Intergovernmental Relations

Members of the City Council and City staff serve on a number of boards or committees which are intergovernmental, supportive or advisory in nature, and designed to facilitate the coordination of City activities with other political subdivisions and groups within Whatcom County or Washington State. The following is a listing of current assignments:

Bellingham International Airport Advisory Committee

Councilmember Hansen

The Airport Advisory Committee consists of representatives of the various groups served and affected by the Airport. The Committee makes recommendations to the Airport Manager and the Port of Bellingham, which operates the Bellingham International Airport.

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Ferndale School Board Liaison

Councilmember Ingram

The Council liaison to the Ferndale School Board attends board meetings and meets with school district administration to provide a communications link between the Council and the Ferndale School District.

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Solid Waste Executive Committee/Advisory Board

City Administrator Greg Young

This Board consists of representatives from each of the cities and Whatcom County. They make recommendations concerning solid waste planning and policy within the County as well as budget recommendations for the Whatcom County Solid Waste Division.

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What-Comm Operations Advisory Committee

Mayor Jensen, Police Chief Michael Knapp

This Committee meets to consider operational issues at What-Comm, the County’s emergency dispatch center, which is operated by the City of Bellingham. The Committee makes recommendations on the annual budget which is funded by assessments to the member jurisdictions.

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Whatcom Council of Governments

Mayor Jensen

The Whatcom Council of Governments (COG) was formed as a means of providing coordination between local governments in Whatcom County. The COG typically coordinates transportation, planning, and the delivery of health and human services within the County.

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Whatcom Transportation Authority Governing Board

Councilmember Hansen

The Whatcom Transportation Authority provides specialized and public transportation services through out most of Whatcom County. The Governing Board oversees the activities and operations of the agency.

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Whatcom County Fire District #7 Council Liaison

Councilmember Ingram

The Council liaison to Whatcom County Fire District #7 attends Fire Commissioners’ meetings to provide a communications link between the City and the Fire District.

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Chamber of Commerce Council Liaison

Councilmember Ingram

The Council liaison to Ferndale Chamber of Commerce attends Chamber meetings to provide an effective communications link between the Council and the business community.

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Old Settlers Association

Councilmember Hansen

The Council liaison to Whatcom County Old Settlers Association provides an effective communications link between the Council and this civic group, a not-for-profit volunteer group whose primary purpose is organizing, managing and running the annual Old Settlers Picnic and Grand Parade in Ferndale.

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Heritage Society Council Liaison

Councilmember Goodrich

The Council liaison to Ferndale Heritage Society attends Society meetings to provide an effective communications link between the Council and this civic group, a not-profit organization that works to educate the community on the history of Whatcom County, promote Ferndale's historic Pioneer Park and tourism in the city. The group also works to bring together those people interested in preserving history and maintaining the log cabins and historic collections in Pioneer Park.

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Ferndale Downtown Association

Councilmember Mutchler

The Council liaison to this organization attends Ferndale Downtown Association meetings to provide an effective communications link between the Council and this downtown revitalization and economic promotion group.

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Domestic Violence Commission

Mayor Jensen, Police Chief Michael Knapp

The  Bellingham/Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence (BWCCADV) was created in 1998 to provide leadership in the community's efforts to reduce and prevent domestic violence. The commission works with local agencies, government institutions and community members to achieve change int he systems' response to domestic violence by providing resources, support and technical assistance.

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Small Cities Caucus

Mayor Jensen, City Administrator Greg Young

The  Small Cities Caucus brings together the municipal executives from Whatcom County's six smaller municipalities during monthly meetings to discuss issues that impact small cities, from planning to budgeting.

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Community Resource Cooperative

Councilmember Mutchler

The Council liaison to this organization provides an effective communications link between the Council and the The Ferndale Community Resource Cooperative, which oversees five non-profit entities including the Community Resource Center; The Other Bank (resources besides food, i.e. ~ toilet paper, bath supplies, laundry supplies); The Christmas Store; the Community Meal Program; and the Ferndale Friendship Community Garden. This liaison spot formerly was for the Community Resource Center, and now acts as liaison to all groups in the cooperative.