Legal concern and city response: Councilmember Anderson raised concerns about a contract provision (Article 11) that references immigration terminology and potential collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Deputy City Attorney James Herb said the city has been part of litigation challenging certain federal grant provisions and that a preliminary injunction currently prevents those immigration‑related provisions from applying to Bellingham. Herb described an established city process in which the attorney’s office notifies the federal government when the city accepts federal funds and, if an injunction were dissolved, the city would seek to renegotiate disputed terms; he said repayment would be an unlikely but possible worst‑case outcome.
Vote and next steps: Councilmember Williams moved to authorize the mayor to enter the grant agreement; the committee recorded unanimous support and the motion carried 3–0. The chair said he would bring the approved agreement forward to the full council that evening.
What the grant covers: The presentation and committee discussion identified the DHS as the funding authority, and Hart and staff said the funds are intended for overtime, standby pay and specified equipment purchases for event security. The committee asked no changes to the motion after the city's legal explanation and voted to proceed.
