Whatcom County Charter Commission sets meeting calendar, adopts amendment and presentation procedures

The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission on Monday adopted a schedule of regular meetings, set rules for how proposed charter amendments and department-head presentations must be submitted, and approved procedural changes intended to manage public engagement and staff workload.

The commission voted to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month going forward, with the next scheduled meeting remaining Monday, Jan. 27 in Ferndale as previously arranged. That schedule passed with 12 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 absent.

Commissioners also adopted a process for handling proposed charter amendments: any commissioner may submit a proposed amendment by email to staff with the full text and a written rationale. Staff will place such proposals on the agenda for consideration at the following meeting. The commission approved that process unanimously (15–0).

Separately, the commission adopted a requirement that department heads and elected officials who ask the commission to consider a charter amendment must submit their request in writing in advance. Commissioners voted 14–0, with one absence, to require written submissions before scheduling presentations.

The commission approved a related policy allowing the body, by a majority vote, to invite county departments, elected officials or outside experts to present at a meeting and to send those invitees a memo of questions in advance. That motion passed unanimously 14–0 with one absence; commissioners said the requirement is intended to ensure presenters come prepared and to reduce unexpected demands on staff time.

On voting procedure, the commission adopted a rolling roll call (alphabetical rotation of who is asked first on each vote) to distribute the burden of answering roll-call votes; that passed unanimously (14–0 with one absent).

Commissioners rejected a motion to add a parliamentarian position, voting 14–0 against the proposal with one member absent. The chair and several commissioners said they preferred to retain rule-enforcement authority within the chair and the full body.

The commission also voted to add the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of future meetings; that motion passed 11–4.

On agenda planning related to elections, the commission approved a work session on Article IV (elections) including a presentation from the county auditor; the motion to place a work session on the calendar passed 11–4. Commission members clarified that staff will send questions and background materials to the auditor in advance, and commissioners agreed to coordinate the question list through staff.

Early in the meeting the commission approved a separate procedural motion to defer the initiation of any amendments until the next meeting; that motion passed 13–1 with one absent. Commissioners said the short deferral would allow additional time for public outreach and for staff to coordinate department-head presentations.

Commissioners said the package of changes is meant to balance public access, staff capacity and the commission’s need to consider complex issues carefully. Staff will publish the calendar and the deadlines for submitting proposed amendments and presenter materials; commissioners asked staff to return a clearer deadline schedule shortly so members can plan submissions and so the public can be notified in advance.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to defer initiating any charter amendments until the next meeting: passed 13 yes, 1 no, 1 absent (mover: Commissioner Ellenbos; second recorded). - Motion to adopt a revised meeting schedule (second and fourth Thursdays; retain Jan. 27 Ferndale meeting): passed 12 yes, 2 no, 1 absent (mover: Commissioner Kaltenfeld; second recorded). - Motion that charter amendment proposals be submitted by email to staff with full text and rationale and placed on the following meeting’s agenda for consideration: passed 15 yes, 0 no. - Motion asking department heads/elected officials who request the commission consider an amendment to provide a written memo in advance: passed 14 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. - Motion allowing the commission (by majority vote) to invite departments, elected officials or outside experts and to send questions in advance: passed 14 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. - Motion to adopt a rolling roll call (alphabetical rotation when calling votes): passed 14 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. - Motion to create a parliamentarian: failed 0 yes, 14 no, 1 absent. - Motion to add the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of meetings: passed 11 yes, 4 no. - Motion to schedule a work session on Article IV (elections) including a presentation by the county auditor: passed 11 yes, 4 no.

Background and context

The commission is conducting a 10-year charter review for Whatcom County. Commissioners spent substantial time debating schedule options and the mechanics of how proposed amendments and outside presentations should be handled; several commissioners said the goal is to balance accessibility for residents (by alternating meeting weekdays and scheduling meetings in communities across the county) with minimizing overtime and calendar conflicts for county staff. Several commissioners also urged consistent procedures so members and the public know when and how items will be considered.

What’s next

Staff will publish the adopted meeting calendar, confirm the Jan. 27 Ferndale meeting start time and location, and circulate a proposed submission deadline schedule for amendment proposals and presenter materials. Commissioners asked staff to continue coordinating with county offices (auditor, treasurer, prosecutor and others) and to prepare packet materials that include advance questions when presenters are invited.