Water Resources Advisory Board

Meetings

Agendas & Meeting Materials

Purpose

The purpose of the Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB) is to help inform and guide the City’s planning and policy regarding the protection and management of water resources, including municipal water, sewer, surface and stormwater systems, controls, rates, and drinking water source protection.

The first nine members were appointed by Mayor Kim Lund and approved by the Bellingham City Council on Monday, January 29, 2024. See below under Membership for the current roster. The Water Resources Advisory Board operates under specific procedures.

Meeting Details

WRAB meetings are typically held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in a hybrid format. Meetings take place in person at the Public Works Pacific Street Operations Center at 2221 Pacific Street (view map) and on Zoom. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public and in accordance with the Washington Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW.

See Meetings and Events for currently scheduled meetings.

About the Water Resources Advisory Board

The Water Resources Advisory Board shall advise the Bellingham City Council, Mayor, Public Works Director, and other City Departments on the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects concerning the city’s municipal water, sanitary sewer, wastewater treatment and disposal, and surface and stormwater utilities, including the protection and preservation of Lake Whatcom through, in part, the watershed acquisition program, as the city’s primary source of drinking water.

The board will advise on periodic updates to utility system plans to plan for future needs. Such plans include but are not limited to the water system plan, surface and stormwater comprehensive plan, comprehensive sewer plan, the Lake Whatcom five-year work plan and the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan.

The board may choose to provide advice on emerging issues of concern, as recommended by staff or council.

The board will consist of no more than 9 members. Individuals complete an application process to seek appointment to the board, and members will be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. Members shall serve three-year terms. At the outset, appointments may be for shorter terms to allow for staggered terms of service. Members may be reappointed without limitation. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, with the replacement serving the remainder of the unexpired term.

Members shall be residents of the City of Bellingham.

To the extent possible, members shall be selected so that the board collectively possesses knowledge and/or experience on the following municipal matters:

Drinking water source preservation and protection;
Drinking water utility systems;
Sanitary sewer utility systems, including wastewater treatment and disposal;
Surface and stormwater utility systems; and
Utility finances and rates.

Regular meetings of the board shall be held at least six times per year, with special meetings held as the board deems necessary.

Meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. About one hour is needed outside of meetings to study the agenda and associated materials.

Members are expected to attend all regular meetings. Regular meeting attendance is important to the conduct of meetings, participation in board decisions, and provision of timely input to the City. Absences will be excused by notifying the board secretary before the scheduled meeting.

Updated: 06/11/2025

Member	Term
John Peppel	01/29/24 – 01/29/26
Kirsten McDade	01/29/24 – 01/29/26
Martin Kjelstad	01/29/24 – 01/29/26
Fiona McNair	01/29/24 – 01/29/27
Francesca White	01/29/24 – 01/29/27
Rick Eggerth	01/29/24 – 01/29/27
Bret Beaupain	01/29/24 – 01/29/28
Alicia Toney	02/24/25 – 02/25/28
Carl Benson	02/24/25 – 02/25/28

Resources

Contacts

Main Office

Water Resources Advisory Board

Public Works Department

Mike Olinger, Assistant Director

2221 Pacific Street

Bellingham, WA 98229

Phone: (360) 778-7700

Email: wrab@cob.org

(view map)

Water Resources Advisory Board

Meetings