HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Exec Feb 24 2026Whatcom 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, February 24, 2026
8:45 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 9:50 A.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE
REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR
CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Elizabeth Boyle
Barry Buchanan
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jessica Rienstra
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final February 24, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 8:46 a.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
Present: 7 - Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, Jessica
Rienstra, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler
Announcements
Committee Discussion
Attorneys Present: Kimberly Thulin, Jesse Corkern, and Tom Saguine.
Galloway stated that discussion of agenda items one through four may take
place in executive session pursuant to the following RCWs:
RCW 42.30.140 (4)(a) for AB2026-166
RCW 42.30.110 (1)(b) for AB2026-153
RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i) or AB2026-141
RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i) for AB2026-157
Executive session will conclude no later than 9:50 a.m. If the meeting
extends beyond the stated conclusion time, the Council chair will make a
public announcement.
Rienstra moved to go into executive session until no later than 9:50 a.m. to
discuss the agenda items pursuant to the RCW citations as announced by the
Council Chair. The motion was seconded by Buchanan.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and
Stremler
Nay: 0
Councilmembers entered executive session at 8:49 a.m.
At 9:48 a.m., the Council chair announced that the executive session would
extend to no later than 10 a.m.
AB2026-166 Update on negotiations and planning strategy discussion 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.
Whatcom County page /
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final February 24, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
2. AB2026-153 Discussion with Public Works staff regarding a potential property acquisition
[Discussion of this item may take place in executive session (closed to the public)
pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(b)]
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
3. AB2026-141 Discussion of potential litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor Jesse Corkem and
Chief Civil Deputy Tom Seguine [Discussion of this item may take place in executive
session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW42.30.110 (1) (i)]
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
4. AB2026-157 Discussion of pending litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor, Jesse Corkem,
regarding Scott W. Hansen and Diane M. Hansen vs. Whatcom County Public
Works Department et al., Whatcom County Superior Court, Cause No.
26-2-00133-37. Defense and indemnification of Elizabeth Kosa, Director, Whatcom
County Public Works, Tyler Schroeder, Former Deputy Executive, Whatcom County
and Matt Johnson, Road Crew Leader, Whatcom County Public Works named as
defendants. [Discussion of this item may take place in executive session (closed to the
public) pursuant to RCW42.30.110 (1) (i)]
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 March 10, 2026.
Whalcom County Page 2
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final February 24, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
KaylegZalloway, Council C air
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger
Whateom County page 3