Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps.
The 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.
County Council regular meeting of June 27
The Council recognized the service of Barbara LaBrash who will retire this week after 30 years of service with County in mental health services.
In public comment: Victoria Parks of Orcas urged the County to put upgrades to Dolphin Bay Road in the County’s 6-year Road Plan. Tom Starr of SJI asked the Council to push state leaders on ferry issues. James McCubbin, Friends of the San Juans, asked for support for their docket request to remove a loophole in B and B regulations that could allow evasion of vacation rental caps.
At the public hearing on easements for the Douglas/Bailer Hill Road Project citizens spoke in favor of the current road centerline vs. shifting to the center of the right-of-way; one spoke against adding shoulders. Public Works said construction easements from property owners would be voluntary, were not for the contractor’s use but to allow the county to integrate road verges and replace fencing and that the project needs to work in the existing right of ways.
A public hearing to amend the County ordinance on dangerous dogs was set for Aug. 8.
The WSU Extension Service updated the Council on the Master Gardeners’ Program, the Agriculture Program and the rapidly expanding 4-H Program.
A County planner reviewed the two text and three map requests on the 2023 Annual Docket for changes in code or comprehensive plan designations, and the process. The text amendments are requests to change the code regarding B and B licensing and one on Mineral Overlay requirements. All three map requests were on Lopez Island. The Community Development staff will review the requests and come back to Council with recommendations.
The Island Oil Spill Association updated the Council on its new strategic plan. Their new Headquarters on Port property will be complete this fall. Brendan Cowan previewed the proposed updated language in the interlocal agreement between the County and IOSA.
The Council designated Jane Fuller to represent Council on SWISS subcommittees for Broadband, Transport and Mental Health, and Cindy Wolf to vote in the National Association of Counties election. They approved seven appointments to advisory committees. They approved submitting a grant application for funding or a project on School Road on Orcas Island and considered amending the future employment model for the County Health Officer.
Council members noted the successful State Transportation Committee meeting in the County on July 21 that will result in recommendations to the state on county transportation issues.
The Council will work on a joint meeting with the Town Council this year.
Board of Health regular meeting of June 28
The Accountable Communities for Health have given out $4 million in grants including funds to the three family resource centers in the county for community health workers focused on the LatinX community.
As Barbara LeBrash is retiring, the County will need to replace her on several bodies where she represents the County, including the North Sound Behavioral Health Organization and the Opioid Abatement Council.
Ellen Wilcox updated the County on the Community Health Assessment getting underway. They are narrowing the indicators to measure and in July will begin interviewing community partners and launch a community survey open to the public asking about: community values, community needs, community assets, role of public health, the role of health systems, Covid-19 impact and demographics. In the fall they will follow-up with focus groups. They may do a separate assessment for children and youth as more data will become available early next year.
Environmental Health Manager Kyle Dodd briefed the board on the PFAs contamination in Hannah Heights. So far, no further contamination has been found. The affected community is drinking bottled water and hauling in water for other purposes. The County helped them acquire a grant to cover initial costs for testing and water supply through June 30 and is exploring an additional grant for costs incurred after July 1. The Community is exploring alternate water sources and has a loan approved for a new well when they identify a source, which is probably still several months out, while exploring a possible interim source. The County is looking at state funding to help class B water system and individual well owners in potentially affected areas in the county carry out testing.
The County is getting ready to submit its required Covid-19 After Action Report. In general, the County was assessed as performing very well across all measures and is notable for the best outcome in the state and one of the best nationwide. Challenges were messaging rapidly and continually changing guidance and limited local hospital and medical facilities, especially for testing. Strengths were committed staff, supportive county leadership, strong support from the state government, and a united community. For the future, the County plans to revise and strengthen their Continuation of Operation Plans for all emergency situations.
The County has completed updates of Ebola/Marburg Preparedness Plan required by the CDC in the wake of recent international outbreaks of the two hemorrhagic fever viruses.
SJC Public Hospital District regular meeting of June 28
Finance Director Wambsganss reported finances are balanced and the transfer of financial duties from the county to PHD is starting, with a soft target of October for PHD taking over financial components starting with payroll.
Village at the Harbor Administrator Perrollaz reported the Medicaid contract is ready for execution. The Village is 100% occupied and has restarted its respite program. The Care Coordination program, with grant funding, serves 47 patients. Recent survey results for islanders 65 plus indicated that it was difficult for the aging population to identify services. The majority of the 85-plus population reported poor health and had the greatest need for services. Many go off-island for assisted living and memory care. Administrator Perrollaz is moving to a new position in the PHD as Deputy Supervisor to oversee the home care program and to institute a medical training center for health care workers. Tina Smith will be the Interim Administrator for the Village.
Assistant EMS Chief Bishop, operations and training: In April there were 81 calls and 120 in May. The EMT class has graduated and is in service. There is a significant increase in Fentanyl overdoses requiring Narcan treatment. The newsprint rig arrived, and the EMS building was repainted. Chief Bishop ran a full training schedule in May, and renewed Washington Department of Health accreditation of the SJC EMS Council EMT Training Program. PHD Superintendant and SJI EMS Chief Butler: The PHD mailer will be going out soon. He introduced Al Shilton, the landlord for the PHD’s 535 Market Street office space, to answer any questions about the proposed new office lease for the Home Care Program. The Commission approved the new lease, 4-1, with Commissioner Loring dissenting due to increased cost.
The Commissioners reviewed their May strategic planning session and goals for the next two to six years, including supporting residents county-wide. The Commissioners considered the draft resolution for the Family Resource Center subsidy to support their outreach and health/wellness programs. After discussing funding sources and compliance with PHD’s healthcare role, they tabled it for future consideration in July.
San Juan Island School District, regular meeting of June 28
Superintendent Fred Woods reported graduates received $310, 000 in local scholarships this year.
A team working on how to close achievement gaps reported that action plans are needed to enhance communication among parents and teachers, especially the alternative language community. Although 20% of students are Hispanic there are no Hispanic students in advanced placement classes. The team is gathering data on disproportionality in areas including attendance, participation in sports and parent/teacher conferences.
The Board voted to begin offering boys’ and girls’ cross country as a fall sport at the high school.
There was a review of current capital projects in the works and under consideration, including paving the high school parking lot and improving the elementary school drop-off area.
A steering committee has begun work on planning for an operations and maintenance levy vote in February 2024. There will be a public survey in July, and the committee will set priorities in August.
The next meeting will be July 26, followed by an Aug. 11 workshop.
