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 aid 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 Jan. 10
Matt and Maureen Marinkovich asked about putting a penny-press machine on Port property near the flagpole, with the revenues going to “Fish for Teeth” which provides dental care to San Juan Islanders who can’t afford treatment. They also would have a “Kings Receipt” dropbox to generate 1% of the receipt value back to the nonprofit. The commission is concerned about the aesthetics but are in favor and will discuss further.
Kyle Gropp reported on his new position as Port deputy director. Gropp worked at the Port before, and the team welcomed him back. He is working on grant management projects, the Port’s electrification grants, and a Parks grant for hookups and pump-out facilities. Gropp will represent the Port at the Washington Public Ports Association conference and will help with the Port newsletter.
The Commission elected Rich Goodheart as president for another year, Gib Black as vice president and Barbara Marrett as secretary. They reviewed the 2025 meeting calendar and set all meeting dates. These can be found on the Port website.
The port will confirm with Kiwanis that it will provide a shuttle service from the marina to the fairgrounds for the Pig War Picnic on July 4th. San Juan Transit will be available from 11.30 a.m., when the roads open after the parade, until 6 p.m.
Marrett gave a presentation on Advanced Air Mobility, a nongovernmental organization that develops aircraft for emerging aviation markets. Their development pipeline includes passenger air taxis for short-range trips and small, cargo-carrying, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). Potential benefits include disaster response capabilities, reduced emergency response times, access to the urban cores, workforce and economic development. Community concerns about these aircraft include the location and time of operations, protecting privacy, noise and visual pollution and possible environmental impacts. Airports soon will have to address the influx of these aircraft.
Marrett gave a brief overview of what is coming up in the next newsletter including articles on water testing and on Jackson Beach. The cover photo will feature an aerial shot of the new covered boat slips at the marina. She noted the trades scholarship offered by the Soroptimists to a San Juan County woman for training in fields including marine maintenance. The application deadline is March 1.
Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of Jan. 16
During public comment representatives from the animal shelter informed the Council about the pet food pantry that they run out of the Treasure Hounds location that served 964 islanders last year, at least 40% of whom live in the town, while over 50% are seniors. Nick Powers, an attorney representing a Town employees union in ongoing negotiations, called the Town to recognize the economic pressures affecting its employees, as did another citizen. The mayor questioned whether it was appropriate for the union lawyer to address the Council on union negotiations in public. Powers replied that as a citizen he could address any topic during public comment.
After an executive session to discuss litigation, the Council recognized the retiring public works coordinator and welcomed the new one. The mayor gave a presentation on the Town’s accomplishments in 2024. In 2025 they will launch a new information system that will digitize public records and permit processing; update the Comprehensive Plan; and progress on a new wastewater treatment plant. The presentation is available on the Town website. The Council decided to hold a retreat in early March to discuss major road projects, allowing food trucks in town rights-of-way, the housing element of the comp plan and architectural standards.
The public works director went over plans to update the Town’s street maps to add roads not on the current maps, update the classifications of roads, add alleys and create standards for alleys. The planning director got Council consent to move forward with amending the density of a plot on Rose and Argyle streets from five to nine units and discussed the plan to deal with stormwater in the neighborhood.
The administrator said they needed to respond to the SJI Grange’s request to put an electric vehicle charging station on Town right-of-way in front of the Grange at one of the Town parking spots. There was no consensus, and they will put it on the agenda for further discussion. The landfill contract is moving forward, as is the contract with the Sheriff’s Guild. Negotiations with the Town union are ongoing. Council members suggested as future agenda items: pedestrian safety at intersections, plans to deal with stormwater at the Greenways Addition (Rose Street) and code compliance at the Purple Lane development on Finnegans Ridge. The planning director said the project is ongoing and currently in its final phase.
In a final public comment, the mayor said the Town is deeply concerned about the quality of life of its employees and is aware of the economic pressures on both employees and all Town residents. As a small town of about 900 households and 2,700 residents, the burden of maintaining expensive municipal services creates very difficult trade-offs.