LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, January 4, 2024 The Mayor swore in new Town Council Member Richard Geffen.

The Council reviewed committee and liaison assignments and kept them unchanged. However, Richard Geffen will represent the town on the Board of Health.

Administrator Kulseth reported the State representative Debra Lekanoff had included the Town wastewater treatment plant on her list of capital requests for state funding for 2024.

An attorney did a training session for the Council on the rules for quasi-judicial proceedings and the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine, in cases where the Town Council rules on planning and zoning applications and appeals. The training covered issues which would disqualify a member from participating in a decision and about putting communication with constituents on such matters into proceeding records.

At future meetings the Council will be Harrison Street issues, food trucks and the traffic study. They will begin reviewing the Transportation Improvement Plan for 2024 and 2025.

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.