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, Feb. 5

During public comment, a town resident asked the Council what the plan was if Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, did a raid on the island. Another resident spoke about a letter from residents of Finnegan requesting that the Council put Finnegan Ridge development issues on an agenda. He expressed appreciation that Council member Barbara Starr walked through the neighborhood with residents and listened to their concerns.

The Economic Development Council reported on the work done with the financial support from Friday Harbor. The Council approved funding for the EDC. After a public hearing, the Council approved maintaining a six-month moratorium on transient accommodations.

San Juan County Housing Committee Chair Farhad Ghatan presented an overview of the extensive and varied work accomplished. Council member Steve Hushebeck presented an overview on the functions of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce. Council member Richard Geffen gave an overview of the San Juan County Board of Health. Starr described the work of the Northwest Clean Air Agency, where she represents the town. She reported on a recent meeting of the County Law and Justice Committee, which had not met for the last year and a half. The committee has been discussing courtroom security for the last 10 years and needs to decide how to move forward.

Denice Kulseth, Town administrator, reported on City Action Days in Olympia. She described a bill that would allow for local jurisdictions to tax short-term rentals to provide funds to support workforce housing and affordable housing. The Council voted to support the bill. The state Public Works Assistance Account has, for decades, provided low-interest loans to the Town for Public Works projects. Budget cuts have hit the account hard, and last year, for the first time, the Town was denied a loan due to a lack of funding. This could seriously affect the town’s ability to finance Public Works projects. She encouraged the Council to write letters to state representatives regarding the loss of this funding source.

During the public comment period, a Town resident and chair of the San Juan County Housing Committee invited the Council to have a representative on this committee.

Recording of Town Council meetings can be viewed from this site: https://www.fridayharbor.org/2202/Agenda-Meetings-and-Video.