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November 5, 2025 ·6:00 PM Final ·HYBRID MEETING (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 11.4.2025

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 100 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER
  3. 3 ROLL CALL
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
  7. 7 MINUTES CONSENT
  8. 1. Committee of the Whole for October 21, 2025 MIN2025-070 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass
  9. 2. Regular County Council for October 21, 2025 MIN2025-071 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass
  10. 10 INTRODUCTION ITEMS
  11. 1. Ordinance repealing Whatcom County Code 2.170, Forest Resilience Task Force AB2025-749 INTRODUCED Pass
  12. 2. Ordinance establishing the Opioid Settlement Fund and establishing a budget for the Opioid Settlement Fund AB2025-756 INTRODUCED Pass
  13. 3. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County Road purposes for 2026 AB2025-783 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass
  14. 4. Resolution authorizing the levy of taxes for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District for 2026 (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-784 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass
  15. 14 Motion approved to Introduce for Public Hearing on December 2nd and schedule for Committee of the Whole discussion on November 18.
  16. 5. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County and State purposes in Whatcom County, Washington, for the year of 2026 AB2025-788 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass
  17. 16 PUBLIC HEARINGS
  18. 16 Motion approved to Introduce for Public Hearing on December 2nd and schedule for Committee of the Whole discussion on November 18.
  19. 17 COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING ON COUNTY BUDGET ITEMS
  20. 1. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 1, in the amount of $20,970,606 AB2025-707
  21. 18 Motion approved to Introduce for Public Hearing on December 2nd and schedule for Committee of the Whole discussion on November 18.
  22. 2. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for Conservation Futures purposes for 2026 AB2025-719
  23. 3. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County Road purposes for 2026 AB2025-721
  24. 4. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for countywide emergency medical purposes for 2026 AB2025-723
  25. 5. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County and State purposes in Whatcom County, Washington, for the year of 2026 AB2025-725
  26. 23 COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING ON FCZDBS BUDGET ITEMS
  27. 6. Resolution adopting 2026 budget for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District and Subzones (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-711
  28. 7. Resolution authorizing the levy of taxes for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District for 2026 (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-709
  29. 26 OTHER PUBLIC HEARINGS
  30. 26 Public testimony was received on the five files above. See Notes under AB2025-707.
  31. 8. Resolution adopting the 2026-2031 Six-Year Water Resources Improvement Program (WRIP) (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-676 APPROVED Pass
  32. 27 SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
  33. 28 OPEN SESSION
  34. 1. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 1, in the amount of $20,970,606 AB2025-707 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  35. 29 CONSENT AGENDA
  36. 29 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-707 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  37. 30 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
  38. 2. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for Conservation Futures purposes for 2026 AB2025-719 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  39. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Parametrix, Inc. to develop a comprehensive Subwatershed Master Plan as an addendum to the 2008 Lake Whatcom Comprehensive Stormwater Plan, in the amount of $298,741 AB2025-740 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  40. 31 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-719 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  41. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham to provide partial funding for Whatcom County’s 2025-2026 Severe Weather Shelter, in the amount of $100,000 AB2025-741 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  42. 3. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County Road purposes for 2026 AB2025-721 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  43. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Fire Protection District 7 for the provision of the Paramedic Training Program, in the amount of $345,537 AB2025-742
  44. 33 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-721 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  45. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Marysville Fire District for the provision of the paramedic training program, in the amount of $136,200 AB2025-743 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  46. 4. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for countywide emergency medical purposes for 2026 AB2025-723 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  47. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Camano Fire and Rescue for the provision of the paramedic training program, in the amount of $55,600 AB2025-744 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  48. 35 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-723 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  49. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Geneva Consulting Services to support coordination of the Whatcom Local Integrating Organization (LIO), in the amount of $291,068 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-747
  50. 5. Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County and State purposes in Whatcom County, Washington, for the year of 2026 AB2025-725 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  51. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Compass Health to lease space within the crisis stabilization center for the provision of mental health treatment services, in the amount of $24,000 AB2025-751 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  52. 37 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-725 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  53. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and San Juan County to provide Veteran Service Officer services to San Juan County resident veterans, in the amount of $10,000 AB2025-752 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  54. 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Ecology to fund administrative support and action projects for the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), in the amount of $252,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-753 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  55. 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Pioneer Human Services to lease space within the crisis stabilization center for the provision of withdrawal management services, in the amount of $24,000 AB2025-758 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  56. 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Commerce to receive CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds in support of public services, in the amount of $130,000 AB2025-759 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  57. 41 Public testimony was received on the two files above.
  58. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Pioneer Human Services to lease space within the crisis stabilization center for the provision of food services, in the amount of $24,000 AB2025-760 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  59. 42 SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
  60. 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Catholic Community Services to provide permanent supportive housing services at Francis Place, in the amount of $555,446, for a total amended contract amount of $833,169 AB2025-762 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  61. 6. Resolution adopting 2026 budget for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District and Subzones (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-711 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  62. 14. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal cost-share agreement between Whatcom County and the Laurel Watershed Improvement District (LWID) for the Neevel Levee Cougar Creek Fish Passage Project, in the amount of $10,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-763 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  63. 44 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-711 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  64. 15. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the provision of the paramedic training program, in the amount of $1,008,442 AB2025-764
  65. 7. Resolution authorizing the levy of taxes for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District for 2026 (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-709 HEARD PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass
  66. 16. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Washington Wildlife and Recreation Forestland Preservation grant program for the acquisition of a forestry conservation easement on the Canyon Creek Forest property through the Conservation Easement Program (CEP) in the amount of $500,000 AB2025-765
  67. 46 Motion approved 7-0 to hold AB2025-709 and keep the public hearing open, to be continued on December 2nd, and to place this item in Committee of the Whole on November 18th for discussion.
  68. 17. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to pass through CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds for the delivery of public services to low and moderate income residents in the amount of $126,500 AB2025-766 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  69. 18. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an amendment to the Regional Economic Partnership Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham, and the City of Bellingham to restructure financial commitments for fiscal years 2026-2027, with no change to Whatcom County’s financial contribution AB2025-767 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  70. 19. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Commerce for a grant to Whatcom County through The Local Community Projects Program for Nooksack Water Adjudication Facility Needs, in the amount of $1,212,500 AB2025-775 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  71. 20. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three-year agreement, using the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint Master Agreement #AR2474 and State of Washington Participating Addendum #05116, between Whatcom County and Century Link Communications, LLC dba Lumen Technologies Group (CenturyLink) for telecommunication access lines and services, in the amount of $144,849 AB2025-777 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  72. 21. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Euna Solutions, Inc. to purchase budget and reporting software for the financial system in the amount of $441,159.37 AB2025-787 SUBSTITUTE AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass
  73. 52 OTHER ITEMS
  74. 53 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
  75. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three-year contract between Whatcom County and Correctional Healthcare Partners Inc. for the provision of jail healthcare and juvenile detention nursing services, in the three-year total amount of $22,896,000 AB2025-730 SUBSTITUTE AUTHORIZED Pass
  76. 2. Resolution approving the 2026 recommended convention center allocations for tourism-related facilities and activities as defined through RCW 67.28.1816 AB2025-770 APPROVED Pass
  77. 55 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW.
  78. 3. Request authorization for the Whatcom County Executive’s Office to enter into a lease agreement between Whatcom County and Ryanna LLC for the lease of office and storage space for the Sheriff’s Office at 4600 Ryzex Way, Bellingham AB2025-782 AUTHORIZED Pass
  79. 57 (From Council Planning and Development Committee)
  80. 4. Resolution approving recommendation on an application for open space current use assessment AB2025-769 SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Pass
  81. 59 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS
  82. 59 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW.
  83. 1. Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee, EMS Paramedic Position, Applicant(s): Jonathan Oliveira AB2025-732 APPOINTED Pass
  84. 2. Appointment to a vacancy on the Public Health Advisory Board, applicant(s): Alan Lifson AB2025-748 APPOINTED Pass
  85. 62 CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS
  86. 1. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Laura Hanna to the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee AB2025-772 CONFIRMED Pass
  87. 2. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Tannis Peura to the Whatcom County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee AB2025-774 CONFIRMED Pass
  88. 65 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION
  89. 66 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
  90. 67 ADJOURN
  91. 69 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW.
  92. 71 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW.
  93. 77 CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERED SEPARATELY
  94. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Fire Protection District 7 for the provision of the Paramedic Training Program, in the amount of $345,537 AB2025-742 AUTHORIZED Pass
  95. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Geneva Consulting Services to support coordination of the Whatcom Local Integrating Organization (LIO), in the amount of $291,068 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-747 AUTHORIZED Pass
  96. 15. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the provision of the paramedic training program, in the amount of $1,008,442 AB2025-764 AUTHORIZED Pass
  97. 16. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Washington Wildlife and Recreation Forestland Preservation grant program for the acquisition of a forestry conservation easement on the Canyon Creek Forest property through the Conservation Easement Program (CEP) in the amount of $500,000 AB2025-765 AUTHORIZED Pass
  98. 89 Motion approved to amend the motion (to approve) and that they approve the substitute resolution as presented.
  99. 98 MOTION 1 Motion approved 5-0 with Byrd and Donovan out of the meeting to request that the Executive prepare a 2025 budget amendment, to include in the next supplemental budget ordinance scheduled for introduction on November 18th, that will allow a contract amendment to provide flexibility to the food banks to spend 2026 funding in 2025.
  100. 99 MOTION 2 Motion approved 5-0 with Byrd and Donovan out of the meeting to appoint Councilmembers Scanlon to serve as a representative on the Risk Management Working Group through the end of the year (after which the role will revert to the Finance Committee chair).

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