The Whatcom County Council convened for their regular Tuesday evening meeting on July 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and remote participation. All seven council members were present: Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway (serving as chair), Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler. The meeting would prove to be notably efficient, wrapping up in just over an hour at 7:13 PM, with Chair Galloway joking about potentially setting a record for brevity. ## Three Water District Franchise Agreements The evening began with three public hearings for routine water district franchise agreements — ordinances that grant Whatcom County Water Districts #7, #2, and #18 the authority to install and maintain water infrastructure along county rights-of-way. These technical but necessary agreements allow the districts to "locate, set, erect, lay, construct, extend, support, attach, connect, maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities" within their respective service areas. All three hearings followed the same pattern: no public testimony, swift council action, and unanimous 7-0 approval. Council Member Donovan noted during the first hearing that these were "standard franchise agreements" that had been thoroughly discussed in committee. ## Public Comment Period — Housing, Healthcare, and Environmental Concerns The open session brought a diverse array of community voices addressing county concerns ranging from substance abuse treatment to environmental protection. **Adam Bellinger's Call for Involuntary Treatment Reform** Adam Bellinger opened public comment by returning to a topic he had previously addressed: the utilization of the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) for individuals struggling with substance abuse. Drawing on his knowledge of two overdose deaths in the 22 North area, Bellinger detailed cases where intervention opportunities were missed. "The first one was for a woman who, three days prior, had overdosed," Bellinger explained, "and so then she went ahead, and three days later, then overdosed and died. And so I view that as a missed opportunity to invoke what's we know as the Involuntary Treatment Act." He described a second case where a designated crisis responder from Compass Health had evaluated a man but elected not to place him on an involuntary hold. That individual later died of an overdose. Bellinger argued that the criteria for ITA holds need reevaluation: "These folks are essentially crying for help and like, almost like they're about ready to jump off the bridge, you know, and we're not doing anything to help them." **Dave Chase's Universal Primary Care Vision** Dave Chase continued his ongoing advocacy for universal primary care, offering specific examples of successful models. He highlighted Scituate, Rhode Island, which became "the first community in America to guarantee all residents access to primary medical and dental care." Chase noted that with foundation startup funding, "now our very Republican town government contributes annually to ensure every person in Scituate has health care." Chase emphasized the proven cost-effectiveness of primary care investment, citing the Montana State employee health plan and Minnesota union wellness centers. "The time is now to dramatically improve health care access for Whatcom County residents, while simultaneously reducing costs," he urged. **Community Hall Celebration and Appreciation** Jeff Margolis and Wayne Harrison from the South Fork Valley Community Association brought a celebratory note to the evening, expressing gratitude for the county's support of the Van Zandt Community Hall's centennial restoration project. The hall, approaching its 100th anniversary in 2026, is undergoing expansion to make it "more available to the public and more beautiful than ever." Margolis specifically thanked Council Member Byrd for his "worker bee effort" during the physical labor of cleaning out the hall, removing "every hanger, every fan, every every event in the ceiling." Both speakers praised the collaborative effort between the executive's office, the Parks Department (particularly project representative Rod Lamb), and Planning and Development Services staff. **Upper Red Sets Forest Conservation** Daniel Harm provided an update on the Upper Red Sets Forest conservation effort, describing it as "really in a league of its own" among potential conservation parcels. The coalition has been working to secure the forest through Washington DNR's $10 million fund for conserving older, structured, complex forest. Harm explained the "cash for county clause" which would provide upfront payment to the Mount Baker School District — potentially equal to or greater than what they would have received if the forest had been logged in 2021. "The win, win, win is Whatcom County would get to conserve an incredibly high conservation value forest," Harm said, while receiving double the acreage in replacement lands and maintaining revenue flow. **Veteran Family Support Gap** Jessica Silver delivered an emotional testimony about the lack of support for veteran families affected by domestic violence. As the "displaced spouse of a US Army combat veteran with PTSD who refuses to go to the VA," Silver described how current support systems fail families when veterans can no longer remain in the household. "If I go to the supportive services for veteran families at the Opportunity Council, they won't even talk to me because of the fact that he's no longer in the home," Silver explained. "But that's putting families in such a dangerous place where we are having to choose over support over safety, and no family should ever have to choose that." Living on just $833 monthly in TANF benefits rather than the over $4,000 they would receive if eligible for VA support, Silver emphasized, "This kind of change can start in Whatcom County. There's things that can be done to help families like mine." **Environmental Concerns About Fireworks** Brian Armstrong concluded the in-person testimony with concerns about fireworks debris at Birch Bay following Fourth of July celebrations. Having participated in the July 5th cleanup, he described finding "tons of trash" including "empty beer boxes, beer bottles, lots of firework debris, plastic shells" scattered across the pristine environment. "I spent hours sifting through seaweed, pulling out spent cartridges, plastic shells, you name it," Armstrong said. He advocated for a ban on consumer fireworks, noting that Snohomish County had implemented such restrictions and pointing to additional concerns about fire safety, impacts on veterans with PTSD, and effects on wildlife. **Budget Accountability and COVID Concerns** Online testimony came from Hannah Ordos, who expressed frustration with the county's budget process, and Natalie Chavez, who continued her series of comments about COVID-19 vaccines and cancer risks. Ordos criticized the executive team's biennial budget presentation, arguing that fiscal concerns "have been clear for several years" and that council members like Byrd, Elenbaas, and former member Kershner "have been voicing these concerns since at least 2021." She called for more meaningful action: "Good governance means making hard choices, limiting government expansion and spending responsibly." ## Consent Agenda and Van Zandt Community Hall Contract The council efficiently processed four consent agenda items from the Finance Committee, totaling over $1.4 million in various agreements. Council Member Byrd clarified concerns about a Forest Service contract, confirming with the undersheriff that reimbursement is based on actual hours worked rather than a flat rate. A late addition to the agenda proved particularly celebratory: authorization for the Van Zandt Community Hall renovation contract with Summit Construction Group for $823,544. Council Member Scanlon praised the project as "such a great example of partnership between community and various levels of government," noting how the community had done fundraising and sweat equity before bringing in state, local, and county partners. Council Member Elenbaas couldn't help but compare the value: "I just can't help but think about this certain basketball court that I fought against for years. It cost us $1.2 million for a covered basketball court, and we're having an entire community center revitalized." ## Justice Project Governance Structure One item required separate discussion: approval of substitute charters for Justice Project stakeholder groups. Council Member Buchanan explained that these documents create "a flow chart that describes the process of how things are decided throughout the Justice Project, and what stakeholders are involved." The charter addresses critical timing issues for the justice facility project, establishing clear decision-making processes and stakeholder relationships. The substitute version passed 6-0 with Council Member Byrd abstaining, reflecting the careful deliberation the council has been applying to justice project governance. ## Committee Updates and Future Planning Committee reports revealed the breadth of county business. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee had heard presentations from the Superior Court Clerk's Office and the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF), with discussion about having IPRTF advise on budget matters. The Climate Action and Natural Resource Committee received updates on flood mitigation projects completed since the 1999 comprehensive flood hazard management plan, including work on Bertrand Creek, lower Canyon Creek, and various levee projects. Council's Committee of the Whole had tackled the challenging 2525-26 mid-biennium budget review and received updates on the housing program, including 24 new strategies being added to the homeless housing plan for a total of approximately 42. ## Introduction Items and Ongoing Business Eight items were introduced for future consideration, including a school speed zone ordinance for Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue near Alderwood Elementary School. This sparked discussion about speed enforcement in the area, with council members noting they had received community letters about speeding concerns and suggesting follow-up with the Sheriff's Office about enforcement patterns. Several water district franchise agreements and budget amendments rounded out the introduction items, representing the ongoing administrative business of county government. ## Council Member Updates — From Healthcare to Trivia Council member updates ranged from the serious to the lighthearted. Elenbaas proudly announced that his recent physical showed "the best blood work he's ever seen," while Galloway shared similar good news about her cholesterol levels, both tying their comments to Dave Chase's earlier advocacy for preventive care. Scanlon reported on a packed Ferry Advisory Committee meeting with "more people than we had tonight in our chambers" discussing fare concerns, and announced the next community conversation meeting set for Thursday at the Lynden library. The evening's most entertaining moment came when Scanlon challenged the executive's office to a trivia contest, having read about their team competing against Bellingham's mayor's office. "Council, we could notice it as an open public meeting, legislative versus executive," Scanlon suggested with a grin, proposing they "beat these guys" and joking about creating a softball team as well. Stremler shared insights from the Business and Commerce Committee's recent strategic review, while Donovan reported significant developments from the WTA meeting, including the agency's purchase of the old Basecamp building for potential transit-oriented development and concerns about federal grant conditions related to DEI and immigration issues. ## Closing Thoughts The meeting concluded on a relaxed note, with several council members sharing Fourth of July experiences and their pets' reactions to fireworks — from Galloway's seven dogs and numerous farm animals remaining unfazed, to Stremler's cat hiding until midnight before "scratching on the door" when the festivities ended. Chair Galloway's joke about potentially setting a record for meeting brevity at 1 hour and 13 minutes reflected the efficiency of the evening while highlighting the council's ability to address both routine administrative business and substantive community concerns. The meeting demonstrated the balance required in local government — managing technical franchise agreements and budget amendments while remaining responsive to citizen concerns about healthcare access, environmental protection, veteran services, and community development. From Adam Bellinger's call for substance abuse intervention reform to the celebration of the Van Zandt Community Hall restoration, the evening captured the essence of county government: addressing immediate community needs while planning for long-term challenges and opportunities.

### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 6 PM in a hybrid format. The meeting focused primarily on routine water district franchise agreements, a significant community hall renovation project, and public comments on various local issues including substance use intervention and healthcare access. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Franchise Agreement:** A legal contract granting a water district the right to install and operate water infrastructure on public property, including roads and right-of-ways. **Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA):** Washington State law allowing designated crisis responders to place individuals into involuntary treatment when they cannot make decisions for themselves due to mental health or substance use issues. **Designated Crisis Responder:** A specially trained professional authorized to evaluate individuals and determine whether involuntary treatment under the ITA is necessary. **Justice Project:** Whatcom County's voter-approved initiative to build a new public health, safety, and justice facility and implement criminal justice reforms. **Committee of the Whole:** A council meeting format where all council members participate in discussions before formal votes in regular session. **Consent Agenda:** A group of routine items that can be approved together in a single vote unless a council member requests separate consideration. **Public Hearing:** A formal meeting segment where the public can comment specifically on proposed ordinances or actions before the council votes. **Interlocal Agreement:** A contract between government entities to share services, resources, or responsibilities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member, Chair of Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member | | Todd Donovan | Council Member, Finance Committee | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Adam Bellinger | Public speaker on overdose prevention | | Dave Chase | Public speaker on universal primary care | | Jeff Margolis | South Fork Valley Community Association | | Daniel Harm | Upper Chuckanut Forest Coalition | | Jessica Silver | Military family domestic violence survivor | ### Background Context This meeting took place during Whatcom County's ongoing budget challenges, with council members increasingly concerned about fiscal sustainability. The county is also in the middle of implementing the voter-approved Justice Project, which involves building new facilities and reforming criminal justice approaches. Community members are actively engaged in issues ranging from environmental conservation to healthcare access, reflecting the diverse priorities in this Pacific Northwest county. The Van Zandt Community Hall project represents a successful partnership between community volunteers and government, with local residents doing much of the initial work before county funding for professional renovation. This model of community-government collaboration is becoming increasingly important as budget pressures mount. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council quickly approved three water district franchise agreements with no public comment, then heard from nine community members during open session on topics ranging from overdose prevention to fireworks pollution. The main business included approving four consent agenda items worth over $1.4 million, confirming two board appointments, and authorizing $823,544 for Van Zandt Community Hall renovations. Council members praised the community-driven hall project as an excellent example of local partnership. The meeting concluded with committee reports and personal updates, finishing in just over an hour. ### What to Watch Next - July 22: Public hearing on Bennett Drive school speed zone ordinance - July 22: Council presentation on Upper Chuckanut Forest conservation opportunity - End of July: Health Board meeting with disease outbreak response briefing - July 10: Community conversation at Lynden Library with Council Members Scanlon and Stremler - August 6: Public hearings on additional water franchise agreements ---

**Q:** Which three water districts received franchise approvals? **A:** Whatcom County Water Districts #7, #2, and #18, all with identical franchise terms for water service infrastructure. **Q:** How much did the county authorize for Van Zandt Community Hall renovations? **A:** $823,544 to Summit Construction Group Inc for renovations and additions to the 100-year-old community hall. **Q:** What is the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA)? **A:** Washington State law allowing designated crisis responders to place individuals into involuntary treatment when they cannot make decisions due to mental health or substance use issues. **Q:** Who chairs the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee? **A:** Council Member Barry Buchanan, who reported on Justice Project stakeholder group charters. **Q:** What was the total value of consent agenda items approved? **A:** Over $1.4 million, including $1.31 million for flood mitigation planning and $112,500 for court improvement programs. **Q:** Which council member abstained from the Justice Project charter vote? **A:** Tyler Byrd abstained, while six members voted yes on the substitute charter version. **Q:** What speed limit will be established for Alderwood Elementary? **A:** 20 mph school speed zones on Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue, scheduled for public hearing July 22. **Q:** Who are the new Public Facilities District Board appointees? **A:** Bruce Tabb and Sati Mookherjee, confirmed unanimously by the council. **Q:** How long did the meeting last? **A:** 1 hour 13 minutes, concluding at 7:13 PM after starting at 6:00 PM. **Q:** What conservation opportunity did Daniel Harm present? **A:** Upper Chuckanut Forest conservation through DNR's $10 million program, with potential cash benefits for Mount Baker School District. **Q:** What is the "cash for counties" clause? **A:** A new provision allowing counties and school districts to receive cash upfront for forest conservation transactions. **Q:** Which committee handles water franchise agreements? **A:** The Finance and Administrative Services Committee, chaired by Todd Donovan. **Q:** What did Brian Armstrong advocate regarding fireworks? **A:** Banning commercial fireworks due to environmental pollution, fire risks, and impacts on veterans and wildlife. **Q:** How many organizations does the South Fork Valley Community Association manage? **A:** Three: Van Zandt Community Hall, Josh VanDusen Memorial Park, and radio station KAVZ 102.5 FM. **Q:** What healthcare model did Dave Chase promote? **A:** Universal primary care, citing Scituate, Rhode Island's successful community-wide healthcare guarantee. **Q:** When will Van Zandt Hall construction be complete? **A:** Expected completion by end of 2025, with construction starting in a matter of weeks. **Q:** What was unusual about the public hearings? **A:** No public speakers attended any of the three water franchise hearings, allowing quick approval. **Q:** Which council members are holding community conversations? **A:** Jon Scanlon and Mark Stremler, with the next session July 10 at Lynden Library, 4:30-6:30 PM. ---