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July 28, 2026 ·6:00 PM Final ·HYBRID MEETING (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISION 7.27.2026

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 84 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL ▶ jump to 0:01
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 1:11
  3. 3 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 1:31
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE ▶ jump to 1:50
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS ▶ jump to 2:14
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT ▶ jump to 2:15
  7. 7 PUBLIC HEARINGS ▶ jump to 2:18
  8. 1. Ordinance granting Forged Fiber 37, LLC a non-exclusive franchise for the purposes of offering and providing telecommunications services AB2026-461 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 11:10
  9. 9 PUBLIC HEARINGS (FERRY DISTRICT) ▶ jump to 13:33
  10. 1. Resolution establishing a new Whatcom County Ferry District Fund (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-520 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 13:32
  11. 10 THE FOLLOWING FERRY DISTRICT FILES HAD ONE COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING (SEE HEARING AND DISCUSSION NOTES UNDER AB2026-520).
  12. 2. Resolution establishing an initial budget level for the Whatcom County Ferry District in the amount of $5.7 million (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-552 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 13:32
  13. 3. Resolution establishing an initial budget for the Whatcom County Ferry District in the amount of $5.2 million (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-521 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 13:32
  14. 4. Resolution establishing an initial budget level for the Whatcom County Ferry District in the amount of $4.2 million (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-522 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 13:32
  15. 5. Ordinance adding the Ferry District Funds and Board of Supervisors to Whatcom County Code 10.34, Ferry Rates AB2026-524 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 13:32
  16. 6. Ordinance adding the Ferry District Funds and Board of Supervisors to Whatcom County Code 10.36.060, Ferry Multi-Ride Cards and Quarterly Passes, Replacement Appeal Procedure AB2026-525 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 13:32
  17. 16 PUBLIC HEARINGS (COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE) ▶ jump to 63:03
  18. 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Foothills Subarea Plan for the Growth Management Act Periodic Review and Update (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-553 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 63:03
  19. 17 PUBLIC HEARINGS (FERRY DISTRICT) CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ▶ jump to 42:56
  20. 2. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning, under the 2025-2026 periodic update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, pursuant to the Growth Management Act (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-489 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 63:03
  21. 1. Resolution establishing a new Whatcom County Ferry District Fund (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-520 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 43:19
  22. 3. Ordinance amending the official Whatcom County Zoning Map under the 2025-2026 Periodic Update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan under the Growth Management Act (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-490 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 63:03
  23. 2. Resolution establishing an initial budget level for the Whatcom County Ferry District in the amount of $5.7 million (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-552 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 44:38
  24. 20 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE - CONCURRENT REVIEW ▶ jump to 109:34
  25. 3. Resolution establishing an initial budget for the Whatcom County Ferry District in the amount of $5.2 million (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-521 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 58:02
  26. 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Foothills Subarea Plan for the Growth Management Act Periodic Review and Update (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-553 APPROVED CONCURRENTLY Pass ▶ jump to 109:34
  27. 4. Resolution establishing an initial budget level for the Whatcom County Ferry District in the amount of $4.2 million (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-522 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 58:19
  28. 2. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning, under the 2025-2026 periodic update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, pursuant to the Growth Management Act (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-489 APPROVED CONCURRENTLY Pass ▶ jump to 109:34
  29. 5. Ordinance adding the Ferry District Funds and Board of Supervisors to Whatcom County Code 10.34, Ferry Rates AB2026-524 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 58:56
  30. 3. Ordinance amending the official Whatcom County Zoning Map under the 2025-2026 Periodic Update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan under the Growth Management Act (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-490 APPROVED CONCURRENTLY Pass ▶ jump to 109:34
  31. 6. Ordinance adding the Ferry District Funds and Board of Supervisors to Whatcom County Code 10.36.060, Ferry Multi-Ride Cards and Quarterly Passes, Replacement Appeal Procedure AB2026-525 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 61:02
  32. 24 OPEN SESSION ▶ jump to 119:01
  33. 25 CONSENT AGENDA ▶ jump to 147:15
  34. 25 THE FOLLOWING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FILES HAD ONE COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING (SEE HEARING AND DISCUSSION NOTES UNDER AB2026-553).
  35. 26 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 147:17
  36. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to relinquish a foot trail easement held by the Whatcom Land Trust, located within South Fork Park AB2026-555 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  37. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Attorney General’s Office of Washington State to purchase an evidence refrigerator, in the amount of $8,920 AB2026-563 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  38. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Ferndale School District to fund mental health services for an additional year in the amount of $300,530 for a total amended agreement amount of $572,347 AB2026-564 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  39. 29 PUBLIC HEARINGS (COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE) CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ▶ jump to 90:18
  40. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Chinook Enterprises to provide support services to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities, in the estimated amount of $74,878 AB2026-565 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  41. 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Foothills Subarea Plan for the Growth Management Act Periodic Review and Update (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-553 SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 91:26
  42. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Island County for preventing the use of cannabis and commercial tobacco products by youth in the amount of $37,000 AB2026-566 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  43. 31 Motion approved 5-2 to adopt and forward for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals (AB2026-489 and AB2026-490) scheduled later this evening.
  44. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization for behavioral health services in the amount of $725,761 AB2026-567 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  45. 32 Adopted the "Revised Substitute Ordinance for 7.28.2026 (corrected)."
  46. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and PeaceHealth to provide two years of funding for a Perinatal Patient Navigator, providing mental health services for marginalized, disadvantaged, and medically complex pregnant patients in the amount of $180,000 AB2026-568 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  47. 2. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning, under the 2025-2026 periodic update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, pursuant to the Growth Management Act (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-489 SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 107:51
  48. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and SCS Engineers to prepare an updated Comprehensive Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan, in the amount of $138,894 AB2026-569 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  49. 34 Motion approved 5-2 to adopt and forward for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals (AB2026-553 and AB2026-490) scheduled later this evening.
  50. 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and United General District 304 to reduce the use of cannabis and tobacco by youth in the amount of $79,000 AB2026-570 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  51. 35 Adopted the “Revised Substitute Ordinance for 7.14.2026.”
  52. 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment with the Washington State Department of Commerce to increase the total grant amount for the state fiscal year 2026 Domestic Violence Victim/Witness Grant in the amount of $50,000 for a total amended contract amount of $74,218 AB2026-574 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  53. 3. Ordinance amending the official Whatcom County Zoning Map under the 2025-2026 Periodic Update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan under the Growth Management Act (for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals) AB2026-490 SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 109:25
  54. 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement to pass-through funds from the Washington State Military Department to the City of Bellingham for the operations of What-Comm in the amount of $93,500 for fiscal year 2027 AB2026-575 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  55. 37 Motion approved 5-2 to adopt and forward for concurrent review with other Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals (AB2026-553 and AB2026-489) scheduled later this evening.
  56. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Bellingham for the pass-through of grant funds from the Washington State Military Department for fiscal year 2027 for What-Comm operations in the amount of $93,500 AB2026-576 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 147:16
  57. 38 Adopted the “Revised Substitute Ordinance for 7.14.2026.”
  58. 39 OTHER ITEMS ▶ jump to 148:35
  59. 40 (From Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee) ▶ jump to 148:39
  60. 40 Motion approved 5-2 with Elenbaas and Stremler opposed to approve the adopted items AB2026-553, AB2026-489, and AB2026-490 concurrently (see the motion and vote represented on each file below).
  61. 1. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 16.20, Whatcom County Shellfish Protection Districts AB2026-526 SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 149:17
  62. 2. Joint resolution of the Bellingham City Council and the Whatcom County Council adopting the Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan AB2026-556 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Pass ▶ jump to 151:11
  63. 43 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 161:05
  64. 3. Resolution amending the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget, request no. 4, in the amount of $34,830 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-508 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 161:44
  65. 4. Ordinance closing the Central Plaza Tenant Improvement Fund AB2026-530 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 162:49
  66. 5. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 10, in the amount of $252,250 AB2026-534 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 163:16
  67. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and System Modernization Project, in the amount of $25,000,000 AB2026-550 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 164:02
  68. 7. Resolution designating an authorized representative and alternate authorized representative of Whatcom County to obtain federal and/or state emergency or disaster assistance funds on behalf of Whatcom County AB2026-582 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 166:28
  69. 49 (From Council Public Works and Health Committee) ▶ jump to 167:05
  70. 8. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 24.03, Food Service Rules and Regulations (Council acting as the Health Board) AB2026-504 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 167:07
  71. 51 (No Committee Assignment) ▶ jump to 168:48
  72. 9. Resolution establishing regular Whatcom County Council meeting dates for 2027 AB2026-501 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 169:38
  73. 53 CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS ▶ jump to 171:52
  74. 1. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Alex Durney to the Conservation Easement Program Advisory Committee AB2026-551 CONFIRMED Pass ▶ jump to 172:16
  75. 55 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION ▶ jump to 172:58
  76. 56 INTRODUCTION ITEMS ▶ jump to 173:03
  77. 1. Review final project performance on the 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services grant and proposed activities for the 2026-2027 CDBG Public Services grant AB2026-499 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 173:02
  78. 2. Resolution to sell tax title property by public auction, Mounces First Addition AB2026-557 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 173:02
  79. 3. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 24.03, Food Service Rules and Regulations AB2026-559 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 173:02
  80. 4. Ordinance establishing the Criminal Justice Sales Tax Fund - RCW 82.14.345 and establishing an initial budget for the Criminal Justice Sales Tax Fund - RCW 82.14.345 AB2026-580 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 173:02
  81. 5. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 11, in the amount of $3,658,280 AB2026-581 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 173:02
  82. 62 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES ▶ jump to 174:22
  83. 63 ADJOURN ▶ jump to 208:14
  84. 63 Motion approved 7-0 that they hold until they can get a recommendation or review from the Forest Advisory Committee.