Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at February 11, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
29. Authorize the executive to sign a $350,927 contract with Diking District No. 3 and landowners John and Rich Appel to provide flood control/river improvement work on Cougar Creek for the Neveel Levee/Cougar Creek fish passage project? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract includes a cost-share contribution from the landowners and an in-kind contribution from the Diking District. (AB2025-15) Authorized 7-0
30. Authorize the executive to sign a $1 million contract with the Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center to provide funding for HVAC system upgrades and window replacement to their Birchwood facility? The 86- unit facility provides assisted living and treatment for individuals with low-incomes and behavioral health disorders. The upgrades will add 10 treatment beds to the facility capacity. (AB2025-117) Authorized 7-0
31. Authorize the executive to sign a $104,295 contract (amendment #5) with North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization to provide to provide funding for behavioral health services within the North Sound Integrated Care Network? At the 4/11/2023 meeting, vote #83, the council approved the original $449,191 contract. The purpose of this amendment is to add funding for existing programs, including the cannabis use prevention, jail services, and Trueblood program, as well as adding definitions and updating insurance requirements. The total amended contract is $3,322,177; it expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2025-136) Authorized 7-0
32. Authorize the executive to sign two contracts for correctional facilities with the City of Ferndale and City of Everson? Whatcom County will provide jail facilities for the two cities. The contracts increase the per diem rate from $172 to $184, with electronic home monitoring increasing from $65 to $72; all other fees remain the same as last year. The contracts expire on 12/31/2026. (AB2025-153/158) Authorized 7-0
33. Support the executive’s appointment of Colin Wahl and Paul Meyer to the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee? The purpose of the committee is to address local marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities. Colin Wahl is currently employed as a senior restoration ecologist at the Skagit River System Cooperative. Paul Meyer is a former employee of the Port of Seattle and current volunteer reporter for KMRE radio station. (AB2025-155) Confirmed 7-0
34. Authorize the executive to accept a $135,000 state grant to aid in the recovery of qualified low-income individuals/households affected by the November 2024 state declared bomb cyclone event? Eligible costs for the grant include: home repairs, shelter, personal property replacement funeral expenses; childcare expenses; and transportation repair or replacement. The grant expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2025-161) Authorized 7-0
35. Authorize the executive to sign a $190,000 contract with Sustainable Connections for the purpose of conducting a feasibility study for the development of a Whatcom County “office of healthy housing?” The office would be an inter-jurisdictional coordinating body focused on improving the housing market for tenants, landlords, and those interested in becoming landlords. At the 11/6/2024 meeting, vote #309, the county received a state grant for $190,000 to fund the study. The contract expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2025-163) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed.
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Action Taken at February 25, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
36. Fill a vacancy on the Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force? The purpose of the task force is to continually review Whatcom County’s criminal legal and behavioral health programs and make specific recommendations to safely and effectively reduce incarceration of individuals experiencing mental illness and chemical dependency, and minimize pretrial detention for defendants who can safely be released. There were five applicants for the health and social services provider position: Eve Smason-Marcus, Kristy Backer, Rob Sullivan, Alexis Hahs, and Shannon Prescott Appointed: Alexis Hahs with six votes. Alexis Hahs is employed as a program director for the Lifeline Connections Men’s LIR program. (AB2025-030)
37. Authorize the executive to sign a $76,500 contract with Matrix Consulting Group of San Mateo, California, to evaluate human resources policies and procedures? At the 5/7/2024 meeting, vote #132, the council formed an investigating committee comprised of council members Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas and Todd Donovan to conduct a formal investigation into the handling of allegations by a county female employee of sexual harassment by her supervisor Jon Hutchings. When Mr. Hutchings resigned in October 2022, all matters surrounding the resignation and the $225,000 settlement were kept from the council and the public until Cascadia PBS revealed the alleged improper conduct.The investigating committee issued a report requesting the county hire an outside consultant to evaluate human resources policies and procedures. The contract expires on 8/31/2025. (AB2025-141) Substitute authorized 7-0
38. Authorize the executive to sign a $222,416 contract with Pacific Security (Parker Corporate Services) of Bellingham to provide security screening services at the Whatcom County courthouse? The first contract for security screening for Courthouse employees and visitors was awarded to Olympic Security Services of Tukwila at the 9/13/2005 meeting,vote #172. The contract expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2025-173)Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
39. Authorize the executive to accept a total of $5,265,283in federal/state grants (amendment #1) to fund various public health services? The original contract didn’t involve money; it was signed by the executive on 1/17/2025. The amendment adds scopes of work to programs addressing cannabis use by youth; communicable disease monitoring and prevention;drinking water; emergency preparedness; opioid use and overdose-prevention; recreational shellfish; and refugee health promotion.The grant expires on 12/31/2027. (AB2025-175) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
40. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Rich Appel to the Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to provide review and recommendations to the council on issues that affect agriculture and to provide a forum for farmers and others interested in enhancing and promoting the long-term viability of Whatcom County agriculture. Rich Appel is employed as a farmer on an active dairy and forage farm and has served as board chair for Whatcom Family Farmers. (AB2025-176) Confirmed 7-0
41. Authorize the executive to sign a $342,051 contract (amendment #1) with the Opportunity Council to operate the Whatcom Homeless Service Center? The center is the county’s intake system for homeless housing services and makes referrals to partner agencies for housing case management and rental assistance programs, cultivates and maintains relationships with local landlords and motel operators and serves as a liaison for homeless housing activities to a network of service providers and community stakeholders. The Opportunity Council has provided these services under previous contracts since 2008. The council approved the original $2,355,352 contract at the 12/3/2024 meeting, vote #365. The purpose of this amendment is to increase funding for emergency motel room stays and rental assistance. The total amended contract is $2,697,403; it expires on 6/30/025. (AB2025- 177) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
42. Authorize the executive to sign a $21,640 contract (amendment #7) with Cascadia Youth Mental Health of Bellingham to support school substance use policies and practices? The original contract for $17,240 was signed by the executive on 2/25/2021. This amendment adds funding and extends a needs assessment addressing vaping by youth. The total amended amount is $179,910; it expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2025- 182) Authorized 7-0
43. Amend Whatcom County code relating to local project review and the state housing crisis? (Public hearings held.) On 5/10/2023, the governor signed Special Senate Bill 5290 into law, encouraging local governments to streamline their permitting processes for new housing. These amendments to county code will change processes to meet the requirements of SSB 5290. AB2025-059 (Ordinance 2025-005) Adopted 6-1, Todd Donovan abstained.
44. Amend the 2025 Whatcom County unified fee schedule? (Public hearing held.) The fee schedule was initially passed by the council at the 11/19/2024 meeting, vote #332. The schedule lists fees charged by the county to provide services such as building permits, parking, filing and licensing, animal control, and charges for park equipment and facilities. The fees shall not exceed reimbursement costs to the providing department and the executive may add or adjust fees with sufficient justification by executive order. The purpose of this revision is to accommodate changes to the aquatic invasive species ordinance passed by council; see following vote #45. AB2025-145 (Ordinance 2025-006) Adopted 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
45. Amend Whatcom County code to prevent the release and spread of aquatic invasive species? (Public hearing held.) The original aquatic invasive species ordinance was passed by the council at the 9/25/2012 meeting, vote #162. In response to the discovery of the invasive quagga mussel on the Snake River in Idaho, these amendments delete and replace code related to aquatic invasive species detection and prevention, and introduce a risk-based fee structure for mandatory inspections and permitting for Whatcom County waterways. AB2025-147 Ordinance 2025-007) Adopted 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed
46. Close the Shallow Shore Culvert Relocation Fund? The council established the $100,000 project-based budget and fund at the 11/24/2020 meeting, vote #247. It addressed Lake Samish Basin flooding by relocating the existing outfall 300 feet to the north. Two amendments brought the total budget to $530,000. The project is complete and the remaining $172,284 will be transferred to the real estate excise tax II fund. AB2025-160 (Ordinance 2025-008) Adopted 7-0
47. Amend by $1 million (request #7) the project budget for the public health, safety and justice (jail) facility? The council established a new jail project budget at the 1/29/2013 meeting, vote #22. This amendment will add funding to provide additional required contracted services, including construction project and wetland mitigation consulting, geotechnical engineering, and traffic analysis. The total amended project budget is $10,816,280. AB2025-162 (Ordinance 2025-009) Adopted 7-0
48. Amend he 2025 budget (request #2) in the amount of $4,751,265? Appropriated: $190,000 to fund the Office of Health study; $353,853 to fund community service and recovery from 2024 weather events; $121,500 to fund individual assistance for 2023 bomb cyclone; $290,000 to fund Hovander Homestead Park vision plan; $679,750 of the 2024 consolidated homeless grant; $955,363 to fund Van Zandt Community Hall renovation; $700,000 for habitat land acquisition; $376,000 for Atwood culvert replacement; and $40,435 for prisoner transport. There are 14 additional appropriations under $100,000 that total $649,382. AB2025-164 (Ordinance 2025-010) Substitute adopted 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
49. Amend Whatcom County code relating to the Forestry Advisory Committee? The council established the committee at the 3/26/2013 meeting, vote #58. Its purpose is to provide review and recommendations to the council on issues that affect the forestry industry in Whatcom County. The amendments will expand the committee’s purpose and adjust member terms. AB2025-120 (Ordinance 025-011) Adopted 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
