League of Women Voters Observer Corps notes on County Council and Port meetings
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 15, 2023
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.
San Juan County Council meeting Feb. 7
The Council approved correspondence to federal elected officials in support of postal services on Shaw Island, to state legislators on special education funding, and a grant on courthouse renovation. Council member Minney is sending a letter in support of a San Juan Island Library grant application.
The Council issued a proclamation in support of Southern Resident Killer Whales. Several members of the public spoke in support of the proclamation. San Juan County has piloted several policies to support the whales that now are applied statewide. The Council agreed to support a bill that would increase the mandated boater distance from whales to 1000 yards.
The Council approved a lease of the Coffelt Farm property.
The Council approved 2-1 to purchase land and a building on Lopez adjacent to an existing public works site. Council member Fuller supported the purchase in principle but opposed the motion on the grounds that the constituents on Lopez needed more public input on concerns about expanding the public works site near MacKaye Harbor. Contrary to public concern, the public works director said the project would not change access to the MacKaye Harbor Landing. Council noted the need to move staff from Fisherman’s Bay Road to address worker safety and allow expansion of the solid waste facility. Public works would be looking at both an existing well and desalinization for water supply at the site.
The Council approved several staffing actions for the Prosecutor’s Office with budget implications, including the addition of an attorney position, which will help handle litigation in-house currently managed by outside counsel.
The San Juan County Conservation District provided an update on its programs supporting natural resources stewardship working with farms and forested properties. They are doing riparian restoration projects, Garry Oak and Marble Butterfly projects, and eelgrass and kelp restoration, San Juan County has the highest level of eelgrass loss in the state.
The Council agreed to hold a meeting on Feb. 9 to develop a coordinated process for managing the legislative agenda.
Appointments to boards and commissions were approved.
Friday Harbor Port Commission meeting on Feb. 8
Mayor Jackson asked the Port for cooperation on leasing a parcel of land to develop into seasonal housing within the airport zone. The Port staff noted the FAA has very strict restrictions around airports that preclude housing in this light industrial zone. Mayor Jackson asked for collaboration between the town, port and county to identify opportunities to build workforce housing. They agreed to schedule a town, county and port meeting to discuss housing.
The commission questioned large bills for maintenance and repair and asked that complete logs and records to be kept on machinery and equipment use and maintenance. Some older items such as the travelift require more expensive ongoing maintenance.
The Commission accepted a $781,000 progress payment from insurer Enduris on the Jensen’s covered moorage collapse. They are keeping the claim open.
The Commission discussed which parcels to advertise for proposals to review in July. Developers would need to supply infrastructure such as water, utilities and the ability to hook up to the town sewer on certain lots. The Commission wants more input, including from the Town of Friday Harbor, and will schedule a special session to make final decisions.
The Commissioners decided to form a Citizens Advisory Committee to provide input on the reconfiguration of Jensen’s Shipyard and airport expansion The committee will include citizens and representatives from the marina and airport.
The Commission plans to schedule quarterly listening sessions beginning in April.
The marina manager reported on unattended and derelict vessels, and unauthorized buoys.
They are working with the county to create mooring fields that track buoys through a registration system. Many boaters are not upholding the 30-day limit for being at anchor.
