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July 14, 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 7.14.2026

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 80 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL ▶ jump to 0:01
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 0:05
  3. 3 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 0:20
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS ▶ jump to 0:54
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
  7. 7 MINUTES CONSENT ▶ jump to 2:01
  8. 1. Regular County Council for June 9, 2026 MIN2026-057 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  9. 2. Committee of the Whole for June 9, 2026 MIN2026-058 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  10. 3. Committee of the Whole Executive Session for June 23, 2026 MIN2026-059 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  11. 4. Committee of the Whole for June 23, 2026 MIN2026-060 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  12. 5. Regular County Council for June 23, 2026 MIN2026-061 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  13. 6. Special Committee of the Whole for June 16, 2026 MIN2026-062 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  14. 7. Special Council for June 30, 2026 MIN2026-063 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 1:05
  15. 15 PUBLIC HEARINGS (COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE) ▶ jump to 1:38
  16. 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) AB2026-488 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 1:38
  17. 16 DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC HEARING
  18. 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 1:38
  19. 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 1:38
  20. 18 SEE HEARING AND DISCUSSION NOTES UNDER AB2026-488
  21. 19 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE - CONCURRENT REVIEW ▶ jump to 111:37
  22. 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) AB2026-488 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 111:38
  23. 20 SEE HEARING AND DISCUSSION NOTES UNDER AB2026-488
  24. 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 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 111:39
  25. 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 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 111:40
  26. 22 SEE HEARING AND DISCUSSION NOTES UNDER AB2026-488
  27. 23 OPEN SESSION ▶ jump to 111:45
  28. 23 SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
  29. 24 CONSENT AGENDA ▶ jump to 160:20
  30. 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) AB2026-488 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 72:53
  31. 25 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 160:21
  32. 25 Note: AB2026-553 showing substantive changes related to Sumas UGA is on for introduction later in this agenda. If a motion to introduce passes, a public hearing will be scheduled for 7/28/2026.
  33. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham Police Department to maintain munitions inventory at the Whatcom County Central Shop, in the amount of $0 AB2026-438 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  34. 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 HELD IN COUNCIL Pass ▶ jump to 106:47
  35. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Status Electrical Corporation to provide technical support for the security electronics at the juvenile detention facility, main jail, jail work center, and facilities management, in the amount of $69,442 for a total amended contract amount of $253,615 AB2026-496 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  36. 27 Motion approved 7-0 to hold (and schedule a public hearing and concurrent review on July 28, 2026 alongside AB2026-553 and AB2026-490).
  37. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Military Department for reimbursement of expenses resulting from the winter weather in December 2025, in an amount to be determined AB2026-500 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  38. 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 HELD IN COUNCIL Pass ▶ jump to 108:04
  39. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and WA Department of Ecology to restore Olympia oysters in North Chuckanut Bay, in the amount of $50,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-503 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  40. 29 Motion approved 7-0 to hold (and schedule a public hearing and concurrent review on July 28, 2026 alongside AB2026-553 and AB2026-489).
  41. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal cooperative purchasing agreement with the Whatcom County Rural Library District (WCLS) to allow reciprocal utilization of competitively bid contracts, pursuant to RCW Chapter 39.34 Interlocal Cooperation Act AB2026-505 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  42. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Commerce to increase funding for flood mitigation planning in Sumas, Nooksack, and Everson, in the amount of $207,400 for a total amended amount of $1,517,400 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-511 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  43. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Ecology to provide Floodplains by Design funding to build upon existing Floodplain Integrated Planning efforts to reduce flood hazard, increase flood resiliency, and improve habitat, in the amount of $10,000,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-527 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  44. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the University of Washington for completion of Phase 2 sediment work near Everson and evaluating alternatives proposed as part of the Widen the Corridor project, in the amount of $209,814 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-528 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  45. 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the continued purpose of sediment modeling on the lower Nooksack River, in the amount of $60,000 for a total agreement amount of $295,050 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-529 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  46. 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Washington State Office of Public Defense regarding Chapter 10.101 RCW, Indigent Defense Services, in the amount of $435,995 AB2026-533 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  47. 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and the Administrative Office of the Courts for reimbursements of costs related to the Uniform Guardianship Act, in the amount of $89,144 AB2026-536 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  48. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and the Administrative Office of the Courts for reimbursements of costs related to the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Program, in the amount of $122,250 AB2026-537 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  49. 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service for funding for a deputy to patrol Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest lands in the amount of $56,760 AB2026-538 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  50. 14. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and the Administrative Office of the Courts for reimbursement of costs related to BECCA programs, in the amount of $232,776 AB2026-539 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  51. 15. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Mobile Mama Strategies Inc. to provide perinatal mental health services to vulnerable families through continuation of a mental health workforce pilot project, in the amount of $199,000 for a total amended contract amount of $496,335 AB2026-540 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  52. 16. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to increase funding for the 2025-2027 Consolidated Contract Grant, which supports the delivery and funding of various public health services in Whatcom County, in the amount of $3,521,984 for a total amended agreement amount of $14,856,181 AB2026-541 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  53. 17. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to provide conflict resolution workshops for youth, in the amount of $35,000 AB2026-542 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  54. 18. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Washington State Military for Operation Stonegarden FY25, in the amount of $170,625 AB2026-543 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 160:21
  55. 44 OTHER ITEMS ▶ jump to 161:34
  56. 45 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 161:35
  57. 1. Resolution requiring additional public notice of proposed Whatcom County Council action to increase taxes AB2026-480 SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 163:10
  58. 2. Resolution regarding authorization for application to Public Works Board funding for the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and System Modernization Project AB2026-514 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 166:50
  59. 3. Resolution designating the revenue distribution from forest service payments AB2026-544 TABLED Pass ▶ jump to 169:42
  60. 49 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS ▶ jump to 168:53
  61. 1. Appointment to a vacancy on the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, childcare position, Applicant(s): Courtney Whitaker, Kristine Wilson AB2026-427 APPOINTED ▶ jump to 168:57
  62. 51 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION ▶ jump to 171:33
  63. 1. 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 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 173:22
  64. 2. 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 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 177:14
  65. 54 INTRODUCTION ITEMS ▶ jump to 176:20
  66. 1. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 24.03, Food Service Rules and Regulations (Council acting as the Health Board) AB2026-504 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  67. 2. 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 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  68. 3. Ordinance declaring public necessity for and the authorization to acquire certain property rights by eminent domain for the Birch Bay Lynden Road and Blaine Road Intersection Improvements Project AB2026-518 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  69. 4. Resolution establishing a new Whatcom County Ferry District Fund (Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-520 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  70. 5. 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 SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  71. 6. 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 SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  72. 7. Ordinance adding the Ferry District Funds and Board of Supervisors to Whatcom County Code 10.34, Ferry Rates AB2026-524 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  73. 8. 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 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  74. 62 Appointed Courtney Whitaker with five votes
  75. 9. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 16.20, Whatcom County Shellfish Protection Districts AB2026-526 SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  76. 10. Ordinance closing the Central Plaza Tenant Improvement Fund AB2026-530 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  77. 11. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 10, in the amount of $252,250 AB2026-534 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 176:20
  78. 66 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES ▶ jump to 185:16
  79. 66 Motion approved to introduce and schedule a public hearing for July 28th and make it a combined public hearing with AB2026-489 and AB2026-490 for concurrent review.
  80. 67 ADJOURN ▶ jump to 198:23