HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Oct 7 2025Whatcom County
Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
9:20 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 10:05 A.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON,
SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil,
OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 10.6.2025
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final October 7, 2025
Services Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. in
a hybrid meeting.
Present: 3 - Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, and Barry Buchanan
Also Present: Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler
Announcements
Council "Consent Agenda" Items
Buchanan moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items one
through fourteen.
Donovan stated he would like to consider Consent Agenda item number 13
(AB2025-697) separately.
Byrd stated he would like to consider Consent Agenda item number 10
(AB2025-691) separately.
Stremler asked questions about item number 2 (AB2025-670) and the
following people answered:
• Chris D'Onofrio, Health and Community Services
• Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office
D'Onofrio spoke about this lease compared to last year's and stated it is
very similar.
Schott-Bresler spoke about a separate companion contract with the tenant
for property management services.
D'Onofrio spoke about the role of the property owner as it relates to the
shelter.
Councilmembers voted on Consent items 1-9, 11, 12, and 14 (see votes on
individual items below).
1. AB2025-669 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth
and Families to administer the Nurse Family Partnership Program, in the amount of
$393,195
"atcom County page J
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final October 7, 2025
Services Committee
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
2. AB2025-670 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Lutheran Community Services Northwest to lease a facility
intended for use as a severe weather shelter, in the amount of $66,455
Buchanan moved that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
3. AB2025-671 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. to provide adjudication technical
assistance, in the amount of $105,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood
Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Buchanan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
4. AB2025-675 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and GeoTest Services, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 for
a total amended contract amount of $250,000
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
5. AB2025-683 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement
between Whatcom County and Squalicum Mountain Holdings LLC to lease space on
a radio tower on Squalicum Mountain, in the amount of $135,841
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
Whatcom County Page 2
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final October 7, 2025
Services Committee
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
6. AB2025-686 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Northwest Educational Services District 189 to
participate in the Youth Cannabis and Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program, in
the amount of $12,000
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
7. AB2025-687 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Snohomish County to participate in the Youth
Cannabis and Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program, in the amount of $45,000
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
8. AB2025-689 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and San Juan County to participate in the Youth Cannabis
and Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program, in the amount of $29,000
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
9. AB2025-690 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and Lookout Mountain Holdings LLC to add
equipment to the radio tower lease, in the amount of $36,269
Buchanan moved that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
"alcom County Page 3
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final October 7, 2025
Services Committee
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
10. AB2025-691 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the Whatcom Land Trust to provide funding from the
Conservation Futures Fund to fulfill requirements of the Purchase and Sale Agreement
for the Whatcom Land Trust to acquire Phase 2 of the Stewart Mountain Community
Forest, in the amount of $200,000
This item was considered separately below.
11. AB2025-692 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and SpectraSite Communications, LLC to
add equipment to the radio tower lease, in the amount of $24,969
Buchanan moved that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
12. AB2025-695 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Washington Traffic Safety Commission for high
visibility enforcement (HVE) traffic safety emphasis overtime patrols, in the amount of
$28,000
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
13. AB2025-697 Resolution amending Resolution 2025-021 to designate the Chair of the Council
Finance Committee as an Alternate Director to the Risk Pool Board of Directors
This item was considered separately below.
14. AB2025-698 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Communications NorthWest to configure, install and provide
point to point microwave network installations, in the amount of $159,224
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
K%atcom County page 4
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final October 7, 2025
Services Committee
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
Council "Consent Aeenda" Items Considered Separately
10. AB2025-691 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the Whatcom Land Trust to provide funding from the
Conservation Futures Fund to fulfill requirements of the Purchase and Sale Agreement
for the Whatcom Land Trust to acquire Phase 2 of the Stewart Mountain Community
Forest, in the amount of $200,000
Donovan moved that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 1 - Byrd
13. AB2025-697 Resolution amending Resolution 2025-021 to designate the Chair of the Council
Finance Committee as an Alternate Director to the Risk Pool Board of Directors
Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, briefed the councilmembers and stated
this is part of the Council's work to ensure that the Council and public are
getting information regarding any risk -related settlements. Council is also
considering amending the code (see AB2025-575 in Council) to ensure that
council members have a role in the interdepartmental team in the risk pool
work as one way to have better coordination between all of the branches.
She spoke about the administrative nature of the Risk Pool Board and stated
the Administration's recommendation is to move forward with the proposed
code changes (AB2025-575), see if that addresses the problem, then revisit
this resolution in the future if needed.
Donovan moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL.
Pennucci stated this resolution is different than the ordinance on the agenda
for consideration tonight, so they might want to reconsider the motion and
delay this action.
Donovan withdrew his motion.
Councilmembers discussed tabling this resolution.
Wha(com County Page 5
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final
Services Committee
Donovan moved to recommend that the Resolution be TABLED
INDEFINITELY. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
Committee Discussion
1.
2.
3.
4.
October 7, 2025
AB2025-679 Discussion of an ordinance amending the project budget for the New Public Health,
Safety and Justice Facility, request no. 9
Rob Ney, Administrative Services Department Facilities, stated the request
in front of councilmembers is to increase Facilities' budget authority for
the Justice Facility Project in the amount of $2,960,000 for necessary
wetland mitigation on the justice facility site. He stated they will do their
due diligence now so that, if they come to conclusion on the site, they can
proceed forward with the mitigation easement. He stated it would come out
of the jail tax levy.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
AB2025-684 Discussion of an ordinance establishing the Silver Lake Lagoon Project Fund and
establishing an initial budget for the Silver Lake Lagoon Bridge Fund
Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director, briefed the
councilmembers on the proposed ordinance.
Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, stated this is using REET funding and
they have prioritized looking at projects that are addressing safety issues.
This will address an issue with the bridge as well as try to find a solution to
maintain the trail connectivity. While the County is still doing a full review
of the capital program, Council will see some projects coming through that
are addressing safety issues or priority projects for the departments. The
Administration is, however, scrutinizing each one.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
AB2025-688 Discussion of an ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no.
11, in the amount of $517,671
Randy Rydel, Administrative Services Department Finance Director,
briefed the councilmembers on the funds being impacted by the request and
the dollar amount for each one.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
AB2025-703 Discussion of a resolution amending the 2025 Flood Control Zone District and
Subzones Budget, request no. 4, in the amount of $49,400
Whalcom County Page 6
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final October 7, 2025
Services Committee
Ingrid Enschede, Public Works Department, briefed the councilmembers
and stated this has a net zero impact to the Flood Control Zone District
budget and she summarized the request.
Clerk's note: Enschede offered a correction to part of her briefing later in
the meeting after the vote on A132024-704.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Items Added by Revision
1. AB2025-704 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Other Business
Whatcom County and Ferndale Community Services to operate a severe weather
shelter in Ferndale, in the amount of $145,993
The following people answered questions:
• Kayla Schott-Brester, Executive's Office
• Ann Beck, Health and Community Services
• Chris D'Onofrio, Health and Community Services
They discussed with councilmembers that this site in Ferndale was also
used for a shelter last winter, and that the cost for this is more than the
contract with Lutheran Community Services Northwest because that one is
just for a lease, but the County is also providing the operational activities
for this one, so most of the funding is for the staff who will be operating the
shelter.
D'Onofrio spoke about the amount of the contract and confirmed that most
of the funds here ($103,993) are Commerce Consolidated Homeless Grant
dollars.
Councilmembers voted on this item (see motion and vote below), then
Ingrid Enschede, Public Works Department, offered a correction to her
earlier briefing on AB2025-703.
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
Stremler spoke about the use of Road Fund dollars for storm events and
stated he spoke to the Executive's Office about what could be done instead
Whatcom County page 7
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes- Final
Services Committee
of having that fund be hit so hard.
October 7, 2025
Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, spoke about the idea of a risk reserve,
that the executive is proposing to create in the Non -Departmental Fund, that
could be used for that type of unbudgeted expense. It would help ensure that
funds (like the Road Fund), that are stressed in terms of their fund balance,
are not left to independently address those issues.
Other Business was discussed.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m.
ATTEST•\-,N1'"<<���r���t��
µ A reo.'�'�,
COUNTY;
Cathy Haj1 k. oupcil Cl@rk
Sty ^\
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Todd Donovan -via email 10/15/2025
Todd Donovan, Committee Chair
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger
Whalcom County Page 8