WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN The Whatcom County Council adopted the following at its October 13, 2026 meeting: RESOLUTION (2026-049) GRANTING A TEMPORARY EASEMENT TO THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2026-681): This resolution grants a temporary easement to the State of Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for $16,900 for 21,695 square feet at 500 Colton Lane, Everson (Tax Parcel # 400431 010491 0000) for the purpose of staging, vegetation mitigation, and additional work area associated with a project to replace an existing damaged culvert with a 180-foot three span bridge on SR 544 west of the Nooksack River Bridge. The temporary easement will terminate on November 30, 2032. Resolution introduced September 29, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-051) AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 3.08.060, BIDS AND PROPOSALS REQUIRED, TO EXEMPT CONTRACTS FOR ANIMAL CONTROL AND ANIMAL SHELTERING SERVICES (AB2026-630): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code Section 3.08.060, Bids and Proposals Required, to exempt contracts for animal control and animal sheltering services from bid and proposal requirements. Ordinance introduced September 15, 2026. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES The Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing, consider adopting, and may amend the following at its 6 p.m. meeting on October 27, 2026 or at a later date: ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING STOP SIGNS WITHIN THE PLAT OF WHISPER LAKE DIVISION B AS WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.16.1725 (AB2026-706): This ordinance establishes stop signs within Section 31, Township 40 North, Range 1 East, W.M. for 1) northbound traffic on Basil Street at the intersection with Eddie Lane, 2) southbound traffic on Basil Street at the intersection with Cirque Street, 3) northbound traffic on Noel Street at the intersection with Cirque Street, 4) eastbound traffic on Noel Street at the intersection with SR-538/Blaine Road, 5) westbound traffic on Merlot Street at the intersection with Noel Street, 6) eastbound traffic on Merlot Street at the intersection with Cirque Street, 7) southbound traffic on Cirque Street at the intersection with Merlot Street, and 8) southbound traffic on Cirque Street at the intersection with Noel Street. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING NO PARKING ZONES WITHIN THE PLAT OF WHISPER LAKE DIVISION B AS WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.24.275 (AB2026-708): This ordinance establishes no parking zones at the following locations within Section 31, Township 40 North, Range 1 East, W.M.: 1) the west side and south side of Noel Street from Cirque Street to SR-548 Blaine Road, 2) the south side of Merlot Street from Noel Street to Cirque Street, 3) the north side and east side of Cirque Street from the dead end west of Basil Street to Noel Street, and 4) the west side and east side of Basil Street from Eddie Lane to Cirque Street. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SPEED LIMIT WITHIN THE PLAT OF WHISPER LAKE DIVISION B AS WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.04.030 (AB2026-710): This ordinance establishes a 25-mile per hour speed limit for all roads within the plat of Whisper Lake, Division B, Section 31, Township 40 North, Range 1 East W.M. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN COUNTY ROADS ON THE LUMMI PENINSULA AS ADDITIONS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODES 10.24.030 AND 10.24.050 (AB2026-712): This ordinance establishes speed limits as follows: 1) 25 MPH on all roads within the Plat of Fisherman's Cove, Section 34, Township 38 North, Range 1 East W.M., 2) 25 MPH on all roads within the Plat of Gooseberry Point, Section 34, Township 38 North, Range 1 East, W.M., 3) 25 MPH on all roads within the Plat of Gooseberry Point No. 2, except Lummi View Drive, from its southerly intersection with Mackenzie Road to 371 ft southerly, which shall be 35 MPH, Section 34, Township 38 North, Range 1 East, W.M. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING MAPLE LANE AS A ONE-WAY ROAD AS WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.08.030 (AB2026-714): This ordinance establishes Maple Lane as a southbound one-way road from Slater Road to Olympic Drive with the one-way sign located within Section 5, Township 38 North, Range 1 East, W.M. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A NO PARKING ZONE ON LAKE LOUISE ROAD AS WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.24.280 (AB2026-716): This ordinance establishes a no parking zone within Section 1, Township 37 North, Range 3 East, W.M. on the northeast side of Lake Louise Road from the intersection with Sudden Valley Gate 9 – Western Ln for 250 ft to the southeast. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING STOP SIGNS ON CEDAR LANE AT THE INTERSECTION WITH RAINBOW DRIVE AS WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.16.1730 (AB2026-718): This ordinance establishes stop signs within Section 29, Township 37 North, Range 4 East, W.M. for 1) eastbound traffic on Cedar Lane at the intersection with Rainbow Drive, and 2) westbound traffic on Cedar Lane at the intersection with Rainbow Drive. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE SIX-YEAR WATER RESOURCES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR 2027-2032 (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2026-723): This resolution adopts the Six-Year Water Resources Improvement Program for the years 2027 through 2032 pursuant to RCW 86.15.110. Resolution introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20.66 LIGHT IMPACT INDUSTRIAL (LII) DISTRICT WITHIN THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM'S URBAN GROWTH AREA ALONG GUIDE MERIDIAN CORRIDOR, AND 20.80.691 SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW RETAIL CANNABIS SALES IN CONFORMANCE WITH REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON 69.50.335 (AB2026-739): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code 20.66, Light Impact Industrial (LII) District, within the City of Bellingham's urban growth area (UGA) along the Guide Meridian corridor and amends Whatcom County Code 20.80.69, Supplementary Requirements, to allow retail cannabis sales in conformance with RCW 69.50.335. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20 (ZONING) AND TITLE 22 (LAND USE) (AB2026-747): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code Titles 20, Zoning, and 22, Land Use and Development, to resolve code inconsistencies, correct grammatical errors, clarify language, and modify or add minor policies, as identified by the Planning and Development Services Department. The eight amendments include changes to air monitoring stations, stormwater requirements, zoning definitions, permit application review timeframes, and code interpretation procedures. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ACTION PROPOSED (INTRODUCED) The Whatcom County Council will consider adopting and may amend the following at its 9 a.m. Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting on October 27, 2026 or at a later date: ORDINANCE CLOSING THE ACADEMY ROAD STORM WATER IMPROVEMENT FUND 3903 (AB2026-676): This ordinance closes the Academy Road Storm Water Improvement Fund 3903 and returns the remaining funds of $67,791 to the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Fund 1903. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE CLOSING THE GENEVA BIORETENTION PILOT PROJECT FUND 3916 (AB2026-729): This ordinance closes the Geneva Bioretention Pilot Project Fund 3916 and returns remaining funds of $61,554 to the Real Estate Excise Tax II Fund 3240 and $65,986 to the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Fund 1903. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE CLOSING THE SILVER BEACH CREEK STORMWATER FUND 3911 (AB2026-730): This ordinance closes the Silver Beach Creek Stormwater Fund 3911 and returns remaining funds of $151,977 to the Real Estate Excise Tax Fund II 3240 and $374,740 to the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Fund 1903. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE CLOSING THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING SPECIAL REVENUE FUND 1851 (AB2026-732): This ordinance closes the Low-Income Housing Special Revenue Fund 1851 and returns remaining funds of $460,631 to the Homeless Housing Fund 1852. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 14, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,874,733 (AB2026-734): This ordinance amends the 2026 Whatcom County Budget as follows: From the General Fund: appropriate $149,300 in Non-Departmental to fund supplemental 5524 Security Screening Contract with General Fund dollars; appropriate $51,154 in Sheriff to fund BLEA Instructor at CJTC Academy Center. From the Parks Special Revenue Fund: appropriate $5,000 in Parks & Recreation to fund the 2026 Regional Trails Summit in partnership with Recreation Northwest Trails Coalition. From the Affordable Housing Fund: appropriate $260,000 in Health to close fund 1851 Low Income Housing and move budget authority to fund 1852 Affordable Housing. From the Road Fund: appropriate $759,979 in Public Works to fund SBR 5525 Birch Bay/Lynden and Blaine Rd improvements with Road Fund dollars. From the Ferry Fare Capital Surcharge Fund: appropriate $300,000 in Public Works to fund SBR 5526 Lummi Island Ferry Replacement project from Fund 1904. From the Real Estate Tax II Fund: appropriate $200,000 in Public Works to fund SBR 5528 Lora Lane Drainage and Tide with REET II. From the Administrative Services Fund: appropriate $149,300 in Facilities Management to fund increases in the Courthouse Security Contract. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY REPLACEMENT AND SYSTEM MODERNIZATION FUND 3919, REQUEST NO. 2 (AB2026-735): This ordinance amends the project based budget for the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and System Modernization Fund 3919 by transferring in $300,000 in Ferry Capital Surcharge Funds – 1904 to support the completion of preliminary engineering, environmental and real estate work, and project bidding phases for a total amended project budget of $6,037,575. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2026 FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT AND SUBZONES BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 5, IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,380 (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2026-738): This resolution amends the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget as follows: record $64,280 in River & Flood for cost share revenue from the City of Lynden for the Hannegan Levee Repairs; appropriate $9,900 in Natural Resources for water quality awareness; record $0 in River & Flood for FEMA funded debris management site design for Goodwin Rd; and record $0 in BBWARM to eliminate Lora Lane budget authority for creation of project based budget for BBWARM for a net total effect of $54,380. Resolution introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE BIRCH BAY-LYNDEN RD AND BLAINE RD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS FUND 3912; COUNTY ROAD PROJECT #906001, REQUEST NO. 2 (AB2026-741): This ordinance amends the project-based budget for the Birch Bay-Lynden Rd and Blaine Rd Intersection Improvements Fund 3912 to add $2,954,570 in expenditure authority for a new project budget total of $3,754,570. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE LORA LANE DRAINAGE AND TIDE GATE MODIFICATIONS PROJECT FUND #S2BB23-06 (AB2026-743): This ordinance establishes a project based budget for the Lora Lane Drainage and Tide Gate Modifications Project with an initial project budget of $600,000 to account for the revenues and expenditures of the improvement project. Ordinance introduced October 13, 2026. The Whatcom County Council will consider adopting and may amend the following at its 6 p.m. meeting on October 27, 2026 or at a later date: ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 2.85.040 TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO WAIVE THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR INDIVIDUAL ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS AND APPLICANTS (AB2026-748): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code Section 2.85.040, Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board, to authorize the County Council to waive the residency requirement for individual advisory group members and applicants. Ordinance introduced October 13, 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.