Committee of the Whole
The Bellingham City Council's Committee of the Whole addressed several governance and organizational improvements on April 13, 2026, including receiving a comprehensive report on the 2026 state legislative session and approving structural changes to city commissions and communications protocols. The session featured remote presentations from the city's contract lobbyists on the challenging 60-day legislative session that ended March 12, which was marked by economic uncertainty and a cautious approach to new initiatives. Despite these constraints, Bellingham secured $1.03 million for a permanent homeless day shelter and successfully engaged on key housing policy bills. The committee approved modernizing the Historic Preservation Commission by reducing membership from nine to seven members and expanding eligibility beyond city residents to include Whatcom County residents who work or conduct business in the area. This change aims to address ongoing recruitment challenges for specialized expertise in historic preservation and building sciences while opening doors for tribal representation. A significant milestone was reached in establishing formal communications structures for the city council through approval of both a strategic communications plan and an organizational charter. These documents create the framework for consistent, coordinated public engagement and internal communications coordination through a dedicated work group. The meeting also included a detailed presentation from Washington State Department of Transportation officials on the recent I-5 rock slide emergency response and upcoming after-action review process.
**AB 24886 - Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance** - **Vote:** Passed 7-0 for first and second reading - **Action:** Reduces HPC membership from 9 to 7 commissioners; expands eligibility from qualified city electors to Whatcom County residents who live, work, or manage business in the county - **Staff Recommendation:** Approval (followed) - **Impact:** Addresses recruitment challenges for specialized expertise; enables tribal representation and Western Washington University student participation **AB 24888 - Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee Resolution** - **Vote:** Passed 7-0 - **Action:** Appointed Mayor Lund, Council Member Lilliquist, and Council Member Hammill to six-member planning committee (with Fire Protection District 8 appointing three commissioners) - **Staff Recommendatio…
**Legislative Follow-up:** Commercial vacancy taxation discussions continue through interim period with Department of Revenue and key legislators for potential 2027 session introduction. Sales tax revenue gap created by millionaire tax requires Association of Washington Cities coordination before 2028. **Regional Fire Authority:** Planning committee begins work on service plan development with three City appointees (Mayor Lund, Council Members Lilliquist and Hammill) and three Fire Protection District 8 commissioners. **Communications Implementation:** City Council C…