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Friday Harbor Town Council January 16, 2025

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, January 16, 2025


During public comment representatives from the animal shelter informed the council about the pet food pantry that they run out of the Treasure Hounds location that served 964 islanders last year, at least 40% of whom live in the town, while over 50% are seniors. Nick Powers, an attorney representing a town employees union in ongoing negotiations called the town to recognize the economic pressures affecting its employees, as did another citizen. The mayor questioned whether it was appropriate for the union lawyer to address the council on union negotiations in public. Powers replied that as a citizen he could address any topic during public comment.


After an executive session to discuss litigation, the council recognized the retiring public works coordinator and welcomed the new one. The mayor gave a presentation on the town’s accomplishments in 2024. In 2025 they will launch a new information system that will digitize public records and permit processing; update the Comprehensive Plan; and progress on a new wastewater treatment plant. The presentation is available on the town website. The Council decided to hold a retreat in early March to discuss major road projects, allowing food trucks in town rights-of-way, the housing element of the comp plan and architectural standards.


The public works director went over plans to update the town’s street maps to add roads not on the current maps, update the classifications of roads, add alleys and create standards for alleys. The planning director got council consent to move forward with amending the density of a plot on Rose and Argyle streets from five to nine units and discussed the plan to deal with stormwater in the neighborhood.  


The administrator said they needed to respond to the SJI Grange’s request to put an electric vehicle charging station on town right-of-way in front of the grange at one of the town parking spots. There was no consensus, and they will put it on the agenda for further discussion. The landfill contract is moving forward, as is the contract with the sheriff’s guild. Negotiations with the town union are ongoing. Council members suggested as future agenda items: pedestrian safety at intersections, plans to deal with stormwater at the Greenways Addition (Rose St.) and code compliance at the Purple Lane development on Finnegans Ridge. The planning director said the project is ongoing and currently in its final phase.

In a final public comment the mayor said the town is deeply concerned about the quality of life of its employees and is aware of the economic pressures on both employees and all town residents. As a small town of about 900 households and 2700 residents the burden of maintaining expensive municipal services creates very difficult trade-offs.


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.

©2024 by League Of Women Voters Of The San Juans. 

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