Other News
Jan 19, 2025: Four districts, six unions, three PTAs, and county leadership all agree: legislators must take action to fully fund education no
Dec 19, 2024: San Juan County Parks and Fair Announces New Camping Software; Delaying Reservation Availability
Dec 10, 2024: County Council Considers Extending Agreement with Lopez Solid Waste to Allow for More Collaboration
Dec 5, 2024: San Juan County to Consider Updated Interlocal Agreement with Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District
Dec 2, 2024: San Juan County Council Sets Public Hearing for Cultural Access Sales Tax at Dec. 10 Meeting
Nov 25, 2024: San Juan County Celebrates Completion of Lopez Skate Park and Calls for Inaugural Skaters
Nov 7, 2024: How Has Extreme Weather Impacted You? Participate in the County’s Climate Resilience Planning Effort
Nov 1, 2024: UPDATE: Sea Wall Repairs Temporarily Close MacKaye Harbor Dock and Boat Ramp on Lopez Island
Oct 22, 2024: DRAFT North Shore Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Oct 21, 2024: Reminder: You’re Invited to Attend Open Houses for the 2025 Comp Plan Update This Fall
Oct 1, 2024: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE SAN JUANS SPONSORS OCTOBER COUNTY COUNCIL VOTER FORUMS ON SJI, ORCAS, AND LOPEZ
Sep 24, 2024: County Hosts Community Meeting on Lopez Island to Discuss Public Safety during Hunting Season
Sep 24, 2024: SJC Reviews Shoreline Habitat & Infrastructure Adaptation Strategies in the face of Sea Level Rise
Sep 23, 2024: DRAFT Watmough Bay Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Aug 29, 2024: San Juan County’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Survey Sets Baseline for Ongoing Change
Aug 27, 2024: 2024 San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners Gardening Workshop Series, October 15-24, 2024
Aug 27, 2024: County Representatives Discuss Solutions to Ferry Service Disruptions with Governor Inslee
Aug 21, 2024: County Council’s Request to Governor for Relief from Ferry Service Disruptions Not Fulfilled
Aug 20, 2024: San Juan County Certifies Primary Election Results & Celebrates Highest Primary Turnout in Years
Aug 13, 2024: WSF Commits Additional Crews to Interisland Route to Ensure Service During County Fair Week
Aug 13, 2024: Ferry Data from Staff and Local Partners Shapes Council Request for ‘Executive Relief’ From WA State
Aug 5, 2024: The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival returns to Lopez for its 27th Summer Concert Season
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 15
Apr 18, 2024
By League of Women Voters of the San Juans
April 15 County Council Meeting
During public access, two members of the Marines Resources Committee, a salmon expert, a whale expert, and the Friends of the San Juans supported applying for a Salmon Recovery grant to complete the Jackson Beach Restoration Project. Three citizens spoke asking the county to enforce county codes regarding two permits submitted for building projects on a Lampard Road parcel. They said the applicant was planning to develop a resort-type business on the property and not as claimed two residences for family members. They were building without approval and had a history elsewhere of building illegal commercial structures without proper permits.
The San Juan Conservation District updated the Council on plans to establish a conservation campus at the 915 Spring St. address with Western Washington University participation. The council approved four members for the Voluntary Stewardship Program committee. The Conservation District asked the county to reconstitute the Open Space Committee and revise its rules to allow forested land to be designated as open space to improve forest stewardship. The Council agreed but noted it would need to wait until the Department of Community Planning had a new director. The district is launching a Firewise Neighborhood program in May.
The Land Bank director reviewed the land acquisition process with the Council and previewed an analysis of acquisitions and partnerships.
The Council discussed issues related to county buildings and on how to move forward plans for a new Justice and Public Safety Building to house staff now in the seismically unsafe courthouse addition. In the interim, some staff will move to the newly acquired Park St. building. A team will review financing options, most likely a bond that would require a levy lid lift vote. The Council will continue deliberation on several key decisions at the April 25-26 meetings.
The acting county managers recommended that the Council ask the Environmental Stewardship department not to submit its request due April 17 for a grant of salmon recovery funds for the Jackson Beach Restoration project until a joint masterplan with public works for Jackson Beach that includes building a barge landing be completed in 2025. Public Works was concerned that the beach restoration project potentially could undermine the viability of the barge landing. Environmental stewardship argued that the funds might not be available later, and the restoration project does not include the barge landing area. The Council decided to deliberate further at the April 16 regular meeting.
*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 San Juan Conservation District updated the Council on plans to establish a conservation campus at the 915 Spring St. address with Western Washington University participation. The council approved four members for the Voluntary Stewardship Program committee. The Conservation District asked the county to reconstitute the Open Space Committee and revise its rules to allow forested land to be designated as open space to improve forest stewardship. The Council agreed but noted it would need to wait until the Department of Community Planning had a new director. The district is launching a Firewise Neighborhood program in May.
The Land Bank director reviewed the land acquisition process with the Council and previewed an analysis of acquisitions and partnerships.
The Council discussed issues related to county buildings and on how to move forward plans for a new Justice and Public Safety Building to house staff now in the seismically unsafe courthouse addition. In the interim, some staff will move to the newly acquired Park St. building. A team will review financing options, most likely a bond that would require a levy lid lift vote. The Council will continue deliberation on several key decisions at the April 25-26 meetings.
The acting county managers recommended that the Council ask the Environmental Stewardship department not to submit its request due April 17 for a grant of salmon recovery funds for the Jackson Beach Restoration project until a joint masterplan with public works for Jackson Beach that includes building a barge landing be completed in 2025. Public Works was concerned that the beach restoration project potentially could undermine the viability of the barge landing. Environmental stewardship argued that the funds might not be available later, and the restoration project does not include the barge landing area. The Council decided to deliberate further at the April 16 regular meeting.
*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.