LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council regular meeting notes

||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS |||

Deputy County Manager made a presentation on the Wildlife Protection Working Groups’ discussions and recommendations. This group was formed because residents sought county intervention to address human interference with wildlife, especially foxes on San Juan Island.

The group has been meeting to find ways to respond with unified, sustainable options to prevent harmful incidents through education, training, messaging, and a possible local ordinance. They submitted a proposed ordinance draft to the prosecutor’s office, and are finalizing a list of recommendations. A public hearing is scheduled April 21.

Public Works has problems with the Park/Ride area at the Orcas ferry landing with removal of abandoned vehicles from the site at county expense. There is a complex array of problems, including how the free parking area is being used and how to enforce rules.

The council discussed an update from Public Works about repairs needed for Madrona Point Dock (Eastsound Marine failure), a critical dock for day use, visitors, tribal members, and boat access to Eastsound. The dock has been out of service for 18 months; plans have been submitted for permits to replace the failed pilings. This dock, and others, will need ongoing attention, replacements and repairs. The 12-14 docks maintained by Public Works (average age 30+ years), will continue to present funding challenges. Further discussion will include
necessary prioritizing of projects, as well as how to access other revenue sources.

In this legislative session, there was disappointment that more was not done to address the ferry problem. One-third of WA counties have ferries. Funding for additional (possibly 5-6) boats was voted down in the Transportation budget, leaving only 2-3 boats to be built over the
next 3-5 years. The aging fleet will need to run longer than the 30 years recommended, perhaps twice as long. While 6 boats should be retired during the next 5 years, only 2-3 boats will be added to the fleet, likely restoring the fleet to the current number by 2040. To address current
ferry service issues, Council members and the council lobbyist worked hard to try to pass the Mosquito Fleet Act for passenger-only ferry options, yet that bill failed to pass in the Senate.

Legislative District 40 representatives may be invited to San Juan County to discuss local concerns. A contract to improve the ferry reservations system has been cancelled. Council members proposed that the Washington Administrative Code on Reservations be changed.

A County Ferry Caucus of elected representatives from 13 counties has been formed to interface with state and federal ferry caucuses. The County Ferry Caucus will meet monthly to formalize a mission and strategize how to have a strong collective voice for building reliable
marine transportation.

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.