HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Aug 26 2025Whatcom County
Council (Special)
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
• •
Minutes - Final
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
9AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING (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 Stremler
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council (Special) Minutes - Final August 26, 2025
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
Present: 6 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway,
and Mark Stremler
Absent: 1 - Jon Scanlon
Announcements
Committee Discussion
Galloway stated that discussion of agenda items one and two may take place
in executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) and RCW
42.30.110 (1)(i), (ii) respectively. Executive session will conclude no later
than 10 a.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, the
Council chair will make a public announcement.
Buchanan moved to go into executive session until no later than 10 a.m. to
discuss the agenda items pursuant to the RCW citation(s) as announced by
the Council Chair. The motion was seconded by Stremler.
Donovan asked about the second agenda item (AB2025-592) and what they
would be discussing that they have not already read about in Cascadia Daily
News. He asked how they make sure discussions in executive session do
not constrain Council's ability to talk when they are out at the dais about
what they (and the public) are reading about.
Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, stated if what is being
stated in the Cascadia Daily News is the basis of their knowledge, that is
what they would reference, but anything being stated in executive session
would stay private.
Donovan stated his concern is that they will be given privileged
communication that will constrain their ability to be investigating or trying
to understand what is going on with fund balances that are being reported
and linked to this potential litigation.
Thulin stated she sent an email to Council explaining that they are going to
be updated as to the status of the situation as of today and what the next
steps would be. Those are things that are not in the news, nor are they things
that would interfere with Council's ability to independently do what they
Whatcom County Page I Printed on 912412025
Council (Special) Minutes - Final August 26, 2025
consider to be their job.
Clerk's note: Elenbaas joined the meeting shortly after the roll call.
Attorneys Present: Jesse Corkern and Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting
Attorney's Office, and John Henry, Summit Law.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 - Scanlon
Councilmembers entered executive session at 9:06 a.m.
At 10 a.m. Galloway adjourned the executive session.
1. AB2025-436 Update on negotiations and planning strategy discussion with Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Jesse Corkern regarding collective bargaining [Discussion of this item may take place
in executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a)]
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2025-592 Discussion of litigation specifically threatened against the County or that Whatcom
County reasonably believes may be commenced against the County [Discussion of
this item may take place in executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW
42.30.110 (1)(i), (ii)]
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on September 23, 2025,
Whalcom County Page 2 Printed on 912412025
Council (Special) Minutes - Final August 26, 2025
ATTEST:
Nit
e �° °<1 CCU T p•• •�
Canty Hglk%CMTjt(Df9.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger
Kayl Galloway, Council Chair
"alcom County page 3 Printed on 912412025