HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Exec Jul 22 2025Whatcom County
Council Committee of the Whole -Executive Session
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
8:40 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 9:15 A.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE
REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR
CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremlcr
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final duly 22, 2025
Whole -Executive Session
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 8:41 a.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
Present: 7 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway,
Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler
Announcements
Committee Discussion
Attorney Present: Kellen Kooistra, Kimbery Thulin, and Dennis McLerran
(Cascadia Law).
Galloway stated that discussion of agenda item one may take place in
executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i). Executive session
will conclude no later than 9:15 a.m. If the meeting extends beyond the
stated conclusion time, the Council chair will make a public announcement.
Byrd moved to go into executive session until no later than 9:15 a.m. to
discuss the agenda item pursuant to the RCW citation as announced by the
Council Chair. The motion was seconded by Buchanan.
Donovan stated he was hoping they could have a discussion before they go
into executive session so they can get an understanding of what they can talk
about publicly. He asked if they are going to get a public presentation about
this whole thing so people know what has happened and what decisions were
made by the executive regarding enforcement.
Kellen Kooistra, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, answered what of this topic
can or should be public versus disclosed in executive session.
Scanlon stated he does not think they have had enough discussion and he
thinks there ought to be a public discussion about what the gaps were in our
code and enforcement because that is about the County's code and how it
enforces its code. He would like to discuss whether there is anything that
they need to change to make sure that something like this does not happen
again.
Galloway stated maybe that can discuss the matter on their agenda today
which is subject to an executive session, then they can schedule a follow up
to discuss the gaps in code and enforcement. She stated they can have the
executive session and figure out how they want to move forward.
Whakom County Page 1
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final July 22, 2025
Whole -Executive Session
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Byrd, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 2 - Buchanan and Donovan
Councilmembers entered executive session at 8:48 a.m.
AB2025-531 Discussion with Planning and Development Services Director Mark Personius,
outside council Dennis McLerran of Cascadia Law, and Deputy Prosecutor Kellen
Kooistra regrading Petrogas permitting and enforcement. [Discussion of this item may
take place in executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)
(1)•1
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Items Added byRevision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 9:16 a.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on September 9, 2025.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Kay lee Galloway, Cound Chair
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger
Whatcom County page 2