Minutes - Council - 5/26/2026

COUNTY COUNCIL

CALL TO ORDER

Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in a

hybrid meeting.

ROLL CALL

7 -

Present:

Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, Jessica

Rienstra, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler

FLAG SALUTE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT

There was no report.

MINUTES CONSENT

Buchanan moved to accept the minutes consent items. The motion was

seconded by Rienstra (see votes on individual items below).

MIN2026-043 Special Council for May 5, 2026

Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be

APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

MIN2026-044 Special Committee of the Whole for May 5, 2026

Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be

APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

MIN2026-045 Committee of Whole for May 12, 2026

Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be

APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

MIN2026-046 Regular County Council for May 12, 2026

Buchanan moved and Rienstra seconded that the Minutes Consent be

APPROVED BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

OPEN SESSION

The following people spoke:

Rick Kiene

John Westerfield

Alan Lifson

Steve Powers

Brooks Anderson

Diane Kitchen

Cally Huttar

Anne Meegan

Irene Millay

Ryan Bowman

Kathleen Kloëp

Talia Nuckolls

Laurie Riskin

Brian Gas

Phyllis Seren

Kris Halterman

Lorraine Newman

Bill Rudd

Donnie Rubenack

Kristina Heintz

Lyle Sorenson

Julie Jansen

Brook Eolande

Don Jansen

Maya Morales

Hannah Ordos

Jim Shaver

Dustin Clayman

Austin Papritz

Name not stated

Natalie Chavez

David Foreman

Hearing no one else, Galloway closed the Open Session.

CONSENT AGENDA

(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee

and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through 13.

Councilmembers voted on those items (see votes on individual items

below).

AB2026-368

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-381

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-382

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-385

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-386

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-387

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)

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The

motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-391

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)

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The

motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

A SECOND MOTION WAS MADE ON THIS ITEM UNDER OTHER BUSINESS.

AB2026-392

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)

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The

motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-393

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-394

10.

11.

12.

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-397

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-398

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-401

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

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

OTHER ITEMS

(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)

AB2026-333

Ordinance increasing the Petty Cash Revolving Fund for the Parks and Recreation

Department, in the amount of $500

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-025

AB2026-351

Ordinance amending the project budget for the Austin Court Stormwater

Improvement Project Fund, request no. 1

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-026

AB2026-353

Ordinance amending the project budget for the North Commercial Street Acquisition,

request no. 1

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-027

AB2026-355

Ordinance amending the project budget for the New Public Health, Safety and Justice

Facility, request no. 11

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-028

AB2026-369

Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 8, in the amount

of $8,914,924

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-029

AB2026-373

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)

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Resolution (FCZDBS) be APPROVED. The motion carried by

the following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: RES 2026-019

AB2026-374

Ordinance amending the project based budget for the Lummi Nation Ferry Lease

Fund-3901, request no. 1

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-030

AB2026-379

Ordinance amending the project budget for the Central Shop National Pollutant

Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Improvements Project Fund,

request no. 2

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: ORD 2026-031

AB2026-402

Resolution appointing the County Treasurer and Finance Director as the county

representatives authorized to designate certain expenditures for reimbursement from

future tax-exempt obligations

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Resolution be APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: RES 2026-020

(From Council Public Works and Health Committee)

AB2026-389

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]

Boyle reported for the Public Works and Health Committee and moved that

the Resolution be APPROVED. She stated this resolution follows the

creation of the ferry district two weeks ago and the next step is to form this

committee.

Councilmembers discussed requirements for the makeup of the

membership of the committee now that the tax encompasses the entire

county, and whether they would need to make adjustments, and the

following people also spoke:

Laura Frolich, Public Works Department

Jed Holmes, Executive's Office

Satpal Sidhu, County Executive

They discussed changes that the existing ferry advisory committee might

need to undergo, that a ferry district advisory board is distinct from a state

advisory committee and that the new language governing the district board

is in Engrossed House Bill (EHB) 2588 (which goes into effect in

mid-June), that the existing Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee

will exist so long as it is in county code but that this is to designate that

committee as the advisory committee for the district, concern about

passing this if they want the makeup of the district committee to be

different than the current advisory committee and if they would not be able

to change the makeup of the body once they put it in place, that the

Whatcom County Ferry District Board of Supervisors is a separate body

than the Council and that this resolution makes the advisory body to the

Council the advisory body for the board of supervisors, that the board of

supervisors can change the composition of the body once it is appointed but

that this step has to be taken first, whether they should adjust the

membership of the existing ferry advisory committee first to how they want

it for the ferry district before passing this resolution, that the wording of

the legislation states, “the governing body of the ferry district shall

designate the existing committee to fulfill the requirements of this section"

but that they can then change the makeup of the district committee as long

as it is within the bounds of the state law, and that the resolution states that

“future amendments may be necessary to ensure full representation of the

new county-wide ferry district.

Boyle's motion that the Resolution be APPROVED carried by the following

vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: RES 2026-021

(From Council Committee of the Whole)

AB2026-390

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)

Galloway reported for the Committee of the Whole and moved that the

SUBSTITUTE Resolution be APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

Enactment No: RES 2026-022

ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION

AB2026-418

Request for motion to support modifying the Flood District Fund reserve policy to

allow for levee repairs

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee

and moved to support modifying the Flood District Fund reserve policy to

allow for the Ritter Road and Bylsma Levee repairs.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 - Stremler, Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, and

Scanlon

Nay: 0

This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.

Motion approved 7-0 to support modifying the Flood District Fund reserve policy to allow for the Ritter Road and

Bylsma Levee repairs.

COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES

Councilmembers reported for their committees and made several motions

(see each one under its respective committee header and agenda bill below).

(From Committee of the Whole Executive Session)

AB2026-383

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)]

Scanlon moved 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.

The motion was seconded by Buchanan.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and

Stremler

Nay: 0

This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.

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.

AB2026-406

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)]

Scanlon moved 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.

The motion was seconded by Boyle.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Stremler, and

Boyle

Nay: 0

This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.

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.

AB2026-407

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)]

Scanlon moved 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.

The motion was seconded by Rienstra.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 - Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Stremler, Boyle, and

Buchanan

Nay: 0

This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.

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.

(From Finance and Administrative Services Committee)

AB2026-391

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)

Scanlon reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved to authorize the Executive to execute agreements with the property

owners that outline the terms of reimbursement for the elevation of their

structures.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 - Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Stremler, Boyle, Buchanan, and

Elenbaas

Nay: 0

This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.

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.

AB2026-400

Presentation by the Executive Office on the Economic Development Investment Fund

and Program

Galloway reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee

and stated there was discussion about a proposal from the Economic

Development Investment (EDI) Board and a different one from the

executive regarding EDI fund allocation. She stated she thinks there was

maybe some misunderstanding of exactly what Council’s recommendations

were last year and she thinks it would be of benefit for Council to discuss

that today and to reestablish what their intent was. She gave background to

the discussion. In April 2025, the Council discussed a planned investment

target, which included allocations for fund balance and annual revenues. At

that time, Council chose to reserve 15 percent of the fund balance and then

allocate 30 percent to the County, have a 30 percent targeted allocation for

housing, and then allocated 40 percent to infrastructure and other

government needs (referred to as “30/30/40”). She thinks there was some

misunderstanding as to whether or not those funding allocations were

speaking specifically to one-time fund balance spend-down, or if those

targets were also providing policy guidance on ongoing revenues, and that is

the question at hand for Council this evening. They need to decide if they

want to endorse the board’s recommendation, the executive’s

recommendation, or meet in the middle.

Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, and the councilmembers

discussed the options. They discussed that the EDI board may have been

leaning toward what they thought was Council’s policy direction, that the

difference in terms of how much is going to housing versus how much is

going to infrastructure between the EDI and executive proposals is

$700,000, that the EDI board’s percentages are consistent with last year’s

recommendations, how a motion tonight to change the allocation would be

received by the executive, that the executive's desire to consider future

major infrastructure projects and have the EDI program contribute towards

advancing those projects and attracting outside investment and capital into

Whatcom County is one of the main drivers of his recommendation here

and is one reason Council might want to set aside more money on the public

infrastructure side, that the EDI Board is just advisory and this will

ultimately be a Council budget action, that the intention is to roll over

unused funds within an allocation track, that the Administration and the

County’s partners are seeking general predictability, that these decisions

could impact projects that have not yet received funding or that have a

future phase that has not received funding, getting answers from legal

regarding the authority of the executive and Council in administering the

EDI fund and authorizing the budget, that they are discussing EDI

allocations ahead of the budget process so the Administration can submit a

budget, how much the Bell Road overpass project is potentially relying on

EDI funds and that it is a critical match for a federal grant, whether they

should set a target range for the allocations or even leave it undefined, and a

consideration that it is easier to get grants for some things (such as housing

needs) than others.

Galloway moved that council preliminarily establish a target range for the

economic development investment program of between $2.5 million and $3

million set aside for infrastructure projects and between $1 million and

$1.5 million for housing projects as an initial starting place.

Boyle suggested a friendly amendment to change the ranges to 2.3 million

to $3 million and $1 million to $1.7.

Galloway did not accept the friendly amendment.

The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.

Boyle moved to amend the motion that 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.

The motion was seconded by Scanlon.

Councilmembers discussed the motion.

The motion to amend the motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon

Nay: 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler

The motion as amended carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Boyle

Nay: 1 - Stremler

Councilmembers gave other committee reports and updates on recent

activities and upcoming events.

This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.

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.

ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

The County Council approved these minutes on June 9, 2026.

ATTEST:

WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA

______________________________

Cathy Halka, Council Clerk

___________________________

Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair

Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger

SIGNED COPY ON FILE