Briefly

News from the Blaine City Council meeting on September 24 at city hall, 435 Martin Street.

Blaine Library to hold an open house in November

During a public comment period, Blaine Library branch manager Debby Farmer invited the public to attend an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 4 at 610 3rd Street.

The event will mark the 30th year the library has operated out of the building, which used to serve the city’s public works department.

Farmer also said throughout the month of September, Bellingham Lock and Safe will donate $1 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County every time someone signs up for a new Whatcom County Library Service library card.

To learn more, visit wcls.org/unlockyourlibrary/.

New ad hoc committee to focus on downtown redevelopment

Blaine City Council voted 4-0 (with councilmembers Charlie Hawkins and Eric Davidson absent and Alicia Rule excused) to form a six-member ad hoc committee responsible for creating plans to redevelop downtown properties that are owned by the city, including the old city hall building as well as the skate park and library sites.

“Under the proposal we would replace, relocate or rebuild certain facilities, and make some of the properties available for sale and development,” read a staff report prepared by city manager Michael Jones. “The intent is to stimulate downtown housing development and to provide enhanced facilities to replace the ones impacted by the proposal.”

Three members of the city council, including Bonnie Onyon, Steve Lawrenson and Davidson, were nominated to join the board. Three members of the public are expected to fill the three remaining seats.