Whatcom County

The meeting addressed several key areas including public comments concerning local food system engagement, mobile markets accepting FMNP and WIC, and the introduction of new personnel. Officer elections resulted in the appointment of Rhys and Trevor as Co-Chairs, and Noelle as Secretary. The committee decided to continue meeting on the third Tuesday of the month and agreed that draft minutes may be posted publicly with a DRAFT watermark prior to formal approval. Updates were provided regarding the 2025 Comprehensive Plan status. Discussions also centered on the Farmworker Tribunal, legislative agenda items like SB 6045, and the collective endorsement of a letter of support to Councilmembers regarding the Resolution Affirming Dignity and Civil Rights, emphasizing the link to food access. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the new Implementation Tracker created by the Whatcom Food Network and raised concerns regarding the status and ownership of the Food System Dashboard, necessitating follow-up with relevant personnel.

The meeting agenda included several key items for discussion, such as a land acknowledgment and public comment. Significant time was dedicated to reports from the Health Officer and the Health and Community Services Director, including updates on Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) funding and potential state-level cuts. The board also reviewed subcommittee structures, including connection to the Vital Conditions Framework, new member orientation, and preparation for the April meeting. Further discussion covered the 2026 Workplan, subcommittee formation, and calls for future agenda items. Supporting materials referenced previous actions by the Whatcom County Council regarding flood relief assistance using Healthy Children's Fund dollars and requests to state officials concerning stalled FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds.

Key discussions during the business meeting included the acceptance of the agenda and previous minutes. The March 2026 meeting location was changed. Updates covered County Council business, including the Comprehensive Plan challenges and discussion surrounding a potential Ferry Tax District. The Ferry Master provided updates on the upcoming dry dock schedule, including specific dates for service interruptions and the location for annual maintenance. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of county-provided island van service during drydock, and plans to restrict long-term parking in the island lot were noted. The Public Works Director discussed financing goals, specifically adjusting variables for a levy proposal for a Ferry Taxing District, potential repayment issues from ferry pass exchange mistakes, and the anticipated 2025 Ferry Financial Statement availability. She also stressed that foregoing the Ferry Tax District could result in losing a $25 million RAISE grant for a new ferry. The Service Alternatives Planning Work Group requested monthly reports, noting critical concerns about sanitation and fuel supply during the extended outage. A guest speaker proposed exploring electric bus infrastructure as an alternative transportation solution. During open session, there were discussions concerning recent fare increases, projected budget surpluses, and the acceptance of a $3.5 million technicality payment related to the RAISE Grant consultants' fees. Further dialogue addressed the county's accounting practices, the possibility of reducing labor costs during drydock, and the need for clear delineation between county road fund funding and ferry operations.

The special meeting focused on finalizing recommendations for the 2026 Housing Project Applications, adhering to the August deadline for County Council presentation. Key discussions centered on the Bellingham Housing Authority's Unity Street Redevelopment Project and the Opportunity Council's Bellis Fair Senior Housing Phase 2 Project, both seeking EDI loan funding to leverage substantial external state and federal investments. Board members debated the appropriateness of using EDI funds for housing versus traditional economic development projects, specifically discussing the definition of "workforce housing" (AMI percentages) and the high unit costs associated with publicly funded affordable housing due to regulatory requirements and market factors. Technical aspects of capital stacking, loan repayment terms (specifically long-term deferrals requested by housing authorities), and the County Council's target allocations for EDI funds were reviewed. Ultimately, the motion to recommend funding for both projects failed, although a subsequent, separate motion to recommend funding for the Unity Street Project passed. The Board unanimously adopted a formal recommendation requesting that the County Council clarify the definition of workforce housing and prioritize future EDI funding for homeownership projects and those utilizing the 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

The meeting addressed the upcoming agenda, which included a presentation on the Trillium Community Forest and committee reports. Key discussions in the business section focused on the 2026 Work Plan. Members debated developing a comprehensive 'Lay of the Land' document, ultimately deciding to focus on building baseline information for county, federal, and small forest landowner acreage. This baseline data will be incorporated into the Forest Resilience Plan, with initial steps involving defining questions using GIS capacity, potentially with assistance from WCD staff and WWU students. Scheduling for a tour to the Sierra Pacific mill was also initiated.