Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting: February 9th, 2026

The City of Bellingham City Council held a regular meeting on February 9, 2026, which included several procurement-related discussions and decisions. A key agenda item was the declaration of two residential properties at 1504 and 1506 I Street as surplus to the city's needs, followed by designating them for special disposition and directing staff to sell the properties through a negotiated Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The council emphasized prioritizing community organizations capable of providing affordable or transitional housing, with flexibility in evaluating applicants' experience and ability to deliver. The council unanimously approved this motion. Additionally, the council awarded a $12.76 million contract for the construction of the Watcom Emergency Communications Center, supported by nearly $1 million in state grant funding, with construction expected to begin in March 2026. Other procurement-related actions included approval of lodging tax advisory committee grant recommendations for community events and authorization of an interlocal agreement with the Watcom Council of Governments for administering the city's commute trip reduction program, involving a $25,000 contract. The council also confirmed the mayor's appointment of special counsel for the Civil Service Commission. These actions reflect the council's focus on affordable housing initiatives, public safety infrastructure investment, and transportation program administration.