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 promote 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 Sept. 12
Becky Day asked for $7,000 for the 2026 July 4 fireworks display on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. This is an increase of $2,000 due to tariffs and the 250th celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The town and port are working together to enhance the Christmas decorations. The Christmas tree location still needs to be finalized.
The director of the K-12 Outreach Program reported on the Friday Harbor Marina Water Quality Project, which involves Friday Harbor Elementary School fifth graders and Spring Street International School sixth graders collecting water samples from six sites around the marina and processing them in the lab. The results showed low average water quality, giving the port the needed data. The project is requesting $4,800 for the project this year, and includes extra funds to replace a lost meter and probe.
The Commission approved a motion authorizing the executive director to execute a purchase of the Jackson Beach Cannery parcel for $1,440,000 over 15 years at 0% interest. The lease agreement will clarify exclusive and non-exclusive areas.
The Commission discussed 2026 tariffs for marina and airport services. The inflation measured by the consumer price index is 2.8%. The Commission aimed to standardize rates for 20-foot slips as well as other adjustments. The Port’s rates are at the median of ports statewide. Commissioners plan to review discretionary funding and the draft capital budget for projects at the airport and marinas. They will need to decide whether to increase the budget or maintain the previous level.
The Commission will review the Personnel Policy at the next meeting to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. They will consider combining vacation and sick leave. The Downriggers Lease Amendment will move forward with a five-year extension on their current 10-year lease.
Commissioner Barbara Marrett reported on the WPPA Commissioners Meeting, where attorneys gave a presentation on harbor improvements and public awareness of Port activities. The meeting encouraged strategic planning and reviewing the Port Commission Governance Guide, which lays out the differences between the Commission’s role of deciding “what” and the executive director’s role of managing “how.”
Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of Sept. 18
Council Member Steve Hushebeck chaired the meeting in the absence of the mayor. The County Solid Waste program coordinator reviewed the Solid Waste Management Plan that includes the Town of Friday Harbor. The plan requires approval by the Town and County councils.
Sheriff Peter presented the 2024 statistics for the Sheriff’s Office. There was a problem with the GIS mapping system that did not separate Town from County statistics. The mapping issue was fixed for 2025. The Town clerk gave an update on the Mock Council program for seventh graders. The Community Development director said Mike Carlson had requested a fire suppression connection for property on Argyle Avenue outside Town limits, but in the Urban Growth Area.
At a public hearing on the Argyle Street Project, San Juan Home Trust staff expressed two concerns with the draft development agreement. The project manager said the draft had conflicting requirements to follow historic guidelines and to maximize solar energy. He proposed following the Washington State Energy Code. The Home Trust asked for language providing a remedy to continue the project if the town missed a deadline.
In public comments, town residents supported the project and flexibility on historic building standards and the solar component. One resident requested that the Council consider 30-foot setbacks for buildings. A town and a county resident both raised concerns about the lack of housing for lower- and middle-income residents and urged the Town and County to work with nonprofits to move ahead with this project. As the owner of the property, the County asked for time for its attorney to review this draft agreement and possibly propose amendments. Another public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.
The entry to the Town Council chambers is closed until repairs are done. Access to Council chambers is through the Second Street entrance. The town is moving to provide blue recycling carts. The state mandates cart colors. The Town administrator gave updates on her work on Cross Border Economy, Water Usage Monitoring, Emergency Response and Landfill Monitoring. To reduce vehicle/pedestrian collisions, the Town is starting a “Be Seen” public education campaign and will give out reflective slap bracelets.
A town resident who owns a dozen apartments within the town said she charges rents under the affordable level because she bought the property many years ago. She asked the Town to consider a property tax relief incentive to encourage landlords to keep rent affordable.
County Council regular meeting of Sept. 23
The new director of the Department of Community Development, Sev Jones, introduced himself. A graduate of Western Washington University, he has worked in Alaska, Idaho and Eastern Washington.
The County proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Council continued a public hearing until Oct. 6 for granting a utility franchise to the Hannah Heights Owners Association for water facilities on County rights-of-way to get input from the Health and Human Services Department on concerns expressed at the hearing by property owners along Bailer Hill Road about the potential impairment of their water supply by proposed wells. The Council urged the HHOA and Bailer Hill neighbors to maintain good communication.
Auditor Natasha Warmenhoven and a budget analyst laid out preliminary information on the upcoming 2026-2027 biennium budget and the challenges the County faces given flat revenue and growing expenses. While cash reserves are projected to be $8 million at year’s end, that will not be enough to cover projected shortfalls and meet reserve requirements. The Budget Committee will present a draft budget on Oct. 7.
The Council approved the Conservation District increasing its levy to $25 per parcel as allowed under new state law to support services with solid waiting lists. The Council set a public hearing for Oct. 21 for the Transportation Improvement Plan and the Annual Construction Program. The Council was briefed on the Historic Preservation Grants program, which will open to proposals this fall. The Council reviewed the Criminal Justice Treatment Account Plan that provides funds for substance abuse treatment through the courts. The Council approved plans to restart efforts to review and coordinate the 33 County boards, committees and commissions. The Council canceled the Sept. 29 and 30 meetings. The Council approved home fund grants to the Lopez Home Trust, Opal on Orcas and The SJI Home Trust totaling $2.4 million, leaving $1.2 million in the home fund. The Council approved the Argyle Project applying for a CHIPS grant.
The Council reviewed the schedule for approving the Comprehensive Plan Update and planned updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance and the development code. The Council reviewed the top state legislative priorities, including capital requests for marine infrastructure and proposals for taxing vacation rentals to support affordable housing.
SJC Public Hospital District #1 regular board meeting of Sept. 24
Public Hospital District Superintendent Nathan Butler: Emergency medical services had a record number of calls in August, 145, and participated in a number of training sessions. The Community Paramedicine program continues with its coordination with Village at Home, with some shared clients.
PHD employees and commissioners, along with volunteers, participated in Sunday’s successful fundraiser for the San Juan Island Healthcare Foundation. This organization is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing health care access to vulnerable islanders. The event at Saltwater Farm raised just under $100,000.
Director of Village at the Harbor Tina Smith: Currently three open units at the Village. She provides monthly “Talk with Tina” sessions with residents to keep them informed. The newly installed automatic doors have been well-received by residents.
PHD 2025 budget allocates $5,000 to the Prevention Coalition. However, due to restructuring, this entity no longer exists, and its services have been assumed by the Family Resource Center. The commissioners passed a resolution to allocate those funds to the FRC.
EMS Maintenance Agreement with SJC: PHD is exploring an interlocal agreement with the County to provide supplemental maintenance for its 10 vehicles (EMS emergency vehicles and civilian vehicles), in addition to its regular fleet service.
The 2026 budget will be presented at the Oct. 22 regular meeting.
