ACTION TAKEN The Whatcom County Council adopted the following at its February 10, 2026, meeting: ORDINANCE (2026-003) AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 5.40.010 TO CHANGE THE PERMIT THRESHOLD FOR OUTDOOR MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT, AMUSEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES (AB2026-118): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code 5.40.010 to change the permit threshold for outdoor musical entertainment, amusements, and assemblies from 1000 to 2000 attendees. Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-004) CLOSING THE NORTHWEST ANNEX REDEVELOPMENT FUND (AB2026-094): This ordinance closes the Northwest Annex Redevelopment Fund and transfers remaining funds of $2,706,727 to the newly established 32nd Street Property Acquisition Fund, which will be used to account for the revenues and expenditures related to purchasing the 333 32nd Street property. Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-005) AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE HOVANDER PARK BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, REQUEST NO. 4 (AB2026-098): This ordinance amends Ordinance 2016-055 to reassign $1,200,000 of expenditure authority to the newly established 32nd Street Property Acquisition Fund for a total project budget of $1,696,378. Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-007) ESTABLISHING THE GLACIER RESTROOM IMPROVEMENTS FUND AND ESTABLISHING AN INITIAL BUDGET FOR THE GLACIER RESTROOM IMPROVEMENTS FUND (AB2026-100): This ordinance establishes the Glacier Restroom Improvements Fund with an initial budget of $475,750 to account for revenues and expenditures of a series of improvements to the Glacier Public Restroom that will elevate the standards of hygiene, safety, accessibility, visual appeal, and strengthen the connection between highway travelers and our local economy. Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-008) AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE NEW PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND JUSTICE FACILITY, REQUEST NO. 10 (AB2026-102): This ordinance appropriates $2,360,000 to fund the validation phase of the project including confirmation of scope, operational needs, site feasibility and environmental review, establishment of budget and schedule, and wetland mitigation for a total project budget of $21,158,524. Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-006) ESTABLISHING THE 32ND STREET PROPERTY ACQUISITION FUND AND ESTABLISHING AN INITIAL BUDGET FOR THE 32ND STREET PROPERTY ACQUISITION FUND (AB026-104): This ordinance establishes the 32nd Street Property Acquisition Fund with an initial budget of $8,700,000 to account for revenues and expenditures related to the acquisition of the property and tenant improvements necessary to make it operational. Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-009) AMENDING THE 2026 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 3, IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,123,065 (AB2026-110): This ordinance amends the 2026 Whatcom County Budget as follows: From the General Fund: appropriate $16,000 in Parks & Recreation to fund procurement and implementation of a modernized reservation and sale software; appropriate $94,107 in Non-Departmental to fund 911 emergency services using grant fund. From the Countywide EMS Tax Fund: appropriate $11,000 in Non-Departmental to fund EMS equipment for WCFD 7 Captain. From the Convention Center Fund: appropriate $1,500 in Parks & Recreation to fund cleaning and maintenance of Glacier restroom facility using LTAC funds; appropriate $475,750 in Non-Departmental to fund the Glacier Restroom Improvement Project (companion to supplemental #5316). From the Conservation Futures Fund: appropriate $100,000 in Public Works to fund demolition of structures on Acme Floodplain; appropriate $665,402 in Public Works to fund development of Stewart Mountain Community Forest using grant funds. From the Parks Special Revenue Fund: appropriate $118,000 in Parks & Recreation to fund repairs to Nesset Farm Caretaker residence, using donation from the Nesset Foundation; appropriate $30,674 in Parks & Recreation to fund South Fork Park – Nesset Trail connection using donation from the Nesset Foundation; appropriate $584,000 in Parks & Recreation to fund Carrasco – Nesset trail connection using grant funds, donations, and REET II funding. From the Real Estate Excise Tax II Fund: appropriate $13,540 in Parks & Recreation to fund design and engineering for backup generation at Van Zandt Community Hall; appropriate $113,092 in Non-Departmental to fund Parks Special Revenue Fund (companion to supplemental #5327); appropriate $900,000 in Non-Departmental to fund purchase and tenant improvements to 333 32nd St (companion to supplemental #5327). From the Public Utilities Improvement Fund: appropriate $1,000,000 in Non-Departmental to fund purchase and tenant improvements to 333 32nd St (companion to supplemental #5327). From the Capital Facilities Reserve Fund: appropriate $3,000,000 in Non-Departmental to fund purchase and tenant improvements to 333 32nd St (companion to supplemental #5327). Ordinance introduced January 27, 2026. ACTION PROPOSED (INTRODUCED) The Whatcom County Council will consider adopting and may amend the following at its 6 p.m. meeting on February 24, 2026, or at a later date: ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE STRAWBERRY POINT/LAKE WHATCOM BOULEVARD STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, REQUEST NO. 1 (AB2026-114): This ordinance establishes a new Strawberry Point/Lake Whatcom Boulevard Improvements Project Fund with an initial project budget of $335,000 to account for the revenues and expenditures associated with the installation of water quality treatment facilities to remove sediment and phosphorus from stormwater runoff entering Lake Whatcom. Ordinance introduced February 10, 2026. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE COURTHOUSE BUILDING ENVELOPE FUND, REQUEST NO. 7 (AB2026-134): This ordinance appropriates $2,051,898 to fund the next phase of repairs to protect the Courthouse from water intrusion, which includes the design and construction of block 2 and block 3 roof sections, for an amended total project budget of $19,096,705. Ordinance introduced February 10, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE FERNDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS FUND AND ESTABLISHING AN INITIAL BUDGET FOR THE FERNDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS FUND (AB2026-143): This ordinance establishes the Ferndale Senior Activity Center Improvements Fund with an initial budget for $200,000 to account for revenues and expenditures related to needed improvements of the Ferndale Senior Activity Center, including building assessments for siding, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Ordinance introduced February 10, 2026. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 4, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,804,963 (AB2026-145): This ordinance amends the 2026 Whatcom County Budget as follows: From the General Fund: appropriate $140,182 in Sheriff to fund Rapid DNA machine using grant funds; appropriate $9,600 in Sheriff to fund officer wellness program using grant funds; appropriate $160,875 in Sheriff to fund Operation Stonegarden using grant funds. From the Conservation Futures Fund: appropriate $314,000 in Planning & Development Services to cover completion of agricultural and forestry conservation easement on Jacoy property using partial grant funding. From the Road Fund: appropriate $4,050 in Public Works to fund moving the ferry spring lines as part of dolphin preservation (companion to supplemental #5341); appropriate $2,711 in Public Works to fund ferry insurance increase (companion to supplemental #5359). From the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Fund: appropriate $540,000 in Public Works to fund Austin Court stormwater improvements (companion to supplemental #5335); appropriate $335,000 in Public Works to fund Strawberry Point stormwater improvements (companion to #5359). From the Real Estate Excise Tax II Fund: appropriate $11,000 in Non-Departmental to fund permitting, inspections, and engineering for a roof replacement at Maple Falls Park. From the Real Estate Excise Tax I Fund: appropriate $55,620 in AS-Facilities to fund completion of tenant improvements in Prosecuting Attorney's office; appropriate $16,900 in AS-Facilities to fund completion of remodel in Assessor's office; appropriate $200,000 in Non-Departmental to fund repairs to Ferndale Senior Activity Center (companion to supplemental #5354). From the Ferry System Fund: appropriate $9,000 in Public Works to fund moving the ferry spring lines as part of dolphin preservation (companion to #5342); appropriate $6,025 in Public Works to fund ferry insurance increase (companion to #5344). Ordinance introduced February 10, 2026. Public documents are available for review weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Council Office, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 105, Bellingham, and at whatcomcounty.us/council. View meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, videos, documents and archives at whatcom.legistar.com. The Council is currently holding hybrid meetings, which can be attended either in person or remotely. Full Council meetings begin at 6 p.m. (unless otherwise announced) in the Council Chambers at 311 Grand Avenue. Instructions for remote participation can be found at www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil or by contacting the Council Office at 360-778-5010. The Council Chambers is handicapped accessible. People with special needs who will be attending Council meetings are asked to contact the Council Office (360-778-5010) at least 96 hours in advance.