Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps.

League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, 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

SJI Fire District regular meeting of May 13

The Regular Board Meeting started after an executive session.

Commissioner Colley submitted a letter he wrote to the SJC Public Hospital District requesting a joint meeting in the future to discuss issues of mutual concern. The SJI School District is close to signing an agreement to lease the use of a Stuart West property to the Fire District.

Chief Monin explained how career shift employees would be paid under a new “Work/Rest” Pay Schedule. This system would not affect full-time workers very much but would give more flexibility to the scheduling of part-time workers. Monin explained the new Volunteer Incentive Program in which volunteers would be paid both for time and activities to incentivize participation. This program includes standby fees for being on-call in 24-hour blocks.

SJI Fire District plans new hiring to staff each fire station with three people, starting with a station captain and then shift lieutenants, and hopes to have them filled by summer. The district will move some equipment to and from East and West Stuart and Johns Island. They discussed storing some equipment storage on Henry Island. Monin called out for recognition employees Kati English, Erin Graham and Karl Kuetzing.

Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of May 15

The council added an update from the planning department on the Holliwalk development which occurred before public comment. There is a small list of things that need to be done before the final occupancy permits are signed: install individual meters; assign parking spaces with signage; plant some trees and shrubs; correct site plans and language; and make changes to the roofing to meet fire code. Some items are due to a change of the homes from duplexes to townhomes, which have different code rules. During public comment two people spoke about the Holliwalk issues from the Home Trust, objecting to the issue being added to the agenda with notice and disputing some of the history cited by Town staff. The Council scheduled a special town meeting with Holliwalk residents for June 22 at 6:30 p.m.

County Chair Kari McVeigh said Gov. Ferguson would be visiting on June 14, and two town representatives would be invited to discuss ferry issues with him.

The NW Clean Air Agency Director briefed the Council on the workings of the agency board which the Town has a seat on. The Council heard an update on the Town employee wellness program which has high participation and gives the Town reduced insurance rates. The Council heard an update from the Town Arts Commission which sponsored a poetry reading and is seeking new art in the breezeway and at the Argyle circle. A tile mural was proposed for First Street, but the Commission recommended against it as the site was not ideal for the proposed piece; the Council concurred. The Arts Commission has been talking with the Port about working together.

The Council was briefed by the wastewater plant director about the problems caused by fats, oils and grease (or FOG) entering the wastewater system and the expensive problems this caused for the plant in the last two summers. Public Works will be proposing a new ordinance to regulate food service companies’ removal of grease before it enters the wastewater system. They will establish relationships and provide training to help businesses adapt to the new regulations.

The Council passed an ordinance setting salaries for non-represented staff. The Town has gotten some complaints about recreational vehicles being used as residences, but the actual Town code on this is not enforceable. The Council asked to have a work session on this issue added to the June 5 agenda.

At closing public comment the mayor said no comments would be allowed on Holliwalk as it was an agenda item. Two people expressed concern that the topic was added to the agenda without notice, which the mayor said was also disallowed. There was conflicting discussion around the rules for public comment in relation to items on the agenda. The meeting was adjourned without clarity on that subject.