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BEL-CTW-2026-04-27 April 27, 2026 Committee of the Whole City of Bellingham 90 min
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The Bellingham City Council's Committee of the Whole convened for a focused session covering cybersecurity infrastructure and the highly anticipated Central Library renovation project. The committee unanimously approved acceptance of a state cybersecurity grant for two critical IT security projects, then received a comprehensive update on the $8.53 million Phase 2 interior renovation of the 75-year-old Central Library. Library Director Rebecca Jud presented detailed plans for modernizing youth spaces, improving accessibility, and updating building systems while maintaining full library services through branch locations during the construction closure expected in late 2026 or early 2027. The presentation highlighted the library's exceptional performance metrics, ranking in the top 10 statewide for circulation per capita and serving nearly 500,000 visitors annually across four locations. The cybersecurity grant addresses payment card industry security standards and zero trust network access systems, reflecting the city's proactive approach to protecting municipal IT infrastructure. Both agenda items demonstrated the city's commitment to essential infrastructure improvements while managing fiscal resources effectively.

**AB 24910 - State Cybersecurity Grant Acceptance** - **Action:** Approved unanimously (7-0) - **Motion by:** Council Member Cotton - **Second by:** Council Member Hamill - **Staff Recommendation:** Approve acceptance and authorize mayor to enter grant agreement - **Council Action:** Aligned with staff recommendation - **What it means:** City can proceed with PCI DSS gap assessment and zero trust network access system implementation with s…

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**Cybersecurity Infrastructure Investment** IT Director Don Berdick described the annual cybersecurity grant application process as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the city's digital security posture. The two specific projects—payment card industry data security standard (PCI DSS) gap assessment and zero trust network access system—address critical vulnerabilities in municipal systems. Berdick noted the increased relevance of these security measures given current global cybersecurity threats, particularly as the city implements new payment card systems alongside utility billing upgrades. **Library Renovation Scope and Community Impact** Library Director Rebecca Jud provided extensive details on the renovation project, emphasizing the building's role as both a library and community gathering space. The 75-year-old facility last underwent major renovation in 1985 when Bellingham's population was 50,000; it now serves 97,000 residents. Phase 2 focuses on youth spaces that haven't been updated since 1985, staff wo…
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**Don Berdick (IT Director):** Emphasized the annual cybersecurity grant application as standard practice, highlighting the relevance of current projects to emerging security threats and integration with new payment systems. **Rebecca Jud (Library Director):** Presented comprehensive renovation plans with enthusiasm for improved youth spaces, staff working conditions, and community services. Acknowledged budget constraints on full HVAC upgrades while maintaining optimism about project scope. **Council Member Cotton:** Expressed excitement about the cybersecurity grant and mo…
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**Rebecca Jud, on community impact:** "Being able to gather together in community and learn together is so important for people. Story time saved our life as parents and as a family." **Council Member Huffman, on library services:** "I think it's a great thing to remind people as you did that that libraries are more than just books. It's really community building space." **Council Member Huffman, on practical family needs:** "It's always great to have somewhere to take your little maniac whe…
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**Immediate Actions:** - Cybersecurity grant recommendation moves to evening council session for final approval - Library renovation design completion continues through spring 2026 - Federal grant award letter expected "at any time" for exterior renovation funding **Upcoming Timeline:** - Late summer 2026: Construction bidding for library renovation - Late 2026/early 2027: Ce…

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Following this meeting, the cybersecurity grant moves toward final council approval, enabling the city to proceed with critical IT security infrastructure improvements. The library renovation project gained formal council acknowledgment of its timeline and scope, solidifying public expectations for the 2026-2027 construction period and service adjustments. The detailed presentation established clear parameters for community planning around library closure…
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### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Committee of the Whole met on April 27, 2026, to consider a cybersecurity grant acceptance and receive a detailed update on the Central Library's Phase 2 interior renovations. The meeting focused heavily on the library project, which represents a major community investment in updating the 75-year-old building. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Committee of the Whole:** A format where all City Council members meet as a committee to review items before they go to the full council for formal voting. **PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard):** A set of security standards designed to ensure that companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. **Zero Trust Network Access:** A cybersecurity approach that requires verification from everyone trying to access resources on a private network, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the network perimeter. **REIT Funding:** Real Estate Excise Tax funding - a tax collected when real property is sold, used by the city for capital projects. **Phase 2 Renovation:** The second stage of the Central Library renovation project, focusing on interior improvements to youth spaces, staff areas, and building systems. **ADA Improvements:** Modifications to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, making facilities accessible to people with disabilities. **Interlibrary Loan:** A service that allows library patrons to borrow books and other materials from libraries other than their home library. **1% for the Arts:** A program that dedicates a percentage of capital construction budgets to public art projects. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Council President, Committee Chair | | Jace Cotton | Council Member | | Dan Hammill | Council Member | | Hollie Huthman | Council Member | | Don Berdick | IT Services Director | | Joshua Knight | Cyber Security Analyst | | Rebecca Jud | Library Director | | Christy Vaness | Library Board of Trustees memb…
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Government Operations Social Services Utilities AB 24910 AB 24911 Bellingham Public Library Bellingham Technical College Friends Of The Library Miller Hall Architects Western Washington University Whatcom Community College Whatcom Community Foundation Caleb Savage Christy Vaness Dan Hamill Don Berdick Hannah Stone Hollie Huffman Jace Cotton Jen Vanderplug Joe Timmans Joshua Knight Rebecca Jud Rick Larson Accessibility Budget Finance Community Spaces Cybersecurity Government Operations Infrastructure Investment Library Services