BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – In-person public comment sessions are returning to Bellingham City Council meetings with a few changes after a brief hiatus.

Mayor Kim Lund outlined steps the city is taking steps to create a more secure environment at the council’s regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 6.

Lund says that includes adding security checks before meetings with a new metal detector that has been ordered.

The council temporarily suspended in-person public comment sessions in November 2024, citing safety concerns.

Council member Michael Lilliquist noted at Monday’s meeting that he’s seen as a change in the nature of in-person comments over recent years.

“The comments at one point during COVID turned nasty and hateful and inappropriate and profane,” Lilliquist said. “At other times, we’ve simply been used as a soapbox for someone to score political points on other topics.”

The council also discussed other changes to public comment periods, including the possibility of moving them to the beginning of meetings, though no action was taken.

In-person public comment is expected to resume at the council’s next meeting on Monday, Jan. 13.