HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Exec Mar 17 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, March 17, 2026
8:45 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 9:10 A.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE
REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR
CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISION 3.16.2026
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 March 17, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 8:47 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
1. AB2026-189 Discussion of pending litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor, Jesse Corkern,
regarding Samantha L. Robinson v. Whatcom County et al., Skagit County Superior
Court Cause No. 26-2-00233-29; Defense and indemnification of Donnell Tanksley,
Whatcom County Sheriff, Lt. Keith Linderman, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office,
and Detective Derek Jones, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, named as defendants.
[Discussion of this item may take place in executive session (closed to the public)
pursuant to RCW42.30.110 (1) (i)]
Attorneys Present: Jesse Corkern, Kimberly Thulin
Galloway stated that discussion of the agenda item may take place in
executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). Executive session will
conclude no later 9:10 a.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated
conclusion time, the Council Chair will make an announcement.
Buchanan moved to enter executive session until no later than 9:10 a.m. to
discuss the agenda item pursuant to the RCW citation as announced by the
Council Chair. Rienstra seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Elenbaas, and
Stremler
Nay: 0
Councilmembers entered executive session at 8:49 a.m.
At 9:12 a.m., Galloway announced an extension of Executive Session until
no later than 9:17 a.m.
Council returned from executive session at 9:17 a.m.
Whatcom County Pape
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final March 17, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
Scanlon moved to approve defense and indemnification of Donnell
Tanksley, Whatcom County Sheriff, Lt. Keith Linderman, Whatcom County
Sheriff's Office, and Detective Derek Jones, Whatcom County Sheriff's
Office, named as defendants in Samantha L. Robinson v. Whatcom County
et al., Skagit County Superior Court, Cause No. 26-2-00233-29 based on
the following findings: Donnell Tanksley, Keith Linderman and Derek
Jones were acting in a matter in which the county had an interest; Donnell
Tanksley, Keith Linderman and Derek Jones were acting in the discharge of
a duty imposed or authorized by law; Donnell Tanksley, Keith Linderman
and Derek Jones acted in good faith. Boyle seconded the motion.
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 MOTIONS) APPROVED.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.
The County,Cggnqil approved these minutes on April 14, 2026.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
4 04 COUNTY �•. = WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
ST �T O
Cathy Halka, Council Clerk Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair
Meeting Minutes prepared by Jenna Gernand
Whatcom County page 2