HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Jul 8 2025Whatcom County
Council
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 982254038
(360)778-5010
Minutes - Final
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
6PM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN
INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL
360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 7.7.2025
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council Minutes - Final July 8, 2025
COUNTY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
Present: 7 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway,
Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
There was no report.
MINUTES CONSENT
Byrd moved to accept the minutes consent items. The motion was seconded
by Buchanan (see votes on individual items below).
1. MIN2025-038 Committee of the Whole Executive Session for June 24, 2025
Byrd moved and Buchanan seconded that the Minutes Consent be
APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
2. MIN2025-039 Committee of the Whole for June 24, 2025
Byrd moved and Buchanan seconded that the Minutes Consent be
APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
3. MIN2025-040 Regular County Council for June 24, 2025
Byrd moved and Buchanan seconded that the Minutes Consent be
APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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Council Minutes - Final July 8, 2025
1. AB2025-418 Ordinance granting Whatcom County Water District #7 a franchise and the right,
privilege, and authority thereunder to locate, set, erect, lay, construct, extend,
support, attach, connect, maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities
in, upon, over, under, along, across and through the franchise area to allow for the
provision of water services
Galloway opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2025-032
2. AB2025-420 Ordinance granting Whatcom County Water District #2 a franchise and the right,
privilege, and authority thereunder to locate, set, erect, lay, construct, extend,
support, attach, connect, maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities
in, upon, over, under, along, across and through the franchise area to allow for the
provision of water services
Galloway opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Donovan moved and Byrd seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public
Hearing be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2025-033
3. AB2025-422 Ordinance granting Whatcom County Water District # 18 a franchise and the right,
privilege, and authority thereunder to locate, set, erect, lay, construct, extend,
support, attach, connect, maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities
in, upon, over, under, along, across and through the franchise area to allow for the
provision of water services
Galloway opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Byrd moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public
Hearing be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
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Council Minutes - Final July 8, 2025
OPEN SESSION
Enactment No: ORD 2025-034
The following people spoke:
• Adam Bellingar
• Dave Chase
• Jeff Margolis
• Daniel Harm
• Jessica Silver
• Wayne Harrison
• Brian Armstrong
• Hannah Ordos
• Natalie Chavez
Hearing no one else, Galloway closed the Open Session.
CONSENT AGENDA
(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through four.
Consent Agenda item 44 (AB2025-501)
Byrd spoke about an earlier concern about whether the contract amount is
enough for the Sheriff's deputy. He spoke to the undersheriff who clarified
that some years they do not use all of it, and explained how they track and
bill for the hours worked.
Councilmembers voted on the Consent items (see votes on individual items
below).
1. AB2025-495 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal grant
agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of
Commerce to provide funding for flood mitigation planning in Sumas, Nooksack, and
Everson, in the amount of $1,310,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood
Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
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Council Minutes - Final July 8, 2025
Nay: 0
2. AB2025-497 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Children, Youth and
Families for services related to programming for juvenile offenders under the
supervision of Juvenile Court
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
3. AB2025-500 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Administrative Office of the Courts for services
related to the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Program (FJCIP), in the
amount of $112,500
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
4. AB2025-501 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and US Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service
to increase the contract amount by $56,760
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
OTHER ITEMS
(From Council Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee)
1. AB2025-479 Discussion and request for motion regarding draft Justice Project Stakeholder Group
Charters
Buchanan reported for the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and
moved that the SUBSTITUTE Charters be APPROVED. The motion carried
by the following vote:
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Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Abstain: I - Byrd
Approved Substitute Charters
CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
1. AB2025-510 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Bruce Tabb and Sati
Mookherjee to the Whatcom County Public Facilities District Board
Donovan moved and Byrd seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION
1. AB2025-516 Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #25-37 and enter into a
contact between Whatcom County and Summit Construction Group, Inc., for
renovations and additions to the Van Zandt Community Hall, in the amount of
$823,544
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Bid Award be AUTHORIZED.
Scanlon stated this is a great example of partnership between community
and various levels of government.
Donovan's motion that the Bid Award be AUTHORIZED carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
INTRODUCTION ITEMS
Buchanan moved to introduce items one through eight. The motion was
seconded by Donovan.
Stremler stated he would not pull item eight out to vote on separately as
discussed in committee (see votes on individual items below).
1. AB2025-482 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code section 10.04.095 to establish 20 mph
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school speed zones on Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue for Alderwood
Elementary School
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
2. AB2025-485 Ordinance granting Percie Road Water Association a franchise and the right,
privilege, and authority thereunder to locate, set, erect, lay, construct, extend,
support, attach, connect, maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities
in, upon, over, under, along, across and through the franchise area to allow for the
provision of water services
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
3. AB2025-487 Ordinance granting Point Roberts Water District #4 a franchise and the right,
privilege, and authority thereunder to locate, set, erect, lay, construct, extend,
support, attach, connect, maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities
in, upon, over, under, along, across and through the franchise area to allow for the
provision of water services
Buchanan moved that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be
INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
4. AB2025-488 Ordinance amending the project budget for the Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Blaine
Road Intersection Improvements Fund; CRP 4906001, request no. 1
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance be
INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote:
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5.
6.
7.
8.
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
AB2025-492 Ordinance amending the project budget for the E. Smith/Hannegan Road Intersection
Improvements Fund, request no. 4
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance be
INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
AB2025-494 Ordinance amending the project budget for the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and
System Modernization Fund, request no. 1
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance be
INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
AB2025-498 Ordinance amending the project budget for the New Public Health, Safety and Justice
Facility, request no. 8
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance be
INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
AB2025-502 Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 8, in the amount
of $3,548,146
Buchanan moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance be
INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
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COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
ADJOURN
Councilmembers gave committee reports and discussed:
• The possibility of having the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction
Task Force (IPRTF) (AB2025-489) advise the Council on budget
• Whether the Sheriff has provided speed limit enforcement at
Bennett Drive and Alderwood Ave (AB2025-481 and 482), and
asking the Public Works Department how previously lowering the
speed limit worked out
Councilmembers gave updates on recent activities and upcoming events.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on August 6, 2025.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger
Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair
Whatcom County Page 8 Printed on 8171202S