Friday Harbor Town Council, July 17, 2024

After a public hearing, the Council approved the Six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2026-2031.  The council reviews and approves the plan every year.

Council Member Steve Hushebeck is rotating off the San Juan County Solid Waste Advisory Committee after serving 13 years.  Council Member Barbara Starr was appointed to the committee.

Denise Kulseth, Town Administrator briefed the council on the Small City’ Advisory Committee’s request for 2026 legislative priorities and invited council members to share their priorities.  Small cities are challenged by the volume of public record requests for commercial purposes.    

Town staff are interviewing for two street positions and a Public Works Director. At the invitation of San Juan County, seven members of town staff attended a state auditors training on fraud. 

A new estimate for the Water Treatment Plant project is nearly $5.5 million.  Federal funds of $4.5 million have been secured through the State Department of Health. The administrator and finance director are looking at possible loans or cutting back part of the project.   On July 8 they held a pre-construction meeting on the Wastewater Treatment Plant project.  

Kari McVeigh, San Juan County Council Member, briefed the council on the governor’s visit to Orcas Island where Town Council Member Richard Geffen and about 100 others attended a ferry-focused meeting. Several key state transportation personnel.  accompanied the governor.

*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.