Friday Harbor Port Commission March 14, 2025

An Island musician, resident for seven years, asked to be considered for the Fairweather Park music series as a solo performer. The Commission said they had no objection to busking on port property and would seek to include him in the musical lineup for the upcoming series.

The commission approved a resolution for the Port to plan for a 75th anniversary event. The commission approved changes to tariff language from “Commercial Rafting” to “Commercial Rafting, Tribal Fishing” to apply the same discount rate for active tribal fishers, designating it as a water-dependent use and amended Marina Rules and Regulations to accommodate tribal fishing and to describe current software and billing practices.

Given concerns about commercial permit holders for boat detailing, the Executive Director will research best management practices (BMP) and recommendations from the state to inform all boat cleaning operations on the balance of environmental care, maintaining clean marina status while allowing vendors to make a living.

The Commission Port’s draft Art Policy was updated to balance flexibility and prevent overly complicated processes for minor works or temporary installations and the Commission will do a final review.  The Executive Director reported on the adjustments to the design process for the barge ramp road at Jensen’s & Shipyard Cove. Steve Roberts of Facet Engineering will take over from the Leon Group on. the programmatic permit.

An electrification grant the Port received through the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) could be at risk. Members in congress are working to protect already awarded federal electrification funds.   

The port newsletter has gotten very positive feedback. An interview with Kyle Gropp, Deputy Director of the Port will be in the next issue.

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