
Friday Harbor Town Council November 7, 2024
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, November 7, 2024
The mayor presented a certificate of appreciation to Frank Burns for 30 years of service in the town water Department. He proclaimed November National Gratitude Month.
The Chamber of Commerce runs the Visitors information Center which has rising costs. They presented their request for LTAC funds for the July 4 events, including the usual $15k for fireworks and an additional $3800 for the parade, because insurance for the event went from $250 to $2500. The remaining funds are for radios to coordinate the event. The Council approved the request. The Tree Lighting event will be on December 6 at 6:00 pm.
The Council and Mayor agreed to sign a group letter on ferry issues for the upcoming legislative session from ferry served communities and organizations from around Puget Sound. They will circulate the letter to other county organizations that may wish to sign.
Community Development is working with the County on finalizing the Land Capacity Analysis for the Comp Plan update and are taking part in the Climate Resiliency focus group meetings. They are working on a design ordinance for the town. They will start internal electronic permit processing this month, and later will eventually have public access to electronic permit processing.
The finance director did a preliminary budget review focused on revenues and information on two revenue related ordinances. Following a public hearing the council approved the ordinances authorizing 2025 levy certification and setting rental rates for town properties for 2025.
The administrator thanked town residents for passing the road levy with a solid 69% approval and thanked the citizen advocacy team. A legislative update for small cities will be presented at a weekend gathering in Mukilteo which she will attend. The court hearing on the county lawsuit regarding water at the fairgrounds took place on October 22. There is no date for when a decision will be announced. She is working on a way forward for the wastewater treatment plant and getting good support from the WA Department of Commerce. She has confirmed they can set different water rates for out-of-town users. An arborist assessed the Dutch elms and will provide a report soon. He recommended the lights be removed from the trees. There are new lights up in Sunshine Alley.
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.