ISLAND COUNTY: A Message from Commissioner Bacon [Aug. 30, 2024]

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., Aug. 23, 2024.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 36^th week of 2024.

• Regular Session.  The agenda and video recording for the Tuesday August 27^th  Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here.
  • No public comment was offered this week.
  • We held a final public hearing on the Marshall Drainage District assessments, mark 0:02:29 in the video recording. The policy adopted reflects a great deal of citizen involvement and is a great example of how government works best when citizens are engaged.
  • The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3^rd. Here is the agenda and links to documents. This meeting might be as short as five minutes, since there are no items on the regular agenda and even the consent agenda is pretty short.
• Upcoming BOCC Public Hearings (held during Tuesday board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
  • Sept 10: Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
  • Sept 10: Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
  • Sept 17:  Glenwood Beach water franchise
• Budget Workshops. We held one budget meeting this week and will hold another one next week. You can find the most current version of the schedule of upcoming budget meetings here. Agenda and Zoom info for the Tuesday, September 3^rd  1 pm Budget Workshop.
• Work Session. This was the 4^th Wednesday of the month, so there was no work session. The agenda for next week’s work session is here. On that agenda: Recommendations for Historical Preservation Grants, a draft Legislative Agenda, and discussion on a new draft code section for the Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve.
• Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update: This is a link to the Planning Commission page. You can find details on their meetings and minutes, including Zoom info, here. The Planning Commission meets at 6 pm on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month; the agendas are published at least a week in advance.
  • This is the agenda for next Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting. On that agenda: Planning staff and their consultant will present an overview of the requirements for the Climate Sub Element for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan.
• Island County’s Department of Emergency Management is partnering with the Clinton Library to present a 5-part Emergency Preparedness series, at the Clinton Community Hall. No registration necessary.
  • Wednesday, September 4, 5:30 – 7: In-depth discussion on emergency preparedness, to enhance community resilience (Eric Brooks, Island County DEM)
  • Wednesday, September 11, 5:30 – 7: Landslide Risks (Terry Swanson, UW Geologist)
  • Wednesday, September 18, 5:30 – 7: Earthquakes (Dr. Brian Sherrod, USGS)
  • Wednesday, October 2, 5:30 – 7: Tsunami Risks and Preparedness (Alex Dolcimascolo, WA DNR)
  • Wednesday, October 16, 5:30 – 7: Get Involved—Volunteer Activities (Island County Auxiliary Communication Service and Island County DEM)
• Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve is being nationally recognized for its beauty and biodiversity by being formally inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. The Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve is the 9th location to be recognized in the state of Washington and will join more than 250 forests nationwide recognized in the Old-Growth Forest Network. The Network’s goal is to identify and ensure the preservation and recognition of at least one forest in every forested county in the United States, creating a roadmap of family-friendly hikes that showcase the beauty, complexity and diversity of our nation’s oldest forests.
• September on Whidbey Island is “Eat Local Month,” which is a celebration of food, farming, and community, during the Island’s biggest harvest month.  This is a great opportunity to connect with many aspects of the local food system, from farmers and food producers to chefs and food artists, local businesses, and each other.
• Congressman Rick Larsen sent a letter this week to the Federal Highway Administration in support of Island County’s application for the Community Charging and Alternative Fueling Grants under the Federal Highway Administration’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program. Island County seeks funding to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Island County Coupeville Campus on Whidbey Island to support the increasing number of EVs in the region. From his letter: “The project will also further Island County’s ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable transportation solutions. According to a study conducted by Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization, a lack of sufficient charging stations remains a significant barrier to EV adoption in the region. Increasing the amount of EV charging stations in Island County will complement previous federal and state-funded projects designed to enhance the region’s sustainability.” I am grateful to Congressman Larsen for his support of this important project.
• Island Transit is recruiting for their Executive Director position, .
• I am NOT available Monday September 2 to meet with citizens (holiday), but will be back in Coupeville and Freeland on Monday, September 9: Cedar & Salt in Coupeville, 1:30 – 2:30; Wi Fire Community Space in Freeland, 3 – 4. In September I will also begin holding occasional Listening Sessions with Veterans at the Whidbey Veterans Resource Center. The first one is scheduled for Friday, September 20 at 2 pm.

Melanie

“Let us not despair but act. Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democrat answer but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past – let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”            ~ John F. Kennedy