Whatcom County Public Works Podcast

In this Season 4 kickoff episode, Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa looks ahead to 2026—sharing thoughts on the department’s priorities, the challenges we’re navigating, and the opportunities ahead for Public Works. It’s a chance to hear directly from leadership about where we’re headed and what to expect in the coming year.

Natural Resources Division Senior Planner Chris Elder joins Roland and Mandy to discuss the recent Future Shorelines Project. More information is available on the project website. 

Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa joins hosts Roland and Mandy to talk about supplemental budget impacts on the department. Michael & Gina, Assistant Superintendents of Maintenance & Operations, further explain the effects on road maintenance. 

Each year when the rain returns, it carries more than water into our creeks and bays. This new episode of the Whatcom County Public Works Podcast dives into the “fall flush” — what it is, why it matters, and how small actions at home can make a big difference for local water quality. Hear the surprising connections between what happens in your yard and the seafood we enjoy in local waters. You’ll also learn more about rebates, free farm planning help, and other programs available for residents and rural landowners.

This episode of the Whatcom County Public Works Podcast features staff from our Stormwater and our Pollution, Identification, and Correction Program (PIC) to discuss how pet waste affects water quality. Listen to learn more about our Scoop It, Bag It, Trash It campaign and the summer outreach we're doing to update pet owners. 

Season 3 of the Public Works Podcast continues with more info on the department's financial health. Hosts Roland and Mandy are joined by Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa, River & Flood Manager Julie Anderson, and Natural Resources Manager Gary Stoyka to discuss the status of the Road Fund and the Flood Fund. Listen to learn more about where the money comes from, how cash flow affects the work we do, and the solutions we're proposing to help restore healthy fund balances.

Roland and Mandy are joined by County Engineer Doug Ranney to discuss summer construction projects. Listen to learn more about how cash flow is affecting projects, as well as which ones are moving forward this summer. (Read Episode 6 transcript)

Public Works Maintenance & Operations Assistant Superintendents Gina Miller and Michael Koenen join the podcast to discuss road maintenance work drivers experience each summer. We'll also touch on National Public Works Week and a cool partnership that they've developed with Ferndale High School. (Read the episode transcript)

Worried about how federal funding cuts might affect our local projects? Roland and Mandy are joined by Whatcom County's new Deputy Executive Aly Pennucci to learn more about what the County is doing to prepare. Aly will also share her background, the role of the Deputy Executive, and what she's learned about the duties of Public Works. 

Public Works Natural Resources Manager Gary Stoyka and Outreach Specialist Becky Snijder van Wissenkerke join the podcast to discuss the WRIA1 water adjudication process and the tools that Public Works has set up to help the water users involved. (Read the episode transcript) 

Roland and Mandy speak with the Whatcom Chief's Senior Master, Gary Poole, and Public Works Safety & Training Coordinator, Gabel Bredy, about the safety and training measures for the crew of the Whatcom Chief. Listen to learn more about their recent state-wide safety award!

Roland & Mandy interview Whatcom County Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa. Elizabeth shares an overview of our 2024 accomplishments and some big projects Whatcom County can expect in 2025. (Read the episode transcript)  

Public Works Maintenance & Operations Assistant Superintendents Gina Miller and Michael Koenen join the podcast to discuss our winter road maintenance work and set expectations for the coming season. 

Whatcom County Councilmembers Barry Buchanan, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler join the podcast to discuss public works issues, both present and future. 

The new deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management (DEM), Matt Klein, joins the podcast to discuss division responsibilities. Learn more about how our two entities work together, as well as DEM's role in emergent and non-emergent times.  (Read the episode transcript)

Public Works' new assistant director, Laura Froluch, joins Roland & Mandy to discuss her background, her goals for the position, and the department budget.  (Read the episode transcript)

Public Works Maintenance & Operations Assistant Superintendents Gina Miller and Michael Koenen will join the podcast to discuss road maintenance activities drivers experience each summer. 

Whatcom County Public Works Engineering Manager Josh Cihak joins Roland and Mandy to share more about these often misunderstood traffic features. Did you know there's even a rock song written about them?

Whatcom County Engineer Doug Ranney joins podcast hosts Roland and Mandy to talk about the role and work of the Whatcom County Public Works engineering team. 

Hosts Roland & Mandy chat with Bridge & Hydraulic Engineering Manager James Lee about the N. Lake Samish Bridge Project. James also shares more about upcoming bridge projects and the Whatcom County Bridge Program as a whole. 

Listen as hosts Roland and Mandy are joined by the staff of our Noxious Weed Program to discuss all things weeds. Laurel & Cevan share tips for identification, prevention, remediation, and the tools you can borrow to free your yard from weeds.

Podcast hosts Roland and Mandy are joined by Senior Salmon Recovery Planner John Thompson and Engineering Supervisor Ben Floyd to talk about the new fish passage program at Whatcom County Public Works. 

Erika Douglas, Environmental Programs Manager from our Natural Resources Division, joins Roland & Mandy to discuss water quality. 

Roland and Mandy interview Whatcom County Public Works River & Flood Engineering Supervisor Christina Schoenfelder about flood construction projects. Christina shares how they are prioritized and gives an overview of recent projects. 

Roland and Mandy interview Whatcom County Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa. Elizabeth shares her background, how she came to the position in March 2023, and provides an overview of some of the big projects Whatcom County can expect in 2024. 

Join hosts Roland & Mandy for tips on fall & winter driving, including how little water it takes to create a dangerous road situation! 

Roland & Mandy interviewed Assistant Superintendent Gina Miller of our Maintenance & Operations division. Gina gives an overview of the work of M&O and some of the barriers they face to getting it done. 

Roland & Mandy discuss projects in and around the Birch Bay community, including Birch Bay Drive, Jackson Road Bridge, California Creek, and Cottonwood Drive. 

In this episode, hosts Roland & Mandy discuss the various road detours experienced around Whatcom County this summer and preview what to expect over the next few years. 

Welcome to the first episode of the Whatcom County Public Works Podcast. Join your hosts, Roland & Mandy, for a preview of what we hope to accomplish with this new (to us) communication tool.