ACTION TAKEN The Whatcom County Council adopted the following at its July 22, 2025, meeting: ORDINANCE (2025-035) AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 10.04.095 TO ESTABLISH 20 MPH SCHOOL SPEED ZONES ON BENNETT DRIVE AND ALDERWOOD AVENUE FOR ALDERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (AB2025-482): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code Section 10.04.095 to establish a 20 MPH school speed zone, when children are present, on Bennett Drive from 300 feet north of Alderwood Avenue to 300 feet south of Alderwood Avenue, Section 14, Township 38 North, Range 2 East, W.M. and on Alderwood Avenue from Bennett Drive to Hollywood Avenue, Section 14, Township 38 North, Range 2 East, W.M. Ordinance introduced July 8, 2025. ORDINANCE (2025-036) AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE BIRCH BAY-LYNDEN ROAD AND BLAINE ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS FUND, CRP #906001, REQUEST NO. 1 (AB2025-488): This ordinance amends Ordinance 2021-078 to add additional expenditure authority of $150,000 for an amended project budget total of $800,000. Ordinance introduced July 8, 2025. ORDINANCE (2025-037) AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE E. SMITH/HANNEGAN ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS FUND, REQUEST NO. 4 (AB2025-492): This ordinance amends Ordinance 2018-057 to reduce expenditure authority by $632,270 for an amended project budget total of $7,342,730. Ordinance introduced July 8, 2025. ORDINANCE (2025-038) AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY REPLACEMENT AND SYSTEM MODERNIZATION FUND, REQUEST NO. 1 (AB2025-494): This ordinance amends the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and Modernization Fund by adding County Ferry Capital Improvement Program (CFCIP) revenues and approves the amended project budget of $5,737,575. Ordinance introduced July 8, 2025. ORDINANCE (2025-039) AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE NEW PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND JUSTICE FACILITY, REQUEST NO. 8 (AB2025-498): This ordinance amends Ordinance 2013-003 by appropriating $5,022,244 to fund continued advancement and pre-construction programming phases of the Public Health, Safety and Justice Facility project for an amended total project budget of $15,838,524. Ordinance introduced July 8, 2025. ORDINANCE (2025-040) AMENDING THE 2025 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 8, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,548,146 (AB2025-502): This ordinance amends the 2025 Whatcom County Budget as follows: From the General Fund: appropriate $220,000 in Health to fund abatement strategies with Opioid Settlement Funds; appropriate $49,000 in Non-Departmental to fund Galbraith Recreation emergency response support. From the Parks Fund: appropriate $74,146 in Parks to fund Canyon Lake Community Forest access improvements. From the Behavioral Health Fund: appropriate $1,000,000 in Health to fund companion for #5004 using behavioral health millage. From the Mental Health Developmental Disabilities Fund: appropriate $1,000,000 in Health to fund behavioral health contracts for youth mental health. From the Road Fund: appropriate $150,000 in Public Works to fund companion for SBR #4992 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Project using the road fund; record $636,270 in Public Works to fund companion for SBR #4994 East Smith/Hannegan Intersection Project to accept transfer of County funds; appropriate $1,000,000 in Public Works to fund companion for SBR #4998 Lummi Island Ferry Replacement Project using the road fund. From the Real Estate Excise Tax II Fund: appropriate $55,000 in Parks to fund demolition of building in substandard condition at Hovander Homestead Park. From the Capital Facilities Reserve Fund: record $1,022,244 in Non-Departmental to fund companion to Justice Facility project based supplemental #5000 to accept transfer of County funds. Ordinance introduced July 8, 2025. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 6, 2025 The Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing, consider adopting, and may amend the following at its 6 p.m. meeting on August 6, 2025, or at a later date: PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2025 COORDINATED WATER SYSTEM PLAN UPDATE (AB2025-548): Per WAC 246-293-080, the coordinated water system plan (CWSP) shall be reviewed and updated by the Water Utility Coordinating Committee at a minimum of every five years. The last update was in 2019. Prior to submission of the CWSP to the Secretary of Health for approval, the County shall hold a public hearing as per RCW 70.A.100. A Resolution for Council approval is anticipated in December. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 The Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing, consider adopting, and may amend the following at its 6 p.m. meeting on September 9, 2025, or at a later date: ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 22 TO CLARIFY THE ROLES AND DUTIES OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE HEARING EXAMINER PROCESS (AB2025-537): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code Title 22 to clarify roles and responsibilities of participants in the Hearing Examiner process. Ordinance introduced July 22, 2025. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 2.11 TO CLARIFY THE AUTHORITY OF THE HEARING EXAMINER (AB2025-538): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code Section 2.11 to clarify the powers and duties of the Hearing Examiner and account for disruptions of the administrative process. Ordinance introduced July 22, 2025. RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2024-021 TO UPDATE BUSINESS RULES OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY HEARING EXAMINER TO APPROVE CLARIFYING CHANGES PROMULGATED BY THE HEARING EXAMINER (AB2025-539): This resolution revises the Rules of Procedure for Proceedings before the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner to provide greater transparency and clarity.