Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at January 14, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Authorize the executive to sign a $155,022 contract (amendment #5) with Julota of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for data integration services? The original contract for $61,350 (and $54,250 per year for five years) was approved by the council at the 11/23/2021 meeting. The original contract provided data support for tracking and monitoring services provided to individuals who access GRACE, LEAD, and EMS services. The purpose of this amendment is to add funding to support the creation and integration of a new mental health court module; to increase the number of clients served; increase data interfaces from three to seven; and for increase base costs due to inflation. The total amended contract is $433,448; it expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2025-020) Authorized 7-0
2. Authorize the executive to sign a $60,000 contract (amendment #1) with PFM Financial Advisors of Seattle for continued financial planning services? At the 3/15/2023 meeting, the council approved the original $39,000 contract to provide consulting and debt transaction services for the jail and behavioral health center, ferry, sheriff’s office and morgue, and the Northwest Annex capital projects. The purpose of the amendment is to add funding to provide updated projects and bond issue assistance. The total amended contract is $99,000; it expires on 3/14/2026. (AB2025-021) Authorized 7-0
3. Authorize the executive to sign a $113,492 contract with the Whatcom Conservation District for outreach, education, and technical assistance with the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management stormwater programs? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Contracted services include the development of informational mailers and newsletter articles, participation in education and outreach events, and the implementation of a neighborhood native plant landscaping program. The contract expires on 1/31/2026. (AB2025-029) Authorized 7-0
4. Authorize the executive to sign a $120,000 contract with the Northwest Regional Council for support of the Meals on Wheels program? The contract will provide administration of the Meals on Wheels program, which provides home-delivery of nutritious meals and social service referrals to 500-plus senior citizens in the county. With 70 volunteers, 83 percent of the staff are unpaid. The contract expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2025-037) Authorized 7-0
5. Authorize the executive to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Senior Management Group? The group includes four corrections management positions, a chief and three lieutenants. The agreement covers the period from 1/1/2025 to 12/31/2025 and includes a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment; a 3 percent longevity premium at 15 years of service; a $3,000 one-time lump sum; a $255 increase in a clothing and equipment allowance to $1,200; and an increase in the medical coverage contribution. (AB2025-038) Authorized 7-0
6. Confirm the executive’s reappointment of Patrick Bush to the Whatcom County Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to assist the county in the planning, funding, development, and implementation of facilities and programs that result in the increased safety and use of bicycle and pedestrian travel for transportation and recreation purposes. Patrick Bush is a former professional cyclist and outdoor sports industry executive. (AB2025- 043) Confirmed 7-0
7. Fill a vacancy on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to provide review and recommendations to the council and executive on issues related to the preparation and adaptation for, and the prevention and mitigation of, the impacts of climate change. There were nine applicants: Robert Drake, Andrew Paterson, Joshua Williams, Mark Waschke, Tom Wolf, Anders Hellum-Alexander, Gabe Epperson, Robin Jentz, and Mary Loquvam. Appointed: Joshua Williams with 4 votes. Joshua Williams is employed as a solar energy specialist at Silfab Solar, a solar panel manufacturer located in Burlington. (AB2025-054)
8. Fill the youth/young adult position on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee? The purpose of the committee is to monitor task force and county progress toward justice project implementation goals, ensure robust public engagement and communications, contribute to the task force’s annual report to the county council, and recommend periodic updates to the implementation plan. There were two applicants: Parneet Kaur and Justin White. Appointed: Parneet Kaur with 4 votes. Parneet Kaur is employed as the Whatcom Outreach Assistant for Northwest Youth Services. (AB2025-056)
9. Declare county property as surplus and approve the sale? (Public hearing held.) State law permits local authorities to declare county-owned properties as surplus and approve transfers of such. The county property management committee declared two properties located off of Clipper Road in Deming to be surplus. The property will be sold at public auction by the county treasurer with a minimum bid of $775,000; the property is subject to conservation and trail easements and a right-of-way deed. AB2024-801 (Resolution 2025- 001) Approved 7-0
10. Amend Resolution 2024-058 and re-certify Whatcom County’s 2025 property tax levies? At the 12/13/2024 meeting, vote #389, the council voted to certify the property tax levies for 2025. The purpose of this amendment is to correct clerical errors. The corrections are necessary to raise sufficient revenues to balance the 2025 Whatcom County budget. AB2025-023 (Resolution 2025-002) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
11. Approve two open space applications? State law gives property tax relief to open space designations and decreases conversion of land to non-rural use. If the property is removed from the open space designation, it is subject to an additional tax equal to the difference between the tax paid on the current use value and the tax that would have been paid on that land, had it not been classified as open space. The additional tax is payable for the last seven years, plus interest. Reclassifications: Reclassify 20 acres from designated forestland to open space land, Ryan Nachreiner and Sarah Soltis. Reclassify 39.9 acres from open space farm and agriculture land to open space farm and agricultural conservation land, Rich and Kathleen Greenbaum. AB2025-019 (Resolution 2025-003) Approved 7-0
12. Establish council goals for a full and timely awarding of Healthy Children’s Fund contracts? At the November 2022 general election, the voters of Whatcom County approved Proposition 5, the Healthy Children’s Fund, which established a dedicated fund to improve the health and well-being of children and youth, as well as their families and communities. This vote supports the prompt and effective disbursement of funds from the Healthy Children’s Fund. AB2024-767 (Resolution 2025-004) Substitute approved 7-0
13. Send a letter from the council and executive to advisory board appointments? In recent years, there has been a high mid-term turnover rate. The letter makes it clear that appointees are expected to to serve their full-term and resignations should be submitted by letter or email. AB2025-069 (Resolution 2025-005) Approved 6-0, Kaylee Galloway temporary absent.
14. Install stop signs on South Pass Road at the intersection with Goodwin Road? (Public hearing held.) The signs will be installed to improve safety; both westbound and eastbound traffic on South Pass Road will have stop signs located at the Goodwin Road intersection. AB2024-810 (Ordinance 2025-001) Adopted 7-0
15. Clarify membership in the Board of Equalization? The sevenmember Board of Equalization hears property tax appeals and complaints regarding the assessor’s property value determinations, and is responsible for ensuring that all properties are valued at 100 percent of market value and that comparable properties are assessed at comparable values. This amendment will change five regular members to three regular members, two alternatives to four alternatives, establish a quorum at two board members, cap residence in any one county district at two members, and require that the filing of petitions be on or before July 1 of the year of the assessment or determination or within 60 days after the date of the assessment, value change notice, or other notice is mailed, whichever is later. AB2024-843 (Ordinance 2025-002) Adopted 7-0
16. Amend the Economic Development Investment Board? State law grants the county council legislative authority to adopt a sales and use tax to finance public utilities serving economic development purposes and to finance personnel in economic development offices. In 2024, the Legislature amended state law to allow for direct investment in the construction of affordable workforce housing or facilities. At the 10/24/2023 meeting, vote #296, the council voted to approve and prioritize the use of EDI funding for affordable housing projects. At the 4/9/2024 meeting, vote #99, the council voted to modernize the Economic Development Investment (EDI) board. This vote updates county code to conform with state law. AB2024-870 (Ordinance 2025-003) Amended and adopted 7-0
_____________________________________
Action Taken at January 28, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
17. Authorize the executive to sign a $282,257 contract (amendment #27) with Washington State University to continue the jointly shared costs for faculty positions and program support for WSU Whatcom County Extension? The original contract was signed on 9/22/1999 and is renewed yearly. The total amended contract is $3,542,794; it expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2024-866) Authorized 7-0
18. Authorize the executive to sign four contracts — totaling $696,728 — for staffing and operations at the Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and Blaine Senior Activity Centers? All the contracts are for $174,182, and expire on 12/31/2026. The contracts are with (Bellingham) Whatcom Council on Aging; the City of Lynden; the Jet Oldster Association of Ferndale; and the city of Blaine. (AB2025- 077/078/079/080) Authorized 7-0
19. Authorization the executive to sign a $344,215 annual contract with Tyler Technologies of Yarmouth, Maine, to provide migration of the current permitting and licensing system to the cloud and ongoing annual hosting and maintenance of the system? The contract is ongoing until vacated by Tyler Technologies or the county. (AB2025-086) Authorized 7-0
20. Authorize the executive to sign a $150,000 contract with the City of Bellingham to provide partial funding for the severe weather shelter? The county has committed up to $450,000 and the city from $450,000 to $550,000. The county will operate the emergency shelter at 925 N. Forest in Bellingham to provide space for approximately 70 guests with surge capacity during severe weather to be determined by fire department and building inspector officials. A temperature threshold of 32 degrees forecast as the overnight low will activate the shelter. The contract expires on 4/30/2025. (AB2025-088) Authorized 7-0
21. Authorize the executive to sign a $411,631 contract with the Opportunity Council to expand and retain childcare slots in Whatcom County? The contract will recruit and assist 15-20 small childcare providers with licensing and programming, assist providers with state and local funding applications, and create a pilot employersupported healthcare program to be used as a model in Whatcom County. By the end of the contract period, the Opportunity Council will work to add 300 new childcare slots and retain the current 3,828 early learning and childcare slot in Whatcom County. The contract expires on 7/31/2026. (AB2025-089) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
22. Authorize the executive to sign a $499,921 contract with Peace Centers of Bellingham to implement a coordinated system of licensed drop-in childcare within Whatcom County? The estimated number of children to be serveed during implementation is 2,450 with approximately 1,060 low-income slots. The contract will create and maintain a system to match licensed providers offering drop-in care with families in need of that care. The contract expires on 4/30/2026. (AB2025-090) Authorized 7-0
23. Confirm the executive’s reappointment of Sierra Crook to the Whatcom County Food Systems Committee? At the 7/25/2023 meeting, vote #191, the council created the nine-member committee to draft, implement, provide oversight for, and regularly update a countywide food system plan. Sierra Crook was initially appointed to the committee at the 1/23/2024 meeting, vote #28; she is currently employed as the director of administration at the Ferndale Food Bank. (AB2025-101) Confirmed 7-0
24. Authorize the executive to sign a two-year $1,445,000 contract with the Bellingham Food Bank to help address food insecurity? The contract will provide procurement, warehousing, distribution of food and prepared meals to low- and very low-income families. The funding is up to $695,000 in 2025 and $750,000 in 2026 and for Food Bank Network Food Purchasing Program members. The members are: Bellingham Food Bank; Ferndale Food Bank; Foothill Food Bank (Deming/Kendall); Project Hope (Lynden); Agape Food Bank; Pacific Northwest Plateful; Nooksack Tribe Food Bank; Blaine Food Bank; Nooksack Valley Food Bank, Salvation Army Food Bank; and Lummi Tribal Food Bank. The contract expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2025-107) Authorized 7-0
25. Cancel uncollectible personal property taxes totaling $36,864? State law requires the county treasurer to present to the council a list of taxes certified as uncollectible. Included are 26 businesses totaling $34,826. The two largest businesses on the list are: Cascadia Gardens ($5,720) and Riverside Consulting Group ($4,713). There are seven mobile homes totaling $2,038. AB2025-050 (Resolution 2025-006) Authorized 7-0
26. Accept the Whatcom County treasurer’s list of petitions for 2024 property tax refunds? The refunds total $1,832,393 and reflect: senior ($1,538,028), Board of Equalization ($167,451), destroyed/abated property ($18,346); and miscellaneous exemptions ($20,479). The 2023 refunds totaled $2,644,228 and were accepted at the 1/23/2024 meeting, vote #31. AB2025-087 (Resolution 2025-007) Approved 7-0
27. Adopt the five-year (2025 – 2029) Lake Whatcom Management Program work plan? Formed in 1992, it is a joint effort of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. The plan consolidates planned efforts in one place to ensure actions are efficient and effective. The management program is comprised of 12 program areas that each contain various programs, projects and activities. The estimated total costs for 2025 – 2029 are $71,187,565. AB2025-082 (Resolution 2025-008) Approved 7-0
28. Amend the county zoning code? (Public hearing held.) The amendments address building height limitation in the Lummi Island rural residential zoning district. Building heights are limited to 25 feet when sited within 100 feet of the marine shoreline high water mark and to 30 feet when farther away than 100 feet from the shoreline; building setbacks shall be increased by one foot for each foot of building height in excess of 25 feet; the installation of fire sprinkler systems will be required for buildings that exceed 25 feet. AB2024-874 (Ordinance 2025-004) Adopted 7-0
