Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at August 6, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
216. Fill a vacancy on the Forest Resilience Task Force? The task force was created to develop a comprehensive forest resilience plan for Whatcom County. The vacancy requires a community member with expertise in climate, salmon recovery and natural resources policy position. Brandy Reed was appointed to fill the vacancy. Brandy is employed by the Whatcom Conservation District and supervises a team of natural resources managers and community engagement professionals. (AB2024-472) Appointed 6-1
217. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the state Administrative Office of the Courts for the reimbursement of $178,600 to the county District Court Probation to identify individuals with substance-use disorders/behavioral health needs? The funding will provide for the hiring of a probation officer, training expenses, recovery supports, and urinalysis testing expenses. The agreement expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-491) Authorized 7-0
218. Authorize the executive to accept a $2 million state grant over four years to support the development and implementation of reentry services for youth transitioning out of juvenile detention? Services to be provided include: case management, medication assessment and management, and substance-use treatment. The grant expires on 7/31/2028. (AB2024-495) Authorized 7-0
219. Authorize the executive to sign a $529,800 contract with Western Washington University (Fairhaven College) for the purchase and installation of a modular building intended to be used for two licensed childcare classrooms? The building will be on the WWU campus and the university will provide child care. According to the latest census, there are approximately 10,500 children under the age of 5 living in Whatcom County. The total current child care capacity in the county is, however, only 3,686 children enrolled in 106 programs, leaving a substantial service gap. The classrooms will provide an additional 20-25 childcare slots and drop the eligibility age from 24 months to 12 months. The final closeout meeting is on 6/30/2036. (AB2024-496) Authorized 7-0
220. Authorize the executive to accept a $3 million state grant to acquire 1,615 acres of forestland, under Phase 2, to be added to the existing Stewart Mountain Community Forest? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Under Phase 1, 550 acres were acquired in October 2022. The grant is between the state Recreation and Conservation office and the Whatcom Land Trust. The forestland will be managed for long-term forest health, watershed resilience, forestry jobs, and supporting the wood products industry. The project sponsor is responsible for $1,470,123. The total project cost is $4,470,123. The grant expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2024-497) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
221. Authorize the executive to sign an $867,688 contract with the Bellingham Food Bank to purchase and distribute diapers and infant formula? The supplies will be distributed to eligible low-income families with children ages 0-5 at 14 different food bank sites across the county. The contract expires on 2/28/2026. (AB2024-498) Authorized 7-0
222. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the Washington State Office of Public Defense for the reimbursement of $183,635 for the cost of providing defense counsel consultation and representation for defendants facing charges or charged with simple possession or public use offenses under state law? The agreement expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-499) Authorized 7-0
223. Authorize the executive to sign a $19,762 contract (amendment #2) with Sound Earth Strategies of Seattle to provide remedial investigation/feasibility study and construction and permitting support services? At the 12/5/2023 meeting, vote #369, the council approved the original contract. The contract is for the removal of three underground storage tanks at the 147-acre central shop facility located at 901 W. Smith Road. The purpose of this amendment is to update the rate schedule. The total amended amount is $158,499; it expires on 12/1/2025 (AB2024-501) Authorized 7-0
224. Authorize the executive to sign a $169,650 contract with Crossroads Consulting of Bellingham for facilitator and project management services for the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force? The council created the task force at the 6/9/2015 meeting, vote #108, to provide recommendations, oversight, and timeframes for the enhancement of existing — and development of new — programs targeted toward reducing incarceration of people with mental illness and/or chemical dependency, in addition reducing incarceration of pretrial defendants who can safely be released. This contract will provide assistance to the executive and members of the task force and associated planning committee in planning for an oversight of the Justice Project Implementation Plan. Including the development of project metrics and tracking and the drafting of required final reports. The contract expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2024-504) Authorized 7-0
225. Authorize the executive to sign a $130,000 contract with the Opportunity Council for pass-through funding to provide services to low- and moderate-income persons in Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties? Services to approximately 5,000 individuals in the three counties will include resource referrals for early childhood education, basic food, and energy and housing assistance programs. The contract expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-508) Authorized 7-0
226. Authorize the executive to accept a $150,000 state grant to help support positions in the sheriff’s office that are assigned to the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force? The multi-jurisdictional task force carries out enforcement actions against drug- and gang-related criminal activities in Whatcom County. The grant expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-514) Authorized 7-0
227. Authorize the executive to sign a $25 million agreement with 11 fire protection districts, the city of Bellingham, the City of Lynden, and the South Whatcom Fire Authority for First Response Emergency Medical Services? The countywide Emergency Medical Services levy passed in November 2022 and provides funding for EMS services in Whatcom County. This six-year agreement begins on 1/1/2024 and ends on 12/31/2029. The term “First Response Emergency Medical Services” means such medical treatment and care that may be rendered to persons injured, sick or incapacitated through the 911 system. The following funds for six years are provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible EMS expenses. Basic Life Support: $9.0 million; Dispatch fees: $14.4 million; Electronic Patient Records System: $1.6 million. For context, the 2024 EMS revenue budget is approximately $22 million. (AB2024-523) Approved 7-0
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Action Taken at August 15, 2024 Special Meeting
Shall the council:
228. Authorize the executive to sign a contract — not to exceed $60,000 — with the Pacifica Law Group for Whatcom County Council legal services for the for pre-election review of Initiative 2024-01? (AB2024-533) Adopted 5-1-1, Mark Stremler opposed, Ben Elenbaas absent.
229. Amend the 2024 budget (request #11) in the amount of $100,000? Appropriated: $100,000 to fund legal services for the County Council to provide pre-election review of Initiative 2024-01. AB2024-507 (Ordinance 2024-043) Adopted 5-1-1, Mark Stremler opposed, Ben Elenbaas absent.
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Action Taken at September 10, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
230. Authorize for the executive to sign a $1,322,177 contract (amendment #4) with the North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization for behavioral health services within the North Sound Integrated Care Network? At the 4/11/2023 meeting, vote #83, the original contract for $449,191 was approved by the council. The county participates in the care network with Island, San Juan, Skagit and Snohomish counties in order to coordinate regional care systems and reduce administrative costs. The purpose of the amendment is to add funding for substance use prevention and mitigation programs. The total amended contract is $2,920,840. (AB2024-527) Authorized 7-0
231. Authorize the executive to sign a $716,455 contract (amendment #2) with North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization to fund a recovery navigator position for the LEAD program? The original contract for $512,455 was approved at the 8/8/2023 meeting, vote #203. The recovery navigator would provide supported referrals for individuals who have frequent criminal legal system contact to social and medical services. The purpose of the amendment is to add funding and update outcomes. The total amended contract is in the amount of $1,382,910. (AB2024-530) Authorized 7-0
232. Authorize the executive director to accept a $50,000 state grant to develop a cyanobacteria management plan for Lake Wiser? Recent sampling at Wiser Lake detected microcystin, a toxin produced by algae, at levels that may be harmful to people and pets. Toxin levels are more than 20 times the maximum safe level established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A county match of $16,667 is required. Ingestion of lake water poses the primary human health concern. The grant expires on 6/20/2026. (2024-531) Authorized 7-0
233. Authorize the executive to accept a $10 million state grant for floodplain management? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) This project is the third part of a multi-phase effort to integrate flood hazard reduction and salmon recovery with the needs of agriculture and other land uses within the Nooksack River watershed. Phase 3 will further advance these components incorporating additional elements in response to devastating floods in 2021, and to continue to support the collaborative floodplain integrated planning process. The grant requires a 20 percent local match ($2,500,000) for a total project cost of $12,500,000; it expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2024-535) Authorized 7-0
234. Authorize for the executive to sign a $55,600 contract (amendment #3) with DENTALL (Jessica Dubek, DDS) of Bow for additional jail dental hours? The original six-month contract for $36,000 was executed on 5/31/2023; $80,000 in funding was added at the 1/9/2024 meeting, vote #5. The demand for dental care at the jail and work center requires more hours; the purpose of the amendment is to fund an increase of 185 hours, for a total of 452 hours in 2024. The total amended contract is in the amount of $171,600; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2024-541) Authorized 7-0
235. Authorize the executive to sign a $1 million contract with YWCA Bellingham to support the acquisition of an emergency shelter facility? The 20-unit emergency shelter facility is planned to house up to 30 women and accompanied children and will be located at 315 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham. The YWCA Bellingham will be the sole owner of the property and will provide emergency shelter for women and children for 20 years. The total purchase price of the facility is $2,200,000. The county’s contribution will be $1 million. The remaining funds will be provided by the City of Bellingham in the form of a repayable loan. The contract expires 10/1/2044. (AB2024-544) Authorized 7-0
236. Authorize the executive to sign a $100,000 contract with Cascadia Law Group of Seattle to providing legal advise and representation? Petrogas has submitted a permit application, and the Cascadia Law Group shall review documents releated to SEPA procedures for the project and provide legl advise. The contract expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2024-547) Authorized 7-0
237. Authorize the executive to accept a $200,000 federal grant (amendment #1) for the Goshen Road – Anderson Creek Bridge #248 replacement project? The project will replace the existing 62-foot structurally deficient bridge with deteriorating girders, pile caps and piles. It will be replaced with a new pre-stressed concrete girder bridge. At the 5/5/2020 meeting, vote #70, the council authorized the executive to accept a $450,00 federal grant for bridge #248.The federal grant was for preliminary engineering phase of the project. Environmental permitting and property rights issues have delayed the project, which now requires additional funding. The total amended grant is $650,000; it expires on 12/31/2027. (AB2024-549) Authorized 7-0
238. Authorize the executive to amend a $453,451 agreement for the North Lake Samish Drive Bridge No. 107 replacement project? The structurally deficient wood bridge will be replaced with a prestressed concrete girder bridge. The low bid by Cascade Bridge resulted in an excess of federal construction funding. Funds in the amount of $453,451 will be returned to the federal government, for a total amended amount of $10,518,759. (AB2024-551) Authorized 7-0
239. Authorize the executive to sign a $215,000 contract with Herrera Environmental Consultants of Bellingham to complete a climate vulnerability assessment for Whatcom County? At the 4/26/2022 meeting, vote #121, the council appropriated $110,000 to conduct a climate vulnerability assessment for riverine shorelines to sea level rise, tidal, wave, storm surge, and stream discharge impacts. This Phase 2 assessment will cover current and future floodplains and develop shoreline management solutions along marine shorelines and the Nooksack River upstream to Deming. The contract expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-552) Authorized 7-0
240. Authorize the executive director to sign a $35,600 agreement with Western Washington University to develop costal bluff erosion rates? Sea level rise across Whatcom County will be used in the development of Phase 2 Climate Vulnerability Assessment and development of Shorelines Management Solutions. The agreement expires on 5/30/2025. (2024-554) Authorized 7-0
241. Authorize the executive to sign a $288,000 contract with Cowden Brothers’ Trucking of Bellingham for use of the Cowden Brothers waste facility? The City of Bellingham waste facility will be shutting down because Cowden is opening a waste facility and this contract will allow county vactor trucks to deposit waste at a Whatcom County facility. The next nearest option is Skagit County. The contract expires on 8/31/2025. (AB2024-555) Authorized 7-0
242. Authorize the executive to sign a $435,000 contract with Coffman Engineers of Spokane to replace five culverts in the Black Slough watershed? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract provides for Phase 1 of preliminary architectural and engineering analysis, plus preliminary designs for remediation of the fish barriers. The contract expires on 3/31/2026. (AB2024-558) Authorized 7-0
243. Authorize the executive to sign a $199,417 contract with Catalyst Therapies of Bellingham to support the expansion of behavioral and mental health services to low-income children ages 0-5 and their caregivers? The services for children who are neurodivergent and developmentally delayed are currently in critical shortage in Whatcom County. Funding or the expansion is provided by the Healthy Children’s fund. The contract expires on 3/31/2026. (AB2024-560) Authorized 7-0
244. Authorize the executive to sign a joint funding agreement with the federal government? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract with the United States Geological Survey will continue joint funding of 10 stream gaging stations in the Nooksack River watershed. The federal government will be responsible for $51,913 and Whatcom County for $122,967; the combined total is $174,880. The contract expires on 9/30/2025. (AB2024-561) Authorized 7-0
245. Authorize the executive to sign a $310,000 contract with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) of Bellingham to rehabilitate two shelter facilities serving individuals with low incomes? The two DVSAS-owned facilities to be renovated are Safe Shelter (prioritizes families and individuals who need mobility support), and Rotary House (for individuals with companion animals). The project is expected to be completed by March of 2025. The contract expires on 4/30/2025. (AB2024-562) Authorized 7-0
246. Authorize the executive to sign a $2 million contract with the Opportunity Council to support the construction of a 65-unit affordable housing facility to be known as Bellis Phase 1? Twenty percent of the units will be reserved for families with children exiting homelessness and another 20 percent will be reserved for households with one or more individuals with a disability, including behavioral, physical, and/or developmental. The facility will provide affordable housing to residents who are at or below 60 percent of the area median income, and more than 15 percent of the units will be occupied by residents who were previously living in or near Bellingham. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $38 million. (AB2024-563) Adopted 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
247. Authorize the executive to sign a $440,000 contract with Linev Systems US of Conroe, Texas, for two full-body security screening systems? The systems will replace unsupported scanners currently in place at the main jail and work center. The expiration date is 9/30/2029. (AB2024-569) Authorized 7-0
248. Authorize the executive to accept a $2,386,757 state grant for the elevation structures on 12 properties damaged during the November 2021 flood? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The elevation is for those property owners who do not want to have their structures acquired and wish to remain in the community. The properties are in Sumas, Ferndale, and unincorporated areas of the county. The agreement includes $2,157,862 that is federally funded by FEMA, $113,948 that is provided by state funding, and requires a 5 percent match totaling $113,948 to be provided by property owners. The grant expires on 4/5/2024. (AB2024-570) Authorized 7-0
249. Authorize the executive to sign a $166,950 contract with Lydia Place of Bellingham to support the rehabilitation of a transitional housing facility? The facility to be remodeled is Gladstone House; the top floor of the building will converted to five-bedrooms for large families, which is a current unmet need in Whatcom County. The contract expires on 4/30/2025. (AB2024-576) Authorized 7-0
250. Authorize the executive to sign two agreements — totaling $1,048,173 — with the state Administrative Office of the Courts for BECCA programs and services? The first agreement will be for the reimbursement of services rendered for truancy, at-risk youth, and child-in-need-of-services petitions and the amount is $277,244. The second agreement is for the reimbursement of resentencing and vacating convictions for individuals affected by the Blake decision and the amount is $770,929. They expire on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-583/590) Authorized 7-0
251. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Dr. Aldo Fusaro as temporary interim medical examiner? At the 12/7/2021 meeting, vote #309, Dr. Alison Hunt was confirmed as the new county medical examiner. At the same meeting, vote #319, the council approved a four-year $2,463,153 contract with Hunt Forensics. The contract with Hunt Forensics was terminated after a report revealed that bodies in the care of the medical examiner’s office were improperly stored. Dr. Fusaro also serves as deputy medical examiner for the Montana state medical’s examiner’s office. Whatcom County is conducting a national recruitment process for a medical examiner. (AB2024-604) Confirmed 7-0
252. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the state Office of the Courts for a total of up to $2,111,900 for the reimbursement of costs related to water rights adjudication? Reimbursements for 7/1/2023 – 6/20/2024 are up to $417,300 and for 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025 are up to $1,694,600. The expiration date is 6/30/2025. (AB2024-591) Authorized 7-0
253. Authorize the executive to sign a $209,991 contract with Schneider Geospatial of Indianapolis, Indiana, for a four-part online tool package? They are a property portal, community dashboard, comper pro, and comper for citizen. Three are new or improved: the first is a property search, second a sales mapping and comparison tool and third a community data section. The contract expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2024-604) Authorized 7-0
254. Define transportation improvements in accordance with newly amended state law? (Public hearing held; Council acting as the governing body of the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District.) The council created the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District at the 7/9/1991 meeting. Recent changes in state law required this vote. The new state law considers transportation improvements, as defined by the RCW, to be appropriate expenditures of tax revenue collected by the benefit district. AB2024-494 (Resolution 2024-037) Approved 7-0
255. Establish a $1,628,000 project-based budget for the North Commercial Street Acquisition Project? Whatcom County government requires additional office space due to expansion of the courts. The project-based budget will fund the acquisition of a two-story building located at 400 North Commercial in Bellingham. The first floor is 2,578 square feet, the second floor is 2,492 square feet for total of 5,070 square feet. The purchase price is $1,475,000 and improvements/repairs are $154,000. AB2024-517 (Ordinance 2024-044) Adopted 7-0
256. Amend the 2024 budget (request #10) in the amount of 2,059,971? Appropriate: $100,000 to fund Cascadia Law Group contract for PetroGas engagement; $100,000 to fund professional services for investigative committees; $100,000 to fund the Incarceration Prevention Reduction Task Force; $100,000 to fund expansion of the LEAD program; and $1,628,000 for the purchase of the 400 N. Commercial Street building. AB2024-521 (Ordinance 2024-045) Adopted 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
