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.
Friday Harbor Port Commission regular meeting of May 9
A Friday Harbor High School student presented a promotional sign with information on the Art Museum and arts community in Friday Harbor. She hopes to place the sign on Port property near Frontier Park during summer months to highlight art, artists, and art opportunities for children on the island. The Executive Director will discuss the proposal further with the student.
The commission approved the grant application and acceptance of AIG 48, the fuel system expansion Phase 2 for $408,906 with a 5% Port funds match, which will come from the capital budget. They approved the grant application AIG 49 for Hangar 80 construction in the amount of $486,000 with a 5% Port funds match. The Executive Director reported that for Hangar 80, heavier gauge metal that will last longer is preferable but comes only in plain white, consistent with other hangars at the airport.
The Commission approved updates to the Lease Policy. The commissioners reviewed the final draft of the Art Policy which incorporates all comments and concerns raised by the commissioners. The policy will be on the agenda for the next meeting for approval and signature.
The Flemings at Saltwater Farms have an upcoming hearing for their conditional use permit application for the proposed pickleball courts and restaurant facility. Weather screening and noise abatement procedures are in play.
The Executive Director Todd Nicholson and Deputy Director Kyle Gropp will have a report for the commissioners covering insurance and grant applications. The ED reported that permits will be issued soon for the new Port headquarters; ground-breaking will be in late Summer/early Fall.
County Council regular meeting of May 12 and 13
On May 12, during public comment, OPALCO General Manager Foster Hildeht spoke about the importance of siting renewable energy facilities and adequately planning for essential electrical facilities in the utility element of the comp plan. They cancelled the May 13 hearing on budget amendments and rescheduled the hearing for June 3 at 9:15 a.m.
In December 2024 the council invited 14 tribes to take part in developing a tribal engagement framework. Environmental Stewardship is following up with tribes who appear to be stretched with federal-level developments. Several tribes have said they expect to be informed about a broad range of county activities. Other counties talk with tribes on a weekly basis.
Comp Plan lead Sophia Cassam reviewed the utilities element which covers electricity, propane and telecoms/internet. The element does not include a future capacity needs analysis. New goals include renewable energy siting, permit process reform and farmer collaboration. Council members wanted more concise language, strengthened language on the necessity of renewable energy facilities, and not to demonize propane, a key back-up source for vital services.
Parks and Fair, Environmental Stewardship and the Conservation Land Bank reviewed county environmental programs. Parks has four campgrounds and 16 day-use facilities. The fairgrounds had events on 303 days in 2024. Environmental Stewardship manages solid waste and clean water utilities, marine resources, climate stability, and cultural resource programs. The Land Bank owns 39 preserves; 32 are open to the public and manages 49 conservation easements. Other environmental programs include Noxious Weed Control, WSU Extension, and Ag Resources Committee.
On May 13 a lawyer for Shaw residents said that the county would need to either move or continue the scheduled May 20 public hearing on the Shaw essential public facility, which must be held along with the CEPA review. An Orcas resident raised concerns about the WSF agent contract renewal for Orcas Landing.
The council set and/or rescheduled four public hearings: budget amendments and reallocating public facilities’ revenues on June 3, and Eastsound and Lopez vacation rental permits and revised fines for parking and moorage infractions on June 10.The Council agreed to move forward to add two youth representatives to the Marine Resources Committee and to update code to include the new Marine Resources Area Report. They appointed Chair McVeigh to represent the County on the NW Clean Air Agency Board.
