Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee

**Galloway, on the procedural nature of the repeal:** "This is just a brief committee discussion to just share that this is sort of a logistical process. The Force resilience task force was established by this code with a sunset date for the end of this year." **Stremler, expressing appreciation:** "Yeah, I guess they're still on the task force for their efforts. And I guess, where do we go from here? I guess with the plan that came out, and what, what? What are we thinking?" **Harris, explaining the delay in FAC review:** "Unfortunately, there is not an update from the fact on this particular topic. They will be focusing their December meeting on on the kind of procedural next steps for receiving this plan, amending the plan, and then implementing the plan long term." **Elenbaas, on FAC commitment to the plan:** "I don't think the plans getting put on a shelf to die anywhere... they very much intend to and seem like they have quite a bit of interest in moving forward with aspects o

# Real Briefings — Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee **Wednesday, November 5, 2025** --- ## MODULE 1: MEETING METADATA **Body:** Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee **Date:** Wednesday, November 5, 2025 **Time:** 9:46 AM - 9:51 AM **Duration:** 5m 33s **Location:** Council Chambers (Hybrid Meeting) **Chair:** Kaylee Galloway **Clerk:** Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC **Committee Members Present:** - Kaylee Galloway (Chair) - Mark Stremler **Committee Members Absent:** - Todd Donovan **Other Council Members Present:** - Tyler Byrd - Ben Elenbaas - Jon Scanlon - Barry Buchanan (joining late) **Staff Present:** - Alexander Harris, Planning and Development Services Department **Meeting Format:** Hybrid (in-person and remote participation available) --- ## MODULE 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This brief 5-minute committee meeting addressed a single administrative item: the formal repeal of Whatcom County Code 2.170, which established the Forest Resilience Task Force. The task force was set to sunset at the end of 2025, and this ordinance repeal is a procedural step to formally close out the code section. The discussion revealed that while the task force's formal work is ending, the Forest Resilience Plan it produced will continue to be developed and potentially implemented through the existing Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). Committee members expressed confidence that the plan would not be shelved but would receive continued attention and refinement. **Key Outcome:** The ordinance repeal will proceed to Council introduction that evening, with final approval expected on November 18th. --- ## MODULE 3: KEY AGENDA ITEMS ### AB2025-750: Ordinance Repealing Forest Resilience Task Force Code **Issue:** Formal repeal of Whatcom County Code 2.170, which established the Forest Resilience Task Force **Background:** The Forest Resilience Task Force was created with a built-in sunset date of December 31, 2025. As a matter of legislative procedure, the County Council needs to formally repeal the code section to effectuate this sunset. **Staff Recommendation:** Approve the ordinance repeal as a logistical/procedural matter **Discussion Points:** - This is purely administrative housekeeping - The Forest Resilience Plan produced by the task force has been referred to the Forest Advisory Committee for further development - No substantive policy changes involved **Committee Action:** Discussion only (no motion required for introduction item) **Next Steps:** - Council introduction on November 5, 2025 (same evening) - Final committee action on November 18, 2025 - Council approval expected at subsequent meeting --- ## MODULE 4: PUBLIC INPUT & TESTIMONY **Public Comment Period:** None scheduled or provided **Public Attendance:** Not specified in meeting materials **Written Communications:** None referenced **Note:** This was a brief administrative meeting with no substantive policy discussion that would typically generate public interest or testimony. --- ## MODULE 5: COUNCIL DISCUSSION & DEBATE ### Forest Resilience Task Force Sunset Discussion **Council Member Stremler's Questions:** Stremler thanked task force members for their efforts and asked about next steps for the Forest Resilience Plan that the task force produced. **Chair Galloway's Response:** Explained that the County Council had previously received the draft Forest Resilience Plan and referred it back to the Forest Advisory Committee, putting future development under FAC jurisdiction. **Staff Update from Alexander Harris:** - The Forest Advisory Committee met the previous evening but did not discuss the Forest Resilience Plan - Instead, FAC focused on Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 amendments due to an upcoming Planning Commission meeting - FAC will address Forest Resilience Plan procedural next steps in their December meeting - December discussion will cover: how to receive the plan, make amendments, and implement long-term **Council Member Elenbaas's Insight:** As the Council representative to the Forest Advisory Committee, Elenbaas assured colleagues that FAC members have "quite a bit of interest in moving forward with aspects of that plan and putting the finishing touches on it." He emphasized the plan would not be "put on a shelf to die." **Procedural Clarification:** Chair Galloway confirmed with Clerk Halka that no committee motion was required since this was a discussion item for an ordinance being introduced that evening. --- ## MODULE 6: DECISIONS & OUTCOMES ### Formal Actions Taken - **AB2025-750:** DISCUSSED (no vote required) ### Procedural Outcomes - Ordinance repeal will proceed to Council introduction on November 5, 2025 - Final committee recommendation scheduled for November 18, 2025 - Full Council approval expected at subsequent meeting ### Policy Implications - Forest Resilience Task Force formally ends December 31, 2025 - Forest Resilience Plan development continues under Forest Advisory Committee - No interruption in forest policy development despite task force sunset ### Implementation Timeline - **November 5, 2025:** Council introduction - **November 18, 2025:** Final committee action - **December 2025:** Full Council approval expected - **December 31, 2025:** Task force officially sunsets - **December 2025:** Forest Advisory Committee begins substantive plan review --- ## MODULE 7: FINANCIAL IMPACT ### Budget Implications **Direct Costs:** None specified for the ordinance repeal **Administrative Savings:** Elimination of any residual Forest Resilience Task Force administrative costs after December 31, 2025 **Future Costs:** Any Forest Resilience Plan implementation costs would be considered separately through the Forest Advisory Committee process ### Funding Sources Not applicable for this administrative action ### Cost Analysis This is a cost-neutral administrative action. The task force was already scheduled to sunset, so the ordinance repeal creates no additional expenses and may provide minor administrative savings by formally closing out the code section. --- ## MODULE 8: POLICY CONTEXT & BACKGROUND ### Forest Resilience Task Force History The Forest Resilience Task Force was established under Whatcom County Code 2.170 with a specific mandate and sunset provision. The task force completed its primary deliverable—a comprehensive Forest Resilience Plan—which has been received by the County Council. ### Previous Council Action The County Council previously voted to receive the draft Forest Resilience Plan and refer it to the Forest Advisory Committee for further development. This action effectively transitioned responsibility from the temporary task force to the permanent advisory committee structure. ### Forest Advisory Committee Role The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a permanent county advisory body that will now take responsibility for: - Reviewing and refining the Forest Resilience Plan - Developing implementation strategies - Making recommendations to Council on forest policy ### Comprehensive Plan Connection The Forest Advisory Committee is currently engaged in Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 amendments, demonstrating the integration of forest policy with broader county planning efforts. ### Regional Forest Policy Landscape This transition reflects Whatcom County's commitment to ongoing forest resilience planning while moving from a temporary task force structure to permanent advisory committee oversight. --- ## MODULE 9: UPCOMING ACTIONS & CALENDAR ### Immediate Next Steps - **November 5, 2025 (Evening):** County Council introduction of AB2025-749 (ordinance repeal) - **November 18, 2025:** Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee final recommendation - **December 2025:** Expected full Council approval ### Forest Advisory Committee Schedule - **December 2025:** FAC meeting focused on Forest Resilience Plan next steps - Future meetings will address plan amendments and implementation strategies ### Planning Commission Coordination - **November 6, 2025:** Planning Commission review of Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 - Forest Advisory Committee input on chapter amendments ### Long-term Calendar - **December 31, 2025:** Forest Resilience Task Force officially sunsets - **2026:** Forest Resilience Plan implementation planning under FAC guidance ### Meeting Scheduling Note The committee meeting adjourned early (9:51 AM) to allow the subsequent Finance and Administrative Services Committee to begin ahead of schedule, demonstrating efficient use of Council time. --- ## MODULE 10: COMMUNITY IMPACT & SIGNIFICANCE ### Administrative Efficiency This action demonstrates good government housekeeping—formally closing out a completed temporary body while ensuring continuity of the underlying policy work through permanent structures. ### Forest Policy Continuity The transition from task force to advisory committee ensures that the significant work invested in developing the Forest Resilience Plan will not be lost. Council Member Elenbaas's assurance that the plan won't be "put on a shelf to die" provides confidence in ongoing forest policy development. ### Stakeholder Engagement The Forest Advisory Committee structure provides ongoing opportunities for public input and expert guidance on forest resilience issues, potentially offering more sustained engagement than a time-limited task force. ### Regional Forest Health Whatcom County's forest resilience planning addresses critical regional challenges including: - Climate change adaptation - Wildfire risk management - Ecosystem health and biodiversity - Economic sustainability of forest resources ### Democratic Process The orderly transition from task force to advisory committee, with formal legislative action to close out the temporary body, exemplifies transparent and accountable government operations. ### Future Community Benefits The Forest Resilience Plan, once refined and implemented through the FAC process, has potential to: - Enhance community wildfire safety - Protect valuable forest ecosystems - Support sustainable forest-based economic activity - Address climate change impacts on local forests This brief administrative meeting, while routine in nature, represents an important step in Whatcom County's ongoing commitment to forest resilience and environmental stewardship.

### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee met on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, to discuss a brief procedural matter regarding the Forest Resilience Task Force. The committee reviewed an ordinance that would formally repeal the task force code, allowing it to sunset as originally planned at the end of 2025. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Forest Resilience Task Force:** A temporary county body established by Whatcom County Code 2.170 with a sunset date at the end of 2025, tasked with developing a forest resilience plan for the county. **Sunset Date:** An expiration date built into legislation that automatically terminates a program, committee, or law unless renewed by further action. **Forest Advisory Committee (FAC):** An ongoing county advisory body that provides guidance on forest-related policies and will now oversee the implementation of the Forest Resilience Plan. **AB (Agenda Bill):** The county's numbering system for legislative items, with AB2025-750 being the discussion item and AB2025-749 being the formal introduction. **Ordinance Repeal:** The formal legislative process to remove existing county code from the books when it's no longer needed. **Committee Discussion Item:** An agenda item for information sharing and informal discussion, requiring no formal vote or motion. **Forest Resilience Plan:** A comprehensive planning document developed by the task force to address forest health and wildfire risks in Whatcom County. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Committee Chair, County Council Member District 2 | | Mark Stremler | Committee Member, County Council Member | | Todd Donovan | Committee Member (absent), County Council Member | | Alexander Harris | Planning and Development Services Department, FAC Staff Facilitator | | Ben Elenbaas | County Council Member District 5, Forest Advisory Committee Rep | | Tyler Byrd | County Council Member District 1 | | Barry Buchanan | County Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | County Council Member | | Cathy Halka | Council Clerk | ### Background Context The Forest Resilience Task Force was created as a temporary body to develop strategies for improving forest health and wildfire preparedness in Whatcom County. Like many task forces, it was established with a built-in expiration date to ensure the work would be completed within a reasonable timeframe and prevent the creation of permanent bureaucratic structures without ongoing legislative oversight. The task force has completed its primary work by producing a draft Forest Resilience Plan. Rather than extend the task force's life, the County Council has decided to transfer ongoing oversight of the plan to the existing Forest Advisory Committee, which has the expertise and permanent structure to handle long-term implementation. This represents good government practice—creating temporary bodies for specific tasks, then transferring ongoing work to appropriate permanent structures. ### What Happened — The Short Version Committee Chair Kaylee Galloway explained that the meeting was purely procedural. The Forest Resilience Task Force is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, and the county needs to formally repeal the ordinance that created it. This is standard housekeeping—when temporary bodies sunset, the code that established them should be removed from the books. No substantive policy decisions were made. Council Member Stremler asked about next steps for the Forest Resilience Plan itself. Alexander Harris from Planning and Development explained that the Forest Advisory Committee met the night before but spent most of their time on comprehensive plan updates rather than the resilience plan. They will focus on the plan's next steps at their December meeting. Council Member Elenbaas, who serves as the council representative to the Forest Advisory Committee, assured everyone that there's significant interest in moving the plan forward. ### What to Watch Next • **November 5 evening council meeting:** Introduction of AB2025-749 (the formal ordinance to repeal the task force code) • **November 18:** Final committee recommendation on the repeal ordinance • **Following council meeting:** Final council approval of the repeal • **December Forest Advisory Committee meeting:** Discussion of next steps for implementing the Forest Resilience Plan ---

**Q:** What was the sole agenda item for this committee meeting? **A:** AB2025-750, discussion of an ordinance repealing Whatcom County Code 2.170, which established the Forest Resilience Task Force. **Q:** When is the Forest Resilience Task Force scheduled to sunset? **A:** At the end of 2025, as originally established in the county code that created it. **Q:** Who chaired this committee meeting? **A:** Kaylee Galloway, County Council Member District 2. **Q:** Which committee member was absent from the meeting? **A:** Todd Donovan. **Q:** What time did the meeting start and end? **A:** Started at 9:46 AM and adjourned at 9:51 AM (5 minutes, 33 seconds total). **Q:** Why does the county need to formally repeal the task force ordinance? **A:** As a matter of procedure, when temporary bodies sunset, the code that established them should be removed from the county books. **Q:** Who is Alexander Harris and what did he report? **A:** Staff facilitator for the Forest Advisory Committee who reported that the FAC didn't discuss the resilience plan at their recent meeting but will focus on it in December. **Q:** What body is now responsible for the Forest Resilience Plan? **A:** The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), after the County Council referred the draft plan back to them. **Q:** What did the Forest Advisory Committee spend most of their November 4 meeting discussing? **A:** Chapter 8 amendments to the comprehensive plan, which they'll present to the Planning Commission. **Q:** Which council member serves as the representative to the Forest Advisory Committee? **A:** Ben Elenbaas, County Council Member District 5. **Q:** What assurance did Council Member Elenbaas provide about the Forest Resilience Plan? **A:** That the FAC has significant interest in moving forward with aspects of the plan and won't let it "die on a shelf." **Q:** What is the difference between AB2025-750 and AB2025-749? **A:** AB2025-750 was the committee discussion item, while AB2025-749 is the formal ordinance introduction on the evening council agenda. **Q:** When will the Forest Advisory Committee focus on the resilience plan next steps? **A:** At their December meeting, according to Alexander Harris. **Q:** What type of meeting format was used? **A:** Hybrid format, allowing both in-person and remote participation. **Q:** Did this committee discussion require any formal motion or vote? **A:** No, it was purely a discussion item requiring no committee action. **Q:** What happens next with the repeal ordinance after today's discussion? **A:** Introduction at the November 5 evening council meeting, then final committee recommendation on November 18, followed by council approval. **Q:** What other council members were present besides the committee members? **A:** Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Jon Scanlon attended the meeting. **Q:** What did Council Member Stremler ask about? **A:** He thanked the task force members for their work and asked about next steps for the plan implementation. ---