Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at July 14, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
174. Authorize the executive to sign a $69,442 contract (amendment #4) with Status Electrical Corporation of Abbotsford, B.C., to provide technical support for the security electronics at the juvenile detention facility, main jail, jail work center, and facilities management? On 12/4/2019, the executive signed the original $43,315 contract. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract. The total amended contract is $253,615; it expires 6/30/2027. (AB2026-496) Authorized 7-0
175. Authorize the executive to accept a $207,400 federal grant (amendment #1) for flood mitigation planning in Sumas, Nooksack, and Everson? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) At the 7/8/2025 meeting, vote #164, the council accepted the original $1,310,000 grant. The purpose of the amendment is adding funding to complete the berm feasibility study. The total amended amount is $1,517,400; it expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-511) Authorized 7-0
176. Authorize the executive to accept a $10 million state grant to build upon existing integrated floodplain planning efforts to reduce flood hazard, increase flood resiliency, and improve habitat? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Capital projects funded by this grant include: the restoration of the Glacier-Gallup alluvial fan restoration — advance to final design; Ferndale levee improvement — advance to Phase 1 construction; the Fish Camp Integrated Fish Flood Project (NIT) — complete construction of flood hazard reduction components. This grant will also support the agricultural, tribal and small city communities for participating in the floodplain integrated planning process to update the Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan and implement early action projects consistent with the plan. It also supports acquisition of key properties needed for future floodplain reconnection, habitat restoration and flood risk reduction. Eligible expenses that occurred prior to the execution of this agreement are reimbursable back to the effective date of 07/ 01/ 2025. The grant expires on 6/30/2029. (AB2026-527) Authorized 7-0
177. Authorize the executive to sign a $209,814 contract with the University of Washington to complete Phase 2 of work which includes building confidence in the current understanding of morphodynamic adjustment in the Nooksack River near Everson? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will also evaluate alternatives proposed as part of the Widen the Corridor project. The first phase of the work was completed under a separate floodplain integrated planning contract. The contract expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-528) Authorized 7-0
178. Authorize the executive to sign a $40,000 funding agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior (amendment #2) for sediment modeling on the lower Nooksack River? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) At the 3/25/2025 meeting, the council approved the original $94,050 agreement. The purpose of the amendment is to increase funding by $100,000 with $40,000 from the United States Geological Survey and $60,000 from the county. The total amended contract is $295,050; it expires on 9/30/2027. (AB2026-529) Authorized 7-0
179. Authorize the executive to accept a $435,995 state grant for indigent defense services? The funding is from the Washington State Office of Public Defense; it is intended to improve the quality of legal representation for defendants without the ability to pay for legal services. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-533) Authorized 7-0
180. Authorize the executive to accept a $122,250 state grant for reimbursements of costs related to the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Program? The Washington State Office of Public Defense grant will reimbursed costs: a coordinator salary and benefits; a training event for dependency court partners; family engagement activities; and trauma-responsive supports. The grant expires on 6/30/2027 (AB2026-537) Authorized 7-0
181. Authorize the executive to accept a $232,776 state grant for reimbursement of costs related to juvenile court programs? The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts grant will reimburse costs: wages and benefits for juvenile court staff; case management and other direct support services for at-risk youth; program supplies; and staff training. Allowable costs are only those costs associated with “processing and case management of truancy, children in need of services, and at-risk youth referrals.” The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-539) Authorized 7-0
182. Authorize the executive to sign a $199,000 contract (amendment #2) with Mobile Mama Strategies of Bellingham to recruit and supervise perinatal mental health interns working with low-income eligible mothers? At the 6/18/2024 meeting, vote #170, the council approved the original $164,235 contract and added $133,100 in funding at the 5/13/2025 meeting, vote #117. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract. The total amended contract is $496,335; it expires on 7/31/2027. (AB2026-540) Authorized 7-0
183. Authorize the executive to accept a $3,521,984 state grant (amendment #16) for various public health services? The executive signed the original contract on 1/17/2025. This amendment increases funding and revises the scope of work for programs addressing infectious diseases, drinking water quality, recreational shellfish monitoring, youth cannabis-use prevention, and waste management. The total amended grant is $14,856,181; it expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-541) Authorized 7-0
184. Authorize the executive to accept a $170,625 federal passthrough grant for Operation Stonegarden FY25? For 17 years, the county has received Department of Homeland Security/Operation Stonegarden grants (first accepted at the 5/26/2009 meeting, vote #129) which supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among local, Tribal, territorial, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the borders of the United States. This funding will be used for operational overtime and related mileage/fuel costs and equipment purchases. Participating agencies will not enforce U.S. immigration law. The grant expires on 7/31/2028. (AB2026-543) Authorized 7-0
185. Require additional public notice of proposed tax measures and schedule public hearings? Three public hearings are scheduled for the July 28 County Council meeting relating to the Lummi Island ferry. The proposals will establish an initial budget level for the Whatcom County Ferry District. AB2026-480 (Resolution 2026-028) Substitute approved 7-0
186. Authorize an application to the Washington State Public Works Board to fund a project to replace the Whatcom Chief ferry and modernize the Lummi Island ferry system? The project includes the construction of a 20-car hybrid diesel-electric ferry and the construction of a passenger-only float. To date, $25 million in federal funds have been secured. From Washington State, $5.3 million in state Move Ahead Washington funds and $10 million in County Road Administration Board County Ferry Capital Improvement Program funds have been secured. A resolution is required by the state to submit an application for the low-interest loan. AB2026-514 (Resolution 2026-029) Approved 7-0
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Action Taken at July 28, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
187. Authorize the executive to accept a $25 million federal grant to replace the Lummi Island ferry and modernize the terminal? The current 60-year-old ferry will be replaced with a 20-car diesel-electric battery hybrid ferry and modifications will be made to the existing terminal, including a passenger-only float. The U.S. Department of Transportation grant requires a 20 percent local match. See vote #186 for additional funding. The estimated total project cost is $50,810,000. The project is listed as #27 on the 2026 annual construction program. (AB2026-550) Authorized 7-0
188. Authorize the executive to sign a $300,530 contract (amendment #2) with Ferndale School District to fund mental health services for children ages three to five? At the 10/22/2024 meeting, vote #289, the council approved the original $271,817 contract to develop and deliver a master’s level clinical social work internship program to increase service capacity. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract. The total amended contract is $572,347; it expires on 8/31/2027. (AB2026-564) Authorized 7-0
189. Authorize the executive to sign a $725,761 contract with North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization for behavioral health services? Services include: the Alternative Response Team, cannabis-use prevention programming, opioid-use outreach, and jail transition services. The contract expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-567) Authorized 7-0
190. Authorize the executive to sign a $180,000 two-year contract with PeaceHealth to provide a full-time perinatal patient navigator position at PeaceHealth’s Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic? The navigator will deliver mental health services to disadvantaged and medically complex pregnant patients who are not yet connected to prenatal care or supportive health services. Th e contract expires on 8/31/2028. (AB2026-568) Authorized 7-0
191. Authorize the executive to sign a $138,894 contract with SCS Engineers of Long Beach, California, to prepare an updated comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management plan? State law requires waste management plans to be updated every five years. Tasks will include the following: Task 1 – visionary process; Task 2 – background research; Task 3 – preliminary analysis; Task 4 – plan update; Task 5 – public and agency participation process; Task 6 – preparation of documents. The contract expires on 7/28/2027. (AB2026-569) Authorized 7-0
192. Authorize the executive to sign two state grant agreements for the 2027 What-Comm emergency communications operations? The $93,500 grant is from the Washington State Military Department and is pass-through funding for the City of Bellingham. One agreement accepts the pass-through grant and the other agreement is with the City of Bellingham for the pass-through grant. The contracts expire on 8/15/2027. (AB2026-575/576) Authorized 7-0
193. Establish a new Whatcom County Ferry District fund? (Council acting as the ferry district board of supervisors; public hearing held.) At the 5/12/2026 meeting, vote #121, council voted to establish a countywide ferry taxing district. State law requires that a county treasurer, acting as the ex-officio treasurer of a district, must establish a ferry district fund into which district revenues will be paid and maintained. The tax must be approved by a majority of countywide voters at a general or special election. The fund shall be operative beginning on 1/1/27. AB2026-520 (Resolution 2026-030) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
194. Establish an initial $5.7 million budget level for the Whatcom County Ferry District? (Council acting as the ferry district board of supervisors; public hearing held.) At the 5/12/2026 meeting, vote #121, the council voted to establish a countywide ferry service district. The tax must be approved by a majority of countywide voters at a general or special election. AB2026-552 (Resolution 2026-031) Approved 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
195. Amend the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones budget (request #4) in the amount of $34,830? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) Repair the Bylsma levee and the Ritter levee. AB2026-508 (Resolution 2026-032) Approved 7-0
196. Designate an authorized representative and alternate authorize representative of Whatcom County to receive federal and/or state emergency or disaster assistance funds on behalf of Whatcom County? Designated: Executive Satpal Sidhu as authorized representative, and Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresle as alternate authorized representative. AB2026-582 (Resolution 2026-033) Approved 7-0
197. Establish regular Whatcom County Council meeting dates for 2027? The Whatcom County Charter requires the council to meet 22 times per year. Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, except for the first meeting in November which will be held on Wednesday. Meetings are held twice per month, except for one in August and December. AB2026-501 (Resolution 2026-034) Approved 7-0
198. Grant Forged Fiber 37 of Dallas, Texas, a non-exclusive franchise for the provision of telecommunications services? (Public hearing held.) Forged Fiber 37 serves AT&T as its primary anchor tenant. The franchise will allow for the use of county rights-of-way for activities related to the maintenance and operation of telecommunications facilities. The non-exclusive franchise is granted to Forged Fiber 37 for 10 years. AB2026-461 (Ordinance 2026-035) Adopted 7-0
199. Add the ferry district funds and board of supervisors to the Whatcom County code? (Public hearing held.) At the 5/12/2026 meeting, vote #121, the council voted to establish a countywide ferry service district. This ordinance will revise county code to reflect that county councilmembers also serve as ferry district board of supervisors and have taxing authority under state law AB2026-524 (Ordinance 2026-036) Adopted 7-0
200. Add the ferry district funds and board of supervisors to Whatcom County code relating to administrative pass replacement appeal procedures? (Public hearing held.) At the 5/12/2026 meeting, vote #121, the council voted to establish a countywide ferry service district. This ordinance will revise county code to reflect that county councilmembers also serve as ferry district board of supervisors and are responsible for the appeal procedure relating to multi-ride cards and quarterly passes. AB2026-525 (Ordinance 2026-037) Adopted 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
201. Adopt amendments to the Whatcom County comprehensive plan and Foothills Subarea plan? (Public hearing held.) The amendments are part of a periodic review and update of development policies regulated by the state Growth Management Act and cover: need for land capacity; adequate public facilities and services; land-use plans; natural resource lands; environment and open space corridors. AB2026-553 (Ordinance 2026-038) Substitute adopted and approved concurrently 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
202. Adopt amendments to Whatcom County Code related to zoning? The amendments are part of a periodic review and update of development policies regulated by the state Growth Management Act and cover: essential public facilities; siting of organic materials management facilities; and buffer standards within a heavy industrial zoning district relating to the Cherry Point urban growth area. AB2026-489 (Ordinance 2026-039) Substitute adopted and approved concurrently 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
203. Amend the official Whatcom County zoning map? The amendments are part of a periodic review and update of development policies regulated by the state Growth Management Act and cover: zoning districts within urban growth areas; urban growth area reserves; limited areas of more intensive urban development; Lummi Island; and rural lands. AB2026-490 (Ordinance 2026-040) Substitute adopted and approved concurrently 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
204. Amend the Whatcom County code related to shellfish protection districts? At the 5/26/2009 meeting, vote #136, the council created the Birch Bay Shellfish Protection District due to shellfish growing areas downgrades. Since 2018, the marine water quality in the Birch Bay shellfish growing area has met approved classification standards. This vote dissolves the Birch Bay Shellfish Protection District. Current members of the Drayton Harbor and Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committees shall transfer to the new Shellfish Protections Advisory Committee. AB2026-526 (Ordinance 2026-041) Substitute adopted 7-0
205. Close the Central Plaza Tenant Improvement Fund? The council established the $400,000 fund at the 10/12/2021 meeting, vote #251. The project is complete and the funds are no longer needed. The fund will be dissolved and the remaining $192,987 will be returned to the real estate excise tax 1 fund. AB2026-530 (Ordinance 2026-042) Adopted 7-0
206. Amend the 2026 budget (request #10) in the amount of $252,250? Appropriated: $93,500 for the What-Comm pass-through grant; $50,000 for first floor improvement to the Central Plaza building and $108,750 for Gooseberry Pt. Live load hanger bars. AB2026-534 (Ordinance 2026-043) Adopted 7-0
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Whatcom County Council
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