Whatcom County

Council Committee of the Whole

COUNTY COURTHOUSE

311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105

Bellingham, WA 98225-4038

(360) 778-5010

Committee Minutes - Draft Minutes

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

1 PM

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

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COUNCILMEMBERS

Elizabeth Boyle

Barry Buchanan

Ben Elenbaas

Kaylee Galloway

Jessica Rienstra

Jon Scanlon

Mark Stremler

CLERK OF THE COUNCIL

Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC

Call To Order

Roll Call

Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. in a

hybrid meeting.

7 -

Present:

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

Rienstra, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler

Announcements

Committee Discussion

AB2026-037

Update on 2026 State Legislative Session

Jed Holmes, Executive's Office, read from a presentation (on file) and

updated councilmembers on the following outcomes of the legislative

session:

Operating Budget

Whatcom County received the money they were looking for ($2.1

million) for adjudication costs

$600 was cut from the Working Connections Child Care Program

over the next four years, which will have impacts to families but not

necessarily to Whatcom County government

Foundational public health services were under threat but ended up

not being reduced (see further discussion on this below)

$100,000 was provided to the healthcare authority to look into

funding models for crisis relief centers and stabilization units and to

report back to the State Legislature

The Whatcom County Behavioral Health Co-Response Team (ART)

and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion funding were both reduced

by 30 percent

The Recovery Navigator Program was reduced by 10% ($6 million).

$200 million is planned for distribution to cities and counties to

mitigate some of the reduced sales tax collections as a result of the

millionaire’s tax bill

Capital and Transportation Budgets

The County’s request to have the Crisis Stabilization Center renamed

to provide extra flexibility was granted and we were granted an

appropriation of $11.2 million

Several flood-related provisions were made, including $13 million

for our flood response

Ferry district legislation passed that allows for countywide ferry

districts to fund vehicle ferry systems (which was previously

reserved for passenger-only ferries), and councilmanic adoption of a

levy for up to $.10 per $1000 of assessed value or public vote for

higher amounts

He stated they are waiting for the final legislative session report and expect

to present that to Council on May 24th.

Holmes and Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, answered questions

about how Whatcom County will be affected by the funding cuts and

whether foundational public health services were indeed reduced.

This agenda item was DISCUSSED.

AB2026-218

Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive

Plan Chapter 6, Transportation

Galloway stated this is a continuation of their discussion from March 17.

Boyle moved to continue review of Chapter 6 (Transportation) using the

preliminary Council draft for March 24th, 2026, which is the current

version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations from

January 2026 and additional edits proposed and motions passed by

councilmembers as listed in the chart of proposed Council changes dated

for March 24th, 2026.

The motion was seconded by Scanlon.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Stremler

Nay: 0

Galloway stated the version they are reviewing already includes the

proposed amendments from the table so they would just be amending those.

Scanlon moved to amend amendment number 28 in the “Chapter 6 - Chart

of Proposed Council Changes for 3.24.2026,” (which is policy 6F-3 on

page 6-14) to change Coast Millennium Trail to Salish Coast Trail.

He spoke to his motion and stated the trail has a new name.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Boyle

Nay: 0

Scanlon spoke about amendment number 29 on the table of amendments

which reminds them to fund the work if they update the Bicycle and

Pedestrian Plan.

Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, answered if the omission

of the word “to” after “fund an update” in the table of amendments would be

considered a scrivener’s error and stated she believes it would be.

Rienstra moved to request staff prepare the Chapter 6 - Preliminary

Council Draft as amended on March 24, 2026 for inclusion in a future

agenda bill file for Council Introduction and public hearing.

The motion was seconded by Scanlon.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Nay: 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler

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

MOTION 1

Motion approved to continue review of Chapter 6(Transportation) using the preliminary Council draft for March 24th,

2026, which is the current version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations from January 2026 and

additional edits proposed and motions passed by councilmembers as listed in the chart of proposed Council changes

dated for March 24th, 2026.

MOTION 2

Motion approved to amend amendment number 28 in the “Chapter 6 - Chart of Proposed Council Changes for

3.24.2026,” (which is policy 6F-3 on page 6-14) to change Coast Millennium Trail to Salish Coast Trail.

MOTION 3

Motion approved to request staff prepare the Chapter 6 - Preliminary Council Draft as amended on March 24, 2026

for inclusion in a future agenda bill file for Council Introduction and public hearing.

AB2026-216

Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive

Plan Chapter 4, Capital Facilities

Rienstra moved to continue review of Chapter 4 (Capital Facilities) using

the preliminary Council draft for March 24th, 2026, which is the current

version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations from

January 2026 and additional edits proposed and motions passed by

councilmembers as listed in the chart of proposed Council changes dated

March 24th, 2026.

The motion was seconded by Scanlon.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Elenbaas

Nay: 0

Clerk’s note: amendments in the chart of amendments for this date were

already incorporated into the draft for review so Council would just be

amending those amendments.

Galloway stated the only new amendment since the last meeting on this

chapter was one she put forward and it would add new policy 4M-7

(amendment number 17 on the chart of amendments for this date and noted

in yellow in today’s draft). She spoke about the idea of off-grid housing,

which she has also proposed amendments for in other chapters. She

answered if this model would still use on-site septic and stated she believes

it would, and they have also talked about composting toilets.

Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, spoke about

whether this would be more appropriate in Chapter 12 (Climate) and

councilmembers discussed that.

Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, answered whether state law now

allows collecting rainwater, and stated you can do rainwater catchment as

long as it is from a roof that is not designed for catchment.

It was noted that the word “alterative” in the text should read “alternative.”

Galloway stated they should decide whether they move this amendment to a

different chapter or adapt it to pertain to public facilities.

Galloway moved to amend the new Policy 4M-7 (of Chapter 4) to strike

“low impact rural residential,” insert “public facilities,” and add the word

“existing” before “public infrastructure,” so that the policy would read:

Explore opportunities to support alternative infrastructure models

and off‐grid and distributed renewable energy systems serving public

facilities development, where such systems reduce reliance on

existing pubic infrastructure and advance the County's climate

resilience goals.

The motion was seconded by Boyle.

Councilmembers discussed the motion and the policy was further

amended to strike the word “public” in the phrase “existing public

infrastructure,” so that it would read:

Explore opportunities to support alternative infrastructure models

and off‐grid and distributed renewable energy systems serving public

facilities development, where such systems reduce reliance on

existing infrastructure and advance the County's climate resilience

goals.

Hayli Hruza, Health and Community Services, clarified the information

about rainwater catchment and spoke about composting toilets (which they

permit already).

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Galloway

Nay: 0

Rienstra moved to request staff prepare the Chapter 4 (Capital Facilities)

preliminary Council draft as amended March 24th, 2026 for inclusion in a

future agenda bill file for Council introduction and public hearing.

The motion was seconded by Boyle.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Nay: 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler

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

MOTION 1

Motion approved to continue review of Chapter 4 (Capital Facilities) using the preliminary Council draft for March

24th, 2026, which is the current version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations from January

2026 and additional edits proposed and motions passed by councilmembers as listed in the chart of proposed Council

changes dated March 24th, 2026.

MOTION 2

Motion approved to amend the new Policy 4M-7 (of Chapter 4) to strike “low impact rural residential,” insert “public

facilities,” add the word “existing” before “public infrastructure,” but strike the word “public” there, so that the policy

would read:

Explore opportunities to support alternative infrastructure models and off‐grid and distributed renewable energy

systems serving public facilities development, where such systems reduce reliance on existing infrastructure and

advance the County's climate resilience goals.

MOTION 3

Motion approved to request staff prepare the Chapter 4 (Capital Facilities) preliminary Council draft as amended

March 24th, 2026 for inclusion in a future agenda bill file for Council introduction and public hearing.

AB2026-217

Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive

Plan Chapter 5, Utilities

Boyle moved and Rienstra seconded to continue review of Chapter 5

(Utilities) using the preliminary Council draft for March 24th, 2026, which

is the current version of the chapter with Planning Commission

recommendations from January 2026 and additional edits proposed and

motions passed by Council members as listed in the chart of proposed

Council changes dated March 24th, 2026.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Scanlon

Nay: 0

Councilmembers started their discussion with amendment number 15, from

the chart of amendments for this date, which proposed amendments to

Policy 5H-2 and which was held from the previous meeting.

Galloway stated she invited Eddy Ury, Public Utility District (PUD)

Commissioner, to speak about questions they had around fusion versus

nuclear fission and how that may or may not interact with existing code, and

the difference between fusion and hydrogen and some of the discussions

that are happening in the PUD space. Then Council could discuss

amendment numbers 29 and 30 which would add two new policies.

Ury spoke about a new generation of both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

(fusion energy) technologies and whether they should decide about

addressing them in the Code.

Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, answered questions about

Whatcom County Code Chapter 1.24 (Nuclear Free Zone) and whether it

would need to be amended, and stated while she thinks the intention behind

that chapter is with respect to nuclear weapons, she does believe it would

need to be amended to include either fusion or nuclear in the

Comprehensive Plan since it references commercial operations.

Galloway stated that new policy 5H-2 (which would shift the other policy

numbers down) would support a process for them to update the code as

needed.

Thulin answered whether there is a legal interpretation that could suggest

that the current code was contemplating fission and not fusion (given there

is a strong distinction between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion), and

stated her initial review was that they would want to consider making a

change with respect to the reference to commercial production. She spoke

about how the language is quite broad, though the intent appears to be that it

is saying we are a nuclear-free zone, meaning nuclear weapons.

Councilmembers and the speakers discussed amending the code and that

this proposed added policy would be the first step toward enabling that

process.

Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether there are any other

restrictions in County policy or code for energy sources the PUD is

studying or would like to study, that they are due for a comprehensive code

update, using the word “nuclear” if they are going to talk about it as an actual

solution to affordable power, and the difference between fusion and fission.

Galloway spoke about the proposed language in Goal 5H and stated Policy

5H-4 would retain fusion, they would be adding the new 5H-2 (which would

have to do with code modernization), 5H-3 (also new) is language that came

from Lummi Nation around interest in engaging and coordination with

treaty rights holders as it pertains to energy projects that might be resource

land or water intensive, and they need to be consistent with the use of

“fusion” or “nuclear.”

Lucas Clark, Planning and Development Services Department, answered if

there has been internal discussion about hydroelectric power since it is only

mentioned once in this chapter and stated there has not.

Scanlon asked if the intent in Policy 5H-3 would set them up for any

responsibility around any hydropower within our county and for doing

something they have never done.

Thulin cautioned them about the use of the word “should” in the same policy

and councilmembers discussed that.

Scanlon moved to amend new Policy 5H-3 to add language at the end of the

policy after "tidal energy" that says "when the County has permitting

responsibilities."

The motion was seconded by Boyle.

Ury gave his input on the proposed language.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Stremler

Nay: 0

Councilmembers, Ury, and Clark discussed the use of the word fusion

versus nuclear, that nuclear is more encompassing, and that Chapter 12 (the

new climate chapter) just uses the word nuclear.

Elenbaas moved that wherever councilmember Galloway used the word

fusion they substitute that with "nuclear" throughout the document.

The motion was seconded by Rienstra.

Councilmembers, Thulin and Ury discussed that Comprehensive Plan

changes should come before changing the code, that nuclear is not

renewable so including it here does not really fit or support the

development of renewable energy, and using the same language

(“low-carbon, renewable energy”) as in policy 5H-2 since nuclear would

fall under low-carbon.

Elenbaas accepted amendments to the motion so that it would be to amend

policies 5H-3 and 5H-4 so that wherever Councilmember Galloway used

the word “fusion,” they substitute that with "nuclear," to add “low-carbon or”

to Policy 5H-4 so that it starts with “Encourage and support the

development of low-carbon or renewable energy projects…,” and to add the

word “or” to 5H-2 after “low-carbon” so that both policies (5H-4 and 5H-2)

say “low-carbon or renewable energy...” All three policies would read:

Policy 5H-2: Explore emerging low-carbon or renewable energy

technologies, and when applicable, update Whatcom County Code as

needed to support renewable energy production, generation,

transmission, and distribution.

Policy 5H-3: Whatcom County should engage and coordinate with

Tribal treaty rights holders and other impacted communities before

recommending resource, land, or water-intensive energy projects

such as hydroelectricity, nuclear, and tidal energy when the County

has permitting responsibilities.

Policy 5H-4: Encourage and support the development of low-carbon

or renewable energy projects and technologies, such as anaerobic

digesters, solar, battery energy storage systems, wind energy,

geothermal, nuclear, wave, tidal, and green hydrogen where

applicable

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Boyle

Nay: 0

Councilmembers briefly discussed amendment numbers 26-28 from the

chart of amendments for today’s date, whether they are in the right places

given Planning staff’s questions from the discussion on Chapter 4, their

intent, and what adding the language does for the county.

Jennifer Hayden, Health and Community Services, answered a question

about Policy 5V-2 regarding what source-separated recycling means and

how it relates to single stream, and whether the policy is still consistent

with current code. She stated it is.

Councilmembers and Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services

Department, discussed Goal 5-P. They discussed whether there is sufficient

language in this chapter that would allow for water pipelines to move water

throughout the county and connect water systems, and moving this chapter

forward for when they come back to adjudication-related content in April.

Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, stated when they talk about the

Comprehensive Plan schedule they can talk about where they want to add

this for further review and edits.

Galloway stated they will keep this chapter open with the understanding that

all the amendments that were included on the chart of amendments today

have been included, and they will start from the version as amended today

when they discuss the water-related elements.

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

MOTION 1

Motion approved to continue review of Chapter 5 (Utilities) using the preliminary Council draft for March 24th, 2026,

which is the current version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations from January 2026 and

additional edits proposed and motions passed by Council members as listed in the chart of proposed Council changes

dated March 24th, 2026.

MOTION 2

Motion approved to amend new Policy 5H-3 to add language at the end of the policy after "tidal energy" that says

"when the County has permitting responsibilities."

MOTION 3

Motion approved to amend policies 5H-3 and 5H-4 so that wherever Councilmember Galloway used the word

“fusion,” they substitute that with "nuclear" throughout the document, to add “low-carbon or” to Policy 5H-4 so that it

starts with “Encourage and support the development of low-carbon or renewable energy projects…,” and to add the

word “or” to 5H-2 after “low-carbon” so that both policies (5H-4 and 5H-2) say “low-carbon or renewable

energy...” All three policies would read:

Policy 5H-2: Explore emerging low-carbon or renewable energy technologies, and when applicable, update

Whatcom County Code as needed to support renewable energy production, generation, transmission, and

distribution.

Policy 5H-3: Whatcom County should engage and coordinate with Tribal treaty rights holders and other impacted

communities before recommending resource, land, or water-intensive energy projects such as hydroelectricity,

nuclear, and tidal energy when the County has permitting responsibilities.

Policy 5H-4: Encourage and support the development of low-carbon or renewable energy projects and technologies,

such as anaerobic digesters, solar, battery energy storage systems, wind energy, geothermal, nuclear, wave, tidal, and

green hydrogen where applicable

AB2026-231

Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive

Plan Chapter 7, Economic Development

Boyle moved and Rienstra seconded to continue review of chapter seven

using the preliminary Council draft for March 24th, 2026, which is the

current version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations

from January 25th and additional edits proposed and motions passed by

Council members as listed in the chart of proposed Council changes dated

March 24th, 2026.

Councilmembers discussed that adjudication-related amendment items

(items 15-20 from the chart of amendments for today’s date) are held until

April 7th, that they could still vote on amendments 24, 26, 29, and 35, plus

the new ones listed at the bottom of the chart, and whether items 24 and 26

might need to be included in the water conversation.

Amendment number 24 part 1 (Approximate Timestamp: 1:51:02)

Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, spoke about amendment number

24 (recommended new Policy 7B-8) and stated the phrase “shall ensure”

could be interpreted that the county is going to ensure a supply of water for

agriculture and he does not think that is the intent. We just want to have

policies that that encourage that, because we are not a water purveyor.

Amendment number 6 part 1 (Approximate Timestamp: 1:53:45)

Councilmembers and Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services

Department, discussed amendment number 6 and whether their question on

which programs it is referring to have been resolved. They concurred to ask

the proposer of the language (Rud Browne from the Planning Commission)

what he means by “our programs.”

Boyle’s motion carried by the following vote:

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

Buchanan

Nay: 0

Amendment number 24 part 2 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:00:54)

Elenbaas moved to amend the amendment number 24 in the "Chapter 7 -

Chart of Proposed Council Changes for 3.24.2026" (Policy 7B-8) to

change the “shall ensure” to “should strive to ensure” so that it reads:

Preserving farmland alone is not sufficient to sustain Whatcom

County's agricultural economy. County policy should strive to

ensure that agricultural lands remain not only physically preserved

but also economically productive, infrastructure-ready, and supplied

with the water necessary for continued production. Agriculture must

be treated as the highest and best use of designated agricultural

lands.

Elenbaas spoke about the phrase, “and supplied with the water necessary for

continued production” and stated it is insinuating that Whatcom County is

going to provide the water, but he thinks policy should strive for the water

necessary. None of our land use policy or regulations should prohibit you

from lawfully using the water.

Councilmembers discussed the language then took a short recess at 3:15

p.m. and reconvened at 3:21 p.m. so Elenbaas could work on the wording of

his motion.

Elenbaas amended his motion and moved to amend amendment number

24 in the "Chapter 7 - Chart of Proposed Council Changes for 3.24.2026"

(Policy 7B-8) so that it reads:

Preserving farmland alone is not sufficient to sustain Whatcom

County's agricultural economy. County policy should strive for

Agricultural lands to remain not only physically preserved but also

economically productive, while acknowledging that access to water

is necessary for agriculture to remain the highest and best use of

designated Agricultural lands.

The motion was seconded by Scanlon.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Elenbaas

Nay: 0

Amendment numbers 25 and 29 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:22:06)

Galloway stated amendment items 25 and 29 are the same. They have been

added into the version they are reviewing today. The highlighted language on

the table of amendments was added since their last meeting as clarification

from the Planning and Development Services Department.

Amendment number 26 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:23:11)

Elenbaas spoke about how he would like to amend the proposed new policy

7B-10 to change both instances of the word “shall” to “should” so it is not

legally binding.

Councilmembers discussed how to amend the language to say that

agricultural water use (the ability to farm and to use the water) should be

prioritized, but not necessarily above everything else, and that the County

should support efficient water uses.

Galloway moved to amend proposed Policy 7B-10 (item number 26) so

that it reads:

A viable agricultural economy cannot exist without reliable access to

water. The County should support efficient agricultural water use in

land-use, resource management, and economic planning. Water

management policies should explicitly support ongoing and future

agricultural operations as a critical component of Whatcom

County’s economy.

The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Galloway

Nay: 0

Amendment number 35 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:45:02)

Boyle stated she wrestled with whether the Business and Commerce

Advisory Committee should be referenced in this policy.

Boyle moved to amend Policy 7C-12 (7C-13) as noted in amendment

number 35 in the amendment chart so that it reads.

Recognize that access to affordable child care supports workforce

participation and economic vitality in Whatcom County. Support

local efforts to expand the availability of affordable, quality child

care as part of workforce development. Consider the

recommendations of the Child and Family Well-Being Task Force

relating to child care issues.

The motion was seconded by Rienstra.

Clerk’s note: The policy was originally 7C-12 when this amendment was

proposed, but would now be 7C-13.

Stremler suggested a friendly amendment to reinstate “available and” in

reference to childcare in the first sentence.

Boyle accepted the friendly amendment so the policy would read:

Recognize that access to available and affordable child care supports

workforce participation and economic vitality in Whatcom County.

Support local efforts to expand the availability of affordable, quality

child care as part of workforce development. Consider the

recommendations of the Child and Family Well-Being Task Force

relating to child care issues.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Rienstra

Nay: 0

Amendment numbers 53-56 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:50:49)

Galloway stated these have to do with off-grid work and are to ensure

consistency across the chapters. She stated they are not going to close this

chapter because they need to keep it open for the discussion on

adjudication.

Question number 52 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:52:06)

Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, answered if

Point Roberts, Birch Bay, and East County have a regular update cycle for

their Economic Development Plans, and stated they do not. They can look at

whether those plans need to be updated.

Amendment numbers 6 part 2 (Approximate Timestamp: 2:54:56)

Galloway stated they got clarification from Rud Browne that the reference

to “our programs” on page 7-10 means “our local educational institution’s

programs.”

Galloway moved that they amend the Issues, Goals, and Policies section

(paragraph 4) to include the clarification, “our local education institutions

programs.”

The motion was seconded by Scanlon.

Scanlon suggested a friendly amendment that they delete the word "our" in

“our local educational institution’s programs” so that the paragraph would

read:

Traditionally, as skilled professionals advance in their careers, some

choose to establish startup enterprises, with a portion achieving

success as living-wage employers for future generations. Similarly,

certain graduates from local educational institutions’ programs go

on to serve as educational mentors, instructors, or venture capital

investors.

Galloway accepted the friendly amendment.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Scanlon

Nay: 0

Galloway stated they will come back to this chapter when they talk about

water adjudication on April 7th.

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

MOTION 1

Motion approved to continue review of Chapter 7 using the preliminary Council draft for March 24th, 2026, which is

the current version of the chapter with Planning Commission recommendations from January 25th and additional edits

proposed and motions passed by Council members as listed in the chart of proposed Council changes dated March

24th, 2026.

MOTION 2

Motion approved to amend the amendment #24 in the "Chapter 7 - Chart of Proposed Council Changes for

3.24.2026" (Policy 7B-8) so that it reads:

Preserving farmland alone is not sufficient to sustain Whatcom County's agricultural economy. County policy should

strive for agricultural lands to remain not only physically preserved but also economically productive, while

acknowledging that access to water is necessary for agriculture to remain the highest and best use of designated

Agricultural Lands.

MOTION 3

Motion approved to amend Policy 7-10 (item #26) so that it reads:

A viable agricultural economy cannot exist without reliable access to water. The County should support efficient

agricultural water use in land-use, resource management, and economic planning. Water management policies should

explicitly support ongoing and future agricultural operations as a critical component of Whatcom County’s economy.

MOTION 4

Motion approved to amend Policy 7C-12 (7C-13) as noted in amendment #35 in the chart so that it reads.

Recognize that access to available and affordable child care supports workforce participation and economic vitality in

Whatcom County. Support local efforts to expand the availability of affordable, quality child care as part of workforce

development. Consider the recommendations of the Child and Family Well-Being Task Force relating to child care

issues.

MOTION 5

Motion approved to amend paragraph 4 of the Issues Goals and Policies section to include clarification by removing

the words “our programs” and replacing them with “local educational institution’s programs” so that the paragraph

reads:

Traditionally, as skilled professionals advance in their careers, some choose to establish startup enterprises, with a

portion achieving success as living-wage employers for future generations. Similarly, certain graduates from local

educational institutions’ programs go on to serve as educational mentors, instructors, or venture capital investors.

AB2026-249

Discussion regarding schedule for Council review of the comprehensive plan update

Galloway read from the “Updated Comprehensive Plan Review Schedule”

(on file) and highlighted amendments such as the deadline for edits, and a

tentatively added Special Committee of the Whole meeting on April 21st.

She stated her hope is that all substantive edits get finally resolved at this

meeting so that they are looking at a clean version that is ready for

introduction on April 28th.

Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council, spoke about ordinances that will be

coming from Planning and Development Department staff and that they

want to make sure there is not a lag time between the point at which Council

adopts an ordinance approving this full, Comprehensive Plan and the

Council's adoption of the related ordinances. She stated those ordinances

are going to the Planning Commission around April 21st.

Kiana Oos, Council Office Staff, stated the zoning amendments that go with

the Comprehensive Plan will be going to the Planning Commission

sometime in April but she is not sure of the specific date.

Halka stated the point in bringing this up is that it may require that this

schedule delay the final council action on the Comprehensive Plan to align

with action on those ordinances.

Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, stated they

have zoning map changes and zoning text amendments and those will go to

the Planning Commission at both meetings in April and probably the first

meeting in May, and those are supposed to go concurrent with the final

Comprehensive Plan adoption to have consistency between them. So, May

12th would be too early to have the zoning map and code amendments along

with it.

Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, stated there is a

requirement that those be aligned or the county will be out of compliance in

the interim.

Councilmembers and Thulin discussed that they may still have the

Comprehensive Plan ready on April 28th but they will have to wait to

formally introduce the ordinance at a later date to time it with the Planning

Commission’s work on the other ordinances, that they will still add the new

date of April 21st to the schedule and possibly hold dates in May, and if it is

possible to see the Planning Commission-approved versions the Council

will be working off of linked to future dates on the Council’s

Comprehensive Plan web page.

This agenda item was DISCUSSED.

Items Added by Revision

There were no agenda items added by revision.