HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Exec May 26 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, May 26, 2026
9:50 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 10:55 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 May 26, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 9:50 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: Tom Seguine, Jesse Corkern, and Kimberly Thulin
Galloway stated that discussion of agenda item one may take place in
executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) for AB2026-383 and
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for AB2026-405, AB2026-406, and AB2026-407.
Executive session will conclude no later than 10:55 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 10:55 a.m.
to discuss the agenda item(s) pursuant to the RCW citation(s) as announced
by the Council Chair. The motion was seconded by Boyle.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Out of the Meeting: 1 - Scanlon
Councilmembers entered executive session at 9:53 a.m.
Clerk's Note: Scanlon joined the meeting shortly after the vote.
AB2026-383 Discussion of a potential property acquisition with Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Tom
Seguine and Public Works staff [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.
2. AB2026-405 Discussion with Civil Deputy Prosecutor Jesse Corkem on Lummi Nation litigation
[Discussion of this item may take place in executive session (closed to the public)
pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)]
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
"alcom County page
Council Committee of the Committee Minutes - Final May 26, 2026
Whole -Executive Session
3. AB2026-406 Discussion of pending litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor Jesse Corkern regarding
Hailey Bergquist vs. Whatcom County et al., Skagit County Superior Court, Case
No. 26-2-00115-29. Defense and indemnification of Ryan Rathbun, former
Whatcom County Sheriff's Deputy, named as defendant [Discussion of this item may
take place in executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW42.30.110(1)
(t)]
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
4. A132026-407 Discussion of potential litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor Jesse Corkem
regarding the Public Works Ferry Division's participation in Discover Card Merchant
Class Action [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 10:55 a.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on June 9, 2026.
ATTEST:
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Cathy H�lka,(jc � er
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
KayleVCialloway, Council air
Meeting Mihutes.prepardib'y Kristi Felbinger
Whalcom County Page 2