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February 10, 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 2.9.2026

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 77 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 1:27
  3. 3 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 1:43
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE ▶ jump to 1:57
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS ▶ jump to 2:18
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT ▶ jump to 2:24
  7. 7 MINUTES CONSENT ▶ jump to 2:33
  8. 1. Special Committee of the Whole for January 13, 2026 MIN2026-007 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:33
  9. 2. Committee of the Whole for January 13, 2026 MIN2026-009 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:33
  10. 3. Regular County Council for January 13, 2026 MIN2026-010 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:33
  11. 4. Committee of the Whole Executive Session for January 27, 2026 MIN2026-011 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:33
  12. 5. Committee of the Whole for January 27, 2026 MIN2026-012 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:33
  13. 6. Regular County Council for January 27, 2026 MIN2026-013 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 2:33
  14. 14 PUBLIC HEARINGS ▶ jump to 3:08
  15. 1. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 5.40.010 to change the permit threshold for outdoor musical entertainment, amusements, and assemblies AB2026-118 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 4:10
  16. 16 OPEN SESSION ▶ jump to 5:40
  17. 17 CONSENT AGENDA ▶ jump to 73:45
  18. 18 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 73:46
  19. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management to utilize State Homeland Security Grant Program funding to sustain and enhance Division of Emergency Management programs, in the amount of $47,479 AB2026-060 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  20. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham for Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park Infrastructure Improvements, in the amount of $3,000,000 AB2026-068 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  21. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the What-Comm Communications Center in support of reimbursement for 911 capital equipment expenses in the amount of $94,107 AB2026-069 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  22. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to affirm and jointly agree to the terms of financial support for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in 2026, including a financial commitment by the County in an amount not to exceed $50,000 and a financial commitment by the City in an amount not to exceed $100,000 AB2026-092 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  23. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Transportation to obligate federal Ferry Boat Program funds for the Lummi Island Ferry operating costs, in the amount of $1,920,916 for a total amended contract amount of $3,596,616 AB2026-116 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  24. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to provide funding for various public health services in the amount of $166,766, for a total amended agreement amount of $11,128,322 AB2026-117 ▶ jump to 73:46
  25. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization to recognize and allocate revenue to Whatcom County for its participation in the North Sound Integrated Care Network, in the amount of $725,761.41 AB2026-122 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  26. 25 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  27. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Land Trust to provide pass-through grant funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for the purchase of Phase 1 of the Stewart Mountain Community Forest, in the amount of $665,402 AB2026-123 ▶ jump to 73:46
  28. 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Washington Initiative for Supported Employment to provide developmental disabilities-related training and technical assistance services in the amount of $20,000, for a total amended contract amount of $59,500 AB2026-127 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  29. 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and King Architecture, PLLC for additional design and electrical engineering services for the Van Zandt Community Hall renovation, in the amount of $13,540 for a total amended contract amount of $132,394 AB2026-133 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 73:46
  30. 28 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  31. 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 for the period January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028 AB2026-137 WITHDRAWN ▶ jump to 73:46
  32. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a purchase agreement between Whatcom County and Western Washington University for the purchase of property located at 333 32nd Street, Bellingham WA (Tax Parcel No. 370306340528), in the amount of $8,056,584 AB2026-142 ▶ jump to 73:46
  33. 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement between Whatcom County and Western Washington University (WWU) for WWU’s use of the facility located at 333 32nd Street, Bellingham WA for two years, revenue amount of $174,878 AB2026-147 ▶ jump to 73:46
  34. 32 OTHER ITEMS ▶ jump to 89:46
  35. 33 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 89:48
  36. 33 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  37. 1. Ordinance closing the Northwest Annex Redevelopment Fund AB2026-094 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 89:58
  38. 2. Ordinance amending the project budget for the Hovander Park Building Improvements Project, request no. 4 AB2026-098 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 91:21
  39. 35 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  40. 3. Ordinance establishing the 32nd Street Property Acquisition Fund and establishing an initial budget for the 32nd Street Property Acquisition Fund AB2026-104 SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 92:24
  41. 36 CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ▶ jump to 73:45
  42. 4. Ordinance establishing the Glacier Restroom Improvements Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Glacier Restroom Improvements Fund AB2026-100 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 93:16
  43. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to provide funding for various public health services in the amount of $166,766, for a total amended agreement amount of $11,128,322 AB2026-117 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 75:08
  44. 5. Ordinance amending the project budget for the New Public Health, Safety and Justice Facility, request no. 10 AB2026-102 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 93:51
  45. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Land Trust to provide pass-through grant funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for the purchase of Phase 1 of the Stewart Mountain Community Forest, in the amount of $665,402 AB2026-123 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 79:06
  46. 6. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 3, in the amount of $7,123,065 AB2026-110 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 95:29
  47. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a purchase agreement between Whatcom County and Western Washington University for the purchase of property located at 333 32nd Street, Bellingham WA (Tax Parcel No. 370306340528), in the amount of $8,056,584 AB2026-142 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 82:46
  48. 40 (From Council Public Works and Health Committee) ▶ jump to 95:59
  49. 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement between Whatcom County and Western Washington University (WWU) for WWU’s use of the facility located at 333 32nd Street, Bellingham WA for two years, revenue amount of $174,878 AB2026-147 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 87:05
  50. 7. Resolution requesting Washington State officials and Whatcom County’s Congressional delegation work to secure the release of approved Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds for Whatcom County homeowners AB2026-129 SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 96:48
  51. 42 (From Council Committee of the Whole) ▶ jump to 97:56
  52. 8. 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 97:58
  53. 44 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS ▶ jump to 98:56
  54. 1. Appointment to vacancies on the Planning Commission, Applicant(s): Lindsey Elenbaas AB2026-125 APPOINTED ▶ jump to 100:21
  55. 46 CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS ▶ jump to 110:30
  56. 1. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Sean Hopps to the Whatcom County Food System Committee AB2026-131 CONFIRMED Pass ▶ jump to 110:48
  57. 2. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Paul Cline to the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee AB2026-136 CONFIRMED Pass ▶ jump to 111:35
  58. 3. Request confirmation of the County Executive’s reappointment of Liz Baxter to the Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services Oversight Board AB2026-140 CONFIRMED Pass ▶ jump to 112:26
  59. 50 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION ▶ jump to 112:52
  60. 51 INTRODUCTION ITEMS ▶ jump to 112:54
  61. 1. Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Section 2.02.195 Performance Audits AB2026-040 ▶ jump to 112:54
  62. 2. Ordinance establishing the project budget for the Strawberry Point/Lake Whatcom Boulevard stormwater improvements, request no. 1 AB2026-114 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  63. 53 Motion approved 7-0 to appoint Elenbaas as the lead representative and Galloway as the alternate.
  64. 3. Appointment to a vacancy on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, business/industry position, applicant(s): Troy Lautenbach AB2026-115 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  65. 4. Receipt of Public Works memo regarding the proposed tasks and preliminary schedule for the Whatcom County Climate Action Plan Update which is required every 5 years by Ordinance No. 2017-080 AB2026-124 RECEIVED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  66. 5. Appointment to a vacancy on the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, representing higher education, applicant(s): Patricia Newbold AB2026-128 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  67. 56 Motion approved 6-0 (with Elenbaas recusing himself) to accept late applications.
  68. 6. Ordinance amending the project budget for the Courthouse Building Envelope Fund, request no. 7 AB2026-134 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  69. 57 Appointed Matthew Berry to one position with five votes (Elenbaas recused) and HELD THE APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN.
  70. 7. Ordinance establishing the Ferndale Senior Activity Center Improvements Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Ferndale Senior Activity Center Improvements Fund AB2026-143 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  71. 8. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 4, in the amount of $1,804,963 AB2026-145 INTRODUCED Pass ▶ jump to 112:54
  72. 60 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES ▶ jump to 118:30
  73. 61 ADJOURN ▶ jump to 142:10
  74. 65 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  75. 73 INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ▶ jump to 112:54
  76. 1. Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Section 2.02.195 Performance Audits AB2026-040 HELD IN COMMITTEE Pass ▶ jump to 118:27
  77. 75 Motion approved to hold this item in committee and schedule that next discussion for the February 24th Committee of the Whole meeting. It was not introduced.