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December 9, 2025 ·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 12.8.2025; AGENDA REVISED 12.9.2025

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 98 items

  1. 1 COUNTY COUNCIL ▶ jump to 0:02
  2. 2 CALL TO ORDER
  3. 3 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 0:11
  4. 4 FLAG SALUTE ▶ jump to 0:38
  5. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS ▶ jump to 1:03
  6. 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT ▶ jump to 3:02
  7. 7 MINUTES CONSENT ▶ jump to 5:15
  8. 1. Committee of the Whole for November 5, 2025 MIN2025-074 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:14
  9. 2. Regular County Council for November 5, 2025 MIN2025-075 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:14
  10. 3. Committee of the Whole Executive Session for November 18, 2025 MIN2025-076 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:14
  11. 4. Committee of the Whole for November 18, 2025 MIN2025-077 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:14
  12. 5. Regular County Council for November 18, 2025 MIN2025-078 APPROVED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 5:14
  13. 13 PUBLIC HEARINGS ▶ jump to 5:46
  14. 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co-living standards AB2025-812 FAILED Fail ▶ jump to 12:58
  15. 2. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co-living standards AB2025-838 ▶ jump to 5:45
  16. 2. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to comply with preemptive state regulations for accessory dwelling units and co-living standards AB2025-838 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 18:45
  17. 16 OPEN SESSION ▶ jump to 19:11
  18. 17 CONSENT AGENDA ▶ jump to 72:31
  19. 18 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 72:32
  20. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Axon Enterprise, Inc. for a five-year subscription of Axon Justice Premier for 41 users for storage and sharing of law enforcement body worn camera and other media evidence using Axon's cloud-based service, in the amount of $302,588 AB2025-815 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  21. 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an amended agreement between Whatcom County and Shawna Bosman, ARNP for juvenile detention nurse practitioner services, in the amount of $105,519 AB2025-824 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  22. 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to provide eviction prevention resolution services, in the amount of $72,760, for a total amended contract amount of $282,519 AB2025-828 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  23. 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Ferndale Community Services to increase housing stability for families with young children in the amount of $481,996, for a total amended contract amount of $858,412 AB2025-829 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  24. 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to increase housing stability for families with young children in the amount of $955,060 for a total amended contract amount of $2,110,584 AB2025-831 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  25. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide on-site supportive services to residents of the permanent supportive housing facility known as 22 North, in the amount of $648,568 AB2025-832 ▶ jump to 72:32
  26. 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Sean Humphrey House to provide partial funding for the operating expenses of two adult family homes which are providing care solely for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and who are exiting housing instability, in the amount of $59,000 AB2025-833 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  27. 25 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  28. 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to expand mental health and parent support services to low-income families with children ages 0-5 in the amount of $348,177, for a total amended contract amount of $822,963 AB2025-834 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  29. 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Sustainable Connections to increase countywide solid waste reduction rates in the amount of $136,875 for a total amended contract amount of $322,292 AB2025-835 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  30. 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract to bind coverage with Midwest Employer Casualty in the amount of $120,069 for renewal of insurance protection for the self-insured workers compensation program for calendar year 2026 AB2025-836 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  31. 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Crossroads Consulting for facilitation of the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee, in the amount of $39,900 AB2025-839 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  32. 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for education, outreach, and technical assistance with Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) stormwater programs, in the amount of $119,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-844 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  33. 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for education, outreach, and technical assistance with Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility (LWSU) stormwater programs, in the amount of $90,000 AB2025-845 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  34. 14. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a subrecipient agreement amendment between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Conservation District to ensure ongoing technical support funded by the National Estuary Program for Pollution Identification and Correction Program efforts, in the amount of $773,342 for a total amended amount of $1,561,674 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-846 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  35. 15. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Conservation District for Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program technical assistance and cost share, in the amount of $77,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-847 ▶ jump to 72:32
  36. 16. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to complete the final phase of a four-year study of the timing and magnitude of groundwater pumping on streamflow depletion at three study locations, in the amount of $147,532 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-848 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  37. 17. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for partial funding of emergency medical services on Galbraith Mountain and nearby areas in the amount of $49,000 in 2025 and $49,191 in 2026 AB2025-849 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  38. 35 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  39. 18. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to complete Phase 2 of an investigation into the impacts of agricultural tile drains on stream flows, in the amount of $128,531 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-850 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  40. 19. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the State of Washington Office of Public Defense to accept RCW 10.101 grant funds for the purpose of improving public defense services in Whatcom County in the amount of $436,108 AB2025-852 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  41. 20. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whatcom Fire District #7 to fund up to two lateral paramedic positions, in the amount of $149,951 for a total amended contract amount of $495,488 AB2025-853 SUBSTITUTE AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  42. 21. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to eliminate funding for three lateral paramedic positions, decreasing the contracted amount by $224,823 for a total amended contract amount of $783,619 AB2025-854 ▶ jump to 72:32
  43. 22. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Just Appraised Inc. to extend the terms of Contract #202412018 for three years in the amount of $123,094 for a total amended contract amount of $183,369 AB2025-855 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  44. 23. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to provide mediation services, in the amount of $120,000 AB2025-856 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  45. 24. Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #25-82 and enter into a contract between Whatcom County and CAMAO Construction, LLC for replacement of the roof of the maintenance garage at Maple Falls Community Park, in the amount of $99,443 AB2025-857 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  46. 42 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  47. 25. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Nurses Association for the period January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028 AB2025-860 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  48. 26. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the County to provide probation services to the City AB2025-861 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  49. 27. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for the County to provide probation services to the City AB2025-862 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  50. 28. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Everson for the County to provide probation services to the City AB2025-864 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  51. 29. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden for the County to provide probation services to the City AB2025-865 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  52. 30. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Sumas for the County to provide probation services to the City AB2025-866 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  53. 31. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Community Foundation for administrative services for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $150,000 AB2025-868 ▶ jump to 72:32
  54. 32. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for the period of January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027 AB2025-869 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  55. 33. Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #25-80 and enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Trico Office Interiors to supply and install a modular office furniture system in the Assessor’s Office in the amount of $114,725 AB2025-870 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 70:07
  56. 34. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 AB2025-874 ▶ jump to 72:32
  57. 35. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Everson for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 AB2025-875 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  58. 53 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW
  59. 36. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Ferndale for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,790 AB2025-876 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  60. 37. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 AB2025-877 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  61. 38. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Sumas for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 AB2025-878 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  62. 56 ITEMS 34-39 WERE CONSIDERED BY CONSENT SEPARATELY BELOW UNDER AB2025-874
  63. 39. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $16,665 AB2025-879 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 72:32
  64. 40. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Summit Law Group to provide legal services for matters related to collective bargaining, in the amount not to exceed $164,076 in 2025 and not to exceed $89,076 in 2026 AB2025-880 AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT Pass ▶ jump to 72:33
  65. 58 CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ▶ jump to 72:31
  66. 59 OTHER ITEMS ▶ jump to 110:06
  67. 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide on-site supportive services to residents of the permanent supportive housing facility known as 22 North, in the amount of $648,568 AB2025-832 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 89:26
  68. 60 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee) ▶ jump to 110:08
  69. 15. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Conservation District for Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program technical assistance and cost share, in the amount of $77,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-847 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 97:33
  70. 1. Resolution approving a salary schedule and policies for unrepresented Whatcom County employees effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 AB2025-859 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 110:32
  71. 21. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to eliminate funding for three lateral paramedic positions, decreasing the contracted amount by $224,823 for a total amended contract amount of $783,619 AB2025-854 HELD IN COMMITTEE Pass ▶ jump to 102:28
  72. 2. Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 2, in the amount of $12,120,000 AB2025-794 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 110:57
  73. 31. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Community Foundation for administrative services for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $150,000 AB2025-868 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 103:20
  74. 3. Ordinance establishing the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Leasehold Improvements Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Leasehold Improvements Project Fund AB2025-796 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 111:50
  75. 34. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 AB2025-874 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 104:34
  76. 4. Ordinance establishing the Birch Bay Beach Park Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Birch Bay Beach Park Project Fund AB2025-798 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 112:21
  77. 5. Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 12, in the amount of $3,565,060 AB2025-816 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 113:00
  78. 66 (From Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee) ▶ jump to 113:53
  79. 6. Resolution adopting the Lake Whatcom Invasive Freshwater Mussel Rapid and Extended Response Plan AB2025-793 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 114:01
  80. 7. Resolution authorizing the Whatcom County Conservation Easement Program staff and Whatcom County Executive to proceed with the acquisition of one agricultural conservation easement AB2025-871 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 115:02
  81. 69 (From Council Committee of the Whole) ▶ jump to 122:25
  82. 8. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.02, County Council, to change the membership and quorum requirements of all standing council committees AB2025-779 ADOPTED Pass ▶ jump to 122:57
  83. 9. Resolution amending Resolution 2025-027 to docket an additional Comprehensive Plan and zoning amendment related to Whatcom County Code 20.51 to strengthen protection of the Lake Whatcom Watershed AB2025-813 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 124:05
  84. 10. Resolution certifying Whatcom County’s property tax levies for collection in 2026 to the County Assessor AB2025-826 SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 125:22
  85. 73 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS ▶ jump to 125:52
  86. 1. Appointment to a vacancy on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee, Youth position, Applicant(s): Parneet Kaur, Cori Reece AB2025-825 APPOINTED ▶ jump to 125:54
  87. 75 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION ▶ jump to 127:44
  88. 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into agreement amendments between Whatcom County and the homeowners participating in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Elevation Grant program to account for rising construction costs, in the amount of $449,544 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) AB2025-882 AUTHORIZED Pass ▶ jump to 127:56
  89. 2. Resolution amending Resolution 2025-041 to recertify amounts to be levied by Whatcom County taxing districts to the County Assessor AB2025-883 APPROVED Pass ▶ jump to 133:38
  90. 78 INTRODUCTION ITEMS (CONSIDERED SEPARATELY) ▶ jump to 134:27
  91. 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning and Title 22, Land Use and Development AB2025-810 ▶ jump to 134:26
  92. 2. Resolution authorizing the sale of personal property, pursuant to Whatcom County Code 1.10, Procedures for Management and Disposition of County-owned Personal and Real Property AB2025-814 ▶ jump to 134:26
  93. 81 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES ▶ jump to 138:04
  94. 81 Adopted as amended in Committee of the Whole
  95. 82 ADJOURN ▶ jump to 165:01
  96. 86 Appointed Cori Reece with 6 votes
  97. 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20, Zoning and Title 22, Land Use and Development AB2025-810 SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 135:25
  98. 2. Resolution authorizing the sale of personal property, pursuant to Whatcom County Code 1.10, Procedures for Management and Disposition of County-owned Personal and Real Property AB2025-814 INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Pass ▶ jump to 137:39