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 regular meeting of Oct. 11

The commissioners reviewed the Saltwater Farms lease amendment and all site plans pertaining to the proposed new pickleball facility with three indoor and three outdoor courts and a restaurant and bar. The canopies covering the outdoor courts will have nonreflective, nonglare solar panels and special pickle glass will help screen the courts from wind. Current road access will be from Weber Way and project construction is planned for next summer with a fall/winter opening. The executive director suggested that the Port enter into a shared maintenance agreement for the access road. The Commission decided the project met the goals and mission of the Port and authorized work documenting the lease amendments.

The commission approved the change order for the northwest taxi lane construction project.

The Kiwanis of Friday Harbor suggested that the Commission entertain the idea of combining the Rock the Dock and Pig War Picnic for future July 4 celebrations to provide a larger community celebration at the fairgrounds with food, vendors, games and live music at one location. The Port can run a shuttle to bring boaters to and from the fairgrounds. The executive director proposed using some of the Rock the Dock budget for a second community celebration at Jacksons Beach at the end of the season.

The IOSA tour was rescheduled on Oct. 25 from noon to 8.30 a.m.

The Commission reviewed the third quarter operating budget and the preliminary 2025 operating budget. Staff will shop for lower-priced insurance for next year. Winter moorage income is strong, and marina revenues will continue to hold solid into next year. All the projections are on the conservative side and finances look very healthy.

County Council regular meeting of Oct. 21

Sheriff Erik Peter gave the Council copies of lifesaving awards to two sheriff’s deputies for saving a car accident victim last August by pulling them to safety as the fuel tank exploded. Several EMS personnel received meritorious service awards.

The Council heard an update on the Department of Community Development regarding recruitment, the new third-party review process and large projects. In September, DCD filled the planning manager and permit technician positions, is now interviewing for a code enforcement officer and in November will advertise for an admin specialist. Interviews of applicants for the DCD director will take place in November.

The TPR contractor started in July with a two-year contract and is processing all 2024 permits after DCD staff ensures documentation is complete. The team is learning new permit software, its interface with county software and is increasing efficiency steadily. A small team of DCD staff is processing outstanding 2022 and 2023 applications. County staff are handling land use and conditional use requests, but this will shift soon to the TPR contractor. DCD is still working on the dashboard that will better track permitting. So far in 2024 they have issued 480 permits with another 40-50 which are completed but awaiting applicants to pay the final fee and pick them up.

Several large projects are underway. The Comprehensive Plan Update will hold three public meetings this week on SJI, Lopez and Orcas. Consultants are working on the land capacity and housing needs analyses. A climate element needs to be developed for the Comp Plan. They are preparing to update the Critical Areas Ordinance in 2025, and they are using a state grant to provide education on the implementation and compliance with the Shoreline Planning and Management Act, including creating a user’s guide and an online shoreline permitting process. They continue to work on reviewing the building code with a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 15. They are working to assess the number of existing vacation rentals and a new process to accept vacation rental permit applications when slots are available under the cap.

The County will hold a public meeting on Shaw on Dec. 5 to present island residents with the site analysis for redesignating the recently acquired Shaw property from rural Farm Forest to Essential Public Facility Use for public works.

The Council continued a review of a planned update to the county code on internal Council procedures that will simplify the code, clean up language and adjust for the change to a three-person versus the six-person Council and county manager versus county administrator.

County Council regular meeting of Oct. 22

County departments introduced three new employees: Darcie Nielson as DCD planning manager, Deputy Prosecutor Katelyn Kelel and Election Specialist Cortney Evans. The Council proclaimed October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During public access, 10 county residents from the three largest islands spoke in favor of the County moving forward with the Cultural Access Initiative.

During a public hearing on the Transportation Improvement Plan and the Annual (one-year) Construction Program, Engineering Manager and Deputy of Director Jeff Sharp described the 2025 projects including an Agate Beach road relocation and a Hunter Bay project, on Lopez. On San Juan, they plan to put in a sidewalk on Pear Point Road to Jackson Beach and the Griffin Bay Marine Facility project. In addition, there are funds to chip seal roads and monies for repairs and unspecified projects. Some of the latter funds may be used to extend the sidewalk on Fisherman’s Bay Road to address a public safety issue. Two Orcas residents addressed concerns and suggestions for a parking lot in Deer Harbor on the TIP for 2029. There is currently a lawsuit ongoing regarding the right-of-way for this project. The Council approved the TIP and ACP.

The Council approved an extension of the LTAC grant for the Friends of Lopez Pool. They set a public hearing for Nov. 12 for three ordinances implementing the 1% allowed increase for current, expense, county roads and land conservation funds.

Brandon Andrews, director of Parks and Fair, reported on the parameters of implementing a Cultural Access Initiative under Washington Law funded by a 0.1% sales tax (one-tenth of 1%). The law gives priority to using the fund for public schools, and allows funds to be used to administer the program and make grants to 501(c)(3) cultural organizations for transportation, programs and capital expenses. Local governments may create an advisory board to help develop grant eligibility and award criteria and advise on awards. Parks and Fair staff would have the capacity to administer the program. The Council approved staff to move forward to develop a draft ordinance. Council Member Fuller abstained.

The Council reviewed an ordinance to declare a State of Emergency regarding ferry transportation. They had a few outstanding questions about the legal implications of the declaration which they wanted to resolve before passing the ordinance. This will not delay the resulting grant.

In Council updates, Council Member Wolf reported Public Works is looking at future options for the Waldron gravel pit.