Search toggle
Donate
Search toggle
Donate
What are you looking for?

What's our vision?

When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains, she had a last view back on the skyline of her hometown.

What kind of facilities do we have?

When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains, she had a last view back on the skyline of her hometown.

What's our working hours?

When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains, she had a last view back on the skyline of her hometown.

Real Briefings

Greenways Advisory Committee

BEL-GRN-2024-10-03 October 03, 2024 Committee Meeting City of Bellingham
← Back to All Briefings
Oct
Month
03
Day
—
Min
Published
Status

The Greenways Advisory Committee held its October meeting with significant focus on the 2025 budget proposal and planning for leadership transitions. The committee heard a comprehensive presentation from Freya, the acting supervisor for the Parks Department's stewardship program, providing insights into volunteer programs, community gardens, and wetland mitigation efforts that directly support greenways infrastructure. A major announcement came regarding the City Council's approval to purchase property at 1492 Telegraph Road for $1.6 million, which will complete over a mile of trail connections when combined with the Sunset Pond trail project. Staff also confirmed that the Department of Natural Resources check has been delivered for the 116-acre Squalton Creek property acquisition, pending the Governor's signature. The committee spent considerable time discussing the draft 2025 budget, noting a significant $1.7 million increase in operating costs for salaries, wages, and benefits funded through Greenways levy funds. Chair Neil announced his intention to step down after three years in the position, opening discussion about 2025 leadership elections. Plans for potential subcommittees were discussed, particularly around trail connectivity and the upcoming Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan update, though the committee ultimately decided to wait for more direction from staff before forming working groups.

**September Meeting Minutes Approval:** - **Vote:** 7-0-1 (7 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention) - **Action:** Minutes approved as presented - **Impact:** Meeting record formalized **2025 Officer Elections Planning:** - **Decision:** Elections will be held in December with nominations in November - **Chair Term Limits:** Current chair Neil cannot serve again due to three-year limit - **Process:** Nominations in November, voting and …

About 50% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →
**Budget Analysis and Trail Funding:** David raised significant concerns about the $1.7 million increase in operating costs (152% increase from 2023), questioning whether this represents Greenways funds subsidizing general operations. Staff clarified that the increase reflects approved staffing requests from March presentations and does not represent a shift of general fund responsibilities to Greenways funding. The committee discussed the need for dedicated trail crew capacity for smaller, non-limestone trails that currently receive limited maintenance. **Subcommittee Formation Strategy:** Extensive discussion focused on potential subcommittees for trail connectivity and PROS plan input. The committee considered forming working groups around trail standards (when to apply different trail t…
About 50% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →
**Daniel Pertz, Bellingham Mount Baker Trail Project Lead:** Presented updates on the 10-year trail project, announcing Whatcom County Council approval for funding to purchase 40 acres in Acme for trail access and conservation. Reported that all but 200 yards of the entire route to Baker is now in public ownership, with remaining gaps along Jones Creek requiring public easements. Noted a setback with watershed staff rejecting trail access through Agate Creek preserve due to new ordinances removing recreation from watershed lands. **Freya, Acting Stewardship Program Supervisor:** Provided comprehensive overview of stewardship programs supporting greenways, including 119 work parties generating 13,286 volunteer hours. Highlighted the new King Mountain Community Garden (60 add…
About 50% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →
**Neil (Chair), on leadership transition:** "I think it is generally better for civic engagement and for the ideas of a group to have turnover leadership." **Peter (Staff), on property acquisition impact:** "This will link up once the Sunset Pond trails complete over a mile worth of trail. It's actually the longest North South trail anywhere in the city other than the Inter urban or creek nature area." **David, on budget concerns:** "One of my worries is that there's less general fund money …
About 50% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →

**Immediate Actions:** - October 21: Parks Department budget workshop with City Council - November meeting: 2025 officer nominations - December meeting: Officer elections and installation **Ongoing Projects:** - Telegraph Road property purchase completion pending final negotiations - Squalton Creek 116-acre acquisition awaiting Governor's signature for deed transfer - King Mountain Community Garden continuing expansion on nor…

About 50% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →
**Leadership Structure:** Committee now has definitive timeline for leadership transition, with current chair unable to continue due to term limits. **Budget Understanding:** Clarified that increased Greenways funding represents expanded capacity rather than substituting for general fund cuts. **Property Acquisition Progress:** Telegraph Road property moves from planning to approved purchase, completing major trail connectivi…
About 49% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →
# Parks Stewardship, Budget Growth, and Committee Leadership Transitions Shape Greenways Planning The October 3, 2024 Greenways Advisory Committee meeting showcased a department in rapid growth, with significant budget increases and expanded stewardship programs, while the committee itself prepared for leadership transitions and potential new subcommittees focused on upcoming comprehensive planning updates. ## Meeting Overview The Greenways Advisory Committee convened on Thursday evening with six members present in person and one participating online. Chair Neil presided over what he noted would be his final year in the role, as committee bylaws limit chair terms to three years. The agenda featured a comprehensive stewardship program update, discussion of the proposed 2025 budget, and planning for committee leadership elections in December. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Lummi people, Nooksack people, and other Coast Salish tribes. Members enjoyed smoked salmon brought by David, adding a community touch to the proceedings. ## Major Property Acquisition Milestone Peter delivered exciting news about a significant conservation victory that had been years in the making. "Council approved the purchase of the property at the end of Telegraph Road, 1492 Telegraph Road for 1.6 million," he announced. This acquisition represents a crucial link in what will become "the longest North South trail anywhere in the city other than the Inter urban or creek nature area." The purchase of this key parcel will facilitate over a mile of connected trail once the Sunset Pond trails are completed. "We've been trying to buy that property for almost 2 years," Peter noted, emphasizing the persistence requir…
About 14% shown — sign up free to read the rest Sign up free →
### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee met on October 3, 2024, to discuss stewardship programs, upcoming leadership transitions, and the draft 2025 budget. The meeting featured a comprehensive presentation from Parks stewardship staff about volunteer programs, community gardens, and trail maintenance initiatives. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Stewardship Program:** An umbrella program created about 2 years ago within Bellingham Parks to house public-facing work including volunteer programs, community gardens, park ambassadors, and wetland mitigation. **Wetland Mitigation:** A legal requirement where the city must monitor and maintain restored wetland areas for about 10 years, typically done by a biologist for habitat enhancement and restoration. **Park Steward Program:** A volunteer program allowing community members to adopt and maintain specific parts of parks or trails, involving background checks and site visits. **Washington Conservation Corps (WCC):** A job development program that provides crews for environmental projects, including trail maintenance and restoration work. **Pro Plan:** The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, which must be updated by February 2026 and guides city development and trail implementation. **Environmental Justice Crews:** Special WCC crews funded to work in neighborhoods with high environmental health disparities or lack of green spaces. **Telegraph Road Property:** A $1.6 million property purchase approved by council that will create over a mile of continuous North-South trail connectivity. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Neil (Chair) | Greenways Advisory Committee Chair | | Sarah (Vice Chair) | Greenways Advisory Committee Vice Chair | | Freya | Acting Supervisor, Parks Stewardship Program | | Peter | City Staff | | Lane | City Staff | | David | Committee Member | | Daniel Pertz | Project Lead, Bellingham Mount Bak…
About 49% shown — premium members only Upgrade to premium →

Share This Briefing

Tags & Connections

Parks & Recreation Budget & Finance Land Use & Planning Government Operations City Council Dnr Greenways Advisory Committee Neighborhood Associations Parks Department Washington Conservation Corps Whatcom County Daniel Pertz David Member Freya Acting Supervisor Freya Stewardship Kate Member Kelsey Member Lane Parks Neil Chair Peter Parks Sarah Vice Chair Zack Member Budget Finance Community Gardens Comprehensive Plan Land Use Policy Parks Recreation Property Acquisition Stewardship Program Trail Connectivity Volunteer Programs Wetland Mitigation