LWVSJ Observer Corps:* Friday Harbor Port Commission, September 27, 2023
Michelle Herko, Student Outreach Program Director at UW Friday Harbor Labs presented to the Commission the 5th Grade project. Six times per year the students take measurements at six sites in the Friday Harbor Marina to test water quality. The water temperature, salinity and direction of water movement are measured, recorded, graphed, and shared with the Port of Friday Harbor. They requested $3,500 from the Port to cover the costs of this program. The Commission will vote on this in November.
Marty McConnell, the Co-Ordinator of the Trades Training Programs for the EDC (Economic Development Council) reported on their training programs, and requested funding for the courses that train local workers and increase economic resilience in the county. The Commission asked how the EDC measures the impact and the effectiveness of the training.
The F-7 Hangar Assignment was a name change only from Dean Riley to Brynlee King and was approved by the Commission.
The Commission approved Resolution 23-006 to amend the comprehensive Contracting Policy to increase the dollar value requiring formal competition from $300,000 to $350,000. The State allows the increase, and it works better for the Port.
The Commissioners reviewed the 2024 Tariffs. The Executive Director explained that these are set to follow the CPI in line with inflation. The Port has historically kept rates lower than other local facilities and they have the longest waiting list that they have ever had. If the Commission accepts the recommendations for 2024, they can be built into the next budget.
Staff will review the operating budget at the next meeting on October 11th and the results will inform the capital budget proposal. The budget public hearing will be in November. The Executive Director wants to discuss passenger and landing fees, including a proposal for seaplanes treating them similarly to vessels that land as they currently do not pay for each passenger that lands.
Barbara Marrett reported on the Maritime Heritage meeting. All the coastal ports have decided to join the association which falls under the National Park Service. Its mission is to preserve and educate people about maritime history, but it has little funding. On San Juan Island, this program could lessen the impact of tourism by offering the opportunity to redirect people to lesser-known sites. They discussed additional topics from the Commissioners Seminar including strategic planning to provide long-term consistency. Commissions are encouraged to seek a healthy dose of community and stakeholder input. Other subjects included advice on staff evaluations, outreach suggestions and end of year evaluations for the Commissioners.
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