Community Wellbeing and Civic Practices Chapter

I appreciate the intentional integration of community health and wellbeing, belonging and vitality into this plan. Paired with commitments to expanding tribal relations, and infusing equity and inclusion throughout City practices, these aspirational goals are both important and achievable. To truly center them, we will need to be able to talk across differences, understand multiple perspectives, and engage with one another with humility and curiosity. We will also need to equip our community with the skills, processes, and opportunities to do that well.

For the section on Community Health and Well-being, please consider how we can support the mental health wellbeing of our community members, and overall stress reduction - from violence prevention, to conflict resolution, to suicide prevention. Perhaps this is implied in “behavioral health and other community needs”, but could be named more explicitly.

For the section on Vitality and Belonging - and the subset of incarceration diversion, I encourage the intentional inclusion of restorative justice, dispute resolution, and dialogue-based skill building opportunities and practices. Our community is receptive to these philosophies and eager to engage.

For the section on community engagement, I hope effective processes will be supported for group facilitation, listening sessions, and creative designs for eliciting input and feedback.

Regarding the "proposed changes to our growth plan": 1. That is a LOT of proposed growth by 2045. The brochure says we must plan for growth. Bellingham is already becoming a crowded small city. If we are having a housing crisis, why do we continue planning for further growth? Perhaps we should look at a plan that will accommodate our current situation, without accommodating growth that has not yet happened. It is not a requirement for cities to grow.
2. I am opposed to the changes in regulation on city lots that allow infill seemingly without limit. It seems unfair when someone bought a house in a neighborhood that has certain building regulations, and then these regulations are changed without the voice of the people that live there, and it completely changes the face of the neighborhood. On one regular size city lot in a neighborhood that currently had one single family home per lot, and a limit on ADU's throughout the neighborhood, now two new buildings can be approved with three bedrooms each ON ONE SMALL LOT without any opportunity for comment from the neighbors. An investor can come in and "infill" a lot with no requirement for parking spaces, no requirement for permeable surfaces, significantly lessened requirements for setbacks from an alley and property lines with the neighbors...now what you have eliminated is green space, open airspace, parking space, and privacy from windows (neighbors main windows looking down into a yard that used to be private). It's really not fair to change the zoning without representation from the neighbors that originally bought into a place that had certain zoning regulations.
Regarding slide 8 "community health and well-being": I want to comment on food waste reduction and recovery. The requirement of a compost bin for every single family residence has increased my garbage cost significantly. I was already reducing waste as much as possible, with one garbage pickup per month and recycling. My neighbors had collaborated for our food waste and I also had the option to take my own yard waste to the facility in Ferndale if I needed more waste removed from my property, which was significantly cheaper overall. When we say in one breath that we want affordable housing, and in the next breath we increase the costs for necessities such as garbage, that feels hypocritical. I guess it's easy to put a blanket fix across the whole community, but we should be thinking outside of the box. We have some other issues in our community that don't encourage people to save resources. For example, water barely costs anything per usage unit, so I'm not encouraged at all to save water, because saving will reduce my bill by maybe $2. I'm not encouraged to reduce my garbage production, since my garbage bill cannot go down and in fact increased with the required food waste program. If Bellingham wants to be a leader environmentally, then we need to think outside the box and figure out ways to encourage our community members to use and produce less. Money talks.

I second the feedback on this chapter from:
averagejoe
Kees
bjsmart
McLeod Neighbor

The Community Well Being and Civic Practices chapter addresses a lot of relevant aspects of building a healthy and thriving community. However, I'm concerned that not addressing any environmental impacts, AND the direct connection between a community and the health and sustainability of their environment. People have strong connections to place, and when that place grows to big and changes to quickly, socio-emotional health of a community is heavily impacted. This chapter would benefit from clear explanations of how the place of Bellingham achieves these important civic goals while maintaining a healthy, sustainable environment; another aspect and consideration for people living here, or for those choosing to relocate here.

I would like to see the issues of gender-based violence - eg intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking - to be specifically named in this plan; one phrase that could encompass these issues is "interpersonal violence", which would also include child abuse. Trauma from interpersonal violence is a root cause of homelessness, substance use, and behavioral health issues, and people cannot be safe in their community if they are unsafe at home. Additionally, interpersonal violence thrives in misunderstanding and silence, which is why it is so important to name it along with other complex problems facing our community. Several of the bubbles speak to economic justice, including food, housing, and financial security, which is a proven strategy for reducing and ending instances of gender-based violence by giving people more independence and choice.

For the section on Community Health and Well-being, interpersonal violence could be added in the bubble that says "addressing substance use challenges, behavioral health issues, and other community needs" and/or in the section on "reducing food insecurity and homelessness."

Under the Vitality and Belonging section, "proactive safety strategies" could include all public and private spaces, including homes, schools, faith communities, in public, etc.

"Incarceration diversion strategies" could include restorative and transformative justice; several community groups and organizations are working on expanding understanding and use of these philosophies, including to address interpersonal violence.

I see nothing addressing city noise pollution. It's really bad in my neighborhood and regularly taxes the mental health of residents.

I'm particularly excited to see the Community Health and Wellbeing section. Building a stronger local food system is key to a thriving community. I hope we can work on some succession planning as longtime farmers retire, to make sure that land stays viable for food production.

There is measurable and visible positive, healthful and inclusive intention in the new Chapter. That is great. Very much love, appreciate and support the Tribal Relations Section. What concerns me is the need for reference to addiction and interdiction. Rick Larson's work and collaborations in this area are one source of thinking to tap. The truth we cannot speak is that mental illness, addiction and drug trafficking are REAL. We have to expand beyond what are starting to feel like recycled concepts of housing that are divorced from the evidence of behavior/ trauma that become 'encampments.' It has been 80 years since Kennedy dismantled the state hospital system. Allowing people to suffer publicly doesn't seem like a great alternative.

I don't see any mention of efforts to increase affordable housing. As someone who has lived in Bellingham for over 20 years and has a stable well-paying job, it is extremely frustrating that housing is so expensive and limited that I literally cannot find a rental within my price range nor am I able to find--much less afford--a house in the city. The overwhelming influx of high-earning remote workers and the deathgrip property management companies have on the rental market is completely changing the character of the town.

I would like to see more attention given to safer access to the city through better transportation infrastructure. Many people consistently us cars instead of walking, biking, or bussing because they do not feel safe among motorized vehicles. Many laws that protect non-motorized traffic are seen as minor and are often either overlooked by police or are unenforceable due to traffic congestion or public safety. I think we should be working to separate cars and trucks from non-motorized and pedestrian traffic more. This will also work towards showing that Belliingham truly is equitable to all of its residents, regardless of income level.

Recently, in an effort to reduce food waste, the city imposed a mandatory requirement that all residents, no matter their situation, have food plus composting service through a private company without the ability to opt out. In a period of time when we are attempting to make living in the city more affordable, this increases costs for all residents. At the same time, the city charges a 20.85% tax on this and other garbage/recycling services, even though the garbage is not disposed of in the city. The state charges a much more modest 3.6% tax and the county a 3.3% tax. Along with the required service, the private company who provides these services raised their rates 2.7% as of May 1 even though the requirement for food plus toters should increase their revenue substantially. Residents should be able to opt out of this service. One idea would be for residents to provide an explanation of alternative methods they use for composting and reducing food waste and/or an explanation along with having the minimum amount of garbage collection possible - at this time, once per month. This would incentivize reduction in waste by residents. It feels strange for a government to force residents to use one particular private company giving them an effective monopoly in the city.

City plan “wellbeing”

I fail to find anything in this plan that speaks to being well in either the physical or mental sense, nor any discussion of how the city can foster such. I suggest that you expand your efforts to include these real needs or reframe your label. I vote for addressing folks physical and mental needs that the city might be able to see a role for themselves.

Love the idea of establishing a community kitchen where everyone can be nourished and connect over food regardless of income or housing status. I am also excited about this plan's intentions to elevate relationships with Tribal Nations, and I think it is important to follow through with these intentions.

I appreciate the addition of the "one city" approach. It reminds me of the Bellingham Public Schools' "one schoolhouse" approach and I think that is a really important way to promote equity. As BPS parent, I see the one schoolhouse approach in action and see its value for the community. Thanks for moving thinking this way to help spread opportunity and also likely promote efficiency by not having various approaches and plans for different neighborhoods.

I think the focus on "encouraging activity through parks and recreation, programming, transportation, and amenities" has helped increase the quality of life for Bellingham residents and tourists. We should keep it up and allocate resources where we can. I also think this can tie in with other sections of the plan, allowing us to hit goals more easily.

Affordable Housing and childcare included in new development. You have done important work Liz and committee.
Concern: navigating retirement resources.
WWU, WCC & BTC must create curriculum that results community/homecare professionals. Highschools must provide navigation help for children facing family extended care.
A navigation center established to help agricultural workers and others gain access to community resources who are immigrants, asylum seekers, non English speakers. Those working in agriculture, home care and hospitality to mention a few need help accessing medical, education, employment, legal issues, etc,

Can we please establish a community kitchen? A community kitchen would be incredible to wnsure citizens regardless of class and background can get food.

Staff Note: Comments made early than this one were based on an older version of the chapter material released in November 2024.

Many of us chose our homes for its neighborhood/location and we have invested heavily in them over the years. So, if a new property owner wants to make changes that will substantially affect all the other neighbors' quality of life (such as by increasing the noise, traffic, parking problems, or by decreasing neighborhood safety, greenspace, etc.) that property owner/developer should be required to *first* get the approval of the neighbors. It is our lives and property values that will pay the price for his changes. The COB must protect our rights to live in the neighborhood that we choose, more than the rights of developers or newcomers. There is enough vacant land, derelict properties, and opportunities to build up that we do not need to destroy established, highly functional neighborhoods.

I think community wellbeing must be founded on frequent interaction between people, and the ability to interact with people who have different backgrounds and beliefs. One thing that I feel is missing are community centers/hubs/neighborhood gathering spaces. There are great small business etc facilitating community building activities but I think Bellingham could use more places like libraries. Places
that are open everyday, to everyone, and offer free programming and activities, and have spaces for community members to use for their own events.