Other News
May 2, 2024: WA State Governor and Assistant Secretary of WSF Talk Ferry Service & Solar Power with SJC Officials
Apr 11, 2024: Community Meeting: Sea Level Rise Adaptation for Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas on Lopez Island
Mar 11, 2024: Queers in Unexpected Places: Searching for (and Finding) Gender and Sexual Non-Conformity in the Rural and Early PNW
Mar 7, 2024: DRAFT Richardson Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Dec 5, 2023: County Council Member Jane Fuller and Senator Liz Lovelett to Host Public Meeting on Lopez
Nov 3, 2023: County and Town Send Open Letter to State Officials Regarding Impacts of Poor Ferry Service
Sep 29, 2023: Conservation Land Bank Announces Special Meeting to Discuss Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
Sep 14, 2023: The mobile dental van is coming to Lopez! // ¡La camioneta dental móvil ya llega a López!
Aug 22, 2023: San Juan County Adopts 32-Hour Work Week in the Name of Fiscal Health, Recruitment, and Islander Wellness
May 25, 2023: Recap of Lopez Neighborhood Meeting Regarding the Relocation of Public Works Facilities
May 23, 2023: District 3 Councilmember Jane Fuller Opens Office on Lopez and Hosts Community Conversation
Apr 17, 2023: Give Lopez Starts April 17th - A two week fundraiser benefiting 15 Lopez Island Non-Profits
Sep 22, 2022: Interim Watmough Preserve Addition Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Observer Corps Notes: County Council April 16
Apr 18, 2024
By League of Women Voters of the San Juans
April 16 San Juan County Council Meeting
During public access time three citizens spoke asking the county not to approve the 23 permits requested for two parcels on Lampard Rd which currently have a stop work order posted. Friends of the San Juans urged the council to ask DCD to review a loophole in the B&B rules that is being exploited in the case of these permits.
The Council passed the set of three 2024 budget amendments that had been reviewed at previous council meetings. The Council declared May 15 as Law Day and the courts have planned activities with county high schools that day to highlight the importance of laws in a democracy. The County adopted Start by Believing proclamation to support those who experience sexual assault. The proclamation notes that in the last year 179 cases were reported to county law enforcement. Citizens report only a fraction of occurrences as they fear they will not be believed. The council appointed Regional Medical Officer Dr. Herbie Duber as the interim County Health Officer.
The Council approved the renewal of the contract with Lautenbach to handle removal and recycling of solid waste on San Juan Island. The Environmental Stewardship Department is negotiating the renewal of the transfer station lease with the Town of Friday Harbor. The Council approved the Climate Resiliency Planning Framework that will inform the work on the new required comprehensive plan element. The Council approved the Environmental Stewardship Department to submit its grant request for salmon recovery funds for the Jackson Beach restoration project. Environmental Stewardship has done the conservation credit calculations and gave assurances that they could provide the needed mitigation for the barge landing construction and would work closely with Public Works to ensure they are available for the permitting process.
The Public Works Department reviewed its proposal for updating the County Code Chapter 10 on Vehicles and Traffic, which includes adopting the state model traffic code, and giving the County engineer the authority to set regulations for parking, marine facilities, and miscellaneous traffic matters. Both the sheriff’s office and many members of the public support the proposed updates. The Council will review a draft and hold a public hearing with the goal of updating the code for the summer season. The County will review a required update of the Public Works Contracting and Procurement Code to include a few voluntary amendments by July 1.
The Council authorized the Public Works Director to use public works funds as earnest money for property acquisition. The Council authorized the County Manager to negotiate the sale of its share of the Orcas Senior Center, which is exercising its purchase option.
*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
The Council passed the set of three 2024 budget amendments that had been reviewed at previous council meetings. The Council declared May 15 as Law Day and the courts have planned activities with county high schools that day to highlight the importance of laws in a democracy. The County adopted Start by Believing proclamation to support those who experience sexual assault. The proclamation notes that in the last year 179 cases were reported to county law enforcement. Citizens report only a fraction of occurrences as they fear they will not be believed. The council appointed Regional Medical Officer Dr. Herbie Duber as the interim County Health Officer.
The Council approved the renewal of the contract with Lautenbach to handle removal and recycling of solid waste on San Juan Island. The Environmental Stewardship Department is negotiating the renewal of the transfer station lease with the Town of Friday Harbor. The Council approved the Climate Resiliency Planning Framework that will inform the work on the new required comprehensive plan element. The Council approved the Environmental Stewardship Department to submit its grant request for salmon recovery funds for the Jackson Beach restoration project. Environmental Stewardship has done the conservation credit calculations and gave assurances that they could provide the needed mitigation for the barge landing construction and would work closely with Public Works to ensure they are available for the permitting process.
The Public Works Department reviewed its proposal for updating the County Code Chapter 10 on Vehicles and Traffic, which includes adopting the state model traffic code, and giving the County engineer the authority to set regulations for parking, marine facilities, and miscellaneous traffic matters. Both the sheriff’s office and many members of the public support the proposed updates. The Council will review a draft and hold a public hearing with the goal of updating the code for the summer season. The County will review a required update of the Public Works Contracting and Procurement Code to include a few voluntary amendments by July 1.
The Council authorized the Public Works Director to use public works funds as earnest money for property acquisition. The Council authorized the County Manager to negotiate the sale of its share of the Orcas Senior Center, which is exercising its purchase option.
*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