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 June 14

The Commission approved the Rules & Regulations, and Liveaboard Agreements for all three marinas.

Susan Toch introduced her non-profit Partnership, an environmental coalition promoting projects on working waterfronts. They would like to partner with the Port in some projects. They want to donate a 26’ sailboat to the Port as a floating educational resource. The Commission will add it to the agenda at the June 28 meeting.

The Commission appointed Steve Carlton as the Interim commissioner for District 3 to serve in the position vacated by Victoria Compton. He will be sworn in at the next meeting.

The Commission amended Friday Harbor Agreement # 22-008 increasing the contract from $100,000 to $250,000 due to additional engineering work and a new contractor.

The Commission agreed to the lessee of Ernie’s Café’s request to build an 18’ x 20’ foot structure adjacent to Ernie’s Cafe for cold storage. The Port will not have any cost, but will review the plans.

The Commission reviewed recent fire training exercises which were a success. No foam was used. The Fire Department needs to notify the public in a more timely manner. The Fire Department insurance was increased and the Port was named an additional insured on all policies.

Tami Hayes gave a comparative marina update on guest moorage boat nights over the last three years. Shoulder season rates were eliminated leaving high and low season rates. The Port added a $10 non-refundable reservation fee that generated substantive revenues. Impounded boats were reviewed; two boat owners are owed after their boats were disposed of. There are four vendor booths out on the dock that can be rented by the day or month. Rock the Dock will happen July 4th.

Executive Director Todd Nicholson reported that painting at Jackson Beach will be going on next week and that the Shipyard Cove parking lot was chip-sealed. At the airport, a taxiway project will start soon, and several other projects are in the permitting process.

The Commission has gotten a lot of positive feedback on airport operations. The toilets at Jackson Beach will have a floor one foot above the base foot elevation with a ramp for access. At the next meeting, the commission will discuss provisions for short-term workers and affordable housing and the impact on the Port. Nicholson will ask the Town to remove a dying tree at Waterfront Park.

Jason from Port Tenant Essential Sailing presented the sustainable aspects of their business including possibly eliminating hazardous and toxic chemicals at the shipyard. They use a biocide-free, high-solid fouling release coating called Silic One which could remove all monitored chemicals at the shipyard. The product has had success in Europe and Florida; this would be a test site for the Pacific Northwest. They face staff housing problems. They have ongoing a boat salvage project, repurposing many parts. He would like to renew their lease this winter.

Friday Harbor Town Council meeting of June 15

Mayor Jackson read a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth, a celebration of the de facto end of slavery in the U.S., when two years after the Emancipation Proclamation it reached Texas and freed 250,000 African Americans there. It is now a federal holiday.

County Council member Christine Minney reported the county is evaluating solid waste facilities. A new website, EngageSanJuan.com, provides updates on county projects. They are engaged in the Friday Harbor to Zylstra Lake trail project. $3.5 million were distributed for four affordable housing projects with funds from the voter-approved tax on home sales. Council was not informed about the ferry issues on Sunday of Memorial Day and will join the Town to work with WSF to not repeat this.

County Fire Marshall Chad Kimple presented fire data for last year. Call volume was about 60% medically related and 40% fire related. They are working on an agreement to allow county fire to investigate fires in the town. The new fireboat is going into service.

Port of Friday Harbor executive director Todd Nicholson reported that a new airport taxiway will encompass part of the old animal shelter property. They are building tiny home village rentals near Skagit Valley College. New hangers are in the final stages. Construction will begin soon on a multi-use industrial building to meet local demand on the old stationary store property. Chip seal paving around Jensen shipyard is complete and the rebuild of the Shipyard Cove barge landing is underway. Port and Town discussed a proposal for a new flagpole on Front Street.

Public Works Director Jesse Douglas-Seitz presented the 6-year transportation plan for 2024-2029. Nash Street planning work is done. Other projects in the plan are: paving for the balance of Mullis Street to town limit; Wabash update; extension of Missing Mountain Road to allow double trailer trucks coming from Shipyard Cove to turn onto Pear Point Road; projects for Grover Street east and west and Rose Street. The council passed the Plan but will hold a session to review and set priorities.

Town Administrator Denice Kulseth suggested the Town consider requiring a sewer inspection at the time of sale to ensure homeowners understand they are responsible for the sewer line from hook up at main sewer to their home. Town staff met with the Chamber of Commerce and Sheriff’s Office regarding July 4th. The Town talked to WSF about Memorial Day issues. WSF will contract with a shuttle service to move crews to address crewing issues and promised more timely communication when issues arise. Town staff are evaluating the ability to borrow. Bids for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade were extremely high. They will revise the design to reduce costs. The Town is working with the County on water use at the fairgrounds and other properties grandfathered on town water.