LWVSJ Observer Corps*: County Council June 6, 2023

The interim director of the Department of Community Development, Norm Gollub was introduced to the Council.

A citizen commented on the Douglas-Bailer Hill Road project worried about loss of trees and the impact on north side homes. The Council rescheduled the public hearing on the project to June 27. They set a public hearing for June 27 re amending the County Code on dangerous dogs. The code has stronger restrictions for “potentially dangerous” dogs than for dangerous dogs.

Staff reported on the results of the Department of Ecology-mandated Shoreline Cumulative Effects Evaluation report. While deterioration was documented, there was no clear pattern linking specific permitted development to deterioration or improvement. Issues affecting the accuracy of the survey are the exclusion of unpermitted development from the survey, and lack of access to properties along the shoreline.

Environmental Health Officer updated Council on the Hannah Heights PFAS situation. So far, all test results shared with the county from the potentially affected area are negative, indicating the contamination is limited. In Hannah Heights residents are using delivered water and exploring options for a new well. They have applied for state for financing the new well and got information on a program that could help cover the current cost of delivered water.

State Legislators Deborah Lekanoff and Alex Ramel attended virtually and reviewed legislative action on affordable housing, public school funding, state ferry issues, and changes in drug laws. While they reduced regulatory barriers for housing, the other issues had some progress but needed much more work. Both planned to take part in the June 21 Transportation Committee meeting in Friday Harbor. Senator

Lovelett later joined briefly and plans to visit the three larger islands in coming weeks.

The Council approved the Juneteenth Declaration for the June 13 meeting on Orcas. They sent the proposed Lodging Tax grant recommendations back to the advisory committee as two recommended grants proposals did not conform with state law. The Community Theater grant proposal was determined to be compliant.

The Public Works survey showed broad support for County marine facilities, high use of road shoulders and support for improving conditions for non-motorized transport either by widening shoulders or building separate bike and pedestrian paths. Routine maintenance had a lower priority among respondents, perhaps because they rated road quality as good.

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.