Friday Harbor Town Council September 18, 2025

Council Member Hushebeck chaired the meeting in the absence of the mayor. The County Solid Waste Program Coordinator reviewed the Solid Waste Management Plan that includes the Town of Friday Harbor.  The plan requires approval by the town and county councils.

Sheriff Peters presented the 2024 statistics for the Sheriff’s Office. There was a problem with the GIS mapping system that did not separate town from county statistics.  The mapping issue was fixed for 2025. The Town Clerk gave an update on the Mock Council program for seventh graders. The Community Development Director said Mike Carlson had requested a fire suppression connection for property on Argyle Avenue outside town limits but in the Urban Growth Area.  

At a public hearing on the Argyle Street Project, San Juan Home Trust staff expressed two concerns with the draft development agreement. The project manager said the draft had conflicting requirements to follow historic guidelines and to maximize solar energy.  He proposed following the Washington State Energy Code.  The Home Trust asked for language providing a remedy to continue the project if the town missed a deadline.   

In public comments, town residents supported the project and flexibility on historic building standards and the solar component. One resident requested the council consider 30’ setbacks for buildings.   A town and a county resident both raised concerns about the lack of housing for lower- and middle-income residents and urged the town and county to work with non-profits to move ahead with this project.

As the owner of the property, the county asked for time for their attorney to review this draft agreement and possibly propose amendments. Another public hearing is scheduled for October 16. 

The entry to the Town Council chambers is closed until repairs are done.  Access to council chambers is through the Second Street entrance. The town is moving to provide blue recycling carts.  The state mandates cart colors. The Town Administrator gave updates on her work on Cross Border Economy, Water Usage Monitoring, Emergency Response and Landfill Monitoring. To reduce vehicle/pedestrian collisions, the town is starting a Be Seen public education campaign and will give out reflective slap bracelets.

A town resident who owns a dozen apartments within the town said she charges rents under the affordable level because she bought the property many years ago.  She asked the town to consider a property tax relief incentive to encourage landlords to keep rent affordable.

*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.