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Water Resources Advisory Board

Water Resources Advisory Board

Tue, January 27, 2026

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Water Resources Advisory Board — January 27, 2026


This was the Water Resources Advisory Board's first meeting of the new year, held in a hybrid format at Pacific Street Operations and via Zoom. The session ran just under an hour and covered organizational elections, the board's 2026 work plan, and several staff updates.


Election of Chair and Vice Chair


The board elected its leadership for 2026. Rick Eggerth was elected Chair and Bret Beaupain was elected Vice Chair. No contested vote or dissent is noted in the minutes; Eggerth had abstained from the prior approval of November minutes (likely due to his absence from that meeting), but otherwise participated fully.


2026 Work Plan and Potential Topics


Staff presented the board's proposed work plan and potential agenda topics for the coming year. The minutes do not detail the specific topics discussed, but this agenda item sets the board's focus areas for 2026. Given the staff updates that followed (see below), likely subjects include the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan, the Water System Plan, and nutrient reduction efforts. The board received the update; no formal vote or major changes to the plan are recorded.


Staff Updates


City staff provided updates on several active projects and regulatory matters:


Wastewater Comprehensive Plan: A planning update was shared, though specific details are not captured in the minutes.
Water System Plan: Staff briefed the board on the status of this ongoing planning effort.
Nutrient Reduction Evaluation: An update was provided on the city's work evaluating nutrient reduction strategies, likely related to water quality and discharge requirements.
Post Point Notice of Violation Settlement: Notably, staff informed the board that the Notice of Violation issued to the city's Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has been settled with Northwest Clean Air Agency. This resolves a regulatory enforcement action against the facility, though the terms of the settlement are not detailed in the minutes.

Old and New Business


Board members requested that a wastewater facility tour be incorporated into an upcoming meeting agenda. This reflects the board's interest in hands-on engagement with the infrastructure they advise on.


Key Takeaways


Rick Eggerth was elected Chair and Bret Beaupain Vice Chair for 2026, setting the board's leadership for the year.
The Post Point Notice of Violation with Northwest Clean Air Agency has been resolved through a settlement — a significant regulatory development for the city's wastewater operations.
The board is engaged with several major planning efforts in 2026, including the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan, the Water System Plan, and nutrient reduction strategies.
Members requested a wastewater facility tour, signaling interest in deeper operational understanding as they work through the year's agenda.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

What happened at this meeting

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

The Board held an election of Chair and Vice Chair. Rick Eggerth was elected Chair and Bret Beaupain was elected Vice Chair.

2026 Work Plan and Potential Topics for WRAB

WRAB Commissioners received an update on the 2026 Work Plan and potential topics for upcoming meetings, though specific discussion or concerns were not detailed in the minutes.

Staff Updates

Staff provided updates on the Wastewater Comp Plan, Water System Plan, Nutrient Reduction Evaluation, and reported that the Post Point Notice of Violation has been settled with Northwest Clean Air. Commissioners requested a Wastewater Tour as part of an upcoming meeting.

Agenda items (3)

General Business
1General BusinessElection of Chair and Vice Chair
The board will vote to choose who will serve as Chair and Vice Chair for the coming term.

What happened

The Board held an election of Chair and Vice Chair. Rick Eggerth was elected Chair and Bret Beaupain was elected Vice Chair.
2General Business2026 Work Plan and Potential Topics for WRAB
Discussion and approval of the Whatcom River Advisory Board's priorities and projects for 2026, including which topics they plan to focus on throughout the year.

What happened

WRAB Commissioners received an update on the 2026 Work Plan and potential topics for upcoming meetings, though specific discussion or concerns were not detailed in the minutes.
3General BusinessStaff Updates
City staff will provide updates on recent developments, ongoing projects, or other relevant information affecting the board's work.

What happened

Staff provided updates on the Wastewater Comp Plan, Water System Plan, Nutrient Reduction Evaluation, and reported that the Post Point Notice of Violation has been settled with Northwest Clean Air. Commissioners requested a Wastewater Tour as part of an upcoming meeting.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Approval of November 25, 2025 minutes

aye 7 · abstain 1
Alicia Toneyaye
Bret Beaupainaye
Carl Bensonaye
Fiona McNairaye
Francesca Harbesonaye
John Peppelaye
Kirsten McDadeaye
Rick Eggerthabstain

Verbatim transcript available

5 transcript segments indexed

Water Resources Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 6:00 PM January 27, 2026 Pacific Street Operations & Zoom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org - Call To Order The Water Resources Advisory Board meeting was called to order by the Chair at 6:00 PM.
Approval of Minutes Minutes for 11/25/2025 are approved with one abstention (Rick Eggerth). Roll Call Present: Bret Beaupain (Board Member), Carl Benson (Board Member), Fiona McNair (Board Member), Kirsten McDade (Board Member), John Peppel (Board Member), Alicia Toney (Board Member), Francesca Harbeson (Board Member), Rush Duncan (COB), Mike Olinger (COB), Joel Pfundt (COB), Riley Grant (COB) Public Comment 2 minutes per person / Max.
15 minutes Agenda Items 1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair p. 2 Chair: Rick Eggerth, Vice Chair: Bret Beaupain 2. 2026 Work Plan and Potential Topics for WRAB p. 3 WRAB Commissioners received an update on the 2026 Work Plan and potential topics for upcoming meetings.
3. Staff Updates p. 6 WRAB Commissioners received staff updates, including the Wastewater Comp Plan, Water System Plan, Nutrient Reduction Evaluation, and an update that the Post Point Notice of Violation has been settled with Northwest Clean Air.