LWVSJ Observer Corps: County Council April 15, 2024

||| FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OBSERVER CORPS |||

During public access, two members of the Marines Resources Committee, a salmon expert, a whale expert, and the Friends of the San Juans supported applying for a Salmon Recovery grant to complete the Jackson Beach Restoration Project. Three citizens spoke asking the county to enforce county codes regarding two permits submitted for building projects on a Lampard Road parcel. They said the applicant was planning to develop a resort-type business on the property and not as claimed two residences for family members. They were building without approval and had a history elsewhere of building illegal commercial structures without proper permits.

The San Juan Conservation District updated the Council on plans to establish a conservation campus at the 915 Spring St. address with Western Washington University participation. The council approved four members for the Voluntary Stewardship Program committee. The Conservation District asked the county to reconstitute the Open Space Committee and revise its rules to allow forested land to be designated as open space to improve forest stewardship. The Council agreed but noted it would need to wait until the Department of Community Planning had a new director. The district is launching a Firewise Neighborhood program in May.

The Land Bank director reviewed the land acquisition process with the Council and previewed an analysis of acquisitions and partnerships.

The Council discussed issues related to county buildings and on how to move forward plans for a new Justice and Public Safety Building to house staff now in the seismically unsafe courthouse addition. In the interim, some staff will move to the newly acquired Park St. building. A team will review financing options, most likely a bond that would require a levy lid lift vote. The Council will continue deliberation on several key decisions at the April 25-26 meetings.

The acting county managers recommended that the Council ask the Environmental Stewardship department not to submit its request due April 17 for a grant of salmon recovery funds for the Jackson Beach Restoration project until a joint masterplan with public works for Jackson Beach that includes building a barge landing be completed in 2025. Public Works was concerned that the beach restoration project potentially could undermine the viability of the barge landing. Environmental stewardship argued that the funds might not be available later, and the restoration project does not include the barge landing area. The Council decided to deliberate further at the April 16 regular meeting.

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.