HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Oct 21 2025Whatcom County
Council
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
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Minutes - Final
Tuesday, October 21, 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 10.20.2025
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 October 21, 2025
COUNTY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 6:01 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
Scanlon moved to accept the minutes consent items. The motion was
seconded by Byrd (see votes on individual items below).
1. MIN2025-064 Committee of the Whole Executive Session for October 7, 2025
Scanlon moved and Byrd 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. MIN2025-066 Committee of the Whole for October 7, 2025
Scanlon moved and Byrd 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. MIN2025-067 Regular County Council for October 7, 2025
Scanlon moved and Byrd 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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1. AB2025-637 Ordinance amending the Countywide Planning Policies, which reside in Whatcom
County Comprehensive Plan Appendix C
Galloway opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Scanlon moved and Stremler seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be ADOPTED.
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
what happens if this is not approved. He stated it is an up or down vote, and
if it does not get approved, they would need to start over and go back to the
cities to discuss with them any changes the Council wants.
Donovan stated he supported this last time with the concern that they were
deleting language, that had previously existed in the Countywide Planning
Policies, that said they should use the best available data when they are
doing their projections for urban growth areas.
Scanlon's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be
ADOPTED carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon
Nay: 3 - Byrd, Elenbaas, and Stremler
Enactment No: ORD 2025-049
2. AB2025-672 Resolution approving the Public Works Six -Year Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) for the years 2026-2031
Galloway opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Scanlon moved and Byrd seconded that the Resolution Requiring a Public
Hearing be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Enactment No: RES 2025-033
3. AB2025-673 Resolution adopting the 2026 Annual Road Program
Galloway opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Scanlon moved and Donovan seconded that the Resolution Requiring a Public
Hearing be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
OPEN SESSION
Enactment No: RES 2025-034
The following people spoke:
• John Westerfield
• David Foreman
• Hank Maleng
• Kendra Cristelli
• Doug Revelle ("Yoshe")
• RobRoy Graham
• Scott Farrell
• Aaron Longstreth
• Diane Kitchen
• Lyle Sorenson
• John (last name not stated)
• Ivy Little
• Deb Shawver
• Alex Fisenko
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 and two, with item three
being considered separately. Councilmembers voted on those items (see
votes on individual items below).
1. AB2025-727 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal grant
agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of
Commerce to reimburse the 5% match obligation required in the two elevation grants,
in the amount of $600,000 (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:
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Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
2. AB2025-728 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to administer the Housing and
Essential Needs (HEN) Program in the amount of $1,813,929, for a total amended
contract amount of $5,223,812
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
3. AB2025-730 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three-year contract
between Whatcom County and Correctional Healthcare Partners Inc. for the
provision of jail healthcare and juvenile detention nursing services, in the three-year
total amount of $22,896,000
This item was considered separately below.
CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERED SEPARATELY
3. AB2025-730 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three-year contract
between Whatcom County and Correctional Healthcare Partners Inc. for the
provision of jail healthcare and juvenile detention nursing services, in the three-year
total amount of $22,896,000
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be HELD IN COMMITTEE until November
5th.
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, gave a summary of what this
money is for and answered a question about it being an increased amount
for the contract costs.
Donovan's motion that the Contract be HELD IN COMMITTEE until
November 5th carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Held in Committee until November 5th.
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OTHER ITEMS
(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
1. AB2025-678 Ordinance amending the project budget for the New Public Health, Safety and Justice
Facility, request no. 9
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2025-050
2. AB2025-680 Resolution amending the 2025 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget,
request no. 4, in the amount of $49,400 (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 Resolution (FCZDBS) be APPROVED. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Enactment No: RES 2025-035
3. AB2025-682 Ordinance establishing the Silver Lake Lagoon Project Fund and establishing an initial
budget for the Silver Lake Lagoon Bridge Fund
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2025-051
4. AB2025-685 Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 11, in the
amount of $517,671
Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
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Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and StremIer
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2025-052
CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS
1. AB2025-705 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Michael Byers to the
Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee
Scanlon moved and Buchanan seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Elenbaas
2. AB2025-729 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Matt Hargleroad to
the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Commission
Scanlon moved and Byrd seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED.
He thanked the Executive's Office for processing this because it fills the
committee and he spoke about the appointee.
Scanlon's motion that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED carried
by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
3. AB2025-731 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of J G Sandy Phillips to
the Whatcom County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Scanlon moved and Byrd seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED.
Scanlon and Elenbaas spoke about the appointee.
Scanlon's motion that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED carried
by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION
There were no agenda items added by revision.
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INTRODUCTION ITEMS
Donovan moved to introduce items one through eleven (with item number 6
being a substitute version). The motion was seconded by Buchanan.
Scanlon asked about potentially setting a timeline for the budget related
items.
Galloway stated by introducing these items they set forward to have a public
hearing on November 5th, and they have received guidance from the
Prosecutor's Office that they can hold a single public hearing for the budget
and all the associated levy ordinances, so they would invite members of the
public to speak to that. Then the Council would have the opportunity to
either take action on November 5th or to hold until the December 2nd
meeting to allow for more time to process amendments and for community
outreach. She asked if the Council feels they would want to set that timeline
now and commit to that.
The following people answered questions about the process of holding one
public hearing on all the budget items and then voting on each individual
item:
• Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council
• Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Halka stated that introduction item number 1 (AB2025-676) is a substitute.
Councilmembers voted on the introduction items (see votes on individual
items below).
Scanlon moved to follow the following proposed schedule for the budget:
October 28 - Discussion in Special Committee of the Whole
November 5 - Public Hearing
November 18 - Continue discussion and give any proposals on amendments
December 2 - Final vote
The motion was seconded by Donovan.
Halka stated the December 2nd meeting would be a Special Council
meeting at 1 p.m.
Galloway stated that December 2nd would be the last available opportunity
to take action on this budget and the associated budget levy ordinances.
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Councilmembers, Thulin, and Halka discussed how this timeline fits into
the timeline for certifying amounts to be levied by Whatcom County taxing
districts, whether the motion includes that the Flood Control Zone
resolutions should be done at the same time as the other levy ordinances,
and the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Elenbaas
Motion approved 6-1, with Elenbaas opposed, to follow the following proposed schedule for the budget:
October 28 - Discussion in Special Committee of the Whole
November 5 — Public Hearing
November 18 - Continue discussion and give any proposals on amendments
December 2 — Final vote
1. AB2025-676 Resolution adopting the 2026-2031 Six -Year Water Resources Improvement
Program (WRIP) (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District Board of Supervisors)
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the SUBSTITUTE Resolution
(FCZDBS) Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC
HEARING. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
2. AB2025-707 Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 1, in the amount
of $20,970,606
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
3. AB2025-709 Resolution authorizing the levy of taxes for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District for 2026 (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors)
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Resolution (FCZDBS)
Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
The motion carried by the following vote:
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Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
4. AB2025-711 Resolution adopting 2026 budget for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District and Subzones (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors)
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Resolution (FCZDBS)
Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
5. AB2025-713 Resolution declaring the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District's intention to
lease property on River Road (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Resolution (FCZDBS)
Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
6. AB2025-715 Resolution declaring the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District's intention to
lease property on East Main Street (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood
Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Resolution (FCZDBS)
Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
7. AB2025-719 Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for Conservation Futures purposes for 2026
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
8. AB2025-721 Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County Road purposes for 2026
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Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
9. AB2025-723 Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for countywide emergency medical purposes
for 2026
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
10. AB2025-725 Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County and State purposes in Whatcom
County, Washington, for the year of 2026
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
11. AB2025-732 Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee,
EMS Paramedic Position, Applicant(s): Jonathan Oliveira
Donovan moved and Buchanan seconded that the Council Appointment
Requiring Introduction be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 - Byrd
COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
ADJOURN
Councilmembers gave committee reports and updates on recent activities
and upcoming events.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on November 5, 2025.
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Council Minutes - Final October 21, 2025
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W1 ATCOM COUNTY, WA
Kayl Galloway, Counc' Chair
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger
Whafcom County page 11 Printed on 111612025