--- ### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council Committee of the Whole convened on June 1, 2026, at approximately 3:05 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was brief, consisting of an opportunity for old and new business (with no items raised) before moving into a closed executive session. The executive session covered three potential property acquisitions and one potential litigation matter, with the full Council expected to reconvene for the regular evening meeting at 7:00 PM. --- ### Key Terms and Concepts **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format in which all members of a legislative body (here, the full City Council) meet together as a single committee, typically to receive information, deliberate informally, or handle specific business before a regular meeting. **Executive Session:** A closed, non-public portion of a government meeting authorized by state law. In Washington State, executive sessions may be held for specific purposes such as discussing potential real estate acquisitions, pending or threatened litigation, and certain personnel matters. No formal votes or binding decisions may be made during executive session. **Old and New Business:** A standing agenda item that gives council members an opportunity to raise topics, announcements, or requests that fall outside the formal agenda. At this meeting, no items were brought forward. **Potential Property Acquisition:** A discussion item in executive session concerning the possible purchase of real property by the city. Under Washington's Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.110), councils may discuss real estate acquisition privately to avoid compromising the city's negotiating position. **Potential Litigation Matter:** An executive session item concerning a legal dispute that has not yet been formally filed or is in early stages. Discussing it privately protects attorney-client privilege and the city's legal strategy. **President Pro Tem:** "President for the time being" — a council member designated to chair meetings in the absence of the regular chair. At this meeting, Council Member Hollie Huthman was identified as President Pro Tem and would chair the evening regular meeting. **Rosenblatt:** The reference in the transcript to counsel handling the executive session items. This is the city's legal representative (City Attorney's office or outside counsel) advising the council on real estate and litigation matters during closed session. --- ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Chair, Committee of the Whole; City Council Member | | Hollie Huthman | Council Member; President Pro Tem (chairing evening regular meeting) | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member | | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Council Member | | Rosenblatt | Legal counsel advising on executive session items | > **Note on roster:** The agenda lists "Hollie Huthman" while the current officials list spells the name "Huffman." The agenda is treated as controlling for this meeting; the transcript also uses "Huffman." Both spellings appear in source documents — this discrepancy should be verified against official city records. --- ### Background Context The Committee of …