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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Mar 10 2026Whatcom County Council COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 Minutes - Final Tuesday, March 10, 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 March 10, 2026 COUNTY COUNCIL CALL TO ORDER Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 Scanlon (see votes on individual items below). 1. MIN2026-018 Special Council - Councilmember Retreat for February 17, 2026 Buchanan moved and Scanlon 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. MIN2026-019 Committee of the Whole Executive Session for February 24, 2026 Buchanan moved and Scanlon 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. MIN2026-020 Committee of the Whole for February 24, 2026 Buchanan moved and Scanlon 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. MIN2026-021 Special Committee of the Whole for February 3, 2026 "atcom County Page [ Printed on 312512026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Minutes Consent he APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 5. MIN2026-022 Regular County Council for February 24, 2026 Buchanan moved and Scanlon 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: • Michelle Genovese • Jeremy Thompson • Peter Condyles • Helen Solem • Craig Zimmerman • David Parsons • Ignacio Cariaga • Stephanie Anderson • Bill Craven • Cynthia Sue Ripke-Kutsagoitz • Lisa Adam • Brian Heinrich • Lesley Cooke • Brian Gass • Ryan Bowman • Lyle Sorenson • Darcy Jones • Markis Dee • Natalie Chavez • Perry Eskridge • JoEll Snyder Hearing no one else, Galloway closed the Open Session. CONSENT AGENDA Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 312512026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through four. Councilmembers voted on those items (see votes on individual items below). 1. AB2026-174 Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #26-01 and enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Lake Union Drydock Company for drydocking, repair, and maintenance of the Whatcom Chief Ferry in the amount of $891,918 Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved that the Bid Award be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 2. AB2026-190 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and WSP USA, Inc to perform engineering and design services for the Everson-Nooksack Berms Project, in the amount of $752,159.46 (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 3. AB2026-192 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to provide funding for various public health services in the amount of $101,475, for a total amended agreement amount of $11,229,797 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. AB2026-199 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County to outline the terms and conditions related to the operation and maintenance of water systems by the Public Utility District at the request of and as an agent for Whatcom County Whatcom County Page 3 Printed on 312512026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 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 OTHER ITEMS (From Council Planning and Development Committee) 1. AB2026-195 Resolution docketing Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulation amendments Rienstra reported for the Planning and Development Committee and stated that this item was forwarded to Council without a recommendation. Elenbaas stated it is not perfect, and holding it will not make it perfect, and they also have the ability to amend the docket at any time. Rienstra moved and Scanlon seconded that the Resolution be APPROVED. Councilmembers discussed if there was anything anyone wanted to add to the docket, and a concern that the docket gets prioritized by staff so it seems like a place where things go to die Rienstra'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 2026-009 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS 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 Elenbaas spoke about why he would not recuse himself this time. He stated he does not believe there are any legal issues with his wife being an applicant. Galloway stated they will vote and the first applicant to get four votes will be appointed. Scanlon moved and Buchanan seconded to consider all with a vote of one. K%atcom County page 4 Printed on 3/25/2026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 Elenbaas received three votes, Knoblauch received three votes, and Thompson received one vote as follows: Elenbaas: Elenbaas Galloway: Thompson Rienstra: Knoblauch Scanlon: Knoblauch Stremler: Elenbaas Buchanan: Elenbaas Boyle: Knoblauch After the first vote, Galloway stated she would change her vote to Knoblauch. So, Knoblauch was appointed with four votes. This agenda item was APPOINTED. Appointed Selena Knoblauch with 4 votes. 2. AB2026-173 Appointment to a vacancy on the Child and Family Well -Being Task Force, Applicant(s): Makela Alem Scanlon moved and Rienstra seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be APPOINTED. Elenbaas stated he would like to know more about the applicant's empathy -based education which they do in the schools. Scanlon's motion that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be APPOINTED carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS 1. AB2026-179 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Steven Price to the Whatcom County Housing Authority Board Boyle moved and Rienstra 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 2. AB2026-202 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of JoEll Snyder to the Whatcom County Conservation Easement Program Oversight Committee H%a►com County Page 5 Printed on 312512026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 Boyle 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 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION There were no agenda items added by revision. INTRODUCTION ITEMS Buchanan moved to introduce items one through eight. The motion was seconded by Scanlon (see votes on individual items below). Galloway stated that Introduction item number 3 (AB2026-183) is a substitute. 1. AB2026-178 Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee, Behavioral Health Provider position, Applicant(s): Keren Gott, Margery Dunkle Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas 2. AB2026-181 Ordinance amending the project budget for the Eagleridge Stormwater Improvements Project Fund, request no. 1 Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas 3. AB2026-183 Ordinance amending the project based budget for the Swift Creek Capital Projects Fund, request no. 3 Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: I - Elenbaas Whalcom County Page 6 Printed on 312512026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 4. AB2026-193 Receipt of the 2025 Whatcom County Contractor Apprenticeship Program Annual Report Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the document(s) be RECEIVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas 5. AB2026-200 Ordinance closing the Bellingham Senior Center HVAC Replacement Fund Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas 6. AB2026-204 Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 5, in the amount of $741,113 Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas 7. AB2026-206 Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 6, in the amount of $3,920,278 Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas 8. AB2026-213 Ordinance authorizing a sales and use tax of one -tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 and adding a new Chapter 3.27 Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes to the Whatcom County Code Buchanan moved and Scanlon seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. The motion Whatcom County page 7 Printed on 3/25/2026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 1 - Elenbaas COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES Galloway moved to enter into an executive session to have further discussion on the pending litigation that was discussed earlier today pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i). The attorney present will be Kimberly Thulin. The council will be in executive session until 7:32 p.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, she will make a public announcement. Clerk's note: the RCW citation was cited incorrectly and then later corrected by the chair to what is noted above. The motion was seconded by Elenbaas. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Councilmembers entered into executive session at 7:17 p.m. At 7:33 p.m., the Council chair announced that the executive session would extend to no later than 7:43 p.m. and she restated the correct RCW citation as noted above. The executive session adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Council took a short recess and the meeting reconvened at 7:51 p.m. Councilmembers gave committee reports and updates on recent activities and upcoming events. Motion approved 7-0 to enter into an executive session to have further discussion on the pending litigation that was discussed earlier today pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i). ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8.23 p.m. The County Council approved these minutes on March 24, 2026. "atcom County page 8 Printed on 312512026 Council Minutes - Final March 10, 2026 ��lyillttliJl ��`�,,��., V �r �t .� . • AT .... �HCO• O COUNTY 'C-athyHal all �u cilClerk. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Kaylee lloway, Council C it Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger Whalcom County page 9 Primed on 32512026