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.

Board of Health regular meeting of June 18

Three members had excused absences: Richard Geffen, Steven Rubey and Kyle Davies. There were no reports for most committees. The North Sound Behavioral Health Organization’s head, Jan Rose, will be holding a meeting in the County July 23-25 with state representatives.

County Human Services Manager Ellen Wilcox gave the annual report for 2024 on mental health programs, senior services, transportation vouchers and opioid funds. Mental health programs in the community and the schools are funded by the .001% sales tax for such services. They provide embedded staff in the three main public schools, a primary intervention program for PreK through third grade for socio-emotional skill building, and the Safe Care program to provide home safety and parenting skills training via home visits. They contract with the family resource centers to provide mental health services for adults who can’t otherwise access mental health services. They manage funds for family dependency and drug treatment courts. They have Senior Services staff on each of the three main islands and one rover and last year served nearly 1500 residents and managed a volunteer force of 109, who, among other things, provided 40,000 meals. They provided vouchers for ferry, taxi and water taxi services for low-income residents and used opioid settlement funds to provide Narcan kits in the County.

Wilcox gave the annual health services report. The Growing Families maternal and child health program provides support for pregnant mothers, babies and toddlers. On average, half of babies born to County residents have birth costs covered by Medicaid. The federal Women, Infants and Children program focuses on nutrition support, including fresh food and breastfeeding support, which is securely funded through April of 2026. The department now has a public health social worker who is providing case management services to 24 residents. The County is providing reproductive health services in partnership with Planned Parenthood, which is merging with a larger group. They are doing age-appropriate reproductive health education in some of the schools and are looking to expand as the youth community health survey identified this as a high need, according to youths.

To combat communicable diseases the County tests for tuberculosis, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases and did investigations for 19 different communicable diseases and two outbreaks in 2024. They provided immunizations for flu, COVID-19 and back-to-school, providing 1,112 vaccines to over 800 residents mostly school children but also for a small number of uninsured adults. The County is still below herd immunity levels of vaccinations for measles. So far in 2025, communicable disease cases have been dropping. There is a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases and measles cases in the state.

Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of June 18

In the absence of Mayor Ray Jackson, Council Member Richard Geffen chaired the meeting. The Council added a second public comment session to the agenda after Town administrator Denice Kulseth’s report. New IT Systems Administrator Paul King was introduced. The Council approved a proposal by two residents to rename Breezeway Pocket Park in front of the Palace Theater to Judy and Jerry Alhadeff Park.

After a public hearing, the Council approved a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit for Cannery Village Condos to replace 42 creosote pilings with steel pilings.

At a continued public hearing regarding a Fats, Oils and Grease Ordinance. Community Development and Planning Director Ryan Ericson presented a draft ordinance, which has not yet been shared with restaurant owners. The public hearing was continued until July 23.

Public Works Director Jesse Douglas-Seitz met with the Streets and Parks lead to investigate the stormwater issues on Rose and Spruce lanes. Significant work needs to be completed on the stormwater facility there to bring it up to current standards. The street crew has two people out and is unlikely to get to this soon. It may be shifted to the small works roster. The planning director suggested using the stormwater operations manual and maintenance requirements manual as the process moves forward.

Douglas-Seitz has resigned after three years with the town. He expressed his appreciation working with staff and Council and reviewed the work the Public Works Department accomplishments. The position is now advertised.

Kulseth reported that trees were trimmed in front of Kings Marine, the Customs Office and Sunken Park. The improvements at Sunken Park will be done by June 30.

After an executive session, the Council passed a motion directing Kulseth to come to the next meeting with a proposal for a new salary schedule for the mayor and Town Council members. The Council proposed adding the placement of additional historical markers around town and beautifying the Town public parking lot on Spring Street as future agenda items.