Friday Harbor Port Commission July 25. 2025

Evan Hiatt is a new staff member working in the maintenance department and on landscaping projects. He is interested in learning electrical work. The commission discussed apprenticeship programs available in the Pacific Northwest. The port installed a new touchless door opening system at the airport with grant funds. 

The commission approved the Saltwater Farm lease amendment with an updated legal description to include a parking area and the amended site plan. The port decided not to consolidate all inflation increases to the new August Consumer Price Index data, but new leases and renewals going forward will be based on the August CPI rate.

The commission discussed a proposal to install a Pilot Honor Wall display at the airport using a slide show/audio visual format.  Staff will investigate the feasibility of the project. The executive director asked if the commission was interested in replacing the current posters at the airport with a scrolling display screen. It could feature more than pilot bios, such as information on the whale, art and historical museums and it could promote local businesses and leaseholders. Commissioner Goodheart will talk to the pilot community about the idea.

Commissioners were asked to review the draft newsletter and to contribute an article for the upcoming Port 75th anniversary celebrations. Suggestions included information about Jensen's and Shipyard Cove and the port's accomplishments in recent years. Articles are due August 15. The celebration will be on September 6 from 12pm – 4pm.

Kyle Gropp reported that public feedback on the shuttle service during the Pig War Picnic on July 4 was positive.

The Commission discussed grant funding sources including for electrification and PFAS clean-up to address contamination from "forever chemicals" at port facilities and adjoining areas. The funds can be combined and used for projects that support job creation like the proposed new travelift which will require environmental cleanup and compliance with tide level restrictions. The commission’s goal is to maintain and expand the marine working waterfront. The port is exploring new ways to manage stormwater at Jensen’s and the new shipyard facility. Topics for future discussion are reviewing passenger facility charges, electric vehicle charging stations, and pursuing a grant to build a new breakwater in Shipyard Cover to support fuel facilities. 

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