LWV Observer Corps notes on public meetings
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps, a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote 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 Jan. 15
During public comment, a representative of the Friends of the San Juan Island supported the Port of Friday Harbor’s Solar Canopies Project. A resident spoke in endorsement of a letter regarding the Finnegan Way Development. Jennifer Krembs, Town clerk, presented committee vacancies needing Town Council representatives. Council member Chelsey Dyer will serve on the Arts Commission and Council. Member Richard Geffen will serve on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
Paul Fischburg, interim executive director of the Home Trust, and project manager Karl Eberhard, gave an update on the Argyle Housing Project. The Home Trust did not get state funding in the last funding round, but has funds from its capital campaign to move forward on the project. It will reapply for state funding in June. The Home Trust has held several public meetings and will hold more in the future. It invited council members to attend a Home Trust meeting on Feb. 12 and will return to the Town Council on March 19 with updated plans.
Bethany Berry, Town finance director, provided an overview of a proposed new water meter customer portal.
After public hearings on the Port of Friday Harbor Shoreline Substantial Development for Float and Piling Replacement and on the Port of Friday Harbor Shoreline Substantial Development Solar Canopies, with no public comments submitted, the Council directed staff to prepare resolutions for two Shoreline Substantial Development Permits.
Denice Kulseth, Town manager, reported on the landfill soil and groundwater monitoring. She will be in Olympia meeting with legislators during the week of Jan. 21 for City Action Days.
During the public comment period, a resident asked what the cost to the water customers would be for the proposed water portal. The resident was informed that they could ask Finance Director Berry outside of the Council meeting.
Recording of Town Council meetings can be viewed from this site: https://www.fridayharbor.org/2202/Agenda-Meetings-and-Video.
County Council regular meeting of Jan. 20
During public access time, a resident raised concerns that the County recently issued a permit for a large hangar on a Tarte Road property, which would impact the rural character of the area, with a determination of non-significance, which violated an earlier finding by the hearing examiner.
The Council set a public hearing for Feb. 10 on updating the County code regarding Eastsound Village Commercial Land Use Designations to conform to recently amended Land Use Maps in the Comp Plan. The Council approved a county service agreement with the Samish Indian Nation to provide law enforcement services for two tribal properties on Lopez Island held in trust by the federal government. The tribe will make a separate agreement with the Lopez Island Fire District.
The Council discussed ferry issues that would be in play during the 2026 legislative session. They agreed on a letter of support for the governor’s budget proposal, allocating $1 billion for three additional ferries. The County will support the “mosquito fleet” bill to allow local jurisdictions to provide passenger ferry services. They will work with the new caucus of counties supporting Washington State Ferries and with federal legislators. The Council discussed a division of responsibilities on ferries among them, as Council member McVeigh becomes the liaison to the Ferries Advisory Committee.
The Public Works and the Environmental Stewardship directors updated the Council on a proposed project to secure the barge landing at Jackson Beach while doing beach restoration at the site. After researching several options, it became clear that doing both at the site was not practically or financially feasible. The Council agreed that securing the barge landing was essential. Public Works is moving the revetment up shore to maintain the existing road threatened by erosion.
The Council reconfirmed they would seek a single-year permanent levy lid lift on the April ballot. They will bring the Auditor’s Office into the discussion and get more analysis of shortfalls before setting a rate and naming the beneficiary departments.
The Council reviewed bills of interest in the state legislative session and discussed priorities with the County lobbyist. The Council recessed and convened as the governing Board of the Lopez Solid Waste District and approved 2026 tipping fees.
