### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole met in executive session on September 23, 2025, to discuss a confidential matter regarding the potential lease or acquisition of real property with Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Chris Quinn. The session, originally scheduled to conclude at 8:45 a.m., was extended twice and ultimately adjourned at 9:03 a.m. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Executive Session:** A closed meeting where government officials can discuss confidential matters away from public scrutiny, as authorized by specific provisions of state law. **RCW 42.30.110(1)(b):** The specific section of Washington state's Open Public Meetings Act that allows local governments to meet in executive session to consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate when publicity would cause a likelihood of increased price. **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where the entire County Council sits as a committee, allowing for more informal discussion while maintaining the authority of the full council. **Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor:** A senior attorney in the county prosecutor's office who handles civil matters (as opposed to criminal cases) and provides legal advice to county government. **AB2025-631:** The agenda bill number assigned to this discussion item in the county's document tracking system. **Hybrid Meeting:** A meeting format that allows participants to attend either in-person or remotely via video/phone connection. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member | | Todd Donovan | Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Christopher Quinn | Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | ### Background Context Executive sessions are a necessary but carefully regulated part of local government operations. Washington state's Open Public Meetings Act generally requires all government deliberations to occur in public, but recognizes specific situations where confidentiality is essential. Real estate discussions fall into this category because public disclosure of potential property acquisitions could drive up prices or alert competing bidders, ultimately costing taxpayers more money. The Committee of the Whole format allows the full County Council to engage in detailed discussions that might be too lengthy or complex for a regular council meeting. When combined with executive session authority, this provides a forum for the council to thoroughly examine sensitive real estate matters with legal counsel before making any public decisions. ### What Happened — The Short Version All seven County Council members attended the meeting, with Todd Donovan arriving slightly late. Chair Galloway announced that the discussion would be held in executive session under state law provisions for real estate matters. The council voted unanimously to enter executive session at 8:32 a.m., originally planned to conclude by 8:45 a.m. However, the session required two extensions—first to 8:55 a.m., then to 9:00 a.m.—before finally adjourning at 9:03 a.m. The only attorney present was Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Chris Quinn. No action was taken, as this was a discussion-only session. ### What to Watch Next • Monitor future County Council agendas for any public consideration of real property matters that may have been discussed in this session • Watch for potential budget implications if the county proceeds with a property lease or acquisition • Look for any follow-up executive sessions or public hearings related to real estate decisions ---

**Q:** Who chaired this executive session meeting? **A:** Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair, called the meeting to order and managed the session extensions. **Q:** How many council members were present at the meeting? **A:** All seven County Council members were present, though Todd Donovan arrived slightly after roll call began. **Q:** What legal authority allowed this executive session? **A:** RCW 42.30.110(1)(b), which permits closed sessions to discuss real estate acquisition when publicity could increase prices. **Q:** Who was the only attorney present during the executive session? **A:** Christopher Quinn, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor, who provided legal counsel on the real property matter. **Q:** What was the agenda bill number for the discussion item? **A:** AB2025-631, regarding discussion of potential lease or acquisition of real property. **Q:** How many times was the executive session extended? **A:** Twice - first from 8:45 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., then to 9:00 a.m., finally adjourning at 9:03 a.m. **Q:** What type of meeting format was used? **A:** Hybrid meeting format, allowing participation both in-person in Council Chambers and remotely. **Q:** Who made the motion to enter executive session? **A:** Barry Buchanan moved to enter executive session, with Jon Scanlon providing the second. **Q:** What was the vote result on entering executive session? **A:** Unanimous 7-0 approval from all council members present. **Q:** When did council members actually enter executive session? **A:** 8:32 a.m., two minutes after the scheduled 8:30 a.m. start time. **Q:** What time was the meeting originally scheduled to conclude? **A:** 8:45 a.m., according to both the agenda and chair's announcement. **Q:** Who serves as Clerk of the Council? **A:** Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC, who maintains meeting records and procedures. **Q:** What is the difference between Committee of the Whole and regular Council meetings? **A:** Committee of the Whole allows the full council to meet in a more informal committee setting while maintaining full council authority. **Q:** Why are real estate discussions allowed in executive session? **A:** To prevent publicity that could drive up property prices and cost taxpayers more money. **Q:** What action was taken during this meeting? **A:** No action was taken - this was a discussion-only session with legal counsel. **Q:** Where was the meeting held? **A:** County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 105, Bellingham, in Council Chambers. **Q:** What happens if an executive session needs to run longer than announced? **A:** The chair must return to public session to announce the extension before continuing in executive session. **Q:** Who prepared the meeting minutes? **A:** Kristi Felbinger prepared the meeting minutes, which were later approved by the full council. ---