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 aid 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 March 14

An island musician, resident for seven years, was asked to be considered for the Fairweather Park music series as a solo performer. The commission said they had no objection to busking on port property and would seek to include him in the musical lineup for the upcoming series. The commission approved a resolution for the Port to plan for a 75th-anniversary event. The commission approved changes to tariff language from “Commercial Rafting” to“Commercial Rafting, Tribal Fishing” to apply the same discount rate for active tribal fishers, designating it as a water-dependent use, and amended Marina Rules and Regulations to accommodate tribal fishing and to describe current software and billing practices. Given concerns about commercial permit holders for boat detailing, the executive director will research best management practices and recommendations from the state to inform all boat cleaning operations on the balance of environmental care, maintaining marina status while allowing vendors to make a living. The Commission Port’s draft Art Policy was updated to balance flexibility and prevent overly complicated processes for minor works or temporary installations, and the commission will do a final review. The executive director reported on the adjustment to the design process for the barge ramp road at Jensen’s & Shipyard Cove. Steve Roberts of Facet Engineering will take over from the Leon Group on the programmatic permit. An electrification grant the Port received through the Climate Commitment Act could be at risk. Members in Congress are working to protect already awarded federal electrification funds. The Port newsletter has gotten very positive feedback. An interview with Kyle Gropp, deputy director of the Port, will be in the next issue.

Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of March 20

During public comment, a citizen requested that the Town name the small park in front of the Palace Theater in memory of Judy Alhadeff and in honor of Jerry Alhadeff.

In a public hearing, the Council heard from staff and the developer about a proposal to amend the development agreement on 825 Argyle to increase density from five to eight units. After discussion about stormwater runoff, the hearing was continued until April 3.

A scheduled public hearing on a planned residential development at 1032 Guard St. was postponed.

The Council agreed to amend an agreement with the Department of Ecology regarding funding the wastewater treatment plant project on the Small Community Project Priority List to extend the deadline from July 1 to March 30, 2027. The total value of the project will increase from $1.7 million to $4.5 million.

Administrator Denice Kulseth reported that Friday Harbor has been recognized as a Wellness City, which will allow a 2% reduction in insurance rates. The Town received a letter from the Washington State Committee organizing activities for the United States’ 250th anniversary. The first event will be an April 18 commemoration of Paul Revere’s Ride. Communities across the state and country will be enlisted to participate. Kulseth also reported on a request from the Port to place two Level 2 electric vehicle chargers in town parking spots on Front Street, but the Council suggested the alternative of putting the chargers in the Port upper parking lot would be better.

County Councilmember Kari McVeigh told the Town Council that the federal funding for the Town to Zylstra Trail would be redirected to extend a recreational trail from Linde Field across Beaverton Marsh.

Council members proposed Nash Street lighting, code enforcement at the Purple Lane development and the impact of deteriorating relations with Canada as future agenda items.

County Council regular meeting of March 25

Council members held a public hearing as the governing body of the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. A resident of Lopez, who was on the original LSWDD managing board, said he thought the existing interlocal agreement between the district and the County should be extended rather than approving a new agreement. The county manager gave a brief review of negotiations for a new agreement, which the LSWDD managing board approved on March 19. A recent change extended the term of the agreement from five to 10 years. The Governing Board approved the interlocal agreement. The Council members then convened as the County Council and in a regular meeting approved the interlocal agreement on behalf of the County.

For public comment in the regular meeting, a Lopez citizen expressed concern that assessments were overvaluing property improvements, such as when in the process of repairing and replacing a deck the assessment stated the house had two decks. A resident representing the Lopez Community Land Trust urged the Council to make tiny house communities legal in the Comp Plan update. A resident from Housing Lopez urged the council to support a bill in the state Legislature that would allow counties to tax vacation rentals to support affordable housing.

The Council set a public hearing for May 20 to consider essential public works designation on a property on Shaw Island. They had a second touch on the resolution to vacate the designated county road entirely within the Fairgrounds. The Council agreed to shift the scheduled April 21 and 22 meetings to April 28 and 29 to avoid a conflict with a lobbying event in Washington, D.C. on the first dates.

County Manager Jessica Hudson reviewed the state of play on still active bills in the state Legislature of interest to the County including the Senate proposed revenue measures, the Mosquito fleet bill and a bill on requiring negotiation with unions on AI workplace use.

Brie Chartier of the Bureau of Land Management briefed the Council on the dissolution of the Citizen Advisory Board for the SJI National Monument. BLM oversees about 1,000 federally owned acres in San Juan County, half on Lopez with the rest scattered around other islands, including small ones. The original committee’s purpose was to give community input for the monument management plan. When the plan was done, the committee mandate expired. BLM created a new discretionary committee to maintain community input. The new administration disbanded all BLM discretionary committees, but BLM plans to continue to partner with local organizations and hold public meetings about monument management.

SJI Public Hospital District #1 regular meeting of March 26

Village at the Harbor has had a recent turnover of nine units, six of which are available. They are seeking to hire for the front desk position. The state fire marshal rated the Village 100% on compliance.

Superintendent Butler reported that the EMS loaned Lopez EMS an ambulance for a few days when their ambulances went out of service. There are seven new EMTs on board. Community Paramedicine had 54 direct patient interactions in February. February training included required periodic training sessions for paramedics. Assistant Chief Bishop finished his Bachelor of Science in EMS Administration from Eastern Oregon University.

Village at Home Director Evan Perrollaz is delivering the Medicaid application to Seattle.

Chris Chord, superintendent of Public Hospital District #3 on Orcas Island, reported the District is seeking a levy lid lift of 41.5 cents to 71 cents in the special election on April 22, mostly for capital to expand the health clinic and establish a dental care program. They have a new 10-year agreement with Island Health (Anacortes) to continue the health clinic operation. He thanked Nathan Butler and Evan Perrollaz for their collaborative efforts.

The EMS Committee will meet to consider proposals for building expansion and a new ambulance. The San Juan Island Health Care Foundation completed a needs assessment and adopted bylaws. The Board decided to streamline meetings, with speakers and presenters given an allotted time limit on the agenda. The Board approved a new monthly report format. The April 17 Special Board Meeting will include financial presentations by Commissioners Frazer and Clary; and discussion of Village at the Harbor expansion; the proposed employee housing project; EMS expansion and an additional ambulance; and The Village at Home.

In new business, Mount Baker Planned Parenthood is now part of Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, and the name needs to be changed on the subsidy contract. The Board moved and approved adoption of the new name on the contract, and designated Chair Anna Lisa Lindstrum to sign on behalf of the Board. Friday Harbor Planned Parenthood is now located in the SJC Department of Health on Rhone Street and is open on Thursdays.