ISLAND COUNTY: A Message from Commissioner Bacon [July 12, 2024]

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., July 12, 2024.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 29^th week of 2024.

I am one of the many people in Island County right now who is feeling poorly and might have COVID. So if today’s newsletter is hit-or-miss, let’s blame it on that (the expired test I took says no; I’m waiting for my husband to bring a fresh test home for me). Anyway, get well soon to all of you with the crud, COVID or otherwise.

• Regular Session.  The agenda and video recording for the Tuesday July 9^th Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here.
  • We heard public comment on Freund Marsh (Oak Harbor) and the Robinson Beach boat ramp (Mutiny Bay).
  • We pulled item 5 (Freund Marsh acquisition using 2023 Conservation Futures Funding) off the Consent Agenda and passed it in the regular session, after getting answers to the questions presented during public comment. Mark 00:19:40 in the video recording.
  • We held a public hearing on a PBRS application for Freedom Park on Camano Island. This was an unusual PBRS application—it was to decrease taxes on 3 parcels that are, have been, and will continue to be used as a public park (without actually belonging to any government). The Commissioners are unanimous in recognizing the public benefit of this park, and voted to give the applicant the maximum tax reduction. Mark 00:26:40 in the recording.
  • We held a public hearing on a water distribution franchise renewal, Polnell Shores (Whidbey). Approved. Mark 00:40:58 in the recording.
  • The agenda for the July 16^th regular meeting is here. On that agenda: the two public hearings listed below.

• 28^th week Regular Session (included here because I didn’t do a newsletter last week due to the holiday).  The agenda and video recording for the Tuesday July 2^nd Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here.
  • There was no public comment.
  • The Board adopted Resolution C-35-24, Adopting  the  2024 2028  Island  County  Comprehensive  Economic  Development Strategy (CEDS). Mark 00:01:19 in the video.
  • The Board approved a 2024 Conservations Futures application from the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, for a conservation easement at Keystone Preserve. In future years, this conservation easement will be used for an ADA trail and an accessible educational pavilion. Mark 00:35:01 in the recording.
• Upcoming BOCC Public Hearings (held during Tuesday board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
  • July 16:  Port of Coupeville
  • July 16:  WAVE Broadband
  • July 23:  Crescent Acres Franchise
  • Sept 17 (pending BOCC approval of date):  Budget Amendment
• Work Session. The agenda for the July 10^th is here; the recording is here.
  • Public Works brought two items associated with the Capital Improvement Plan: Changes to our 2024 Parks plan (first on the agenda and recording); and the proposed 2025-2030 CIP for Roads Facilities, Solid Waste, and Parks. My district will be glad to hear that Freeland Hall floor repair has been moved up for completion this year, as has the Freeland dock repair. We held a pretty vigorous conversation about when to schedule the Robinson Beach elevated boat ramp (mark 0:13:50 in the recording).
  • Facilities brought us an interesting proposal regarding our motor pool. Presentation begins on page 18 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 0:39:00 in the recording.
  • We had an add-on conversation about funding for the Tourism Board (Embrace Whidbey and Camano). Mark 1:33:22 in the recording.
  • Public Health brought the draft revision to the Conservation Futures Fund application. Documents begin on page 52 of the agenda, discussion begins at mark 1:57:03. FYI (because it isn’t clear): the OLD application is found on pp 56 – 60; the NEW DRAFT application begins on page 61. Big thanks to the CAB (Citizens Advisory Board) for all of their work on this.
  • We spent the afternoon with Long Range Planning. First, we went over Long Range Planning’s 2025 Docket Workplan, and added PBRS review to it. Page 70 in the agenda; mark 2:28:47 in the recording.
  • The other Long Range Planning discussion was on the Comprehensive Plan Historic Preservation Element and Economic Development Element review and discussion, beginning on page 71 of the agenda, mark 2:43:33 in the recording. The Board decided to use the recently-adopted CEDS as our starting point for review and discussion instead of using the 2016 Economic Development Element.
  • The agenda for the July 17^th work session is here. On that agenda: discussion of the County’s 2025 legislative priorities, and the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and Clean Water Utility (CWU).
• Island Transit. The Board of Directors for Island Transit met this morning. All three County Commissioners serve on this board, and I continue to serve as Acting HR Director until a replacement is selected.
  • We discussed Sunday bus service, which was implemented earlier this year. Sunday service is working well on Whidbey, less so on Camano.
  • We discussed proposed service changes to be effective in September. We’re working to establish more consistent schedules that reduce the number of drivers needed. We will finalize the service changes at our August 2^nd Board meeting.
  • August 2^nd will open the public comment period for the newest draft of our Transit Development Plan (TDP). I will provide you a link as soon as I have one.
  • We discussed the 2023 wage study.
  • We selected a recruiting firm for our search for a new Executive Director.
  • Island Transit will hold a special session next Friday, July 19, to discuss our vision for the agency and expectations for our next Executive Director.

• Next Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm, July 16, the Board of Health will meet. The agenda is here; the zoom link is here. On that agenda: A review of the regional Washington State Department of Health office and collaborative approach with local public health departments; and a review of the water quality management of Group A Water Systems.
• The Commissioners are taking applications for new members of the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) and Ebey’s Trust Board. If you’re interested, contact Jennifer Roll, j.roll@islandcountywa.gov, for more information.
• 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. The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be held Wednesday, July 17^th, at 6 pm. On that agenda: a discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units and the Housing Element of the comp plan.
  • I encourage you to join and participate in the Comprehensive Plan Update public engagement website: https://www.islandcounty2045.com/
  • Clinton Sub Area Plan Outreach
    • July 24, 4:30-6 pm, Clinton Sub Area Plan Workshop at the Clinton Community Hall 
  • Summer Festivals
    • July 25 & 26, all day, Whidbey Island Fair 
    • July 13 & 14, all day, Hydro’s for Hero’s 
    • Sept. 7, time TBD, NASWI Base Open House
• Eligible organizations still have until 4:30 on July 31 to complete their Lodging Tax Facilities Grant Program (LTAC) applications for 2025 event funding. We have a great new online fillable application.

• Speaking of LTAC funds, there’s a nice video of Langley’s amazing drone show from last weekend.
• Cama Beach State Park – Special Commission Meeting. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting to hear a staff report and public comments on whether to reopen the cabins where they currently sit at Cama Beach. No action will be taken during the special meeting.
  • Winter storms damaged the seawall, and significant portions of the septic system failed. Repairs will require extensive ground disturbance in the park, which has known environmental and cultural complexities. Please refer to the Cama Beach Project Webpage for more information. 
  • The meeting will begin promptly at 6 p.m. on Mon., July 15, at Stanwood High School Commons, 7400 272nd St NW, Stanwood, WA 98292. The meeting is expected to last until about 9 p.m. Public comment will be limited to two minutes per speaker. This will be the only opportunity for oral comment on this item.
• The Island County Historical Society is featuring free Porch Stories on Wednesday afternoons through the summer, on the porch of the Island County Museum in Coupeville. Check out this link to see which ones most interest you.
• Island County Departments of Public Health and Emergency Management have resources and suggestions for citizens experiencing extreme heat.
• A fun way to spend time on the beach AND serve your community this upcoming Fall is to join WSU’s CLCP volunteers doing beach clean-up. Shotgun wad litter remains a big problem.
• August 8, 2024, 2 pm, Coupeville High School: 50^th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War. If you are a US veteran of any branch of the military who was on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, Representative Rick Larsen wants to honor your service as a Vietnam Era veteran by providing you with the Vietnam Veteran lapel pin and a copy of the President’s proclamation. We hope that all qualified veterans will join us in this recognition event, scheduled to last from 2 – 3 pm on August 8 in the Coupeville High School auditorium. To join our mailing list or ask questions, reach us at info@whidbeyvet.org.
• You can find all of my newsletters since January 2023 here.
• If I am well on Monday, I will return to my regular “Mondays with Melanie” schedule. Cedar & Salt in Coupeville, 1:30 – 2:30; Wi Fire Community Space in Freeland, 3 – 4.

Melanie

“My relationship with my body has changed. I used to consider it as a servant who should obey, function, give pleasure. In sickness, you realise that you are not the boss. It is the other way around.”

~ Federico Fellini

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