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.
SJI School Board regular meeting of Aug. 27
Superintendent Fred Woods said school would open on Aug. 28. The new siding on the high school is done. The custodial crew completed a significant number of projects this summer.
At the San Juan Institute, they had speakers on collective efficacy, differentiated classroom management, artificial intelligence, a framework to maximize student success and fostering a sense of belonging.
The district received gifts and donations from the SJI Community Foundation of $5,222.91 for middle and high school band; from Purple & Gold $2,301.91 and $710.15 for high school athletics and $5,029.25 for district athletics; and from the Public Schools Foundation $9,998.00 for materials and supplies.
The board approved the fiscal year 24-25 financial report. Total enrollment and the budget and financial performance were on target. They held a public hearing on a 24-25 budget extension requesting an additional $150,000 from the Office of Superintendent of Public Education, which the board approved. The board approved a resolution on disposing of surplus items.
The board reviewed the board calendar for 2025-2026 that was approved in July.
SJI Public Hospital District regular meeting of Aug. 27
In public comment, Dr. Fishhaut asked the commissioners to think about how the senior community might play a role in meeting the child care challenge for working families.
Evan Perrolaz introduced the new community paramedicine nurse, who is meeting with partners and will be full-time starting at the end of September.
The Peace Island Medical Center director gave the January-June 2025 report. They are getting a new CT scanner, and a new physical therapist can do pelvic floor therapy.
They had a 22% increase in outpatient surgeries and fewer emergency room visits, possibly because with an additional physician, more patients have accessed care via scheduled appointments rather than via the emergency room. They have also done more imaging, exams, lab draws and infusions. The Commission approved the six-month PIMC subsidy payment for $647K. The commissioners asked about the challenges of transport to and from the emergency room during night hours.
Superintendent Butler walked the commissioners through the new financial reporting format that the financial director and the board’s finance committee have been working on. The Commission approved the revised 2025 budget; finances have improved over the course of the year.
The Village at the Harbor has steady occupancy, and with increased staff, will stop needing temporary staffing. The Village at Home will see Medicaid billing go live Sept. 2. After losing two main clients and some staff in August, they have interviewed several new caretakers and will be onboarding five to six new clients, with inquiries increasing, so they expect to see activity stepping up a level. The new community paramedicine nurse will be reviewing the referral process with community partners.
The Community Collaborative looked at key issues impacting health in the county: housing, mental health care and food security. The finance committee is looking at creating specific budget lines for personnel and capital budgets. The commissioners appointed Rick Frazer and Gail Lehman Seitz to the committee working on a grant application for planning to build a community network encompassing the three county public hospital districts and the County Health Department.
Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of Sept. 4
Council Member de Freitas chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Ray Jackson. A town resident said they had been confronted by and verbally abused by a resident of Coho Drive on more than one occasion when walking to Linde Park. She feels unsafe walking this route. She requested a camera be put on to monitor this situation. She questioned the legal standing of the new no-parking signs and 8’ fencing.
The San Juan County Manager, Jessica Hudson, invited the Town Council to join in the discussion of the County’s 2026 legislative priorities and hear updates from the Environmental Stewardship Department.
Council passed a motion to authorize a temporary sewer hook-up on Tucker and Harbor Street to support the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Improvement Project.
Planning Director Ryan Ericson got a report about Rock Island installing a new aerial connection from Sunken Park to the Harrison Condos. The Director told Rock Island that town code does not permit new aerial connections and that their variance request is still being reviewed. Ericson presented the Draft Griffin Place Development Agreement to the council. The proposed development is for 49 units, eight of which are to be workforce units located off Grover Street. A public hearing is planned for Oct. 2. Ericson briefed the Council on draft zoning regulations for new buildings in the Commercial, Shoreline Accommodations, Professional Service areas, and Multifamily developments.
Council adopted an Interim Zoning Ordinance for lighting standards in the downtown core and historical overlay districts, landscaping requirements for subdivisions and separation between uses, historical preservation incentives and general building design guidelines.
At the request of Finance Director Bethany Berry, the Council passed a motion adjusting the budget for the public restrooms, allocating $15,000 to replace the floor heating unit and $35,000 for an air purifier system. The Council passed a motion to add a part-time employee to the Finance Department for utility billing. The Street Department is now fully staffed with the hire of two new employees.
