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April 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 4.13.2026

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 76 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 0:01
  3. 3 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 0:14
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE ▶ jump to 0:35
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS ▶ jump to 1:02
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT ▶ jump to 2:10
  7. 7 MINUTES CONSENT ▶ jump to 5:21
  8. 1. Committee of the Whole Executive Session for March 17, 2026 MIN2026-027 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  9. 2. Council (Special) for March 17, 2026 MIN2026-028 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  10. 3. Special Committee of the Whole for March 17, 2026 MIN2026-029 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  11. 4. Committee of the Whole Executive Session for March 24, 2026 MIN2026-030 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  12. 5. Committee of the Whole for March 24, 2026 MIN2026-031 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  13. 6. Regular County Council for March 24, 2026 MIN2026-032 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  14. 7. Special Council for March 31, 2026 MIN2026-033 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  15. 8. Special Committee of the Whole for March 31, 2026 MIN2026-034 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  16. 9. Health Board for March 31, 2026 MIN2026-035 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:20
  17. 17 COMBINED PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TAX ORDINANCES ▶ jump to 6:07
  18. 1. Ordinance authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 and adding a new Chapter 3.27 Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes to the Whatcom County Code AB2026-213 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 6:06
  19. 2. Ordinance authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 and adding a new Chapter 3.27 Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes to the Whatcom County Code AB2026-255 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 6:06
  20. 3. Ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) for criminal justice purposes, as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 AB2026-259 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RECEIVED (file not final) ▶ jump to 6:06
  21. 21 SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS ▶ jump to 60:34
  22. 1. Ordinance authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 and adding a new Chapter 3.27 Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes to the Whatcom County Code AB2026-213 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED ▶ jump to 61:15
  23. 2. Ordinance authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 and adding a new Chapter 3.27 Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes to the Whatcom County Code AB2026-255 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 76:55
  24. 23 Motion approved 7-0 that they hold AB2026-213 until after consideration of AB2026-255 (see second vote on this item below).
  25. 3. Ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) for criminal justice purposes, as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 AB2026-259 FAILED Fail ▶ jump to 109:54
  26. 25 OPEN SESSION ▶ jump to 115:03
  27. 26 CONSENT AGENDA ▶ jump to 168:57
  28. 1. Ordinance authorizing a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 and adding a new Chapter 3.27 Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes to the Whatcom County Code AB2026-213 FAILED Fail ▶ jump to 113:28
  29. 27 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 168:58
  30. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and BEA Environmental, LLC to develop and implement a Source Control Business Inspection Program, in the amount of $89,950 AB2026-253 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  31. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Bellingham Food Bank to purchase and distribute diapers, wipes, infant formula, and food to low-income families with children in the amount of $636,305, for a total amended contract amount of $1,503,993 AB2026-256 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  32. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Ecology to administer and enforce the well sealing, tagging, and decommissioning portions of the water well construction regulations, in the estimated amount of $13,500 annually AB2026-260 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  33. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to administer rental assistance to eligible individuals who are involved in the criminal legal system and in recovery from a substance use disorder, in the amount of $79,090 AB2026-269 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  34. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Housing Authority of the City of Bellingham to fund capital expenses for the development of the Samish Commons Early Learning Center, in the amount of $851,350 AB2026-270 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  35. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Department of Ecology to provide funding to advance the planning work necessary to evaluate and implement flood mitigation alternatives for the Lower Nooksack River and the Everson-Sumas overflow corridor, in the amount of $2,738,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-277 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  36. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Transportation to execute a Federal Aid Project Prospectus to obligate federal Ferry Boat Program funds for the Lummi Island Ferry operating costs, in the amount of $1,920,916 AB2026-294 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  37. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham for U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant FY25, in the amount of $11,812 AB2026-299 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 168:58
  38. 36 OTHER ITEMS ▶ jump to 170:36
  39. 37 (From Council Committee of the Whole) ▶ jump to 170:40
  40. 1. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Deborah Arthur as Deputy Executive/Administrative Services Director effective April 13, 2026 AB2026-302 CONFIRMED Pass ▶ jump to 171:40
  41. 39 (No Committee Assignment) ▶ jump to 179:24
  42. 2. Resolution setting priorities for a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by RCW 82.14.345 AB2026-257 NOT ACTED UPON ▶ jump to 179:38
  43. 3. Request for motion to select up to two councilmembers to participate in the Executive’s medical examiner hiring process AB2026-309 APPOINTED ▶ jump to 180:14
  44. 42 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS ▶ jump to 182:37
  45. 1. Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee, Behavioral Health Provider position, Applicant(s): Keren Gott, Margery Dunkle, Jennifer Zander, Ajreea Johnson AB2026-178 APPOINTED ▶ jump to 182:38
  46. 2. Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee, criminal legal system user, applicant(s): Cesar Luna AB2026-221 APPOINTED Pass ▶ jump to 189:37
  47. 44 Appointed Elenbaas and Scanlon 7-0.
  48. 3. Appointment to a vacancy on the Planning Commission, District 4 or 5, Applicants: Lindsey Elenbaas, Gurdeep Bains, Jeremy Thompson AB2026-232 APPOINTED ▶ jump to 192:21
  49. 4. Appointment to a vacancy on the Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee, alternate member, Applicant(s): Brett Vande Hoef (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-235 APPOINTED Pass ▶ jump to 195:23
  50. 5. Appointment to a vacancy on the Lynden/Everson Flood Control Subzone Advisory Committee, Applicant(s): Brett Vande Hoef (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-258 APPOINTED Pass ▶ jump to 197:55
  51. 47 Appointed Keren Gott with 6 votes.
  52. 6. Appointment to a vacancy on Consolidated Drainage Improvement District 31 Board of Supervisors, Applicant(s): Glen Oostema AB2026-274 APPOINTED Pass ▶ jump to 200:42
  53. 49 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION ▶ jump to 202:23
  54. 50 INTRODUCTION ITEMS ▶ jump to 202:27
  55. 50 Appointed Jeremy Thompson with 4 votes
  56. 1. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 7, in the amount of $23,290,457 AB2026-209 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  57. 2. Appointments to vacancies on the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee, various positions, Applicant(s) Markis Dee Stidham, Corey Williams, Virgil Thompson, Jonathan King, Susan Hutton AB2026-275 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  58. 3. Ordinance adopting Whatcom County Code Chapter 16.38, Source Control of Existing Development, to require the use of best management practices for stormwater pollution prevention within the Whatcom County, Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit Area AB2026-281 SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  59. 4. Resolution declaring Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District personal property, a single-family house, as surplus and approve sale (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-282 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  60. 5. Resolution declaring Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District personal property as surplus and approve sale (Council acting as Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-284 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  61. 6. Resolution declaring Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District personal property as surplus and to approve sale (Council acting as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-286 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  62. 7. Ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a nonbinding advisory proposition concerning a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes AB2026-288 ▶ jump to 202:26
  63. 8. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 5.04.080, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Oversight Board, and Section 5.04.085, EMS Technical Advisory Board, to change the membership of the EMS Oversight Board and the EMS Technical Advisory Board AB2026-291 ▶ jump to 202:26
  64. 9. Resolution amending the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget, request no. 1, in the amount of $23,406 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-292 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  65. 10. Resolution authorizing the submission of three independent grant applications to the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board to restore fish passage at the Black Slough and Homesteader culverts and to complete the final design and permitting of the Tinling Creek culvert project (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2026-295 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  66. 11. Appointment to a vacancy on the Public Health Advisory Board, Applicant(s): Michelle Gillig AB2026-297 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  67. 12. Appointment to a vacancy on the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, Marine Trades position, Applicant(s): Rex Rhoades AB2026-300 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 202:26
  68. 63 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES ▶ jump to 218:23
  69. 63 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW.
  70. 64 ADJOURN ▶ jump to 245:07
  71. 65 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW.
  72. 70 INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ▶ jump to 202:27
  73. 7. Ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a nonbinding advisory proposition concerning a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes AB2026-288 TABLED Pass ▶ jump to 206:28
  74. 8. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 5.04.080, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Oversight Board, and Section 5.04.085, EMS Technical Advisory Board, to change the membership of the EMS Oversight Board and the EMS Technical Advisory Board AB2026-291 SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED AS AMENDED Pass ▶ jump to 210:03
  75. 73 Motion approved 5-2, with Elenbaas and Stremler opposed to amend item number A(10) in Exhibit A so that it would read: Two community members, appointed jointly by the county executive and mayor of Bellingham, who have relevant work, educational, or lived experience including but not limited to EMS/Fire personnel or volunteer, labor representative, service providers, or community members who reflect diverse perspectives and community representation.
  76. 74 Introduced the Revised Substitute Ordinance as amended