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May 26, 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 REVISED 5.22.2026

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 61 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL ▶ jump to 0:01
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 1:19
  3. 3 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 1:31
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE ▶ jump to 1:45
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS ▶ jump to 2:09
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT ▶ jump to 2:13
  7. 7 MINUTES CONSENT ▶ jump to 2:20
  8. 1. Special Council for May 5, 2026 MIN2026-043 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:20
  9. 2. Special Committee of the Whole for May 5, 2026 MIN2026-044 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:20
  10. 3. Committee of Whole for May 12, 2026 MIN2026-045 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:20
  11. 4. Regular County Council for May 12, 2026 MIN2026-046 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:20
  12. 12 OPEN SESSION ▶ jump to 2:46
  13. 13 CONSENT AGENDA ▶ jump to 102:47
  14. 14 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 102:48
  15. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and EKS Evaluation Consulting to develop a comprehensive evaluation plan for the five key Response Systems Division programs within Whatcom County Health and Community Services, in the amount of $83,150 AB2026-368 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:50
  16. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Bellingham Police Department for a commitment of funding from the Bellingham Police Department to maintain operations of the Alternative Response Team Program, in the amount of $688,760 AB2026-381 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:51
  17. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Commerce to increase funding for the Consolidated Homeless Grant, which supports the priorities outlined in the Whatcom County Plan to End Homelessness, in the amount of $1,546,981 for a total amended agreement amount of $20,366,072 AB2026-382 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  18. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to provide funding for various public health programs, in the amount of $57,008 for a total amended contract amount of $11,286,805 AB2026-385 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  19. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Kulshan Community Land Trust to provide eighteen units of permanently affordable homeownership units for households earning less than 80% Area Median Income, in the amount of $394,012.06 AB2026-386 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  20. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Shea, Carr & Jewell, Inc. dba SCJ Alliance to provide flood mitigation planning for the City of Sumas, in the amount of $274,981.33 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-387 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  21. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Military Department for the elevation of sixteen structures in flood-prone areas, in the amount of $4,156,725 (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-391 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  22. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Herrera Environmental Consultants to support the next phase of Lower Nooksack River Floodplain Integrated Planning, in the amount of $1,250,229 for a total contract amount of $4,248,598 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-392 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  23. 22 A SECOND MOTION WAS MADE ON THIS ITEM UNDER OTHER BUSINESS.
  24. 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Lake Whatcom Residential Treatment Center to support the development of 37 units of affordable rentals for adults with behavioral health needs, including 11 units dedicated to Trueblood Class Members, in the amount of $3,087,940 AB2026-393 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  25. 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an amended agreement between Whatcom County and the Administrative Office of the Courts for reimbursement of costs related to water adjudication, in the amended amount of $2,538,200 AB2026-394 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  26. 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Military Department to enhance security and preparedness for the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup events, in the amount of $62,963 AB2026-397 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  27. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the SeattleFWC26 to enhance security and preparedness for the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup events, in the amount of $97,556 AB2026-398 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  28. 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to clarify eligible construction reimbursement methods for the Bear Creek Corridor Mitigation Bank Project in the amount of $0, for a total amended contract amount of $1,000,000 AB2026-401 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 102:48
  29. 28 OTHER ITEMS ▶ jump to 103:57
  30. 29 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 103:59
  31. 1. Ordinance increasing the Petty Cash Revolving Fund for the Parks and Recreation Department, in the amount of $500 AB2026-333 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 104:14
  32. 2. Ordinance amending the project budget for the Austin Court Stormwater Improvement Project Fund, request no. 1 AB2026-351
  33. 3. Ordinance amending the project budget for the North Commercial Street Acquisition, request no. 1 AB2026-353 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 105:25
  34. 2. Ordinance amending the project budget for the Austin Court Stormwater Improvement Project Fund, request no. 1 AB2026-351 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 104:48
  35. 4. Ordinance amending the project budget for the New Public Health, Safety and Justice Facility, request no. 11 AB2026-355 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 106:10
  36. 5. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 8, in the amount of $8,914,924 AB2026-369 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 106:44
  37. 6. Resolution amending the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget, request no. 3, in the amount of $34,964 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-373 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 107:23
  38. 7. Ordinance amending the project based budget for the Lummi Nation Ferry Lease Fund-3901, request no. 1 AB2026-374 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 108:07
  39. 8. Ordinance amending the project budget for the Central Shop National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Improvements Project Fund, request no. 2 AB2026-379 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 108:53
  40. 9. Resolution appointing the County Treasurer and Finance Director as the county representatives authorized to designate certain expenditures for reimbursement from future tax-exempt obligations AB2026-402 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 109:23
  41. 39 (From Council Public Works and Health Committee) ▶ jump to 109:59
  42. 10. Resolution establishing the existing Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee as the Ferry Advisory Committee for the Ferry District [Council acting as the Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors] AB2026-389 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 110:16
  43. 41 (From Council Committee of the Whole) ▶ jump to 124:37
  44. 11. Resolution regarding greenhouse gas reduction sub-element voluntary review as part of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan periodic update under the Washington State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.096) AB2026-390 SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 125:03
  45. 43 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION ▶ jump to 125:55
  46. 1. Request for motion to support modifying the Flood District Fund reserve policy to allow for levee repairs AB2026-418 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED ▶ jump to 125:57
  47. 45 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES ▶ jump to 128:25
  48. 46 ADJOURN ▶ jump to 194:34
  49. 46 Motion approved 7-0 to support modifying the Flood District Fund reserve policy to allow for the Ritter Road and Bylsma Levee repairs.
  50. 48 (From Committee of the Whole Executive Session)
  51. 49 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)] AB2026-383 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED
  52. 50 Motion approved 7-0 to authorize the county executive acting on behalf of the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone district, to move forward with and complete the acquisition of the easement, as long as the purchase price of the easement does not exceed the amount discussed in executive session.
  53. 51 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)(i)] AB2026-406 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED
  54. 52 Motion approved 7-0 to approve defense and indemnification of Ryan Rathbun, named as defendants in Hailey Bergquist v. Whatcom County et al., Skagit County Superior Court, Cause No. 26-2-00115-29. Based on the following findings: A. Ryan Rathbun was acting in a matter in which the county had an interest; B. Ryan Rathbun was acting in the discharge of a duty imposed or authorized by law; C. Ryan Rathbun acted in good faith.
  55. 53 Discussion of potential litigation with Civil Deputy Prosecutor Jesse Corkern 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)] AB2026-407 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED
  56. 54 Motion approved 7-0 to authorize Jesse Corkern, Civil Deputy to submit a claim form on behalf of Whatcom County Public Works, to participate in a class action settlement, as discussed in Executive Session.
  57. 55 (From Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
  58. 56 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Military Department for the elevation of sixteen structures in flood-prone areas, in the amount of $4,156,725 (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-391 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED
  59. 57 Motion approved 7-0 to authorize the Executive to execute agreements with the property owners that outline the terms of reimbursement for the elevation of their structures.
  60. 58 Presentation by the Executive Office on the Economic Development Investment Fund and Program AB2026-400 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED
  61. 59 Motion approved 6-1 with Stremler opposed that the council preliminarily establish a target range for the economic development investment program of between $2.3 million and $3 million set aside for infrastructure projects and between $1 million and $1.7 million for housing projects as an initial starting place.