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Real Briefings

Bellingham City Council

BEL-CON-2024-09-16 September 16, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting City of Bellingham 53 min
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The Bellingham City Council concluded a significant labor negotiation, ratified its first union contract with Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees Local 1937 in what appears to have been a lengthy process, and advanced key homeless services infrastructure. The meeting's centerpiece was approving a two-year collective bargaining agreement that provides substantial wage increases and benefit improvements, with particular attention to the lowest-paid city employees. Council members praised the equity-focused approach and the mayor's negotiation efforts. The council also established a shelter protection area around the future Way Station homeless services facility at 1500 North State Street, prohibiting activities that could interfere with operations. This ordinance builds on previous shelter protection zones that have successfully reduced negative impacts around interim housing facilities. The Way Station will offer comprehensive services including medical care, behavioral health services, case management, and medical respite programs through partnerships with Unity Care Northwest, the Opportunity Council, and PeaceHealth. In other business, the council approved two Lake Whatcom watershed property acquisitions totaling approximately 45 acres for $545,000, continuing the city's water protection efforts. The council also passed a resolution opposing the proposed Albertsons-Kroger merger, citing concerns about competition, prices, and unionized jobs. Routine business included accepting a property donation to Parks and Recreation and approving budget amendment #14.

**Guild 1937 Labor Agreement Ratification (Executive Session Item 6)** — Passed 7-0. Two-year contract (January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025) includes 4% COLA for 2024, 3% COLA for 2025, $1 market adjustment per step in 2025, salary grade increases for positions in grades 1-4, increased deferred compensation match to 2%, and 6% annual increase in city's medical insurance contribution. Staff recommendation: approve. Council action: approved as recommended. **Way Station Shelter Protection Area Ordinance (AB 24235)** — Passed first and second reading 7-0. Establishes prohibited activity zone around 1500 North State Street facility, amended to include 1510 North Forest (Eleanor Apartments). Staff recommendation: approve. Council action: approved with amendment. **Albertsons-Kroger Merger Opposition Resolution (AB 24236)** — Passed 7-0 as Resolution #2024-22. Formally opposes merger and transmits opposition to Federal Trade Commission, Washington State Attor…

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**Labor Relations and Equity**: The Guild 1937 contract received significant discussion focused on its equity provisions. Council Member Lilliquist emphasized the contract's "special attention to dealing with people at the lowest steps in pay," noting that it stands out for addressing inequities among the lowest-paid employees. Council Member Anderson praised the mayor's efforts to bring "equity across some of the labor groups" and ensure compensation and benefits put employees "on a level playing field." The contract includes salary grade increases specifically for the lowest positions (grades 1-4) and market adjustments. Mayor Lund acknowledged the lengthy negotiation process and emphasized this as "the beginning of our opportunity to repair and strengthen our relationship going forward." **Homelessness Services Infrastructure**: The Way Station shelter protection area ordinance generated discussion about balancing service provision with community impact mitigation. Staff reported that previous shelter protection areas around interim housing facilities had successfully "increased safety for clients and reduced negative behaviors and impacts such as debris, disorderly conduct, and property damage." The ordinance was amended during committee to expand the protected area to include the Eleanor Apartments at 1510 North Forest. The facility wil…
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**Labor Representatives**: Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees Local 1937 members were present in the audience. The mayor reported that 90% of Guild members voted to ratify the contract with 80% member turnout, demonstrating strong support for the negotiated agreement. **Homeless Services Providers**: Steen Brochner-Nielsen (Facilities Manager, Unity Care Northwest) and Marisa Schoeppach (Homeless Outreach Team Coordinator, Opport…
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**Mayor Lund, on the Guild 1937 contract:** "This was a long process and I appreciate everyone's commitment to get it right. I see this as the beginning of our opportunity to repair and strengthen our relationship going forward. As we work together in service to the community that we love." **Council Member Lilliquist, on the labor contract's equity focus:** "Well, we regularly approve contracts that give cost of living increases and adjust contributions for health care, but I think what makes…
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**September 19, 2024**: Downtown Forward Celebration event, 5-8 PM at Chuckanut Bay Distillery event space **September 27, 2024**: Closing date for $340,000 Lake Whatcom watershed property acquisition (Schenck/Collman property) **September 30, 2024**: Next City Council regular meeting **October 1, 2024**: Deadline for Holly Street businesses to phase out street structures or apply to scale them back **October 4, 2024**: Closing date for $2…

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The City of Bellingham now has its first ratified collective bargaining agreement with Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees Local 1937, ending what appears to have been a lengthy negotiation process. The two-year contract provides immediate 4% wage increases retroactive to January 2024 and establishes a framework for addressing pay equity among the city's lowest-paid employees. A new shelter protection area will be established around the Way Station facility at 1500 North State Street, expanding to include the Eleanor Apa…
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## Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham City Council convened for their regular meeting on Monday evening, September 16, 2024, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. All seven council members were present: President Daniel Hammill, Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Edwin "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, and Jace Cotton. Mayor Kim Lund delivered her regular report to begin the proceedings. This meeting carried particular significance as the council would finally vote on a long-awaited labor contract with Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees Local 1937, ending a protracted negotiation process that had strained city-labor relations. The evening also featured action on a shelter protection area ordinance for the forthcoming Way Station homeless services facility, opposition to a major grocery chain merger, and the quiet acquisition of watershed properties for environmental protection. What appeared to be routine municipal business would unfold into nearly two hours of civic engagement, culminating in an unusually lengthy public comment period with 33 speakers. ## Mayor's Vision for Downtown and Labor Relations Mayor Lund opened her report by acknowledging several routine appointments, including Annie Taylor to the Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence and three neighborhood representatives to advisory committees. But her tone shifted when she addressed the packed gallery, noting the presence of 1937 union members who had come to witness the council vote on their contract. "I see in the audience tonight that there are several members of the 1937 labor group here, and I want to acknowledge that we are grateful that council tonight will have the opportunity to consider and approve a two year contract with 1937," Lund said. "Last week, members ratified our proposed contract with 90% of their members voting yes and 80% of members voting to turn out. Thank you to everyone involved, especially to our 1937 members. This was a long process and I appreciate everyone's commitment to get it right. I see this as the beginning of our opportunity to repair and strengthen our relationship going forward." The mayor's words carried weight beyond their diplomatic phrasing. The contract negotiations had been contentious, representing broader tensions between the city's fiscal constraints and workers' demands for fair compensation. The reference to "repair and strengthen our relationship" acknowledged that damage had been done during the prolonged talks…
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### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham City Council held its regular meeting on September 16, 2024, chaired by Council President Dan Hammill. The meeting focused heavily on labor relations, property acquisitions for watershed protection, and establishing protective measures around a new homeless services facility. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Shelter Protection Area:** A designated zone around homeless service facilities where certain activities like camping, loitering, and disruptive behavior are prohibited to protect the safety of clients and maintain operations. **Wetland Mitigation Bank:** A system where developers can purchase credits to offset environmental impacts from their projects, rather than creating individual mitigation projects on-site. **COLA (Cost of Living Allowance):** Annual wage increases designed to keep employee compensation in line with inflation and rising living costs. **Executive Session:** A closed portion of the meeting where council discusses confidential matters like real estate transactions, personnel issues, or legal strategy. **Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees Local 1937:** The labor union representing many City of Bellingham employees, including clerical, technical, and service workers. **Lake Whatcom Watershed:** The protected area around Bellingham's primary drinking water source, where the city strategically purchases private properties to prevent development. **Committee of the Whole:** A council committee that includes all seven council members, used for initial discussion of major policy items before formal votes. **Consent Agenda:** Routine or non-controversial items bundled together for approval in a single vote to streamline the meeting process. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Dan Hammill | Council President | | Kim Lund | Mayor | | Hannah Stone | Council Member, Public Works Committee Chair | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member | | …
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Government Operations Social Services Environmental AB 24219 AB 24222 AB 24235 AB 24236 Albertsons Federal Trade Commission Guild 1937 Kroger Opportunity Council Peacehealth Unity Care Northwest Whatcom County Alan Marriner Annie Taylor Dan Hammill Edwin Williams Hannah Stone Hollie Huthman Jace Cotton Jessica Orr Kim Lund Lisa Anderson Michael Lilliquist Robin Thomas Bike Lanes Budget Finance Corporate Consolidation Downtown Development Downtown Forward Governance Administration Homelessness Labor Contract Labor Relations Lake Whatcom Watershed Shelter Protection Area Wetland Mitigation