Sedro‑Woolley Council votes to withdraw from North Star Collaborative ILA, gives 30 days' notice

The Sedro‑Woolley City Council voted on Jan. 29 to withdraw from the North Star Collaborative interlocal agreement. Councilmember Henderson introduced a written motion to terminate Interlocal Agreement number 2025‑219 and to provide the required 30 days’ written notice of withdrawal, effective Jan. 29, 2026; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The motion to terminate was introduced earlier in the meeting as an agenda amendment (Henderson) and then debated in new business. Henderson said the original approval had been a tied vote at the prior meeting and broken by the mayor, and that he did not believe the council had full representation at that earlier vote: “I didn't feel as though we had our our proper, representation of all the voters from all the council members,” he said. Some council members urged waiting until the vacant Ward 6 seat is filled to achieve full council participation. Members who supported withdrawal said the ILA was not binding financially and that the item is a written, flexible agreement intended to secure collaborative standing on homelessness and housing issues.

Councilmember Castillo and others said cooperation through North Star had yielded concrete programs such as the Star Center mental‑health services and grant advocacy at the state level. Councilwoman Pedersen said she supported the agreement previously and hoped the city might rejoin when the council is whole. After discussion, Henderson moved to terminate; the motion included the required 30‑day notice and an effective date of 01/29/2026. The motion was seconded and the ayes were called; the motion carried and the city clerk was directed to provide the written notice of withdrawal.

The transcript records the council’s action but does not show a roll‑call tally in the minutes; the motion passed by voice vote during the meeting.