Whatcom County  
Council Committee of the Whole-Executive Session  
COUNTY COURTHOUSE  
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105  
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038  
(360) 778-5010  
Committee Minutes - Draft Minutes  
Tuesday, April 14, 2026  
8:30 AM  
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers  
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 8:40 A.M. (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE  
CALL 360.778.5010)  
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 Vice Chair Jon Scanlon called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in  
a hybrid meeting.  
6 -  
Present:  
Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Jessica Rienstra, Jon Scanlon,  
and Mark Stremler  
1 - Kaylee Galloway  
Absent:  
Announcements  
Committee Discussion  
1.  
Discussion on pending litigation regarding the legal challenge to an initiative to repeal  
the Healthy Children’s Fund tax levy with Council attorney Paul Lawrence  
[Discussion of this item may take place in executive session (closed to the public)  
pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)]  
Attorneys Present: Paul Lawrence and Kimberly Thulin.  
Scanlon stated that discussion of agenda item one may take place in  
executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). Executive session will  
conclude no later than 8:40 a.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated  
conclusion time, the Council vice chair will make a public announcement.  
Buchanan moved to go into executive session until no later than 8:40 a.m.  
to discuss the agenda item(s) pursuant to the RCW citation(s) as announced  
by the Council vice chair. The motion was seconded by Rienstra.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler  
Nay: 0  
Absent: 1 - Galloway  
Councilmembers entered executive session at 8:33 a.m.  
At 8:41 a.m. the Council vice chair announced that the executive session  
would extend to no later than 8:50 a.m.  
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.  
Items Added by Revision  
There were no agenda items added by revision.  
Other Business  
There was no other business.  
Adjournment  
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.  
ATTEST:  
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL  
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA  
______________________________  
Cathy Halka, Council Clerk  
___________________________  
Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair  
Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger