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.
Friday Harbor Port Commission meeting of July 12
The Commission after the Executive Director confirmed that no monies were paid to the contractor who defaulted on the airport driveway project. A septic pump went out on July 3.
The Port will hire an engineer to redesign and switch over to a better pump system.
The Executive Director Todd Nicholson reviewed the Fly Guys proposal for storage and parking on the Argyle-Mullis corner. The commission approved the concept. Nicholson is to draw up a lease for Commission consideration. It is county property and has no town water or sewer service.
The commission will consider a porta potty. Andrew Fleming appealed to the Port to increase the land they lease to Saltwater Farm by three acres. They intend to keep it wild but would use a small part for parking. Saltwater Farm will present a proposal for another parcel for an access road and parking, and some yurts and cabins. They have an approved septic design and plan to have that installed this year. The Commission agreed to open the two parcels for public proposals. If Weber Way were to be a shared access point then the Port could include a maintenance agreement as part of any lease.
The Commission discussed which other parcels to advertise and decided to put a parcel back out for bid that Tarragon expressed an interest in. Tarragon will have a limited time to exercise their option and the Port will entertain other offers in the interim. It will be on an August meeting agenda.
Many parcels coming up for leases would have more interest if they had a transient workforce lodging component, but no workforce housing is allowed on airport land due to FAA regulations. All proposals will be open for public review and comment. The Commission set aside the property where the old Animal Protection Society was located for Port use only.
The Commission discussed solar and energy efficiency requirements for lessees and decided to have an option for hangar lessees to buy into a fund with a one-time payment which would cover the duration of their lease. Lessees opting out of the Energy Efficiency Fund can meet the net zero energy requirement by installing solar panels, improving insulation, replacing propane heat with heat pumps and other energy improvements. The Commission approved having a solar consultant come up with the amount that would be appropriate for the fund.
The commission meeting on July 26 will be a bill pay-only meeting due to the Commissioners being out of town. The Commissioners gave Nicholson authority to oversee the bill pay for July 26 in their absences.
The Jackson Beach parking lot is completed as well as the restrooms. The Whale Totem that has been donated by the Lummi Nation will be situated at Jacksons Beach. Parking improvements are being undertaken at Jensen’s Shipyard and plumbing and electric are being completed at the IOSA building.
