Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corp

League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.

Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of Aug. 1

The mayor was absent; Council Member Geffen chaired the meeting. The Council recognized ten years of service by Streets Department Head Justin Nibler. During public comment a citizen requested Council support for addressing problems with intrusively bright streetlights on Nash Street.

The Council approved rezoning request #81, changing a parcel on Guard Street to multi-family residential. The Council approved an interlocal agreement with Island Rec.

The Community Development Director informed the council that he would bring forward a proposal to include both sides of Web Street in the downtown core and in the town historic district. The department would also propose a new ordinance on accessibility (ADA) issues and would do a session on general planning issues.

The Administrator reported that the Town had achieved the outstanding level for Wastewater Treatment in 2023, which had been made possible by closing the RV dumping station. She reported that she had decided to postpone rate study to determine a cost recovery price for bulk water sales, as it would be cheaper to roll it into the next rate study scheduled for 2026, though rates would be increased in September by the inflation index.

In a meeting with state representative Ramel, she made a plea to protect public works funding from being raided for other needs as local governments depend on these funds for major projects. They are looking at putting a solar installation on a closed landfill owned by the town. She is looking at a county proposal to join the regional clean air monitoring organization and wants to understand what the cost/benefit analysis would be for town businesses.

The town administrator will meet next week with the new county manager. The Economic Development Commission is doing a career youth workshop that will promote trades among other career paths.

County Council regular meeting of Aug. 6

Three new county employees were introduced, a new dispatcher and a new deputy in the Sheriff’s Office and a new public health social worker. During public comment eleven citizens representing schools, science and arts organizations urged the council to implement a 1/10th of 1% tax under the Cultural Access Initiative to support arts and science programs for county residents. Three citizens urged the Council to renew the destination marketing contract with the San Juan Islands Visitors’ Bureau quickly, noting that tourism businesses are seeing reduced traffic and income with negative impacts through the county’s economy. The uncertainty about contract renewal was impairing their ability to address problems caused by ferry issues.

After public hearings, council approved several measures: updating the Noxious the maps and membership rules for the Noxious Weed Control Board, redesignating 1,000 acres on Orcas Island to Agricultural Open Space from Designated Forest Land; and authorizing a 99-year lease of the Argyle Lots property to the SJI Home Trust.

The budget analyst reviewed the budget performance through June 30 with revenue coming in at $38.3 million or 46.2% of the year’s target and expenses coming at $35 million and 36.6% of the year’s target. Most revenue sources are running on target with only the REET running notably low at 70% of target, while interest income is running double the target. The council reviewed proposed mid-year budget amendments and a request from the Treasurer’s office for a new position. They asked for more detailed financial projections to consider before adding the position when a budget amendment is ready for the next review.

They set public hearings for September 10 to extend the sales and use tax for public facilities and to amend exterior lighting standards in the Eastsound sub-area.

The Council discussed adding the Cultural Access initiative issue to future agenda and determined that before that they needed more information on how it might be managed and implemented, county staff capacity to administer a program, the views of the school districts, the possible intentions of the Town of Friday Harbor. Some work on this was done in a report on the possible formation of an Arts Council.

Council member Fuller talked to the governor’s office on ferry issues, where she was advised to formulate specific requests. She was working with the Ferry Advisory Committee on the requests which might include private charter for passenger service from Anacortes to all islands, barge service, and for WSF to be able include more all island runs.