HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Jun 30 2026Whatcom County
Council (Special)
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste 4105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Minutes - Final
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
10 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN
INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL
360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 6.28.2026
COUNCILMEMBERS
Elizabeth Boyle
Barry Buchanan
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jessica Rienstra
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council (Special) Minutes - Final June 30, 2026
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 10:02 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
Galloway read agenda item 1 under Committee Discussion and item 1 under
Items Added by Revision into the record. She stated that discussion of the
agenda items may take place in executive session pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(g) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), respectively. Executive session
will conclude no later than 11:05 a.m. If executive session extends beyond
the stated conclusion time, the Council Chair will make a public
announcement. Attorneys Present are Kimberly Thulin and Christopher
Quinn.
Boyle moved to go into executive session until no later than 11:05 a.m. to
discuss the agenda items pursuant to the RCW citations 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 10:05 a.m.
At 11:05 a.m., the Council Chair announced that the executive session
would extend until no later than 11:45 a.m.
At 11:45 a.m. the Council Chair announced that the executive session would
extend until no later than 11:55 a.m.
At 11:55 a.m. the Council Chair announced that they had concluded
executive session and would resume the Special Council meeting.
Councilmembers discussed AB2026-498 (see discussion and motion under
Wlmtcom County Page 1 Printed on 711612026
Council (Special) Minutes - Final June 30, 2026
that agenda item).
1. AB2026-498 Discussion regarding Council Office staffing [Discussion of this item may take place in
executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(g)]
Buchanan moved to appoint Kirsten Smith to the position of Whatcom
County Council Clerk effective upon the vacancy of the clerk position.
Elenbaas seconded the motion.
Galloway stated that councilmembers are excited about the prospects of the
appointment. She thanked Cathy Halka for her service in the clerk role over
the years.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Elenbaas, and
Stremler
Nay: 0
Clerk's Note: Buchanan left the meeting at 11:57 a.m.
Galloway asked what information is still,needed for the budget process.
Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, stated that submissions are due on July
8. She said she has a list of budget submissions provided at a prior meeting
and asked for further guidance related to any staffing changes.
Galloway stated that she feels there are still too many unknowns to make
any specific recommendations at this time.
Boyle asked for clarification about the deadline to provide additional
information.
Halka stated that July 8 is the deadline, but Council could choose to submit
a more generalized budget for staff salaries and benefits. She said the
Executive's Office indicated that, for the budget exercise, they are asking
departments to identify budget cuts of 10 percent. Halka added that the
Executive's Office made it clear that they do not make decisions for the
Council.
Councilmembers continued to discuss the budget process with Halka.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 711612026
Council (Special) Minutes - Final June 30, 2026
Motion approved to appoint Kirsten Smith to the position of Whatcom County Council Clerk effective upon the
vacancy of the clerk position.
Items Added by Revision
1. AB2026-502 Discussion with Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Quinn regarding
potential litigation [Discussion of this item may take place in executive session (closed
to the public) pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i)]
Other Business
Adjournment
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 12:06 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on July 14, 2026.
ATTEST:
IJ
J �C �vt T C0li
O.O COUNTY
Ca y talka, CXp1u erlc�C
. gSHING va'
8.
WHATCOM .COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
,`
Meeting Minutes prepared by Jenna Gemand
Kaylee Kalloway, Council dair
Whateom County Page 3 Printed on 711612026