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Home My WebLink About2021 - City of Bellingham Prop 2021-16 Reducing Signatures Required to Amend CharterLanguage on the Ballot: City of Bellingham Proposition 2021-16 Reducing Signatures Required to Amend Charter City of Bellingham Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2021-01 would reduce the number of signatures required to amend the Charter. This amendment would change the method for calculating the number of signatures required to amend the Charter by the petition method. Currently, petitioners must obtain signatures from at least 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last preceding general state election. This amendment would require petitioners to obtain signatures from 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last preceding municipal election. It would substantially reduce the signatures required to propose Charter amendments. Should this amendment be enacted into law? 0 Yes 0 No Explanatory Statement: The citizens of the City of Bellingham have adopted a Charter which establishes the form of the City, and the manner and mode in which the City exercises its powers, functions, and duties. The Charter may be amended using the petition method under State law on a petition signed by 15% of the total number of voters cast at the last preceding general state election. This proposed amendment would reduce the number of signatures required to propose a Charter amendment by the petition method to 15% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general municipal election. Whatcom County Auditor's Office Whatcom County Courthouse 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 January 25, 2022 City of Bellingham Andrew Asbiornsen 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Dear Andrew: Diana Bradrick County Auditor Stacy Henthorn Chief Deputy Auditor Enclosed is the Statement of Votes Cast from the November 2, 2021 General Election pertaining to City of Bellingham: Initiative 2021-0l, Expanding Tenant Rights to Include Rental Relocation Assistance Initiative 2021-02, Concerning Use of Facial Recognition Technology Initiative 2021-03, Prohibits Using City Funds to Discourage Unionization Efforts Initiative 2021-04, Concerning Employee Rights for Hourly -Wage Employees and Gig Workers Proposition 2021-16, Reducing Signatures Required to Amend Charter Proposition 2021-17, Reducing Signatures Required to Propose an Initiative For the Precinct by Precinct Abstract, please refer to our website at www.whatcomcounty.us/auditor. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 360-778-5105. Sincerely, Diana Bradrick County Auditor Enclosure Administration Elections Licensing Recording We gladly accept Auditor@comhatcom.wa.us Elections@co.whatcom.wa.us Licensing@comhatcomma.us Recording@co.whatcom.wa.us relay calls. 360-778-5100 360-778-5102 360-778-5100 360-778-5100 Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1 Whatcom County Washington; General Election November 2, 2021 2021-11-23 All Precincts, All Districts, All ScanStations, City of Bellingham Proposition 2021-16, City of Bellingham 11:20:32 Proposition 2021-17, City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-01, City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-02, City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-03, City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-04, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 30018 Registered Voters: 157062. Overall Turnout: 19.11% Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts City of Bellingham Proposition 2021-16 (Vote for 1) 30018 ballots (1 over voted ballots,_ 1 overvotes, 1642 undervotes), 61148 registered voters, turnout 49.09% Yes 16048 56.56% No 12327 43.44% Total 28375 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 1642 City of Bellingham Proposition 2021-17 (Vote for 1) 30018 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 1703 undervotes), 61148 registered voters, turnout 49.09% Yes 15553 54.93% No 12762 45.07% Total 28315 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 1703 City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-01 (Vote for 1) 30018 ballots 0 over voted ballots 0 overvotes, 715 undervotes), 61148 registered voters, turnout 49.09% Yes 14485 49.43% No 14818 50.57% Total 29303 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 715 City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-02 (Vote for 1) 30018 ballots 3 over voted ballots 3 overvotes, 940 undervotes), 61148 registered voters, turnout 49.09% Yes 16630 57.20% No 12445 42.80% Total 29075 100.00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 940 City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-03 (Vote for 1) 30018 ballots 3 over voted ballots 3 overvotes, 1136 undervotes), 61148 registered voters, turnout 49.09% Yes 18237 63.15% No 10642 38.85% Total 28879 100.00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 1136 City of Bellingham Initiative No. 2021-04 (Vote for 1) 30018 ballots 2 over voted ballots 2 overvotes, 788 undervotes), 61148 registered voters, turnout 49.09% Yes 11912 40.76% No 17316 59.24% Total 29228 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 788 Ballot Measure Cover Shy A completed cover sheet must accompany each ballot measure submitted to the Whatrom County Auditor. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that requested documentation is presented no later than the resolution deadline date. This form is available in a fillable form on the Auditor's website: www.whatcomcounty.us/auditor. District Name: City of Bellingham District Address: 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham Contact Person 1 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director Name & Title 360-778-8020, adasbjornsen@cob.org Phone & email James Erb Contact Person 2 Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy Clerk Name & Title 360-778-8006, eaoaks@cob.org Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? Name M Yes ❑ No 360-778-8132 Phone & email Attached the Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy of Yes El No the original Resolution? Attached the Explanatory Statement (not to exceed 100 words) for �I Yes ❑ No the Local Voters' Pamphlet prepared by your attorney? IJ Attached the "For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms? XYe S ❑ No Completed this cover sheet? Yes ❑ No � r �a,.,� co o � o � 5 e�.c c,�i�, `� o � iaa�a�.r.�� co r-�.r-` . � i�j �1��..�►:�, Auditor Office RECEIVE DIANA BRADRICK WHATCOM COUNTY AUDITOR Deputy Auditor's Signature Missing document(s): I understand that the submittal deadline date for the missing documents is B h-) 12 A and the Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot measure until all documents have been submitted. Presenter's Signature nk BELL�A ; wu' Office of the City Attorney City of Bellingham August 2, 2021 Whatcom County Auditor Diana Bradrick 311 Grand Avenue Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225 RE: Explanatory Statement for Proposed Charter Amendment 2021-01 Dear Madame Auditor, The City Attorney's Office has drafted the following explanatory statement regarding City of Bellingham's Proposed Charter Amendment 2021-01 to be included in the local voter's pamphlet: The citizens of the City of Bellingham have adopted a Charter which establishes the form of the City, and the manner and mode in which the City exercises its powers, functions, and duties. The Charter may be amended using the petition method under State law on a petition signed by 15% of the total number of voters cast at the last preceding general state election. This proposed amendment would reduce the number of signatures required to propose a Charter amendment by the petition method to 15% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general municipal election. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please let know if you have any questions. Respectfully, i .mimes Erb Sr. Asst. City Attorney Office: (360) 778-8270 1 Fax: (360) 778-8271 1 www.cob.org/attorney 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham WA 98225 RECEIVED 6 0 3 2021 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-22 DI * gRADR]CK WFiATC M COUJJTY AUDITOR A RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEES FOR AND AGAINST THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO AMEND THE CHARTER BY THE PETITION METHOD WHEREAS, City Council passed Resolution 2021-015 on July 12, 2021, proposing an amendment to Article XIII, section 2 of the City's Charter; and WHEREAS, the proposed Charter amendment would reduce the number of signatures required to propose a Charter amendment by the petition method; and WHEREAS, the proposed Charter amendment would allow the registered electors of the City to propose specific amendments to the Charter, on petition of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than 15% of the total number of votes cast for the office of Mayor at the last preceding municipal general election rather than 15% of the total number of votes cast for governor during the last preceding statewide general election; and WHEREAS, the proposed Charter amendment would substantially reduce the number of signatures required to propose a Charter amendment by the petition method; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Auditor will publish a local voters' pamphlet to inform the voters about candidates and ballot measures appearing on the ballot; and WHEREAS, prior to submitting a resolution placing a measure on the ballot, the City must formally appoint a committee "For" and "Against" the ballot measure. The committee "For" will prepare a statement advocating voters' approval of the measure; the committee "Against" will prepare a statement advocating voters' rejection of the measure; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM: The City Council designates the following community members to serve on the committee "For" the proposed Charter amendment to Article XIII, section 2 of the City's Charter to prepare a statement advocating that voters approve the measure: Michael Lilliquist, Andrew Redding, and Cindy Madigan. The City Council designates the following community members to serve on the committee "Against" the proposed Charter amendment to Article XIII, section 2 of the City's Charter to prepare a statement advocating that voters reject the measure: No persons applied. Resolution Appointing Committees For and Against Proposed Charter Amendment (1) City of Bellingham City Attorney 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-778-8270 PASSED by the Council this 2 nd day of August, 2021. :;�A4 Hannah Stone, Council President APPROVED by me this ATTEST: APPROV AS TO FO Office of t City Attorney 14 day of 2021; ayor r- Resolution Appointing Committees For and Against City of Bellingham Proposed Charter Amendment (2) City Attorney 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-778-8270 BALLOT TITLE FOR CITY OF BELLINGHAM PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT No. 2021-01 City of Bellingham Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2021-01 would reduce the number of signatures required to amend the Charter. This amendment would change the method for calculating the number of signatures required to amend the Charter by the petition method. Currently, petitioners must obtain signatures from at least 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last preceding general state election. This amendment would require petitioners to obtain signatures from 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last preceding municipal election. It would substantially reduce the signatures required to propose Charter amendments. Should this amendment be enacted into law? Yes? .............................. No? ......................... RESOLUTION NO. 2021-15 A RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIII, SECTION 2 OF THE CITY'S CHARTER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO PROPOSE A CHARTER AMENDMENT BY THE PETITION METHOD f WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Bellingham provides for amendments proposed by 1 petition; and WHEREAS, the Charter currently defers to RCW 35.22.120, which states "On petition of a number (equal to fifteen percent of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general state election) of qualified voters of any municipality having adopted a charter under the laws of this state, asking the adoption of a specified charter amendment, providing for any matter within the realm of local affairs, or municipal business, the said amendment shall be submitted to the voters at the next regular municipal election, occurring thirty days or more after said petition is filed, and if approved by a majority of the local electors of the municipality voting upon it, such amendment shall become a part of the charter organic law governing such municipality"; and WHEREAS, using the number of votes cast at the last preceding general state election is inconsistent with Article X, Section 2 of the City Charter, which uses a percentage of "the total number of votes cast for the office of Mayor at the last preceding municipal general election" rather than the last state election for proposing initiatives; and WHEREAS, municipal and state elections occur in different years with vastly different turnouts (voter turnout for the 2019 mayoral election was 30,937; voter turnout for the 2020 statewide general election was 55,260); and WHEREAS, using the most recent turnout in a state election rather than the most recent turnout in a municipal election is disproportionate, setting too high a bar for signature f gathering for a City Charter amendment; and WHEREAS, Bellingham is one of six First Class Cities in Washington State with a mayor - council form of government. Seattle, Spokane, Everett, and Aberdeen all require a percentage of votes cast in the most recent municipal or mayoral election, usually 15 percent;' I only Bremerton defers to the RCW; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM: I Section 1. Article XIII, Section 2 of the Charter shall be amended to read as follows: This ChaFtep ., ay be mended by thet et�ed-a�xevided-by�le�aws e�tt3e �tate-0f Waswglen- The registered electors of the City mad ro ❑se sneciflc amendments to this Gharter. on petition of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than 15% of the total numwr of votes cast for the office of 10avor at the =_ 2Sirecedln.:- uniciral oeneral election. Every Resolution #2D21-15 Amending Article XIII, City of Bellingham Section 2 of the Charter (1) City Attorney 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 96225 360-778-8270 petition prop sing a specific Charter amendment shall be filed with the Finance Director. who shall promptly transmit fhe cetitian tg the Whatcom County Auditor to verify the sufficiency of the signatures to the petition. i If the Auditor verifies the sufficiency of the signatures to the petition. then the ❑roposed + Charter amendment shall be submitted to the voters at the next regular municipal election accurrIM thirty days or more after said petition its fled and if approved by_ majority of the local electors of the municipality voting upon it. such amendment shall become a part of this Charter. and be in full force and effect and be published in the Cit • official news aaer within 10 days after the official canvass of the ballots ursuant to law. If more than one Charter amendment be submitted at the same munici .ai election they sjrlall use be submitted to the voters in such manner that each nro d amendment maw fie voted on separately without preiudice to ethers. Section 2. The Finance Director shall submit a copy of this resolution to the Whatcom County Auditor's office for submission to the qualified electors for approval or rejection at the next general municipal election. PASSED by the Council this 1211 day of July, 2021. APPROVED by me this I -� _ day of ,annah Stone, Council P�sident 2021, j• f 'Fleetwood, rlaydr ATTEST: 1 Anrp sbjorseTj finance Director f% f L- APPROV ❑ AS TO FORM: th Office o e City Attorney Resolution #2021-15 Amending Article XIII, City of Bellingham Section 2 of the Charter (2) City Attorney 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-778-8270