Minutes - Council

Whatcom County

Council

COUNTY COURTHOUSE

311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105

Bellingham, WA 98225-4038

(360) 778-5010

Minutes - Draft Minutes

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

6 PM

Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

HYBRID MEETING (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN

INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR 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

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

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

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

MIN2026-047 Committee of the Whole Executive Session for May 26, 2026

Scanlon moved and Boyle 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:

MIN2026-048 Committee of the Whole for May 26, 2026

Scanlon moved and Boyle 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:

MIN2026-049 Regular County Council for May 26, 2026

Scanlon moved and Boyle 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:

MIN2026-050 Special Committee of the Whole for May 19, 2026

Scanlon moved and Boyle 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:

Adam Bellingar

Alan Lifson

John Westerfield

Bill Rudd

Doug Revelle "Yoshe"

Karen Weed

Ryan Bowman

Dave Edelman

Leah Clark

Lynn Breakey Clark

Wendy Czopp

Indigo Olson

Ian Dempsey

Brooks Anderson

Ron Tongol

Lyle Sorenson

Maureen Cleveland

Natalie Chavez

Richard Verbree

Steve Powers

Bill Stewart

Cally Huttar

Marissa (last name not stated)

Jae Trent

Brook Eolande

Rachel Budelsky

Patrick Alesse

Dan Warwick

Lindsey McDonald

Matthew Goggins

Stacey Dailey

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 16. He gave

examples of what the Consent items are for. Councilmembers voted on

those items (see votes on individual items below).

AB2026-421

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement

between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to cover

tuberculosis medications for patients who are underinsured or uninsured, in the

amount of $0

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:

AB2026-423

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between

Whatcom County and Nel/Son Distributing, DBA Nelson Reisner, to provide for the

purchase of fuel to be used in Whatcom County fleet vehicles, in the amount of

$850,000

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:

AB2026-424

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment

between Whatcom County and Cowden Brother’s Trucking, LLC for the disposal of

waste produced by Maintenance and Operations vactor trucks and street sweepers,

in the amount of $288,000

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:

AB2026-425

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement

between Whatcom County and Birch Bay Water & Sewer District for water main

relocation as part of the Drayton Harbor Road Landslide Repair Project, in the

amount of $75,000

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:

AB2026-428

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement

between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden for the Hannegan Levee

Rehabilitation Project (NSK-03-26), in the amount of $64,280 (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:

AB2026-429

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a cooperation agreement

between Whatcom County and the United States Army Corps of Engineers for

repairs to the Hannegan Levee along the left bank of the Nooksack River (Project

No. NSK-03-26), in the amount of $64,280 (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:

AB2026-433

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement

amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Health Care Authority

for the Medication for Opioid/Alcohol Use Disorders (MOUD/MAUD) program

grant, in the amount of $200,000

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:

AB2026-435

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement

amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health

to increase funding for the 2025-2027 Consolidated Contract, specifically the

Maternal & Child Health Block Grant, in the amount of $47,392 for a total amended

agreement amount of $11,334,197

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:

AB2026-436

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment

between Whatcom County and Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. to authorize

a three-year extension of services, ensuring the uninterrupted transportation and

disposal of moderate-risk waste from Whatcom County’s Disposal of Toxics Facility,

in the amount of $367,500 annually, and for a total amended contract amount of

$1,452,500

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:

AB2026-437

10.

11.

12.

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment

between Whatcom County and Kulshan Supported Employment to extend the

contract for one year, providing supported employment and community inclusion

services to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities, in the amount of

$1,889,779 for a total amended contract amount of $3,478,552

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:

AB2026-439

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment

between Whatcom County and Max Higbee Center to extend the contract for one

year, allowing the continuation of supported employment and community inclusion

services for eligible individuals with developmental disabilities, in the amount of

$69,603 for a total amended contract amount of $113,483

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:

AB2026-440

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement

amendment between Whatcom County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Forest Service, for extra duty overtime patrols, in the amount of $35,000

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:

AB2026-441

13.

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment

between Whatcom County and Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services

(DVSAS) to extend the contract for six months, allowing the continuation of funding

for personnel and other costs necessary to operate and maintain three safe shelters in

Whatcom County, including a 21-bed house for women with children and two other

houses for single women, in the amount of $65,526 for a total amended contract

amount of $353,448

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:

AB2026-445

14.

Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #26-30 and enter into a

contract between Whatcom County and Everett Ship Repair for the Drydock Repair

and Maintenance of the Whatcom Chief Ferry in the amount of $1,061,069.56

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and

moved that the Bid Award be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion

carried by the following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-446

15.

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between

Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Social and Health

Services for reimbursement of a percentage of Superior Court Commissioner time

when working civil court cases involving Child Support Title IV-D of the Social

Security Act, not to exceed an amount set each year by award letter from the

Department of Social and Health Services

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:

AB2026-452

16.

Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between

Whatcom County and Pacific Power Group to perform generator preventative

maintenance, in the amount of $80,235

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:

OTHER ITEMS

(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)

AB2026-408

Request authorization for the Whatcom County Council to enter into a memorandum

of understanding with the Whatcom County Executive for the adoption of Whatcom

County Administrative and Personnel Policies for the Council Office

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee

and moved that the Memorandum of Agreement be AUTHORIZED.

Scanlon stated this work stems from a study that Council funded of County

human resources practices and is the first step, in partnership with the

Executive’s Office and HR team, to coordinate all of our HR policies and

practices across the different offices.

Scanlon's motion that the Memorandum of Agreement be AUTHORIZED

carried by the following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-416

Request for motion to approve the updated 2026-2027 Criminal Justice Treatment

Account Plan

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee

and moved that the Request for Motion be APPROVED.

He stated this is approving the plan for the next two years which helps the

County receive State funding to help with local programs for behavioral

health and substance abuse treatment around the jail and within our court

system.

Scanlon's motion that the Request for Motion be APPROVED carried by the

following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-448

Resolution requesting authorization to make an application and enter into a grant

agreement with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for funding

through the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Act Program for renovation of the Lagoon

Bridge and other bike and pedestrian accessibility improvements at Silver Lake Park

Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee

and moved that the Resolution be APPROVED.

Scanlon stated this will bring the bridge back to Silver Lake Park and the

idea is that it will be ADA accessible. It is also to improve the trail around

that part of the lake. He spoke about the funding, and that there will be

public outreach so people can give input on the design of the bridge.

Scanlon'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 2026-023

CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS

AB2026-414

Request confirmation of the County Executive’s reappointments of Jana Finkbonner

and Jodi Sipes to the Northwest Senior Services Advisory Board

Rienstra moved and Scanlon seconded that the Executive Appointment be

CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION

There were no agenda items added by revision.

INTRODUCTION ITEMS (see actions below separately)

Galloway stated that Introduction item number 1 (AB2026-403) is a

substitute ordinance and stated she would like to consider Introduction item

number 3 (AB2026-431) separately so they can consider some amendments.

Stremler stated he would like to vote on all the introduction items

separately (see motions and votes on each individual item under the

INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY header.

AB2026-403

Ordinance imposing an interim moratorium on the acceptance or processing of

applications and permits for the establishment of new or expansion of existing civil

detention facilities

AB2026-413

AB2026-431

Receipt of Whatcom Clean Water Program annual report

Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 5.20, Fireworks, to strengthen

fireworks regulations by limiting the days fireworks are allowed and prohibiting

fireworks during burn bans

AB2026-442

Ordinance amending the project budget for the 2015 Girard Street Building

Improvement Fund, request no. 1

AB2026-450

Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 9, in the amount

of $7,941,775

INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY

AB2026-403

Ordinance imposing an interim moratorium on the acceptance or processing of

applications and permits for the establishment of new or expansion of existing civil

detention facilities

Rienstra moved and Scanlon seconded that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance

Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

Elenbaas stated he would move to add a table to the document and referred

to a table displayed on the screen representing U.S. Immigration

repatriation statistics by fiscal year for the last 20 years (there was not a

second).

Councilmembers discussed the substitute ordinance and the data presented,

that the moratorium has to do with land use, that they made changes in the

substitute based on feedback they received, that Council’s jurisdiction on

this issue is only over unincorporated Whatcom County, that these issues

have been active for some time across administrations, that this would not

impact the County’s current efforts around construction of a new jail,

behavioral care center, or other sort of expansion of services for facilities

for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment, and that County

code already allows us to build a jail under an essential public facility but

that these types of facilities are not defined in the code.

Rienstra's motion that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance Requiring a Public

Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING carried by the

following vote:

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

2 - Elenbaas, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-413

Receipt of Whatcom Clean Water Program annual report

Elenbaas moved and Buchanan seconded that the Document(s) be

RECEIVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-431

Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 5.20, Fireworks, to strengthen

fireworks regulations by limiting the days fireworks are allowed and prohibiting

fireworks during burn bans

Galloway moved and Boyle seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public

Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

Galloway asked that they introduce the ordinance to allow for public

process, and she spoke about amendments she would like to make.

She spoke about Whatcom County Code (WCC) 5.20.095, Period of use

(on page 9) and stated she would like to add “and limitations” to the section

title and then add a sentence as subsection C that reads:

Consumer fireworks are prohibited from being used or discharged

within 100 feet of homes, buildings or other structures at risk of

fire.

Elenbaas stated he believes the public comment they received was that it

should say 150 feet from buildings they do not own (the point being the

buildings they do not own) and Galloway stated it is still the taxpayer dollar

that is funding the fire engine and potential response to a fire event. They

also discussed that people may live on smaller parcels and not have the

ability to be 100 feet from a structure that they do not own.

Galloway spoke about a second amendment to WCC 5.20.105 which would

add a stage 2 ban on outdoor burning as a special circumstance and as a

compromise, and would add language that gives some authority (on a “may”

basis rather than a “shall” basis) to the fire marshal in extenuating

emergency conditions to prohibit the discharge of consumer fireworks.

Councilmembers discussed moving this original version (without the

amendments) forward in order to hear from the public, the possibility of

introducing the original version as well as a version (under a new agenda bill

file) with the suggested amendments incorporated, a desire to hear from law

enforcement and fire about how the ordinance might be enforced and what

impact it might have on them, and doing more research on effective ways of

dealing with the consequences of fireworks through public education and

behavior change in addition to this.

Galloway's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be

INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING carried by the following vote:

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

2 - Elenbaas, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

ITEM ADDED AS ANOTHER VERSION OF AB2026-431 (with amendments as presented)

AB2026-475

Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 5.20, Fireworks, to strengthen

fireworks regulations by limiting the days fireworks are allowed and prohibiting

fireworks during burn bans

Galloway moved and Boyle seconded that the Galloway version of the

Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC

HEARING (with the amendments to AB2026-431 as presented).

Scanlon stated he thinks it would be helpful to have outreach with the tribes

and have a conversation with them about what the impact might be.

Elenbaas agreed that they should hear from the tribes.

Galloway's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be

INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING carried by the following vote:

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

2 - Elenbaas, and Stremler

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-442

Ordinance amending the project budget for the 2015 Girard Street Building

Improvement Fund, request no. 1

Scanlon moved and Boyle seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED.

The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

AB2026-450

Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 9, in the amount

of $7,941,775

Scanlon moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance be

INTRODUCED. The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Aye:

Nay:

COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES

Councilmembers gave committee reports and added an agenda item for

consideration (see AB2026-476 below).

ITEM ADDED BY COUNCILMEMBER DURING MEETING

Resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of Kevin Hester

AB2026-476

Elenbaas read a proposed resolution into the record honoring the life,

service, and legacy of Kevin Hester, Mayor of Nooksack, who passed away

earlier today, and councilmembers made minor friendly amendments.

Donnell Tanksley, Sheriff, answered if Hester was Chief Civil Deputy and

stated he was at the time that he retired.

Scanlon stated he really liked working with Hester and Tanksley thanked the

Council for doing this.

Elenbaas'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 2026-024

OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES CONTINUED

Boyle read remarks regarding a special gathering she and Councilmember

Rienstra recently attended for Setting Sun Circle (formerly Children of the

Setting Sun) as it recognized its new home located near the Swe'lus family

ancestral home that existed pre-treaty in downtown Bellingham. On Friday

evening, the Swe'lus family brought back the place’s original name

(Xw'otqwem) with a ceremony on the creek supported by Setting Sun Circle

and the Lummi Nation. She presented a hand made box (made by students at

Lummi Nation High School) which is ceremoniously returning the name of

Maritime Heritage Park and which she and Councilmember Rienstra

received on behalf of the County.

Buchanan spoke about Maritime Heritage Park and its connection to the

tribes.

ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

ATTEST:

WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA

______________________________

Cathy Halka, Council Clerk

___________________________

Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair

Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger