Council Committee of the Whole

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda — 23 items

1. 1 Call To Order ▶ jump to 0:52
2. 2 Roll Call ▶ jump to 1:06
3. 3 Announcements ▶ jump to 1:27
4. 4 Items Added by Revision ▶ jump to 1:28
5. 1. Update on 2026 State Legislative Session AB2026-037 DISCUSSED ▶ jump to 1:34
6. 6 Committee Discussion ▶ jump to 17:02
7. 1. Discussion of urban growth area proposals for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan AB2026-078 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED ▶ jump to 17:06
8. 2. Discussion relating to the Planning Commission’s final recommendations on the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan update and several amendments to the Foothills Subarea Plan AB2026-121 DISCUSSED ▶ jump to 72:31
9. 8 MOTION 1 Motion approved to amend the motion (that they give council's preliminary support for the City of Everson's proposed UGA boundaries) to have the southern half of area 1 remain as a UGA reserve.
10. 3. Discussion of an ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Section 2.02.195 Performance Audits AB2026-041 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED ▶ jump to 119:29
11. 9 MOTION 2 Motion approved that they give council's preliminary support for the City of Everson's proposed UGA boundaries as amended.
12. 4. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 5.40.010 to change the permit threshold for outdoor musical entertainment, amusements, and assemblies AB2026-118 DISCUSSED ▶ jump to 184:50
13. 10 MOTION 3 Motion approved to amend the motion (to give preliminary support for City of Sumas' UGA proposal) to request that area 2 remain as UGA reserve.
14. 11 Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council ▶ jump to 191:28
15. 11 MOTION 4 Motion approved to give preliminary support for City of Sumas' UGA proposal as amended.
16. 1. Request for motion to designate one Council representative to participate on the Emergency Medical Services 2029-2034 Levy Committee AB2026-132 DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED ▶ jump to 191:30
17. 13 Other Business ▶ jump to 200:13
18. 14 Adjournment ▶ jump to 200:15
19. 14 MOTION 1 Motion approved to amend the sixth whereas statement of the substitute ordinance as noted in the executive’s suggested ordinance so that it reads: WHEREAS, audits of Whatcom County’s financial statements and adherence to state laws, regulations, and local procedures are currently conducted by the Washington State Auditor’s Office annually in accordance with RCW 43.09.260 and, in connection with federal grants or other federal funding; and
20. 15 MOTION 2 Motion approved to amend the substitute ordinance to add a seventh whereas clause as suggested in the executive’s suggested ordinance which reads: WHEREAS, the State Auditor system allows for the county to select program areas for additional financial auditing and also provides additional advice and services at local government request; and
21. 16 MOTION 3 Motion approved to retain subsection G of WCC 2.02.195 and add language so that it reads: G. Beginning January 1, 2029, and biennially thereafter, the executive, AND/OR ELECTED OFFICIAL(S) OVERSEEING THE APPLICABLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OR OFFICE, shall report to the council on the implementation of the approved recommendations resulting from each performance audit performed under this section, including achieved cost savings and expected return on investment.
22. 17 MOTION 4 Motion approved to recommend the substitute ordinance for introduction as amended.
23. 21 Motion approved to appoint Elenbaas as the lead representative and Galloway as the alternate.