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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Nov 18 2025Whatcom County Council COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 Minutes - Final Tuesday, November 18, 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) 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 November 18, 2025 COUNTY COUNCIL CALL TO ORDER Council Vice Chair Jon Scanlon 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 Donovan (see votes on individual items below). 1. MIN2025-072 Special Committee of the Whole for October 28, 2025 Byrd moved and Donovan 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. MIN2025-073 Health Board and Public Health Advisory Board for October 28, 2025 Byrd moved and Donovan 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 1. 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) Scanlon opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public Hearing. Whatcom County page I Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Donovan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Resolution (FCZDBS) Requiring a Public Hearing be APPROVED. Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, answered if this specifies a lease amount, and stated this would be a resolution to approve going out to bid and does specify a minimum bid amount ($4,180). He stated the property is just under 21 acres. He answered if it comes with water rights, and stated they are in the process of analyzing all of the water rights that Public Works and Flood own. Elenbaas stated it would be hard to justify that lease amount for a year without the ability to put the waters of the state to beneficial use. Donovan's motion that the Resolution (FCZDBS) Requiring a Public Hearing be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Enactment No: RES 2025-039 2. 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) Scanlon opened the Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed the Public Hearing. Donovan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Resolution (FCZDBS) Requiring a Public Hearing be APPROVED. Councilmembers discussed that this piece of property is next to one that is flood -prone and where the flow goes. Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, stated this is a more recent acquisition than the previous one and is just inside of Everson city limits. They are still in planning stages for whatever flood project they are doing, so it is beneficial to get the property in some kind of a useful agriculture use as they generate some revenue, and it also keeps the property maintained. Clerk's note: There were technical issues with the meeting and Councilmember Byrd was kicked off of the meeting and was not able to vote on this item. Technical issues persisted through much of the evening's meeting. Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1211012015 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Donovan's motion that the Resolution (FCZDBS) Requiring a Public Hearing be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Temp Absent: 1 - Byrd OPEN SESSION Enactment No: RES 2025-040 The following people spoke: • John Westerfield • David Foreman • April Hicks • Helena Pierce • Russ Hicks • Victoria Anderson • Dave Chase • Diana Meeks • Aaron Longstreth • Sadie Townsby • Stan Stroble • Natalie Chavez Hearing no one else, Scanlon 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 seven, and he stated that Consent Agenda item #1 (AB2025-737) was a substitute. Councilmembers voted on those items (see votes on individual items below). 1. AB2025-737 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and General Code, LLC for legal code publishing services, in the amount of $16,000 Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the SUBSTITUTE Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: "atcom County Page 3 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 2. AB2025-791 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State University to continue the jointly shared costs for faculty positions and program support for WSU Whatcom County Extension in the amount of $282,257 for a total amended contract amount of $3,825,050.90 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. AB2025-800 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and K2 Towers I11, LLC in the amount of $140,133 for a total amended contract amount of $266,579 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 4. AB2025-802 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Gitts Autobody to provide autobody repair services to county vehicles, in the amount of $80,000 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 5. AB2025-804 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Washington State Health Care Authority to provide Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) funding for substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services for individuals involved in the criminal legal system, in the amount of $651,108 Donovan reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion Whatcom County Page 4 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 6. AB2025-817 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office - Washington Wildlife and Recreation Forestland Preservation grant program for the acquisition of a forestry conservation easement on the Maple Falls Forest property in the amount of $454,000 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 7. AB2025-819 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to increase the number of childcare slots for low-income families through the funding of the interior build out of a child care facility located in Unit 2 of the Bellis Fair Family Housing Condominium, in the amount of $944,084 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 OTHER ITEMS (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) 1. AB2025-756 Ordinance establishing the Opioid Settlement Fund and establishing a budget for the Opioid Settlement 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 2025-053 N hatcom County page 5 Printed on 1211012015 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 (From Council Committee of the Whole) 2. AB2025-807 Presentation on the Homeless Housing Program and request for motion to approve the final 5-Year Homelessness and Housing Plan Scanlon reported for the Committee of the Whole and moved that the Request for Motion be APPROVED. The following people answered a question about whether the Healthy Children's Fund was part of the consideration in this plan since it is the first full five-year homeless housing plan where we also have the Healthy Children's Fund: • Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office • Ann Beck, Health and Community Services They discussed that there has been a lot of dialogue about more low -barrier shelter for single adults, and that prioritizing resources is the reason these plans ultimately must be adopted by our legislative body. There is not enough for all the need out there so it is an ongoing conversation. Stremler asked the public to watch the community as this five-year plan gets underway and to speak up if they do not see the results that they would like to see. Scanlon's motion that the Request for Motion be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 3. AB2025-820 Request for motion to approve Whatcom County's 2026 state legislative session priorities Scanlon reported for the Committee of the Whole and moved that the Request for Motion be APPROVED. Elenbaas moved to amend the (revised) priorities to add the following language, to be placed under "Technical Assistance for Water Users Affected by Adjudication:" Funding for Mediated Settlement Efforts in the Water Adjudication Process Whatcom County supports state funding to pursue a mediated settlement framework within the WRIA 1 water adjudication. A supported mediation process would allow water users, local governments, and the Department of Whatcom County page 6 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November l8, 2025 Ecology to collaboratively resolve water -rights disputes outside of full litigation. Mediation can reduce overall adjudication costs, create faster and more durable agreements, lessen burdens on Superior Court, and help ensure solutions are grounded in science, local knowledge, and practical implementation capacity. Whatcom County requests that the State Legislature appropriate dedicated funds to support impartial facilitation, technical analysis, and community engagement necessary for a robust mediation pathway. The motion was seconded by Stremler. Elenbaas spoke about his motion and stated he is advocating that they get in front of the issue and start negotiating now instead of having decades of uncertainty. Facilitating a negotiated settlement will cost money, but with language like this, if we choose to walk that path, we can advocate for State help. He answered whether he already has legislators who are willing to take this on, and stated he does not. He spoke about conversations with tribal councilmembers and spoke more on the motion. Galloway moved to hold on the amendment until December 9th in order to hear from the Executive's Office and the Tribes, but the motion (to hold on just the amendment) was ruled invalid. She stated she is of the opinion that some of the adjudication work needs to happen. Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about the proposed amendment and stated the spirit of the amendment is the right thing-- that we should seek solution to this monumental issue for our county-- but with this amendment they are asking the legislature to mandate a negotiation, and the Legislature does not have the power to force that. Also, until we have an inventory of all the water resources and water use, we do not know what we are mediating. He spoke about the State rule regarding the separation of groundwater and surface water and that it should not apply to Whatcom County. They need to define the problems first before asking for money from the Legislature. Councilmembers discussed the motion to amend. Elenbaas' motion to amend failed by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Elenbaas, and Stremler Nay: 3 - Buchanan, Donovan, and Scanlon Abstain: 1 - Galloway Scanlon's motion that the revised draft legislative priorities be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Whatcom County Pape 7 Primed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Aye: 4 - Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon Nay: 3 - Byrd, Elenbaas, and Stremler Approved the "Revised Draft Legislative Priorities" 4. AB2025-821 Presentation from Health and Community Services on the Children and Families Program and request for motion to approve the next Healthy Children's Fund Implementation Plan Scanlon reported for the Committee of the Whole and moved that the Request for Motion be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 (No Committee Assignment) 5. AB2025-749 Ordinance repealing Whatcom County Code 2.170, Forest Resilience Task Force Galloway moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. Galloway stated this is just a procedural matter because the Forest Resilience Task Force sunsets. This will strike it from the code and the plan has now been referred to the Forest Advisory Committee, which is beginning work on the next phase. Galloway's motion that the Ordinance be ADOPTED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Enactment No: ORD 2025-054 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS 1. AB2025-823 Appointment to a vacancy on the Sumas/Everson/Nooksack Flood Control Sub -Zone Advisory Committee, Applicant(s): Jeff Kelly (Council Acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Donovan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Council Appointment be APPOINTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Whatcom County Page 8 Panted on 121101202S Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION There were no agenda items added by revision. INTRODUCTION ITEMS Donovan moved to introduce items one through eight. The motion was seconded by Scanlon. Galloway requested that they consider Introduction item #6 (AB2025-812) separately. Elenbaas requested that they consider Introduction item #5 (AB2025-810) separately. Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, answered a question on Introduction item #8 (AB2025-825). Councilmembers voted on Introduction item numbers and 1-4 and 7 (see votes on individual items below). 1. AB2025-779 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.02, County Council, to change the membership and quorum requirements of all standing council committees Donovan moved and Scanlon 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 2. AB2025-794 Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 2, in the amount of $12,120,000 Donovan moved and Scanlon 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 3. AB2025-796 Ordinance establishing the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Leasehold Improvements Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Leasehold Improvements Project Fund Donovan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance be Whokom County Page 9 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 4. AB2025-798 Ordinance establishing the Birch Bay Beach Park Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Birch Bay Beach Park Project Fund Donovan moved and Scanlon 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 5. AB2025-810 Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning and Title 22, Land Use and Development THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 6. AB2025-812 Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co -living standards THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 7. AB2025-816 Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 12, in the amount of $3,565,060 Donovan moved and Scanlon 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 8. AB2025-825 Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee, Youth position, Applicant(s): Parneet Kaur, Cori Reece THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY 5. AB2025-810 Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning and "atcoin County Page 10 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Title 22, Land Use and Development Elenbaas stated he provided three options (on file) for WCC 20.38.060 subsection 6, having to do with the Planning Department's proposed "Amendment No. 3." Elenbaas moved to amend WCC 20.38.060 subsection 6 to say: Wells serving clustered residential lots shall not be located on the reserve tract unless the placement of such wells increases the total acreage of the reserve tract or improves the configuration of the reserve tract for agricultural use. The motion was seconded by Byrd. Elenbaas spoke about his motion and that it is more protective of agricultural land. Also, the language is not saying that you will place the well on the reserve tract, but is enabling language in the case that it does enhance agriculture. The following people requested (as did an email from Planning and Development Services staff earlier today) that this amendment be removed from the code scrub and taken up at a later date if this is something the Council wishes to explore: • Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office • Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department Director Elenbaas stated he would like it to be pulled out and would not like it to go forward like it is. Scanlon stated he would be inclined to remove this item from the code scrub and spoke about an example of other items they were trying to get into the scrub (the request from Lummi Island to have a change around the allowed use for the gathering place so they can have a commercial kitchen space there). He asked if they could bundle those items together and bring this back to Council early next year. Clerk's note: There was not yet a main motion on the floor. Scanlon moved to introduce the ordinance. The motion was seconded by Stremler. Whokom County page 11 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Elenbaas repeated his motion and moved to amend WCC 20.38.060 subsection 6 to say: Wells serving clustered residential lots shall not be located on the reserve tract unless the placement of such wells increases the total acreage of the reserve tract or improves the configuration of the reserve tract for agricultural use. The motion was seconded by Stremler. Elenbaas responded to the emailed response to the amendment from Planning staff. Pennucci and Personius discussed with the councilmembers that it is OK, timeline -wise, if they hold the ordinance and not introduce it. Elenbaas withdrew his motion to amend. Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, spoke about options they could consider for the path of the ordinance. Scanlon moved to hold until December 9th for a committee discussion (in Planning and Development Committee). The motion was seconded by Galloway. Scanlon's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be HELD and REFERRED TO COMMITTEE carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Motion approved 7-0 to hold until December 9th for a committee discussion (in Planning and Development Committee). It was not introduced. 6. AB2025-812 Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co -living standards Scanlon moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. Galloway stated her interest would be to introduce both the Planning and Development Services (PDS) Department version (this agenda bill) as well as a substitute version, which would include a couple substantive policy Whatcom County page 12 Primed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 changes and is still pending legal review. Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, stated they could introduce this one, introduce it and amend it, or also introduce a substitute under Other Items (at the end of the agenda) later in the meeting as a new agenda bill. Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, answered if they could just refer this ordinance to committee for additional work, and stated this one is time -sensitive. She suggested they introduce both versions tonight. Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department Director, answered if there is a state law that says we cannot do Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on lots smaller than four and a half acres, or if that is just county code. He stated it is a Growth Management Act (GMA) compliance issue. Galloway briefed the councilmembers on the substitute she intends to introduce under Other Items. The first amendment has to do with ADUs within in the urban growth area (UGA) and the Planning Commission's recommendations removing the public sewer service requirement for development of a second ADU and adding language expanding the types of structures which can be converted into an ADU. The second amendment has to do with allowing co -living. Councilmembers discussed the proposed changes. Scanlon's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 8. AB2025-825 Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee, Youth position, Applicant(s): Parneet Kaur, Cori Reece Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, referred to an email sent to Councilmember Stremler in response to a question from him. She stated there is nothing precluding the reapplication of someone who has resigned. However, Council can choose to affirm the applicant joining the advisory committee again or not by a vote. Scanlon stated he would like to see if there is anyone else who might be interested in the position and would like to keep the application process open so that they would not consider this until December 9th. "atcom County Page 13 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, stated applications would be due December 2nd in order for the item to be prepared for inclusion on the December 9th agenda for action. Donovan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, and Scanlon Nay: 2 - Byrd, and Stremler COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES Councilmembers gave committee reports then two councilmembers brought forward other items to consider. Agenda bill numbers (AB2025-838 and AB2025-837) were assigned to those items after the meeting and are represented in the minutes below. AB2025-838 Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co -living standards Galloway moved that they introduce the Galloway substitute version of the Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co -living standards (see AB2025-812). The motion was seconded by Elenbaas. Galloway's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Enactment No: ORD 2025-060 MOTION I (File added after the meeting as AB2025-838) Motion approved 7-0 that they introduce the Galloway substitute version of the Ordinance (AB2025-812) adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co -living standards. AB2025-837 Request for motion to approve a letter to the 42nd state legislative delegation and the state transportation secretary requesting support for traffic mitigation at the intersection of State Route 542 and Mitchell Road Donovan asked if they could get some information from Public Works about the speed limit on Mitchell Road. whatcom County page 14 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Elenbaas moved that they send a letter to Senator Shewmake, Representatives Timmons and Rule, and the Department of Transportation regarding support for a traffic signal at the intersection of Mitchell Road and State Route 542. He showed the other councilmembers a draft letter and stated the problem is the high rate of speed and people coming around the corner on SR 542, which is the Mt. Baker Highway. Councilmembers discussed the letter, whether Public Works should do a study on Mitchell Road, and what safety measures might be proposed. Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, answered if the State has done any work out there and given their own opinion on that stretch, and stated she believes that neither road is under the County's jurisdiction. She suggested that they have the County engineer review it and give advice on what to ask for from the State. She and the councilmembers discussed what can be done in that intersection, and maybe waiting for two weeks to get some advice from Public Works. Stremler seconded Elenbaas' motion. Scanlon suggested a friendly to amendment to add the secretary of transportation for Washington State as a recipient of the letter. Scanlon suggested a friendly amendment to amend the first sentence of the first paragraph so that it reads: "...installing safety measures such as a roundabout, school speed zone modification, or a traffic signal..." Elenbaas accepted both friendly amendments. Elenbaas amended the letter's third paragraph to strike "signalized intersection" and add "a more controlled intersection..." Councilmembers and Pennucci discussed following up with Public Works and getting more clarity. Elenbaas's motion that the letter be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Whatcom County Page 15 Printed on 1211012025 Council Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Donovan MOTION 2 (File added after the meeting as AB2025-837) Motion approved 6-1, with Donovan opposed, that they send a letter to Senator Shewmake, Representatives Timmons and Rule, and the State Secretary of Transportation regarding support for safety measures at SR 542 and Mitchell Road. COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES CONTINUED ADJOURN Councilmembers gave various updates. The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m. The County Council approved these minutes on December 9, 2025. ATTEPN I'l'll i I u I 1I//��i tip . oxAreO%. a ©� COUNTY�: t� Cathy 4lfg omrcil erk s a u o • � � � c WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger Kayle Galloway, Council &air "alcom County Page 16 Printed on 121101202S