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That's why I have you first.

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Mark, you were so kind to me earlier getting me set up. Thank you. I felt very

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Good evening, everyone.

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We're gonna go ahead and get started.

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I'd like to call to order this

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Walkham County Council meeting.

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Today is Tuesday, January 13th, 2026.

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It is now 6.02 p.m.

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and we are meeting in a hybrid format.

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If I could have the clerk, please call the roll.

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Elizabeth Boyle.

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Here.

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Barry Buchanan.

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Ben Ellenboss.

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Kaylee.

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Jessica Reenstra.

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Here.

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John Scanlon.

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Mark Stremler.

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Here.

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Let the record show all council members are present. Let us rise to the flag, Luke.

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Okay, next on our agenda, we have the county executive's report, Mr. Sidhu.

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Good evening, council. And what can county residents? First of all, I would like to welcome two

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new council members. Congratulations. And also congratulations to Kaylee and Barry for starting your

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next term as council members. My heart goes to hundreds of families and people who have

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been impacted by the recent floods. It's been devastating for many businesses which have

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been forced to shut down and they are struggling to reopen. I want to acknowledge how painful

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and difficult this experience has been for our community. I want to highlight and praise

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the efforts of the county and the agency staff, sheriff's office, department of emergency management,

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health department, finance department, all the volunteers, people, British petroleum,

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conco-phillips, who came together at the response and recovery. I think that shows the resiliency of

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our community that when disaster comes, we all get together to help our fellow citizens.

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At the same time, I want to acknowledge the work done by mayors of Nooksak, Averson and

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Sumas, and that within four years, they had two floods and their communities have been

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devastated and their own offices, like Everton City Hall, then flooded.

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Sumas was able to put some bags on them, a very creative way that they saved their city hall.

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But there were so many homes which were impacted.

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So I'm very thankful to the mayors for doing this.

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But at the same time, I just want to share with everybody that after this is on very many

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people's mind that there was a fraud in 2021, what have you done as a company? Yes, there's

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a lot of work that has been done. There was a presentation today earlier about that. We had

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a presentation done to our federal delegation. We had visits from Senator Cantville, Senator

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Barry Murray, Rick Larson, Governor, they all came, and we share with them that how much work we have done since then, and we have pretty good consensus on the solutions which are short-term solutions and long-term solutions.

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And the thing we have been asking the two things that we need help with.

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One is

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Permitting, which is a very long, arduous process, and second thing is money. And one comes in front of the other, doesn't matter, both are needed. And this is what we have emphasized with the governor, and we have been touched with their office of regulatory innovation, which Governor Forgusson has started some new department. And actually, the director first, we had a meeting, Zoom meeting,

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and then the director, their senior manager, was here in Everson, sitting down with the mayors

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and over public health, flood department people, creating a strategy, what how state can help,

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how, from the carbon ecology, from US Army Corps, other things that short-term solutions,

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which we can implement less than two years, how we can prepare for ourselves.

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The larger solutions are very expensive, just to give you an idea.

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They are $200, $300 million investments are needed and it may take more than two years.

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But we are committed and I have asked our public works to pursue those things and my office

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is to pursue with the federal and the state partners

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the how we can implement those.

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So that is something I wanted to share with everybody.

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And I know there are a lot of questions among people.

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And we have two members of parliament from Canada

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coming tomorrow to sum ass

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because our floods do impact them as well.

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And they are concerned about that how we have a,

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We have a transboundary flood initiative started two years ago so we are at much better communication than what was in 2021.

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We know the people names and positions on the other side and they know us.

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We know what our regulations are, who to call.

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very first day, the floods came. I was able to call Mayor of Abysford and had half an hour

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conversation with him so that they're pre-warned and they can prepare themselves and they know who

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to contact for anything. So we are hosting two members of parliament. We would like to listen to them.

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This is something which has to be handled at the federal level because it's between two nations.

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But we want to share what solutions we are proposing and what is their idea as to share with us.

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Well, thank you very much.

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Thank you, executives to do.

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Okay, next on our agenda is our minutes consent.

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Can I entertain a motion to approve?

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Would you approve?

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Okay, do I have a second?

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Second.

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I've got a motion by Scanlon and a second by Buchanan.

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Was there any discussion on this item?

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Can you see, then, can we do recall Elizabeth Boyle?

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Thank you.

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Can I approve them if I wasn't here as part of those meetings?

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Okay.

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Chris Quinn, Martin County Prosecutor's Office sitting in for Council's attorney and I missed

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too.

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Wayne, the answer to that question is yes, Council Member.

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Okay.

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Thank you.

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Yes.

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May I be Shannon?

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Yes.

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Ben Ellenboss?

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Yes.

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Kaley Galloway?

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Yes.

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Jessica Reinstra?

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Yes.

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John Scanlon?

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Yes.

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Mark Strunler?

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Yes.

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Yes.

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Hey, let the record show that carries 7-0.

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Next on our agenda, we have some public hearings, just two of them.

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Individuals will have an opportunity to speak to these particular items, specifically,

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if you wish to speak to something else, we'll have an opportunity during open session after

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that.

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We'll start with folks here in the room, and then folks who've registered online, we'll

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have three minutes with that.

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We'll read the first instance of the record is AB 2025-810, an ordinance adopting a

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amendments to Walkham County Code, Title 20, Zoning and Title 22, Land Use and Development.

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I do want to just give PDS the opportunity before we open public hearing.

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Was there anything you wished to say on this before we kick off our public hearing?

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Thank you very much.

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Good evening, Council.

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Lucas Clark with PDS in front of you tonight is the 2025 Walkham County Code Amendments.

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This is where staff review and advise Walkham County zoning code and other sections of

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county code to address issues identified in the administration of the cones.

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As discussed at council and committee, the substitute ordinance contains the changes directed by council.

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We thank you for your consideration.

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Thank you, August.

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Okay, we'll open our public key.

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We'll go ahead.

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Yes.

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We know whatever.

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in front of you.

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I thought we held this one for more work specifically around Wells on cluster houses. I thought our specific action was to not move forward that until we address that. My recollection was that we had removed that section and we had removed maybe one on surface mining and we decided to proceed with the other amendments that weren't controversial. But maybe Lucas said that.

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Still says it in here is am I looking at not the correct version are you looking at the substitute ordinance?

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Okay, there it is

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Carry on

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Thank you. That was a good question. Okay

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Staff I don't have a sheet for

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The public hearing was there another one back there

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Okay, give us just a second here

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But if you know your names on that list if you were on the first one

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I can have you get started, but I don't know if there was anybody on the list

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Yes. Okay. Seeing no one registered in person, you do please approach. We'll have you come here totally

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understand. So yeah, come to the center podium him. Just adjust the microphone so it's we can hear you. And you'll have three minutes. Thank you.

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My name is Brian Gas. I live here in Bellingham. I wanted to speak to the council today on a couple of things. The first is going to be.

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I know you bring in the zoning, I assume that the zoning changes is coming through the comprehensive plan.

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Is that correct? That's what we're talking about today for the zoning is the changes that need to be made for moving forward.

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My comment is that one of the concerns that happens in Washington, I've been here since 1979,

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and what I've kind of come to believe and understood that the clock isn't running, so do I get to keep talking?

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Thank you, thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Honestly.

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So, I know land use isn't, and land use isn't as sexy as saying, you know, affordable housing.

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And, and one of the problems that government doesn't really acknowledge is their role in the cost of our housing and the affordability.

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And that role is that it starts from the GMA that was really developed in the 90s to

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keep the Californians from moving here, but I got in before it happened.

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So and what's going on now is I think it's gone amuck.

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And what I've kind of come to realize is Washington's scene is ridiculously expensive, not because

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there isn't any land.

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In fact, the GMA sets aside less than 4% of Washington state's land for urban growth.

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So, what is it? Well, it's control for the properties and essentially being able to control this brawl, but what I wanted to talk about is, you can't discount coming here on this comp plan and saying that there isn't land or you don't want to grow your UGA's, all this could do is sacrificing the futures of any next generations.

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And I want everybody here who's in charge of this to say to themselves, I don't want

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future generations to have a lower standard of living or a lower financial outcome because

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of decisions you're making as part of the planning group, especially for belling in.

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Now with that being said, I want everybody to realize that when it comes to the zonings

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and the changes, I really would appreciate if there would be a little more consideration

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consideration to the cost of what everything is being laid on, everybody.

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And in Washington State, there's all kinds of studies, probably 200 of them, that says

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that our land use restrictions counts for probably 40 to 60 percent of the cost of land.

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It's like a shadow tax.

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And with that, every single thing that gets built on top of that, like poison ground, you

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know, poison dirt, every single thing that gets built on there is more expensive.

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If you have average lot sizes of $250,000, $300,000, there ain't nothing getting built that's affordable.

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Until we start expanding the land and being able to do a well-fought-out expansion,

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you cannot have Billingham's growth plan, ironically squeezing the city size 1200 acres,

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and then saying that walk in county doesn't need to expand to blame where they have a lot of

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properties to be able to be built for inexpensive, and then say that you don't need to expand

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because you've got enough properties.

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So I wanted to start taking you to really take a hard look.

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At the restrictions that are getting put on, which causes everything to be more expensive, you talk about permitting, that's a nightmare, that makes everything add on, and we end up where nobody's been able to live here. Thank you for your comments, your time is up. Thank you, was anybody else in chambers who wish to speak on this item? Okay. Seeing none, can we go ahead and go to our online registrants?

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There are none. Okay, we'll go ahead and close the public hearing on this.

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What is the will of council?

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I will entertain a motion to approve AB 2025 810 ordinance adopting amendments to walk and kind of go title 20 zoning and title 22 land use into element.

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I'll second it.

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Okay.

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They moved.

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Okay.

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We've got a boil has moved them.

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I'll cancel.

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I'll second.

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Okay.

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Thank you.

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Feel like maybe dinner late on us a little heavy.

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Okay.

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Discussion on this discussion on this item. Councilmember Scanlon?

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Yes, I do have an item here. So, thank you for the comment. You know, one of the things

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that came through this past year that the voters of Lockham County voted on and our charter

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review commission put on the ballot was that anytime land use zoning items come to us, there

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There has to be a cost analysis, so that's actually in our packet, not sure if folks have

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had a chance to see that, but there is a memo that came into us on that and it does address

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some of the costs.

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This is something, I'll think the executive and the planning department for this, they

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started doing this before the votes had even been certified just to get ahead of things.

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So we do have some of that information in here about the impact of these specific changes on costs.

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So take a look at that for anyone who's interested.

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And then there are some items, this Councilor Ellenboss pointed out earlier that we remove for further discussion that potentially do have greater impact on costs and access to housing that will continue to work on.

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Thank you.

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Great.

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Thank you.

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Further discussion?

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Seeing none.

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Can we do a roll call?

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Mary Buchanan.

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Yes.

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Ben Allen-Boss.

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No.

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Kaley Galloway.

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Yes.

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Jessica Reinstra.

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Yes.

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John Scanlon.

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Yes.

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Mark Stremler.

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No.

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Elizabeth Boyle.

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Yes.

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Okay.

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That motion carries five to two.

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Okay.

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The next item for public hearing is AB 2025-814.

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It's a resolution authorizing the sale of personal property pursuant to walk in county code

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one point one zero. Procedures for management and disposition of county owned personal and real property.

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I did have a couple people signed up. Just want to double check you meant to sign up for the public hearing and not open session.

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I had sent the AU signed up. Did you wish to speak on this or during open session?

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Okay, perfect. And then Sherman, did you wish to speak on this or during open session?

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Sherman Polinder?

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Open session. Okay, I will move you both, move you both older to our open session.

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Was there anybody else in the room who was to speak on this item?

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Seeing none, did we have any online registrants?

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We do not.

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Seeing none, we'll go ahead and close the public hearing.

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I would like to entertain a motion to approve AB 2025-814, a resolution authorizing the

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sale of personal property, pursuant to Wacom County Code 1.10, procedures for management

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and disposition of county, own personal and real property.

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Who's approved?

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No second.

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Second.

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I've got a motion by Scanlan, a second by Boral, any further discussion on this item?

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Seeing

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none, can we do Rukall, Ben Ellenboss?

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Yes.

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Kelly Galloway?

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Yes.

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Jessica Reinstra?

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Yes.

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John Scanlon?

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Yes.

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Mark Strumler?

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Elizabeth Boyle?

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Yes.

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Barry Buchanan?

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Okay, let the marker show that carries seven to zero.

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Okay.

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Now we move into our open session.

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This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the council on any matter within the council's general jurisdiction.

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Before we begin, I want to review a few guidelines to ensure this open session is

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fair and respectful to everyone. We will start with folks here in Chambers who have signed

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up to speak. Then we will go to our online registrants. All speakers will have three minutes.

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We ask that you please respect this and conclude your remarks on time.

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Comments must be directed to the Council's hole not to individual members or staff.

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Personal attacks will go our threatening language or behavior that disrupts the meeting will not be allowed.

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we ask that you

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Please keep comments relevant to matters within the Council's authority or responsibilities. We request that you refrain from using our public facilities for any campaign purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures. Please also refrain from engaging us in export, take communications around matters before Council, acting in a quasi judicial rule. Please be respectful. You may hear opinions different than your own, and that is okay. We ask that you please refrain from any cheering, booing, or any other disruptive behaviors that go against our rules of decorum. If we sense your remarks or in violation of our Council,

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general rules for meetings, I will give a warning and ask that you please pivot your remarks.

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Continuing violations may result in a loss of speaking privileges or in extreme cases removal from the meeting.

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We do this to protect everyone's right to be heard.

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Finally, please note, this is a public comment period.

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While the council will not be engaging in dialogue, we are actively listening.

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Thank you for respecting these guidelines and with that, I will go ahead and get us started.

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I will call three names at a time and ask that you please start to make your way to the center podium.

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Please be sure to adjust the microphone as needed so that both in-person and online participants can hear you.

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With that, I will go ahead and start with our two who signed up for the public hearing on accident.

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We'll go with Cynthia, we'll start with you, and then Sherman, we'll go with you next, and then Eileen McCracken.

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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and I thank you. It really wasn't an accident. I followed a direction.

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Anyway, and I'm not here by accident tonight.

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I'm actually here for my friend, Judy.

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Judy lives in Sue Mass.

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And it was amazing when I walked in the door.

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I didn't know anybody else was coming from Sue Mass.

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And here we all are.

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So I do say good evening to you

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and I say good evening to you over there.

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I thank you all.

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I'm gonna start with a thank you

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for those that have come to our VFW

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and American Legion services that we have

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and most notably have chosen to pledge allegiance to our flag and spoken.

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So I just want to thank everybody for that and although you said there was no public comment,

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I did pray for you all that you would release that $750,000 set pause so that we can get started

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on something for hope for the people of that area that have been flooded.

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You know, I got this magazine and it's actually the calendar and it said it's a lot of horses, but it says if we see cruelty or

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wrong and have the power to stop it and we do nothing, we share in the guilt and neglect. And as a nurse for 55 years,

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a registered nurse and a teacher, I have had times in my life that I wish I was on one side of the haul instead of the

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other, because I had that guilt. So I guess for me people, I'm Sue Mass, I'm hoping when I looked at this, and this is about

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rescue horses. I love horses. I have a rodeo queen in my family, and they barrel

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rice in everything. So I love horses, but it also says, this is about horses.

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To create happiness, we need to remove all misery. I have been over to Sumas and

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Everton. I've seen valiant people through, you know, the Wacom recovery grow. I've

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seen people in mud and everything else going into the little cafe. There are

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Nobody cares, people are giving money.

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But for duty, it's time to do something.

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As a nurse, we have soap notes.

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We see a problem, we assess it,

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and then we make a plan to do something.

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So for the county executive,

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I don't know much about managing a river,

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but I knew no, we have brilliant minds

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because I've taught school in America with engineers.

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So how to mitigate that river, that's up to you.

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But you could start with getting some of that gravel,

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I'm not gonna say George,

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getting some of the gravel things out,

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widen the river, deepen the river,

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but do something because my heart's broken.

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I'm thankful as a nurse, I'm just gonna tell you all,

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that Nolan was hurt.

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I had an incident with my husband this afternoon

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who he would have had to take his skill with him

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and his congestive heart failure meds.

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I was trying to take to his meds all day.

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So before somebody gets hurt,

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please do a something, I have the information for you.

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I'm thanking you all for, I believe you sincerely,

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that you all have consciences that are not seared but this time will get involved and do an action plan and something and support these 480 people that had to be displaced and had to find out some place to go. Thanks a lot.

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You can have a horse calendar too.

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Thank you.

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Yes.

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Thank you all.

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Okay, I can I'll honor that so after Mr. Mayor speaks I'll call you back up Sherman. Okay, I lean

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Thank you. My name is Eileen McCracken, and I'm the current president of the League of Women Voters of Bellingham in Wachem County. The league has been active in Wachem County since 1956, working towards our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. And we believe that you share these values with us. I am here today to speak in favor of proposed resolution AB 2026-049, resolution of firming the dignity and civil and human rights of all Wachem County residents.

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regardless of immigration or citizenship status, which is slated to come before you this evening.

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Wacom County must strive to cultivate a community where all individuals have equal protection

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and are provided due process under the law and are safe to pursue their personal educational

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and economic goals without fear of harassment, intimidation, injury or death.

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Current ICE activity across the nation and here locally has been a source of anxiety, concern

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and real harm to many of our community members.

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Our local league encourages you to ensure that all,

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that the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment and promises of due process are upheld

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by exhausting all legal resources available to you.

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We recommend implementation of the Wacom Racial Equity Commission's action guide

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on immigration, including Wacom County to respond swiftly and take all necessary legal actions

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if ICE is engaging in actions that are indirect harm to the community and or go against the law.

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Ensuring democratic processes are followed must be the highest priority.

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Approved and enact laws that require ICE officers to identify themselves.

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This is being proposed at the state level, but we cannot afford to wait on this with no guarantee of it's passing there.

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Repeal any policies and practices that harm immigration populations.

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and share recommendations from the Keep Washington Working Act

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work group with the community and with community partners

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and organizations.

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Hatred violence and fear mongering have no place

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in Wacom County.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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00:27:10,150 --> 00:27:12,030
OK, next we're going to have Wendy.

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And I'm sorry, Wendy, I'm going to butcher your last name

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here, Court Monch.

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Miranda Leon Jones and Jim Shaver.

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And please pronounce your last name

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And so I can remember for next time.

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00:27:26,780 --> 00:27:34,780
I'm Wendy Kudemash, and I live in Bellingham, and I'm also here in support of the resolution

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affirming the dignity and civil and human rights of all Wacom County residents, regardless

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of immigration or citizenship status.

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I feel compelled to be present here because the community members most impacted by the issues

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address in this resolution cannot be here due to fear and their risk of being targeted

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by immigration enforcement. Data has shown that the majority of individuals being detained

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by immigration agents do not have criminal records or current criminal charges. Instead

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they are our neighbors, they are fellow workers, students, business owners, individuals going

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about their lives on their way to worker school, who are being racially profiled and detained

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by unidentified massed agents and unmarked cars.

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ICE is also waiting outside local courts and defiance of Washington State law.

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An increased number of US citizens around the country, including peaceful observers exercising

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00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:44,820
their legal rights, are being assaulted, detained, and now killed by what amounts to a secret

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police force unleashed in our towns and cities. Our immigrant community locally is not immune to all

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00:28:52,580 --> 00:28:59,040
of this and is experiencing great fear and anxiety that a spouse, child, or parent won't come

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home and they won't even know where their loved one has been taken and this has happened. We are

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asking for leadership from our county government to address this assault on the democratically

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protected rights of all of us.

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In addition to approving this resolution, I ask that the county initiate a Keep Washington Working Act workgroup similar to the city of Bellingham's to evaluate and address compliance with state law.

383
00:29:28,620 --> 00:29:29,460
Thank you.

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00:29:44,830 --> 00:29:52,590
I've been a citizen of this county since 2016. I live in Bellingham, and I'm here to

385
00:29:52,590 --> 00:29:59,730
just read personal comment. I wanted to offer support for AB 2026-049.

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00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,980
I support this resolution. As members of our community are being targeted and persecuted, as Eileen and Wendy have recently mentioned, I support their comments. And also I wanted to add that persecution on the basis of someone's assumed immigration status or their skin, what language they speak, what car they drive, what kind of work they do is unconscionable. And I'm proud to be part of a community that cares about these folks.

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I witness First-Hand Attangible Harm.

388
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This is sowing among the people of our community that are hard-working, honorable,

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and trying to take care of their families as members of our community.

390
00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:45,000
The activities that I've witnessed on this property are very disturbing and

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unconscionable, and what we need now is to protect the immigrant community more than just words.

392
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But this is an important first step to demonstrate Wachem County's commitment to equity.

393
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I also want to support the resolutions inclusion of the action guide presented by the Walkham Racial Equity Commission.

394
00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:07,420
Thank you.

395
00:31:15,230 --> 00:31:16,410
My name is Jim Shaver.

396
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I live in an unincorporated Walkham County and at Birch Point.

397
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I'm here to speak in favor of the resolution tonight.

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I myself am an immigrant and a naturalized citizen.

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I am also married to an immigrant and a naturalized citizen.

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I do not think it is appropriate for people like me to be dragged through the streets.

401
00:31:38,790 --> 00:31:43,710
I do not think the founders imagined that police should be going door to door looking

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to arrest people.

403
00:31:45,310 --> 00:31:50,930
I also do not think it is good for a free society to have a policy of comply or die.

404
00:31:52,250 --> 00:31:53,470
So that is how I feel about that.

405
00:31:54,050 --> 00:31:56,590
In addition, I also want to speak about permitting tonight.

406
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I do live in the county, so when I apply for permits, I do apply with Wacom County.

407
00:32:02,430 --> 00:32:06,490
I've been through this process twice in the five years that I've lived here once with

408
00:32:06,490 --> 00:32:07,210
a contractor.

409
00:32:07,570 --> 00:32:11,490
I had some roof drains ripped out of my hill by a landslide.

410
00:32:12,170 --> 00:32:14,930
That permit took eight months to approve.

411
00:32:15,590 --> 00:32:20,050
Nine people were involved, and I parties were involved including the state, a plant biologist,

412
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and my lawyer because the county wanted me to put a conservation easement on my one acre

413
00:32:25,350 --> 00:32:26,790
property and I found that unacceptable.

414
00:32:27,990 --> 00:32:29,910
So I think that was overkill.

415
00:32:29,910 --> 00:32:39,050
I recently decided to replace my hot water heater. I again googled and saw that I needed to get a permit from Hawking County. I applied for the permit.

416
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I was told by a county staff that I needed an owner contractor for motorized by someone and then submitted.

417
00:32:48,830 --> 00:32:50,730
Again, I feel like that is overkill.

418
00:32:51,450 --> 00:33:00,310
I should not have to go to town in order to replace my hot water heater. I think that's the type of thing that should be as close to a river stamp in the permitting process as possible.

419
00:33:02,670 --> 00:33:06,330
This type of form should be a check box that you fill out when you apply for the permit.

420
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Not only is the waste of my time, it's the waste of county staff's time when they could be doing something else in the permitting department.

421
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I'd increase the cost of housing because people decide to go with a contract or instead

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of doing the work themselves when they can, if they can survive the permitting process.

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00:33:25,390 --> 00:33:27,770
And we also, I believe in permits.

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I believe they're a public good.

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I think my neighbor deserves to know that I had all the work at my house permitted.

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And we cannot make the process so high friction that people learn the lesson and say, next

427
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time I'm not going to apply for a permit.

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So thank you for your time.

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00:33:43,950 --> 00:33:50,970
Thank you, Jim. Okay, next we've got Jesse Klassen, John Westerfield, and Mayor Bruce Bosch.

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00:33:56,840 --> 00:34:01,480
Good evening, members of the council. My name is Jesse Klassen, I've lived in SEMA's

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00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:08,040
my entire life. It's a great small town where I've lived and raised my family and built

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00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:14,000
long-lasting relationships, but over the past five years our town has faced challenges that's

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00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:20,460
tearing up the heart of our community. The flooding. My own home is flooded three times and just five

434
00:34:20,460 --> 00:34:25,800
years. Each time we weren't dealing with a little bit of water, we had four inches to four feet

435
00:34:28,320 --> 00:34:32,140
in our home. Imagine walking into your living room and seeing your furniture floating.

436
00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:34,940
Your wall

437
00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:40,760
soaked, everything you've worked for destroyed. We've had a rip out floors, replaced drywall,

438
00:34:45,300 --> 00:34:50,920
It's not just water damage, it's losing a piece of your, pieces of your life.

439
00:34:51,920 --> 00:34:52,900
I'm not alone.

440
00:34:53,460 --> 00:34:55,040
Families, businesses, neighbors.

441
00:34:55,680 --> 00:34:57,880
Cross-tune as they're living with this reality.

442
00:34:58,920 --> 00:34:59,840
Every flood means

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Lost homes, lost income, lost peace of mind. The emotional toll is heavy, and the financial burden is crushing. People are questioning whether they can stay here, businesses struggling to recover. And every time the rain comes, we wonder, will this happen again? We need solutions, we need strong infrastructure, better flood management. I'm asking you to prioritize this issue.

444
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not next year, not long-term, but now because every delay means another

445
00:35:37,340 --> 00:35:44,740
family displaced, another business closed, and another piece of our community

446
00:35:44,740 --> 00:35:51,700
washed away. As soon as we're fighting for, let's work together to protect it.

447
00:35:52,340 --> 00:35:52,620
Thank you.

448
00:36:13,750 --> 00:36:16,730
Good evening, councilmembers. I'm slow but I'm going to keep coming as

449
00:36:16,730 --> 00:36:17,890
as long as I can crawl down here,

450
00:36:18,610 --> 00:36:20,010
and you'll have to put up with me.

451
00:36:21,470 --> 00:36:22,830
The first thing I'm gonna talk about,

452
00:36:22,850 --> 00:36:23,850
I've talked about before,

453
00:36:24,310 --> 00:36:26,510
but I'm trying to pretend that this is an all new council

454
00:36:26,510 --> 00:36:28,070
and you all need to hear it for the first time.

455
00:36:29,010 --> 00:36:31,310
This is supposed to be a non-partisan body,

456
00:36:31,510 --> 00:36:33,710
but obviously there's not, never has been.

457
00:36:34,990 --> 00:36:38,010
Last year, I counted votes, the year before I counted votes,

458
00:36:38,450 --> 00:36:40,270
and on basic housekeeping things,

459
00:36:40,470 --> 00:36:42,110
it was always seven to zero, no problem.

460
00:36:43,090 --> 00:36:44,330
Occasionally it was six to one

461
00:36:44,330 --> 00:36:48,770
because of Councilman Elimbaz and we thought there would be more accountability for where

462
00:36:48,770 --> 00:36:53,390
the money goes, and I hadn't to agree with him, that everything else was 4 to 3, 4 to 3,

463
00:36:53,430 --> 00:37:01,310
4 to 3. And tonight it was 5 to 2. Is it completely impossible that somebody from the other party might

464
00:37:01,310 --> 00:37:05,490
have had a good idea once in a while? Is it completely impossible that you could set aside your party

465
00:37:05,490 --> 00:37:10,710
affiliations and vote for what's right and what's good for these people out here? I wish you could do

466
00:37:10,710 --> 00:37:15,390
that. Secondly, I want to speak in support of my friends and neighbors in the Northern

467
00:37:15,390 --> 00:37:20,870
part of the county and I'm going to suggest that them do not be the world, do not be surprised,

468
00:37:21,150 --> 00:37:27,110
excuse me, do not be satisfied with anything you've heard here tonight. You people need to come

469
00:37:27,110 --> 00:37:33,330
here every single meeting, you need to pack this house every single time you can, bring as many

470
00:37:33,330 --> 00:37:38,370
people as you can, bring as much evidence as you can, bring as much pressure as you can to make

471
00:37:38,370 --> 00:37:42,310
things happen. You should not have had to live through this four times in five years.

472
00:37:42,630 --> 00:37:43,010
Thank you.

473
00:37:51,260 --> 00:37:53,920
Hello, everybody. Can you hear me?

474
00:37:56,570 --> 00:37:56,830
Executive.

475
00:37:59,400 --> 00:38:02,580
So you guys got my letter. I'm assuming most of you.

476
00:38:04,300 --> 00:38:11,480
And I just want to say I am not here to point fingers. I'm not here to labeling. There are

477
00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:17,660
many reasons why we are here today where we are. Sue Mass I'm talking about. Okay. The point

478
00:38:17,660 --> 00:38:21,340
One of my letters to you was to show you how wrong the situation is.

479
00:38:23,740 --> 00:38:33,900
Sumas is receiving the brunt of a non-collaborated, non-agreed upon, years of changes to the design

480
00:38:33,900 --> 00:38:35,560
and the maintenance of the river.

481
00:38:39,160 --> 00:38:44,380
I delivered you facts, and these facts need to be addressed.

482
00:38:44,380 --> 00:38:53,780
I mean, I'm here to appeal to you as elected to do whatever you can in your power to resolve

483
00:38:53,780 --> 00:38:59,600
the situation, to realize that the wrong of this and then that it needs to be corrected.

484
00:39:01,240 --> 00:39:09,940
I'm aware, just like myself, that you're limited on what you can do, there are agencies to deal

485
00:39:09,940 --> 00:39:18,640
with regulatory hurdles, Sarah Sarah. I'm also aware that the last few weeks like the executive

486
00:39:18,640 --> 00:39:25,260
spoke about, there's been a lot of momentum in the right direction, that a momentum has begun

487
00:39:25,260 --> 00:39:32,920
to move forward to take care of this problem, but we're still in the talk stage. I've been there

488
00:39:33,580 --> 00:39:37,060
for four years now and for talk

489
00:39:37,060 --> 00:39:39,140
stage. We don't know what the

490
00:39:39,140 --> 00:39:42,200
outcome's going to be but we need

491
00:39:42,200 --> 00:39:46,060
you to keep pushing. I'm asking

492
00:39:46,060 --> 00:39:50,940
for you to keep the zeal to keep

493
00:39:50,940 --> 00:39:52,240
things moving forward.

494
00:39:54,420 --> 00:39:55,060
Don't set

495
00:39:55,060 --> 00:39:56,700
aside and say well for another day

496
00:39:56,700 --> 00:39:57,680
we're going to take care of this.

497
00:39:58,260 --> 00:39:59,480
It needs to be taken care of now.

498
00:40:00,140 --> 00:40:21,240
We got people here that are suffering, that there's no hope for them in their minds. There is, I believe in hope, that's what the blue represents. And that as Mr. Sadoo has said in many meetings in the past about other subjects, inaction is an action upon itself.

499
00:40:26,620 --> 00:40:35,920
Most of us have heard about the term you fight fire with fire. We need to fight flood with flood.

500
00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:45,280
a flood of voices, a flood of movement, a flood of action.

501
00:40:46,720 --> 00:40:53,720
Not just from Sue Mass, not just from Erison, not just from Nooksac or the tribes, or I mean

502
00:40:53,720 --> 00:40:54,760
the community as a whole.

503
00:40:54,960 --> 00:40:55,460
Can I keep going?

504
00:40:55,820 --> 00:40:56,900
I just got a little bit more to go.

505
00:40:58,970 --> 00:40:59,370
Okay.

506
00:40:59,570 --> 00:41:00,570
Like when I said pretty quick.

507
00:41:01,610 --> 00:41:04,630
They're only because you're Mr. Mayor going how to get any ideas.

508
00:41:04,630 --> 00:41:09,170
Okay, so as I say, not just from Sue Mass,

509
00:41:09,310 --> 00:41:10,690
Anderson, Nooksack, or the tribes,

510
00:41:11,650 --> 00:41:14,350
the people of the, it used to come from the community as a whole.

511
00:41:15,610 --> 00:41:19,290
The people of this community that we call Wattcom County,

512
00:41:21,260 --> 00:41:22,940
that we all call home,

513
00:41:26,300 --> 00:41:29,120
they used to become a flood, not out of desperation,

514
00:41:30,020 --> 00:41:36,400
or anger, but to cause the right things to happen now and in the future.

515
00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:46,580
Now, when a raindrop falls from this guy, there's one drop of moisture, and by itself

516
00:41:46,580 --> 00:41:58,760
it's harmless and ineffective, but many raindrops, when combined, becomes a force to be reckoned

517
00:41:58,760 --> 00:41:59,080
with.

518
00:42:01,180 --> 00:42:02,440
A flood for instance.

519
00:42:04,830 --> 00:42:14,080
These people and I are a few of the rain drops. And I'm asking you

520
00:42:15,120 --> 00:42:22,880
to join us and become the flood to solve this problem. All right, thank you.

521
00:42:23,240 --> 00:42:29,180
Thank you, Mayor. Okay, I promise Sherman you're next. After Sherman, I've got

522
00:42:29,180 --> 00:42:33,480
Sarah Bosch, Samantha Doring, and Gina Bosch.

523
00:42:34,900 --> 00:42:37,760
My name is Sherman Polander, and I live on the Polander Road.

524
00:42:38,740 --> 00:42:45,100
I've lived there 81 years, and I've lived through floods for 80 years.

525
00:42:45,660 --> 00:42:46,720
So I've seen a lot of water.

526
00:42:48,080 --> 00:42:53,080
And I would concur with the mayor of Sumas with most of his statements.

527
00:42:53,080 --> 00:43:04,580
there are solutions and many of those solutions are in your hands. So I'd like to lay out a couple

528
00:43:04,580 --> 00:43:13,140
possibilities that I think have promise and they would help everyone. Before I lay out these

529
00:43:13,140 --> 00:43:19,880
solutions, I heard a rumor today that there's an effort to raise the dyke on the Emerson road.

530
00:43:20,520 --> 00:43:26,320
And they ever said, if that is true, I just want to share the impact that that would

531
00:43:26,320 --> 00:43:30,000
have on the Lyndon farming area.

532
00:43:30,500 --> 00:43:36,180
As it is now, we've had the last two major floods, we've had water in one of our houses

533
00:43:36,180 --> 00:43:40,480
where our grandson is living, and our neighbors had three feet of water in his barn.

534
00:43:40,480 --> 00:43:49,100
So if we've sent more water our way, it's going to just create additional problems.

535
00:43:50,060 --> 00:43:54,200
So back to solutions, I think there are two.

536
00:43:55,400 --> 00:44:04,600
One would be to allow the harvesting of the material in the river.

537
00:44:06,440 --> 00:44:15,000
It's in the bottom of the river has raised three or four feet in the last 25 years.

538
00:44:16,020 --> 00:44:16,820
That's significant.

539
00:44:18,020 --> 00:44:25,480
If we would take that down and harvest it, in each year there's a natural resource

540
00:44:25,480 --> 00:44:29,460
that comes down from the hills, so it's renewed.

541
00:44:29,460 --> 00:44:36,220
food, and there are many states on the west side that do allow Dredgy in harvesting.

542
00:44:36,820 --> 00:44:45,960
Think California, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia, and if anything, it's enhanced

543
00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:52,340
the fish run, and I think if you do some research, we can verify that.

544
00:44:52,340 --> 00:44:58,820
So, yeah, I think that should start soon.

545
00:44:59,340 --> 00:44:59,960
I would...

546
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:13,880
We have one crew started everson, another crew at the mouth, and just keep harvesting, and it will help, because I've lived through the days when we did harvest, and we didn't have these extreme floods.

547
00:45:16,380 --> 00:45:31,580
The other solution I have would be, would like to lay on the table, is to have a flood control dam in the hills and the night. I don't have the exact spot. I was hoping Mayor Cordell would be here tonight.

548
00:45:31,580 --> 00:45:40,080
there is a good spot for flood control dam and that has added benefit of controlling the

549
00:45:40,080 --> 00:45:45,720
monowater at the peak times. Thank you for your comments. Your time is up. My time is up.

550
00:45:46,500 --> 00:45:54,820
Okay well I'm sorry but I have a little bit more to say. I was told that Seattle City

551
00:45:54,820 --> 00:46:02,860
like, I mean, the Corps of Engineers took over the management of the Ross Dam for this

552
00:46:02,860 --> 00:46:08,960
previous flood for 24 hours. That likely saved some dairy farms and some damage to the

553
00:46:08,960 --> 00:46:16,540
city of Mount Vernon. That kind of operation was common sense. And that's when I'd like

554
00:46:16,540 --> 00:46:21,160
to see us use this common sense. We don't have to get too complicated. We just have to do

555
00:46:21,160 --> 00:46:22,760
what? Thank you. Thank you.

556
00:46:29,550 --> 00:46:31,210
Sarah, Samantha, Gina?

557
00:46:35,920 --> 00:46:38,460
Members of the council, thank you for your time.

558
00:46:39,060 --> 00:46:44,920
My name is Sarah Pausch, I'm 33 years old. I was born and raised in CMS, many family members and

559
00:46:44,920 --> 00:46:51,560
friends, so reside in the areas that have been impacted by the last four floods over the last five

560
00:46:51,560 --> 00:46:57,380
years, no two, for although I'm the kind of resident of Bellingham, I take issue with the lack of

561
00:46:57,380 --> 00:47:01,720
movement on behalf of these communities to begin working towards a shared solution that

562
00:47:01,720 --> 00:47:04,320
protects the human beings who have been devastated by this flooding.

563
00:47:04,980 --> 00:47:09,560
These people of Wacom County have been cast aside in my opinion, which I find to be

564
00:47:09,560 --> 00:47:10,620
morally reprehensible.

565
00:47:11,280 --> 00:47:15,800
We may not know, we may not know the ins and outs of the government and all your red tape

566
00:47:15,800 --> 00:47:21,400
and molasses paste change making and all your lingo, but we do know right from wrong and

567
00:47:21,400 --> 00:47:25,920
we are smart enough to know that your council has the strength and connections to carry their

568
00:47:25,920 --> 00:47:30,660
people through this hardship. There are many possible solutions and resolutions to this

569
00:47:30,660 --> 00:47:35,000
problem, some of which have already been presented to you. There are many people who are dedicated

570
00:47:35,000 --> 00:47:40,160
and willing and ready and able to put their skills into action and there has been tons of money

571
00:47:40,160 --> 00:47:45,240
spent in the last few years on research to better understand the complexities of this issue

572
00:47:45,240 --> 00:47:49,700
and the possible solutions and all of that is going to waste and not being used to help.

573
00:47:50,280 --> 00:47:54,780
This is a matter of collaboration, hard work and execution before the next flood.

574
00:47:54,780 --> 00:47:59,580
The county has a moral and fiscal duty and responsibility to their people to protect

575
00:47:59,580 --> 00:48:00,380
them from danger.

576
00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:05,720
These are working class people, raising families who simply cannot afford to recover from

577
00:48:05,720 --> 00:48:07,640
six feet of river water in their homes.

578
00:48:08,360 --> 00:48:12,000
Now is the time to put forth that effort and action on behalf of your people.

579
00:48:12,520 --> 00:48:17,560
I urge you to consider the information presented to you and forge a path forward now before this

580
00:48:17,560 --> 00:48:18,580
crisis strikes again.

581
00:48:19,460 --> 00:48:23,800
These people here tonight, these strong people, is a show of strength and unity.

582
00:48:23,800 --> 00:48:32,940
Please hear your constituents and work more diligently far too much has been wasted the time for changes now in 2026. Thank you.

583
00:48:33,840 --> 00:48:34,600
Thank you.

584
00:48:40,860 --> 00:48:51,840
Good evening, everyone. My name is Samantha Doring. I'm a resident of Linden, Washington. However, I have worked in the city of Sumas for over 10 years at the pharmacy and on the Wednesday that the floodwaters came.

585
00:48:51,840 --> 00:49:04,920
I truly didn't expect us to have the flood that we did because I believed all of you and everyone else who told me that the hundred-year flood was a hundred-year flood that it wasn't going to happen again

586
00:49:04,920 --> 00:49:08,960
and not only was it not going to happen again, but steps were going to be taken to prevent it.

587
00:49:09,740 --> 00:49:20,020
And I was shocked to watch the security cameras at work as water slowly began to trickle in the building and I realized that once again my job was going to be put at risk

588
00:49:20,020 --> 00:49:24,800
because I wasn't sure how the small business that I work at was going to continue to stay open.

589
00:49:25,200 --> 00:49:31,680
If we had to remove all of the product out of the building, I wasn't certain how much money would be lost.

590
00:49:32,040 --> 00:49:37,500
And not just the front end products, the toys, the Christmas decorations, but

591
00:49:37,500 --> 00:49:41,820
the vaccines that I knew were just steps away from where the water was rushing in.

592
00:49:42,660 --> 00:49:49,800
The blood pressure medication, the insulin, thousands of dollars worth of life saving medication

593
00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:55,220
was at risk and I watched the water flood into that building and I prayed that it would stay low

594
00:49:55,220 --> 00:49:59,320
and I was shocked and incredibly disappointed.

595
00:50:00,270 --> 00:50:27,990
Because just small mitigations that were not taken place, solutions that were presented and time was wasted on those solutions. If those have been implemented, there would not have been water in my workplace. There wouldn't have been water in hundreds of people's homes, in fact. And this would not have been the devastating event that it was. So I am not going to trust you when you tell me that you're taking steps.

596
00:50:27,990 --> 00:50:37,710
I'm going to watch you and I'm going to be here to pay attention to whether or not those plans that have presented before you are actually having action taking against them.

597
00:50:38,170 --> 00:50:45,570
Whether or not you are actually putting pressure on our behalf as the community on the state and federal governments.

598
00:50:46,450 --> 00:50:55,930
You are our elected officials, it does not matter what side of the aisle you are on, you are in your position to protect your constituents.

599
00:50:55,930 --> 00:51:01,390
It is your responsibility, and if you do not want that responsibility, I recommend that

600
00:51:01,390 --> 00:51:01,970
you step down.

601
00:51:02,610 --> 00:51:07,290
We are watching you, and we are not going to look away this time because we can't afford

602
00:51:07,290 --> 00:51:07,970
to do this again.

603
00:51:09,390 --> 00:51:14,570
And so, while we are disappointed, the city and the community of Simass and Everton and

604
00:51:14,570 --> 00:51:19,030
other surrounding areas, we are very, very strong, and we are very, very connected.

605
00:51:19,490 --> 00:51:23,550
It's an incredible community, and I would encourage every one of you to come to that community,

606
00:51:23,550 --> 00:51:27,550
to come to the meetings and see just how amazing the people are.

607
00:51:28,290 --> 00:51:33,590
It's why, although I live in London, I love the city of Sumas.

608
00:51:34,130 --> 00:51:35,390
I love the people there.

609
00:51:35,630 --> 00:51:40,570
I feel like a citizen of Sumas so often, and I was in fact planning to move to Sumas

610
00:51:40,570 --> 00:51:45,790
up until this most recent flood, but unfortunately there are no rental spaces available

611
00:51:45,790 --> 00:51:47,150
because they've all been flooded.

612
00:51:47,850 --> 00:51:50,870
So I would encourage you to know that we're watching you

613
00:51:50,870 --> 00:51:57,630
and we are not going to trust you to take steps this time, we are going to continue to speak to you and bother you and show up.

614
00:51:58,390 --> 00:51:58,870
Thank you.

615
00:52:09,160 --> 00:52:14,160
Ladies and gentlemen of the Wacom County Council, good evening and thank you for listening.

616
00:52:15,040 --> 00:52:18,720
I would simply ask you all to set aside

617
00:52:19,360 --> 00:52:25,260
politics, opinions, personal views, etc. and look at these people.

618
00:52:25,260 --> 00:52:33,540
We are not numbers, dollars, buildings, charts, statistics, or studies.

619
00:52:35,280 --> 00:52:40,160
We are people, citizens of Watkin County.

620
00:52:41,240 --> 00:52:49,380
The people that you are here to represent, to stand for, to do what's best for these

621
00:52:49,380 --> 00:52:51,720
people that have chosen you to do so.

622
00:52:51,720 --> 00:52:55,560
So please see and hear us.

623
00:52:56,280 --> 00:53:01,900
Be human, compassionate, caring for your fellow citizens, your neighbors.

624
00:53:03,100 --> 00:53:11,760
We ask that you would represent our need for safety and security in our homes.

625
00:53:12,600 --> 00:53:19,960
For our cities and surrounding areas, we must do what's best for all of our citizens

626
00:53:19,960 --> 00:53:30,220
to maintain the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. One nation, under God,

627
00:53:31,020 --> 00:53:35,520
with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

628
00:53:39,120 --> 00:53:42,920
Okay, next I've got Christina Cook, Stacy Daly,

629
00:53:43,320 --> 00:53:45,480
and Sean Martinez.

630
00:53:53,940 --> 00:53:59,860
Hello, my name is Christina Cook, and I'm here to speak about the flooding from the

631
00:53:59,860 --> 00:54:06,420
personal story. Our family moved to Sumas in 2019, shortly after the passing of my sister.

632
00:54:06,960 --> 00:54:10,560
My sister had three children, and when she passed, they joined our family,

633
00:54:10,820 --> 00:54:16,500
turning us from a family of six to a family of nine. Sumas was the only place that we could find a

634
00:54:16,500 --> 00:54:23,660
home big enough first all that we could afford. Just six months after moving to Sumas, we experienced

635
00:54:23,660 --> 00:54:29,780
our first flood, the 2020 flood. We woke up that morning with a garage full of water and water

636
00:54:29,780 --> 00:54:35,020
surrounding our home. We were able to recover from that event and believed that we would not

637
00:54:35,020 --> 00:54:37,140
experience more flooding for a very long time.

638
00:54:39,480 --> 00:54:42,320
Then came the flood of 2021 or both of them.

639
00:54:43,340 --> 00:54:48,680
This time the river came right into our home. We have two houses on our property that housed

640
00:54:48,680 --> 00:54:54,740
our family of nine and both were flooded. We needed to rip out and dry out both houses. It was

641
00:54:54,740 --> 00:54:59,240
completely devastating. The amount of loss and work that we enjoyed.

642
00:55:00,180 --> 00:55:30,160
My husband worked for the next couple of years restoring our home. In 2023, he fell off a truck trailer while working in separate of life-altering brain injury. After brain surgery, his recovery process left him unable to do any more work on our home for the next year and a half. He was slowly able to start fixing our home again, and then the 2020 flood habit, 2025. This time, we are back to square one. These flood events come and go fairly quickly.

643
00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:35,800
quickly for the general public, but we are dealing with them for years. We are often

644
00:55:35,800 --> 00:55:41,820
asked the question, are you still dealing with that? And these floods take many, many years

645
00:55:41,820 --> 00:55:47,880
for us to recover from. We weren't fully recovered from the 2021 floods and then the next one

646
00:55:47,880 --> 00:55:55,480
happened in 2025. We're also often asked, why don't you just move? And at this point, we're stuck.

647
00:55:55,480 --> 00:56:00,980
we can't sell a home that floods every few years and the other side of it is we

648
00:56:00,980 --> 00:56:04,820
love our community we want to be a part of CMS we love the people we've

649
00:56:04,820 --> 00:56:09,900
become a part of that community but we can't continue to stay in a place that

650
00:56:09,900 --> 00:56:14,660
floods every few years we can't we can't financially take it we can't

651
00:56:14,660 --> 00:56:20,700
emotionally take it and we can't take on the work that that that takes so we are

652
00:56:20,700 --> 00:56:24,860
willing to do whatever we must to make things better we have proved by our efforts

653
00:56:24,860 --> 00:56:29,360
and Sue Mass that we jump in and we get it done and we restore what needs to be restored.

654
00:56:30,100 --> 00:56:36,560
But we need help. We need help from you guys to help figure out a way to stop it from happening

655
00:56:36,560 --> 00:56:40,920
over and over again. So I just want to ask you all for help.

656
00:56:50,430 --> 00:56:52,070
Executive Chair, council members.

657
00:56:52,710 --> 00:56:58,190
Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Stacy Daly. I have about 30, 40 minutes away

658
00:56:58,190 --> 00:57:03,010
in Sumas, where it feels like we are the forgotten district of Watcom County.

659
00:57:04,630 --> 00:57:09,690
Recovery efforts have slowed and yet again our town is quieted and deep heaviness has

660
00:57:09,690 --> 00:57:10,830
rested upon our people.

661
00:57:12,150 --> 00:57:18,130
I had a reporter reach out to me looking for my story, my experience, with my last three

662
00:57:18,130 --> 00:57:18,650
flood events.

663
00:57:19,590 --> 00:57:23,570
I found myself with deep guilt and a reluctance to share my own hurt.

664
00:57:25,360 --> 00:57:28,900
Every direction I looked, there was someone in a worst predicament.

665
00:57:31,390 --> 00:57:36,930
In that interview, I spent an hour briefly reliving the last five years and three traumatic flood events.

666
00:57:38,690 --> 00:57:44,590
It was after I hung up the phone. I realized I never fully healed from the first flood in 2020.

667
00:57:45,750 --> 00:57:47,850
COVID pursued shortly after that.

668
00:57:48,970 --> 00:57:53,450
And I began to see why my life trajectory shifted so drastically.

669
00:57:54,710 --> 00:57:57,250
then round two, the flood of 2021.

670
00:57:58,530 --> 00:58:02,290
I was robbed of a lot, but health being the greatest.

671
00:58:03,330 --> 00:58:05,510
It knocked me into a debilitating illness

672
00:58:05,510 --> 00:58:08,210
that I have only recently seen healing from.

673
00:58:09,490 --> 00:58:11,830
Round three, flood of 2025.

674
00:58:13,150 --> 00:58:15,410
This round I've been catching myself saying

675
00:58:15,410 --> 00:58:18,450
it only took I only lost.

676
00:58:21,020 --> 00:58:22,300
Minimizing, normalizing.

677
00:58:23,180 --> 00:58:29,400
I'm struggling with survivors guilt because I see my neighbors throwing the entire

678
00:58:29,400 --> 00:58:36,320
contents of their home onto the lawn like it's trash and they're left totally defeated.

679
00:58:38,290 --> 00:58:47,130
We could be classified as a war zone because this preventable and habitual flooding is taking

680
00:58:47,130 --> 00:58:54,570
our possessions, our home, our transportation, our livelihoods, health both mentally and physically,

681
00:58:55,090 --> 00:59:01,550
and any chance at prosperity. Hit, after hit, after hit.

682
00:59:03,630 --> 00:59:05,950
It's stealing our children's future.

683
00:59:07,250 --> 00:59:11,870
The generation that will grow and spill over into the rest of what come county.

684
00:59:12,850 --> 00:59:18,230
We don't even know the lasting effects. We are still doing with grief and PTSD.

685
00:59:20,010 --> 00:59:25,070
I picked it kids up from school only to drop them off in a hotel lobby.

686
00:59:26,470 --> 00:59:30,310
I know children personally that are drifting into deep depression.

687
00:59:31,930 --> 00:59:36,130
And sadly suicide ideation is now a topic with our youth.

688
00:59:37,570 --> 00:59:40,830
Just move. I'm sick of the gaslighting.

689
00:59:41,470 --> 00:59:46,550
Most of us have nowhere to go and those that do risk losing the fabric

690
00:59:46,550 --> 00:59:52,870
but what is holding us together which is each other. I am asking each one of you

691
00:59:52,870 --> 00:59:59,730
individually to put your politics aside and focus on the protection of humanity.

692
01:00:00,110 --> 01:00:19,830
And your backdoor neighbor. We need immediate protection and we need long-term protection. We don't have time anymore. What is not done right now only allows for the creation of what will come of this continual trauma. Thank you.

693
01:00:26,990 --> 01:00:27,550
Thank you.

694
01:00:27,550 --> 01:00:34,810
Let me have some time to speak. My name is Sean Martinez, live in Simass, closed on my house,

695
01:00:35,590 --> 01:00:44,710
after I was pre-approved for a mortgage loan in June 30th, 24. So although this is my first time

696
01:00:44,710 --> 01:00:50,870
going through this flood, I know several people in Simass that have been through it once or twice

697
01:00:50,870 --> 01:00:59,610
before me. This is happening away too much. I moved into Simass with the impression that

698
01:01:00,210 --> 01:01:06,230
these were already being taken into account and steps ready being made the last four years

699
01:01:06,750 --> 01:01:14,370
to prevent this from happening again. I grew my home and Maple Falls wanted to give my kids

700
01:01:14,370 --> 01:01:20,730
It's a better life, and it simasses a really great community, a great place to live.

701
01:01:22,490 --> 01:01:30,510
We got to do something with maintaining this river and collecting the gravel, and we

702
01:01:30,510 --> 01:01:31,510
got to do something with it.

703
01:01:31,750 --> 01:01:34,430
We can't keep letting it build up.

704
01:01:37,050 --> 01:01:43,370
My kids were terrified that it was going to flood again in the last day or so ago.

705
01:01:43,370 --> 01:01:49,690
So, you know, we're all watch again after only a month of going through this.

706
01:01:51,870 --> 01:01:55,270
This state is getting ridiculously high to live in.

707
01:01:56,090 --> 01:01:58,810
We can't keep going through this over and over and over.

708
01:02:00,010 --> 01:02:05,270
People are going to start moving out of the state, yeah, it's getting ridiculous.

709
01:02:06,950 --> 01:02:12,910
You know, the crews that came through were great, they were, you know, I've never seen

710
01:02:12,910 --> 01:02:16,550
people come together like that ever in my life.

711
01:02:18,690 --> 01:02:20,230
Just a lot of people that came

712
01:02:20,230 --> 01:02:25,830
through our house helping us do flood cuts and get everything that was wet cleaning

713
01:02:25,830 --> 01:02:31,710
up the floors. I'm also a general college actor. This has hit me really hard

714
01:02:32,390 --> 01:02:38,150
financially. You know, I'm still waiting around for my insurance to even do

715
01:02:38,150 --> 01:02:43,950
anything. I'm forking out money out of pocket just to try to put my floors back together.

716
01:02:44,950 --> 01:02:50,930
My kids rooms were upstairs luckily. They're in the house. I'm trying to stay out in a camper

717
01:02:50,930 --> 01:02:56,870
outside my driveway using propane for heat with me and my wife trying to keep warm.

718
01:02:58,170 --> 01:03:05,550
You know it's enough. We can't keep waiting around. Something has to happen here. Thank you.

719
01:03:05,550 --> 01:03:06,670
Thank you.

720
01:03:09,940 --> 01:03:21,320
Next on our list is Ryan Whittig, Marissa Whittig, and Julie Jansen. Go for it.

721
01:03:21,580 --> 01:03:28,310
All right. My name is Ryan Whittig. I'm also in Sue Mass. Thanks for your time. I'm just here

722
01:03:28,310 --> 01:03:37,230
to kind of tell you my story. All right. I'm about our house October 21. Our house has never been flooded

723
01:03:37,230 --> 01:03:43,210
before. And so we bought it with confidence after 20 years. I own my business here since 99,

724
01:03:43,210 --> 01:03:48,150
I'm a general contractor as well. 20 years of my wife and I worked in order to even be able to

725
01:03:48,150 --> 01:03:55,530
afford anything in this county because it's so extensive. And we ended up in CMS. And fixing up the

726
01:03:55,530 --> 01:04:02,090
house a little bit, October 21, we moved in November 21, we moved back out into a camper, lost it all,

727
01:04:02,370 --> 01:04:06,390
lost my business that time, all my tools were gone, our houses gone, our vehicles were gone,

728
01:04:06,390 --> 01:04:14,090
everything that we had worked our entire lives where it was gone. And by the grace of God,

729
01:04:14,270 --> 01:04:18,390
we were able to start to recover. Took me two and a half years to rebuild my home,

730
01:04:19,130 --> 01:04:24,150
living in a camper. We've been in the house a year and a half now. Now we're in a camper again

731
01:04:24,550 --> 01:04:31,090
in the backyard. My wife and I, and two kids, this is not sustainable. We cannot continue to do this.

732
01:04:31,830 --> 01:04:35,430
The only reason we stayed and we didn't default on our mortgage the first time is because for the first

733
01:04:35,430 --> 01:04:39,930
time in my life, I had ever seen community. I had never seen anything like that before

734
01:04:39,930 --> 01:04:44,790
where people came alongside us. They never knew us. They came and they loved on us and

735
01:04:44,790 --> 01:04:50,990
they helped us rebuild. And that's the only reason we stayed. But even with that help, we

736
01:04:50,990 --> 01:04:56,770
cannot continue to do this. And so we do plead to you. We plead to your hearts, your minds

737
01:04:56,770 --> 01:04:59,450
to just help do whatever you can.

738
01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:29,120
I know that, you know, I'm just not an educated fool. Right? I got a ninth grade education. I don't know a lot. I don't have a lot of answers for you. But I know that my family and I lived here my entire lives. We've worked our butts off to just be here. And we want to continue to be in this town. We want to continue to live the life that we live. We're so grateful. But it's hard. And it's hard on my heart. It's hard on my mind. It's hard on our bodies. And we're not the only ones.

739
01:05:29,120 --> 01:05:35,240
I watched the neighbors go through it all and like Stacey said, we're almost normalizing and I feel like I'm doing all right

740
01:05:35,240 --> 01:05:37,060
I only got a foot of water in my house this time

741
01:05:37,480 --> 01:05:43,360
21 or 3 and a half feet, right? So I feel like great. I done all right. What's that mean?

742
01:05:44,040 --> 01:05:45,660
Still means I got to throw all my stuff away

743
01:05:46,220 --> 01:05:49,000
So I've got to pull my floors out. I've got to pull my wall out

744
01:05:49,000 --> 01:05:53,360
All that we got nothing left. It's all in the garbage. So

745
01:05:53,360 --> 01:05:59,820
So just thank you for being here, thank you for letting us talk and just giving a moment

746
01:05:59,820 --> 01:06:07,060
to us, whatever you do with that, the stories that we give you, it's up to you, but we

747
01:06:07,060 --> 01:06:14,420
are looking at you and just hoping that you hear the sentiment behind situation and you

748
01:06:14,420 --> 01:06:14,800
help us.

749
01:06:15,280 --> 01:06:15,700
Just thank you.

750
01:06:16,660 --> 01:06:17,280
Thank you.

751
01:06:27,680 --> 01:06:31,280
Hi, my name is Marissa Wittig, Ryan is my husband.

752
01:06:31,280 --> 01:06:33,560
And he basically just told you the whole story.

753
01:06:33,880 --> 01:06:35,200
Most of everything that I wrote down,

754
01:06:35,200 --> 01:06:38,020
but I really feel like you guys just need to continue

755
01:06:38,020 --> 01:06:38,980
to hear this on repeat.

756
01:06:40,140 --> 01:06:42,120
I have been a citizen of Watcom County

757
01:06:42,120 --> 01:06:45,340
pretty much my entire life ever since I was a baby.

758
01:06:46,180 --> 01:06:49,280
Ryan and I have worked really hard to create a family

759
01:06:49,280 --> 01:06:54,300
and just try to live the American dream of home ownership.

760
01:06:55,040 --> 01:06:56,900
We lived in a rental house for 10 years

761
01:06:56,900 --> 01:06:59,140
and our landlord raised the price

762
01:06:59,140 --> 01:07:03,440
because Waccom County is so hard to afford and we just never really thought it would happen.

763
01:07:04,140 --> 01:07:08,760
So we fought mortgage companies until we were finally able to get alone and really

764
01:07:08,760 --> 01:07:13,560
CMS was what we could afford. Granted, I didn't know too much about the community beforehand but

765
01:07:14,260 --> 01:07:19,780
we moved in and we were immediately flooded and that was completely devastating to have our whole

766
01:07:19,780 --> 01:07:25,500
life and everything that we had built just really ripped apart. But gosh, CMS showed up in

767
01:07:25,500 --> 01:07:31,800
And just such a force and the love that we felt and the support that we got was just unlike

768
01:07:31,800 --> 01:07:33,940
anything I've ever seen in this county before.

769
01:07:34,160 --> 01:07:37,540
I know that we could move somewhere else, but I don't think we're ever going to feel

770
01:07:37,540 --> 01:07:39,980
the connection that we feel living where we live.

771
01:07:40,460 --> 01:07:43,580
So we want to stay and we want to continue to rebuild.

772
01:07:44,260 --> 01:07:51,820
But I tell you, doing this once before, it just has taken so much from our time as a family.

773
01:07:51,820 --> 01:07:57,880
my kids are constantly on the back burner. My husband is working tirelessly and it is just depleting

774
01:07:57,880 --> 01:08:04,620
him physically and it is just destroying our sense of security and livelihood that we I feel

775
01:08:04,620 --> 01:08:11,040
like we have the right to have and again I don't have the answers. I know you guys do have the answers

776
01:08:11,040 --> 01:08:18,780
and I'm begging you to enact on those things now today immediately so that we can rebuild and feel

777
01:08:18,780 --> 01:08:22,740
confident and stay where we want to be in sumas. Thank you for your time.

778
01:08:23,540 --> 01:08:23,940
Thank you.

779
01:08:27,550 --> 01:08:33,070
Okay. As Julie makes her way down, we'll next hear from Carl Kraus, David

780
01:08:33,070 --> 01:08:35,630
Edelman, and Robert Bitt.

781
01:08:39,330 --> 01:08:42,130
Thank you, council members. I just would

782
01:08:42,130 --> 01:08:46,830
like to say that I went to high school with Marissa. I've known her my whole life, and I really

783
01:08:46,830 --> 01:08:51,530
hope that each one of you takes a hard look at these individuals. You memorize their faces

784
01:08:51,530 --> 01:08:59,770
and their stories because what has been happening to them is reprehensible and we need better action.

785
01:09:01,070 --> 01:09:04,450
I have a similar story, but not about floods.

786
01:09:08,020 --> 01:09:15,380
Just to introduce myself, my name is Julie Jansen, I'm a local attorney, I'm a third generation walk-in-county resident.

787
01:09:15,960 --> 01:09:20,500
I live in the King Mountain neighborhood and I recently was a victim of a violent crime.

788
01:09:20,500 --> 01:09:24,040
On September 18, my flower stand was robbed.

789
01:09:24,620 --> 01:09:28,240
Two men reside in the homeless encampment about a quarter mile from my house.

790
01:09:28,860 --> 01:09:31,440
I confronted them witnessing the theft.

791
01:09:32,280 --> 01:09:34,560
One of them told me they can do whatever they want.

792
01:09:35,100 --> 01:09:37,240
And he placed a large machete in my face.

793
01:09:37,900 --> 01:09:40,380
That individual was arrested by Bellingham PD.

794
01:09:40,940 --> 01:09:46,380
He's a 19-time offender, a convicted felon, and has a history of violent crime.

795
01:09:46,380 --> 01:09:52,240
At the time of his arrest, he was carrying multiple weapons and an unregistered fire arm.

796
01:09:52,920 --> 01:09:59,900
Despite this, Wacom County pled the case down to felony harassment, allowed him to serve less than 30 days in the jail.

797
01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:29,440
Local, issued me a protective order and released him. What happened next is actually why I'm here. During the defendant's first appearance, where I was present to request a protective order, I was harassed and intimidated by the defendant's wife while I was testifying. That experience exposed a far serious problem here in Wacom County. As an officer of the court, they feel compelled to inform you that Wacom County is failing to provide a functional, safe,

798
01:10:29,440 --> 01:10:36,100
and constitutionally prescribed forum for crime victims, witnesses, and members of the public.

799
01:10:36,760 --> 01:10:43,840
These first appearances occur in the jail and are televised into a sparse basement room in this very building.

800
01:10:44,360 --> 01:10:50,160
In reality, these proceedings are effectively closed. The video monitors do not work.

801
01:10:51,160 --> 01:10:55,800
The only functioning screen shows only the criminal defendants.

802
01:10:55,800 --> 01:11:01,400
The microphone cuts in and out, I could not see the court commissioner, he could not see me.

803
01:11:02,040 --> 01:11:06,780
I did not know what, he did not know I was present, and I had to interrupt the proceeding

804
01:11:06,780 --> 01:11:09,460
in order to be heard from my protective order.

805
01:11:10,020 --> 01:11:15,280
While I testified, the defendant's wife stood beside me, muttering, crying, causing the disturbance,

806
01:11:15,640 --> 01:11:17,840
and an obvious attempt to intimidate me.

807
01:11:18,180 --> 01:11:22,660
There was no bailiff, no court security, and no staff, or personnel,

808
01:11:22,660 --> 01:11:25,580
from the courthouse of any kind in this room.

809
01:11:26,220 --> 01:11:26,580
I was alone.

810
01:11:27,600 --> 01:11:31,520
And no, my assigned victim advocate did not show up for me.

811
01:11:32,280 --> 01:11:34,220
When I later reported what occurred,

812
01:11:34,480 --> 01:11:37,100
I was told these are known issues with the viewing room.

813
01:11:37,660 --> 01:11:39,340
The prosecuting attorney's office

814
01:11:39,340 --> 01:11:43,620
acknowledged both the safety and the technological deficiencies.

815
01:11:44,200 --> 01:11:46,660
But they have no remedy to fix them.

816
01:11:48,040 --> 01:11:50,040
What I am asking of you all

817
01:11:50,040 --> 01:11:54,620
is to go down to the viewing room, experience it for yourself.

818
01:11:55,640 --> 01:11:56,920
See what I am saying.

819
01:11:57,300 --> 01:11:59,060
Thank you for your comments, your time is up.

820
01:11:59,320 --> 01:11:59,620
Thank you.

821
01:12:00,260 --> 01:12:02,380
I urge you to look at this.

822
01:12:02,820 --> 01:12:08,020
This is a huge constitutional and state constitutional

823
01:12:08,940 --> 01:12:10,700
egregious error that is occurring.

824
01:12:11,400 --> 01:12:16,300
And just because it's not in the budget will not save you all from fines.

825
01:12:16,300 --> 01:12:21,140
So, I urge you to get this under control and fixed.

826
01:12:21,580 --> 01:12:25,120
This has a chilling effect on all witnesses and crime victims.

827
01:12:25,560 --> 01:12:26,920
Welcome counting deserves better.

828
01:12:27,620 --> 01:12:29,800
And I implore you to do something about it.

829
01:12:30,440 --> 01:12:31,060
Thank you.

830
01:12:32,360 --> 01:12:33,160
Thank you.

831
01:12:34,900 --> 01:12:37,500
Okay, I know we've got a number of emotional topics

832
01:12:37,500 --> 01:12:40,060
and I'm really requesting folks respect for three minutes.

833
01:12:40,380 --> 01:12:43,920
When our clerk says your time is up, please promptly conclude your sentence.

834
01:12:43,920 --> 01:12:45,600
And so we can get to the next individual.

835
01:12:45,600 --> 01:12:47,420
trying to be compassionate and patient,

836
01:12:47,560 --> 01:12:49,560
but I just want to be respectful of everyone tonight.

837
01:12:50,400 --> 01:12:51,020
Please proceed.

838
01:12:51,220 --> 01:12:51,680
Thank you.

839
01:12:51,980 --> 01:12:52,320
Thank you.

840
01:12:53,200 --> 01:12:55,020
Carl Kiles from Nooksack.

841
01:12:56,500 --> 01:12:58,300
A backyard is one of the,

842
01:12:58,300 --> 01:13:01,740
it's back up to one of the slew is in Nooksack.

843
01:13:01,740 --> 01:13:04,260
So it's my personal barometer of the flood water.

844
01:13:04,940 --> 01:13:08,220
I can tell, you know, on Facebook what's coming.

845
01:13:09,280 --> 01:13:12,760
We have every other, all the other sophisticated things too.

846
01:13:12,760 --> 01:13:17,100
water goes around my house and if it's deep enough it goes under my house I

847
01:13:17,100 --> 01:13:22,720
got. I'm sure we'll have ductwork need to be replaced but I'm okay myself.

848
01:13:24,980 --> 01:13:25,540
My

849
01:13:25,540 --> 01:13:31,380
heart's in sumas. I grew up there served as a pastor of the sumas admin

850
01:13:31,380 --> 01:13:36,320
Christian Church for a number of years. I'm still volunteer there. Our church

851
01:13:36,320 --> 01:13:42,020
building is the logical place for us to use as a hub for relief. Oh by the way

852
01:13:42,020 --> 01:13:49,740
one bit of business, this is City Council City Council, but the mayor of Sue Mass is here.

853
01:13:49,740 --> 01:13:52,280
I'm going to ask if I can be an honorary member of Sue Mass.

854
01:13:54,700 --> 01:13:56,720
That would make my day.

855
01:13:57,020 --> 01:13:58,720
He's nodding his head yet. Okay, good.

856
01:14:01,480 --> 01:14:04,340
Our building is the natural place to serve us the hub

857
01:14:04,340 --> 01:14:08,300
for the relief effort. We're honored to do that. I think there's a million churches out there

858
01:14:08,300 --> 01:14:14,880
that would do the same. So I don't have no idea what my job is, but I show up and I'll

859
01:14:14,880 --> 01:14:21,680
listen to people. And I feel the weight. You know, I feel bad because Ryan back here

860
01:14:21,680 --> 01:14:27,360
before he could get into town. I will, he told me that the key was in the back and the

861
01:14:27,360 --> 01:14:32,400
refrigerator under the pizza box. And so I got into his house. So I said, oh, it doesn't

862
01:14:32,400 --> 01:14:38,260
look so bad, right? It's just met on the floor. And I feel bad because I think it's two feet

863
01:14:38,260 --> 01:14:44,980
up now the wall board taken out and it's like you know try and be optimistic and

864
01:14:44,980 --> 01:14:47,940
I'm not a carpenter didn't look so bad to me.

865
01:14:51,320 --> 01:14:53,180
Is that one minute left or is

866
01:14:53,180 --> 01:14:59,860
that two minutes one minute left? Okay I will skip to my last story. Emotions

867
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:07,320
So running and rampant in Sue Mass, there's tension, there's sadness, there's anger, something

868
01:15:10,010 --> 01:15:16,210
substance that needs to be done. We hear that there's talk, and that's good. But we need

869
01:15:16,210 --> 01:15:23,010
to see something, something of substance, substance of, substance of, done. Showed them

870
01:15:23,010 --> 01:15:30,370
they aren't just one off town, that people listen to every three or four years, but I'm an

871
01:15:30,370 --> 01:15:35,690
influential residents. So I'd like to share with you a note and I'll read it fast that I received

872
01:15:35,690 --> 01:15:40,710
yesterday. Hey Carl, I'd just like to share a story of my own. This is from women in Jody.

873
01:15:41,190 --> 01:15:45,810
I've tried to stay up, be positive through this flood process and even remain stoic emotionally.

874
01:15:46,090 --> 01:15:51,130
I've avoided hugs from friends and families who did not want to cry. I knew we could survive

875
01:15:51,130 --> 01:15:56,990
this cleanup even as as pleasant as it was. I'm done. Okay. I'll honor it. Thank you. Thank you.

876
01:15:56,990 --> 01:15:57,830
Hi,

877
01:16:03,470 --> 01:16:10,590
my name is Robert, I'm from Nooksac, and there's a couple of things that went on tonight that I want to comment on.

878
01:16:10,910 --> 01:16:16,110
First of all, I want to start with what comes strong is responsible for the amazing.

879
01:16:16,450 --> 01:16:20,890
The people running around with their pickup trucks with their little trailers taking stuff to the free dump.

880
01:16:21,510 --> 01:16:23,330
I do appreciate the free dump. That is great.

881
01:16:24,730 --> 01:16:29,930
There's still more to go to the dump, but it's no longer free or it's not open.

882
01:16:29,930 --> 01:16:37,070
it was closed on the 31st. I'd love for that to be reopened. It needs to be. There's a need there.

883
01:16:37,190 --> 01:16:41,750
Let's put it that way. Okay. Second subject. I'll balance back to the flood.

884
01:16:43,090 --> 01:16:48,450
A permit to replace a hot water tank. Like, who does that? That's broken.

885
01:16:50,530 --> 01:16:54,390
I mean, that's broken. Okay, needing that to replace. You know, what's next?

886
01:16:54,390 --> 01:17:05,590
So refrigerator, I mean, come on. So that whole licensing thing that that tells me it's broke. Okay. All right. Back to the flood. I bought my house in nook sack in 2022 after the flood.

887
01:17:06,910 --> 01:17:10,730
The previous owner through his real estate agent informed me that he wasn't flooded.

888
01:17:11,750 --> 01:17:14,490
All right. So we bought the house.

889
01:17:15,370 --> 01:17:24,090
Well, we flooded in 2025. We tore out the drywall. We saw that there was a nice two foot cut of drywall all around the house.

890
01:17:24,750 --> 01:17:28,710
The drywall and the two-foot cut was put in with drywall screws.

891
01:17:29,430 --> 01:17:33,710
The drywall above that was ring nails, the other construction.

892
01:17:34,790 --> 01:17:41,570
The insulation in the two-foot cut was pink above that with yellow, all right?

893
01:17:41,830 --> 01:17:44,190
They've been flooded in exactly the same way.

894
01:17:45,630 --> 01:17:50,210
All right, so now I haven't heard this idea from anywhere else, anywhere.

895
01:17:50,530 --> 01:17:52,230
It came to me listening today.

896
01:17:52,990 --> 01:17:59,130
I have a solution to this whole thing. Are you interested? There's a solution. There's a solution.

897
01:17:59,770 --> 01:18:03,330
I won't take a whole lot of effort on your part. Just some paper pushing actually.

898
01:18:05,030 --> 01:18:12,210
Make the cost of flooding insurance that everybody pays to FEMA, which is probably very few people

899
01:18:12,210 --> 01:18:18,930
in this room, paid it, all right? Make that a deduction of our property taxes. Now that has far

900
01:18:18,930 --> 01:18:23,870
reaching effects. It helps everybody in this room who got flooded next time, they're going

901
01:18:23,870 --> 01:18:28,730
to have a crowd of people come in and look after it for them. All right? That's thing one.

902
01:18:29,710 --> 01:18:34,710
And thing two, FEMA is going to go ballistic. They're going to get so many claims, they're going

903
01:18:34,710 --> 01:18:42,330
to say, we got to fix this. And then they'll fix it. There's a solution. And now, for urgency,

904
01:18:42,510 --> 01:18:47,630
have to this, I'm going to, I think, actually going to get this off in time. For urgency, the problem

905
01:18:47,630 --> 01:18:52,510
we know is the rivers filling up with sand and rocks and stuff and it's filling up faster and

906
01:18:52,510 --> 01:18:57,710
faster and it's getting worse. Are you ready to do this twice in one year? That's coming.

907
01:19:02,850 --> 01:19:13,490
Okay, after David, we will have Stephanie Anderson, Daniel Stevenson and Austin Struebel.

908
01:19:19,200 --> 01:19:24,940
I'm David Edelman, resident of Bellingham and I'm going to thank the council for the opportunity

909
01:19:24,940 --> 01:19:31,180
to speak tonight. I just, or I start, I want to acknowledge that we've heard some really intense

910
01:19:31,850 --> 01:19:39,980
and genuinely serious testimony tonight and so I'm going to be brief. I'm here today to speak

911
01:19:39,980 --> 01:19:45,340
in favor of the resolution affirming the dignity and rights of all residents of Washington County.

912
01:19:46,160 --> 01:19:52,680
Just yesterday in this chamber I had the pleasure of witnessing four of you take the oath of office

913
01:19:52,680 --> 01:19:55,500
this, including the oath to support the Constitution.

914
01:19:56,820 --> 01:19:59,820
When you pass this resolution, you will be

915
01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:29,020
We're filling a fundamental purpose of constitutional government to protect and defend the rights and liberties of the people. And as public servants, you'll be fulfilling your duty to the best of your ability, to protect us from the lawless depredations of a tyrannical regime. And when I say us, I mean all of us, immigrants, the children of immigrants and first nations,

916
01:20:29,020 --> 01:20:38,320
We are one people, we are one humanity, and today when you pass this resolution, you'll

917
01:20:38,320 --> 01:20:45,220
be taking one small step, an important step, and restoring our vision of a country

918
01:20:45,780 --> 01:20:49,100
out of which many come one people.

919
01:20:49,900 --> 01:20:50,480
Thank you.

920
01:20:51,920 --> 01:20:52,580
Thank you.

921
01:21:00,320 --> 01:21:01,700
Hello, Councilmembers.

922
01:21:01,700 --> 01:21:07,860
My name is Stephanie Anderson and I live in Nooksack. I want to first thank you to those of you who

923
01:21:07,860 --> 01:21:15,000
actually got out after the flood and got in to the Makoisus and helped us and actually got on

924
01:21:15,000 --> 01:21:22,100
the ground and saw what it was like firsthand. Thank you. I have operated, I'm shaking like crazy

925
01:21:22,100 --> 01:21:27,840
if you're sorry. I have operated little spouts preschool and daycare out of my house for 14 years.

926
01:21:28,900 --> 01:21:35,580
I am speaking with you tonight because this flood and the one in 2021 both got in my house.

927
01:21:35,740 --> 01:21:41,360
2020 was in my garage. 2021, the second one was in my garage, but this is affected my house and

928
01:21:41,360 --> 01:21:49,020
my business twice. I've had to move my house and my business out of my house. It is shut down,

929
01:21:49,160 --> 01:21:53,420
I was shut down for two weeks and 21. I was shut down for a week and a half with Slasco.

930
01:21:53,420 --> 01:22:00,800
So, while I started the process packing my house up, getting everything out, flood mitigation,

931
01:22:01,220 --> 01:22:02,540
demolition, rebuild started.

932
01:22:04,040 --> 01:22:09,380
In that time, my parent and my families are left without child care, scrambling to find

933
01:22:09,380 --> 01:22:09,820
child care.

934
01:22:10,040 --> 01:22:15,240
I was able to find a place to start care right at the start of Christmas break, but because

935
01:22:15,240 --> 01:22:19,580
I am not in my house, I am not receiving my state pay kids.

936
01:22:19,960 --> 01:22:21,720
I am not receiving pay for those children.

937
01:22:21,720 --> 01:22:23,340
I am still watching those children.

938
01:22:23,840 --> 01:22:28,180
I am not going to tell my families no, just because I am not in my home and receiving pay for them.

939
01:22:31,240 --> 01:22:32,220
Lots of things.

940
01:22:35,300 --> 01:22:39,180
I have a shovel reddened project for a child care center in Noxac.

941
01:22:40,640 --> 01:22:44,540
The project was presented to the Healthy Children's Fund during the last application process.

942
01:22:45,320 --> 01:22:51,060
I was told that the county was interested in the project, but that they would spend the first six to eight months of this year.

943
01:22:51,060 --> 01:23:00,380
creating a process to present to you, because there was uncertainty about how to handle the ownership of the land on which the child care center would sit.

944
01:23:01,280 --> 01:23:12,580
The center would create at least 70 child care slots, at least 10 before and after school slots, and it would reopen infant care in the county for the first time in years.

945
01:23:12,580 --> 01:23:18,560
I have to send my infants currently into the city of Bellingham, and even at that, finding

946
01:23:18,560 --> 01:23:21,200
infant care right now is difficult at best.

947
01:23:22,640 --> 01:23:26,680
I have been working with and have the support of the City of Noxac, the encouragement

948
01:23:26,680 --> 01:23:31,800
of the Noxac Valley school district, and I'm here just asking for your help.

949
01:23:32,420 --> 01:23:37,940
So in events like this, the children have a place to go that's consistent, but their routine

950
01:23:37,940 --> 01:23:44,740
is not thrown off, that they are not disrupted while their parents are working on it.

951
01:23:44,840 --> 01:23:49,640
Because I'm out of my house, the one of the benefits is I've been able to open up my child care to whoever needs help.

952
01:23:50,260 --> 01:23:52,920
And welcome those families in, families who are working on their house,

953
01:23:53,640 --> 01:23:59,000
families who are getting ready for Christmas, that is one benefit for the child care center would help with this as well.

954
01:23:59,380 --> 01:24:00,260
Thank you for your time.

955
01:24:01,300 --> 01:24:01,680
Thank you.

956
01:24:13,400 --> 01:24:14,880
Hello, my name is Dan Stevenson.

957
01:24:15,140 --> 01:24:16,400
I'm here to talk to the choir.

958
01:24:16,800 --> 01:24:18,100
It's really for the human rights thing.

959
01:24:18,700 --> 01:24:20,520
It's a no brainer.

960
01:24:21,260 --> 01:24:22,720
And I'm sure you're going to support it.

961
01:24:23,300 --> 01:24:24,980
I'm 29 years of veteran in the military.

962
01:24:25,220 --> 01:24:26,500
I flew air a medical evacuation.

963
01:24:26,800 --> 01:24:28,300
I've carried 1100 patients.

964
01:24:28,560 --> 01:24:30,100
Everybody's blood back there. Look the same.

965
01:24:31,520 --> 01:24:32,560
I've been a family practice.

966
01:24:32,740 --> 01:24:34,660
This is just a physician for 42 years.

967
01:24:35,300 --> 01:24:38,900
I've been out in the catchments.

968
01:24:38,900 --> 01:24:41,020
I've been out into the camps where people couldn't

969
01:24:41,020 --> 01:24:44,740
get into Simeon Seymour. They're afraid to come into town now. They're afraid to go into

970
01:24:44,740 --> 01:24:48,980
where there are people that can stop them and pick them up. So they're missing their

971
01:24:48,980 --> 01:24:57,380
care. And that's because there has been agencies that have created a military force within

972
01:24:57,380 --> 01:24:59,980
in our country. That's ice. It's got no-

973
01:25:00,000 --> 01:25:11,820
Thank you for your supervision. It's got an unlimited budget. And this is just the first step, but like I said, I'm talking to the choir. I support it, and I'm sure you did too. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Dan.

974
01:25:17,380 --> 01:25:34,100
Good evening. It's Austin Strouville. I'm the president of the Wachem County Deputy Sheriff's Guild. Coming for you tonight, because you have on your agenda a contract between us and the county. One that was I think is a reasonable offer that hopefully will retain the debt piece that we have. I don't know if it moves the needle

975
01:25:34,100 --> 01:25:37,140
on attracting experienced officers to our agencies.

976
01:25:37,680 --> 01:25:39,780
In October when I spoke, we had no lateral applicants

977
01:25:40,460 --> 01:25:42,160
and we have done since then.

978
01:25:42,740 --> 01:25:44,300
Nobody's banging down a door to come work here

979
01:25:44,300 --> 01:25:45,640
because we're under staff, we're underfunded.

980
01:25:46,400 --> 01:25:47,620
That's an issue for another time.

981
01:25:49,000 --> 01:25:51,720
I will say that we had 91% voter turnout for our contracts,

982
01:25:52,040 --> 01:25:53,760
pretty much unheard of of, of any vote I've ever heard of,

983
01:25:54,120 --> 01:25:56,340
was 77 deputies approving the contract

984
01:25:56,340 --> 01:25:58,560
only three voting, not in favor of it.

985
01:25:59,260 --> 01:26:01,340
So just please support the deputies

986
01:26:01,340 --> 01:26:02,320
by approving the contract.

987
01:26:03,300 --> 01:26:06,900
With my rest of my time, I just like to address Julie's comments.

988
01:26:07,340 --> 01:26:09,540
Walk in County absolutely fails crying victims.

989
01:26:10,040 --> 01:26:11,140
There is no doubt about it.

990
01:26:11,480 --> 01:26:14,240
Having been a crying victim multiple times in this county, I'm well aware of it.

991
01:26:14,600 --> 01:26:18,180
In fact, last time I got shot out, I said last time because it's been multiple times in this county.

992
01:26:18,760 --> 01:26:23,020
The press office wanted to offer them time served which was less than a year for multiple felony crimes.

993
01:26:25,240 --> 01:26:26,360
So, Julie, I'm sorry.

994
01:26:27,680 --> 01:26:28,660
We feel your pain.

995
01:26:28,660 --> 01:26:39,960
And it's a failure failure failure of leadership from the top down that allows us to happen now standing up. You're wishing that I were blue tonight. I didn't know that was the rest code.

996
01:26:43,760 --> 01:26:50,980
So, do everybody from Lyndon Everston, Nooksack, Sumas, each showing up as the only way

997
01:26:50,980 --> 01:26:54,840
you're going to get action for your friends, your family, speak every time, take all your

998
01:26:54,840 --> 01:26:57,220
three minutes and make them stay late.

999
01:26:57,800 --> 01:26:58,540
That will get action.

1000
01:26:59,980 --> 01:27:02,720
I don't live in a community but I've responded to both floods.

1001
01:27:03,140 --> 01:27:07,340
I can say it seemed the lot more prepared for life sitting at this time.

1002
01:27:08,120 --> 01:27:11,880
Our rules state that speakers will address the chair.

1003
01:27:13,020 --> 01:27:13,580
Sorry, I'll ask you.

1004
01:27:13,580 --> 01:27:16,020
London Company was a lot more prepared for life safety this time.

1005
01:27:16,220 --> 01:27:16,900
Thank you.

1006
01:27:17,080 --> 01:27:21,000
So we cannot underscore the devastation of the loss of property.

1007
01:27:22,300 --> 01:27:25,680
Devastated life isn't much better than a life that's been lost.

1008
01:27:26,720 --> 01:27:29,680
Mental health, you know, is a real thing and these people are suffering.

1009
01:27:32,160 --> 01:27:35,180
So government does not work as fast as weather.

1010
01:27:35,180 --> 01:27:38,680
The speaking of weather is going to outpace you guys, there's going to be another flood.

1011
01:27:39,140 --> 01:27:42,260
We need action, not more meetings, not more committees.

1012
01:27:42,740 --> 01:27:47,640
We need action now to help these people and so they don't have to go through this again

1013
01:27:47,640 --> 01:27:49,020
and lose everything again.

1014
01:27:49,560 --> 01:27:49,940
Thank you.

1015
01:27:50,420 --> 01:27:51,420
Thank you, Austin.

1016
01:27:54,260 --> 01:27:55,080
Appreciate your sentiment.

1017
01:27:56,400 --> 01:27:56,660
Okay.

1018
01:27:57,260 --> 01:28:01,360
Cleveland Harris, Amelia Vader and Brian Gas.

1019
01:28:12,170 --> 01:28:12,450
Excellent.

1020
01:28:12,450 --> 01:28:19,170
Hello, Council members, county executive, welcome to the first meeting so I hope you all

1021
01:28:19,170 --> 01:28:19,550
the best.

1022
01:28:19,910 --> 01:28:23,930
Thank you for taking on leadership and your role in our community.

1023
01:28:24,550 --> 01:28:30,150
I'm here to speak in support of the resolution of permanent rights and dignity of safety of

1024
01:28:30,150 --> 01:28:31,130
all walking residents.

1025
01:28:31,870 --> 01:28:36,810
My mother is a resident permanent green card holder, met my father while he was serving

1026
01:28:36,810 --> 01:28:43,930
in the military in West Germany, and I think that I'm thinking about the responsibilities

1027
01:28:43,930 --> 01:28:51,350
and duties of people serving our community to keep us safe and make sure that everyone

1028
01:28:51,350 --> 01:29:00,130
here can call this place home and not have to fear being, I mean, how do you say this?

1029
01:29:00,610 --> 01:29:06,630
The national scene right now, when we're seeing everything that's going on, we can't

1030
01:29:07,490 --> 01:29:15,390
And I think it's very important that you all take this stance and show our community that you're here for us preemptively, also about NUCSAC.

1031
01:29:15,650 --> 01:29:19,030
And so I hear a lot of the stories there and the pain going there.

1032
01:29:19,650 --> 01:29:24,770
And with a lot of reaction, it feels like reactionary policies to address some of those things there.

1033
01:29:24,950 --> 01:29:30,850
So I applaud you all for taking a huge step as a council there to help protect our community here.

1034
01:29:30,850 --> 01:29:38,690
So yeah, like my mom applies for her green card renewal every once in a while, and she

1035
01:29:38,690 --> 01:29:44,450
lives in Fairbanks, she has to take a plane to Anchorage to get it done, and our federal

1036
01:29:44,450 --> 01:29:49,170
government might be cutting funding into certain departments, and that makes them applying

1037
01:29:49,170 --> 01:29:54,910
for those cards a little bit different, and sometimes they're a little delayed, and she's

1038
01:29:54,910 --> 01:29:59,830
worried about things like traveling, maybe posting something on Facebook, and it's kind

1039
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:28,420
A while to think that in a place where my father went and fought for, and spread the American dream. I think for a lot of folks was just that freedom to be themselves in our community, to be able to move here. I think a lot of people have moved here from maybe a couple of generations, and maybe their families were looking for something like that there. So I think, you know,

1040
01:30:28,420 --> 01:30:30,580
You know, it's all of our responsibility.

1041
01:30:31,360 --> 01:30:35,380
They really enjoy that there's so many people here to talk about so many different things.

1042
01:30:36,100 --> 01:30:41,640
I think our democracy is y'all up there, but it's also us showing that up and being involved in the work.

1043
01:30:42,480 --> 01:30:45,260
And so I encourage everyone to continue to do that as well.

1044
01:30:46,140 --> 01:30:50,160
We do this together. And yeah, I thank you guys for your work.

1045
01:30:54,640 --> 01:30:55,200
Good

1046
01:31:01,440 --> 01:31:12,540
evening, council. I feel first I feel grateful to hear everyone's stories. Thank you so much. I feel like what I'm going to say is going to be very mundane.

1047
01:31:15,020 --> 01:31:22,020
My name is Amelia Vader and I'm speaking in support of my application to the Public Health Advisory Board. See that very Monday.

1048
01:31:23,600 --> 01:31:27,820
But I just have to say one more thing that I'm proud to be a part of this community.

1049
01:31:28,140 --> 01:31:30,520
Everything that everyone said, it's just amazing.

1050
01:31:31,820 --> 01:31:34,880
I currently serve as a special projects manager for

1051
01:31:34,880 --> 01:31:35,920
Bellingham Public Schools.

1052
01:31:36,740 --> 01:31:42,800
In this role, I've led mental health initiatives, COVID response, led remediation, vaccine

1053
01:31:42,800 --> 01:31:49,840
and sports physical clinics, and coordinated implementation of the district's first school

1054
01:31:49,840 --> 01:31:57,580
health center. Previously, I worked in HIV services and local faith community nursing programs.

1055
01:31:58,340 --> 01:32:04,420
I grew up in Bellingham and moved out back nine years ago. My husband and I have a nine year old

1056
01:32:04,420 --> 01:32:10,600
son so I know firsthand the importance of schools as places for public health services. Schools

1057
01:32:10,600 --> 01:32:16,240
are trusted places and key stakeholders in public health programming and having a school-based

1058
01:32:16,240 --> 01:32:23,080
perspective in the Public Health Advisory Board will help move ideas forward and calibrate

1059
01:32:23,080 --> 01:32:26,220
those ideas with the realities of school districts and staff.

1060
01:32:27,420 --> 01:32:32,480
I know programming, we know programming in schools is the best way to meet families and

1061
01:32:32,480 --> 01:32:37,740
children where they are and I submitted my application with support from my supervisor

1062
01:32:37,740 --> 01:32:38,840
and superintendent.

1063
01:32:39,520 --> 01:32:44,140
Thank you for your consideration and thanks for your time for being in public office.

1064
01:32:44,520 --> 01:32:45,320
Thank you.

1065
01:32:54,640 --> 01:33:01,100
It's hard to follow all these people and their lives being torn up and turned upside down.

1066
01:33:01,340 --> 01:33:08,760
I do want to continue on, though, I'm going to speak directly to Mr. Executive for

1067
01:33:08,760 --> 01:33:09,440
Walkin' County.

1068
01:33:11,690 --> 01:33:16,030
I started with saying that the land here is very expensive because of the restrictions.

1069
01:33:16,790 --> 01:33:20,450
And even if it tries to go to a planning department, you want to or dreams die, go to a planning

1070
01:33:20,450 --> 01:33:20,930
department.

1071
01:33:21,710 --> 01:33:26,370
And I want everybody to say it's not okay, first and foremost, and the second most expensive

1072
01:33:26,370 --> 01:33:30,430
thing that happens once you find yourself a piece of land is to try and get it developed,

1073
01:33:30,630 --> 01:33:31,630
and that's the planning department.

1074
01:33:31,870 --> 01:33:36,750
And I want to let everybody know, there's only one entity in this world that dictates what

1075
01:33:36,750 --> 01:33:42,090
it's bought or what gets sold, how much, who gets to build it, how many, and at the end,

1076
01:33:42,310 --> 01:33:42,990
what it costs.

1077
01:33:43,430 --> 01:33:44,690
And that's these planning departments.

1078
01:33:45,290 --> 01:33:48,370
And they kind of run around like they're little kings and queens.

1079
01:33:48,370 --> 01:33:52,530
It means most of the people are very nice and I don't have an issue with them.

1080
01:33:53,430 --> 01:33:58,590
But today I'm going to bring up a point that the county council and the executive needs to address.

1081
01:33:59,090 --> 01:34:02,090
And that is self-dealing inside the planning department.

1082
01:34:02,990 --> 01:34:07,950
So it's hard enough to get yourself permitted and your permit put in through and you get it approved.

1083
01:34:08,910 --> 01:34:11,930
Or you're being told like, can I want to buy my, I want to build a house here.

1084
01:34:12,070 --> 01:34:16,830
And they say, well, no, because of this magic thing that is subjective called wetlands.

1085
01:34:16,830 --> 01:34:23,130
because like they say for a hammer, everything looks like a nail, the wetlands can be subjective.

1086
01:34:23,410 --> 01:34:28,710
It also is kind of middling in how they're addressing it now. Everything seems to be a wetland,

1087
01:34:28,830 --> 01:34:34,430
everything needs to be considered a three or four level wetland. And what happens is the people

1088
01:34:34,430 --> 01:34:40,270
that are involved in determining what's a wetland, it's kind of an incestuous relationship because you

1089
01:34:40,270 --> 01:34:47,130
hire a web land company and their job depends on the county taking it and if they don't then those

1090
01:34:47,130 --> 01:34:51,630
people kind of don't get their meeting mitigation plan and they don't get their issues fixed.

1091
01:34:52,010 --> 01:34:56,290
What I'm saying is there's a person in the planning department right now in Washington County who has

1092
01:34:56,290 --> 01:34:59,610
their own company who has I first hand

1093
01:35:00,270 --> 01:35:28,430
What's them sell a piece of land to an 80-year-old man told them it was wet and for 80,000 bucks and a year and a half later he flipped it for 229,000 bucks without doing anything. And that needs to be addressed. I need to see, we should see some, I know that elected officials have responsibility to not self-deal, but I don't know about the employees. And this is happening again, there's a second situation with the same person,

1094
01:35:28,430 --> 01:35:33,710
by a lot, some lot for 10 grand, told a lady that was worthless, now he's trying to convince

1095
01:35:33,710 --> 01:35:39,610
another client of a person that I know to mitigate this magical wetland that came out of

1096
01:35:39,610 --> 01:35:45,350
nowhere for 400,000 bucks an acre. And it's a serious problem because it's a hard, hard enough

1097
01:35:45,350 --> 01:35:49,230
to get your building done. You want to get these people helped? You bust your ass out of that

1098
01:35:49,230 --> 01:35:53,330
planning department and you get some permits issued because that's the way it's going to get done.

1099
01:35:53,610 --> 01:35:54,130
Thank you.

1100
01:35:56,640 --> 01:36:00,020
Thank you. Okay. Next on our list, we have Jason

1101
01:36:00,020 --> 01:36:04,560
And then Postma, Amy, Kenna, and Joshua Williams.

1102
01:36:15,940 --> 01:36:16,240
Okay.

1103
01:36:17,880 --> 01:36:20,100
It's Jason Postma and I'm from Sumis.

1104
01:36:21,320 --> 01:36:27,320
First I want to thank Executive Sidhu for his opening remarks about the short and long term projects.

1105
01:36:28,700 --> 01:36:35,200
But more than that, I want to echo the mayor statements that we no longer have the luxury of patients.

1106
01:36:36,260 --> 01:36:39,540
The river undeniably holds less water now than I did a decade ago.

1107
01:36:39,540 --> 01:36:43,000
and without action it will hold even less with every passing year.

1108
01:36:43,780 --> 01:36:47,660
Spring and summer and a year without a flood cannot allow the urgency of this

1109
01:36:47,660 --> 01:36:54,280
moment to fade away once again. I own a home in Sumas. I own a business in

1110
01:36:54,280 --> 01:36:58,320
Sumas. My kids are the fifth generation of my family to live in Sumas.

1111
01:37:00,820 --> 01:37:01,000
Without

1112
01:37:01,000 --> 01:37:02,860
action they will almost certainly be the last.

1113
01:37:04,300 --> 01:37:10,240
Continued inaction has a cost. I've counted 17 high water events at the

1114
01:37:10,240 --> 01:37:13,720
the North Sea to Vogue age exceeding 147 feet

1115
01:37:13,720 --> 01:37:15,360
since the scale was revised.

1116
01:37:16,060 --> 01:37:20,160
13 were between 2003 and 2019.

1117
01:37:21,200 --> 01:37:24,220
Not one resulted in floodwater reaching Sumas.

1118
01:37:25,860 --> 01:37:28,040
It's happened four times since 2020

1119
01:37:28,780 --> 01:37:31,000
and Sumas flooded all four of those times.

1120
01:37:32,480 --> 01:37:37,160
One was only the 16th highest crest in this timeframe.

1121
01:37:37,160 --> 01:37:43,480
put another way if river capacity had always been what it is right now we could

1122
01:37:43,480 --> 01:37:48,980
have flooded up to 17 times in the last two decades. Inaction means committing

1123
01:37:48,980 --> 01:37:54,240
my community to the expectation of an annual flood. Inaction means

1124
01:37:54,240 --> 01:37:58,180
perpetuating in my community all of the issues that each of you ran on

1125
01:37:58,180 --> 01:38:03,910
addressing. Homelessness inaction means half of my town spending the winter in

1126
01:38:03,910 --> 01:38:09,770
fees or cars or friends' couches or hotel room they can only afford thanks to the generosity

1127
01:38:09,770 --> 01:38:16,110
of others. Mental health inaction means an entire generation of kids that cries when it rains

1128
01:38:16,630 --> 01:38:22,970
because they're convinced they're going to lose their house again. Lack of jobs inaction means

1129
01:38:22,970 --> 01:38:27,730
every business making a heartbreaking decision between laying off most of their staff or closing

1130
01:38:27,730 --> 01:38:33,130
their doors for good and laying off all of them. Housing affordability and wealth inequality

1131
01:38:33,910 --> 01:38:37,870
Inaction means abandoning one of the lowest income and most affordable communities in the county.

1132
01:38:39,730 --> 01:38:43,390
Inaction means proposing nothing, approving nothing and trying nothing.

1133
01:38:44,550 --> 01:38:48,130
Inaction means using red tape as an excuse for more inaction.

1134
01:38:49,530 --> 01:38:53,070
Inaction means telling me and everyone behind me that we don't matter.

1135
01:38:56,080 --> 01:38:56,780
Sorry, I shake.

1136
01:38:57,980 --> 01:39:00,980
I'm sure whether the council alone doesn't have the power to fix the river.

1137
01:39:01,680 --> 01:39:04,060
But action means demanding accountability from those that do.

1138
01:39:04,560 --> 01:39:14,640
action means not waiting for the recency to fade so we can go back to ignoring us. Action means advocating for the communities you are elected to serve. All of them, not just the ones you think matter.

1139
01:39:15,800 --> 01:39:22,140
We don't want to hear anymore that you're thinking of us. We don't want to hear that your hearts go out to us. We want your action. Show us that we matter.

1140
01:39:22,140 --> 01:39:23,020
Hi.

1141
01:39:32,240 --> 01:39:39,960
My name's Amy Kenna and I am here on behalf of Recovery Cafe. I don't want to detract from

1142
01:39:39,960 --> 01:39:45,240
the other subjects which are very important tonight but this is actually a comment I intended

1143
01:39:45,240 --> 01:39:53,020
to give before the holidays and I didn't realize that I missed you all. So, Happy 2026 Recovery

1144
01:39:53,020 --> 01:39:59,760
cup phase had a wonderful year and just a wonderful time since we have opened we've seen 900.

1145
01:40:00,000 --> 01:40:29,440
40 unique individuals come through our doors, despite being only open eight hours a week due to our capacity issues. We did open Thursdays in November. Part of the intention was to be able, so we're now at three days a week. We wanted to provide that safe space during the holidays. We were open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. We had a silver New Year's Eve party in collaboration with Mental Health Corps. The holidays were so much fun.

1146
01:40:29,440 --> 01:40:32,020
We were visited by so many amazing partners.

1147
01:40:32,600 --> 01:40:34,720
If you go to the cafe on any given day,

1148
01:40:34,720 --> 01:40:37,880
you will see that it is now a thriving community

1149
01:40:37,880 --> 01:40:41,440
of service providers connecting with vulnerable individuals

1150
01:40:42,040 --> 01:40:46,260
while we're doing our peer-based recovery support alongside.

1151
01:40:46,880 --> 01:40:49,520
We're getting upwards of 100 people at the cafe,

1152
01:40:49,620 --> 01:40:50,760
especially on these cool days.

1153
01:40:51,660 --> 01:40:53,360
So those are some of the positives,

1154
01:40:53,360 --> 01:40:57,500
and then we also want to do our own advocacy

1155
01:40:57,500 --> 01:41:04,780
As we did last year, as we do recovery cafe, we are providing recovery support doing

1156
01:41:04,780 --> 01:41:05,260
all these things.

1157
01:41:05,420 --> 01:41:11,340
We're also bearing witness daily to gaps and services in our community and now how

1158
01:41:11,340 --> 01:41:15,480
that plays out in some pretty challenging ways for vulnerable people.

1159
01:41:16,320 --> 01:41:19,200
Our severe weather shelter was open during Christmas.

1160
01:41:19,440 --> 01:41:22,480
We were able to navigate some folks up there.

1161
01:41:22,960 --> 01:41:29,520
That was amazing, including a lift for a man with a language barrier who couldn't understand directions up there.

1162
01:41:30,000 --> 01:41:34,960
We still see a need for seasonal shelter, so we're hoping that somebody can bid on that this year.

1163
01:41:35,720 --> 01:41:42,400
And then obviously come in and after the holidays, and the weather was up to 35, so the severe is not open.

1164
01:41:42,580 --> 01:41:51,140
But a lot of our people, people that we have recovery rapport with, we want to have those conversations with, but we can't have that conversation with them when they're cold, wet, shaking.

1165
01:41:51,140 --> 01:41:55,900
And we're trying to help them get their coat off, and we're trying to shake hand warmers

1166
01:41:55,900 --> 01:41:59,520
and put them on their hands and people looking like they're in danger of hypothermia.

1167
01:41:59,920 --> 01:42:01,780
And we're also giving out a lot of sleeping bags.

1168
01:42:02,400 --> 01:42:06,220
We're also seeing a lot of families come in that we're giving blankets and hats to with

1169
01:42:06,220 --> 01:42:10,560
no family units available, regionally the mission is sending people as far down as Seattle.

1170
01:42:11,120 --> 01:42:16,140
So we want to continue to advocate for a day drop-in center in Bellingham.

1171
01:42:16,140 --> 01:42:24,340
So we can do what we're doing and work closely with the day drop in center as well as encourage that seasonal shelter.

1172
01:42:24,920 --> 01:42:36,980
Thank you so much. Recovery happens in Bellingham and despite being cold wet and outside with wounds people we do recover because I've been one of them. Thank you.

1173
01:42:38,930 --> 01:42:39,650
Thank you.

1174
01:42:40,810 --> 01:42:44,650
Okay, I've got Joshua as he makes his way down.

1175
01:42:45,230 --> 01:42:48,570
Next, we'll have Ian Schaefer-Lorenz,

1176
01:42:49,130 --> 01:42:52,550
Ron Bonzema, and Terence Difflee.

1177
01:42:53,730 --> 01:42:54,730
Good evening.

1178
01:42:55,030 --> 01:42:56,090
I'm Joshua Williams.

1179
01:42:56,550 --> 01:42:59,970
I'm here tonight to talk to you about my appointment,

1180
01:43:00,230 --> 01:43:03,090
potential appointment for the Climate Impact Advisory Committee.

1181
01:43:04,490 --> 01:43:11,450
I currently am serving on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee nine months of a three-year

1182
01:43:11,450 --> 01:43:17,210
term, so I was appointed last year when one of the former members stepped down, and in nine months

1183
01:43:17,210 --> 01:43:23,730
I've gotten to realize why it is a three-year term. So we've spent time with the county's

1184
01:43:24,750 --> 01:43:29,410
comprehensive plan, reviewing that for the components that are relative to the climate,

1185
01:43:29,410 --> 01:43:40,230
And now we pivoted to a review of the climate action plan, and we're in the middle of the review and developing a new climate action plan.

1186
01:43:40,330 --> 01:43:47,930
The last one was done in 2021, which took a strong view at taking action to prevent climate change.

1187
01:43:47,930 --> 01:44:13,570
Now, the state of the world, the state of our county, the state of the climate has moved on and it's much more of a pivot to taking a long-looking view at what the county can do to prepare for a lot of the events, like what we're seeing behind us, I know it's their short-term action as well as, sorry, not behind us.

1188
01:44:13,570 --> 01:44:16,290
That's everybody that's behind me that has spoken tonight.

1189
01:44:16,770 --> 01:44:20,450
I'm struck by it as I'm here talking about the climate.

1190
01:44:21,890 --> 01:44:24,630
So I've done this work.

1191
01:44:24,690 --> 01:44:26,030
I want to continue to do this work.

1192
01:44:27,250 --> 01:44:35,310
It's a unique opportunity for me to mix my skills in working with climate,

1193
01:44:35,570 --> 01:44:42,190
renewable energy, working in industry to have solutions towards these problems

1194
01:44:42,190 --> 01:44:49,630
as well as my passion, as well as a chance to apply that to the community.

1195
01:44:50,010 --> 01:44:55,250
So with that, I'd say thank you for my chance to speak with you all this evening.

1196
01:44:55,910 --> 01:44:56,710
Thank you, Joshua.

1197
01:45:00,500 --> 01:45:01,020
Good

1198
01:45:04,180 --> 01:45:10,020
evening, council. I want to just begin by acknowledging the really powerful testimony

1199
01:45:10,020 --> 01:45:15,560
that's been shared this evening. As a working class person myself, I recognize how difficult

1200
01:45:15,560 --> 01:45:20,800
it is for working class people to come before a government body and testify, and it's

1201
01:45:20,800 --> 01:45:25,160
a sacred thing to witness, and so I just want to express my gratitude to the many folks who

1202
01:45:25,160 --> 01:45:25,720
have done that tonight.

1203
01:45:27,740 --> 01:45:30,520
My name is Ian Schaefer-Loranz. I'm an organizer

1204
01:45:30,520 --> 01:45:36,920
with community to community. Community to community supports the strong language in the resolution

1205
01:45:36,920 --> 01:45:42,060
before council today which affirms the human rights of all people regardless of their immigration

1206
01:45:42,060 --> 01:45:47,840
status and we urge Watkin County to implement these values in every aspect of county government.

1207
01:45:48,800 --> 01:45:54,880
Immigrants are under attack and are the front line of defending and preserving constitutional rights

1208
01:45:54,880 --> 01:45:57,940
that are provided all persons in the United States.

1209
01:45:58,620 --> 01:46:04,240
The Trump administration has deployed federal agents domestically who have repeatedly demonstrated

1210
01:46:04,240 --> 01:46:06,080
their contempt for the Constitution.

1211
01:46:06,740 --> 01:46:09,700
They regularly engage in illegal searches and arrests.

1212
01:46:10,900 --> 01:46:16,740
They have kidnapped, assaulted and murdered people, citizens and non-citizens alike.

1213
01:46:18,580 --> 01:46:24,300
In this crisis, local government might feel too small to have some power or influence and

1214
01:46:24,300 --> 01:46:25,980
I'm here to tell you that that is not true.

1215
01:46:27,000 --> 01:46:33,260
You have meaningful power to write just local budgets, and to ensure that local and state

1216
01:46:33,260 --> 01:46:38,000
laws are enforced so that no person, no ICE agent is above the law.

1217
01:46:39,060 --> 01:46:44,180
The resolution mentions the Waccom Racial Equity Commission's action guide, that guide clearly

1218
01:46:44,180 --> 01:46:48,020
calls for the implementation of the immigrant advisory board's recommendations.

1219
01:46:48,560 --> 01:46:53,320
In the wake of Bellingham's cancellation of that board in 2024, Waccom County could

1220
01:46:53,320 --> 01:47:00,440
step up to implement their goals and establish a government-funded immigrant resource center.

1221
01:47:01,820 --> 01:47:07,100
Watcom County can also enforce local and state laws. You have the power to enforce

1222
01:47:07,100 --> 01:47:15,620
burglary, assault, kidnapping, and murder laws. And to prosecute Homeland Security agents when they

1223
01:47:15,620 --> 01:47:22,080
fail to secure warrants and when they engage in violent tactics. Importantly, Watcom County can

1224
01:47:22,080 --> 01:47:24,300
and choose to enforce the courts open to all act.

1225
01:47:24,940 --> 01:47:27,040
That legislation prohibits immigration enforcement

1226
01:47:27,040 --> 01:47:29,040
within one mile of state court houses.

1227
01:47:29,940 --> 01:47:32,080
In the last six months, C2C and our allies

1228
01:47:32,080 --> 01:47:34,920
have documented at least seven ICE abductions

1229
01:47:37,840 --> 01:47:39,920
of community members in our city center.

1230
01:47:40,940 --> 01:47:45,740
ICE has abducted Mani, Hector, Domingo, Adolfo, Fabian,

1231
01:47:46,480 --> 01:47:47,660
Arnaldo, and Eduardo.

1232
01:47:49,260 --> 01:47:53,000
From just outside this courthouse or the municipal courthouse,

1233
01:47:53,680 --> 01:48:00,300
Local government can investigate ISIS illegal tactics and pursue accountability for those who have violated the law.

1234
01:48:00,740 --> 01:48:05,560
We thank the council for bringing this resolution tonight and we urge the council to take appropriate next steps.

1235
01:48:05,960 --> 01:48:06,240
Thank you.

1236
01:48:06,960 --> 01:48:07,820
Thank you.

1237
01:48:15,920 --> 01:48:22,000
Good evening, council executive. My name is Ron Bronsma and I'm the chair of the Lyndon

1238
01:48:22,000 --> 01:48:31,320
Everson sub-flood zone. Come to you tonight with some great concerns. We're looking to

1239
01:48:31,320 --> 01:48:39,420
backslope stretch of the upper Hampton Levy. Everson is doing some projects this coming summer.

1240
01:48:39,680 --> 01:48:44,220
They're going to reduce some street. So this can be quite a bit of material. But our problem

1241
01:48:44,220 --> 01:48:52,180
is, of course, money. We're bringing in about $60,000 a year, but our maintenance on the levees

1242
01:48:52,180 --> 01:49:03,400
cost $60,000 a year. So, well, basically, we're broke. The time and levee failure in 21,

1243
01:49:04,640 --> 01:49:12,560
that cost, well, the preliminary when the court did not bill the county for that. It took 4,000

1244
01:49:12,560 --> 01:49:18,660
truckloads, the material to fill the hole. And that's an eight foot deck. And that broke

1245
01:49:18,660 --> 01:49:24,760
just as the river started to drop. And most of the flooding occurred when the river was half

1246
01:49:24,760 --> 01:49:31,080
floor last. And of course we were, I lived down there at the time, we were cut off for two weeks.

1247
01:49:32,140 --> 01:49:40,240
The upper Hampton Levy, it ranges anywhere from a couple feet way up on the upper reach,

1248
01:49:40,820 --> 01:49:45,420
but the lower reach of it where we're talking, which is above for the old

1249
01:49:45,880 --> 01:49:50,760
Lyndon-Ready Mixed cement plan is on the Hampton. That's up to 18 feet high.

1250
01:49:51,000 --> 01:49:57,160
A lot of it is in 12 to 15. And we don't have the money. I don't know where it's

1251
01:49:57,160 --> 01:49:59,960
going to come. I'm sure we're going to have to come to you and figure something out.

1252
01:50:00,000 --> 01:50:29,980
Now, raise the assessment, all subzones are charged to stay in the assessment, and our needs are far greater than the other subzones. The other thing is, all the cities, and cities for our subzone, is Lyndon and Everson. We go from the Guiden-Ridian, the watershed of the Nooksack up to Everson. And the cities, if Lyndon is put into place,

1253
01:50:29,980 --> 01:50:31,400
developments in the floodplain.

1254
01:50:32,020 --> 01:50:33,260
I talked to one council member.

1255
01:50:33,480 --> 01:50:35,220
I said, Lyndon council member, I said,

1256
01:50:35,300 --> 01:50:36,600
well, why did you build in a floodplain?

1257
01:50:37,020 --> 01:50:38,820
Well, the contractor told us it didn't flood.

1258
01:50:40,380 --> 01:50:43,800
Well, last month, I know one gentleman

1259
01:50:43,800 --> 01:50:46,960
to bought a upscale condo down on Riverview.

1260
01:50:47,840 --> 01:50:49,960
And he had two inches from going in his garage

1261
01:50:49,960 --> 01:50:51,840
and a foot it would have been in the house.

1262
01:50:52,900 --> 01:50:55,600
Some of the people up on the northward were cut off.

1263
01:50:58,000 --> 01:51:03,740
Everton right now is busy building in the floodplain where it flooded last month.

1264
01:51:04,260 --> 01:51:06,480
They're putting in houses and I was out there today.

1265
01:51:06,700 --> 01:51:10,540
They're not more than a foot and a half to two feet off the ground, disaster waiting

1266
01:51:10,540 --> 01:51:11,080
to happen.

1267
01:51:11,960 --> 01:51:14,960
The urban growth areas should not be in the floodplain.

1268
01:51:15,540 --> 01:51:21,080
And ultimately, the city's made that decision, but it is approved by the county council.

1269
01:51:21,400 --> 01:51:25,060
So ultimately, you are responsible in the future.

1270
01:51:25,060 --> 01:51:30,480
You will be seeing the same misery from Erison and Lyndon that you're now seeing from CMS.

1271
01:51:31,040 --> 01:51:31,540
Thank you.

1272
01:51:31,680 --> 01:51:32,100
Thank you.

1273
01:51:38,750 --> 01:51:39,350
Hello.

1274
01:51:39,450 --> 01:51:40,710
My name is Terrence Difflee.

1275
01:51:41,410 --> 01:51:46,010
And I'm here to apply for the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee.

1276
01:51:46,990 --> 01:51:53,110
I prefer to have the one-year appointment if that's possible, this replacement appointment there.

1277
01:51:53,850 --> 01:51:59,250
But I've lived in Wyckham County for close to 50 years and on Lummi Island for close to 30 years.

1278
01:52:00,090 --> 01:52:04,450
And I'm embarrassed to say this is maybe the second or third time I've been in this council

1279
01:52:04,450 --> 01:52:05,670
chambers in all those years.

1280
01:52:06,390 --> 01:52:12,910
So I have a lot to learn about local politics and also I wasn't aware that the county has

1281
01:52:12,910 --> 01:52:15,430
all these different advisory committees going on here.

1282
01:52:16,070 --> 01:52:21,190
And I want to applaud the effort and commend the effort that you folks are taking to have

1283
01:52:21,190 --> 01:52:25,210
that as part of your business that going out and meeting with these committees and the extra

1284
01:52:25,210 --> 01:52:31,250
work it takes and the value that it has for the communities to have that ability to interact

1285
01:52:31,250 --> 01:52:37,210
with the council members. So as far as my dipping my toe into local politics on Winnie

1286
01:52:37,210 --> 01:52:42,830
Iron, I'd like to be a part of the community. I feel like I'd bring some balanced and clear

1287
01:52:42,830 --> 01:52:46,830
communication skills. I'm a good listener and I'd like to really appreciate the different

1288
01:52:46,830 --> 01:52:52,370
perspectives that people have because it's quite a few different perspectives out there and

1289
01:52:52,370 --> 01:52:57,450
And I also seek to really try to better understand the complexity it takes to run the Lemme Island

1290
01:52:57,450 --> 01:52:58,290
ferry system.

1291
01:52:59,130 --> 01:53:05,590
It's way more complex than I could, I know it is, I began to see a little bit of how complex

1292
01:53:05,590 --> 01:53:12,390
it is, but I think it'd be great for the Lemme Island ferry to continue in a manageable

1293
01:53:12,390 --> 01:53:16,630
way for the sake of Lemme Islanders, but also for the sake of Washington County, because

1294
01:53:16,630 --> 01:53:18,930
I think it's an asset and important to our county too.

1295
01:53:19,330 --> 01:53:21,090
So thank you for considering my application.

1296
01:53:21,750 --> 01:53:22,750
Thank you.

1297
01:53:23,770 --> 01:53:25,490
What was your name again, sir?

1298
01:53:25,830 --> 01:53:26,670
Terence Diffle.

1299
01:53:27,510 --> 01:53:28,490
I got you.

1300
01:53:28,890 --> 01:53:29,070
Okay.

1301
01:53:29,830 --> 01:53:30,490
Okay.

1302
01:53:30,710 --> 01:53:34,090
Our next, I'll read the next four since that's the last of my list here.

1303
01:53:34,470 --> 01:53:39,150
Kelsey Forbes, Andres Rosales, Jocelyn Pena, and Charlie Brown.

1304
01:53:47,970 --> 01:53:48,150
Hi.

1305
01:53:48,490 --> 01:53:50,210
My name is Kelsey Forbes.

1306
01:53:50,750 --> 01:53:51,990
I live in Bellingham.

1307
01:53:52,350 --> 01:53:54,490
I've lived in Ferndale, but back in Bellingham.

1308
01:53:54,490 --> 01:54:01,190
Um, I wanted to thank everybody here today who has taken the time to share their stories.

1309
01:54:01,750 --> 01:54:05,710
Um, made me a little emotional, definitely heartbreaking to hear.

1310
01:54:07,810 --> 01:54:15,150
Um, I wanted to address some concerns that some council members may have that I have heard from elected officials.

1311
01:54:15,150 --> 01:54:19,850
I've had the privilege of meeting from Blaine City officials to Bellingham.

1312
01:54:21,390 --> 01:54:23,050
And everywhere in between,

1313
01:54:27,730 --> 01:54:37,670
I ever heard some doubts about why we need to reaffirm human rights and dignity or all in what county.

1314
01:54:42,360 --> 01:54:45,900
I'm here today, my neighbor is not.

1315
01:54:47,500 --> 01:54:59,500
We were best leaving for work in October into unmarked SUVs, came and blocked the road outside of our

1316
01:54:59,500 --> 01:54:59,860
or perfect.

1317
01:55:00,000 --> 01:55:03,700
Complex, sorry, it's very upsetting.

1318
01:55:06,780 --> 01:55:29,740
They caught me also because there was no room for me to leave, and I didn't want to. I want to know what was going on. When you see unmarked vans, sorry, SUVs coming out in people in paramilitary year with no name badges, not telling you who they are, and dragging a man out of his car by his neck.

1319
01:55:30,720 --> 01:55:32,360
You want to know what's going on?

1320
01:55:35,520 --> 01:55:36,360
I don't know his name,

1321
01:55:39,640 --> 01:55:46,340
but they found him and they took him and they did not let me know what it was for.

1322
01:55:47,220 --> 01:56:00,580
I don't know who they were and this is not the only story in Watkins County. It is happening just because it's not happening to you or your family.

1323
01:56:00,580 --> 01:56:03,540
It's happening to your neighbors and your constituents.

1324
01:56:10,070 --> 01:56:16,150
I am just asking that this Council reaffirms human dignity and that we are able to demand

1325
01:56:17,450 --> 01:56:24,510
identification or justification from these masked people arriving in unmarked SUVs and

1326
01:56:24,510 --> 01:56:27,110
blocking the road in and out of your apartment.

1327
01:56:28,790 --> 01:56:36,270
I want to be able to ask who they are, and I think I have the right to do that as any

1328
01:56:36,270 --> 01:56:43,530
other citizen here, especially when they're trying to open my own vehicle while telling

1329
01:56:43,530 --> 01:56:47,950
me to move it, trying to force my door open and taking my phone out of my hand.

1330
01:56:47,950 --> 01:56:51,650
It was horrible, and I know my time is up.

1331
01:56:52,150 --> 01:56:56,450
If you don't trust the word of your constituents telling you what is happening, I ask you what

1332
01:56:56,450 --> 01:57:02,570
agency, we can report this to you that you would trust. Thank you. Thank you, Kelsey.

1333
01:57:30,440 --> 01:57:33,560
So, I would just like to thank everybody here, and I want to share my experience with

1334
01:57:33,560 --> 01:57:34,760
My accent would happen.

1335
01:58:12,440 --> 01:58:22,380
So I know that a lot of the topics being talked about here are referring to the flooding that are recently happening, but my case has to do with ice with what they did to me, and I've been trying to find a lawyer.

1336
01:58:22,580 --> 01:58:27,920
I've looked at six lawyers, but it's very hard for me to find a lawyer because it's ice that did it to me.

1337
01:58:29,740 --> 01:58:38,060
And what I really understand is that I got a car to go to work, because I had

1338
01:58:38,060 --> 01:58:44,460
composed the mine, and then it turns out that this car had no security, so they had

1339
01:58:44,460 --> 01:58:51,140
stopped it, but it took me a lot of luck that this man hit me, I don't know if

1340
01:58:51,780 --> 01:58:57,360
you heard it because it was very well known on October 15, that

1341
01:59:06,540 --> 01:59:13,600
So I was on accident in on the 15th of October, October, it was very known it was all over

1342
01:59:13,600 --> 01:59:13,920
the news.

1343
01:59:14,160 --> 01:59:16,360
I had borrowed a car from a from a person.

1344
01:59:17,040 --> 01:59:21,120
My car wasn't working at that time and this car, unfortunately, did not have any insurance.

1345
01:59:29,820 --> 01:59:32,280
And that was it, and I just wanted to say thank you.

1346
01:59:33,540 --> 01:59:34,340
Thank you.

1347
01:59:49,860 --> 01:59:51,780
Hi, my name is Jocelyn Peña.

1348
01:59:52,220 --> 01:59:54,840
Thank you for giving me the time to talk.

1349
01:59:55,900 --> 01:59:59,960
I'm here in support of the immigrants and support.

1350
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:07,880
Meeting like the civil rights of the people. I was a victim of ICE. I was followed in

1351
02:00:07,880 --> 02:00:13,640
her act. They're like weeks. They were trying to get my partner who has been here since

1352
02:00:13,640 --> 02:00:22,060
he was six. A couple weeks passed by and I get a call from the receptionist at my work.

1353
02:00:22,060 --> 02:00:28,920
I'm a medical assistant. And it was one of the police wanting to ask me questions. So I go

1354
02:00:28,920 --> 02:00:36,400
outside to talk to them trying not to make a scene. I was already embarrassed and I see some people

1355
02:00:36,400 --> 02:00:42,960
wearing like normal regular clothes and they're just like saying that they're from homeland security

1356
02:00:42,960 --> 02:00:50,220
and they like load me up into their car. Take me to one of their facilities. I think it was in

1357
02:00:50,220 --> 02:00:55,560
Ferndale. They patted me down and my scrubs and like started questioning me about my partner.

1358
02:00:58,120 --> 02:01:03,680
I got locked in this room, I was detained, and this

1359
02:01:10,560 --> 02:01:13,240
has been a very traumatic experience.

1360
02:01:14,360 --> 02:01:21,520
They detained me without a warrant or anything, and took my phone, my family, my work didn't

1361
02:01:21,520 --> 02:01:27,740
know where I was for like five hours, finally they released me, took one of my cars, and

1362
02:01:27,740 --> 02:01:35,060
And now I'm stuck paying all the bills by myself, and it's very hard.

1363
02:01:35,960 --> 02:01:39,900
So I'm here raising my voice and speaking for the people.

1364
02:01:40,440 --> 02:01:40,840
Thank you.

1365
02:01:42,100 --> 02:01:43,040
Thank you.

1366
02:01:54,170 --> 02:01:58,470
I'm Charlie Brown, a lit of South Abeldingham off the truck in it.

1367
02:01:59,230 --> 02:02:05,670
Some of you know me, or you've seen me before, and a couple of new members like to introduce

1368
02:02:05,670 --> 02:02:06,150
myself.

1369
02:02:07,170 --> 02:02:09,810
I am a retired fellow engineer.

1370
02:02:10,190 --> 02:02:15,770
I've been deeply involved lately in global warming and climate change.

1371
02:02:16,290 --> 02:02:18,830
I enjoy sharing knowledge and education.

1372
02:02:19,670 --> 02:02:26,070
I get to teach a couple of courses at Western's Academy of Life Long Learning when it's coming

1373
02:02:26,070 --> 02:02:30,970
up in a couple of weeks on the sources of greenhouse gases and solutions.

1374
02:02:32,130 --> 02:02:39,790
I recently did one on the science and the myths of the mechanism of global warming.

1375
02:02:40,690 --> 02:02:45,310
And the spring I'll have one on the effects of climate change.

1376
02:02:46,250 --> 02:02:55,570
And flooding has come up tonight as a topic, as well as the 100-year flood, as well as

1377
02:02:55,570 --> 02:02:58,410
probability, as well as mitigation.

1378
02:03:02,480 --> 02:03:10,940
I did I mention I am interested in the position then on the climate impact action committee that's available.

1379
02:03:11,440 --> 02:03:20,020
So if I could work with Josh or the rest of the committee, I think that would be helpful if I can contribute in that way. So thank you.

1380
02:03:20,020 --> 02:03:20,840
Thank you, Charlie.

1381
02:03:27,490 --> 02:03:27,670
Okay.

1382
02:03:29,430 --> 02:03:34,150
So I am going to honor if there's anybody else in the room that hasn't already spoken.

1383
02:03:34,750 --> 02:03:36,630
To please start to make your way to the front.

1384
02:03:38,550 --> 02:03:41,190
Again, if we can just take one at a time,

1385
02:03:44,320 --> 02:03:45,560
go for it.

1386
02:03:46,400 --> 02:03:47,220
Hello, Council.

1387
02:03:48,200 --> 02:03:48,480
Thank you.

1388
02:03:49,240 --> 02:03:49,720
Executive.

1389
02:03:50,260 --> 02:03:51,500
My name is Stephen Thomas.

1390
02:03:52,120 --> 02:03:54,920
And I'm a resident of Lummy Island for 50 years.

1391
02:03:55,220 --> 02:03:56,800
Property owner for about that long.

1392
02:03:56,800 --> 02:04:02,820
And a general contractor in the island and a daily commuter to town for decades.

1393
02:04:03,620 --> 02:04:11,120
A lot of experience with the ferry and attend a lot of or almost all of the meetings to be

1394
02:04:11,120 --> 02:04:22,360
able to understand what the issues are and support the county and the island and finding solutions.

1395
02:04:23,240 --> 02:04:27,140
and so I am, my name is in for the

1396
02:04:28,860 --> 02:04:33,300
Welcome County Ferry Advisory Committee and just introducing myself.

1397
02:04:34,700 --> 02:04:36,240
Well, thank you so much for being here.

1398
02:04:44,310 --> 02:04:46,990
Hi, I'm Lucy Kesterson and I live in Bellingham.

1399
02:04:47,630 --> 02:04:49,270
I am here to support the resolution.

1400
02:04:49,890 --> 02:04:51,490
I'm sharing a story from my church.

1401
02:04:51,490 --> 02:04:54,650
I am not speaking on behalf of the church just me.

1402
02:04:55,710 --> 02:04:59,350
Justice and equity with love at the center are core values of my faith.

1403
02:04:59,350 --> 02:04:59,910
We have

1404
02:05:00,000 --> 02:05:29,980
Several action ministries and service to these values at my church. Among others, our church's ministries provide vital support to refugees fleeing persecution who no longer feel safe here and bringing food to immigrant neighbors who justifiably feel unsafe to leave their homes. Many of our church members have witnessed the dangers of what it means to be born outside of this country and also brown. Many are teachers who see the terror of their students as parents are disappeared. We wanted to do something more for our spirit.

1405
02:05:29,980 --> 02:05:34,620
and vulnerable Waccom County neighbors, so we ask the Waccom racial equity team to help

1406
02:05:34,620 --> 02:05:39,640
commission to help us learn. They responded quickly and organized a form of a diverse group of

1407
02:05:39,640 --> 02:05:44,360
people working directly with those targeted by ICE. People who know the atrocities happening

1408
02:05:44,360 --> 02:05:50,300
in our backyard. This form was attended by more than 70 people at our church on immigration action

1409
02:05:50,300 --> 02:05:56,320
here in Waccom. The action guide answers our questions. It is a vital resource to give us a clear

1410
02:05:56,320 --> 02:06:00,760
understanding of what we can do. I am concerned about the proposed amendment

1411
02:06:00,760 --> 02:06:04,820
erasing the important work people of color have done for all of our safety in

1412
02:06:04,820 --> 02:06:08,160
Wachem County. Please include the Commission's action guide

1413
02:06:08,160 --> 02:06:11,940
in the resolution and affirm our recognition of racial bias

1414
02:06:11,940 --> 02:06:15,140
dangers and Wachem County's commitment to changing that

1415
02:06:15,140 --> 02:06:17,740
and protecting those most vulnerable in our community.

1416
02:06:18,540 --> 02:06:23,300
The first stage of genocide is compartmentalization into us versus them.

1417
02:06:23,300 --> 02:06:28,140
I reject the us versus them dichotomy and I ask you to do that too.

1418
02:06:28,940 --> 02:06:33,080
As an earlier speaker said, we need to protect the humanity of our backdoor neighbor.

1419
02:06:33,840 --> 02:06:39,100
We are all in this effort to love our neighbor together through vital, faithful action just

1420
02:06:39,100 --> 02:06:42,840
as we need to stand up for our neighbors hurt by the environmental disaster.

1421
02:06:43,760 --> 02:06:48,280
As a matter of conscience, we need to stand up for our neighbors persecuted by government

1422
02:06:48,280 --> 02:06:50,400
sanctioned and directed political violence.

1423
02:06:50,400 --> 02:06:54,940
I urge you to approve the resolution with the inclusion of the commitment to the

1424
02:06:54,940 --> 02:06:58,140
walk commercial equity commission and the action agenda on immigration.

1425
02:06:58,720 --> 02:06:59,120
Thank you.

1426
02:06:59,540 --> 02:06:59,960
Thank you.

1427
02:07:04,320 --> 02:07:04,860
Hello.

1428
02:07:05,380 --> 02:07:11,420
My name is Rachel Witter-Magarrity, and I am here in my capacity as interim chair of the Public

1429
02:07:11,420 --> 02:07:16,840
Health Advisory Board to offer some guidance in your selection of the 2026 appointees to

1430
02:07:16,840 --> 02:07:17,240
our board.

1431
02:07:17,980 --> 02:07:23,420
However, before I do, I would like to acknowledge the bravery and energy of everyone who

1432
02:07:23,420 --> 02:07:24,540
who came here to speak tonight.

1433
02:07:27,260 --> 02:07:32,120
In your meeting materials, you will have a memo from PHAB to County Council summarizing

1434
02:07:32,120 --> 02:07:38,120
a new approach to ensuring that the breadth and depth of experience on our board is equal

1435
02:07:38,120 --> 02:07:40,080
to our 2026 ambitions.

1436
02:07:40,580 --> 02:07:46,220
We have chosen a vital conditions framework pioneered by the Ripple Foundation as an evolution

1437
02:07:46,220 --> 02:07:49,840
from the widely used social determinants of health framework.

1438
02:07:50,540 --> 02:07:55,080
This would replace our older hub and spoke model that ultimately resulted in more reporting

1439
02:07:55,080 --> 02:08:00,960
between task forces and rehab, then action, and potentially restricted representation,

1440
02:08:01,200 --> 02:08:07,540
especially from our more rural residents. To make it easy for you during this appointment process,

1441
02:08:07,620 --> 02:08:12,340
we outlined a chart with each applicant's strength in our new vital conditions framework

1442
02:08:12,780 --> 02:08:18,060
as available from their application, so maybe not comprehensive inside your packet,

1443
02:08:18,420 --> 02:08:23,620
as well as any applicant's role within urgent services, their experiences as a tribal or

1444
02:08:23,620 --> 02:08:27,480
other minority group member, and if they represent an at-risk population.

1445
02:08:28,300 --> 02:08:34,420
Of note, none of our applicants for appointment this year are representatives of either of

1446
02:08:34,420 --> 02:08:37,520
the First Nations tribe who land, whose land we share.

1447
02:08:38,380 --> 02:08:43,300
While we have been actively recruiting tribal members to join the board, we have not had

1448
02:08:43,300 --> 02:08:49,140
success yet, and Pied members raised the idea of leaving a spot open to ensure the opportunity

1449
02:08:49,140 --> 02:08:51,180
to rectify this imbalance at a later point.

1450
02:08:51,960 --> 02:09:14,000
I want to thank the Council for your careful consideration of each of our applicants, including myself, having just finished a partial term and up for more, as well as your partnership as we weather some tough questions as a community this year, including how we respond to the federal cuts in public health services and priorities, how we support your response to public health emergencies,

1451
02:09:14,000 --> 02:09:19,280
policies, how, when, and with what money, we perform a robust community health assessment

1452
02:09:19,280 --> 02:09:24,920
and refresh our community health improvement plan, and how we potentially restructure

1453
02:09:24,920 --> 02:09:29,940
the Wachon County Board of Health to include expert and diverse accountability in decisions

1454
02:09:29,940 --> 02:09:32,440
directly impacting the health of our communities.

1455
02:09:33,740 --> 02:09:39,620
As a nurse, a patient, a mother to young children, a daughter to cherish elders, a neighbor,

1456
02:09:39,620 --> 02:09:44,660
a commuter, a backyard gardener, and a relentless optimist, I want to say.

1457
02:09:45,240 --> 02:09:48,140
Thank you for your time and service to Watcom County.

1458
02:09:48,900 --> 02:09:52,720
With a newly adopted work plan and hopefully a full new board,

1459
02:09:53,320 --> 02:09:55,660
Peab is excited to say, let's get to work.

1460
02:09:57,240 --> 02:09:57,960
Thank you, Rachel.

1461
02:10:06,930 --> 02:10:12,310
Good evening. My name is Mary. I'm Carol Moco. I am the Executive Director of the Walk-On-Ritual Equity Commission.

1462
02:10:14,530 --> 02:10:36,430
I didn't plan on speaking today, but after hearing everyone, I felt I needed to share a few things. The work of the action guide, culminated engagement from multiple community members who do boots on the groundwork with immigrant community members. And also elected officials,

1463
02:10:36,430 --> 02:10:47,530
law enforcement officials, lawyer, folks who do anything from basic need direct

1464
02:10:47,530 --> 02:10:55,610
servicing to an elected official essentially. We were really intentional with

1465
02:10:55,610 --> 02:11:01,130
engaging people before, during the actual forum on immigration and

1466
02:11:01,130 --> 02:11:06,410
afterwards and getting their feedback on our action guide. So this was a

1467
02:11:06,410 --> 02:11:13,370
lot of work that went behind it and a lot of voices that's part of the action guide.

1468
02:11:13,930 --> 02:11:18,650
The action guide is also a living document because we understand that we need to be nimble

1469
02:11:19,530 --> 02:11:22,850
in our strategies to respond to the harm that's being caused.

1470
02:11:24,550 --> 02:11:30,330
So more on the harm, earlier I heard a lot of things and I'm not at all dissolution with

1471
02:11:30,330 --> 02:11:37,730
trying to convince people who are not for this resolution that they need to be for it but I do

1472
02:11:37,730 --> 02:11:45,190
want to make a few things clear because I think things get lost really quickly. The harm that's

1473
02:11:45,190 --> 02:11:52,850
being caused is not a matter of opinion. The fact that people of color being targeted is not a

1474
02:11:52,850 --> 02:11:54,450
matter of opinion. These are facts.

1475
02:11:57,640 --> 02:12:00,120
The current leaders at the federal level have made it legal for

1476
02:12:00,120 --> 02:12:05,420
people to be targeted based on their skin tone when it comes to immigration, why people

1477
02:12:05,420 --> 02:12:10,520
are not been stopped and asked about their papers, but here in Wacom County, people from

1478
02:12:10,520 --> 02:12:17,080
Lemon Nation are because of their skin color, and your brown person is. We know that currently

1479
02:12:17,830 --> 02:12:25,240
in LA, ice is going around, not going indoors. Those things are actually illegal.

1480
02:12:27,680 --> 02:12:28,620
I also wanted

1481
02:12:28,620 --> 02:12:36,020
to know that I heard a comment earlier about that alluded to criminality. I just want to know

1482
02:12:36,020 --> 02:12:40,860
that it is a fact that U.S. foreign citizens commit more crime than immigrants. That's a fact.

1483
02:12:45,480 --> 02:12:52,000
I, again, I'm not the solution that I won't, that I'll get some of you who don't agree with this

1484
02:12:52,000 --> 02:12:57,160
resolution to agree with me, but I hope that you hear, you've heard tonight from the community,

1485
02:12:57,720 --> 02:13:02,540
specifically the community of color, you've had people who came here with interpreters

1486
02:13:02,540 --> 02:13:06,720
to share what happened to them, who could not even finish their full story because

1487
02:13:06,720 --> 02:13:10,560
I thought, most of all, it was, you need to do something.

1488
02:13:12,100 --> 02:13:13,120
Thank you, Miriam.

1489
02:13:20,230 --> 02:13:21,790
I wasn't expecting to speak.

1490
02:13:22,270 --> 02:13:27,910
My name is Michael Barris, I've lived here for about 42 years and I'm supporting, I hope

1491
02:13:27,910 --> 02:13:32,970
you will support the human rights resolution for a reason that I don't understand.

1492
02:13:32,970 --> 02:13:40,470
So imagine you are in the parking lot behind hardware sales and you witness three or four cars.

1493
02:13:41,130 --> 02:13:46,630
SUVs speeding in, the doors open up and out, runs three or four men.

1494
02:13:46,790 --> 02:13:54,030
They're always men in with masks and they're armed and they basically assault somebody in that parking lot.

1495
02:13:54,330 --> 02:14:00,550
Now as a citizen, what you would do is you would call 911 and they would say

1496
02:14:00,550 --> 02:14:07,030
We will probably say, we will get some patrol car there as ASAP.

1497
02:14:08,490 --> 02:14:15,170
If you add in one other thing, which is that they're not only armed and they're masked,

1498
02:14:15,490 --> 02:14:22,070
but they're vests say, ice, you'll probably be told, we can't intervene.

1499
02:14:23,210 --> 02:14:29,510
And you know that, you've heard that a million times, the local and state can't trump federal

1500
02:14:29,510 --> 02:14:35,970
things. But that is a thing that is going on in our community. And I think the resolution

1501
02:14:35,970 --> 02:14:40,450
is a beginning step moving towards that. Thank you for your time.

1502
02:14:41,450 --> 02:14:44,210
Thank you, Vancouver, my time. Thank you for your time.

1503
02:14:51,800 --> 02:14:57,540
Good evening. My wife spoke kind of at the beginning. We live in Sumas.

1504
02:14:58,540 --> 02:14:59,960
We were flooded for

1505
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:07,100
Four times in the last five years. And I want to just address the emotional toll of a flood.

1506
02:15:08,860 --> 02:15:14,500
It was tremendous. I had a brain injury three years ago, I've kind of been in healing

1507
02:15:14,500 --> 02:15:22,340
process and two all that, these floods have hit. And I woke up after the flood and I told

1508
02:15:22,340 --> 02:15:28,380
my wife, I said, I feel like I lost a year of gains from my health. And I had a severe

1509
02:15:28,380 --> 02:15:35,480
your brain injury. I had an epidural hematoma life, life altering brain surgery at a St.

1510
02:15:35,640 --> 02:15:41,620
Joe's here. Thank God. Thank God they operated. I mean, I'm still here. But I lost a year

1511
02:15:41,620 --> 02:15:50,800
of my health. And that's the emotional toll of a severe tragedy. And I just want to bring

1512
02:15:50,800 --> 02:15:55,680
that up. We are willing to rebuild. We want to rebuild. We love Sue Mass. We love

1513
02:15:55,680 --> 02:15:59,920
of Walkham County, and last week we had a city meeting

1514
02:15:59,920 --> 02:16:03,820
with Mayor's Bruce Bosch and John Perry from Everton.

1515
02:16:04,560 --> 02:16:07,220
And we were all hopeless here in CMS.

1516
02:16:08,120 --> 02:16:10,780
We're totally shocked that this keeps happening.

1517
02:16:11,400 --> 02:16:15,100
But as I was sitting in our meeting last week

1518
02:16:15,100 --> 02:16:19,720
at the Advent Church, I just was sparked with hope.

1519
02:16:20,140 --> 02:16:22,180
Believe it or not, I had hope.

1520
02:16:22,180 --> 02:16:28,420
because Mayor's John and Bruce were telling us all of the great things that you

1521
02:16:28,420 --> 02:16:33,960
guys are batting around. And we haven't really never really heard that in

1522
02:16:33,960 --> 02:16:38,700
Sumas. We have heard that there's a hundred-year flood and it's a 500-year

1523
02:16:38,700 --> 02:16:43,560
flood. It'll never happen again. And then all of a sudden, boom, it happens. So we're

1524
02:16:43,560 --> 02:16:49,060
in shock. And so we are clinging. People in Sumas, Nooksek,

1525
02:16:49,060 --> 02:16:57,160
everson are clinging to some hope. We really are. And you guys have this awesome position

1526
02:16:57,840 --> 02:17:04,420
to speak on our behalf. And I know there's a lot of anger and angst. I know that's there.

1527
02:17:04,760 --> 02:17:13,620
I get it. I'm just propping you guys up and encouraging you to just help us. And we know you're

1528
02:17:13,620 --> 02:17:19,420
going to do it. We have faith in you. What's in the past is in the past. Who the hell cares

1529
02:17:19,420 --> 02:17:25,820
about what happened in the past? Let's push forward for the future. And we want to stay

1530
02:17:25,820 --> 02:17:31,460
in sumas. People who live in sumas want to stay in sumas. The best part of sumas, I kid

1531
02:17:31,460 --> 02:17:37,260
you not, is the people. Because when you drive down Cherry Street, you're like, who, what

1532
02:17:37,260 --> 02:17:43,480
is this, right? Come on. Like, what is this? There's nothing here, but the people in

1533
02:17:43,480 --> 02:17:49,740
Sumas say, go, we love this town. And so we are imploring you to help us. Thank you.

1534
02:17:50,140 --> 02:17:52,220
Thank you. Can we have your name for the record if you don't mind?

1535
02:17:53,020 --> 02:17:55,160
Jonathan Cook. Thank you.

1536
02:18:01,480 --> 02:18:08,060
You've passed through, though. I've heard a lot about it around a couple of times,

1537
02:18:08,060 --> 02:18:12,180
about people who are here and are hardworking and all that.

1538
02:18:14,160 --> 02:18:18,880
You look at the jail raster and you pick out the people that are sitting behind bars that are honorable.

1539
02:18:19,340 --> 02:18:24,460
You throw them to me. They're there because they broke a federal law, state law, county law.

1540
02:18:25,160 --> 02:18:29,420
If you are here illegally, you broke the law to get here illegally.

1541
02:18:30,320 --> 02:18:32,300
You're not an honorable person.

1542
02:18:33,080 --> 02:18:37,720
Of all these honorable persons who aren't here and we won't happen to support them.

1543
02:18:37,720 --> 02:18:45,380
These folks would have funds to take care of their needs, so think about it.

1544
02:19:00,220 --> 02:19:21,660
Hi, good evening. My name is Monica Kohler, and I am from some very honorable people from my mother and father who both immigrated to this country with courage and bravery to start a better life for themselves, who retired as a janitor and worked tirelessly.

1545
02:19:21,660 --> 02:19:27,880
to make our communities better. My mom was a public school educator, and I'm very proud

1546
02:19:27,880 --> 02:19:32,280
to be here today and be in community with you all.

1547
02:19:33,520 --> 02:19:39,260
So I'm here in support of the Watt Commercial Equity Commission's resolution, reaffirming

1548
02:19:39,260 --> 02:19:47,340
our human rights and dignity, specifically in the piece that talks about the Watt Commercial

1549
02:19:47,340 --> 02:19:59,220
Official Equity Commission's guide that calls on city governments, county government, and the justice system to exhaust all legal recourse to protect the county's population.

1550
02:20:00,000 --> 02:20:29,740
From negative impacts of ICE actions. I wouldn't be here today making profound contributions in the community. I am proud to have graduated with the Masters in Counseling and the mother of two children who are very proud to be bilingual citizens in this country. And just really thank you all for listening to everybody's

1551
02:20:30,800 --> 02:20:40,060
Concerns today about human rights, this is a human right issue and I thank you for considering the well-being of all people in our community.

1552
02:20:42,390 --> 02:20:42,930
Thank you.

1553
02:20:51,840 --> 02:20:52,540
What do you think, Connie?

1554
02:20:52,600 --> 02:20:57,740
Council, it's good to see familiar faces and I'd like to welcome the new faces as well.

1555
02:20:58,460 --> 02:21:03,980
Councilor's Reinstra and Boil really want to welcome you warmly to this position.

1556
02:21:04,100 --> 02:21:09,300
Thank you for serving and again, also to the other members who have won their positions back.

1557
02:21:09,560 --> 02:21:11,040
And thank you for coming back for more.

1558
02:21:13,440 --> 02:21:15,680
I wore my Todd Donovan shirt today.

1559
02:21:15,720 --> 02:21:16,320
Who wore it back?

1560
02:21:16,900 --> 02:21:17,320
I'm just asking.

1561
02:21:17,720 --> 02:21:20,020
Okay, come on, I'm going to slim down.

1562
02:21:23,060 --> 02:21:24,040
Many more beds.

1563
02:21:24,660 --> 02:21:25,520
We need more beds.

1564
02:21:25,520 --> 02:21:29,580
I always come and I address the Board of Health and we need more beds.

1565
02:21:30,280 --> 02:21:32,660
Mid-February, we're looking at probably a cold snap.

1566
02:21:33,420 --> 02:21:34,960
That's a long range of predictions.

1567
02:21:34,960 --> 02:21:36,860
It looks like it's coming more and more true in the pattern.

1568
02:21:37,080 --> 02:21:38,260
So we need more beds.

1569
02:21:38,660 --> 02:21:40,160
We need to support daytime shelters.

1570
02:21:40,700 --> 02:21:41,340
We need more beds.

1571
02:21:42,140 --> 02:21:43,120
A lot more beds.

1572
02:21:44,240 --> 02:21:44,840
Emergency beds?

1573
02:21:45,200 --> 02:21:45,340
Yes.

1574
02:21:45,720 --> 02:21:46,660
Year-round beds.

1575
02:21:47,760 --> 02:21:48,740
Season-long beds.

1576
02:21:49,180 --> 02:21:49,540
All of it.

1577
02:21:50,640 --> 02:21:52,100
I'm thankful for what efforts you've made.

1578
02:21:52,100 --> 02:21:59,360
I think Amy came in for coming up here and recovery cafe is doing great work.

1579
02:22:00,000 --> 02:22:05,640
I strongly suggest you visit upon them when they're doing that work, it's a real kick

1580
02:22:05,640 --> 02:22:05,980
in the butt.

1581
02:22:08,100 --> 02:22:16,100
I also would like to support the resolution, reaffirming constitutional rights, and this

1582
02:22:16,100 --> 02:22:17,180
is nothing new, right?

1583
02:22:17,360 --> 02:22:21,420
So you're just reaffirming the Constitution, something you've all taken in those two, and we

1584
02:22:21,420 --> 02:22:22,520
don't get to shirk on ever.

1585
02:22:23,960 --> 02:22:25,980
You know, I never make notes, really.

1586
02:22:26,160 --> 02:22:28,720
But there's a lot of little details on this one, you know?

1587
02:22:29,160 --> 02:22:32,260
And part of that resolution, what I'd really,

1588
02:22:33,800 --> 02:22:36,200
I'd like to echo the comments here.

1589
02:22:36,400 --> 02:22:40,100
When you have a masked person not producing documentation,

1590
02:22:40,360 --> 02:22:44,780
not producing their name, there's no reason at all

1591
02:22:44,780 --> 02:22:48,020
you should expect needs to listen to your demands,

1592
02:22:48,820 --> 02:22:50,820
your orders, because you're wearing a vest

1593
02:22:50,820 --> 02:22:56,140
that says police across it, we've got gentlemen running around in this town, we're in that with

1594
02:22:56,140 --> 02:23:00,500
the machete on their side and nobody stopping that. I don't think he's really a policeman.

1595
02:23:00,840 --> 02:23:05,520
You know, we've got this and so we've got people out here who are over the last year. We've seen

1596
02:23:05,520 --> 02:23:11,980
a lot of people really pump up supporting officers, dressed like officers, acting like officers

1597
02:23:11,980 --> 02:23:18,680
or not, but either way there's no reasonable expectation for anyone to believe somebody wearing

1598
02:23:18,680 --> 02:23:21,740
a mask that I'm a cop and they're waving a gun in your face.

1599
02:23:22,400 --> 02:23:27,060
So we need to really give us reason to believe that is who they say they are.

1600
02:23:28,340 --> 02:23:30,300
We need to, we need to ID them, we need to see them.

1601
02:23:30,640 --> 02:23:35,900
I couldn't get police officers to wear masks when we had all these people on the lawn out

1602
02:23:35,900 --> 02:23:40,120
here at City Hall in 2020 and into 2021.

1603
02:23:41,300 --> 02:23:45,220
So you know, ironically, now those same people want to wear masks.

1604
02:23:47,740 --> 02:23:50,460
So, yeah, homelessness versus ice, right?

1605
02:23:51,240 --> 02:23:52,340
We haven't talked about that.

1606
02:23:52,460 --> 02:23:53,140
You're not hearing that.

1607
02:23:53,540 --> 02:23:55,100
We hardly ever hear from the homeless.

1608
02:23:57,120 --> 02:24:01,620
What their what their needs are and what their experience is.

1609
02:24:01,620 --> 02:24:05,220
In fact, we don't quantify a lot of the homeless experience, including health.

1610
02:24:05,860 --> 02:24:06,600
It's a time of that.

1611
02:24:08,060 --> 02:24:09,180
I'm going to have.

1612
02:24:09,600 --> 02:24:13,380
I would appreciate your vote on me on that one,

1613
02:24:13,380 --> 02:24:18,080
because I can further do this work better than three minutes at a time with you all.

1614
02:24:18,520 --> 02:24:20,440
I look forward to being able to do that. Thank you, Marcus.

1615
02:24:23,850 --> 02:24:25,150
Okay, anybody else? Last call?

1616
02:24:27,450 --> 02:24:30,210
I knew it. Come on down, Mr. Lyle.

1617
02:24:36,150 --> 02:24:39,210
Good evening, Councilor Lyle, sorry, and welcome to the new members.

1618
02:24:42,680 --> 02:24:48,400
You know, action and inaction are both actions. I think the comments started with that.

1619
02:24:49,200 --> 02:24:53,520
What can county is exceptionally good at kicking the can?

1620
02:24:54,980 --> 02:24:58,820
We talk, we study, we talk, we study some more, we hear some consultants.

1621
02:25:00,180 --> 02:25:23,800
We have consensus anxiety, learned helplessness. It's silly. Listen, this isn't complicated. My background, I was a civil contractor for three decades, two decades, but that I worked with Watkins County River and Flood. I worked in the river. I worked along the river. I've repaired after floods. I've done preventative work in between time.

1622
02:25:26,140 --> 02:25:31,560
As a civilian, I've harvested gravel off the gravel bars. Okay?

1623
02:25:31,560 --> 02:25:35,900
I was the only civilian in the meeting.

1624
02:25:36,280 --> 02:25:38,360
I was invited by River and Flood to attend

1625
02:25:39,100 --> 02:25:41,320
when they shut down the last permit

1626
02:25:41,800 --> 02:25:43,340
to harvest gravel from the river.

1627
02:25:44,580 --> 02:25:46,840
Did you know that the MOOC SAC

1628
02:25:47,180 --> 02:25:49,680
is the second most prolific provider

1629
02:25:50,260 --> 02:25:51,800
of sediment to Puget Sound.

1630
02:25:52,260 --> 02:25:54,340
20% of all of the sediment load

1631
02:25:54,340 --> 02:25:56,040
and Puget Sound comes from the MOOC SAC.

1632
02:25:56,800 --> 02:25:59,460
So any management plan,

1633
02:25:59,460 --> 02:26:05,320
That's over a million cubic yards per foot, which by the way, is 618 acre feet of water

1634
02:26:06,000 --> 02:26:08,440
per million cubic yards, okay?

1635
02:26:08,780 --> 02:26:14,820
So any legitimate plan for the Nutsack because of the prolific production that comes from

1636
02:26:14,820 --> 02:26:18,340
our young glacier system has to include sediment management.

1637
02:26:19,060 --> 02:26:22,100
We've neglected that for the past 30 years.

1638
02:26:22,380 --> 02:26:26,780
It's interesting, I listen to Mr. Bronson here saying that, hey, we need to backslope our levy

1639
02:26:26,780 --> 02:26:29,920
that's right behind of the old linen ready-backed site.

1640
02:26:30,620 --> 02:26:37,600
Linden ready-mix was located on Hampton Road because the gravel, the concrete that Bill

1641
02:26:37,600 --> 02:26:40,420
Linden was provided from the gravel bars.

1642
02:26:42,640 --> 02:26:47,320
That's why linen ready-mix was there, that's why Bodys concrete was up on the guide next

1643
02:26:47,320 --> 02:26:47,880
to the river.

1644
02:26:48,620 --> 02:26:51,760
That's why cowdons were at Cedarville next to the river.

1645
02:26:53,400 --> 02:26:59,000
Interestingly, if you look at the Sprung Chinook runs, the benchmark year that they measure

1646
02:26:59,320 --> 02:27:01,300
their progress against is 1995.

1647
02:27:02,140 --> 02:27:05,580
In 1995, we were still harvesting gravel from the Knicksack.

1648
02:27:06,340 --> 02:27:09,060
The Knicksack every year brings down a million cubic yards.

1649
02:27:09,360 --> 02:27:14,380
That's about a third of the total production of gravel that's used from our surface mines

1650
02:27:14,380 --> 02:27:15,020
every year.

1651
02:27:15,560 --> 02:27:18,420
We are squandering a valuable resource.

1652
02:27:18,420 --> 02:27:22,220
That backslip on the Hampton, why wouldn't we build that with River Gravel?

1653
02:27:23,100 --> 02:27:26,660
I mean, there are so many things I'd be happy to visit with you guys more about this.

1654
02:27:28,100 --> 02:27:30,740
That needs to be a meaningful strategy.

1655
02:27:31,480 --> 02:27:34,600
The CAST-80 article said 11.4 million yards.

1656
02:27:35,760 --> 02:27:39,020
That's like 7,230 acre feet of water.

1657
02:27:40,160 --> 02:27:42,620
Stop them think about it. Thanks.

1658
02:27:42,620 --> 02:27:45,040
Yes, my

1659
02:27:54,700 --> 02:28:03,080
name is frankly and I'm a recognition member before I make my comments.

1660
02:28:04,100 --> 02:28:09,920
I want to acknowledge everyone who's here tonight and their advocacy for their experience

1661
02:28:10,240 --> 02:28:12,000
and their issues that they're facing.

1662
02:28:13,800 --> 02:28:22,500
It is important that the resolution be affirmed because we live under the Constitution.

1663
02:28:23,500 --> 02:28:25,720
I'm here because of my neighbors.

1664
02:28:26,480 --> 02:28:28,240
I'm here because of my children.

1665
02:28:29,220 --> 02:28:30,260
I'm here because of myself.

1666
02:28:31,700 --> 02:28:35,440
I'm asking you to do this symbolically

1667
02:28:36,320 --> 02:28:40,060
to hold the line and protect all of us.

1668
02:28:41,580 --> 02:28:42,480
Thank you, Frank.

1669
02:28:45,320 --> 02:28:45,520
Okay.

1670
02:28:46,940 --> 02:28:49,460
I'm not seeing any other movement in person,

1671
02:28:49,480 --> 02:28:52,100
so let's go ahead and move to our online registrants.

1672
02:28:52,100 --> 02:28:56,200
We have 12 people online who would like to speak.

1673
02:28:56,420 --> 02:29:01,240
The first three will be Jonathan King, Jill Meadows, and Deborah Shauver.

1674
02:29:04,040 --> 02:29:04,920
Go ahead.

1675
02:29:05,200 --> 02:29:05,960
You have three minutes.

1676
02:29:08,730 --> 02:29:09,030
All right.

1677
02:29:09,170 --> 02:29:09,290
Hi.

1678
02:29:09,490 --> 02:29:09,890
Thank you.

1679
02:29:10,210 --> 02:29:11,170
My name is Johnny King.

1680
02:29:11,570 --> 02:29:12,270
Can you hear me?

1681
02:29:13,130 --> 02:29:13,510
Yes.

1682
02:29:13,950 --> 02:29:14,270
Perfect.

1683
02:29:14,490 --> 02:29:14,830
Thank you.

1684
02:29:15,390 --> 02:29:21,510
So I just wanted to acknowledge everything that everybody was talking about today as the

1685
02:29:21,510 --> 02:29:23,690
flood victim from the first flood in Ferndale.

1686
02:29:24,550 --> 02:29:30,630
I've been there so I completely understand and I do also support the Human Rights Resolution.

1687
02:29:31,390 --> 02:29:36,750
I am here to advocate for the position with the Climate Impact Advisory Committee.

1688
02:29:37,990 --> 02:29:43,070
I just want to state that I have direct experience with municipal government, specifically with

1689
02:29:43,070 --> 02:29:49,850
the City of Lyndon and I work as their computer support technician and so I understand how policy

1690
02:29:49,850 --> 02:29:57,450
decisions affect budget, staff capacity, general compliance, day-to-day operations, I did get to

1691
02:29:57,450 --> 02:29:59,710
to be a part of the 2045.

1692
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:29,820
Apprehensive plan for Lyndon even submitted a couple ideas myself. I also have experience in asset management and public disclosure requirements. And so these sort of experience would tailor to evaluating climate proposals on feasibility and sustainability. I did want to mention that I have hands on climate related experience. I do nonprofit work with computers for people in need. And so we focus on responsible recycling.

1693
02:30:29,820 --> 02:30:37,240
refurbishment redistribution. So this does help prevent e-waste. We extend usable life on technology

1694
02:30:37,240 --> 02:30:43,820
and we're able to educate the public on proper recycling methods for hardware. I have a grounded

1695
02:30:43,820 --> 02:30:49,760
understanding of environmental costs when it comes to manufacturing and disposal. And so with some

1696
02:30:49,760 --> 02:30:55,440
of my experience, I've even collaborated with about 10 different departments with the City of

1697
02:30:55,440 --> 02:31:01,300
and so that would include public works went out of my way after my own hours to seek additional

1698
02:31:01,300 --> 02:31:06,640
knowledge from folks that worked there. I got to examine their public work sewer maps learning

1699
02:31:06,640 --> 02:31:12,340
about their meter replacement projects. Also worked with water and wastewater treatment facilities

1700
02:31:12,340 --> 02:31:19,820
and so I was there directly with the removal of fluoride and observed the general public opinion

1701
02:31:19,820 --> 02:31:27,120
on how this affected them, as well as people like low-income folks, and so I just wanted to

1702
02:31:27,120 --> 02:31:32,640
be able to highlight some of that work. I've done work with the Kiwanis Club. I still do that now.

1703
02:31:33,500 --> 02:31:38,860
I work with the Lyndon Community Center, the United Methodist Church, and pretty soon the

1704
02:31:38,860 --> 02:31:45,740
Ferndale Downtown Association. Just hearing from what folks are talking about today, I do think it's

1705
02:31:45,740 --> 02:31:49,040
important that we have somebody, especially somebody that's part of North

1706
02:31:49,040 --> 02:31:54,260
Walkham County, just because I'm from Linden and so having that sort of

1707
02:31:54,260 --> 02:31:58,060
representation I think would be very important. So thank you.

1708
02:31:59,720 --> 02:32:00,580
Thank you.

1709
02:32:06,810 --> 02:32:07,830
Jill please go ahead.

1710
02:32:10,360 --> 02:32:14,460
Hello I'm Jill Meadows and I moved to Bellingham almost a year

1711
02:32:14,460 --> 02:32:18,720
and a half ago so I'm relatively new to the community. I live in the King Mountain

1712
02:32:18,720 --> 02:32:22,660
neighborhood. I'm attending this meeting virtually because the neighbor

1713
02:32:22,660 --> 02:32:26,340
informing the nearby encampment would be on the agenda.

1714
02:32:26,880 --> 02:32:30,260
And I was hoping to learn more about the city's plans to address this growing

1715
02:32:30,260 --> 02:32:34,800
public health and safety issue. It doesn't appear that it's actually

1716
02:32:34,800 --> 02:32:38,680
on the agenda, but I will take this opportunity to share with you a little bit about

1717
02:32:38,680 --> 02:32:42,400
our experience. Over the past year we've witnessed more and more people

1718
02:32:42,400 --> 02:32:46,820
trespassing in the private property surrounding us. People heading into the woods

1719
02:32:46,820 --> 02:32:50,640
with wagons, suitcases, bats, machetes, chainsaws.

1720
02:32:51,160 --> 02:32:53,540
We realize this is a complicated issue,

1721
02:32:53,760 --> 02:32:56,460
but my neighbors have been subjected to trespassing theft

1722
02:32:56,460 --> 02:32:59,180
and was in property damage, smoke inhalation,

1723
02:32:59,340 --> 02:33:02,800
noise violations, local litter and dumping.

1724
02:33:03,440 --> 02:33:05,660
The developers in the city have told us

1725
02:33:05,660 --> 02:33:08,220
to contact the police when we observed trespassing.

1726
02:33:08,780 --> 02:33:11,140
While the police are generally friendly and responsive,

1727
02:33:11,500 --> 02:33:13,740
they've not been particularly effective or reassuring.

1728
02:33:14,280 --> 02:33:15,840
They ask us for descriptions,

1729
02:33:15,840 --> 02:33:24,600
but aren't interested in, when we say we have photos and videos, they drive by, but really search the private property and questions, sometimes stating that it's not safe.

1730
02:33:28,220 --> 02:33:40,300
And then when we observe large amounts of smoke coming from the woods, make it difficult to breathe and dilation of burn bands, they direct us to the fire department.

1731
02:33:40,300 --> 02:33:46,240
the fire department sends trucks that says they can't locate the source and don't investigate

1732
02:33:46,240 --> 02:33:52,560
further saying that it's up to the police because there are no roads or it's unsafe

1733
02:33:53,980 --> 02:33:58,780
and it's discouraging to hear one of my neighbors tonight was physically threatened but the

1734
02:33:58,780 --> 02:34:05,040
assailant is likely still living in the area. I understand the citizen litigation with the property

1735
02:34:05,040 --> 02:34:07,420
oner where the main encampment is located.

1736
02:34:09,500 --> 02:34:17,180
But meanwhile, the issue is growing and it's becoming

1737
02:34:17,180 --> 02:34:25,720
more and more of a public safety and health issue and it's going to cost even more to take care of.

1738
02:34:29,680 --> 02:34:35,000
The city is also the the officials recently have also recommended we talk to our council members.

1739
02:34:35,000 --> 02:34:42,380
So here I am. Thank you for listening. Thank you.

1740
02:34:46,250 --> 02:34:47,290
Deborah, please go ahead.

1741
02:34:49,900 --> 02:34:50,780
I thank

1742
02:34:50,780 --> 02:34:58,720
you. My name's Deb Schauver and I'm here as an applicant for the Public Health Advisory

1743
02:34:58,720 --> 02:34:59,180
Re-board.

1744
02:35:00,000 --> 02:35:29,640
And I just wanted to say that I'm a licensed clinical social worker, so I am a health care provider. And I live up in Peaceful Valley neighborhood, up in Kendall Maple Falls. And I think it would be really great for our community if we had more representation on the board. And it might help some of the movement and getting

1745
02:35:29,640 --> 02:35:36,200
a lot of things that we need done up there, and I would also like to contribute just

1746
02:35:36,200 --> 02:35:43,700
to be a part of the voice to help support the public health of Watcombe County in general.

1747
02:35:44,320 --> 02:35:48,680
I've lived in Watcombe County off and on since 1990.

1748
02:35:49,220 --> 02:35:55,760
I was gone for a chunk of time, but came back and have raised kids here, and so I love

1749
02:35:55,760 --> 02:35:56,660
it very much.

1750
02:35:56,660 --> 02:36:06,760
and yeah, thank you for your serving on this council and giving me a chance to speak.

1751
02:36:08,660 --> 02:36:15,360
Thank you. The next three speakers are Natalie Chavez, Randall Hayes, and Rebecca Rettmer.

1752
02:36:19,080 --> 02:36:20,060
Natalie, please go ahead.

1753
02:36:23,300 --> 02:36:24,740
Can you hear me? Yes.

1754
02:36:26,360 --> 02:36:30,680
Hello, my name is Natalie Chavez. Thank you for listening to public comments this evening.

1755
02:36:30,680 --> 02:36:40,500
It was heartbreaking to hear all of the comments regarding the flooding and I hope that you take them to heart and take appropriate action as soon as possible to help these community members.

1756
02:36:41,000 --> 02:36:50,120
On a different note, I attended the rehab meeting last Thursday and as you are probably already aware, Shannon both dead resigned resigned at that meeting.

1757
02:36:50,120 --> 02:37:01,340
So there are now 13 vacancies on PHAB, which makes it easy for you tonight since there are exactly 13 applicants, which include five incumbents who apply for the vacant position.

1758
02:37:02,340 --> 02:37:08,120
Unfortunately, there was not one applicant from District 4 or from the Lumiere-Nuksek tribe.

1759
02:37:08,720 --> 02:37:15,820
And my guess is that all of the applicants are Democrats, with many who are in the same friend, acquaintance, networking, bellingham bubble.

1760
02:37:15,820 --> 02:37:20,860
A few of the P-Hab applicants even listed current P-Hab members as references.

1761
02:37:21,600 --> 02:37:27,460
It appears like P-Hab will remain very bellingham top heavy and echo chamber which is worth

1762
02:37:27,460 --> 02:37:32,660
noting since there are thousands of community members like me who have no representation

1763
02:37:32,660 --> 02:37:35,920
on P-Hab and I happen to be a lifelong Democrat.

1764
02:37:36,620 --> 02:37:41,860
At last week's P-Hab meeting I requested that all P-Hab meetings be recorded and that meeting

1765
02:37:41,860 --> 02:37:45,420
Replace be accessible to all walk-in community members.

1766
02:37:45,880 --> 02:37:54,080
This request to record meetings has been made repeatedly by me and others at different meetings over the last few years.

1767
02:37:54,700 --> 02:38:07,000
Taking meeting minutes does not capture everything that transpires at these meetings and having P have meeting replace accessible will also increase transparency and accountability.

1768
02:38:07,540 --> 02:38:11,460
On a different note, I want to read part of the letter that medical director Dr.

1769
02:38:11,720 --> 02:38:16,240
Burton wrote to the council last month regarding the potential restructure of the

1770
02:38:16,240 --> 02:38:21,400
health board, which she does not support. Curse was my favorite letter and people

1771
02:38:21,400 --> 02:38:26,520
like Dr. Burton are the ones who will most likely never have a seat on rehab and

1772
02:38:26,520 --> 02:38:30,900
there are thousands of walk-in community members who are like her. The last

1773
02:38:30,900 --> 02:38:35,480
paragraph of her letter states as follows, quote, as a physician who practiced

1774
02:38:35,480 --> 02:38:41,600
through the heat of the COVID pandemic, I can attest to the pressure placed on medical providers

1775
02:38:41,600 --> 02:38:48,060
to adhere to talking points handed down by the various experts, professional boards and government

1776
02:38:48,060 --> 02:38:54,620
health organizations. Those that questioned or expressed concerns were silenced or threatened

1777
02:38:54,620 --> 02:39:00,740
with loss of their licenses. We learned many lessons from COVID. We learned that the experts

1778
02:39:00,740 --> 02:39:06,280
works, the science wasn't, and vaccines didn't. Trust in medical professionals,

1779
02:39:06,280 --> 02:39:11,180
pharmaceutical companies, and government health agencies have been significantly diminished.

1780
02:39:11,760 --> 02:39:15,100
People in our communities want to contribute to discussions and decisions.

1781
02:39:15,600 --> 02:39:21,220
Please do not mute their voices, unquote. And lastly, for those of you who may be COVID vaccine

1782
02:39:21,220 --> 02:39:29,980
Andrew or who you can find support and resources at the website react19.org. That's r-e-a-c-t-1-9.org.

1783
02:39:30,360 --> 02:39:36,520
Thank you for your time. Thank you. Randall Hayes is no longer in the Zoom. Rebecca,

1784
02:39:37,060 --> 02:39:37,960
please go ahead.

1785
02:39:41,920 --> 02:39:49,240
Yes, I'm Rebecca Retmer from Lummy Island and I am simply doing a quick request

1786
02:39:49,240 --> 02:39:55,000
to you tonight to support the code amendment that is on your schedule later.

1787
02:39:55,000 --> 02:39:58,580
It's AB 2026-016.

1788
02:39:58,580 --> 02:39:59,900
this is

1789
02:40:00,000 --> 02:40:25,520
It's an amendment to the real residential island, title 20 zoning that will allow food preparation for offsite consumption, when accessory to an approved community center. And so tonight, I just want to urge you to move that forward to a public hearing and a vote at your next meeting. And I'll yield the rest of my time to someone else. Thank you. The next speaker is Leslie Himmerling. Leslie, please go ahead.

1790
02:40:30,700 --> 02:40:33,540
Can you hear me? Yes. There we go. Thank you.

1791
02:40:33,540 --> 02:40:39,440
My name is Leslie Himmerling. I moved to King Mountain four years ago. I bought

1792
02:40:39,440 --> 02:40:46,880
brand-new home. I've been kind of disappointed to view things on social media

1793
02:40:46,880 --> 02:40:53,580
of what's going what's occurring in the woods. I have the huge concerns I spoke

1794
02:40:53,580 --> 02:40:59,500
with officer Murphy and she indicated to me that I need to attend the meetings.

1795
02:41:00,780 --> 02:41:09,100
That is my second home up there. I am in San Diego currently on Zoom. I hope to come in person next month when we fly up there.

1796
02:41:09,620 --> 02:41:14,080
But I'm a little terrified to fly up at the end of the month to see what I'm going to go home to.

1797
02:41:14,400 --> 02:41:21,860
I'm super concerned about the videos I've seen. My neighbor had his propane tank stolen right off his back deck.

1798
02:41:22,360 --> 02:41:25,640
We have slapped locks on our gates since we're not always there.

1799
02:41:25,640 --> 02:41:30,660
I don't trust anybody, and he was quite concerned.

1800
02:41:30,800 --> 02:41:36,420
He sent me his Arlo video, and it was some lady, and she took the propane tank off his

1801
02:41:36,420 --> 02:41:37,800
barbecue on the back deck.

1802
02:41:38,560 --> 02:41:41,580
So I'm super concerned to see what's going on in my home.

1803
02:41:41,580 --> 02:41:45,080
I have a ring camera inside and two outside.

1804
02:41:45,540 --> 02:41:46,980
So I constantly go and look.

1805
02:41:47,500 --> 02:41:53,460
People are posting on social with homeless people on their porches, kind of looking around.

1806
02:41:53,460 --> 02:42:00,140
Today there was thefts at the construction site because Ralph Black is still building more homes in this area.

1807
02:42:00,660 --> 02:42:03,600
How do I find out what you all are doing for this area?

1808
02:42:06,630 --> 02:42:09,930
Is there a way to find out or, you know, I'm just concerned.

1809
02:42:10,110 --> 02:42:13,490
I've sent an email to Mayor Lund and I haven't heard back.

1810
02:42:15,030 --> 02:42:18,850
And I'm just kind of concerned to have homeless people right down the hill from my house.

1811
02:42:19,190 --> 02:42:20,650
I don't have that here in San Diego.

1812
02:42:20,650 --> 02:42:25,450
It's all downtown by Petco, so it's not in my backyard like it is up and belling him

1813
02:42:26,610 --> 02:42:30,230
How do I find out what what's going to happen is

1814
02:42:33,850 --> 02:42:38,270
this not the I mean, I don't know what this meeting I I don't know exactly what I

1815
02:42:39,470 --> 02:42:40,750
Thought it would be on the agenda

1816
02:42:42,210 --> 02:42:46,230
You know, I'm looking for help what you know

1817
02:42:46,230 --> 02:42:51,270
I'm going to be a mouthpiece when I get up there if I if I see all this stuff that I'm seeing

1818
02:42:51,270 --> 02:43:00,350
I'm very concerned. I'm very triggered by fires. I guess there was a fire a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what's going on here. There was a big boom last week.

1819
02:43:01,730 --> 02:43:10,510
It's a huge concern in King Mountain and I don't know if this you answer here. I guess not. But that's my concerns in King Mountain.

1820
02:43:10,510 --> 02:43:19,570
Thank you, Leslie. You can send us an email at our council at. Then we can look into that

1821
02:43:19,570 --> 02:43:22,510
or follow up with the city if it's within city limits.

1822
02:43:24,570 --> 02:43:27,030
Council at code dot whatcom.wa.us.

1823
02:43:29,810 --> 02:43:36,010
The next three speakers are Robert Keller, Norma Suarez, Govea, and Nisha Rendello,

1824
02:43:39,560 --> 02:43:40,080
one

1825
02:43:40,080 --> 02:43:40,720
second rubber.

1826
02:43:45,260 --> 02:43:49,100
Oh, it looks like rubber is no longer on. It

1827
02:43:52,500 --> 02:43:54,040
looks like all three of them are

1828
02:43:54,040 --> 02:43:56,560
not no longer on. Sorry.

1829
02:43:58,580 --> 02:44:02,160
Kenta, I was unsure if you wanted to speak or not. Kenta, Gumbart,

1830
02:44:03,220 --> 02:44:08,000
your mic is open. Please go ahead and if you would like to testify, please go ahead.

1831
02:44:14,220 --> 02:44:14,400
Kenta,

1832
02:44:14,660 --> 02:44:16,640
if you would like to speak, you need to unmute.

1833
02:44:26,170 --> 02:44:30,650
So the last speaker I have is registered as the

1834
02:44:30,650 --> 02:44:38,070
galley if you could go ahead and unmute yourself and identify yourself. Please go ahead.

1835
02:44:40,260 --> 02:44:41,680
Hi, I'm

1836
02:44:51,410 --> 02:44:53,430
sorry you got okay

1837
02:44:56,310 --> 02:44:58,170
the galley go ahead. Sorry about that.

1838
02:45:01,640 --> 02:45:29,900
All right. My name is Rihanna Godshaw. I'm the co-owner of the galley on Lemmy Island. I'll make this brief. I just want to say that my heart goes out to all the flood victims in the county and also I have full support of our immigrant community. It's been a really intense comment section here. I'm here to advocate on behalf of the Lemmy Island zoning

1839
02:45:29,900 --> 02:45:35,640
change, I operate a little cafe that just opened last year that utilizes the

1840
02:45:35,640 --> 02:45:41,380
commissary kitchen at the gathering place and which kind of brought about this

1841
02:45:41,380 --> 02:45:45,920
code amendment for Lummy Island. We are in a bit of a food desert. We have an

1842
02:45:45,920 --> 02:45:48,760
underserved community out here that trends pretty elderly.

1843
02:45:50,420 --> 02:45:57,120
My little business has been able to become a community hub, something that offers

1844
02:45:57,120 --> 02:46:00,220
food source to people of all economic

1845
02:46:01,200 --> 02:46:03,260
spectrums including the tourists but

1846
02:46:03,260 --> 02:46:06,300
the locals and the gathering places

1847
02:46:06,300 --> 02:46:08,240
really essential to our little island

1848
02:46:08,240 --> 02:46:10,120
community for the one coffee

1849
02:46:10,120 --> 02:46:13,360
cart that we have for Robert Keller

1850
02:46:13,360 --> 02:46:15,100
who was supposed to speak but probably

1851
02:46:15,100 --> 02:46:18,080
had to leave. He does a pop-up

1852
02:46:18,080 --> 02:46:22,200
kitchen thing and my little cafe

1853
02:46:23,820 --> 02:46:25,520
operates four days a week offering

1854
02:46:25,520 --> 02:46:30,480
once, to the workers, to the people of the island, to the ferry crew. We're quite isolated

1855
02:46:30,480 --> 02:46:37,880
out here. It's difficult to provide any kind of services like that, so it is an essential

1856
02:46:37,880 --> 02:46:43,100
part of our community, the intention for it. When it was built, it's only been in existence

1857
02:46:43,100 --> 02:46:52,840
since 2023, was to help provide more essential services to the community. So this zoning hiccup

1858
02:46:52,840 --> 02:46:58,900
has been kind of a problem. I think a lot more people would utilize the kitchen and it would bring

1859
02:46:58,900 --> 02:47:06,020
a lot more to our community. That's very small and removed from most of the rest of welcome county.

1860
02:47:07,340 --> 02:47:13,240
So I just hope that you push that forward to the agenda for voting on it at the next meeting.

1861
02:47:15,880 --> 02:47:20,500
Thank you. Thank you. And I'm chair. Those are all the speakers online. Okay.

1862
02:47:23,370 --> 02:47:24,670
Thank you, everyone.

1863
02:47:24,670 --> 02:47:32,050
One for your time and for being here today, I am going to entertain that we take just a

1864
02:47:32,050 --> 02:47:37,910
brief recess until 9 p.m. that'll give us 12 minutes to use the restroom.

1865
02:47:39,070 --> 02:47:41,730
Is that sound like a good plan? I'm getting head nods.

1866
02:47:41,890 --> 02:47:46,630
So we'll go ahead and close our open session, move into a recess and we'll come back here

1867
02:47:46,630 --> 02:47:47,470
at 9 p.m.

1868
02:48:00,730 --> 02:48:04,610
I was doing the maverick, I was like, every time I tried to go up to the mall, I was like,

1869
03:00:43,760 --> 03:00:47,540
I agree. I have to talk about this day. I agree with this.

1870
03:01:36,160 --> 03:01:40,740
Here, tonight call, call council members, back

1871
03:01:46,560 --> 03:02:02,860
to the

1872
03:02:24,840 --> 03:02:25,600
Okay.

1873
03:02:32,190 --> 03:02:40,330
Thank you for entertaining that quick biobrate. We will come back into session here at 903 p.m.

1874
03:02:41,310 --> 03:02:54,250
I'm talking very slow, so Councilmember Scanlon can join us back because the next item on our agenda is our consent agenda from Council's Finance and Administrative Services Committee Councilmember Scanlon.

1875
03:02:55,210 --> 03:03:03,710
Hi everyone. I know this is a little bit awkward after almost three hours of public comment that we're going to go to improve a bunch of contracts.

1876
03:03:03,710 --> 03:03:08,710
But it's it's what we do and we'll get back to the other items in a little bit.

1877
03:03:09,430 --> 03:03:11,750
And I think did we get rid of that echo there?

1878
03:03:12,410 --> 03:03:13,730
Is there an echo test too?

1879
03:03:14,170 --> 03:03:14,770
It was very.

1880
03:03:15,590 --> 03:03:15,970
It was big.

1881
03:03:16,170 --> 03:03:17,090
I'm trying to help some new.

1882
03:03:17,250 --> 03:03:21,190
I heard it in the back.

1883
03:03:22,330 --> 03:03:22,930
All right.

1884
03:03:23,210 --> 03:03:27,910
So I am a new chair of the finance administrative services committee.

1885
03:03:28,530 --> 03:03:30,010
And so earlier today.

1886
03:03:30,010 --> 03:03:37,030
Today, we approved, we get to the right part of my agenda here,

1887
03:03:39,620 --> 03:03:42,300
nine contracts, which

1888
03:03:42,300 --> 03:03:50,560
passed 7-0 in committee with the recommendation of the full council. Those are AB's 2020-6-0-0-1,

1889
03:03:50,560 --> 03:04:05,660
AB 2026-009, AB 2026-012, AB 2026-020, AB 2026-018, AB 2026-024, AB 2026-013, AB 2026-019,

1890
03:04:06,360 --> 03:04:14,400
and AB 2026-022. So that came to Council with a 7-0 recommendation to Council and ISO moved

1891
03:04:14,400 --> 03:04:15,140
to the full Council.

1892
03:04:15,140 --> 03:04:19,140
Okay, with a motion from Councilmember Scanlan out of committee, I'm any further discussion

1893
03:04:19,140 --> 03:04:19,720
on this?

1894
03:04:23,570 --> 03:04:25,090
Seeing none, can we do a roll call?

1895
03:04:28,840 --> 03:04:29,600
Then Ellen Boss?

1896
03:04:30,420 --> 03:04:30,960
Yes.

1897
03:04:33,830 --> 03:04:34,850
Kaley Galloway?

1898
03:04:35,150 --> 03:04:35,370
Yes.

1899
03:04:36,110 --> 03:04:36,910
Jessica Reinstra?

1900
03:04:37,230 --> 03:04:37,510
Yes.

1901
03:04:38,090 --> 03:04:38,730
John Scanlan?

1902
03:04:39,010 --> 03:04:39,210
Yes.

1903
03:04:39,390 --> 03:04:40,030
Mark Stremler?

1904
03:04:40,310 --> 03:04:40,510
Yes.

1905
03:04:40,730 --> 03:04:41,530
Elizabeth Boyle?

1906
03:04:41,670 --> 03:04:41,910
Yes.

1907
03:04:42,110 --> 03:04:42,670
Gary Buchanan?

1908
03:04:42,930 --> 03:04:43,090
Yes.

1909
03:04:43,570 --> 03:04:43,990
Okay.

1910
03:04:44,110 --> 03:04:45,430
Now motion carries 7-0.

1911
03:04:47,490 --> 03:04:48,770
Next item on finance?

1912
03:04:49,390 --> 03:04:49,930
Yes.

1913
03:04:49,930 --> 03:04:56,690
Yes, we had one other item from the Finance and Administrative Services Committee that is AB 2025-854,

1914
03:04:57,790 --> 03:04:59,890
requesting authorization for the county executive.

1915
03:05:00,000 --> 03:05:29,180
I would enter into a contract amended between Wachem County and the city of Bellingham to eliminate funding for three lateral paramedic positions, decreasing the contract to the amount by $224,823 for a total amended contract amounts of $783,619. I note that there is a substitute item here, which was recommended by the committee 7-0, and I so move to the full committee. Okay. With a motion from council member Sam,

1916
03:05:29,180 --> 03:05:31,400
on that committee. Was there any further discussion on this item?

1917
03:05:34,180 --> 03:05:35,500
Seeing none. Can we do a

1918
03:05:35,500 --> 03:05:36,020
call vote?

1919
03:05:38,780 --> 03:05:46,260
Kaley Galloway. Yes. Just a Korean straw. Yes. John Scamlin. Yes. Mark Stremler. Yes.

1920
03:05:47,580 --> 03:05:55,680
Elizabeth Boyle. Yes. Barry Buchanan. Yes. Ben Ellenboss. Hey, let the record show that

1921
03:05:59,080 --> 03:06:03,040
We had an item from Council's criminal justice and public safety committee, Councillor

1922
03:06:03,040 --> 03:06:09,740
Marbue Cannon. We had an item out of criminal justice and public safety around the

1923
03:06:09,740 --> 03:06:15,060
J. Pop. Oh, yes, we did. We had an item, excuse me, I would

1924
03:06:15,060 --> 03:06:24,560
have stepped on my glasses. So, AB 2026-4-015 and it was request for a motion to establish

1925
03:06:24,560 --> 03:06:30,640
what the full-term length for the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee members term.

1926
03:06:31,540 --> 03:06:40,000
We had a motion to have a term length of four years, which coincides with the same term length for

1927
03:06:40,000 --> 03:06:43,440
the incarceration prevention task force as well.

1928
03:06:44,160 --> 03:06:50,820
And just so the public knows, this committee is a subcommittee of the incarceration prevention task force.

1929
03:06:50,820 --> 03:06:55,220
So, that motion passed 7-0 and I so move.

1930
03:06:56,120 --> 03:07:09,320
Okay, with a motion from Councilmember Buchanan out of committee to establish four-year staggered terms for the Justice Project Oversight Planning Committee consistent with the rules of the incarceration prevention reduction task force.

1931
03:07:10,820 --> 03:07:12,500
Any further discussion on this?

1932
03:07:16,210 --> 03:07:17,410
Seeing none, can we do roll call?

1933
03:07:18,230 --> 03:07:19,270
Jessica Reinstra?

1934
03:07:19,670 --> 03:07:19,790
Yes.

1935
03:07:20,350 --> 03:07:20,970
John Scanlon?

1936
03:07:21,230 --> 03:07:21,370
Yes.

1937
03:07:21,650 --> 03:07:22,330
Mark Stremler?

1938
03:07:22,690 --> 03:07:22,910
Yes.

1939
03:07:23,130 --> 03:07:23,990
Elizabeth Boyle?

1940
03:07:24,210 --> 03:07:24,370
Yes.

1941
03:07:24,690 --> 03:07:25,230
Barry Buchanan?

1942
03:07:25,610 --> 03:07:25,790
Yes.

1943
03:07:26,010 --> 03:07:26,590
Vanilla Boss?

1944
03:07:27,450 --> 03:07:27,690
Yes.

1945
03:07:27,990 --> 03:07:28,770
Kayla Galloway?

1946
03:07:28,950 --> 03:07:29,110
Yes.

1947
03:07:29,930 --> 03:07:31,790
Not the record show that carries 7-0.

1948
03:07:33,450 --> 03:07:33,750
Okay.

1949
03:07:34,210 --> 03:07:39,250
We are moving along to our council appointments to advisory groups just to be patient with us.

1950
03:07:39,250 --> 03:07:44,530
I think what I'll do for rules of procedure here is if we do have any members, any applicants

1951
03:07:44,530 --> 03:07:50,370
who didn't already speak during open session, but wishes to speak to their application.

1952
03:07:50,990 --> 03:07:55,750
We'll go ahead and acknowledge those folks.

1953
03:07:56,950 --> 03:08:02,710
So moving forward here, we'll start with AB 2026-026 appointment of vacancies on the

1954
03:08:02,710 --> 03:08:06,430
ACME, Van Zant flood control subzone advisory committee.

1955
03:08:06,950 --> 03:08:09,450
Our sole applicant is William Dominique Mosary.

1956
03:08:10,130 --> 03:08:15,230
This is Council acting as the flood control zone district board of supervisors.

1957
03:08:16,430 --> 03:08:23,230
I know Mr. Misari was online and was available to answer questions.

1958
03:08:23,370 --> 03:08:27,910
I don't know if you'd like to speak or introduce yourself to Council.

1959
03:08:28,110 --> 03:08:33,450
I know you also want to plan in commission, so you're not a new face, but you're welcome to speak if you wish.

1960
03:08:38,980 --> 03:08:39,420
Go ahead.

1961
03:08:40,700 --> 03:08:42,760
Okay, you should be able to unmute now.

1962
03:08:43,440 --> 03:08:44,420
Can you hear me?

1963
03:08:44,960 --> 03:08:45,180
Yes.

1964
03:08:46,200 --> 03:08:48,680
Hey, yeah, I don't have anything specific to say.

1965
03:08:49,100 --> 03:08:51,880
I'd appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve.

1966
03:08:52,080 --> 03:08:54,300
We're kind of rebuilding the committee.

1967
03:08:54,600 --> 03:08:59,480
We have consistent members now, and we're trying to recruit more.

1968
03:08:59,880 --> 03:09:03,740
And I'm happy to continue to serve on the committee.

1969
03:09:04,020 --> 03:09:05,940
So I'm here if you have any other questions.

1970
03:09:06,260 --> 03:09:06,580
Thank you.

1971
03:09:07,100 --> 03:09:09,160
Well, thank you so much for your service.

1972
03:09:09,340 --> 03:09:11,320
And for being here sticking with us this late.

1973
03:09:11,320 --> 03:09:15,900
Did council members have any questions or can I entertain a motion to a point, Mr.

1974
03:09:16,100 --> 03:09:21,860
Miserie, to the Acme Van Zant flood control zone's flood control subzone advisory committee?

1975
03:09:23,020 --> 03:09:24,000
I moved to a point.

1976
03:09:25,060 --> 03:09:25,480
Second.

1977
03:09:26,200 --> 03:09:26,420
Okay.

1978
03:09:27,900 --> 03:09:28,380
Awesome.

1979
03:09:28,540 --> 03:09:32,860
So I've got a motion from council member Scanlan and a second from council member Reenstra.

1980
03:09:34,580 --> 03:09:35,580
Any further discussion?

1981
03:09:37,380 --> 03:09:37,560
Okay.

1982
03:09:37,760 --> 03:09:39,260
Seeing none, can we go ahead and do a roll call?

1983
03:09:40,560 --> 03:09:46,860
John Scanlon. Yes. Mark Strummler. Yes. Elizabeth Boyle. Yes. Mary Buchanan. Yes.

1984
03:09:47,240 --> 03:09:54,380
Vanilla Boss. Yes. Kayla Galloway. Yes. Jessica Reinstra. Yes. Okay, let the record show that

1985
03:09:54,380 --> 03:09:59,900
carries 7 to 0. Next is AB 2026-027. It's an appointment to

1986
03:10:00,000 --> 03:10:24,240
Makeancies on the flood control zone, district advisory committee, various positions, applications, we've got Michael Bozo, Bruce Bosch, Jeff D. Young, Lauren. John Perry, and Ron, Ron Sema, council acting as flood control zone district board of supervisors. I love that like several of those names are familiar now, because we heard from them this evening. Okay.

1987
03:10:24,240 --> 03:10:24,300
Okay.

1988
03:10:25,800 --> 03:10:28,320
The three Dutchmen up here said you did it pretty good.

1989
03:10:28,400 --> 03:10:28,980
I did okay.

1990
03:10:29,260 --> 03:10:29,800
You did okay.

1991
03:10:30,000 --> 03:10:31,180
Oh, I got like a B-.

1992
03:10:31,320 --> 03:10:31,700
There's some.

1993
03:10:32,040 --> 03:10:32,580
There's some.

1994
03:10:32,860 --> 03:10:33,440
Yeah, a little bit.

1995
03:10:33,520 --> 03:10:33,820
Okay.

1996
03:10:34,360 --> 03:10:35,260
Room for improvement.

1997
03:10:37,040 --> 03:10:37,440
Women.

1998
03:10:38,500 --> 03:10:38,900
Okay.

1999
03:10:40,060 --> 03:10:42,960
Do any applicants from the list?

2000
03:10:43,000 --> 03:10:45,460
I just wish to speak to their application.

2001
03:10:47,630 --> 03:10:48,430
Come on down.

2002
03:10:48,650 --> 03:10:49,870
Oh, it's a direct name.

2003
03:10:50,110 --> 03:10:50,530
Oh, good.

2004
03:10:51,850 --> 03:10:53,110
Not a Dutch name, though.

2005
03:10:53,110 --> 03:10:59,750
It's so well. I'm Mike Bazo. Bazo. Thank you. And I'd like to be on the

2006
03:10:59,750 --> 03:11:06,390
flood control district advisory committee. My background is I've worked marine

2007
03:11:06,390 --> 03:11:12,630
construction for 15 years degree in civil engineering. I've dredged all over the

2008
03:11:12,630 --> 03:11:17,790
west coast and Hawaii. I spent 18 years working for the Port of Bellingham

2009
03:11:17,790 --> 03:11:23,090
and my last eight years as a Director of Fleet and Facilities for the WTA.

2010
03:11:24,090 --> 03:11:27,410
And that positions at both the port and WTA.

2011
03:11:27,650 --> 03:11:32,810
I've obtained permits and worked with the local governments to get things done.

2012
03:11:33,610 --> 03:11:36,230
So hopefully I can help get something done.

2013
03:11:36,970 --> 03:11:37,430
Thank you.

2014
03:11:37,830 --> 03:11:38,190
Thank you.

2015
03:11:38,910 --> 03:11:39,070
Okay.

2016
03:11:39,250 --> 03:11:40,230
Mr. Bozo.

2017
03:11:40,590 --> 03:11:41,730
Get that right this time.

2018
03:11:42,150 --> 03:11:42,710
Bozo.

2019
03:11:42,890 --> 03:11:43,210
Got it.

2020
03:11:43,470 --> 03:11:44,170
In memory.

2021
03:11:44,170 --> 03:11:56,690
Okay, so it looks like we can entertain a motion to a point all six of our applicants come from round bosses the motion you wish to make. Yeah, that was a move to a point all of our applicants.

2022
03:11:56,750 --> 03:11:57,150
Okay.

2023
03:11:57,890 --> 03:11:58,910
Ooh, that was a close.

2024
03:11:59,090 --> 03:12:01,770
The positions that they're aligned with in the documentation.

2025
03:12:02,510 --> 03:12:02,830
Okay.

2026
03:12:03,270 --> 03:12:04,070
I heard an echo.

2027
03:12:04,210 --> 03:12:05,330
Sorry, I'm going to give it to Reenstra.

2028
03:12:06,130 --> 03:12:06,750
That's okay.

2029
03:12:07,630 --> 03:12:07,790
Okay.

2030
03:12:07,790 --> 03:12:11,510
All right, and just for the, did you want to say we'll go for it?

2031
03:12:11,630 --> 03:12:13,090
Council members, can I want to say a discussion?

2032
03:12:13,510 --> 03:12:13,790
Is that all right?

2033
03:12:14,050 --> 03:12:14,310
Sure.

2034
03:12:14,430 --> 03:12:14,710
Go for it.

2035
03:12:15,110 --> 03:12:17,570
So I think there are two additional vacancies, right?

2036
03:12:17,950 --> 03:12:18,850
Because for the-

2037
03:12:18,850 --> 03:12:19,310
I'll read it.

2038
03:12:20,910 --> 03:12:22,290
So everybody was here tonight.

2039
03:12:23,090 --> 03:12:26,290
I think this is a great group for people to join.

2040
03:12:26,890 --> 03:12:33,800
I know a lot of folks left and may still be listening in, but we have a lot of people that

2041
03:12:33,800 --> 03:12:37,180
want to be involved in how we deal with the river.

2042
03:12:37,180 --> 03:12:41,380
This is a great committee to be involved in to do that work.

2043
03:12:43,310 --> 03:12:43,610
Okay.

2044
03:12:44,650 --> 03:12:47,350
So recruitment is going to land on Mr. Bazo here.

2045
03:12:49,650 --> 03:12:50,610
Okay, count from Marilyn Boss.

2046
03:12:50,990 --> 03:12:51,150
Yeah.

2047
03:12:52,950 --> 03:12:59,010
You know, I've had some conversations that were very heated over flood flooding recently.

2048
03:12:59,430 --> 03:13:00,190
You can imagine.

2049
03:13:00,630 --> 03:13:07,450
And one of the person just said, I don't even go to those meetings because it's clear the county doesn't want to listen.

2050
03:13:08,490 --> 03:13:22,570
and my feedback to them was like, hey, that's the whole reason why I appointed you to that position was not for you to go and rubber stamp things but for you to go and participate in the plan.

2051
03:13:23,250 --> 03:13:30,710
So, I guess I want to put forth to Michael, Lauren, Bruce, John, Ron, and Jeff.

2052
03:13:32,210 --> 03:13:36,610
My expectation is that you're not there to rubber stamp anything.

2053
03:13:36,870 --> 03:13:40,090
You're there to participate in the creation of a plan.

2054
03:13:40,350 --> 03:13:42,610
And if the plan isn't good, question the plan.

2055
03:13:43,750 --> 03:13:47,370
If the plan is good, that's what we're looking for.

2056
03:13:47,850 --> 03:13:54,650
So, that is the whole point of all of the boards and commissions that we do

2057
03:13:54,650 --> 03:14:03,470
is to have public engagement and public involvement in the development of what we're going to do.

2058
03:14:03,870 --> 03:14:12,710
And so, I really hope that people don't misconstrue being on a border commission as solely.

2059
03:14:13,810 --> 03:14:19,430
I guess a lot, I guess my experience is some of our boards and commissions are absolutely echo chambers.

2060
03:14:19,430 --> 03:14:27,530
I don't think they ever should be. I think we should have dissenting voices in the room, even if it's just one and we'd have a better product.

2061
03:14:27,970 --> 03:14:33,010
So, Marcus, you want to be the dissenting voice on the flood control?

2062
03:14:35,290 --> 03:14:47,090
Yeah, and so anyway, that's personally my expectation is that people are going to participate in a productive way and give their input, not just sit there and not their head.

2063
03:14:48,870 --> 03:14:59,130
Seeing these names on here, I grew up in the floodplain on a Hanigan road and on noon

2064
03:14:59,130 --> 03:14:59,430
road.

2065
03:15:00,020 --> 03:15:29,660
And Jeff D. Young was always my neighbor. And when we were like 19, 20 years old, I would go into flood control zone meetings with Jeff D. Young. And Paula was there. And that's how I met her. And so like. And we all know what Bruce and John and everyone brings to the table. But like, these are people that are deeply entrenched in what we have done in the past.

2066
03:15:29,660 --> 03:15:36,840
in what we've tried to do and failed at, what we have done and succeeded, succeeded on.

2067
03:15:37,060 --> 03:15:43,180
So I hope that we can, as a council, hear what they're telling us.

2068
03:15:44,020 --> 03:15:50,180
And I hope that we don't get feedback that I don't even want to participate because nobody's listening to me.

2069
03:15:50,280 --> 03:15:58,220
I hope that staff and us can hear what the community members were putting on these commissions,

2070
03:15:58,220 --> 03:16:02,580
because especially with the flood control zone, these aren't just people that are like,

2071
03:16:02,760 --> 03:16:07,440
hey, I read a book on flood control. So I want to be involved. These are, this is their life.

2072
03:16:07,960 --> 03:16:17,360
Like, Jeff DeYoung's, you know, entire family of, like, 150 feet from the Abbott road levy. So,

2073
03:16:17,680 --> 03:16:20,440
like, that they're, they have buy-in.

2074
03:16:24,360 --> 03:16:25,840
Thank you, Council Member Allen-Boss.

2075
03:16:28,040 --> 03:16:33,500
Okay. Well, I think this group has a great body of work ahead of them, and we look forward

2076
03:16:33,500 --> 03:16:39,380
to working with them. And then we'll keep for the record that we still have two vacancies.

2077
03:16:39,640 --> 03:16:45,440
So hopefully we get to fill those at our next council meeting. Okay. Any further discussion?

2078
03:16:47,200 --> 03:16:50,600
Seeing none, can we go ahead and do a roll call? Mark Stremler?

2079
03:16:52,340 --> 03:16:52,920
Yes.

2080
03:16:53,700 --> 03:16:54,840
Elizabeth Boyle.

2081
03:16:55,000 --> 03:16:55,120
Yes.

2082
03:16:55,380 --> 03:16:56,020
Barry Buchanan.

2083
03:16:56,320 --> 03:16:56,480
Yes.

2084
03:16:56,640 --> 03:16:57,340
Ben Ellenboss.

2085
03:16:57,480 --> 03:16:57,720
Yes.

2086
03:16:58,360 --> 03:16:59,160
Kayla Galloway.

2087
03:16:59,340 --> 03:16:59,480
Yes.

2088
03:16:59,720 --> 03:17:00,520
Jessica Reinstra.

2089
03:17:00,800 --> 03:17:01,020
Yes.

2090
03:17:01,460 --> 03:17:02,100
John Scanlon.

2091
03:17:02,360 --> 03:17:02,580
Yes.

2092
03:17:03,400 --> 03:17:03,700
Okay.

2093
03:17:04,220 --> 03:17:05,420
Let the record show that.

2094
03:17:05,520 --> 03:17:06,560
Carry 7-0.

2095
03:17:07,240 --> 03:17:07,820
Okay.

2096
03:17:08,200 --> 03:17:14,140
Next item here is AB 2026-028 appointments to vacancies in the board of equalization.

2097
03:17:14,300 --> 03:17:17,860
The applicant is W. Thomas Fallis.

2098
03:17:17,860 --> 03:17:20,720
Yes. What is the will of council?

2099
03:17:22,240 --> 03:17:24,360
Move to a point. Second.

2100
03:17:25,200 --> 03:17:27,360
I've got a motion from councilmember Buchanan.

2101
03:17:28,720 --> 03:17:29,840
And a second from.

2102
03:17:31,580 --> 03:17:32,540
Annlin. Yes.

2103
03:17:37,450 --> 03:17:39,210
Any discussion on this item?

2104
03:17:45,770 --> 03:17:46,410
Let's say something.

2105
03:17:46,510 --> 03:17:47,590
Yeah councilmember Ellen boss.

2106
03:17:48,250 --> 03:17:49,550
I've gone to.

2107
03:17:50,290 --> 03:17:57,890
I've gone to B.O.E. meetings where Mr. Fallis has been engaged and I found him to be.

2108
03:17:57,890 --> 03:18:21,490
incredibly thoughtful and diligent in the way he inducted his business, and I've gotten incredible feedback from people that have gone through that process and appreciated him greatly, and I know that our former staff members also used to give me good feedback about him specifically.

2109
03:18:21,490 --> 03:18:27,570
So, I feel good about voting in favor of Mr. Fallis.

2110
03:18:34,620 --> 03:18:35,700
Further discussion?

2111
03:18:37,040 --> 03:18:38,000
Councilmember Scanlon.

2112
03:18:38,460 --> 03:18:43,640
In addition, I talked to some current staff today who also had similar things to say as well.

2113
03:18:47,130 --> 03:18:52,330
Okay. Sorry, I didn't have a chance to read some emails on this one.

2114
03:18:52,490 --> 03:18:56,390
I may abstain on this one just for the record.

2115
03:19:03,040 --> 03:19:04,280
Any further discussion?

2116
03:19:08,250 --> 03:19:10,650
I'm sorry, in a moment of learning.

2117
03:19:10,870 --> 03:19:15,070
I too, I'm feeling the need to abstain because I feel like we had some last minute communication about that.

2118
03:19:15,410 --> 03:19:17,490
And I just feel like I'm not prepared to vote.

2119
03:19:22,150 --> 03:19:27,430
And I've been given thumbs up from legal that we are okay to proceed with this one.

2120
03:19:27,610 --> 03:19:32,670
I do think if council wishes to have more time to process the information we received.

2121
03:19:32,670 --> 03:19:39,090
And we could, unless there's some urgency from our staff's perspective on getting this

2122
03:19:39,090 --> 03:19:43,530
appointment clear, we could perhaps hold for the next meeting as well.

2123
03:19:44,190 --> 03:19:45,270
Tells them our alibos?

2124
03:19:45,590 --> 03:19:52,190
Yeah, I'm just going to say that from the things that I read, from the email and conversations

2125
03:19:52,190 --> 03:19:58,750
with legal, I feel much better than I did after I've received the very first email, so.

2126
03:19:58,750 --> 03:19:59,970
Thank you very much.

2127
03:20:00,270 --> 03:20:02,510
But if you guys need more time, I'm down with that.

2128
03:20:10,220 --> 03:20:24,920
Yes, Kathy Halko, clerk of the council. I just wanted to note that Tom, of course, is a current DOE member and is scheduled for our hearings, which begin February 3rd. There is a little better.

2129
03:20:30,870 --> 03:20:35,410
That, of course, is tentative based on reappointment about it.

2130
03:20:38,830 --> 03:20:38,990
Okay.

2131
03:20:43,300 --> 03:20:46,760
Is it appropriate for councilmember Scanlan to share anything?

2132
03:20:46,760 --> 03:20:48,940
more from your conversations with staff.

2133
03:20:54,230 --> 03:20:55,150
I'll just say this.

2134
03:20:55,650 --> 03:21:02,330
One of the things that we saw in the applicant in the file that was sent in was that the

2135
03:21:02,330 --> 03:21:06,750
applicant was recently elected by share of the body.

2136
03:21:08,010 --> 03:21:13,970
In conversations, you know, there was an indication that that means that this is a person that

2137
03:21:13,970 --> 03:21:15,130
other people like working with.

2138
03:21:15,430 --> 03:21:15,770
Thank you.

2139
03:21:24,880 --> 03:21:28,620
Not seeing any other hands, all of a sudden missing any?

2140
03:21:28,620 --> 03:21:31,960
Can we go ahead and do a roll call?

2141
03:21:37,380 --> 03:21:39,040
Elizabeth Boyle of

2142
03:21:41,370 --> 03:21:41,710
Stain.

2143
03:21:42,730 --> 03:21:50,950
Barry Buchanan. Ben Allen-Boss. Kayla Galloway of Stain. Jessica Reinstra.

2144
03:21:51,830 --> 03:22:00,150
John Scanlon. Mark Stremler. Okay, that motion carries five to zero with two abstentions.

2145
03:22:04,490 --> 03:22:10,510
Okay, the next items we have at AB 2026-029 appointments to vacancies to climate

2146
03:22:10,510 --> 03:22:11,730
It impacted advisory committee.

2147
03:22:12,390 --> 03:22:14,970
Our applicants are Charlie Brown, Derek Grahamvin,

2148
03:22:15,370 --> 03:22:19,550
Stephen Harrell, Randall Hayes, Jonathan King, Ted Scott,

2149
03:22:19,970 --> 03:22:20,850
and Joshua Williams.

2150
03:22:23,930 --> 03:22:25,970
And let me just pull up my sheet here

2151
03:22:25,970 --> 03:22:29,550
because I do believe we have a substitute,

2152
03:22:30,890 --> 03:22:33,610
I always have the right terminology for this one.

2153
03:22:33,990 --> 03:22:35,510
Yeah, a substitute applicant list

2154
03:22:36,990 --> 03:22:41,070
that reflects a recent vacancy.

2155
03:22:41,730 --> 03:22:44,710
So we do have six vacancies on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee.

2156
03:22:45,170 --> 03:22:48,750
Five of those are full three year terms of those five, four of the current members were

2157
03:22:48,750 --> 03:22:52,450
eligible to reapply and those four incumbents did reapply.

2158
03:22:52,690 --> 03:22:57,330
And then we have got one partial term ending end of January 31st, 2027.

2159
03:22:57,650 --> 03:23:05,810
That's the new term that was recently vacated by a member who no longer met the residency

2160
03:23:05,810 --> 03:23:06,830
requirements.

2161
03:23:08,590 --> 03:23:23,520
So, the way I see this is we have seven applicants and we can appoint up to six and then after we appoint those new members, we'll need to assign one member to the partial term.

2162
03:23:26,720 --> 03:23:27,180
Okay,

2163
03:23:29,340 --> 03:23:32,360
do I have, I know we heard from a few of the applicants here.

2164
03:23:32,360 --> 03:23:41,560
Were there any others in chambers or online who didn't already have a chance to speak who wished to speak different

2165
03:23:48,240 --> 03:23:49,540
committee? Okay, we'll get to you.

2166
03:23:51,560 --> 03:23:58,360
Okay, so not saying anyone, I would entertain a motion to a point all seven and a vote for six.

2167
03:23:58,360 --> 03:24:00,940
I moved to a point, all seven and vote for six.

2168
03:24:02,520 --> 03:24:02,960
Okay.

2169
03:24:08,390 --> 03:24:13,330
I've got a Scanlan motion and a Reinstress second.

2170
03:24:15,340 --> 03:24:16,340
I got a question.

2171
03:24:16,720 --> 03:24:16,980
Yes, sir.

2172
03:24:17,080 --> 03:24:18,360
Is Charlie Brown still here?

2173
03:24:19,600 --> 03:24:20,040
Oh.

2174
03:24:20,800 --> 03:24:20,880
Brown.

2175
03:24:21,960 --> 03:24:23,220
I don't see him.

2176
03:24:23,420 --> 03:24:23,680
Okay.

2177
03:24:32,780 --> 03:24:34,680
We've got a motion and a second on the table.

2178
03:24:36,680 --> 03:24:38,060
I'm seeing any other hands.

2179
03:24:38,180 --> 03:24:41,200
I will say so I've served on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee.

2180
03:24:41,200 --> 03:24:48,060
I guess four years is Council Rep and two years prior to that as a community member.

2181
03:24:50,460 --> 03:24:53,640
I am going to support the four incumbents.

2182
03:24:53,700 --> 03:24:59,960
I think they've all been incredible assets to the team, particularly would express my

2183
03:25:00,000 --> 03:25:29,360
My significant appreciation to Steve Harrell, who wasn't here this evening, but he is sort of one of the last OG CAC members. He was a huge contributor to the 2021 climate action plan. And so having his sort of institutional knowledge as we gear up for the 2026 climate action plan is going to be incredible. And the others Derek Ted and Joshua have all been excellent on committee.

2184
03:25:29,360 --> 03:25:33,200
and just kind of rolling up their sleeves and I feel like some of them are just starting

2185
03:25:33,200 --> 03:25:41,500
to get their grip on the ground or whatever the terminology would be, but the other applicants

2186
03:25:41,500 --> 03:25:49,280
seem really strong, so I think I'm going to struggle to pick, but I would just at least put

2187
03:25:49,280 --> 03:25:55,880
my name behind the ones I've gotten to work with. Any further discussion, Council Member Ellen

2188
03:25:55,880 --> 03:26:12,930
So I know a few of these folks and I'm just going to speak to Charles Brown because he might be the least known, I guess, maybe to you guys.

2189
03:26:14,770 --> 03:26:24,170
I worked on a special project with Charlie at one time and we traveled to Houston for many, many weeks at a time.

2190
03:26:24,170 --> 03:26:33,670
and so I find him to be like next level like genius smart and incredibly

2191
03:26:33,670 --> 03:26:41,410
pleasant to work with and I think that he shares his ideas well even to people

2192
03:26:41,410 --> 03:26:46,710
who probably don't agree with him sometimes and so I can't say enough about

2193
03:26:46,710 --> 03:26:52,110
Charlie Brown I don't always agree with him but we've had some wicked heavy debates

2194
03:26:52,910 --> 03:26:57,650
and I think he would be spectacular for this committee.

2195
03:26:58,710 --> 03:27:00,610
I think we even had some of those right here.

2196
03:27:01,050 --> 03:27:01,590
Yeah, we have.

2197
03:27:04,410 --> 03:27:04,850
Okay,

2198
03:27:07,520 --> 03:27:10,600
I'm going to find my vote sheet here before we go into a vote here.

2199
03:27:19,020 --> 03:27:22,240
Giving you all just an extra minute to think about who you're going to vote for.

2200
03:27:23,760 --> 03:27:24,200
Okay.

2201
03:27:25,600 --> 03:27:26,880
Are we ready for a vote?

2202
03:27:28,800 --> 03:27:29,080
Okay.

2203
03:27:29,080 --> 03:27:31,980
Okay. Go for it, Kathy. We'll do a roll call.

2204
03:27:33,420 --> 03:27:34,240
Barry Buchanan.

2205
03:27:35,500 --> 03:27:36,520
Charlie Brown.

2206
03:27:40,870 --> 03:27:42,070
Derek Green.

2207
03:27:43,070 --> 03:27:46,250
Grimden. Yeah, Grimden. I can't read without my glasses. Sorry, guys.

2208
03:27:46,950 --> 03:27:50,390
Steve Hale Randall.

2209
03:27:51,790 --> 03:27:52,390
Hey.

2210
03:27:52,790 --> 03:27:57,170
Yeah. Hey, and Jonathan King and Joshua Williams.

2211
03:27:58,470 --> 03:28:06,030
Just the Karinstra, Brown, Gremben, Harrell, King, Scott, Williams.

2212
03:28:11,080 --> 03:28:12,020
Elizabeth Boyle.

2213
03:28:13,400 --> 03:28:16,920
Brown, Gremben, Harrell, King, Scott, Williams.

2214
03:28:24,200 --> 03:28:24,900
Vanilla, boss.

2215
03:28:26,920 --> 03:28:27,800
This is miserable.

2216
03:28:28,560 --> 03:28:31,120
I don't know who I'm going to leave off.

2217
03:28:31,340 --> 03:28:31,700
I know.

2218
03:28:32,080 --> 03:28:33,420
Bard, I'd quit.

2219
03:28:33,420 --> 03:28:34,040
Yeah.

2220
03:28:34,280 --> 03:28:35,140
What about that?

2221
03:28:39,070 --> 03:28:39,910
No, that's cool.

2222
03:28:40,150 --> 03:28:40,810
I'm about to.

2223
03:28:41,730 --> 03:28:42,330
Um,

2224
03:28:44,710 --> 03:28:45,050
uh,

2225
03:28:47,700 --> 03:28:50,660
uh, Garrel's Brown, Derek Grimman,

2226
03:28:54,160 --> 03:28:58,540
I'm the first six and so I won't just because

2227
03:28:58,540 --> 03:29:02,740
they're the first six on my list and so I won't have Joshua Williams on my list.

2228
03:29:03,100 --> 03:29:03,900
On which list?

2229
03:29:04,560 --> 03:29:06,040
Oh, the applicant list.

2230
03:29:06,480 --> 03:29:11,780
Uh, Carl's Brown, Derek Grimman, Stephen Harrell, Randall Hayes, Jonathan King, Theodore Scott.

2231
03:29:12,400 --> 03:29:15,400
Okay. Okay.

2232
03:29:17,440 --> 03:29:25,380
Okay. Okay. My vote sheet is an opposite order here. So we'll go brown,

2233
03:29:25,380 --> 03:29:25,580
Brown,

2234
03:29:27,020 --> 03:29:27,620
Remben,

2235
03:29:30,170 --> 03:29:30,770
Harrell,

2236
03:29:36,170 --> 03:29:36,690
Lyons,

2237
03:29:38,740 --> 03:29:39,120
King,

2238
03:29:39,800 --> 03:29:41,460
John Scamon,

2239
03:29:41,880 --> 03:29:42,880
Brown,

2240
03:29:43,920 --> 03:29:44,640
Grambon,

2241
03:29:45,660 --> 03:29:46,260
Harrell,

2242
03:29:47,380 --> 03:29:47,760
King,

2243
03:29:49,000 --> 03:29:51,000
Scott Williams,

2244
03:29:54,020 --> 03:29:54,940
Mark Strumler,

2245
03:29:56,260 --> 03:29:57,160
Grambon,

2246
03:29:58,120 --> 03:29:58,520
Harrell,

2247
03:29:59,420 --> 03:29:59,580
King,

2248
03:29:59,580 --> 03:29:59,680
you

2249
03:30:02,230 --> 03:30:03,330
Okay,

2250
03:30:28,100 --> 03:30:34,520
so our top six vote gutters were Brown, Remben,

2251
03:30:37,540 --> 03:30:43,560
Harold, King, Scott, and Williams.

2252
03:30:47,740 --> 03:30:47,980
Okay?

2253
03:30:53,020 --> 03:31:04,880
Okay. So those are our six appointed and reappointed members. So now the tough job of assigning the parser.

2254
03:31:04,880 --> 03:31:18,100
I guess I would be interested in letting our incumbents serve their terms, which would be the full ones.

2255
03:31:21,320 --> 03:31:28,040
So then we would be contemplating if Council was amenable to that.

2256
03:31:28,040 --> 03:31:37,280
We would then be contemplating a brown or king for the partial term and

2257
03:31:39,640 --> 03:31:41,420
then they'd be have the opportunity to reapply.

2258
03:31:41,780 --> 03:31:42,780
Okay, absolutely.

2259
03:31:43,400 --> 03:31:43,520
Yep.

2260
03:31:44,520 --> 03:31:49,500
And it doesn't a partial term doesn't count towards your two term max.

2261
03:31:58,100 --> 03:32:00,020
Council have a will.

2262
03:32:03,140 --> 03:32:04,580
Just write it down for us.

2263
03:32:04,580 --> 03:32:10,780
I would be moved so I mean it's actually an advantage for them to get the partial term.

2264
03:32:11,100 --> 03:32:12,660
Yeah, so they can serve a bonus term.

2265
03:32:12,900 --> 03:32:17,460
I would move for the incumbents to have the let's see here.

2266
03:32:18,240 --> 03:32:25,020
I would move that council vote on King and Williams is that correct?

2267
03:32:26,100 --> 03:32:27,320
No, Williams is kind of kind of.

2268
03:32:27,360 --> 03:32:27,820
Oh, there it is.

2269
03:32:27,900 --> 03:32:28,040
Okay.

2270
03:32:28,140 --> 03:32:28,260
Sorry.

2271
03:32:28,460 --> 03:32:31,160
Brown and King for the partial term.

2272
03:32:31,600 --> 03:32:31,880
Okay.

2273
03:32:31,880 --> 03:32:31,960
Okay,

2274
03:32:37,310 --> 03:32:43,630
so that's a motion from Council Member Reenstra would be to consider Brown and King

2275
03:32:44,210 --> 03:32:51,470
for the partial term would vote for one, and whoever you vote for would be the one to

2276
03:32:51,470 --> 03:32:52,390
get the partial term.

2277
03:32:54,170 --> 03:32:57,330
Okay, so that's got a motion from Council Member Reenstra to have a second.

2278
03:32:57,690 --> 03:32:57,930
Second.

2279
03:32:59,670 --> 03:33:02,630
Okay, so I've got Council Member Scanlan as a second.

2280
03:33:02,630 --> 03:33:07,130
any questions about this one or discussion?

2281
03:33:09,700 --> 03:33:13,080
Okay. Seeing none, can we do a

2282
03:33:13,080 --> 03:33:21,720
recall? Jessica Reinstra. King Elizabeth Boyle. King. Vanilla Bass.

2283
03:33:25,910 --> 03:33:27,510
Yes. That's

2284
03:33:27,510 --> 03:33:31,150
what I thought it was. Yeah, it's one of the other. King, right.

2285
03:33:34,540 --> 03:33:36,220
Okay. Kaley Galloway.

2286
03:33:36,220 --> 03:33:38,980
I'll King John Scamon.

2287
03:33:39,260 --> 03:33:39,540
King.

2288
03:33:40,100 --> 03:33:41,000
Mark Strömmler.

2289
03:33:41,580 --> 03:33:41,880
King.

2290
03:33:42,200 --> 03:33:42,760
Barry Buchanan.

2291
03:33:43,120 --> 03:33:43,280
King.

2292
03:33:44,040 --> 03:33:44,440
Okay.

2293
03:33:45,000 --> 03:33:51,620
So Jonathan King will serve as our partial term and be wholly encouraged to reapply next year.

2294
03:33:52,480 --> 03:34:01,280
And Brown, Gremben, Harold, Scott and Williams will fill the five three-year terms.

2295
03:34:02,840 --> 03:34:08,800
Okay. Kathy, is that good for the record? Yes. Okay.

2296
03:34:12,220 --> 03:34:12,460
Okay.

2297
03:34:15,760 --> 03:34:19,360
The next item is AB 2026-0308

2298
03:34:19,360 --> 03:34:24,180
appointments to vacancies on the Wacom County Fair Advisory Committee. Various positions.

2299
03:34:24,440 --> 03:34:30,340
We have multiple applicants. Stephen, Thomas, Virgil, Thompson, Janice,

2300
03:34:30,340 --> 03:34:40,900
Patroule, Terence Difflee, Corey Williams and I will invite if anybody is an applicant

2301
03:34:40,900 --> 03:34:44,520
who didn't get a chance to speak during open session to please support and introduce

2302
03:34:44,520 --> 03:34:44,900
yourself.

2303
03:34:48,240 --> 03:34:54,540
Good evening. My name is Jan Catroule and I currently serve on the Wacom County

2304
03:34:54,540 --> 03:34:59,960
very advisory committee. And so I've come up for a read-point-

2305
03:35:00,000 --> 03:35:29,980
And I'm looking for your support. Just as a matter of my background, I was a customs inspector at the port of plane for 20 years before I went to work in Washington, D.C. for the International Training Program. And I actually taught a very interdiction course in La Riga Latvia, where the ferry and enormous ferry took cars from

2306
03:35:29,980 --> 03:35:31,920
from Latvia to Sweden.

2307
03:35:33,140 --> 03:35:37,180
When I retired and came back home to Wachem County,

2308
03:35:37,780 --> 03:35:41,300
I was kind of interested in this civic opportunity

2309
03:35:41,760 --> 03:35:44,740
that I learned about when I was working for customs,

2310
03:35:45,360 --> 03:35:48,080
which is under the Ferry Advisory Committee,

2311
03:35:48,080 --> 03:35:50,480
or the Federal Advisory Committee Act,

2312
03:35:50,940 --> 03:35:54,240
and I served on the Hanford Advisory Board,

2313
03:35:54,680 --> 03:35:56,180
having to do with the cleanup

2314
03:35:56,560 --> 03:35:58,720
over in the tri-cities for 10 years.

2315
03:35:58,720 --> 03:36:05,000
So, eventually I turned out of that, I came back to Wacom County, I was looking for a civic

2316
03:36:05,000 --> 03:36:11,160
opportunity and I found this on the Wacom County website. I thought, oh this looks interesting

2317
03:36:11,160 --> 03:36:18,480
and it turns out that I am in a group of such dedicated people who are trying to get us

2318
03:36:18,480 --> 03:36:26,260
either a hybrid ferry or an electric ferry. We have some money that has been assigned to

2319
03:36:26,260 --> 03:36:34,180
the ferry, but it is far short of what is needed to get us a new ferry. So among all these

2320
03:36:34,180 --> 03:36:41,060
dedicated people in this very interesting community on an island, I can say that I've really

2321
03:36:41,060 --> 03:36:48,800
enjoyed my time on the ferry advisory committee and I urge you to reaffirm me in that job. Thank you.

2322
03:36:48,800 --> 03:36:59,700
Thank you. Okay, so I'm going to entertain us kind of considering this appointment in two.

2323
03:37:00,240 --> 03:37:06,680
I move to a point Janice could trail as the applicant that lives in Wacom County and does not live

2324
03:37:06,680 --> 03:37:10,720
her own property on Lummy Island. Second. Perfect. Thank you.

2325
03:37:10,900 --> 03:37:14,980
The direction we're going. Absolutely. I just speak to that too. Yes, sir.

2326
03:37:14,980 --> 03:37:18,640
In addition to all the great experience that Jan just described,

2327
03:37:19,020 --> 03:37:23,120
one of the things I do sometimes when I come over is I grab a ride with somebody.

2328
03:37:24,060 --> 03:37:27,960
So I'll park, you know, on the mainland side, get a ride over.

2329
03:37:28,360 --> 03:37:31,280
I've gone with Marcus over a few times, there's a few other folks.

2330
03:37:31,680 --> 03:37:34,800
And Jan gave me a ride back once, and we had a great conversation.

2331
03:37:35,540 --> 03:37:39,560
And thank you for the experience that you bring to the advisory committee

2332
03:37:39,560 --> 03:37:40,980
and all the work that you've been doing.

2333
03:37:41,160 --> 03:37:44,300
So I wholeheartedly support Jan's application.

2334
03:37:44,920 --> 03:37:50,200
Okay, we've got a motion from Councilmember Ellen Boston, a second from Scanlon to reappoint

2335
03:37:50,200 --> 03:37:56,260
Janice and this is going to be yes, yes, no vote, I'm in.

2336
03:37:56,400 --> 03:37:57,680
Yes or no?

2337
03:37:57,680 --> 03:37:58,320
I got that.

2338
03:38:00,640 --> 03:38:01,080
Okay.

2339
03:38:01,380 --> 03:38:02,240
I'm not seeing any other hands.

2340
03:38:02,280 --> 03:38:03,120
Can we do a call on that?

2341
03:38:03,400 --> 03:38:04,000
Vanilla Boss.

2342
03:38:05,400 --> 03:38:05,840
Jan.

2343
03:38:06,940 --> 03:38:07,200
Yes.

2344
03:38:08,000 --> 03:38:08,880
Kaley Galloway.

2345
03:38:10,300 --> 03:38:11,180
Jessica Reinstra.

2346
03:38:11,440 --> 03:38:11,600
Yes.

2347
03:38:12,140 --> 03:38:12,840
John Scanlon.

2348
03:38:13,020 --> 03:38:13,180
Yes.

2349
03:38:13,440 --> 03:38:14,060
Mark Stremler.

2350
03:38:14,060 --> 03:38:14,560
Yes.

2351
03:38:14,800 --> 03:38:15,620
Elizabeth Boyle.

2352
03:38:15,740 --> 03:38:15,960
Yes.

2353
03:38:16,160 --> 03:38:16,720
Mary Buchanan.

2354
03:38:16,940 --> 03:38:17,160
Yes.

2355
03:38:17,960 --> 03:38:18,440
Excellent.

2356
03:38:18,980 --> 03:38:23,440
Thank you for your service and for giving us another three years.

2357
03:38:24,840 --> 03:38:25,080
Okay.

2358
03:38:25,620 --> 03:38:32,260
So now we've got four applicants for two vacancies for folks who live or own property on Lummy Island.

2359
03:38:32,460 --> 03:38:35,860
So the entertained motion would be to appoint all with a vote of two.

2360
03:38:36,200 --> 03:38:40,440
And the top two vote getters would get the appointment.

2361
03:38:43,400 --> 03:38:46,320
I move to a point all four with a vote of two.

2362
03:38:47,140 --> 03:38:47,540
Second.

2363
03:38:48,460 --> 03:38:51,960
Okay, so I've got a motion from Councilmember Scanlan.

2364
03:38:52,120 --> 03:38:53,520
And a second. Did I hear that from Reenstra?

2365
03:38:55,280 --> 03:38:57,220
You might have to speak to it real quick, Sarah.

2366
03:38:58,380 --> 03:38:58,920
Yes, please.

2367
03:38:59,460 --> 03:39:00,420
Thank you, Terry.

2368
03:39:01,300 --> 03:39:02,700
And Steve, for coming tonight.

2369
03:39:02,900 --> 03:39:04,020
When's the next fairy back?

2370
03:39:07,820 --> 03:39:08,940
Okay, we got a vote in this quick.

2371
03:39:09,800 --> 03:39:10,200
Okay.

2372
03:39:11,440 --> 03:39:23,800
Steve and Terry attend so many of the advisory committee meetings and I really appreciate Terry for a lot of the emails you've sent and some of your advocacy, including calling for mediation and lawsuits.

2373
03:39:24,940 --> 03:39:35,300
And so I appreciate that approach that you take here. We've got some other great applicants to I really, I've met Corey before at some of the meetings and I like how we have a younger person applying to.

2374
03:39:35,300 --> 03:39:38,880
but I'm going to support Stephen and Terrence today.

2375
03:39:39,760 --> 03:39:40,400
Thank you.

2376
03:39:40,700 --> 03:39:42,800
Any further discussion before we go into a roll call?

2377
03:39:43,980 --> 03:39:49,180
And again, this one will be selecting two for the appointment.

2378
03:39:51,820 --> 03:39:52,980
Hey, CNN, can we do a roll call?

2379
03:39:53,420 --> 03:39:54,140
Barry Buchanan.

2380
03:39:54,780 --> 03:39:55,700
Thomas Difflee.

2381
03:39:56,160 --> 03:39:57,560
Thomas and Difflee.

2382
03:39:58,480 --> 03:39:59,260
Not the same.

2383
03:39:59,460 --> 03:39:59,960
Just a quick.

2384
03:40:00,000 --> 03:40:02,580
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

2385
03:40:03,940 --> 03:40:07,640
Elizabeth Boyle. Stephen Thomas and Terrence Difflee.

2386
03:40:10,080 --> 03:40:10,720
Pamela Bus.

2387
03:40:13,900 --> 03:40:16,460
Terrence and Stephen, because they were here.

2388
03:40:17,820 --> 03:40:24,260
Kelly Galloway, okay. Thomas and Difflee. John Scanlon. Thomas and Difflee.

2389
03:40:24,800 --> 03:40:26,040
Mark Stremler.

2390
03:40:26,600 --> 03:40:28,500
Difflee and Williams.

2391
03:40:30,600 --> 03:40:30,740
Okay.

2392
03:40:31,460 --> 03:40:31,820
All right.

2393
03:40:32,060 --> 03:40:38,940
So, Difflee gets seven and Thomas gets six.

2394
03:40:39,220 --> 03:40:43,940
So those are our two top vote getters and will be appointed to the Wacom County Ferry

2395
03:40:43,940 --> 03:40:44,540
Advisory Committee.

2396
03:40:45,400 --> 03:40:46,080
Okay.

2397
03:40:46,520 --> 03:40:47,160
Thank you.

2398
03:40:47,980 --> 03:40:48,320
Yes.

2399
03:40:48,680 --> 03:40:52,920
We do assign one person to a partial term and I believe Mr. Difflee.

2400
03:40:54,040 --> 03:40:55,740
to be asked to be in that one.

2401
03:40:56,000 --> 03:40:59,120
So I move to a point here and simply to the partial term.

2402
03:41:00,040 --> 03:41:04,420
All right, let me get back to my sheet here.

2403
03:41:06,640 --> 03:41:06,960
Okay.

2404
03:41:12,600 --> 03:41:16,300
And that was a motion by Scanlan and in a second by Ellen Boss.

2405
03:41:16,540 --> 03:41:16,640
Yes.

2406
03:41:18,100 --> 03:41:20,740
Okay, to a point, definitely to the partial term,

2407
03:41:21,280 --> 03:41:21,880
upon request.

2408
03:41:22,560 --> 03:41:24,500
Okay, any further discussion of that?

2409
03:41:26,750 --> 03:41:27,930
Seeing none, can we do a roll call?

2410
03:41:28,510 --> 03:41:29,390
Jessica Reinstra?

2411
03:41:31,530 --> 03:41:31,990
Yes.

2412
03:41:32,770 --> 03:41:33,250
Good for you.

2413
03:41:33,250 --> 03:41:37,690
That's right you have

2414
03:41:42,720 --> 03:41:47,380
to pick which one we the motion was to a point

2415
03:41:47,380 --> 03:41:52,760
Difflee to the parcel term. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. That's why we're all like wait.

2416
03:41:55,760 --> 03:41:57,960
Oh, is this boil? Yes.

2417
03:42:00,770 --> 03:42:04,910
Ben Ellenboss? Difflee. Yes.

2418
03:42:04,910 --> 03:42:05,130
Thank you.

2419
03:42:05,570 --> 03:42:05,850
Yes.

2420
03:42:07,190 --> 03:42:08,550
Kelly Galloway.

2421
03:42:08,750 --> 03:42:08,870
Yes.

2422
03:42:09,590 --> 03:42:10,290
John Scanlon.

2423
03:42:10,430 --> 03:42:10,570
Yes.

2424
03:42:11,090 --> 03:42:11,770
Mark Stremler.

2425
03:42:12,150 --> 03:42:12,370
Yes.

2426
03:42:12,770 --> 03:42:13,410
Barry Buchanan.

2427
03:42:13,850 --> 03:42:14,010
Yes.

2428
03:42:14,770 --> 03:42:15,070
Okay.

2429
03:42:15,770 --> 03:42:17,150
That carries 7-0.

2430
03:42:18,410 --> 03:42:18,990
Okay.

2431
03:42:21,340 --> 03:42:29,380
Next on our list here, we have AB 2026-031 in appointment of vacancy on the Forest Advisory Committee.

2432
03:42:29,620 --> 03:42:34,740
We've got two applicants seeking two different positions.

2433
03:42:35,600 --> 03:42:41,060
So, I believe with this one we can entertain a motion to appoint both.

2434
03:42:42,300 --> 03:42:47,460
I move to appoint both to the spots that they applied for.

2435
03:42:47,940 --> 03:42:48,480
I see it.

2436
03:42:49,180 --> 03:42:49,360
Okay.

2437
03:42:50,000 --> 03:42:51,780
A motion by Scanlan, a second by Boyle.

2438
03:42:51,960 --> 03:43:00,060
So, that will be appointing applicant David Dew to the community member with forestry, forest ecology, and forest management expertise.

2439
03:43:00,060 --> 03:43:05,380
and applicant Mallory Weinheimer, Harvester or Civil Cultrist,

2440
03:43:08,230 --> 03:43:14,490
and was David or Mallory on caller in person who in wish to speak to their application.

2441
03:43:15,110 --> 03:43:17,010
Sorry, I forgot to ask that for this one.

2442
03:43:17,710 --> 03:43:18,690
The new application.

2443
03:43:19,330 --> 03:43:22,650
The new application.

2444
03:43:22,650 --> 03:43:31,970
Yeah, so David is, David is a current member and seeking a new position.

2445
03:43:33,490 --> 03:43:34,030
So he...

2446
03:43:34,030 --> 03:43:34,890
A different category.

2447
03:43:35,570 --> 03:43:35,990
Okay.

2448
03:43:36,330 --> 03:43:38,030
Yes, so that's clarification of that.

2449
03:43:38,410 --> 03:43:40,650
I see Mallory online, Mallory.

2450
03:43:41,010 --> 03:43:43,110
Do you wish to unmute yourself and introduce yourself?

2451
03:43:47,520 --> 03:43:47,860
Sure.

2452
03:43:48,100 --> 03:43:48,560
I'll be quick.

2453
03:43:48,800 --> 03:43:52,020
But yeah, thank you so much for considering my application.

2454
03:43:52,020 --> 03:43:57,960
I'm a forester. I have been doing consulting forestry in Western Washington for about ten

2455
03:43:57,960 --> 03:44:02,940
years. Works for the Forest Service, the State and counties beforehand, and have been

2456
03:44:02,940 --> 03:44:09,540
the county forest around contract in Jefferson County and moved to Watcom County last year

2457
03:44:09,540 --> 03:44:16,620
and looking forward to digging in more and getting to engage more in the community here. So

2458
03:44:16,620 --> 03:44:16,920
thank you.

2459
03:44:18,280 --> 03:44:19,420
Thank you, Mallory.

2460
03:44:22,200 --> 03:44:27,180
Well, I will just say that I'm super excited to have Mallory on the Forest Advisory Committee.

2461
03:44:27,460 --> 03:44:32,760
I know we met last year at the Woods Tour and I'm just been so enamored with the work

2462
03:44:32,760 --> 03:44:38,340
that you've done in Jefferson County and excited to see what you can bring here for Walker County.

2463
03:44:41,000 --> 03:44:42,180
Thank you very much.

2464
03:44:44,570 --> 03:44:51,210
And I know David is such a huge asset on this committee as well. I know the committee is very excited to

2465
03:44:51,210 --> 03:44:59,890
have him back in this new position and both received support from

2466
03:45:00,000 --> 03:45:26,650
The Forest Advisory Committee, I think we all received an email from the Chair, David Janiky. Okay, we'll stop talking now. I'm not seeing any other discussion. Oh, council member, we need to go for it. Just a very brief note that that does leave one open vacancy for one applicant, a small forest land owner with forest land in Wacom County. So tell your friends. But they do.

2467
03:45:28,780 --> 03:45:33,180
Yeah. We would we would love to have this position.

2468
03:45:33,180 --> 03:45:35,100
So, um, okay.

2469
03:45:37,420 --> 03:45:40,480
Seeing other hands, let's go ahead and do a roll call.

2470
03:45:42,480 --> 03:45:43,440
Elizabeth Boyle.

2471
03:45:44,060 --> 03:45:44,340
Yes.

2472
03:45:45,720 --> 03:45:46,700
Very be canon.

2473
03:45:47,080 --> 03:45:48,340
Joy stop. Yes.

2474
03:45:50,460 --> 03:45:51,540
Ben Allen boss.

2475
03:45:52,480 --> 03:45:52,760
Yes.

2476
03:45:53,560 --> 03:45:54,500
Kayla Galloway.

2477
03:45:54,620 --> 03:45:54,760
Yes.

2478
03:45:56,260 --> 03:45:57,400
Just Korean straw.

2479
03:45:57,760 --> 03:45:57,940
Yes.

2480
03:45:58,160 --> 03:45:58,800
John Scanlon.

2481
03:45:59,040 --> 03:45:59,160
Yes.

2482
03:45:59,360 --> 03:45:59,960
Mark Stremler.

2483
03:46:00,220 --> 03:46:00,420
Yes.

2484
03:46:00,980 --> 03:46:01,380
Okay.

2485
03:46:01,600 --> 03:46:03,100
Let the worker show that carry seven zero.

2486
03:46:03,100 --> 03:46:04,180
Okay,

2487
03:46:06,840 --> 03:46:11,900
next on our agenda AB 2026-032 appointments for vacancies on the

2488
03:46:11,900 --> 03:46:15,060
incarceration prevention and reduction task force for various positions.

2489
03:46:15,060 --> 03:46:19,680
We've got three applicants, Heather Flarety, Alexis Haas, and Robert Sullivan.

2490
03:46:22,680 --> 03:46:26,960
Let me just pull out my sheet here in the meantime where any of the applicants

2491
03:46:26,960 --> 03:46:29,840
here in person are online. I wish to speak to their application.

2492
03:46:29,840 --> 03:46:31,120
It

2493
03:46:36,600 --> 03:46:42,620
looks like we've got Alexis is the incumbent and Robert Sullivan both applying for health

2494
03:46:42,620 --> 03:46:46,000
and social services provider for which we do have to vacancies.

2495
03:46:46,860 --> 03:46:52,620
And then applicant interested citizen is Heather Flaherty also incumbent and we have one

2496
03:46:52,620 --> 03:46:53,100
vacancy.

2497
03:46:53,400 --> 03:46:59,960
So this one we could move to a point all and we would still have a vacancy for applicant

2498
03:46:59,960 --> 03:47:03,080
consumer of services or family member of consumer.

2499
03:47:03,080 --> 03:47:04,900
move to a point all.

2500
03:47:05,520 --> 03:47:06,040
I second that.

2501
03:47:06,520 --> 03:47:09,680
Pay from motion with from council member Buchanan.

2502
03:47:10,960 --> 03:47:12,720
And a second from council member Boyle.

2503
03:47:12,900 --> 03:47:14,200
Was there any further discussion on this?

2504
03:47:17,210 --> 03:47:18,490
Seeing none, can we do a roll call?

2505
03:47:19,090 --> 03:47:19,770
Mary Buchanan.

2506
03:47:20,150 --> 03:47:20,290
Yes.

2507
03:47:20,690 --> 03:47:21,430
Ben Allen-Boss.

2508
03:47:23,440 --> 03:47:23,920
Yes.

2509
03:47:24,440 --> 03:47:25,160
Kayla Galloway.

2510
03:47:25,380 --> 03:47:25,540
Yes.

2511
03:47:26,600 --> 03:47:27,420
Just Karine Stra.

2512
03:47:27,740 --> 03:47:28,020
Yes.

2513
03:47:28,660 --> 03:47:29,300
John Scanlon.

2514
03:47:29,560 --> 03:47:29,780
Yes.

2515
03:47:30,440 --> 03:47:31,320
Mark Stremler.

2516
03:47:31,700 --> 03:47:32,060
Yes.

2517
03:47:32,460 --> 03:47:33,240
Elizabeth Boyle.

2518
03:47:33,420 --> 03:47:33,580
Yes.

2519
03:47:33,580 --> 03:47:36,760
Let the worker show that carries 7-0.

2520
03:47:37,580 --> 03:47:42,740
The next is AB 2026-033 Appointments to Vacancies on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning

2521
03:47:42,740 --> 03:47:44,480
Committee for various positions.

2522
03:47:45,020 --> 03:47:54,780
We have three applicants, Tasha Thompson, Pamela Khan, and Corey Rees, or any of those applicants

2523
03:47:54,780 --> 03:47:58,620
here in person are online, wish to speak to their application,

2524
03:48:00,990 --> 03:48:02,170
giving them a second to

2525
03:48:02,170 --> 03:48:02,690
do that.

2526
03:48:02,690 --> 03:48:26,270
Had it looks like Tasha Thompson is incumbent is applying for criminal legal system user for one vacancy, Pamela Khan is an incumbent applying for the support of housing subject matter expert, where we have one vacancy, and then applicant for young adult aged 18 to 24, Corey Reese also the incumbent with one vacancy, so we can move to a point all of these folks this evening, and then we do still apparently have a vacancy for the behavioral health provider.

2527
03:48:26,270 --> 03:48:32,470
I moved to a point applicants as described in the positions listed in the applicant list.

2528
03:48:32,550 --> 03:48:32,810
Second.

2529
03:48:33,470 --> 03:48:36,170
Hey, got a motion from Scanlan in a second from Buchanan.

2530
03:48:38,510 --> 03:48:42,150
Seeing no further discussion, can we go ahead and do a roll call in the Mellibus?

2531
03:48:43,170 --> 03:48:43,690
Absolutely.

2532
03:48:44,450 --> 03:48:45,450
Kelly Galloway?

2533
03:48:45,530 --> 03:48:45,810
Yes.

2534
03:48:46,470 --> 03:48:47,390
Just Karinstra?

2535
03:48:47,610 --> 03:48:47,750
Yes.

2536
03:48:48,110 --> 03:48:48,730
John Scanlan?

2537
03:48:49,030 --> 03:48:49,210
Yes.

2538
03:48:49,470 --> 03:48:50,050
Mark Strunler?

2539
03:48:50,290 --> 03:48:50,450
Yes.

2540
03:48:50,690 --> 03:48:51,590
Elizabeth Boyle?

2541
03:48:51,650 --> 03:48:51,850
Yes.

2542
03:48:52,190 --> 03:48:52,790
Barry Buchanan?

2543
03:48:52,790 --> 03:48:53,170
Yes.

2544
03:48:54,630 --> 03:48:55,150
Okay.

2545
03:48:55,210 --> 03:48:58,350
Let the record shows that is carried 7-0.

2546
03:48:59,990 --> 03:49:03,950
Council member Scanlan, I will go ahead and delegate to you for this next one.

2547
03:49:04,350 --> 03:49:04,590
Thank you.

2548
03:49:04,790 --> 03:49:09,770
So this is AB 2026-034, appointments to vacancies on the Public Health Advisory Board.

2549
03:49:09,950 --> 03:49:15,930
Applicants are Mike Cohen, Christina Spina, Allison Fontaine, Carl Isomac Daniel, Rachel Laguerity,

2550
03:49:16,470 --> 03:49:22,170
Nathalie Nivens, Robin Phillips, Madison Debshover, Marcus D. Sidham, Ashley Thompson, Ben Twig,

2551
03:49:22,170 --> 03:49:26,750
a millivator and sue things out. So we're taking this action as health board because per our code,

2552
03:49:26,830 --> 03:49:31,650
it's health board and per state law, it's health board who makes this application. I am going to move

2553
03:49:31,650 --> 03:49:37,750
that we postpone this. I am to our next meeting on January 27th for full council meeting. If there's

2554
03:49:37,750 --> 03:49:43,410
a second, I can discuss that and explain why. Thank you for the second. So motion from Scanlan to

2555
03:49:43,410 --> 03:49:49,050
postpone or next council meeting, second from councilor Boyle. Here's why. So you see how the applicant

2556
03:49:49,050 --> 03:49:54,030
list here. Everybody's just listed as an applicant. And in all of our other

2557
03:49:54,030 --> 03:49:58,410
committees we've just appointed to people are there for specific spots.

2558
03:50:00,000 --> 03:50:28,920
I think we've kind of been doing things wrong with P have because our code in state law does say specific spots and it's a shall. There's only one other county that still has a public advisory board that's Clark County, they do it that way, where they appoint people to specific spots. So I think what we can do here is, and I've been in touch with staff on this is to work with Jill Nixon. What we'll do is we'll just reach back out to all the applicants and say, hey, can you check some boxes here? Which of these do you meet?

2559
03:50:28,920 --> 03:50:33,440
And then we're insured that we are complying with state law and county code.

2560
03:50:34,260 --> 03:50:43,460
And I think we can get that done in the next few days so that we meet our deadline by next week for the next meeting.

2561
03:50:43,620 --> 03:50:46,700
So I'm committing to get that work done and work with staff to do that.

2562
03:50:49,940 --> 03:50:51,080
Yes, Councilor Boyle.

2563
03:50:51,500 --> 03:50:56,340
To clarify, so you'll have three spots, like I saw your list earlier.

2564
03:50:56,340 --> 03:51:03,440
So it's it's they'll have to be like let's say three people for this this subject matter three or whatever the number is break down

2565
03:51:03,440 --> 03:51:07,740
Yes, and in one of the conversations I had this week brought this up. I was speaking with

2566
03:51:08,740 --> 03:51:14,800
Director Thomas Cuddy from Health and Community Services, and so for example, he pointed out we weren't quite sure

2567
03:51:14,800 --> 03:51:20,740
There is a part of state law and that's mirrored in our county code that you have to have someone who has experience

2568
03:51:22,300 --> 03:51:22,740
in

2569
03:51:22,740 --> 03:51:27,320
in tribal communities or with tribal government.

2570
03:51:28,100 --> 03:51:29,860
And we weren't clear just based on the applications

2571
03:51:29,860 --> 03:51:31,140
if we had someone who met that.

2572
03:51:31,280 --> 03:51:33,540
So there was a question and Pee had discussed this as well.

2573
03:51:34,080 --> 03:51:35,400
Do we need to keep that spot open

2574
03:51:35,920 --> 03:51:37,460
and potentially not fill it?

2575
03:51:37,840 --> 03:51:40,000
And just the way we're doing things today,

2576
03:51:40,420 --> 03:51:41,680
we wouldn't have that information.

2577
03:51:41,900 --> 03:51:43,500
So I want to get counsel that information

2578
03:51:43,500 --> 03:51:45,280
so we can make a well informed decision.

2579
03:51:47,710 --> 03:51:49,090
Any other discussion on that motion?

2580
03:51:49,430 --> 03:51:50,470
Totally makes sense.

2581
03:51:52,880 --> 03:52:05,920
How many different like categories are there there are I had pulled up county code here at seven. So county code. This is

2582
03:52:05,920 --> 03:52:14,960
Wachem County Code 24.01051, B4A, and then there's a list of seven.

2583
03:52:16,400 --> 03:52:21,640
So the county code states, the board's composition shall include

2584
03:52:21,640 --> 03:52:27,020
A members with expertise in and experience with health care, access, and quality.

2585
03:52:27,340 --> 03:52:31,360
I'm pretty sure we'll have that one. Physical environment, including built and natural environments.

2586
03:52:31,800 --> 03:52:33,060
I'm pretty sure we'll have that one too.

2587
03:52:33,060 --> 03:52:36,920
Social and economic sectors, including housing, basic needs, education, and employment.

2588
03:52:37,500 --> 03:52:41,540
The next one is business and philanthropy, next is communities that experience health

2589
03:52:41,540 --> 03:52:46,720
inequities, the sixth item is government, and the seventh item is tribal communities and

2590
03:52:46,720 --> 03:52:47,400
tribal government.

2591
03:52:47,760 --> 03:52:52,920
It's the seventh item that we're not sure about if we have someone for that category, so

2592
03:52:52,920 --> 03:52:55,240
we just want to be sure in case we need to leave us not open.

2593
03:52:58,150 --> 03:53:03,930
So on the applications, it didn't specify those for these applicants.

2594
03:53:03,930 --> 03:53:06,910
And what we do is we ask people to check a box,

2595
03:53:07,350 --> 03:53:11,790
do you have experience in any of these, not which one?

2596
03:53:12,450 --> 03:53:16,670
Now you can scour through the resumes and do that,

2597
03:53:16,890 --> 03:53:19,090
but I think we can make it easier for all of us

2598
03:53:19,090 --> 03:53:21,170
by just saying to asking our applicants,

2599
03:53:23,390 --> 03:53:25,610
self-appoint, self-select into these spots

2600
03:53:25,610 --> 03:53:27,110
and then we know we have filled those spots.

2601
03:53:28,430 --> 03:53:30,130
So I think it's a matter of,

2602
03:53:31,570 --> 03:53:37,390
one proposal is just to send an email out to the 12 applicants and ask them do you fill

2603
03:53:37,390 --> 03:53:42,170
any of these? And I know a lot of these folks too and I can pick up the phone tomorrow

2604
03:53:42,170 --> 03:53:46,410
morning and call a lot of them too. So we can gather information.

2605
03:53:49,390 --> 03:53:50,650
Okay, any other discussion

2606
03:53:50,650 --> 03:54:00,550
on the motion? I see the chair of PHAB would you, I would like to entertain a bit of discussion

2607
03:54:05,330 --> 03:54:14,350
with the chair. I just wanted to offer my support in generally ensuring that we are in compliance with

2608
03:54:14,350 --> 03:54:23,430
counting code. Because there happens to be seven slots in this sort of specificity of characteristics,

2609
03:54:26,070 --> 03:54:31,990
But if you're going to designate a slot like the way that the Forestry Board was mentioned,

2610
03:54:32,770 --> 03:54:39,050
I would not necessarily take it as a given that each of these items gets equal weight on the board,

2611
03:54:40,090 --> 03:54:45,670
and that would need to be part of the consideration as you build specific roles.

2612
03:54:46,790 --> 03:54:50,270
I don't necessarily have an opinion on what they should be right now,

2613
03:54:50,270 --> 03:54:52,850
but I look for a departmenting with you to figure that out.

2614
03:54:53,210 --> 03:54:54,830
Thank you, Chair McGarady.

2615
03:54:56,870 --> 03:54:57,670
Councilor Kelly.

2616
03:54:58,070 --> 03:54:59,950
And I have a question, too. Do we have kind of...

2617
03:55:00,000 --> 03:55:30,720
We have a sense inventory of sitting PHA members who may also fall under those categories. We may have to do that who I did go back and look through their prior applications to see if that information is there, and it's very similar, so we may have to do that. But this is nearly 10 o'clock at night. I'd like to spend some time working with staff on this. Okay. Well, I'm sorry, I just added to your list of things to do. And just as far as making sure we're working this out.

2618
03:55:30,720 --> 03:55:34,840
So PHAB doesn't meet again until February 3rd, which is when we all meet together.

2619
03:55:35,060 --> 03:55:37,380
It's a joint meeting of the Health Board and PHAB.

2620
03:55:37,840 --> 03:55:42,640
So if we get this done, the 27th will be good in time for that February 3rd meeting.

2621
03:55:45,910 --> 03:55:46,130
Okay.

2622
03:55:46,370 --> 03:55:49,910
I'm not seeing any other hands, so let's vote on the motion of postpone to our next council

2623
03:55:49,910 --> 03:55:50,110
meeting.

2624
03:55:50,670 --> 03:55:52,210
May the clerk please call the roll.

2625
03:55:52,670 --> 03:55:53,370
Kayleigh Galloway.

2626
03:55:53,530 --> 03:55:53,710
Yes.

2627
03:55:54,250 --> 03:55:55,030
Jessica Reinstra.

2628
03:55:55,410 --> 03:55:55,570
Yes.

2629
03:55:55,850 --> 03:55:56,450
John Scanlon.

2630
03:55:56,790 --> 03:55:56,910
Yes.

2631
03:55:57,190 --> 03:55:57,850
Mark Strumler.

2632
03:55:58,210 --> 03:55:58,410
Yes.

2633
03:55:58,970 --> 03:55:59,810
Elizabeth Boyle.

2634
03:55:59,970 --> 03:56:00,170
Yes.

2635
03:56:00,170 --> 03:56:00,270
Yes.

2636
03:56:00,390 --> 03:56:01,030
Mary Buchanan.

2637
03:56:01,310 --> 03:56:01,470
Yes.

2638
03:56:02,050 --> 03:56:02,930
Ben Ellenboss.

2639
03:56:03,030 --> 03:56:03,190
Yes.

2640
03:56:04,190 --> 03:56:04,450
Okay.

2641
03:56:04,730 --> 03:56:06,670
Mother Buckford, show that Carey 7-0.

2642
03:56:10,140 --> 03:56:11,000
Now back to our council.

2643
03:56:11,200 --> 03:56:12,740
Now back to our council.

2644
03:56:12,960 --> 03:56:15,360
And that was council acting as the health board, I think.

2645
03:56:17,380 --> 03:56:17,820
Okay.

2646
03:56:18,780 --> 03:56:19,560
10 PM.

2647
03:56:19,580 --> 03:56:20,860
I thought it was 10 AM.

2648
03:56:21,380 --> 03:56:22,240
We're just starting, right?

2649
03:56:23,460 --> 03:56:23,540
Okay.

2650
03:56:24,020 --> 03:56:28,840
This next one is AB 2026-035 appointments to vacancies on the planning commission.

2651
03:56:28,840 --> 03:56:35,140
the applicant is Elvin Scott Van Deit Dullin, Daelin, I was going to guess that I said it wrong

2652
03:56:35,140 --> 03:56:41,560
the first. This is I'm not pulling up for me and incumbent I believe, right? Representing district

2653
03:56:43,360 --> 03:56:47,080
four. Thank you for some reason my thing's not loading.

2654
03:56:47,460 --> 03:56:49,100
Van Daelin didn't tip you off.

2655
03:56:51,160 --> 03:56:53,620
I was going to guess four or five. I couldn't.

2656
03:56:55,460 --> 03:56:58,120
I moved to a point, Alvin Scott-Vandellan.

2657
03:56:58,280 --> 03:56:58,620
Second.

2658
03:56:59,720 --> 03:57:03,880
Emotion by Scanlan, second by Reenstra, to a point.

2659
03:57:04,380 --> 03:57:04,560
Okay.

2660
03:57:05,100 --> 03:57:05,700
Further discussion?

2661
03:57:06,480 --> 03:57:07,420
Councilmember Schumler?

2662
03:57:07,660 --> 03:57:12,380
Yeah, I ran into Alvin this past Saturday morning at a breakfast.

2663
03:57:13,220 --> 03:57:17,700
And I was impressed at how excited he is to continue this work,

2664
03:57:18,020 --> 03:57:22,520
even after all of the meetings that the Planning Commission has

2665
03:57:23,380 --> 03:57:29,700
done in the last six months, and he was fired up as anybody could be. I'm like,

2666
03:57:29,880 --> 03:57:35,320
dude, way to go. Thank you for your service. So, I fully endorse Ellen.

2667
03:57:35,780 --> 03:57:37,100
Awesome. Thank you.

2668
03:57:37,780 --> 03:57:42,690
Thanks for Merlin Boss. You call him, Alvin? I did.

2669
03:57:43,070 --> 03:57:44,670
Don't most people address him as Scott?

2670
03:57:47,070 --> 03:57:49,430
I don't know. I've always called him Scott.

2671
03:57:53,820 --> 03:58:02,080
keep a new on your toes. Well, it might go. I think he answers to either a generational thing. Maybe the older generation like yourself.

2672
03:58:03,740 --> 03:58:07,640
I take that. God. That's fine. Experience.

2673
03:58:08,780 --> 03:58:13,080
Legs. Yeah. Okay. Seeing no further discussion. Can we do a recall?

2674
03:58:14,600 --> 03:58:20,180
Just Karinstra? Yes. Ron Scanlon? Yes. Nargströmmler? Yes. Elizabeth Boyle? Yes.

2675
03:58:20,180 --> 03:58:24,300
Yes, very Buchanan. Yes. Van Allen-Boss. Yes. Kaley-Galloway. Yes.

2676
03:58:25,200 --> 03:58:32,560
I'll direct show that. Carry 7-0. Last on our appointments is AB 2026-036 appointments

2677
03:58:32,560 --> 03:58:37,420
to vacancies on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for various positions. We've got two applicants,

2678
03:58:37,880 --> 03:58:42,640
Ted Calls and Pinkie Vargas. I believe both are incumbents. I'm going to restart my

2679
03:58:42,640 --> 03:58:45,360
I'll just wait here so I can get this pulled up.

2680
03:58:47,400 --> 03:58:47,680
Emotion.

2681
03:58:47,920 --> 03:58:48,520
Yeah, please do.

2682
03:58:48,700 --> 03:58:53,600
I move to a point in applicants to the positions as described in the applicant list

2683
03:58:53,600 --> 03:58:57,780
that's Carlson for the Waste Collection Industry Spot in Vargas for the Solid Waste

2684
03:58:57,780 --> 03:58:58,920
Disposal Facilities Spot.

2685
03:58:59,320 --> 03:58:59,500
Second.

2686
03:59:00,140 --> 03:59:02,540
Okay, got motion by Scanlan and a second by Reinstra.

2687
03:59:03,360 --> 03:59:04,080
Thank you.

2688
03:59:04,460 --> 03:59:06,760
Okay, finally pulled up.

2689
03:59:07,280 --> 03:59:08,340
Further discussion on this?

2690
03:59:08,760 --> 03:59:12,240
Looks like we need to talk to Ag in Industry about getting involved.

2691
03:59:12,240 --> 03:59:16,500
I don't know anybody in their industry.

2692
03:59:19,760 --> 03:59:22,740
I'll say, is anybody we can volunteer this evening?

2693
03:59:23,900 --> 03:59:24,160
Okay.

2694
03:59:24,560 --> 03:59:25,380
Early brown.

2695
03:59:26,160 --> 03:59:26,860
They're crumbling.

2696
03:59:27,340 --> 03:59:28,060
There you go.

2697
03:59:29,060 --> 03:59:29,840
Okay.

2698
03:59:32,470 --> 03:59:33,990
No other hands.

2699
03:59:34,070 --> 03:59:34,970
Can we do a roll call?

2700
03:59:36,210 --> 03:59:36,870
John Scanlon.

2701
03:59:37,390 --> 03:59:37,570
Yes.

2702
03:59:38,330 --> 03:59:39,350
Mark Stremler.

2703
03:59:39,570 --> 03:59:39,750
Yes.

2704
03:59:40,310 --> 03:59:41,210
Elizabeth Boyle.

2705
03:59:41,330 --> 03:59:41,490
Yes.

2706
03:59:41,670 --> 03:59:42,290
Mary Buchanan.

2707
03:59:42,550 --> 03:59:42,710
Yes.

2708
03:59:42,910 --> 03:59:43,630
Ben Ellenboss.

2709
03:59:44,690 --> 03:59:45,470
Yes.

2710
03:59:45,890 --> 03:59:46,590
Kaley Galloway.

2711
03:59:46,710 --> 03:59:47,010
Yes.

2712
03:59:47,010 --> 03:59:47,170
Yes.

2713
03:59:47,330 --> 03:59:48,370
Just Korean straw?

2714
03:59:48,650 --> 03:59:48,850
Yes.

2715
03:59:49,450 --> 03:59:51,610
I thought the record show that carries 7 to 0.

2716
03:59:53,230 --> 03:59:53,670
Okay.

2717
03:59:54,930 --> 03:59:57,590
We are now going to our item that was added by revision.

2718
03:59:57,590 --> 03:59:59,790
That's AB 2026-0.

2719
04:00:00,000 --> 04:00:29,980
Four, nine, resolution affirming the dignity and civil and human rights of our walk in county residents regardless of immigration or citizenship status. This was added January 12th, which was yesterday, 2026. We did not take action in committee, so I don't actually have a motion to read on behalf of committee, but I do believe we have some amendments that we want to go through. So maybe for the sake of that process, I could entertain a motion to approve. And then we can go into a

2720
04:00:29,980 --> 04:00:31,960
So an amendment process.

2721
04:00:34,100 --> 04:00:38,500
I moved to approve, I just want to make sure I'm doing the correct, there's a few versions, right?

2722
04:00:40,780 --> 04:00:47,180
Yes, so move the current resolution and then we'll move to amend, so then upon approval we have the amended version.

2723
04:00:48,180 --> 04:00:55,040
I think even in LegislStar, there's a substitute, so I move to approve the substitute resolution.

2724
04:00:55,760 --> 04:00:57,820
The substitute includes all of the amendments.

2725
04:00:58,600 --> 04:01:02,560
you prepared to, what do we want to do those one-on-one?

2726
04:01:07,980 --> 04:01:09,860
I'll remove my motion.

2727
04:01:10,660 --> 04:01:12,340
You don't have to remove it.

2728
04:01:13,380 --> 04:01:13,900
Yeah, Kathy.

2729
04:01:14,420 --> 04:01:15,600
The item into the record.

2730
04:01:16,500 --> 04:01:17,020
Oh, I did.

2731
04:01:17,180 --> 04:01:21,360
AB 2026-049 are resolution affirming the dignity and civil and human rights

2732
04:01:21,360 --> 04:01:25,680
of all Wacom County residents, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

2733
04:01:27,380 --> 04:01:31,000
And so council member Scanlan, I think what I would entertain is that you

2734
04:01:31,000 --> 04:01:41,580
So we make a motion to approve the resolution and then we would have a move to amend and we could consider each amendment independently.

2735
04:01:41,660 --> 04:01:46,600
I'm saying as we have two items in here, so we need to choose which item we're starting from, correct?

2736
04:01:46,900 --> 04:01:47,020
Right.

2737
04:01:47,640 --> 04:01:49,600
So your proposals will start with.

2738
04:01:49,720 --> 04:01:53,620
Start with our base and then make motions to amend and then approve as amended.

2739
04:01:53,980 --> 04:01:57,640
Alright, I move that we approve the proposed resolution.

2740
04:01:58,200 --> 04:01:58,440
Yes.

2741
04:01:58,640 --> 04:01:59,100
Item one.

2742
04:01:59,980 --> 04:02:07,240
Okay, we've got a motion to approve the resolution from Scanlon 2nd by Boyle.

2743
04:02:07,500 --> 04:02:13,300
Okay, so now this is where our beautiful parliamentary procedure tree comes to be.

2744
04:02:13,860 --> 04:02:16,160
So we've got a main motion, now we can move to a mend.

2745
04:02:17,000 --> 04:02:18,180
So I

2746
04:02:21,470 --> 04:02:25,750
do, I'm sorry, I've got so many sheets, I'm going to delegate those sheets to Mark.

2747
04:02:26,210 --> 04:02:32,730
Okay, be careful because whatever I delegate next is going to be even more fun.

2748
04:02:32,730 --> 04:02:33,790
Okay.

2749
04:02:36,070 --> 04:02:44,030
So what I am going to have us do is pull up the substitute version for the sake of

2750
04:02:44,030 --> 04:02:45,970
reviewing each amendment.

2751
04:02:56,390 --> 04:03:00,610
So our first amendment shows up in the second to last whereas clause on

2752
04:03:00,610 --> 04:03:01,390
page 1.

2753
04:03:04,280 --> 04:03:10,000
So this would strike our foreign and insert were born outside of the United States.

2754
04:03:15,080 --> 04:03:15,800
So the

2755
04:03:15,800 --> 04:03:21,520
community survey approximately 22,000 of Wacom counties more than 230,000 residents were

2756
04:03:21,520 --> 04:03:23,120
born outside of the United States.

2757
04:03:23,120 --> 04:03:24,400
I would entertain a motion to amend.

2758
04:03:24,780 --> 04:03:26,440
I moved to amend as described.

2759
04:03:27,440 --> 04:03:27,920
Okay.

2760
04:03:28,280 --> 04:03:31,540
And I have a motion by Sianlin and a second by Boyle discussion on this.

2761
04:03:35,000 --> 04:03:35,200
Okay.

2762
04:03:35,360 --> 04:03:36,680
Seeing none, can we do a roll call?

2763
04:03:36,920 --> 04:03:37,700
Mark Strumler.

2764
04:03:40,240 --> 04:03:40,640
Yes.

2765
04:03:41,820 --> 04:03:42,780
Elizabeth Boyle.

2766
04:03:43,000 --> 04:03:43,220
Yes.

2767
04:03:43,460 --> 04:03:44,060
Barry Buchanan.

2768
04:03:44,320 --> 04:03:44,520
Yes.

2769
04:03:44,860 --> 04:03:45,580
Ben Elliboss.

2770
04:03:46,500 --> 04:03:46,980
Here.

2771
04:03:47,540 --> 04:03:48,500
Bailey Galloway.

2772
04:03:48,640 --> 04:03:48,840
Yes.

2773
04:03:48,840 --> 04:03:49,960
Yes, just Karinstra.

2774
04:03:50,360 --> 04:03:51,500
Yes, Ron Scanlon.

2775
04:03:51,740 --> 04:03:51,860
Yes.

2776
04:03:52,560 --> 04:03:55,200
Okay, let the record show that amendment passes 7-0.

2777
04:03:55,820 --> 04:03:59,460
The next amendment would be on page two,

2778
04:04:00,160 --> 04:04:03,280
with the whereas the Keep Washington Working Act prevents

2779
04:04:03,280 --> 04:04:06,720
it would insert the word all local law enforcement from,

2780
04:04:07,060 --> 04:04:10,740
so this was a clarification since this law pertains

2781
04:04:10,740 --> 04:04:13,840
to both city and county.

2782
04:04:15,240 --> 04:04:17,860
I move to amend as described by Council Member Galloway.

2783
04:04:17,860 --> 04:04:27,040
Okay. Got a motion by Scanlan to drive a second. Second. Second by Boyle. Okay. So I know

2784
04:04:27,040 --> 04:04:30,600
there were members of the community who would request some additional amendments around

2785
04:04:30,600 --> 04:04:42,420
this particular wording. I will share the legal advice on this one was to not move forward

2786
04:04:42,420 --> 04:04:46,400
with that proposed amendment language as they didn't.

2787
04:04:50,420 --> 04:04:51,860
Chris, I don't know if you want to say

2788
04:04:51,860 --> 04:04:57,320
what you, but it wasn't their interpretation of the Keep Washington Working Act. So we just

2789
04:04:57,320 --> 04:04:59,240
wanted to keep this language clean and simple.

2790
04:05:02,100 --> 04:05:09,400
Chris, can I help fail me out on that one? Okay, for us here is office. I wasn't the attorney in the office advising, so I believe it was Kimberly. Okay.

2791
04:05:14,060 --> 04:05:16,640
Okay. So yeah,

2792
04:05:18,980 --> 04:05:37,680
so I think there were just some legal concerns about. So again, I'm just, I'm not trying to say that to confuse what we're doing now, but I just wanted for those who had presented some proposed feedback on that section, that that would be the, that would be the rationale for why we would, we were not moving.

2793
04:05:37,680 --> 04:05:44,100
forward with it. Did they have concerns with just the bulleted section? There wasn't suggestion

2794
04:05:44,100 --> 04:05:53,940
to add additional bullet points around engaging or assisting in civil immigration enforcement

2795
04:05:54,400 --> 04:05:59,640
and sharing non-public personal information about an individual with immigration authorities.

2796
04:06:01,220 --> 04:06:05,840
And again, I wish Kimberly was the one who did render that legal and I don't

2797
04:06:06,920 --> 04:06:13,200
I wish you were here to say in her own words because I just I don't feel like I can do justice on the I

2798
04:06:15,530 --> 04:06:23,050
think that comes so concerned around the accuracy and the the broadness of that language.

2799
04:06:25,170 --> 04:06:25,690
So

2800
04:06:27,930 --> 04:06:34,730
I think Kimberly felt that retaining the existing for bullet points was

2801
04:06:37,640 --> 04:06:40,900
the more accurate account of the key Washington working act.

2802
04:06:40,900 --> 04:06:41,740
Chris,

2803
04:06:48,880 --> 04:06:57,800
I don't know if we can share Kimberly's document with you if you wanted to give it a quick review and just confirm that my interpretation of legal's interpretation is an accurate one.

2804
04:06:59,440 --> 04:07:02,440
I'm actually trying to track down the emails right now.

2805
04:07:04,970 --> 04:07:05,370
Here.

2806
04:07:06,030 --> 04:07:06,410
Yes, sir.

2807
04:07:06,650 --> 04:07:10,170
I think we have a motion on the table only to vote on the word all.

2808
04:07:10,370 --> 04:07:11,350
Yeah, so let's do that.

2809
04:07:11,350 --> 04:07:13,930
Use that motion and see if there are any additional motions.

2810
04:07:14,550 --> 04:07:15,510
Yeah, sounds great.

2811
04:07:16,150 --> 04:07:21,530
Okay, get back to my, okay, we're with a motion from Scanlan, a second from Boyle.

2812
04:07:22,590 --> 04:07:24,890
Not seeing any other hands on this, can we do a roll call?

2813
04:07:25,970 --> 04:07:26,850
Elizabeth Boyle?

2814
04:07:26,970 --> 04:07:27,130
Yes.

2815
04:07:27,850 --> 04:07:28,570
Mary Buchanan?

2816
04:07:28,890 --> 04:07:29,070
Yes.

2817
04:07:29,350 --> 04:07:30,050
Van Allen-Boss?

2818
04:07:30,910 --> 04:07:32,410
Sure, I believe that to be true.

2819
04:07:33,130 --> 04:07:34,010
Kaley Galloway?

2820
04:07:34,210 --> 04:07:34,350
Yes.

2821
04:07:34,710 --> 04:07:35,530
Jessica Reinstra?

2822
04:07:36,110 --> 04:07:36,470
Yes.

2823
04:07:36,810 --> 04:07:37,530
John Scanlan?

2824
04:07:38,170 --> 04:07:38,850
Mark Stremler?

2825
04:07:45,950 --> 04:07:46,390
Yes.

2826
04:07:47,690 --> 04:07:49,290
Hey, that carries 7-0.

2827
04:07:49,290 --> 04:07:50,170
Our

2828
04:07:58,100 --> 04:08:09,020
next amendment that received, what I believe to be legal's sign-off, was this additional

2829
04:08:09,020 --> 04:08:16,620
whereas clause that I'll read into the record and I'll note, Kirsten, my third bullet point

2830
04:08:16,620 --> 04:08:21,280
I'm going to be correcting a scrivener there to requiring, so I'm going to read that out loud

2831
04:08:21,280 --> 04:08:23,160
if you don't mind changing that to requiring.

2832
04:08:23,160 --> 04:08:53,020
So, whereas Washington State passed the courts open to all COTA Act in 2020, which protects individuals' access to justice by prohibiting warrantless civil-immigration-abestant courts, prohibiting court staff and prosecutors from using state and local justice resources to report people for federal immigration enforcement, unless required by law, necessary for an act of criminal investigation or done pursuant to valid court order or warrant and requiring

2833
04:08:53,020 --> 04:08:59,080
courts to collect data on the surveillance by immigration agents of courthouses in Washington.

2834
04:09:03,690 --> 04:09:08,730
Okay, and then I think my only other scriveners, would that be a comma after each bullet,

2835
04:09:09,030 --> 04:09:11,490
a comma, and, or would it be semi-colons?

2836
04:09:14,020 --> 04:09:17,000
I think it's commas. So a comma after the first bullet,

2837
04:09:17,160 --> 04:09:20,000
a comma, and after the second bullet, can

2838
04:09:23,040 --> 04:09:27,320
I always get my grammatical bullet point rules mixed up?

2839
04:09:29,840 --> 04:09:36,640
Okay. So that would be the entertained motion to add that whereas clause as presented.

2840
04:09:37,300 --> 04:09:40,660
I moved to add the whereas clause as presented.

2841
04:09:40,960 --> 04:09:43,140
Okay, go the second. Second.

2842
04:09:43,740 --> 04:09:50,440
Okay, I've got a motion by Scanlan and a second by Boyle, was there any discussion on this?

2843
04:09:51,460 --> 04:09:51,740
Chair?

2844
04:09:52,280 --> 04:09:52,620
Yes.

2845
04:09:52,880 --> 04:09:56,000
I am just noting we didn't do that same scurvener with the previous.

2846
04:09:57,720 --> 04:09:59,960
the K to the library act we don't

2847
04:10:00,000 --> 04:10:07,880
I don't have the, do you want to add that in? I think we're waiting to get. Okay. There you go. That's Scrivener. So we just did that. Good. Thank you.

2848
04:10:10,740 --> 04:10:27,800
Okay. I'm not seeing any other further discussion on this. Can we do a question? Yes. Council Member Ellen Bus. I don't know much about this. Legal is this true. Is this a true statement, the whereas about the code act or any of the statements false or misleading?

2849
04:10:27,800 --> 04:10:27,980
It's our meeting.

2850
04:10:29,340 --> 04:10:30,720
Brandon Watt and County prosecutors,

2851
04:10:30,720 --> 04:10:32,240
is a council member.

2852
04:10:32,400 --> 04:10:36,700
Ellen Boss, I'm reviewing Kimberly Touline's review.

2853
04:10:37,640 --> 04:10:40,520
And she is signed off on the proposed language, as amended.

2854
04:10:41,320 --> 04:10:49,520
And with that, like, we'll say that she's satisfied that it is based on her legal review that does comply with state local and federal law.

2855
04:10:54,090 --> 04:10:55,670
Is she meeting me?

2856
04:10:57,530 --> 04:11:00,250
Okay, not saying any other hands, can we do Ruckel?

2857
04:11:02,600 --> 04:11:03,260
Beary Buchanan?

2858
04:11:03,680 --> 04:11:03,860
Yes.

2859
04:11:04,140 --> 04:11:05,000
Ben Allen-Boss?

2860
04:11:06,400 --> 04:11:06,700
Hmm.

2861
04:11:07,260 --> 04:11:08,060
Kaley Galloway?

2862
04:11:08,240 --> 04:11:08,420
Yes.

2863
04:11:08,820 --> 04:11:09,680
Jessica Reinstra?

2864
04:11:10,000 --> 04:11:10,280
Yes.

2865
04:11:10,560 --> 04:11:11,320
John Scamlin?

2866
04:11:11,540 --> 04:11:11,700
Yes.

2867
04:11:11,920 --> 04:11:12,600
Mark Stremler?

2868
04:11:13,020 --> 04:11:13,340
Yes.

2869
04:11:13,620 --> 04:11:14,460
Elizabeth Boyle?

2870
04:11:14,580 --> 04:11:14,720
Yes.

2871
04:11:20,120 --> 04:11:20,680
Okay.

2872
04:11:21,400 --> 04:11:29,220
The next amendments in green, these were at the request of executives to do.

2873
04:11:30,120 --> 04:11:31,820
These were to delete.

2874
04:11:32,660 --> 04:11:40,800
the whereas clauses, I don't know if there's a way to get all of them on one screen. Delete

2875
04:11:40,800 --> 04:11:45,720
the whereas, two whereas clauses that reference the Racial Equity Commission's action guide

2876
04:11:46,820 --> 04:11:52,840
and reference to the Racial Equity Commission and the BIT further resolved.

2877
04:11:54,860 --> 04:11:55,860
Did the executives

2878
04:11:55,860 --> 04:12:00,540
of office wish to speak to this proposed request?

2879
04:12:01,700 --> 04:12:04,040
Yeah, thanks, Kaila Schrapper-Sler, deputy executive.

2880
04:12:04,160 --> 04:12:11,260
I think the intent behind the request was to sort of think about the community impact

2881
04:12:11,260 --> 04:12:16,540
and outcomes and statement trying to make here with the resolution rather than attach ourselves

2882
04:12:16,540 --> 04:12:20,600
to the work of a particular committee that was the intent of the executive's request.

2883
04:12:22,980 --> 04:12:28,160
So I do not wish to move forward with this amendment. I don't know if other council members

2884
04:12:28,880 --> 04:12:37,540
feel differently, but if you wish to make a motion to amend in this way, the floor is yours.

2885
04:12:47,720 --> 04:12:48,880
I'm not hearing from anybody.

2886
04:12:51,440 --> 04:12:55,020
I guess I'll just speak so I have been the council's representative

2887
04:12:55,020 --> 04:13:00,200
on the Racial Equity Commission now since its inception and before that I think Council

2888
04:13:00,200 --> 04:13:05,860
of Buchanan and I served on the pre-REC-REC.

2889
04:13:07,680 --> 04:13:16,300
And I've just been incredibly impressed with their work in the last couple years and this

2890
04:13:16,300 --> 04:13:20,420
action guide I think is such an incredible community resource.

2891
04:13:21,240 --> 04:13:28,360
and with really tangible, I think maybe even better than most anything else I've ever seen.

2892
04:13:28,620 --> 04:13:33,100
Very tangible action steps that individuals can take. Local governments can take.

2893
04:13:33,780 --> 04:13:38,080
State legislators can take. Federal elected can take. I mean, it's just really amazing work.

2894
04:13:38,240 --> 04:13:42,220
So I would like to honor that body to work by referencing it in this resolution.

2895
04:13:42,500 --> 04:13:46,700
So that's why I will be supporting the retention of this language.

2896
04:13:48,740 --> 04:13:50,700
Any further discussion? Council Member Reenstra.

2897
04:13:51,520 --> 04:13:59,860
Thank you for that Chair. I agree with that. I was just wondering if there's anywhere previous to the abbreviation of REC word is actually spelled out in this document.

2898
04:14:03,630 --> 04:14:07,650
Yes, in the bottom of page two, the last whereas clause.

2899
04:14:08,490 --> 04:14:09,090
Thank you.

2900
04:14:09,290 --> 04:14:15,690
Does spell it out, but that's a good catch because it's good that we don't use acronyms without defining them.

2901
04:14:16,870 --> 04:14:19,970
Okay. The next, um,

2902
04:14:20,270 --> 04:14:21,710
I'll remember Galway. Yes, sir.

2903
04:14:22,270 --> 04:14:25,830
So I'm just going to take the second green one that's up there on the list.

2904
04:14:25,950 --> 04:14:29,510
And it says, where is the YREC action guide calls on city governments,

2905
04:14:29,830 --> 04:14:33,550
county governments and the justice system to exhaust all legal recourse

2906
04:14:33,550 --> 04:14:38,270
to protect the county's population from negative impacts of ICE actions.

2907
04:14:40,610 --> 04:14:44,570
So what if we rephrase that to say,

2908
04:14:44,570 --> 04:14:51,730
Whereas councilmember Ellenboss calls on all city governments, county governments, and the justice system to exhaust all legal

2909
04:14:51,730 --> 04:14:59,210
recourse to protect the county's population from negative impacts of planning and planning and development services actions.

2910
04:15:00,000 --> 04:15:29,580
Are you guys going to support me in a statement like that? You probably wouldn't because, in your opinion, planning and development services is doing good work. So like, it's just this, this, this whole thing, like I agree, we need to be able to have a conversation and come to conclusions where we can make all of our neighbors feel safe. But there's people out there that feel that feel like

2911
04:15:29,580 --> 04:15:46,500
following the rule of law does make them safe. So like all I see here is this safety at the expense of this safety or you know outrage over this action, but no outrage over or over another action.

2912
04:15:47,160 --> 04:15:55,480
And so like I stated earlier, all I see here is someone yelling their position louder.

2913
04:15:56,920 --> 04:16:19,480
And I think that, you know, one of the things that I said earlier was like are the best way to just brush someone off as to demonize or villainize them by name calling and I think executives to do illustrated my point precisely at the end of our last meeting.

2914
04:16:20,140 --> 04:16:28,740
So, you know, why don't you guys just get this thing where you want it and ram it down our throats, but I'm not going to support it because I don't think it.

2915
04:16:29,300 --> 04:16:42,060
I don't think it does anything to help that public conversation and the understanding of both sides of this issue. I think it just screams louder your position.

2916
04:16:43,000 --> 04:16:46,040
and I don't know that that's well received by everyone.

2917
04:16:46,460 --> 04:16:50,580
And also, way outside of our purview as a council,

2918
04:16:52,120 --> 04:16:56,500
I'm not saying we don't have to care and that we can't tackle issues,

2919
04:16:56,780 --> 04:17:00,540
but this has already been established that it doesn't change anything.

2920
04:17:01,340 --> 04:17:05,480
And I'm voting yes on all of these facts that are laid out and these warehouses

2921
04:17:05,480 --> 04:17:09,860
because they're truthful statements, but package the way it does,

2922
04:17:09,860 --> 04:17:17,700
I think it, I think it tries to vilify certain positions and I think it ratchets up the community conversation.

2923
04:17:17,700 --> 04:17:21,560
I don't think it's productive to solve the state at goal.

2924
04:17:22,400 --> 04:17:25,840
And so it's already 10 o'clock.

2925
04:17:26,360 --> 04:17:28,360
Just hurry and get it where you want it.

2926
04:17:28,880 --> 04:17:30,880
I'm just going to stay on everything else.

2927
04:17:31,300 --> 04:17:33,800
And then I'll vote no on it and we can move on.

2928
04:17:38,640 --> 04:17:43,500
I appreciate the conversation to the discussion, but I do think it's important not to conflate

2929
04:17:45,220 --> 04:17:50,340
the notes earlier by the executive to the resolution that was written by council members.

2930
04:17:51,860 --> 04:17:53,960
I am struggling to understand.

2931
04:17:54,160 --> 04:17:59,100
I'm definitely wanting to listen in here that you, I believe, correct me if I'm wrong.

2932
04:17:59,180 --> 04:18:00,300
You feel like this is very vilifying.

2933
04:18:00,800 --> 04:18:02,920
I'm not as name-calling as putting people down.

2934
04:18:02,920 --> 04:18:17,680
I see this as a document that states our support and protection for a group that has over and over again stated that they feel unsafe here, which we have done and taken action on other groups who are also feeling unsafe and need for security in the community.

2935
04:18:18,180 --> 04:18:21,160
So I'm just a little bit concerned on the conflation there.

2936
04:18:22,320 --> 04:18:32,520
but to my point, there are people that feel unsafe. I feel like she was looking at me and asking me a question. So I was just responding.

2937
04:18:33,280 --> 04:18:40,980
I don't disagree. I don't disagree at all that there's groups that feel unsafe because of the actions of ICE.

2938
04:18:40,980 --> 04:18:48,080
I don't, I also don't disagree that it would scare me too, right?

2939
04:18:48,540 --> 04:18:52,600
But there are some realities of how we end up in this situation,

2940
04:18:52,600 --> 04:18:57,000
none of which are probably our faults, and we would probably do differently.

2941
04:18:58,260 --> 04:19:02,680
However, we, and just like the public comment we heard tonight,

2942
04:19:03,220 --> 04:19:06,000
a lot of pieces of this conversation are omitted.

2943
04:19:06,320 --> 04:19:09,560
A lot of facts of this conversation are omitted,

2944
04:19:09,560 --> 04:19:11,700
and they're not addressed in this resolution.

2945
04:19:12,320 --> 04:19:14,520
They were omitted from the public comment.

2946
04:19:15,480 --> 04:19:20,200
And quite honestly, only serve to ratchet,

2947
04:19:20,540 --> 04:19:21,480
do that ratcheting.

2948
04:19:22,320 --> 04:19:26,720
That like I'm all about having an honest conversation.

2949
04:19:27,600 --> 04:19:29,400
The problem is, is when we start saying,

2950
04:19:29,720 --> 04:19:31,860
calling you a racist because you're honest

2951
04:19:31,860 --> 04:19:34,600
about your position or whatever, that's where we don't have.

2952
04:19:34,800 --> 04:19:37,140
That's where we end up ratcheting this thing up

2953
04:19:37,140 --> 04:19:43,620
to a level that isn't productive and like I said, you can argue all you want that this isn't

2954
04:19:43,620 --> 04:19:49,800
doing that, but people read this and that's how they perceive it. And if you look at the emails

2955
04:19:49,800 --> 04:19:55,280
that we're getting and read what letter, where are we in the letter here?

2956
04:19:55,280 --> 04:19:57,760
and ram it down on the throw. 5-2. This will be good.

2957
04:19:58,380 --> 04:19:59,260
Okay, I'm sorry.

2958
04:20:00,000 --> 04:20:29,560
I think- It's could go on all night. You could just keep- We could keep voting on that. Okay. Council Member Alamos, I think you made your point. Well, thank you. Council Member Scanlon. Can you scroll down to the next item and blue? I'll see. So I'd like- I move that we amend this second last be it further resolved as proposed in the screen changing from a bilingual to multi-lingual on both lines there. I've got a motion by Scanlon. Do I have a second?

2959
04:20:29,560 --> 04:20:33,760
second by Boyle. Any discussion on this amendment?

2960
04:20:37,620 --> 04:20:39,040
Okay. Seeing none can we do Rokal?

2961
04:20:44,190 --> 04:20:50,010
I'm sorry. Rokal? Yeah so we have now amended the

2962
04:20:51,630 --> 04:20:57,070
I have it. It's a result statement to read multilingual and both locations rather than bilingual.

2963
04:20:59,410 --> 04:21:05,430
And who seconded? I'm sorry. Gammon motion, Boyle second. Thank you very much. Ben Ellenboss.

2964
04:21:05,430 --> 04:21:05,510
Yes.

2965
04:21:05,790 --> 04:21:06,490
Stay.

2966
04:21:07,870 --> 04:21:08,570
Kalahgallway.

2967
04:21:08,730 --> 04:21:08,890
Yes.

2968
04:21:09,470 --> 04:21:10,330
Joss Kareenstra.

2969
04:21:10,610 --> 04:21:10,770
Yes.

2970
04:21:11,110 --> 04:21:11,770
John Scamlin.

2971
04:21:11,990 --> 04:21:12,110
Yes.

2972
04:21:12,430 --> 04:21:13,130
Mark Strumler.

2973
04:21:13,410 --> 04:21:13,590
No.

2974
04:21:13,970 --> 04:21:14,910
Elizabeth Boyle.

2975
04:21:15,070 --> 04:21:15,270
Yes.

2976
04:21:15,810 --> 04:21:16,410
Barry Buchanan.

2977
04:21:16,750 --> 04:21:16,910
Yes.

2978
04:21:17,510 --> 04:21:22,410
Can that motion carries 5 to 1 with 1 abstention?

2979
04:21:23,430 --> 04:21:24,310
Councilmember Strumler?

2980
04:21:25,130 --> 04:21:25,430
Yeah.

2981
04:21:25,710 --> 04:21:35,410
I move that we strike the be it further resolved by the

2982
04:21:35,410 --> 04:21:41,410
deportation activities on or adjacent to county property by federal law

2983
04:21:41,410 --> 04:21:48,090
enforcement agencies. As soon as I read this that all kinds of red flags go up

2984
04:21:48,090 --> 04:21:55,570
and it doesn't always matter what intent there is but like I said this afternoon

2985
04:21:55,570 --> 04:22:03,310
county property they're all over the county and all those properties have adjacent

2986
04:22:03,310 --> 04:22:13,720
and properties, so I think this particular paragraph is out of line.

2987
04:22:14,580 --> 04:22:16,060
Okay, do we have a second for the motion?

2988
04:22:22,050 --> 04:22:23,110
Not hearing a second.

2989
04:22:29,540 --> 04:22:30,640
Do we want to move?

2990
04:22:31,840 --> 04:22:32,800
Council Member Boyle?

2991
04:22:33,040 --> 04:22:36,660
Do I have to second before I ask a question around it to first to discuss that piece?

2992
04:22:37,200 --> 04:22:38,500
I'll second it so that we can discuss.

2993
04:22:38,820 --> 04:22:39,000
Okay.

2994
04:22:41,770 --> 04:22:46,110
So we got a motion by Council Member Schumler and a second by Council Member Boyle to strike

2995
04:22:46,110 --> 04:22:49,550
the be it further resolve statement by the Walk and County Council that Walk and County

2996
04:22:49,550 --> 04:22:53,430
condemns the pursuit of arrest and deportation activities on or adjacent to county property

2997
04:22:53,430 --> 04:22:56,330
by federal law enforcement agencies. Go for it, Councilmember Boyle.

2998
04:22:56,570 --> 04:23:00,110
I'm just curious what language you might feel more comfortable with. Like I understand what you're

2999
04:23:00,110 --> 04:23:05,730
saying is that basically it could be everywhere, but this is a very important part of the conversation.

3000
04:23:05,750 --> 04:23:09,750
So is there some way to clarify that you might feel more comfortable with?

3001
04:23:12,690 --> 04:23:16,730
I've been thinking about that and I've tried to come up with other language.

3002
04:23:21,740 --> 04:23:32,400
And at this point, no, I couldn't come up with anything creative that I was comfortable with, so.

3003
04:23:32,980 --> 04:23:33,640
Any

3004
04:23:41,190 --> 04:23:41,810
further discussion?

3005
04:23:42,690 --> 04:23:43,390
Councilmember Sianlin?

3006
04:23:44,050 --> 04:23:55,510
I'm trying to pull up the text of the Courts Open to All Act, but there is an item in that state legislation that does relate to this.

3007
04:23:55,510 --> 04:24:20,530
So one of the items in that state law is no person shall be subject to civil arrest without a judicial arrest warrant or judicial order for arrest while traveling to a court of law in this state for the purpose of participating in any judicial proceeding accessing services or conducting other business with the court or

3008
04:24:20,530 --> 04:24:25,730
Or we're traveling or returning home to employment after participating in any judicial proceeding.

3009
04:24:25,990 --> 04:24:28,090
Accessing services are conducting a business at the court.

3010
04:24:28,750 --> 04:24:31,630
So I think that's where this applies here in state law.

3011
04:24:32,690 --> 04:24:44,850
And so given testimony we've heard tonight, there's been news articles about this, about people being detained near this building, near Billingham Municipal Court.

3012
04:24:44,850 --> 04:24:52,850
So that's where I think that this would apply this item here in the resolution in the link to state law.

3013
04:24:55,870 --> 04:24:57,010
Thank you for their discussion.

3014
04:24:58,050 --> 04:24:59,490
I just-

3015
04:24:59,670 --> 04:24:59,910
Cancel them.

3016
04:25:00,000 --> 04:25:29,630
So how could this not apply to somebody who owns property next to, well, you name the county property. And they live adjacent to a county property is. So now those are all off limits also. I don't know if we can,

3017
04:25:32,180 --> 04:25:33,760
I don't know if we can dictate.

3018
04:25:33,760 --> 04:25:37,420
that on other people's property.

3019
04:25:39,830 --> 04:25:40,710
Councilmember Buchanan.

3020
04:25:41,790 --> 04:25:44,190
Councilmember Scallon, you just took a look at the state law.

3021
04:25:44,310 --> 04:25:50,910
Does the state law in your mind provide the kind of protection that we really are looking

3022
04:25:50,910 --> 04:25:57,670
for and that's the courts and maybe we wouldn't need that statement in the resolution because

3023
04:25:57,670 --> 04:26:01,710
we've already referenced the law and the law does state.

3024
04:26:02,430 --> 04:26:09,950
I'm just, I don't have an opportunity, I'm just wondering if it's, if there's enough there enough to satisfy y'all

3025
04:26:13,890 --> 04:26:33,510
perhaps I think there sound like there's sort of three options, one would be striking it, one would be perhaps amending it to be more specific in citation of the state law, which would specifically refer to business with the courts.

3026
04:26:33,510 --> 04:26:45,510
or the version as written is probably the broadest of it, and could be construed to counsel,

3027
04:26:45,930 --> 04:26:51,730
expressing our concerns frankly around folks who are accessing any county service.

3028
04:26:51,730 --> 04:26:55,970
It wouldn't be just that the courthouse could be in other locations.

3029
04:26:57,730 --> 04:26:58,950
Councilmember Reinsra.

3030
04:26:58,950 --> 04:27:03,950
Yeah, I think that art is incredibly important to me, especially seeing the impact with

3031
04:27:03,950 --> 04:27:09,090
healthcare and I'm sure there's many, many other services, but for me, with those three

3032
04:27:09,090 --> 04:27:11,190
options, it's important to me to keep this.

3033
04:27:11,470 --> 04:27:11,550
Yeah.

3034
04:27:12,190 --> 04:27:17,030
I think the way I'm also thinking about East County, for example, which we do, I think,

3035
04:27:17,030 --> 04:27:21,210
have a sizable immigrant population out in East County, accessing services at the East

3036
04:27:21,210 --> 04:27:22,350
Walkham Regional Resource Center.

3037
04:27:22,870 --> 04:27:23,050
Yes.

3038
04:27:23,050 --> 04:27:36,470
I know sometimes state agencies table there to provide maybe it's helping people sign up for social security disability or Medicaid or Medicare, other services.

3039
04:27:37,530 --> 04:27:42,430
So I and I recall I think that's I know that's managed by the parks, it's county property, I think.

3040
04:27:42,430 --> 04:27:51,310
But that, again, may be that perhaps would be covered under the current language, probably

3041
04:27:51,310 --> 04:27:55,530
not covered under an amended version that just cited the courthouse.

3042
04:27:59,880 --> 04:28:00,980
And sorry.

3043
04:28:01,100 --> 04:28:01,220
Yeah.

3044
04:28:01,380 --> 04:28:01,940
Councilmember Meister.

3045
04:28:02,180 --> 04:28:02,320
I'm going to clarify.

3046
04:28:02,500 --> 04:28:06,960
The language was already like this specific language had been approved by legal as well.

3047
04:28:07,220 --> 04:28:07,820
This had been reviewed.

3048
04:28:09,300 --> 04:28:09,860
Yeah.

3049
04:28:09,860 --> 04:28:24,160
I can really review it and I don't see any legal, Chris, can you confirm that this particular sentence didn't have any legal?

3050
04:28:25,540 --> 04:28:33,900
Yeah, I just can, Chris Quinn, walking County Prosecutor's Office just in consultant with Kirsten here, she indicates that Kim has signed off on that.

3051
04:28:34,620 --> 04:28:53,600
With that said, would Council entertain a suggestion from legal at this point, just related to the language, just a suggestion, but you could always go forth and set out your clear, counsel's clear support of Coda, the state law and what the state law provides for.

3052
04:28:55,180 --> 04:29:02,780
It would necessarily have the same effect that it sounds like councils going for it, at least put the discussions going for it.

3053
04:29:03,140 --> 04:29:13,260
So by expressly supporting what's provided for by state law, by supporting the restrictions, the limitations placed, or the protections afforded by state law.

3054
04:29:13,740 --> 04:29:19,320
Again, it's an affirmative way of addressing the issue that's being discussed here.

3055
04:29:19,960 --> 04:29:20,920
I just throw that out there.

3056
04:29:20,920 --> 04:29:21,900
I

3057
04:29:25,390 --> 04:29:30,090
hear that, but I'm curious that we would miss the opportunity so we would miss any

3058
04:29:30,090 --> 04:29:34,750
other services that people are trying to access if we did just CODA.

3059
04:29:36,250 --> 04:29:42,750
Yeah, and I guess what stimulated my thought there with what Chris was saying is, so

3060
04:29:42,750 --> 04:29:48,070
in the two resolve statements below that where we talk about remaining committed to ongoing

3061
04:29:48,070 --> 04:29:54,310
compliance with state law, keep Washington working act, we could insert something

3062
04:29:54,310 --> 04:29:59,370
like that, it furthers all the walk and county council that walk and county remains committed

3063
04:29:59,370 --> 04:29:59,970
to ongoing-

3064
04:30:08,680 --> 04:30:18,580
So there's a connection there kind of demonstrating our interest. Chris, I'm sorry, was that kind of aligned with what you were saying?

3065
04:30:18,580 --> 04:30:24,520
It condemns actions in contravention to those, I'm sorry, in contravention to those

3066
04:30:24,520 --> 04:30:27,580
expressed provisions of state law, right?

3067
04:30:28,120 --> 04:30:30,940
So you're condemning those actions which violate or

3068
04:30:30,940 --> 04:30:36,360
violative of the state law that were just passing here.

3069
04:30:36,780 --> 04:30:40,500
So I feel that that would be its own amendment.

3070
04:30:40,840 --> 04:30:45,860
So let's dispose of the motion to amend on the on for consideration at this moment, which

3071
04:30:45,860 --> 04:30:49,040
was to strike that resolved statement.

3072
04:30:50,180 --> 04:30:51,500
All just by itself.

3073
04:30:52,220 --> 04:30:53,880
Yeah, so your current motion is to strike

3074
04:30:53,880 --> 04:30:55,060
that entire resolve statement.

3075
04:30:56,320 --> 04:30:58,460
Okay, was there any further discussion

3076
04:30:58,460 --> 04:30:59,760
on the amendment to strike?

3077
04:31:01,610 --> 04:31:04,930
Okay, seeing none, can we do a roll call?

3078
04:31:05,310 --> 04:31:05,990
Kayleigh Galloway?

3079
04:31:06,130 --> 04:31:06,250
No.

3080
04:31:07,050 --> 04:31:08,330
Just Karine Strat?

3081
04:31:08,570 --> 04:31:08,790
No.

3082
04:31:09,190 --> 04:31:09,830
John Scanlon?

3083
04:31:10,610 --> 04:31:11,150
Mark Stremler?

3084
04:31:11,450 --> 04:31:11,650
Yes.

3085
04:31:12,110 --> 04:31:12,950
Elizabeth Boyle?

3086
04:31:13,090 --> 04:31:13,210
No.

3087
04:31:13,730 --> 04:31:14,390
Barry Buchanan?

3088
04:31:15,330 --> 04:31:15,870
Ben Ellenboss?

3089
04:31:15,870 --> 04:31:17,050
Yes.

3090
04:31:19,780 --> 04:31:27,720
Okay. The amendment fails. Two to five. Okay.

3091
04:31:32,740 --> 04:31:36,580
Chris, with your proposed language,

3092
04:31:36,840 --> 04:31:40,980
would we retain the sort of intended,

3093
04:31:43,340 --> 04:31:51,180
a wider applicability to our sort of proclaimed

3094
04:31:54,630 --> 04:32:01,770
on this? Is there a way to reference Coda in this? I don't, I'm sorry, is that even the right?

3095
04:32:02,230 --> 04:32:11,790
The courts open to all act? Is there a way to reference that in this resolved statement but to retain sort of the rest of the language as it's been written?

3096
04:32:15,250 --> 04:32:18,650
Councilmember, Chris Quinn-Walking County Prosecutors Office, I'm sorry, it's getting

3097
04:32:18,650 --> 04:32:23,610
a little bit late and I was having a little bit difficulty following you there.

3098
04:32:25,730 --> 04:32:28,630
I think I'd have to review the proposed language quite frankly.

3099
04:32:29,510 --> 04:32:29,670
Okay.

3100
04:32:31,740 --> 04:32:40,020
So I think given it the state, my preference would to be retain this language, proceed with

3101
04:32:40,020 --> 04:32:44,940
an amendment that would add the and reference to the courts open to all act in the subsequent

3102
04:32:44,940 --> 04:32:51,620
resolve statement at this point because I mean we're not going to get, I don't think we can

3103
04:32:51,620 --> 04:32:55,060
do much more new at this point. So Council Member Scanlon.

3104
04:32:55,360 --> 04:33:02,340
I move to amend the resolution as presented on the screen there. So this is that final

3105
04:33:03,120 --> 04:33:07,220
be it for the result on this page. Okay. So that the texts it's in yellow,

3106
04:33:07,700 --> 04:33:12,980
the deletions in the texts it's in blue. Okay. So I got a motion from Scanlon to

3107
04:33:12,980 --> 04:33:13,360
of a second.

3108
04:33:13,780 --> 04:33:13,960
Okay.

3109
04:33:15,340 --> 04:33:18,460
I'm going to give that to Reenstra, sorry, share in the love.

3110
04:33:19,340 --> 04:33:23,320
Okay, so that new, whereas that new, be it for the resolve statement, would read, be it

3111
04:33:23,320 --> 04:33:26,220
for the resolve by the Walkham County Council that the Walkham County remains committed to

3112
04:33:26,220 --> 04:33:30,400
ongoing compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act and the Courts Open to All Act and

3113
04:33:30,400 --> 04:33:34,540
reminds the County Sheriff, Prosecutor, and their staff to refrain from coordinating or assisting

3114
04:33:35,060 --> 04:33:38,460
Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or other relevant

3115
04:33:38,460 --> 04:33:42,320
federal agencies on immigration or adjacent related law enforcement activities.

3116
04:33:43,180 --> 04:33:46,480
Okay, come over here and go for it. I'd like to speak to this real quick. You know,

3117
04:33:46,500 --> 04:33:49,060
I was having a conversation with my wife last night and she asked me,

3118
04:33:50,160 --> 04:33:53,980
wait, I was talking with her about the keep washing and working act and she's like, why is that?

3119
04:33:54,140 --> 04:33:59,980
Why would we not want local law enforcement doing this work? And I asked her, do you know how many

3120
04:33:59,980 --> 04:34:01,820
county sheriffs deputies are on duty at night?

3121
04:34:07,020 --> 04:34:08,700
Yeah, we saw the number in the back.

3122
04:34:09,660 --> 04:34:14,640
I need those folks to be doing their job and it's our local law enforcement.

3123
04:34:15,400 --> 04:34:19,460
We have a federal government, we have state government, we have county government, we

3124
04:34:19,460 --> 04:34:24,960
have city government, they all have their roles and responsibilities, enforcing federal

3125
04:34:24,960 --> 04:34:29,700
law in this manner according to Washington state law is a federal responsibility.

3126
04:34:30,240 --> 04:34:35,520
If the federal government can't fully fund the operation, that's the fault of Congress

3127
04:34:35,520 --> 04:34:37,520
and the President of the United States,

3128
04:34:37,880 --> 04:34:38,920
not the Wacom County Council.

3129
04:34:40,060 --> 04:34:43,160
I fully support our sheriff's department

3130
04:34:43,160 --> 04:34:44,260
in doing what they do.

3131
04:34:45,260 --> 04:34:46,980
We're gonna have conversations this year

3132
04:34:46,980 --> 04:34:48,460
about how to support them even more.

3133
04:34:48,660 --> 04:34:49,900
We just gave them a new office.

3134
04:34:50,380 --> 04:34:53,380
We're building new facilities to support them

3135
04:34:53,380 --> 04:34:54,460
and the work that they do.

3136
04:34:55,180 --> 04:34:59,460
And so, that's why that law is the way it is

3137
04:34:59,460 --> 04:34:59,960
and that's why...

3138
04:35:00,000 --> 04:35:26,780
I want them to keep doing their job. They have a lot of work to do. They don't need any other work. Okay, for their discussion. Okay, seeing them, can we do roll call on this amendment? Just Karinstra? Yes. John Scanlon? Yes. Mark Stremler? No. Elizabeth Boyle? Yes. Barry Buchanan? Yes. Van Ellenbus? No. Kaley Galloway? Yes. That motion carries five to two.

3139
04:35:29,270 --> 04:35:31,350
Okay. Final amendment.

3140
04:35:31,350 --> 04:35:37,870
Councilmember Scanlon. Last one, this is the last be it finally resolved

3141
04:35:38,370 --> 04:35:42,030
adding in the text here in blue.

3142
04:35:45,150 --> 04:35:47,190
Okay, I've got a motion from Councilmember Scanlon

3143
04:35:47,190 --> 04:35:50,810
to amend the be it finally resolved to read be it finally resolved by the

3144
04:35:50,810 --> 04:35:53,290
walking county council that walking county strives to cultivate a community where

3145
04:35:53,290 --> 04:35:56,490
all individuals are free have equal protection and are provided due process

3146
04:35:56,490 --> 04:35:59,910
under the law and are safe to live their lives and pursue their personal

3147
04:35:59,910 --> 04:36:02,490
familial educational and economic goals without fear of surveillance,

3148
04:36:02,490 --> 04:36:05,210
harassment, intimidation, injury, abduction, or death.

3149
04:36:05,650 --> 04:36:06,150
Do you have a second?

3150
04:36:06,270 --> 04:36:06,630
Second.

3151
04:36:07,370 --> 04:36:08,410
Seconded by Boyle.

3152
04:36:09,830 --> 04:36:10,430
Yes, please.

3153
04:36:10,650 --> 04:36:10,910
Yes.

3154
04:36:11,050 --> 04:36:11,630
Councilmember Scammon.

3155
04:36:11,970 --> 04:36:16,950
We had someone who came tonight who I thought was very brave.

3156
04:36:17,150 --> 04:36:19,730
A lot of people were very brave tonight telling their stories,

3157
04:36:19,910 --> 04:36:21,490
pouring their help, hearts out to us.

3158
04:36:21,590 --> 04:36:22,750
I'm so many different issues.

3159
04:36:23,850 --> 04:36:29,370
And we had the person I am going through my notes here

3160
04:36:29,370 --> 04:36:39,230
to find the story, but it was the person who talked with us about being detained without

3161
04:36:39,230 --> 04:36:43,110
a warrant. Yeah. That's abduction.

3162
04:36:45,610 --> 04:36:46,990
That's why I think we need this in here.

3163
04:36:49,070 --> 04:36:53,950
Okay. For the discussion, Councilmember Schrammer.

3164
04:36:53,950 --> 04:37:02,420
Yeah, I can't help but wonder if our sheriff's department if there was, you know, a significant event going on and

3165
04:37:03,130 --> 04:37:11,390
Let's say there was federal law enforcement in the area doing something and they need it and our sheriff's department needed some help

3166
04:37:11,390 --> 04:37:12,310
But

3167
04:37:14,900 --> 04:37:18,120
they called on to fit, you know the federal law enforcement

3168
04:37:19,460 --> 04:37:23,200
You know, I mean it can it can go both ways

3169
04:37:23,200 --> 04:37:34,510
what would we hope the response would be would we hope it would be yeah we'll come and help you guys

3170
04:37:35,230 --> 04:37:47,760
whatever's going on or would we want them to say nope nope hands off you guys handle it not our

3171
04:37:47,760 --> 04:37:49,080
deal right

3172
04:37:51,730 --> 04:37:54,110
you can go both ways Sheriff

3173
04:37:57,250 --> 04:38:00,950
Tanksley I saw you pop on would you wish to comment on that

3174
04:38:01,910 --> 04:38:12,230
Yes, absolutely. I would thanks for having me. I'm sheriff tanksley sheriff of walkin county and it's 10 40 and I've been hanging with you guys all night. I

3175
04:38:14,070 --> 04:38:20,470
mean, so we work with our federal partners every single day on

3176
04:38:21,550 --> 04:38:22,130
criminal

3177
04:38:22,990 --> 04:38:23,570
investigations

3178
04:38:24,630 --> 04:38:31,590
There was a law passed in 2019 to call the keep washing and work and act we adhere to that law

3179
04:38:31,910 --> 04:38:59,390
And on January 23rd, 2025, I wrote a letter to the community, forwarded the letter to the council about the Keep Washington Working Act and the relationship that Wacom County Sheriff's Office has with regard to ensuring we're in compliance with that act.

3180
04:39:00,690 --> 04:39:12,190
I've had a conversation, had a meeting last month with the Washington State Attorney General's Office about the Keep Washington Working Act and what we can and what we cannot do.

3181
04:39:13,570 --> 04:39:18,890
So I'll say that councilmember Stremler is exactly right.

3182
04:39:20,410 --> 04:39:26,310
that if there was a critical incident, we would respond to help them.

3183
04:39:27,090 --> 04:39:37,230
There has been critical incidents here in Wacom County that our federal partners have responded to during the recent floods.

3184
04:39:37,570 --> 04:39:48,690
I like to add that I'm sure a lot of people have seen the footage of the driver of a tractor trailer.

3185
04:39:48,690 --> 04:39:59,290
being stranded and a huge tractor, a former came in, but the people that was on that tractor were higher.

3186
04:40:06,820 --> 04:40:31,460
So, yes, we do work with them, but it's very clear with them and us in terms of what we can and can't do. I meet with the heads of our federal partners to talk about expectations, what we will and won't do. So, I think it's very clear here in Washington County, what local law enforcement can and cannot do.

3187
04:40:32,840 --> 04:40:43,380
with them. And certainly, we have a participated in any immigration activity with our federal partners.

3188
04:40:44,260 --> 04:40:50,160
So, yeah, I mean, it's just apples and oranges what we can and cannot do.

3189
04:40:53,540 --> 04:40:54,540
Council Member Scamon.

3190
04:40:55,100 --> 04:41:01,280
Chair Tanksley, thank you so much for that. I don't know if you caught it earlier, but I did

3191
04:41:01,280 --> 04:41:08,180
comment on your comment earlier today, and one of the things I said is that our federal partners

3192
04:41:08,180 --> 04:41:13,600
who helped out, and I was there. I was with you in the EOC, right, watching those videos. They

3193
04:41:13,600 --> 04:41:18,700
are here as that day. I thank them for what they did, saving people in our county, and I would

3194
04:41:18,700 --> 04:41:23,300
fully expect them to do that again no matter what we do tonight, because they're professionals

3195
04:41:23,920 --> 04:41:29,540
and your team are professionals, and we can separate things out, right? We have our state laws

3196
04:41:29,540 --> 04:41:45,300
in place about what we work with our federal partners on and in the items that we don't work with them on and so I would expect people to be professionals and when there's a request for help that they say yes and in vice versa.

3197
04:41:46,460 --> 04:41:51,360
But for keep watching and working at and code up.

3198
04:41:52,180 --> 04:42:12,440
Yeah, and certainly I knew that we all have our own roles, but I can assure you and it's my testimony that the sheriff's office does not need a reminder of the law, so we certainly will abide by the law.

3199
04:42:12,440 --> 04:42:21,500
So, I know your resolution says to remind the Sheriff's Office and the law that was passed in 2019 is a stark reminder.

3200
04:42:22,020 --> 04:42:22,600
Thank you.

3201
04:42:24,520 --> 04:42:25,080
Oh,

3202
04:42:28,370 --> 04:42:28,890
yes, Chris.

3203
04:42:29,910 --> 04:42:31,750
Ms. Quinn-Walkham County Prosecutors Office.

3204
04:42:32,030 --> 04:42:39,990
And just to follow up on the concerns that were expressed by Councilmember Stremor and the comments just made by the sheriff.

3205
04:42:39,990 --> 04:42:45,170
If I did have a chance to look at one of those paragraphs that be further resolved and

3206
04:42:45,170 --> 04:42:53,570
Sheriff just referred to this, I think there could be a perception that that's a directive

3207
04:42:53,570 --> 04:42:57,830
from Council to the Prosecutor's Office as an elected official on the Sheriff's Office.

3208
04:42:58,270 --> 04:43:03,690
I'm not sure if that's Council's intention, but it could be read as, hey, we're reminding

3209
04:43:03,690 --> 04:43:05,030
you to follow the law.

3210
04:43:06,390 --> 04:43:12,030
If it's Council's intention to say, our hope is that you will follow the law.

3211
04:43:12,710 --> 04:43:15,030
That would be one thing that shows your intent.

3212
04:43:15,830 --> 04:43:19,090
But this is kind of written a little bit broadly.

3213
04:43:20,790 --> 04:43:24,430
It's basically says remind you not to cooperate with the federal.

3214
04:43:25,770 --> 04:43:30,730
And there are going to be lots of situations where we have to by law and should be cooperating.

3215
04:43:30,730 --> 04:43:35,950
So I do just draw that to your attention if that's something you want to potentially work on.

3216
04:43:36,430 --> 04:43:40,070
There are situations where we have to work with them by law.

3217
04:43:41,050 --> 04:43:43,730
And that wouldn't allow for those sorts of exceptions.

3218
04:43:44,830 --> 04:43:46,290
So I do just bring that to your attention.

3219
04:43:46,690 --> 04:43:49,470
Again, one, you shouldn't be directing them.

3220
04:43:50,110 --> 04:43:52,510
If this is a statement of your intent.

3221
04:43:53,090 --> 04:43:59,610
And two, as the sheriff indicates, you know, there are lots of situations where both those entities will be cooperating with the federal.

3222
04:43:59,610 --> 04:44:01,450
We'll look at role enforcement.

3223
04:44:04,950 --> 04:44:09,490
Okay, let's dispel the motion on the table, which is amending the final resolve statement.

3224
04:44:10,190 --> 04:44:14,750
But as we do that, let's think maybe about a different verb that might feel better than remind.

3225
04:44:15,670 --> 04:44:17,510
If that's the tickle point.

3226
04:44:18,630 --> 04:44:18,870
Okay.

3227
04:44:20,590 --> 04:44:28,530
The motion on the table from councilmember Scanlan and seconded by boil is to amend the final resolve statement as presented here on the screen.

3228
04:44:28,530 --> 04:44:31,230
is there any further discussion on this amendment?

3229
04:44:34,220 --> 04:44:47,840
Okay. Seeing them can we do roll call? John Scanlon? Yes. Mark Strömler? No. Elizabeth Boyle? Yes. Mary Buchanan? Yes. Ben Ellenboss? No. Kayla Galloway? Yes. Jessica Reinstra? Yes.

3230
04:44:48,560 --> 04:44:57,740
That motion carries 5-2. Okay. Going back to the last resolved statement on page 3.

3231
04:45:07,570 --> 04:45:34,610
Chris, do you think encourages, gets back to a better spot or we could say and supports the county sheriff prosecutor and their staff to continue refraining from coordinating or how we want this to be like a friendly, like we support your continued upholdence of these state laws. If that's the intent, what is your preferred verb?

3232
04:45:34,610 --> 04:45:38,510
Well, really, the Chris Quinn-Walking County Prosecutors' Office, I guess the questions

3233
04:45:38,510 --> 04:45:42,510
best posed to the council, what is the statement that you want to make here?

3234
04:45:43,110 --> 04:45:53,570
Well, I think some of us felt really, and I'd be specific, felt very uncomfortable by

3235
04:45:53,570 --> 04:46:00,610
some of the media coverage around and activity that took place up in Linden that showed county

3236
04:46:00,610 --> 04:46:12,610
county sheriffs in support of ICE agents in taking a law enforcement activity, presumably

3237
04:46:12,610 --> 04:46:15,490
an immigration one, maybe there were other legal issues there too.

3238
04:46:18,000 --> 04:46:20,620
So we kind of just want to make sure that we are,

3239
04:46:23,580 --> 04:46:25,300
you know, that we're being cautious

3240
04:46:25,300 --> 04:46:31,260
about how we're coordinating with our federal law enforcement agencies right now so that

3241
04:46:31,260 --> 04:46:36,480
it's consistent with our fiduciary responsibility to our local communities and serving our local

3242
04:46:36,480 --> 04:46:43,020
communities and how we invest our local dollars and maybe those actions are reimbursed by the

3243
04:46:43,020 --> 04:46:47,920
federal agencies and maybe that's a decision we need to have a conversation about.

3244
04:46:50,080 --> 04:46:55,020
But I think I don't want to speak for councilmember Scanlan but I think that was kind of the spirit

3245
04:46:55,020 --> 04:46:59,360
behind, behind that one, is yours different than that?

3246
04:46:59,880 --> 04:47:02,960
I think encourages is good because it's not directive.

3247
04:47:03,300 --> 04:47:07,000
We use encourage often when we're talking with

3248
04:47:07,000 --> 04:47:10,100
other independently elected offices via resolution.

3249
04:47:10,960 --> 04:47:11,140
Okay.

3250
04:47:13,780 --> 04:47:14,860
Council member Ellen Boss.

3251
04:47:15,600 --> 04:47:18,840
Yeah. Did we ever seek to find understanding

3252
04:47:18,840 --> 04:47:23,140
from the people involved in those situations before we took this action?

3253
04:47:23,340 --> 04:47:25,620
Like, did anybody reach out to Chief Tanksley

3254
04:47:25,620 --> 04:47:32,000
and ask about it. So, like, it's my understanding that there are warrants in that situation. So,

3255
04:47:33,180 --> 04:47:40,580
are we just advocating for complete lawlessness here? I mean, I feel for anyone who has to be,

3256
04:47:40,680 --> 04:47:49,100
you know, be a single parent because their partner is, you know, taken from them by police, but I think

3257
04:47:49,100 --> 04:47:55,300
that it's a fairly common occurrence that when you commit certain crimes, you raise your child

3258
04:47:55,300 --> 04:48:00,420
by yourself if that's the partner you pick regardless of whether I caress them the sheriff's

3259
04:48:00,420 --> 04:48:11,640
department, the FBI, or whoever. So like, I would love for these things to seek understanding more

3260
04:48:11,640 --> 04:48:23,340
so than just like scream your position and that's all I got. Yeah. And I think the sheriff did provide

3261
04:48:24,260 --> 04:48:30,860
context for that incident. And I think perhaps there was some additional

3262
04:48:30,860 --> 04:48:34,720
out-community outreach, maybe, to share if I don't know what you want to speak to

3263
04:48:34,720 --> 04:48:42,360
on that. I think optically, again, what do you like to say, the Court of Public

3264
04:48:42,360 --> 04:48:57,160
opinion, optically seeing that imagery might spook community members and threaten the

3265
04:48:57,160 --> 04:49:02,100
trust they have in their local law enforcement. So I think that's just where we're just trying

3266
04:49:02,100 --> 04:49:11,500
to be strategic and thoughtful about how we coordinate with these agencies when I guess

3267
04:49:11,500 --> 04:49:15,640
Yes, maybe this is the conspiracy theorist in me, but I mean, I'm concerned that we could

3268
04:49:15,640 --> 04:49:18,360
be told one thing and then something else totally different happens.

3269
04:49:19,100 --> 04:49:25,360
So how do we know that we're not being told, yeah, we're going to issue a warrant and then

3270
04:49:26,220 --> 04:49:29,600
frame it as something maybe different than it is.

3271
04:49:29,680 --> 04:49:35,280
And I just want to make sure that we aren't getting caught up in that.

3272
04:49:35,700 --> 04:49:36,620
So share it, thankfully.

3273
04:49:36,940 --> 04:49:37,560
I don't, I'm sorry.

3274
04:49:37,560 --> 04:49:43,620
I don't mean to be asserting my own sort of like concerns, maybe these aren't real yet or

3275
04:49:44,500 --> 04:49:47,840
but I think that's where I just want to make sure that we're looking out for you guys.

3276
04:49:49,200 --> 04:49:50,160
No, certainly,

3277
04:49:52,400 --> 04:49:59,280
I'll take this opportunity to really clear the air that incident.

3278
04:50:00,000 --> 04:50:29,980
That you're talking about, and council member Ellen Boss is exactly right. And I briefed several people on this that there was a arrest warrant for that individual signed by a federal judge. And we sent our SWAT K9 unit there to assist because our team knows the area. We're not going to send our K9 unit by himself. So we sent two

3279
04:50:29,980 --> 04:50:31,080
to other operators.

3280
04:50:33,720 --> 04:50:36,320
Our deputies were assigned to the perimeter,

3281
04:50:37,120 --> 04:50:40,040
and then at some point we're called,

3282
04:50:40,280 --> 04:50:42,680
I guess, further into the parking lot.

3283
04:50:43,520 --> 04:50:47,640
It's more of optics, but earlier I talked about,

3284
04:50:47,680 --> 04:50:49,440
I had a conversation at a meeting

3285
04:50:49,850 --> 04:50:51,500
with the Attorney General's office,

3286
04:50:51,500 --> 04:50:53,720
and it was specifically about that case,

3287
04:50:54,620 --> 04:50:58,240
and we did not violate any law.

3288
04:50:59,980 --> 04:51:20,260
So I think that when we have these incidents, oftentimes, anytime recently, that a person witnesses the Wacken County Sheriff's Office or any other local police officer with federal partners, the assumption is that it's some type of immigration enforcement.

3289
04:51:20,260 --> 04:51:31,820
and 10 out of 10 it hasn't been. So I know that these times are very tense, but before

3290
04:51:31,820 --> 04:51:39,700
we assume information, I think we have to gather the information. So just know that

3291
04:51:39,700 --> 04:51:47,140
no local law enforcement here, we do follow the law, but I do understand the tenseness

3292
04:51:47,140 --> 04:51:54,880
the situation and the concern. So if there's any questions, the public can reach out to me,

3293
04:51:55,100 --> 04:52:02,960
the council, and I can answer those questions, but in that case, yes, it was a federal arrest warrant

3294
04:52:03,860 --> 04:52:11,460
by a judge signed by a judge, and the law was followed. So I know this is probably not the

3295
04:52:11,460 --> 04:52:13,020
the forum to keep talking about this.

3296
04:52:13,560 --> 04:52:16,820
I think Council Member Scalen said that earlier,

3297
04:52:17,120 --> 04:52:19,480
so I do appreciate the forum and the time.

3298
04:52:20,040 --> 04:52:20,340
Thank you.

3299
04:52:22,740 --> 04:52:23,600
Thank you, Sheriff.

3300
04:52:23,900 --> 04:52:24,660
Council Member Allen-Boss.

3301
04:52:25,260 --> 04:52:27,560
Yeah, and I think the sheriff hit on it.

3302
04:52:29,120 --> 04:52:33,020
Sheriff Tanksley, can you pop back on here?

3303
04:52:34,900 --> 04:52:42,220
It's my assumption all warrants are signed by a judge.

3304
04:52:42,220 --> 04:52:51,280
like you guys just don't decide you're gonna go serve a warrant. You get a hold of a judge or a

3305
04:52:51,280 --> 04:52:57,480
peer in front of a judge. You lay out the case that you believe that you have and then they say

3306
04:52:57,480 --> 04:53:03,920
yes or no whether you can go. So like I heard in public comment today people saying things like

3307
04:53:03,920 --> 04:53:11,480
there's no supervision. We have a military force working unilaterally like that's not a helpful

3308
04:53:11,480 --> 04:53:18,340
narrative for us to be propagating, because that is not the truth, that is not the facts,

3309
04:53:18,480 --> 04:53:20,040
that is not what is happening.

3310
04:53:21,880 --> 04:53:28,040
There are checks and balances put into the system, and if we wonder how we get to a situation

3311
04:53:28,900 --> 04:53:40,410
where law enforcement officers have to wear masks, I can understand why they're afraid

3312
04:53:40,410 --> 04:53:40,770
to.

3313
04:53:41,730 --> 04:54:10,290
They're wearing the mask because they're afraid of the narrative that we are creating up here by questioning the system instead of seeking understanding like we're doing here with this is a wonderful conversation with with Sheriff Tanksley, maybe with this is the conversation we should have had, but yeah, I'm sorry Sheriff Tanksley, I appreciate the job that law enforcement does.

3314
04:54:10,290 --> 04:54:12,310
of especially the Sheriff's Department.

3315
04:54:14,260 --> 04:54:15,120
Yes, thank you.

3316
04:54:15,400 --> 04:54:19,680
And lastly, the only thing that I want to tell the people

3317
04:54:19,680 --> 04:54:24,160
of Alachim County is that I think I can speak

3318
04:54:24,160 --> 04:54:29,640
for other chiefs that every law enforcement officer

3319
04:54:30,420 --> 04:54:33,100
I've met here in Alachim County,

3320
04:54:33,460 --> 04:54:35,080
we're out here doing the right thing.

3321
04:54:35,460 --> 04:54:40,040
We're out here every day, all times the day and night.

3322
04:54:40,700 --> 04:54:58,620
looking out for the people that live here and visit Lockham County. So I just want everyone to know that you have some heart working law enforcement officers here and you know, they certainly need your support. I understand the fear that's going on right now.

3323
04:55:00,000 --> 04:55:28,740
Your local law enforcement is there for every single one of you. So, again, thank you. And please support your local law enforcement. If you have any questions, ask me. And I'll. I'll answer it. But I don't have the answer. I'll find it. So thank you. Thank you. So I think councilmember Scanlon, did you. Want to propose.

3324
04:55:29,860 --> 04:55:31,980
the change of verb here,

3325
04:55:34,180 --> 04:55:34,960
back to encourage.

3326
04:55:35,560 --> 04:55:35,660
Yes.

3327
04:55:37,820 --> 04:55:45,900
Okay, so the motion to amend the be it for the resolve statement, the last one on page three as shown on screen,

3328
04:55:46,500 --> 04:55:51,640
would be to strike reminds and retain original language of encourages.

3329
04:55:55,900 --> 04:56:00,440
And hopefully that is seen as more friendly as intended.

3330
04:56:03,600 --> 04:56:10,400
Okay. Council members now and do you make that motion? Yes. Okay. And I will second.

3331
04:56:14,460 --> 04:56:19,100
Is it just the difference between encouraged from reminding to encourage but not to continue refraining?

3332
04:56:21,240 --> 04:56:27,460
It retains the language that would be an encourage encourages the county sheriff prosecutor and there's to have to refrain from coordinating

3333
04:56:29,670 --> 04:56:33,750
unless you had other language you wish to change.

3334
04:56:33,750 --> 04:56:34,850
Okay.

3335
04:56:45,200 --> 04:56:47,040
Can we do a roll call on that point

3336
04:56:56,510 --> 04:57:00,410
of order? Yes, ma'am. You all have your main

3337
04:57:00,410 --> 04:57:11,390
motion is to propose the original version, not the substitute. Am I following that you

3338
04:57:11,390 --> 04:57:19,650
want to just keep what's in the original or is the motion to keep the entire paragraph on

3339
04:57:19,650 --> 04:57:26,330
the amended version, the substitute we're looking at, right, so we made a motion to amend

3340
04:57:27,090 --> 04:57:33,870
that had changed this resolved, so we're amending it again to strike reminds and retain

3341
04:57:33,870 --> 04:57:37,210
encourages, so we're amending an amendment.

3342
04:57:46,030 --> 04:57:46,990
My apologies.

3343
04:57:47,410 --> 04:57:48,810
I'm sorry, I think that's subtracted.

3344
04:57:49,310 --> 04:57:57,190
What I understand is many motions ago, the original motion on this AB file was to put forward

3345
04:57:57,190 --> 04:58:13,070
the original proposed resolution which uses the word encourages and now you're making a motion to amend the substitute because we've I just want to make sure I'm following yeah, so we moved the original language

3346
04:58:13,070 --> 04:58:19,170
then we amended the original language and now we're wanting to revert back to part of the original language.

3347
04:58:22,640 --> 04:58:38,780
So we've already. Yes, I'm with you. Okay, with you, the emotion to amend it was two motions ago. So now, and since hindsight is always 2020, what will ultimately happen, I think is will be really close to the substitute version. We just won't have accepted the amendments in green.

3348
04:58:40,380 --> 04:58:53,760
And then the changes we're making now back to the original language, so those will be how this ultimate version differs from the substitute version with the exception of a couple script or grammatical stuff.

3349
04:58:54,120 --> 04:58:55,740
I'm clear now. Thank you.

3350
04:58:55,980 --> 04:58:56,740
Thank you.

3351
04:58:57,140 --> 04:59:01,140
Keep in each other on track. I just wanted to be sure. Thank you, Kathy.

3352
04:59:01,820 --> 04:59:05,060
I'll call the role now for this. Mark's tremler.

3353
04:59:05,060 --> 04:59:06,140
Yes.

3354
04:59:11,600 --> 04:59:12,960
Elizabeth Boyle.

3355
04:59:13,100 --> 04:59:13,260
Yes.

3356
04:59:14,060 --> 04:59:15,280
Barry Buchanan.

3357
04:59:15,740 --> 04:59:15,940
Yes.

3358
04:59:16,400 --> 04:59:17,300
Ben Ellenboss.

3359
04:59:19,260 --> 04:59:19,820
No.

3360
04:59:20,560 --> 04:59:21,680
Kaley Galloway.

3361
04:59:21,860 --> 04:59:22,100
Yes.

3362
04:59:22,960 --> 04:59:24,180
Jessica Reinstra.

3363
04:59:24,440 --> 04:59:24,700
Yes.

3364
04:59:25,820 --> 04:59:26,420
John Scalen.

3365
04:59:26,760 --> 04:59:26,980
Yes.

3366
04:59:27,660 --> 04:59:29,120
That motion carries six to one.

3367
04:59:30,080 --> 04:59:30,820
Okay.

3368
04:59:34,980 --> 04:59:40,040
So now we are back to a main motion to approve the resolution as amended.

3369
04:59:41,440 --> 04:59:42,020
I

3370
04:59:44,770 --> 04:59:51,630
believe this version once we unhighlight the green portions will be the amended version

3371
04:59:51,630 --> 04:59:53,050
that we will be voting on.

3372
04:59:57,580 --> 04:59:58,560
Any further discussion?

3373
05:00:01,840 --> 05:00:21,900
Council Member Strungler. I can't help but wonder if there's anybody listening who went through the tedious process of becoming a legal, a legal person of the United States, what they're thinking right now.

3374
05:00:25,360 --> 05:00:26,200
Jim, you want to talk?

3375
05:00:28,240 --> 05:00:31,120
I think that's rhetorical. I'm sorry. I'm not going to recognize.

3376
05:00:34,680 --> 05:00:39,580
Okay. Did you have more to say on that? Nope. Council Member Scanlon.

3377
05:00:41,360 --> 05:00:43,300
This summer, I attended my sister's wedding.

3378
05:00:46,520 --> 05:00:49,540
My uncle married into my family.

3379
05:00:53,420 --> 05:00:53,560
I'm not

3380
05:00:53,560 --> 05:00:57,060
gonna say where he's from. He's from another country that is under an authoritarian regime.

3381
05:00:57,940 --> 05:01:06,280
He fears for his family's life every single day. And when I was talking with him at this family

3382
05:01:06,280 --> 05:01:12,500
celebration, he says, John, I'm even scared to go visit my family because I also know I have social

3383
05:01:12,500 --> 05:01:18,920
media posts against my own government because he has been a citizen of the United States now for

3384
05:01:18,920 --> 05:01:25,440
probably 30 years. So he fears going home because he opposes his government as home

3385
05:01:26,320 --> 05:01:32,660
and he fears coming back to the United States because we know there are stories about there

3386
05:01:33,460 --> 05:01:35,080
about checking social media posts.

3387
05:01:39,870 --> 05:01:44,290
He followed the path he is a United States citizen

3388
05:01:44,290 --> 05:01:47,530
and he fears authoritarian governments.

3389
05:01:49,290 --> 05:01:51,490
He's my uncle and I love him.

3390
05:01:54,740 --> 05:01:56,500
I'm pretty sure he would want me to support all this

3391
05:01:56,500 --> 05:01:58,220
and that's my name is on this thing.

3392
05:01:59,520 --> 05:02:00,620
And I'm ready to vote on the whole thing.

3393
05:02:01,720 --> 05:02:01,920
Okay.

3394
05:02:02,820 --> 05:02:06,680
I just, I want to thank Council, our staff,

3395
05:02:07,340 --> 05:02:10,240
members of the public who've stayed with us this late.

3396
05:02:10,660 --> 05:02:14,000
Those of you who were able to submit amendments,

3397
05:02:14,000 --> 05:02:20,640
I just, even though we're not going to get to some of the other feedback and amendments

3398
05:02:20,640 --> 05:02:31,700
that we've received are just for the record, want to express one, recognizing the impacts

3399
05:02:31,700 --> 05:02:36,020
to our local workforce and wanting to support our local workforce.

3400
05:02:36,020 --> 05:02:43,100
I want to specifically call out our farm workers and our immigrant communities that are so

3401
05:02:43,100 --> 05:02:45,980
So key and critical to our local walking county economy.

3402
05:02:48,040 --> 05:02:52,180
My heart breaks every time I think about the Mount Baker roofing situation.

3403
05:02:56,080 --> 05:03:02,320
And I think it's really sad when family members have to fear that they'll never see their

3404
05:03:02,320 --> 05:03:07,900
loved ones again and whether that's because they're detained or they're in a high-risk

3405
05:03:07,900 --> 05:03:12,080
job that threatens their life every day.

3406
05:03:12,080 --> 05:03:14,960
So just wanting to get that out there.

3407
05:03:16,400 --> 05:03:21,040
Another item that didn't make it into this resolution, but I will put down as a commitment

3408
05:03:21,040 --> 05:03:27,520
I hope of this council through our support of this resolution, which is continuing to

3409
05:03:27,520 --> 05:03:34,740
provide more active communication with our community, our partners and organizations.

3410
05:03:35,900 --> 05:03:40,120
A body of work, I know that I've started working on with one of our staff members is around

3411
05:03:40,120 --> 05:03:55,980
standing up a website for resources, the City of Bellingham has something like this already so having an opportunity where we can provide updates, information, resources to our community and continue to provide update on that.

3412
05:03:59,500 --> 05:04:04,840
I think as always, we're going to continue to review our own county policies and practices.

3413
05:04:04,840 --> 05:04:15,060
is that that cause unnecessary harm or barriers to our communities. I think that's a body

3414
05:04:15,060 --> 05:04:22,180
of work that I'll look forward to continuing to work on through the racial equity commission.

3415
05:04:23,480 --> 05:04:31,940
And then I know there was comment earlier during public hearing around the cities, keep Washington

3416
05:04:31,940 --> 05:04:37,880
in working act, advisory committee, I don't know that we'll have the capacity to stand

3417
05:04:37,880 --> 05:04:42,760
up something similar, but I am committed to continuing to look to the City of Bellingham

3418
05:04:42,760 --> 05:04:48,820
as a leader in some of this work, and I think if the county can engage in that body of work

3419
05:04:48,820 --> 05:04:55,200
in coordination with the city, that that's something I would really like us to do, or should

3420
05:04:55,200 --> 05:04:59,960
other circumstances arise in our county where we need to do more of that work that again.

3421
05:05:00,000 --> 05:05:29,260
And this resolution would provide us sort of an enabling commitment to that body of work. So, anyways, I'm sorry. Those didn't make it into a formal amendment process, but I did just want to get them on the record. And I did want to appreciate the community members. Each of the many community members who emailed us today, were present today, provided testimony during open session. I think I carry many of those voices and many of the voices who are too afraid to show up and speak their truth.

3422
05:05:30,320 --> 05:05:34,980
with me when I'll be voting yes on this resolution.

3423
05:05:35,260 --> 05:05:37,660
So I'll pause there, I know it's late, guys,

3424
05:05:37,740 --> 05:05:38,700
but this is super important.

3425
05:05:39,460 --> 05:05:40,040
Call the question.

3426
05:05:40,160 --> 05:05:41,120
Call the question, okay.

3427
05:05:43,160 --> 05:05:45,280
Motion to call the question, does it need a second?

3428
05:05:48,180 --> 05:05:49,840
Yes, sir, will you go straight to the vote?

3429
05:05:50,440 --> 05:05:50,640
Okay.

3430
05:05:53,070 --> 05:05:54,490
Or you could just call the vote.

3431
05:05:55,010 --> 05:05:56,190
Okay, we'll do that.

3432
05:05:56,510 --> 05:05:58,410
And I'll withdraw, then we don't have to vote.

3433
05:05:58,790 --> 05:05:59,290
I'll move.

3434
05:05:59,570 --> 05:06:01,650
Call the questions of thing in parliamentary procedure.

3435
05:06:01,650 --> 05:06:18,410
Okay, so the motion to approve the resolution as amended roll call Elizabeth Boyle. Yes, Barry Buchanan. Yes, Ben Ellenboss. No, Kaley Galloway. Yes, Jessica Reinstra. Yes, John Scanlon. Yes.

3436
05:06:19,430 --> 05:06:23,230
Mark Stremler. No, that motion carries five to two.

3437
05:06:25,980 --> 05:06:29,820
Okay, the next item on our agenda is our introduction items.

3438
05:06:30,140 --> 05:06:37,860
We have two, one is with regards to, so AB 2026-040 is the ordinance establishing the

3439
05:06:37,860 --> 05:06:41,560
walk and county code section 2.02195 performance audience.

3440
05:06:41,800 --> 05:06:45,960
The other has to do with AB 2026-016 ordinance amending walk and county code.

3441
05:06:46,580 --> 05:06:52,360
Chapter 20.34, resident rural residential island to allow food prep for offsite consumption

3442
05:06:52,360 --> 05:07:00,100
when accessory to and located within an approved community center, do I have an motion to introduce?

3443
05:07:00,540 --> 05:07:01,960
I move to introduce both items.

3444
05:07:02,640 --> 05:07:06,960
Okay. Council Member Scanlan moves to introduce and you can in seconds.

3445
05:07:12,450 --> 05:07:20,510
And did we decide if we wish to have the performance audit route through a public hearing?

3446
05:07:29,250 --> 05:07:35,650
So, but we're moving to introduce it right now. So, or would you rather that we consider

3447
05:07:35,650 --> 05:07:39,090
you separate and refer this one back to committee for a work session and not introduce it?

3448
05:07:39,150 --> 05:07:40,330
I removed my motion.

3449
05:07:41,750 --> 05:07:53,130
Okay. So, um, Council Member Scanlon, um, would your new motion be to introduce AB 2026-016?

3450
05:07:53,130 --> 05:07:53,950
Yes.

3451
05:07:54,130 --> 05:07:56,730
I moved to introduce AB 2026-016.

3452
05:07:57,190 --> 05:07:57,290
Okay.

3453
05:07:57,470 --> 05:07:59,090
In Councilmember Buchanan, would you second that?

3454
05:07:59,950 --> 05:08:00,470
Yes.

3455
05:08:00,810 --> 05:08:00,970
Okay.

3456
05:08:01,410 --> 05:08:06,670
With a motion to introduce AB 2026-016, further discussion on that.

3457
05:08:07,450 --> 05:08:07,770
Okay.

3458
05:08:07,930 --> 05:08:08,270
Seeing none.

3459
05:08:08,450 --> 05:08:09,410
Can we do a roll call?

3460
05:08:09,950 --> 05:08:10,550
Very Buchanan.

3461
05:08:11,090 --> 05:08:11,270
Yes.

3462
05:08:11,770 --> 05:08:12,470
Van Allen-Boss.

3463
05:08:13,010 --> 05:08:13,170
Yes.

3464
05:08:13,690 --> 05:08:14,510
Kayleigh-Galloway.

3465
05:08:14,650 --> 05:08:14,910
Yes.

3466
05:08:15,150 --> 05:08:15,970
Jessica Reinstra.

3467
05:08:16,230 --> 05:08:16,410
Yes.

3468
05:08:16,850 --> 05:08:17,490
John Scanlon.

3469
05:08:17,710 --> 05:08:17,890
Yes.

3470
05:08:18,210 --> 05:08:18,990
Mark Strungler.

3471
05:08:20,250 --> 05:08:21,270
Elizabeth Boyle.

3472
05:08:21,530 --> 05:08:21,730
Yes.

3473
05:08:22,390 --> 05:08:30,490
Okay, that motion carries 7-0. Council member Scanlon, what is your motion for AB 2026-041?

3474
05:08:30,690 --> 05:08:38,570
I move to request that the chair work with the clerk and vice chair to schedule a work session for

3475
05:08:38,570 --> 05:08:39,130
this item.

3476
05:08:41,470 --> 05:08:47,230
Okay, work session that our next committee of the whole or it could potentially be one of those

3477
05:08:47,230 --> 05:08:51,870
special committee of the holes that we do in the other Tuesdays. That could be a good time for that

3478
05:08:51,870 --> 05:08:53,110
Unless you have other plans.

3479
05:08:53,850 --> 05:08:58,030
Are we just going to invite any and all charter review members to participate?

3480
05:09:00,010 --> 05:09:11,150
Yeah, so my thought was invite all the charter review members, but request that the original sponsors of this amendment be prepared to speak on it.

3481
05:09:15,140 --> 05:09:22,240
Okay, so let's maybe not specify when the work session because we'll want to make sure it aligns with charter amendment charter commissioner.

3482
05:09:24,640 --> 05:09:48,960
So Council Member Sam Moschlin is to have myself and himself and Kathy are clerk to plan a work session for the discussion of this item in committee the whole time unspecified as to ensure scheduling that worked with our commissioners.

3483
05:09:49,620 --> 05:09:50,060
Okay.

3484
05:09:50,680 --> 05:09:52,180
Kathy, is that okay for the record?

3485
05:09:59,250 --> 05:09:59,890
Was there a discussion?

3486
05:10:00,000 --> 05:10:04,600
Motion on this. Second. Thank you.

3487
05:10:06,700 --> 05:10:08,560
Scanlan moved. Boil, seconded.

3488
05:10:12,410 --> 05:10:13,250
Okay. Can I get a

3489
05:10:13,250 --> 05:10:13,610
work call?

3490
05:10:15,970 --> 05:10:23,630
An Allen bus? Yes. Kaley Galloway. Yes. Jessica Reinstra. Yes. John Scanlan. Yes.

3491
05:10:23,870 --> 05:10:29,850
Mark Strömmler. Yes. Elizabeth Boyle. Yes. Barry Buchanan. Yes. Okay. That motion carries

3492
05:10:29,850 --> 05:10:30,790
7-0.

3493
05:10:33,110 --> 05:10:37,830
Council members, because it's 11-11 and that seems like a lucky number, can we move

3494
05:10:37,830 --> 05:10:38,250
to a journey?

3495
05:10:39,210 --> 05:10:40,290
Move to a journey.

3496
05:10:40,850 --> 05:10:45,890
Okay. Skip committee reports, other items and council member updates. Okay. I've got a

3497
05:10:45,890 --> 05:10:48,950
motion from council member. You can't into a journey. Do I have a second?

3498
05:10:50,510 --> 05:10:51,630
I thought I was going to do it anyway.

3499
05:10:51,930 --> 05:10:55,710
Okay. So can we do a roll call for this last item, this last action?

3500
05:10:56,590 --> 05:11:02,290
second to that. I wrote down Boyle because that's who I heard first. Sorry, Reinstra. It's

3501
05:11:02,290 --> 05:11:07,450
a tie. Buchanan Boyle has a good ring to it. Kaley Galloway. Yes, Jessica Reinstra.

3502
05:11:07,650 --> 05:11:13,150
Yes, John Scantlin. Yes, Mark Strammler. Yes, Elizabeth Boyle. Yes, Barry Buchanan. Yes,

3503
05:11:13,370 --> 05:11:19,950
Ben Ellenbuss. No, he wants to stay around a while. Okay, that motion carries six to one.

3504
05:11:19,950 --> 05:11:25,270
We are adjourned. It's 1112. Thank you all so much. Have a great evening. I'm going to be recording

3505
05:11:26,030 --> 05:11:27,810
And our next meeting I'm going to be