ISLAND COUNTY: A Message from Commissioner Bacon (MELANIE BACON/Jul. 14, 2023)

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., Jul. 14, 2023.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 28^th week of 2023.

• Regular Session.  The agenda and recording for the July 11^th regular session can be found here.
  • The Board of Island County Commissioners take public comments during our Tuesday meetings. This week the public had comments on animal welfare, LIHI, a Clinton hoarder house, an idea for a tiny home village, and concerns about homelessness. Public comment begins at mark 00:18:22 in the recording
  • Sheriff Felici responded to some of the concerns. His comments can be found at mark 00:40:47, followed by Board response.
  • Resolution No. C-38-23 approved (consent agenda): Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Call for Bids for Bonnie View Acres Road South Outfall.
  • Public Hearing scheduled: Ordinance C-39-23, Regulating Parking on County Roads and Amending Island County Code Title X, Chapter 10.02. August 8, 2023, at 10:00 am.
  • The Board approved the management contract with the Holmes Harbor Activity Club for the Freeland Hall, mark 01:04:59 in the recording.
  • The agenda for the July 18^th regular session is here. On the agenda: two public hearings. (1) Resolution No. C-35-23: Adopting of Island County’s Six-year Transportation Improvement Program for the Years 2024-2029; and (2) Resolution No. C-36-23: Adopting of Island County’s Six-year Capital Improvement Program for the Years 2024-2029

• Work Session. The agenda for the Wednesday, July 2^th work session can be found here; the audio is here. If you want to fast forward to the conversation I note below you will need to download the audio instead of just streaming it, which you can do by clicking on the three dots at the right end of the streaming dashboard and clicking “download”. Depending on your internet access, this download may take a while.
  • The first item on the agenda was a discussion of the award recommendations for the Document Recording Fee and Consolidated Homeless Grant funds.
  • The Broadband discussion on the agenda was moved to a future meeting.
  • Most of the discussions with departments this week were updates on their 2023 work plans.
  • We discussed holding a public meeting with local builders to hear their thoughts on the permit process, issues, and possible solutions. This meeting will probably occur in the fall. Mark 1:08:04 in the recording.
  • The agenda for next week’s work session is here. Some of the items on that work session agenda: Clean Water Utility projects; a discussion of the findings from the Boat Ramp Evaluation study; Marshall Drainage Basin and Surface Water Utility financing discussion; follow-up on the Rural County Economic Development (RCED) Applications received from the City of Oak Harbor; Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) Harbor Inn Project update.
• The Board of Health will meet next Tuesday at 1 pm (Zoom link). Public Health will give a presentation on the County’s COVID After Action Review report.
• Community Outreach Meeting, South Whidbey Industrial Park (Crawford Road): Island County invites the public to a community outreach meeting next Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bayview Fire Station #36. Island County Public Works will be available to discuss the project, receive community input and answer any questions that you may have. The project is currently in options development and information gathering stage, with the goal to provide public access to the light industrial zoned portion of Crawford Rd (private road).
• Needed:  A Diking District #4 resident who is willing to serve on the Board of Appraisers, for assessments regarding maintenance for parcels within Diking District #4.  This Board of Appraisers will probably be made up of the Public Works Director, the Assessor, and a district resident.  The Board of Appraisers will meet once to discuss apportionment of the schedule of assessments, and would also attend a public meeting near the District to provide information and take public comments. If you are a Diking District #4 resident interested in serving on this temporary Board, please let me know.
• Next Tuesday, July 18, from 4 – 7, the Freeland Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Freeland 4 Corner Fun Business After Hours” at the corners of Harbor and Main. Meet business owners and enjoy snacks, drinks, activities, and special deals.
• Next Friday, July 21, from 10 – 2, the Island County Marine Resources Committee and the NW Straits Foundation are hosting a stewardship event to continue the great work at the Hoypus Point and Cornet Bay Restoration sites. Called “Weeding for Whales”, they will be focusing on weeding at Hoypus Point and then checking in on Cornet Bay. They will head down to the Hoypus Point site from the State Park boat launch shortly after 10:00 am.  If interested, RSVP: k.zupich@islandcountywa.gov or 360-678-2349.
• If you haven’t yet participated in the Ferry Riders Opinion Group’s (FROG) latest poll on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s fare proposal, this is your chance. They tell us that our opinions will inform future fare decision making.
• Speed Study Meetings—location for North Whidbey meeting changed from last week.
  • In 2022 Island County began reviewing the existing posted speed limits county-wide to provide an engineer’s recommended speed limit, based on data analysis and land use within the areas of review. Historically, data points (including the 85% and 50% percentile), Average Daily Traffic (ADT), collision history and engineering judgement have provided the recommendation for a posted speed limit.  The current project also considers development density and pedestrian and bicycle use. Now the County is seeking public input into the draft. Four area-specific meeting locations and times for you to review the print-outs of the findings and discuss them with staff are scheduled:
  • North Whidbey – Taylor Road Fire House July 26th 4:30 PM -5:30 PM
  • Central Whidbey – Coupeville Rec Hall September 20^th, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  • South Whidbey – Trinity Lutheran Church August 23rd. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  • Camano Island – The Multi-Purpose Room located next to the Camano Annex building Sept 12th 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
• Due to travel for a family celebration, Monday Tea with Melanie will not be held again until Monday, July 24.

Melanie

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.”

~Anthony Brandt