The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Feb 24 2026Whatcom County Council COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 Minutes - Final Tuesday, February 24, 2026 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 Elizabeth Boyle Barry Buchanan Ben Elenbaas Kaylee Galloway Jessica Rienstra Jon Scanlon Mark Stremler CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 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 - Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, Jessica Rienstra, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler FLAG SALUTE ANNOUNCEMENTS COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT There was no report. MINUTES CONSENT Buchanan moved to accept the minutes consent items. The motion was seconded by Rienstra (see votes on individual items below). 1. MIN2026-014 Committee of the Whole Executive Session for February 10, 2026 Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 2. MIN2026-015 Committee of the Whole for February 10, 2026 Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 3. MIN2026-016 Regular County Council for February 10, 2026 Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 4. MIN2026-017 Health Board for February 3, 2026 Whalcom County page 1 Printed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 OPEN SESSION The following people spoke: • Adam Bellingar • Lesley Cooke • Carl Crouse • John Westerfield • Jessica Koehler • Cynthia Sue Ripke-Kutsagoitz • Matt Lloyd • Nicole Sandoval Postma • David Foreman • Lyle Sorenson • Ryan Bowman • Richard Verbree • Jeff Reon • Kendra Nadine • Brian Gass • Dwayne Engelsman • Jesse Madera • Brian Dykstra • Stacey Dailey • Samantha Doering • Patrick Alesse • Judy (last name not stated) • Dale Sandstrom • Brian Estes • Natalie Chavez • Lisa Guthrie • Hannah Ordos Hearing no one else, Galloway closed the Open Session. CONSENT AGENDA H%alcom County page 2 Printed on 3/11/2026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through seven. He stated the first item (AB2026-137) has a substitute. Councilmembers voted on those items (see votes on individual items below). AB2026-137 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 for the period January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028 Scanlon 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: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 2. AB2026-154 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Ecology for the 2025-2027 Biennial Stormwater Capacity Grant, in the amount of $120,000 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the Agreement be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 3. AB2026-156 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and North Whatcom Fire and Rescue to extend the current contract for fire investigation services by one year Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 4. AB2026-160 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Transportation to execute a Federal Aid Project Prospectus for the design phase of the Lakeway Drive - City of Bellingham to Cable Street - Pavement Rehabilitation Project, County Road Project 925001, in the amount of $251,000 Whutcom County Page 3 Printed on 311112016 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 5. AB2026-162 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% local match obligation required in the four FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grants, in the amount of $1,500,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Scanlon 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: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 6. AB2026-163 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal cost reimbursement agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden to support 30% design of Phase 1 of the Mouw Ditch early action project with pass -through funding from Floodplains through Design (FbD) 2023-25 grant, in the amount of $113,600 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Scanlon 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: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 7. AB2026-164 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group to increase the project management task budget to assist homeowners participating in the Hazard Mitigation Elevation Grant Program, in the amount of $80,000, for a total amount of $200,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Scanlon 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: whatcom County page 4 Printed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 OTHER ITEMS (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) 1. AB2026-145 Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 4, in the amount of $1,804,963 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be ADOPTED. Galloway stated that the dollar amount will be different since they have a substitute version ("Substitute Ordinance for 2.24.2026" on file). Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, stated the Administration uploaded a certification from the executive in compliance with the Charter requirement. She answered if that will be the practice going forward and stated it will. Councilmembers voted on the second substitute ordinance ("Substitute Ordinance for 2.24.2026" on file) with a reduced total amount of $319,393. Scanlon's motion that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be ADOPTED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Enactment No: ORD 2026-010 The ordinance adopted was the "Substitute Ordinance for 2.24.2026" with a reduced total amount of $319,393 (see also summary by fund and summary listing for 2.24.2026). 2. AB2026-114 Ordinance establishing the project budget for the Strawberry Point/Lake Whatcom Boulevard stormwater improvements, request no. 1 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to postpone AB2026-114 to the March 24th Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting. He stated this links into what they just did with the supplemental budget. This was an item that was previously in the proposed budget supplemental and was removed due to the new Charter amendment. They will bring this Whatcom County Page 5 Printed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 back up when they have the latest financial report, and that goes for the next two agenda items (AB2026-143 and A132026-134) as well. Scanlon's motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Motion approved to postpone AB2026-114 to the March 24th Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting. 3. AB2026-143 Ordinance establishing the Ferndale Senior Activity Center Improvements Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Ferndale Senior Activity Center Improvements Fund Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to postpone AB2026-143 to the March 24th Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting. See discussion on A132026-114. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Motion approved postpone AB2026-143 to the March 24th Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting. 4. AB2026-134 Ordinance amending the project budget for the Courthouse Building Envelope Fund, request no. 7 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to postpone AB2026-134 to the March 24th Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting. See discussion on A132026-114. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Motion approved to postpone AB2026-134 to the March 24th Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting. 5. AB2026-165 Resolution to declare county -owned structures located at recently acquired property at South Fork Park as worthless Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and stated there was motion in committee to recommend holding until photos of the structures were available and shared with the Council. In the meantime, they have received those items and they are attached to the file. Whalcom County Page 6 Primed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, stated the Council needs to dispose of the motion from Committee. Scanlon moved that they hold this until such time that the pictures (of the structure) are added to the public record on this (AB20206-165). The motion to hold failed by the following vote: Aye: 0 Nay: 7 - Scanlon, Stremler, Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, and Rienstra Scanlon moved and Galloway seconded that the Resolution be APPROVED. Councilmembers discussed the motion with the following people: • Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Knox answered why some structures on this property are being looked at as worthless and some are not, and they all looked at the photos of the structures deemed worthless on the screen. He stated they do not have a use for these structures based on condition, and size and Parks' plans, and that to make some of them serviceable would require quite a bit of upgrade. Elenbaas stated only people that are spending other people's money would ever deem these buildings worthless and tear them down. Knox answered questions about the Nesset Foundation grant, and what they will do with the structures. He stated they will take bids and the contractors that bid will have the right to recycle materials from the site as they see fit as part of their bid package. He answered how much they have budgeted to demolish the buildings and how much maintenance would cost if they were to keep them. He spoke about the term "worthless" and the requirements of the State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant. Scanlon spoke about why he supports the motion. Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated they should consider this in the context of the long term and he gave a history of this property and how it connects to Nesset Farm. He stated the plan all along was that the County would buy the Carrasco property when the time came and that would open Whafcom County page 7 Printed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 up the South Fork Parks trail development. This has been in the works for many years. Scanlon's motion that the Resolution be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Boyle, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon Nay: 3 - Buchanan, Elenbaas, and Stremler Enactment No: RES 2026-007 (From Council Public Works and Health Committee) 6. AB2026-119 Resolution calling on the State Legislature to recognize public health as essential and to maintain Foundational Public Health Services funding (Council acting as the Health Board) Boyle reported for the Public Works and Health Committee and moved that the Resolution be APPROVED. Elenbaas stated this is about funding that is supposed to come from the State because they collect the tax to fund our ability to provide these services that the State mandates. But the State has said they are not going to give us money anymore, which will cause the County to have budget shortfalls so they will have to say yes to imposing taxes. He is glad they are sending this letter and he hopes the State can hear it. Boyle's motion that the Resolution be APPROVED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Enactment No: RES 2026-008 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS 1. AB2026-115 Appointment to a vacancy on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, business/industry position, applicant(s): Troy Lautenbach Scanlon moved and Boyle seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be APPOINTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 2. AB2026-128 Appointment to a vacancy on the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, representing higher education, applicant(s): Patricia Newbold H%atcom County page 8 Primed an 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Scanlon moved and Rienstra seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be APPOINTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 3. AB2026-175 Appointment to a vacancy on the Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee, geographic area representative, Applicant(s): Brian Dykstra (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Rienstra moved and Boyle seconded to accept late applications. Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and councilmembers discussed the Council's authority to suspend the rules and vote to accept late applications. The motion to accept late applications carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Boyle, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Stremler Brian Dykstra and Samantha Doering addressed the councilmembers. Elenbaas moved and Boyle seconded that both applicants be APPOINTED. Elenbaas and Scanlon spoke in favor of both applicants. Elenbaas's motion that both applicants be APPOINTED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Motion approved 6-1, with Stremler opposed, to accept late applications. Appointed Brian Dykstra and Samantha Doering. CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS 1. AB2026-167 Request confirmation of the Executive's appointment of Julie Bates to the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Commission Julie Bates addressed the councilmembers. Rienstra moved and Buchanan seconded that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote: Whatcom County page 9 Printed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 2. AB2026-168 Request confirmation of the Executive's appointment of Douglas Bestle to the Whatcom County Veterans Advisory Board Rienstra moved and Scanlon seconded that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 3. AB2026-169 Request confirmation of the Executive's appointment of Nancy Whipple to the Whatcom County Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Boyle moved and Rienstra seconded that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED. Elenbaas stated he needs more information about letters the Council has been receiving from the Executive's Office about this committee before he can support this but it has nothing to do with the applicant. Boyle's motion that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION There were no agenda items added by revision. INTRODUCTION ITEMS Galloway stated they would consider Introduction items one and four separately. Boyle moved to introduce items two and three. The motion was seconded by Buchanan (see votes on individual items below). 1. AB2026-040 Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Section 2.02.195 Performance Audits THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW. 2. AB2026-172 Appointment to a vacancy on the Planning Commission, District 1 or 5, Applicants: Lindsey Elenbaas, Gurdeep Bains, Selena Knoblauch, Jeremy Thompson, Joseph L. Stine, Steven Cohen "alcom County page 10 Printed on 3/11/2026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Boyle moved and Buchanan seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 3. AB2026-173 Appointment to a vacancy on the Child and Family Well -Being Task Force, Applicant(s): Makela Alem Boyle moved and Buchanan seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 4. AB2026-170 Receipt of report on emergency contracts executed pursuant to the December 9, 2025 proclamation of emergency THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW. INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY 1. AB2026-040 Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Section 2.02.195 Performance Audits Galloway stated during Committee of the Whole they established a workgroup that has committed to work on this issue, and she asked if they could make a motion that would leave the timeline open-ended and give them some flexibility. Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, stated they can hold it until the workgroup has completed their work. Rienstra moved and Boyle seconded to hold until the workgroup has completed their work. Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, answered whether they need a formal motion to send the ordinance to the workgroup, but stated they do not. Galloway suggested a friendly amendment to add the workgroup members to the motion so that the motion would say hold until the workgroup, comprised of councilmembers Scanlon, Rienstra, and Elenbaas, has an Whatcom County page 11 Printed on 3/11/2026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 opportunity to meet and complete the work. Rienstra and Boyle accepted the friendly amendment. Scanlon stated the goal is to get this in before the end of the summer. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. Motion approved 7-0 to hold until the workgroup, comprised of councilmembers Scanlon, Rienstra, and Elenbaas, has an opportunity to meet and complete the work. The file was not introduced. 4. AB2026-170 Receipt of report on emergency contracts executed pursuant to the December 9, 2025 proclamation of emergency Clerk's note: Councilmembers took two actions on this file. Galloway stated she and Councilmember Scanlon expressed interest in seeing this item back in a committee for a presentation and discussion, and Scanlon has offered to host that in the Finance and Administrative Services Committee. Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, suggested they make two separate motions (see second motion on this item below). Rienstra moved and Boyle seconded that the report be RECEIVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 ACTION TWO ON AB2026-170 4. AB2026-170 Receipt of report on emergency contracts executed pursuant to the December 9, 2025 proclamation of emergency Clerk's note: this is the second of two actions on this agenda item. See this agenda item and first action above. Rienstra moved and Boyle seconded that the report be REFERRED TO THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE. The motion carried by the following vote: Whafcom County Page 12 Printed on 3/11/2026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Motion approved 7-0 to refer to Finance and Administrative Services Committee. COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES PART 1 Clerk's note: two motions were made from Committee of the Whole Executive Session (see below and recorded on AB2026-153 and AB2026-157), then committee reports continued after that. OTHER ITEMS FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE EXECUTIVE SESSION 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)] Scanlon moved to authorize the County Executive, acting on behalf of the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District, to move forward with and complete the acquisition of the property as long as the purchase price of the property does not exceed the amount discussed in Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Rienstra. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Stremler, Boyle, Buchanan, and Elenbaas Nay: 0 This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. MOTION SUMMARY: Motion approved 7-0 to authorize the County Executive, acting on behalf of the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District, to move forward with and complete the acquisition of the property as long as the purchase price of the property does not exceed the amount discussed in Executive Session. AB2026-157 Discussion of pending litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor, Jesse Corkern, 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)] Whatcom County Page 13 Printed on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 Scanlon moved to approve defense and indemnification of Elizabeth Kosa, Director, Whatcom County Public Works, Tyler Schroeder, Former Deputy Executive, Whatcom County, Matt Johnson, Road Crew Leader, Whatcom County Public Works, named as defendants in 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. Based on the following findings: A. Elizabeth Kosa, Tyler Schroeder, and Matt Johnson were acting in a matter in which the county had an interest; B. Elizabeth Kosa, Tyler Schroeder, and Matt Johnson were acting in the discharge of a duty imposed or authorized by law; C. Elizabeth Kosa, Tyler Schroeder, and Matt Johnson acted in good faith. The motion was seconded by Boyle. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Rienstra, Scanlon, Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, and Galloway Nay: 0 Abstain: 1 - Stremler This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. MOTION SUMMARY: Motion approved 6-0, with Stremler abstaining, to approve defense and indemnification of Elizabeth Kosa, Director, Whatcom County Public Works, Tyler Schroeder, Former Deputy Executive, Whatcom County, Matt Johnson, Road Crew Leader, Whatcom County Public Works, named as defendants in 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. Based on the following findings: A. Elizabeth Kosa, Tyler Schroeder, and Matt Johnson were acting in a matter in which the county had an interest; B. Elizabeth Kosa, Tyler Schroeder, and Matt Johnson were acting in the discharge of a duty imposed or authorized by law; C. Elizabeth Kosa, Tyler Schroeder, and Matt Johnson acted in good faith. COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES PART 2 ADJOURN Councilmembers gave committee reports and updates on recent activities and upcoming events. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The County Council approved these minutes on March 10, 2026. Whatcom County Page 14 Ninled on 311112026 Council Minutes - Final February 24, 2026 ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL • C 0/V ` WHATCOM COUNTY, WA C�.•' HArc�•, �� -Alm ,at yjlalka, touncil QIFerk Kaylee alloway, Council Chair SIN-T Z . •••ryt6: rrr •••.• Meeting'd,Vlihutespreparedby Kristi Felbinger "alrom County Page 15 Printed on 311112026