Friday Harbor Town Council August 4, 2026

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, August 6, 2026

Recording of Town Council meetings can be viewed from this site:

Mayor Perrollaz introduced David Barnes, a new employee at the Water Distribution Department. 

A Public Hearing was held on Ordinance No 1841 regarding transient rentals.  The ordinance updates local land use rules to remove transient accommodations from standard permitted uses and re-establish them specifically under minor conditional use guidelines. The Community Development and Planning Director noted that the ordinance would decrease transient rentals in the downtown commercial areas. There was no public comment.  The Council recognized that many business owners are busy at this time of the year. The Council agreed to continue the public hearing at the August 20 Council meeting.  Council member de Freitas will request the Chamber of Commerce publicize this hearing to its members.

The Public Works Director presented a request for an emergency contract for the water supply infrastructure at Lawsons Pond. Four years ago, for structural safety reasons the state requested owners of the Lawson property to replace the dam.  In June, the Town learned about the dam rebuilding project.  The Town has a pipe that runs through the dam and into the pond that pumps water into Trout Lake.  The Public Works Director advised the Council that replacing these pipes now, when the dam is being rebuilt, is the most cost-effective approach.  The Council approved transferring $75,000 from the Water Operating Fund to the Water Capital Repair Fund. Council also approved Resolution No. 3039 — Authorizing an emergency contract with Lawson Construction, Inc. for Water Supply Infrastructure associated with the Lawson Dam and Pond Draining 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 promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.