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 Town Council regular meeting of July 6
A member of the public asked about how to access recordings of Town Council Meetings. They can be requested via e-mail from the Town clerk. There is a link on the web page http://www.fridayharbor.org/.
Sheriff Eric Peter presented a report on the first six months of 2023. SJI is fully staffed but hiring on other islands. They are rolling out body cams and car cams. They are now fully accredited for meeting best practices. They are seeing more drunk driving stops, and fentanyl overdoses with 12 calls- nine on San Juan and three on Orcas. Drunk drivers are taken in and booked and not allowed to drive home. The jail space is inadequate for our needs. They have had 127 people booked into the jail with a total of 321 person days served through June 30. Shoplifting is up. They are encouraging shop owners to use security cameras and assist in prosecutions.
The water treatment plant needs to be upgraded soon and eventually replaced. The projected costs have increased dramatically. The town can apply for federal funds for a new plant but must figure out how to pay for and sequence near-term optimization in the meantime.
The Council amended the zoning of several parcels to conform with existing use. The Council amended a contract for the Nash Street project and authorized additional paving on Holli Place.
The Council will have extended meetings on July 20 to review the results of a community survey and the implementation and strategy of the Housing Action Plan.
Denice Kulseth, Town Administrator will attend a workshop on funding for stormwater and wastewater projects and work with State Representative Lekanoff on possibly getting a state appropriation. She suggested the town consider creating a facilities maintenance position to maintain town buildings. This would be more cost-effective in the long run than contracting out small repairs. The Council approved this plan.
The town staff is reviewing options for managing summer water usage, especially for out-of-town properties drawing town water. She also suggested relocating and perhaps improving the security cameras and lighting at the public restrooms to discourage vandalism. The Council approved.
A review of the food truck survey results will be added to a future agenda.
