Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole - Executive Session

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-CTW-EXS-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 in executive session on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 8:50 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. to discuss potential real property acquisition or lease matters with Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kimberly Thulin. The meeting was closed to the public under state law provisions for real estate discussions. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Executive Session:** A closed meeting where elected officials can discuss certain sensitive matters away from the public, as permitted by Washington State's Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30). **RCW 42.30.110(1)(b):** The specific state law provision that allows government bodies to meet privately when discussing the potential acquisition or lease of real property, where public knowledge of the discussions could drive up prices or compromise negotiations. **Committee of the Whole:** A format where the entire County Council meets as a committee to discuss items before bringing them to formal council meetings for official action. **Hybrid Meeting:** A meeting format that allows participants to attend either in-person or remotely via video conference or phone. **AB 2026-093:** The agenda bill number assigned to this specific agenda item for tracking and reference purposes. **Senior Deputy Prosecutor:** A high-ranking attorney in the County Prosecutor's Office who provides legal advice to county government on various matters, including real estate transactions. **Roll Call:** The formal process of recording which council members are present at the meeting. **Motion to Enter Executive Session:** A formal procedural vote required before the council can legally close the meeting to the public. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair, presiding over the meeting | | Elizabeth Boyle | Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Jessica Rienstra | Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Kimberly Thulin | Senior Deputy Prosecutor, providing legal counsel | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | ### Background Context Executive sessions are a necessary tool for local governments to discuss sensitive matters that could be harmed by public disclosure during active negotiations. Real estate discussions are particularly sensitive because if sellers or lessors know that a government entity is interested in their property, they may inflate prices or change terms unfavorably. Washington State's Open Public Meetings Act recognizes this reality and allows closed-door discussions for real estate matters, while still requiring the meeting to be publicly noticed and the general topic disclosed. The County Council regularly uses the Committee of the Whole format to have preliminary discussions about complex issues before bringing them to formal council meetings where official votes are taken. This allows council members to ask questions, seek clarification from staff, and explore options without the pressure of making immediate decisions. The fact that this discussion required legal counsel from the Senior Deputy Prosecutor suggests that the real property matter being discussed involves significant legal considerations, whether related to acquisition strategy, lease terms, or potential complications with the transaction. ### What Happened — The Short Version The county council met privately for exactly 30 minutes to discuss a real estate matter with their attorney. All seven council members attended the meeting. Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order and explained that they needed to discuss potential property acquisition or lease matters privately under state law. Council member Jessica Rienstra made a motion to enter the closed session, Jon Scanlon seconded it, and all seven members voted yes. They went into the private session at 8:52 a.m. and came back out at exactly 9:20 a.m. No public decisions were made — this was just a discussion session. ### What to Watch Next • Monitor upcoming County Council meetings to see if any real estate acquisition or lease agreements come forward for public consideration and formal voting. • Watch for any public announcements about new county facilities, office space needs, or property acquisitions that might relate to this discussion. • Pay attention to the county's budget discussions, as any property acquisition or lease would require funding approval from the council. ---