📋 City Council - Special
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole
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Meeting Summary
The Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole held a comprehensive policy session addressing state legislative priorities, urban growth area proposals, and governance reforms. The most significant action was preliminary approval of portions of urban growth area proposals from cities of Nooksack and Blaine, marking progress on the overdue 2025 comprehensive plan update that was legally required by December 31, 2025.
The legislative session discussion resulted in formal county support for three state bills: HB 2442/SB 6294 allowing counties to implement progressive real estate excise taxes for affordable housing (passed 5-1), HB 2520 clarifying emergency meeting authorities under OPMA (passed 6-0), and authorization for Councilmember Galloway to engage in the legislative process on DNR ecosystem services legislation HB 2170/SB 5999 as "other" rather than supporter (passed 4-1-1).
Urban growth area deliberations consumed significant meeting time and revealed deep divisions over flood risk management. The Nooksack proposal sparked intense debate about approving new development in flood-prone areas before adequate infrastructure protection is in place. After a complete proposal failed 2-5, Council ultimately approved only the upland portions (areas 3 and 4) by a 5-2 vote. Blaine's revised proposal, which actually reduces their UGA by 610 acres to protect drinking water sources, passed unanimously 7-0.
The meeting also advanced a simplified outdoor musical entertainment ordinance that aligns county thresholds with state law (raising the permit requirement from 1,000 to 2,000 attendees), and discussed implementation of eight voter-approved charter amendments. Most significantly, Council authorized up to $9,999 for professional facilitation of a council strategic planning process, indicating institutional commitment to improved governance.
The session highlighted ongoing tensions between development pressure and climate resilience, with Councilmember Jessica Rienstra's lived experience of repeated flooding in supposedly safe areas providing powerful testimony against approving questionable flood zone development.
Study Guide
## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE
**Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-CTW-2026-01-27
A structured study guide helping readers understand the meeting's content and context.
### Meeting Overview
The Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole met on January 27, 2026, to discuss legislative priorities for the 2026 state session, urban growth area proposals from cities, and implementation of voter-approved charter amendments. The meeting covered significant decisions about state legislation support and preliminary approval of some city expansion proposals.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas where cities plan to expand over the next 20 years, required under Washington's Growth Management Act to concentrate development and preserve rural areas.
**Real Estate Excise Tax (REET):** A tax on property sales that can be dedicated to affordable housing programs; currently only available to San Juan County but proposed legislation would extend this to all counties.
**Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all council members participate in detailed discussion before formal council action, allowing for more flexible debate.
**Charter Amendment:** Changes to the county's governing document, approved by voters in 2025, requiring implementation by county government.
**Performance Audit:** An evaluation of government programs to assess efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with laws and policies.
**OPMA (Open Public Meetings Act):** State law requiring government meetings to be open to the public, with specific emergency exemptions.
**Floodplain/FEMA Flood Zone:** Areas mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as prone to flooding, restricting development or requiring special construction standards.
**FLIP (Flood Risk Management):** Whatcom County's flood mitigation planning process addressing recent flooding events.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair |
| John Scanlon | Council Member |
| Elizabeth Boyle | Council Member |
| Jessica Rienstra | Council Member |
| Barry Buchanan | Council Member |
| Mark Stremler | Council Member |
| Ben Elenbaas | Council Member |
| Jed Holmes | Executive's Office |
| Matt Aamot | Planning & Development Services |
| Rollin Harper | City of Nooksack Planner |
| Alex Wenger | City of Blaine Community Development Director |
| Joel Pitts-Jordan | Former Charter Review Commission Member |
### Background Context
This meeting occurred during Washington state's legislative session, requiring counties to act quickly to support bills they want passed. Whatcom County has been dealing with significant flooding events that damaged homes and infrastructure, making flood-related development decisions particularly sensitive. The Growth Management Act requires cities and counties to plan for 20-year growth, but recent flooding has raised questions about where it's safe to build. Additionally, voters approved eight charter amendments in 2025 that change how county government operates, requiring implementation throughout 2026.
### What Happened — The Short Version
Council members voted to support three state bills: one allowing counties to tax real estate sales for affordable housing (HB 2442), one clarifying emergency meeting rules (HB 2520), and gave preliminary support for exploring forest management legislation (HB 2170). For city expansion proposals, they gave partial approval to Nooksack's growth plans, supporting areas 3 and 4 but withholding support for flood-prone areas until more infrastructure planning is complete. They fully supported Blaine's revised proposal to actually reduce their growth area by 610 acres while focusing on downtown development. Council also discussed implementing voter-approved charter amendments and authorized up to $9,999 for a strategic planning facilitator.
### What to Watch Next
• Legislative hearings on the three supported bills during the 2026 state session
• Further discussion of Nooksack's remaining growth areas after flood infrastructure planning progresses
• Council retreat planning for strategic planning session
• Introduction of outdoor music festival ordinance changes
• Continued implementation of charter amendments throughout 2026
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