MELANIE BACON: A Message from Commissioner Bacon (Mar. 24, 2023)

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., Mar. 24, 2023.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 12^th week of 2023.

• Regular Session. You can find the agenda for this week’s Tuesday’s meeting here.
  • Public Comment this week focused on animal welfare, fireworks, and climate change. Public Comment begins at 00:01:20 in the recording.
  • We approved four resolutions this week:
    • C-21-23 (consent agenda): Certification of the Island County Personal Property Inventory for 2022
    • C-22-23 (consent agenda): Initiating a County Road Project designated as Ault Field Road/Goldie Road Traffic Signal Improvements
    • C-23-23 (consent agenda): Approving Plans & Specifications and Authorizing Call for Bids for 2023 Camano Island Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
    • C-24-23 (regular agenda): Adopting Updated Island County Public Records Disclosure Policy. This policy update changes the internal process used by departments for responding to PRRs; it does not change the process used by citizens.
  • We delegated authority to the Island County Prosecuting Attorney to execute all settlements and distribution agreements for all opioid litigations that we have been pursuing since 2018.
  • The agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting is here.

• Upcoming Public Hearings
  • March 28,  at 10 am: Franchise Renewal PW2022-0075–Bushpoint Tracpark Division #1 for Water Distribution System, Whidbey Island
  • March 28, at 10 am: 2022 Budget Amendment
  • April 18, at 10 am: Franchise Renewal PW2022-0059 – Parkland Water Association Division, Water Distribution System; Plat of Parklane Division #1 & #2; Camano Island
  • Date not yet set: Speed limit schedule change on Maxwelton Road in front of the South Whidbey Primary/Intermediate School
• The Board of Health met this week. The agenda (including the presentations) and the audio recording can be found under March 21, 2023 here.
  • We heard a presentation on “Help Me Grow (HMG)”, a program which looks at the services available to assist the overall health of individuals prenatal – 5 years of age; and “Social Outreach, Adventure, and Resilience (SOAR)”, a local program focused on the mental health of our youth from birth to age 24 (but mostly focused on teenage mental health). The HMG presentation begins on page 26 of the agenda; the SOAR presentation begins on page 34.
  • One of SOAR’s partners is Big Brothers Big Sisters. They do really important work with our youth—and they’re actively looking for mentors and volunteers.
• Reminder: Public Works has scheduled an open house to discuss potential roundabouts in Freeland: Main St at East Harbor Rd, Main St at Harbor Ave, and Harbor Ave at Layton Rd.  They’ll also have materials on potential sidewalk / ADA facilities on Main St. The date / time is Tuesday, April 18^thfrom 5 – 7pm. The meeting is currently scheduled to be held at the Freeland Library meeting room, but I’ve encouraged Public Works to find a larger venue due to the level of interest I’ve heard on the topic. We’ll keep you apprised if the meeting is moved to another location.  
• Reminder: Public Works is in the process of preparing their 6-year Transportation Improvement Program and their 6-year Capital Improvement Program for 2024-2029. They are soliciting suggestions from the public in a variety of areas, including trails, parks, parking, solid waste, and more. They are accepting suggestions through March 28. For more information, see this link.
• Tomorrow, Saturday March 25^thfrom 10 am – noon, the Clinton Community Council is hosting a Community Clean Up at Dan Porter Park in Clinton, to prepare the park for the always-popular Easter Egg Hunt next month. Bring your gloves and small gardening tools if you have them.
• This week’s wildfire safety reminder: Prepare for Wildfire part 4:Strengthen Your Home
  • Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate or make repairs.
  • Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
  • Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
  • Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
• Monday Tea with Melanie happens most Mondays at 3 pm at the WiFire Community Space, 1651 E. Main Street, Freeland. Tea is on me.

Melanie

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

~ Fred Rogers