Whatcom County Council

The Whatcom County Council met for its first regular meeting of 2026 with all seven members present, processing a packed agenda that ranged from routine administrative business to urgent flood recovery advocacy. The meeting's most emotionally powerful moments came during public testimony, where flood victims from Sumas, Nooksack, and Everson delivered raw, desperate pleas for action on river management after repeated devastating floods. The technical work of the evening centered on numerous committee appointments, with the council appointing all 13 applicants to the Public Health Advisory Board and confirming 19 executive appointments to various advisory bodies. The council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing commercial food preparation on Lummi Island, responding to community advocacy from the operators of the Galley Cafe and the Gathering Place community center. This represented exactly how local government should work according to Council Member Scanlon—community identifies a zoning problem and brings it to council for resolution. The council also made a significant decision on the Justice Project Behavioral Care Center, voting 6-1 to proceed with an out-of-custody model at the Division Street location. The evening's most urgent testimony came from flood victims who spoke with increasing desperation about the lack of progress since the devastating floods of 2021 and the recent flooding in late 2025. Multiple residents described living in campers and RVs, eating from microwaves, watching their children suffer panic attacks, and facing the prospect of repeated flooding as waterway capacity appears to have diminished significantly. Jason Postma presented detailed data showing that river levels that historically never caused flooding in Sumas are now triggering major inundations, suggesting the community has lost approximately three feet of flood capacity. The meeting concluded with council members expressing determination to push for comprehensive flood solutions, with several emphasizing that "everything should be on the table" in terms of mitigation strategies. Council Member Scanlon noted that upcoming meetings next week would bring together various governmental entities to develop concrete recommendations that the community could then advocate for collectively.

**AB-2026-016: Lummi Island Food Preparation Ordinance** - Passed 7-0. Amends Rural Residential Island zoning to allow commercial food preparation for offsite consumption when located within an approved community center. Enables businesses like the Galley Cafe to use the Gathering Place's commercial kitchen for commissary purposes. **AB-2026-038: Justice Project Behavioral Care Center** - Motion approved 6-1 (Elenbaas opposed) to proceed with an out-of-custody model at the Division Street location for the new behavioral health facility. This represents a key milestone in the county's jail construction project. **Public Health Advisory Board Appointments** - All 13 applicants appointed unanimously, with Alison Fontaine receiving the partial term ending January 31, 2027, and Amelia Vader and Ben Twigg receiving partial terms ending January 31, 2028. **Executive Appointments** - Council confirmed 19 executive appointments to various advisory boards, all passing with either 7-0 or 6-1 votes except the Racial Equity Commission appointments which passed 5-2. **Consent Agenda** - Approved 11 contracts and agreements totaling over $1.2 million, including dispute resolution services, security contracts, and infrastructure projects. **Committee Recommendations** - Approved three resolutions from Finance Committee: property tax refund petitions, canceling uncollectible taxes, and updating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. **AB-2026-118: Outdoor Entertainment Ordinance** - Introduced 6-1 for public hearing, amending permit thresholds for outdoor musical entertainment and assemblies. **Introduction Items** - Introduced six budget and fund ordinances 5-2, with Elenbaas and Stremler consistently opposing.

**Jason Postma, on flood capacity loss:** "If we have truly lost three feet of capacity and 147 is the new baseline for flooding, the implications are dire because flows of similar volume are hardly rare." **Sean Martinez, on living conditions:** "My kids, the fact that they can't even eat properly because we're not living the way we should be. And I'm paying 3000 a year in taxes to live like this. It's ridiculous." **Council Member Scanlon, on government response:** "This is exactly the way things should work is that when community identifies an issue with zoning to bring it up with council, bring it up to the executive's office, bring it up with the planning department." **Stacey Daly, on bureaucratic complexity:** "There is so much red tape that everything needs planning and studying and mapping and funding, and we have zero time. Zero." **Sally Krause, on river history:** "History altered the river, and modern policies have magnified the problem. Now we need a solution that protects both our communities and our environment." **Adam Bellinger, on overdose intervention:** "We're treating things like suicide attempts and things like that differently than we're treating overdoses, and I think that's wrong because we're actually seeing more overdose deaths than we are seeing suicide deaths."

# Whatcom County Council Faces Flood Crisis and Governance Challenges The Whatcom County Council convened on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, for what would become a marathon session stretching over two hours. The meeting showcased the full spectrum of local government — from routine business to urgent crisis response, with flooding dominating public discourse and a lengthy series of appointments consuming much of the evening. ## Meeting Overview Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the hybrid meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. with all seven council members present: Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Galloway herself, Jessica Rienstra, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler. The evening began quietly with routine procedural matters but quickly intensified as residents from flood-ravaged Sumas and surrounding communities packed the chambers and filled online registration slots to demand action on the ongoing flooding crisis that has devastated their homes and livelihoods multiple times in recent years. ## Lummi Island Food Service Resolution The evening's only public hearing addressed a seemingly modest but locally significant issue: amending Whatcom County Code to allow food preparation for off-site consumption at community centers in Rural Residential Island zones. The proposal emerged from the practical needs of Lummi Island's Galley Cafe and the community's new Gathering Place. Rianna Godshall and Simon Lapoff, co-owners of the Galley Cafe, explained how they had successfully opened their establishment in August 2025, working through complex permitting processes with the health and planning departments. Their venture filled a crucial community need — the island had previously supported five or six eating establishments but had been down to just one in recent years. "We're both lifelong islanders born and raised there," Godshall told the council. "We feel like it really has filled a need in the community and the whole intention of the commercial kitchen was to provide this for the island in general." The issue arose when a moratorium was placed on future commissary permits for off-site food preparation, blocking other potential food service operators. Marcus D., a longtime island resident and former fisherman, supported the change, saying, "I can really speak to the historic community center of any good kitchen, right? And this is a vital part of community and community efficacy." Rebecca Retner, representing the Gathering Place board, emphasized the unique challenges of island life: "With the unique barriers to food affordability and accessibility and coming and going on the ferry that the island presents, access to an on-island venue for off-site food prep is really vital to our community." Council Member Scanlon praised the community-driven approach: "I think this is exactly the way things should work is that when community identifies an issue with zoning to bring it up with council, bring it up to the executive's office, bring it up with the planning department." The ordinance passed unanimously, 7-0, allowing island entrepreneurs to use the Gathering Place's commercial kitchen for off-site food preparation. ## The Flooding Crisis Takes Center Stage The open session transformed into an impassioned plea for urgent flood mitigation action. Resident after resident from Sumas, Everson, and Nooksack took the podium to describe the devastating impact of recurring floods and the seeming paralysis of government response. Jason Postma delivered perhaps the most compelling testimony, presenting detailed data about changing flood patterns. He explained how the North Cedarville River Gauge had historically been reliable — floods occurred when water levels reached 150 feet. But something fundamental had changed. "In February of 2020, we reached 148.7 feet, nearly a full foot lower than in 2003 and 2006. This became known as the Sustaining Damage," Postma said. "And then again in 2021, just two weeks after the big flood, was what I call the Forgotten Flood. This time, river levels were nearly two and a half feet lower than in 2003 and 2006, and again, flood water reached Sumas." Postma rattled off a list of dates since 2003 when river levels exceeded those that caused the "Forgotten Flood" — dates that would now likely result in Sumas underwater. The implications were staggering: "October 17, 2003. October 21, 2003. November 19, 2003..." The list continued, painting a picture of a community living on borrowed time. Dale Sandstrom shared the personal toll: "We don't live in the flood zone, so when 21 flood came, we weren't prepared to have 18 inches of water seep through our house and destroy 95% of everything. My kids were devastated. They lost everything." Sean Martinez, living in a camper trailer a year and a half after the flood, captured the frustration: "We have no appliances to cook or feed our kids correctly with. Went to the city council city meeting last night. I'm hearing from people there that just to clean out the creeks in the local areas there, we're looking at one to two years before they're even touched." Sally Krause provided historical context, explaining how earlier generations had managed the river as a working asset through dredging and channel maintenance. "Dredging once played a role in mitigating flood risk, but in the early 1990s, it had been regulated out of existence in Whatcom County," she said. "The practice ended, but no replacement strategy was put in place." Stacey Daly voiced the bureaucratic frustration felt by many residents: "We've got U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we've got FEMA, we've got NOAA, we've got EPA, we've got Department of Ecology, we've got Department of Fish and Wildlife, Historic Preservation, Whatcom County Flood District Control District, County Public Works, then you have the cities and towns. There is so much red tape that everything needs planning and studying and mapping and funding, and we have zero time." One particularly poignant moment came when Samantha described helping her friend Nancy tear up flood-damaged slate tile with mallets because professional contractors were too expensive given uncertain insurance payments. She told how Nancy's 10-year-old son had ended up in the emergency room with panic attacks from the stress of displacement. Judy Heinrichs delivered an emotional plea about constitutional rights and government responsibility: "You, Mr. Setpal Sidhu, who I'm disappointed to see is not here tonight, and council members are, as of now, being held accountable for people being out of their homes, business hardships, or closing down, PTSD of the people you are responsible to care for." ## Other Public Concerns Beyond flooding, the open session covered diverse community issues. Adam Bellinger advocated for improved designated crisis responder systems, citing specific overdose deaths where intervention might have saved lives. He described cases like Christine Ossheimer, who overdosed at 22 North and refused treatment, only to be found dead three days later. David Edelman thanked the council for their recent resolution on immigrant rights while encouraging them to examine broader approaches taken by counties across the country. Lucy Schmidt, a Western Washington University student, expressed concern about safety and protests in the community. Several speakers addressed various issues including Birch Bay incorporation studies, planning department concerns, and support for flood victims, while others touched on topics ranging from vaccine policy to immigration enforcement. ## Behavioral Care Center Decision In committee business, Council Member Buchanan reported on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee's recommendation regarding the Justice Project Behavioral Care Center. The motion, approved 6-1 with Council Member Elenbaas opposing, specified that "the Justice Project Behavioral Care Center be an out of custody model and a new build at the Division Street location." Council Member Scanlon praised the collaborative effort: "Thanks to the Executive's team, the Health Department, the Sheriff's Office for all the work that went into this. I think this has been very thoroughly discussed and vetted, and I'm happy to support this item and see it come forward as a great addition to our community." ## Marathon of Appointments The evening's most tedious business involved confirming numerous appointments to advisory boards and committees. The council worked through nearly 30 appointment matters, from the Public Health Advisory Board to various specialized committees. The Public Health Advisory Board appointments proved most complex, with 13 applicants for 13 positions. Acting as the Health Board, Council Member Scanlon noted they had asked applicants to identify their expertise areas as required by county code. The board had recommended holding a spot open for tribal representation, though no applicants had identified as tribal members. After considerable procedural discussion, all 13 applicants were appointed, with partial terms assigned to Alison Fontaine (ending January 2027) and Amelia Vader and Ben Twigg (ending January 2028). Some appointments drew opposition. The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission appointments for Benny Spencer, Neesha Randeo, Sara O'Conner, and Sharayah Lane passed 5-2, with Council Members Elenbaas and Stremler opposing. ## Consent Items and Routine Business The council approved all 11 consent agenda items without discussion, authorizing various contracts and agreements totaling over $1 million. These included family mediation services, courthouse security, marine resources projects, and a collective bargaining agreement with the Sheriff's Office Management Group. Three resolutions from the Finance Committee also passed, including acceptance of property tax refund petitions and updates to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy project list. ## Looking Forward The meeting concluded with committee reports and member updates. Council Member Buchanan mentioned fostering activities in his family, including the unexpected arrival of a six-day-old baby. Council Member Scanlon outlined upcoming meetings, including a Health Board session featuring community-led health initiatives and a special Committee of the Whole meeting for extended council member updates. Several members reflected on the flooding testimony. Council Member Stremler expressed eagerness for solutions: "I am so looking forward to the day if it comes to this council when solutions are put in front of us and we can say, yes, get out there and do it. It can't happen quick enough." Council Member Scanlon acknowledged the ongoing advocacy from flood victims: "Thank you to everyone from Sumas and friends of Sumas who came tonight and came two weeks ago. You all came out strong. Thank you for advocating for yourselves, for your community, your friends and neighbors." The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m., leaving the flood crisis unresolved but with clear momentum building for more aggressive action. As residents filed out, many likely wondered whether their repeated appeals would finally translate into the urgent intervention their communities desperately need. The evening exemplified the dual nature of local government — methodical attention to procedural details alongside urgent response to community crises. While the council efficiently processed routine business and appointments, the flood testimony revealed the human cost of governmental complexity and the challenge of coordinating multi-jurisdictional responses to natural disasters that don't respect political boundaries.