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
LWVSJ Observer Corps Notes:County Council Meeting April 29
May 2, 2024
By League of Women Voters of the San Juans
County Council Meeting April 29
The Facilities Director requested Council approval to apply for state funding to repair the seismic issues in the historic courthouse. If the grant, which requires a 50% match, is approved, the $1.5-2 million project could proceed without work on the 80’s addition. Leasing space or getting a modular office for the sheriff’s staff on Lopez and getting the Park St. building ready for occupation are the two immediate priority projects. The need for new space on Orcas is less urgent. The County wants to retain its current architectural consultants to help form a master plan. An internal building committee and finance subcommittee will present a plan to fund these short-term needs in May, and then work on a budget estimate and financing options for the larger Justice and Public Safety building and possible administrative building. The county has been talking about how to deal with serious deficiencies in aging buildings and meet the needs of increased county population and new legal requirements, including for the jail, for over a decade. They want to begin public engagement about county facility issues.
The Public Works Department reported that after surveying Dolphin Bay Road for requested chip sealing, they recommend not paving the gravel portion without improving the road first. It is too narrow at many points for two-way traffic and has drainage issues which would make it less safe if paved without widening the road and providing better drainage. This would be a major capital improvement project and require the acquisition of new rights-of-way. Given that a portion of Killibrew Lake Road runs along the edge of a high sea bluff that in time might fail, improving a potential alternate route might be prudent. The Council asked for a joint briefing from Public Works and Environmental Stewardship about the coastal erosion threats to Killibrew Lake Road and update on the culvert replacement project before considering amending the capital improvement plan for Dolphin Bay Road improvement.
The Council then went over the schedule for the visit later that day of Governor Inslee who at 11:40 would be in Friday Harbor to meet with the new Assistant secretary of transportation for Washington State Ferries. Council Member Fuller, the deputy chair of the Ferry Advisory Committee, and Town Council Member Steve Hushebeck would attend the meeting. Afterward the Governor would go to the ferry landing to meet and talk to ferry workers accompanied by Council Member Wolf. Finally, the Governor would meet with Council Member Minney, the Parks and Fair Director, and OPALCO at the Fairgrounds to talk about solar installations there and about the Bailer Hill Road solar project.
*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.
The Public Works Department reported that after surveying Dolphin Bay Road for requested chip sealing, they recommend not paving the gravel portion without improving the road first. It is too narrow at many points for two-way traffic and has drainage issues which would make it less safe if paved without widening the road and providing better drainage. This would be a major capital improvement project and require the acquisition of new rights-of-way. Given that a portion of Killibrew Lake Road runs along the edge of a high sea bluff that in time might fail, improving a potential alternate route might be prudent. The Council asked for a joint briefing from Public Works and Environmental Stewardship about the coastal erosion threats to Killibrew Lake Road and update on the culvert replacement project before considering amending the capital improvement plan for Dolphin Bay Road improvement.
The Council then went over the schedule for the visit later that day of Governor Inslee who at 11:40 would be in Friday Harbor to meet with the new Assistant secretary of transportation for Washington State Ferries. Council Member Fuller, the deputy chair of the Ferry Advisory Committee, and Town Council Member Steve Hushebeck would attend the meeting. Afterward the Governor would go to the ferry landing to meet and talk to ferry workers accompanied by Council Member Wolf. Finally, the Governor would meet with Council Member Minney, the Parks and Fair Director, and OPALCO at the Fairgrounds to talk about solar installations there and about the Bailer Hill Road solar project.
*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.