Local Bank to Handle County Bond for Solid Waste DebtFriday, May 18 2012 - At its May 22 meeting, the San Juan County Council will formally extend its thanks to Islanders Bank for its “excellent proposal” which won the bank the right to purchase the County’s $810,000 general obligation bond. Islander’s bank was founded in San Juan County in 1980 and, though it was acquired by Banner Bank in 2007, it operates under local management and a local board of directors.
“This is a good deal for the council and a good investment for our local bank. It’s genuine ‘win-win’ situation for the people of San Juan County,” said County Administrator Pete Rose.
The proceeds of the bond sale will cover the debt accumulated by the county’s solid waste utility in 2009 and 2010. During that time, the operation faced expensive capital projects required to keep its transfer stations operating; then saw the volume of waste, and its revenue stream, drop dramatically as the economy contracted. (Read full story) Public Discussion Forum May 24 on Orcas with Council Members Miller & FralickTuesday, May 15 2012 - County Council Members Richard Fralick (Dist. 4) and Patty Miller (Dist. 5) will hold a public meeting on Orcas Thursday, May 24 to provide information and get public input on pressing issues now confronting the county. The meeting will begin at 4:00 pm at Fire Protection District #2 at 45 Lavender Lane in Eastsound.
Topics for discussion include on balancing the County budget in the current tough economic times, the Criminal Justice/ Public Safety Sales Tax primary ballot measure, the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Plan Updates.
A question and answer forum will follow the presentations. Other County issues will be discussed as time permits. County Auditor Milene Henley will also be in attendance.
For more information, contact the Clerk of the County Council at (360) 378-2898.
(Read full story)
Council Will Tour Wetlands Monday, May 7Thursday, May 3 2012 - Members of the San Juan County Council will tour three selected wetlands on San Juan Island Monday, May 7 as part of its information-gathering process on issues involved in the Critical Areas Ordinance update (CAO).
The Council will begin the day early, convening at 8:45 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room to review the Planning Commission’s draft of the wetlands section of the CAO. The tour will begin after a short lunch break.
The public is welcome to attend, however parking at some of the locations is limited so individuals are strongly encouraged to car pool. The Council also asks all people attending to show respect for the properties that will be visited and the landowners who are offering access.
Those who wish to follow the Council on the tour should gather in the Council Hearing Room, At 55 Second St. in Friday Harbor at 12:15 p.m. Directions and other information will be provided at that time. The tour is expected to last until approximately 5 p.m.
(Read full story)
Shoreline Form Confusion the result of Lack of CommunicationWednesday, May 2 2012 - San Juan County staff and elected officials received dozens of calls and complaints last week about the difficulty of providing all of the information required on forms labeled “San Juan County Response to Shoreline Inventory Report” many assumed were required County forms with a completion deadline of April 30th.
Neither staff nor Council Members were familiar with the forms and Planner Colin Maycock, who heads the Shoreline Master Program update and is responsible for gathering and organizing comments on the Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report, was not aware of the form’s existence and noted that because it was not a County form, there was no requirement for anyone to fill it out.
Tuesday, the County learned that the form was created by an attorney for the Common Sense Alliance, a local property rights group. Instructions for the form asked shoreline property owners to obtain data CDs from the County and perform a number of tasks, including taking photographs and providing narratives to document the use of their shoreline and to present the information to the Community Development and Planning Office to be time stamped and processed. (Read full story) Food Worker Test and Card Available Both Online and At Health Dept
The online training and testing for Food Worker Cards takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Thursday, Apr 19 2012 - San Juan County Environmental Health Manager Mark Tompkins reports that, to date, he has heard praise from local employers, and no reports of problems from applicants for Food Worker Cards using the online Food Safety training and testing system.
The online system, available in San Juan County since last month enables anyone who needs a Food Worker Card to get the required training, take a test and obtain the card via almost any computer with access to the Internet.
However, the online system requires the applicant to pay a $10 fee via a MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or Bank Debit card and that has been a difficulty for some people.
As a service for people who don’t have a credit or debit card, or simply wish to pay in cash, the County Health and Community Services Department has set up a dedicated computer station for Food Worker Card Applicants at its main office in Friday Harbor.
The computer is available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. on weekdays, except Wednesdays. The training and test generally takes 45 minutes to an hour, so applicants should begin the training no later than 3 p.m. The $10 fee can be paid with cash, check or money order.
The main Health Department Office is located 145 Rhone Street in Friday Harbor. The Internet-based training and test is available at: https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/
(Read full story)WSF Posts Summer Schedule for CommentWednesday, Apr 11 2012 - WSF has posted its proposed summer schedule.
The schedule has been reviewed by both WSF and FAC. There are relatively few changes from last summer: Some 5 or 10 minute adjustments to improve on-time performance, and an additional stop for Shaw in the morning and the afternoon, to streamline operations with respect to loading/unloading.
Summer is many folks' least-favorite ferry schedule, yet does a good job of moving an awful lot of folks to and from and around the islands during the busy summer season.
The summer schedule will be in effect from Sunday, June 17 through Saturday, Sept. 22.
Email comments to the Ferry Advisory Committee and/or WSF Planning
(Read full story)
Deadline for Farm and Business Personal Property Tax Forms: April 30Wednesday, Mar 28 2012 - The Personal Property Tax filing deadline for San Juan County businesses and farmers is approaching.
Farmers and business owners are required to file forms listing their 2012 taxable personal property with the County Assessor’s Office by April 30th. Additionally, farmers must file a farm machinery and equipment exemption form by the end of April or lose the exemption for the year.
The Personal property tax is based on the appraised value of items used in a business or farm and levied at the same rate as the real estate property tax.
Items subject to the tax, and required to be listed on the Assessor’s Personal Property Form; include machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures and supplies. Most licensed road vehicles are not included, but the tax does cover “farm exempt” vehicles and vehicles not normally used for daily travel on the roads such as forklifts and vehicles with heavy equipment like booms or cranes.
(Read full story)
Citizen Volunteers NeededFriday, Mar 16 2012 - The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. The following is a list of current vacancies:
Agricultural Resources Committee - (1) Position
Eastsound Design Review Committee – (1) Position (Architect)
Civil Service Commission – (1) Position
Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee – (3) Positions
Eastsound Plan Review Committee – (2) Positions
Fair Board - (1) Lopez District, (1) Friday Harbor, (1) Shaw District
Human Services Advisory Board - (5) Positions, all Islands
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - (2) Contributors (3) Receivers
Northwest Agriculture Business Center – (1) Lopez Seat
SJC Park Board – (1) Lopez Island
Solid Waste Advisory Committee – (5) Positions
Storm Water Committee – (1) District #5 (East Orcas)
Veterans' Advisory Board - (1) Position (Orcas)
Water Resources Management Committee – (2) Positions
If you are interested in volunteering or would likeinformation, please contact our website: http://www.sanjuanco.com /call our County Council office and ask for Maureen See at 378-2898 /email us at maureens@sanjuanco.com (Read full story)> Spring Hazardous Waste Round-up Dates Set at County Facilities Friday, Mar 2 2012 - San Juan County Public Works has scheduled its Spring Hazardous Waste Round-ups for Islanders who need to dispose of hazardous waste such as fuels, solvents, thinners, oil-based paints and stains, pesticides and other poisons, aerosols, adhesives, wood preservatives, mercury-bearing thermometers, cleaning products and fluorescent light tubes.
This year round-up events are scheduled for:
· SAN JUAN ISLAND: Saturday, April 21st, 10am to 2pm at the County Solid Waste Facility
· ORCAS ISLAND: Saturday, May 5th, 10am to 2pm at the Orcas Island Solid Waste Facility
· LOPEZ ISLAND: Sunday, May 6th, noon to 3 pm, at the Lopez Island solid waste facility.
(Read full story)
Comments on County Solid Waste Plan Due by March 16Monday, Feb 27 2012 - The deadline for public comments on the County’s draft Solid Waste Management Plan is March 16. The draft plan is available for public review on the County website and also at most public libraries and at the Public Works, County Council and other County offices. (Also see frequently asked questions below.)
Planner Elizabeth Anderson suggests that most people may want to read the summary of changes to the collection system written up in Chapter one, then zero in on the chapters to subjects of most interest. Major topics include: Waste Reduction (Chapter 4), Collection (Chapter 5), Administration, including potential costs (Chapter 9), Hazardous Wastes (Chapter 10) and details of upcoming collection and transfer system changes (Chapters 5 & 6).
Public Comments turned in by the deadline will be given to the County Council prior to its review and public hearing on the plan. The exact date of its hearing has not yet been set. (Read full story) No Need for an ADU Permit Lottery Again This YearWednesday, Feb 15 2012 - In past years, demand has handily outstripped the supply of permits to build an Auxiliary Dwelling Unit (ADU) – popularly known as guest houses. The demand was so great that, in 2009, the County Council established procedures for a lottery to insure that the opportunities to apply for the limited number of permits would be handled fairly.
But that was the year when the bottom fell out of the construction market. This year, for the second year in a row, there have not been enough valid applications for ADU construction or conversion permits to require a lottery.
By the February 13 deadline this year, only three valid applications had been submitted for the ten available ADU permits. Each of the three applicants will now have an opportunity to submit an ADU application. The remaining seven permits will be available on a first-come, first served basis.
The number of ADU permits that are made available each year is determined by the number of total building permits issued during the previous year.
(Read full story)
Expanded Hours For Health Dept "Walk-In" ServiceMonday, Feb 6 2012 - San Juan County’s Health and Community Services Director, John Manning, has announced that customer service hours at the Department’s main office in Friday Harbor will be extended effective Monday, February 6.
The office, located at 167 Rhone Street in Friday Harbor, will now be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It will be closed to walk-in visitors on Wednesdays; however Department staff will be available by telephone, e-mail and by appointment.
Last July, budget cuts and a backlog of required office work forced the Department to begin closing its doors to the public at 1:00 p.m. daily - reducing walk-in access to services by 17.5 hours per week. The new schedule adds back about 9 hours.
Manning said his department set the new schedule after reviewing the community’s need for walk-in services, and his department’s workflow.
(Read full story)
Council Seeks Volunteer Candidates for Boards and CommissionsFriday, Feb 3 2012 - County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Click on the "Read Full Story" link below for a list of opportunities.
(Read full story) Brann Cabin Restoration Project Needs Private Donations
The Brann cabin has been stabilized and is getting a new roof.
Thursday, Dec 8 2011 - The San Juan County Parks and Fair Department is hoping to raise approximately $37,000 in private donations or in-kind services and materials to complete the historic Brann Cabin restoration to a fully functional, open to the public, building.
Using funds raised by Friday Harbor school children, County Historic preservation grants, and the Park Fund, the first phase of the project is nearly complete. Log cabin restoration expert David Rogers has squared up and stabilized the 111-year-old cabin, installed a foundation, replaced rotting floor structures,; and made repairs to the loft where Brann’s daughter lived during the early 1900s.
Along the way Rogers found some artifacts – 1919 -1930’s era newspapers used for wallpaper, flattened cans and cardboard from depression-era boxes that had been used for insulation and more wood rot than the project planners had hoped for. Rogers is now putting the finishing touches on the new shake roof.
The Brann Cabin was built on land that is now San Juan County Park, overlooking smallpox bay at the close of the 19 th century. It is believed to be the sole surviving building from San Juan County’s homestead period in its original location that is easily accessible, on public land. It was built by Civil War Veteran Levi Brann of Maine, who came to San Juan Island in 1892. He homesteaded a 92 acre tract of land on the bay and was granted title to the land in 1902. (Read full story) Council Honors County Employees
Council and staff honored employees with a pot luck luncheon on Tuesday, December 6
Wednesday, Dec 7 2011 - At its December 6 th meeting , the San Juan County Council honored County employees who’d reached their 5 th, 10 th, 15 th, 20 th, 25 th, 30 th and 35 th anniversaries of employment the the County.
Chair Lovel Pratt noted that despite lay-offs, mandatory furlough days and other cutbacks in recent years, County employees have worked hard to maintain essential services.
Click Here to view a slide show of the honored employees.
(Read full story)
Council Tries New Format for Public Conversation on CAO November 28Tuesday, Nov 22 2011 - On November 28, the San Juan County Council will conduct a moderated “Conversation” with groups and individuals interested in the update of the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). The special meeting with the full Council will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room in Friday Harbor. Residents will also be able to participate via video link with the Orcas and Lopez public libraries.
“Some members of the public have told us that the standard format for public participation in public hearings and workshops has been too restrictive to deal with this complex issue, so we are going to try something different,” said District 5 Council Member Patty Miller. “This meeting is being organized to let interested people present positive suggestions on some of the most contentious areas of the CAO, then discuss those suggestions with the Council, staff and other members of the public. (Read full story)” Volunteer Positions in San Juan CountyTuesday, Nov 22 2011 - The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. The following is a list of current vacancies:
Agricultural Resources Committee - (3) Positions
Eastsound Design Review Committee – (1) Position (Architect)
Fair Board - (1) Lopez District, (1) Shaw, (1) Friday Harbor
Board of Health – (1) At Large Position
Human Services Advisory Board - (5) Positions, all Islands
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - (2) Contributors (3) Receivers (thru December)
Northwest Agriculture Business Center – (1) Lopez Seat
Open Space Advisory Committee - (2) Positions
SJC Park Board – (1) San Juan Island, (1) Lopez Island
Solid Waste Advisory Committee – (6) Positions
Veterans' Advisory Board - (6) Positions (SJI, Orcas, Lopez)
Water Resources Management Committee – (2) Positions
If you are interested in volunteering or would like information, please contact our website: http://www.sanjuanco.com / call our County Council office and ask for Maureen See at 378-2898 /email us at maureens@sanjuanco.com (Read full story) Annual Revaluations Are Coming To San Juan CountyTuesday, Nov 1 2011 - As of today November 1, 2011, San Juan County has been approved by the Washington Department of Revenue to become an annual revaluation county beginning in 2012. This change should lead to greater equity and uniformity among properties on different islands. Taxpayers should see the effects of the change in the appraisal notices that go out next fall.
County Assessor Charles Zalmanek agrees with some critics of the current system which appraised properties only once during a three of four year cycles. “It has hardly been fair when Orcas Island was last reappraised for tax purposes in 2008, near the top of the real estate market, while other parts of the county were reappraised before or after the peak in market values,” the assessor said.
Current State law allows for counties to perform property tax assessments either on an annual basis or on a cyclical basis not to exceed reappraisal of real property every fourth year. In 2009, the legislature passed a law requiring that by 2014, all counties shall perform revaluations on an annual basis. At that time, about half of the counties in the State were on a cyclical basis of assessments, while the other half were on an annual basis (Read full story). Brann Cabin Restoration Underway
Log cabin restoration expert David Rogers at the Brann Cabin in early October
Monday, Oct 24 2011 - (More pictures available on Brann Cabin Project page.) Restoration work is underway on the historic Brann Cabin, which has overlooked Smallpox Bay and the Haro Strait for more than 100 years in what is now San Juan County Park.
Much of the work is being done using authentic early 1900s tools and building techniques by David Rogers, a specialist in the restoration and preservation of log structures.
The Parks and Fair Department, which is overseeing the renovation, encourages people who are interested in island history and those who would enjoy seeing turn-of-the 19 th century-era restoration in progress, to visit the park.
(Read full story)
The new Buck Bay Bridge is open!
Ribbon Cutting for the new Buck Bay Bridge (from left) County Engineer Rachel Dietzman, Engineer Dan Vekved,Public Works Dir. Frank Mulcahy, County Council Members Patty Miller & Richard Fralick
Thursday, Oct 20 2011 - The new 43-foot Buck Bay Bridge on Orcas has been completed. Traffic began crossing the bridge on Wednesday September 28 at 4:35pm.
The official bridge ceremonies were conducted at noon on October 20 th with County Council Members Patty Miller and Richard Fralick cutting the ribbon. The County's new public works director, Frank Mulcahy was on hand to witness the opening of the first bridge to be built in San Juan County in approximately 40 years.
The new bridge replaces a roadway fill where Cascade Creek flowed through two culverts. The new stream channel is 18 feet wide. The culverts were sometimes overwhelmed by the stream’s flow resulting in flooding of and damage to the roadway. Additionally, the culverts were an obstacle to fish passage.
Razz Construction of Bellingham won the construction contract in April of this year and used several local suppliers and sub-contractors. Final work on vegetation restoration will be complete by 21 October.
A State Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant of $472,000 helped pay for the improvements with the county providing matching funds.
For more project information, contact Dan Vekved at Public Works 370-0504 or danv@sjcpublicworks.org.
(Read full story)
Historic Tharald Homestead Tour Nov 5
The Tharald Historic Homestead on Shaw Island
Tuesday, Oct 18 2011 - The San Juan County Land Bank invites the public to view the Tharald Historic Homestead on Shaw Island Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Boyd Pratt, architectural historian, will be available to provide historical background on the homestead which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is protected by an Historic Preservation Easement held by the San Juan County Land Bank.
The privately owned Tharald Homestead is a pioneer farm on the west side of Shaw Island. It serves as a significant example of early Scandinavian settlement and “Nordic” style architecture within Washington State. It’s one of the best and oldest examples of its kind to survive in San Juan County. For information on the property tour and driving directions call the Land Bank Administrative office at 360-378-4402 or email judyc@rockisland.com
(Read full story) Frank Mulcahy Named Public Works Director 
Frank Mulcahy will become public works director on October 17
Tuesday, Sep 13 2011 - The San Juan County Council today voted to confirm County Administrator Pete Rose’s appointment of Frank Mulcahy of Groton, Connecticut, as the new head of the County’s Public Works Department.
Mulcahy has just concluded a career of more than 20 years with the U.S. Navy. His most recent assignment was as Public Works Director of the Navy’s submarine base in New London, Connecticut.
The San Juan County position came open in April of this year when Jon Shannon stepped down after serving as Public Works Director for 8 years.
In all, 36 candidates were reviewed by the County Administrator, staff, and consultant Lynn Stokesbary of the Prothman Company of Issaquah.
Five finalists were invited here to attend a three-day interview process, which began September 8. Participants included members of the community, a council representative, members of the public works management team, three department heads and the County Administrator.
The newly affirmed Public Works Director holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Military Institute and a Masters in Construction Management from the University of Washington (Read full story). |
Council Votes to Offer Interim Administrator Job to Robert JeanMonday, May 14 2012 - On Friday, May 11, the San Juan County Council voted unanimously to offer the position of Interim County Administrator to Robert Jean of University Place, Washington. In his resume, Jean describes himself as fiscally conservative and “people and results oriented.”
He has more than 30 years experience as a City Administrator or City Manager in small and medium-sized towns in Washington, Oregon and California. He's done two turns in interim administrator positions – in 2010 in Gillette, Wyoming, and most recently in Lake Forest Park, Washington.
If contract negotiations with Jean are successful, he will serve while a replacement is sought for County Administrator Pete Rose, who has resigned effective June 8 to take the position of city administrator in Lake Forest Park.
Jean was one of three finalists for the interim administrator's position.
(Read full story) County Administrator Pete Rose Resigns
County Administrator Rose never had a shortage of work on his desk
Tuesday, May 1 2012 - The San Juan County Council announced today that Administrator Pete Rose has resigned his position, effective June 8, to become city administrator of Lake Forest Park in King County.
In a brief written statement delivered to the council during an executive session this morning, Rose said, “I appreciate the opportunity given to me to serve the County Council and the people of San Juan County. My time with San Juan County has been a continuous learning experience. I hope that I have left this organization a better place.”
“Pete has been a great asset to this County and we all wish him great success in his new position,” said County Council Chair Patty Miller.
Rose began work as San Juan County’s Administrator in July of 2006. He was the first permanent County Administrator hired after the adoption of the County’s home rule charter in November of 2005. His first task was to support the transition of the County Government from a three-person elected commission to a government with a professional administrator and a 6-member policymaking council (Read full story). Health Department Urges: “Cocoon” Island Babies from Pertussis
County Personal Health Manager Susan Leff encourages all residents to keep vaccinations up to date
Friday, Apr 20 2012 - San Juan County Health officials are urging the County’s residents to make sure all adults and older children who come in contact with very young children are immunized against the disease pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough.
County Personal Health Manager Susan Leff noted that many residents of San Juan County, young and old, have suppressed immune systems and depend on “community immunity” to protect their health.
The “Tdap” vaccine, which provides protection from the Pertussis, is covered by most health insurance plans. Children under the age of 19 can also receive publically supplied vaccine through a health care provider at a reduced cost. And to insure that lower income, uninsured residents can be immunized, the San Juan County’s Health and Community Services Department has obtained several doses of the vaccine which it will administer for just the $20 cost of an office visit. (Read full story) As Candidate Filing Week Approaches, Questions about Council Terms RemainThursday, Apr 12 2012 - Candidate filing week will arrive three weeks earlier in 2012 than last year, because of a change in state law.
County offices open for filing this year are Superior Court Judge and County Council District 1 (San Juan South), District 3 (Friday Harbor), and District 4 (Orcas West). To be on the ballot, each candidate must file a declaration of candidacy and pay a filing fee between May 14 and May 18.
The Council elections will take place against the uncertain backdrop of the upcoming November 2012 vote on the Charter Review Commission’s (CRC) recommendations.
One of the CRC’s recommendations would return the County Council to three “whole-island” districts, similar to the old Commissioner districts. The six current districts are designed to be of “nearly equal population. (Read full story)” Critical Areas Ordinance Moving Slowly, but Moving ForwardSunday, Mar 4 2012 - Over the past several years, San Juan County’s update of its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) has had its stops and stumbles; but in the past year it has begun to move steadily toward completion.
The County Council recently progressed through amendments to the general provisions of the ordinance, and the Planning Commission has scheduled a hearing on updates to the contentious Wetlands section of the ordinance at the Grange in Friday Harbor on Tuesday morning, March 6 at 8:30 AM.
The update of the regulations governing activities that affect areas and eco-systems essential to the safety, quality of life and environmental integrity of the County, is mandated by state law. The updating process was begun in 2003 with an original deadline for completion in 2005. (Read full story) $350K Available for Lodging Tax Facility Program GrantsWednesday, Feb 22 2012 - Applications are now being accepted for a total of $350,000 in San Juan County Lodging Tax tourism grants.
The Lodging Tax grant program is financed entirely by a room rental tax collected by the County’s lodging providers. By law, the tax proceeds are dedicated to promoting and enhancing tourism in San Juan County.
Traditionally the bulk of the facilities grant funds have been awarded to the County’s theaters, museums and parks, leaving a relatively small amount available for new projects. However, this year the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) formally announced its desire to earmark a percentage of the total available funds to finance innovative new events or projects. The committee’s funding recommendations will be presented to the County Council for final consideration and approval early this summer.
The Lodging Tax grants to be awarded in 2012 are one-year grants for projects or events that take place during 2013. Only non-profit organizations and government agencies are eligible to apply.
Detailed information, award history and application forms are available on the County’s web site at: http://sanjuanco.com/LTAC . (Read full story) Draft Wetland Section of CAO Available Feb. 15Friday, Feb 10 2012 - After months of discussion with technical experts, on February 15 a revised draft of the wetland amendments to the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) will be released for public review and comment.
Citizens and the San Juan County Council challenged planners to create a “site specific” buffer approach to protecting wetlands. Planning Coordinator Shireene Hale describes creating the draft amendments using that approach as a “monumental task.”
“The primary challenge was to balance accuracy with simplicity, and to properly consider all of the interrelated factors that influence the effectiveness of buffers. Vegetative buffers around wetlands help reduce surface runoff, recharge groundwater, remove pollutants, provide wildlife habitat, and generally protect and support the plants and animals in the wetland,” Hale said.
(Read full story)
San Juan County Offers 2012 Homeowner Septic Inspection ClassesTuesday, Jan 17 2012 - San Juan County Health & Community Services has announced the 2012 schedule for its popular on-site sewage system operation and maintenance workshops for homeowners. During the past three years more than 2600 San Juan County homeowners have attended the free workshops and been certified to inspect their septic systems.
Workshops are scheduled for Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island through September of this year ( see class schedule).
The workshops provide an opportunity for homeowners to earn certification to complete inspections of their on-site sewage systems (septic systems) and avoid the expense of hiring an outside inspector.
The classes also present information on how septic systems function, and how they can be maintained to extend the longevity of the system, reduce expenses and protect the environment.
Homeowners in San Juan County have been required since 2007 to have their septic systems inspected on a regular basis. Gravity systems that are not in designated sensitive areas must be inspected every three years. All other systems, including gravity systems in sensitive areas, require annual inspections.
The class schedule is available online at: http://www.sanjuanco.com/health/ehswaste.aspx or through San Juan County Health & Community Services at 360-378-4474.
(Read full story)
Charter Review Commission Starts Work January 7Thursday, Dec 22 2011 - The San Juan County Charter Review Commission will convene its first meeting at 9:00 A.M. on January 7, 2012, in the County Council Chambers, 55 Second Avenue in Friday Harbor.
The County’s Charter calls for a review by an elected Charter Review Commission after five full years of operation under the new form of government, and at least every ten years thereafter. The County’s home rule charter was adopted by voters in 2005 and put in place in 2006.
At its January 7 meeting, the Commission’s members will select officers, be briefed on its mission and the resources they will have available, and establish ground rules for the Commission’s work.
The 21 members of the Charter Review Commission were elected in the November 8 election. Membership slots were allotted by Council district, with population factored in. Ten members are from districts on San Juan Island, 7 from Orcas, and 4 from Lopez/Shaw. Click Here to view Agenda. (Read full story) Solid Waste Plan Moves ForwardFriday, Dec 9 2011 - The process of revising San Juan County’s solid waste plan has continued in the background during the debate and vote on the ballot issue which will force a change in the way the County’s solid waste is handled.
Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy said this week that he anticipates the changeover from a primarily self-hauled system to a primarily roadside pickup to occur in late summer. But before the changeover occurs, the County Council must adopt and the Department of Ecology (DOE) must approve a revised County Solid and Hazardous Waste plan that accommodates the new system.
The preliminary draft presented to the Solid Waste Committee is now available online at: http://sanjuanco.com/solidwasteplan and at County Libraries (Read full story). Solid Waste Changes? No Sooner than SummerWednesday, Nov 30 2011 - Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy told the San Juan County Council Tuesday that County residents should see changes in the solid waste system around the end of August 2012. The changes follow the November 8 election in which voters rejected a proposal to establish a parcel fee to help fund the financially troubled County solid waste utility.
When the County Council placed the proposed fee on the ballot, its members said that a vote against the new fee would be construed as a vote for “Plan B” – which ends the County utility’s operation of solid waste facilities on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands and moves to a system that will pick up almost all residential trash and recycling at roadside.
Since the vote, the County Public Works Department, a Council subcommittee, and Administrator Pete Rose have been working to flesh out Plan B and come up with a time table.
“It’s not quite as easy as just throwing a switch,” said Mulcahy. “We want to make sure we have a smooth transition to the new system, which means we have to coordinate with a lot of agencies and entities including the County Council, the Department of Ecology, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and -- of course – San Juan Sanitation, the certified hauler that will take over many of the services we now provide. (Read full story)” For the Record: The Closing of Jones Family Farms StoreMonday, Nov 21 2011 - The owner of a small store on Lopez that sells live shellfish frozen seafood, meat and produce has distributed a two page letter to the media, public officials and some organizations, criticizing two County employees by name and blaming San Juan County for forcing him to shut down at the end of the month.
For the record no enforcement action has been filed against Jones Family Farms.
The action that provoked Mr. Jones response was a letter from the County enforcement officer Chris Laws, asking him to contact the County to discuss a land use complaint filed more than two years ago -- which the County has decided not to pursue at this point -- and a concern about the use of an unpermitted structure as a store. (Read full story) Whooping Cough Spreading in San Juan County. Vaccinations UrgedWednesday, Nov 9 2011 - San Juan County Health officials report the Whooping Cough (Pertussis) outbreak is continuing. To date there have been 27 probable and confirmed cases among County residents and health officials urge all residents to take precautions to prevent the disease from spreading further.
Immediate vaccination is highly recommended for children and adults. Residents should contact their health care provider or the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department to arrange for the vaccination.
Despite its reputation as a childhood disease, Pertussis infects people of all ages. In 2005, two-thirds of all diagnosed Pertussis cases were among adolescents and adults. Studies have shown that teens and adults tend to have the disease in its milder form and rarely “whoop” after a coughing spell; however adults can go on to develop pneumonia, broken ribs, and fainting from the severe coughing spells. Even people with mild symptoms can infect others. (Read full story) Preview of Solid Waste Plan ReleasedWednesday, Oct 19 2011 - The San Juan County Public Works Department today released a preliminary draft Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan. It is limited to information that will help voters make an informed decision about the ballot measure which would create a solid waste user charge on developed parcels of land. The proposal is on the November 8, general election ballot.
Major chapters of the draft released today include three chapters projecting how solid waste operations would function in the county with and without the proposed solid waste user charge. The first chapter summarizes and contrasts the two potential systems. The others contain background on the current system and the legal requirements for what a revised and updated Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan must contain.
The draft plan is available online at http://sanjuanco.com/SWMP
(Read full story) Council Adopts Resolution Explaining Solid Waste ChargeMonday, Oct 17 2011 - At its October 11 th meeting, the San Juan County Council devoted more than four hours to defining the issues surrounding the Solid Waste Charge proposal it placed on the November 8 th ballot, and incorporating them into a resolution to inform voters.
The result is the Council’s view of how solid waste will be managed in San Juan County after the election, whether the issue passes or fails. The resolution is available online at: http://sanjuanco.com/SolidWasteOptions .
If approved, the Solid Waste Charge would be assessed on all developed parcels of land, except those within the town of Friday Harbor. The base annual charge for the first year was set at $100 for each residential parcel containing a single family home. The charge is proportionately higher or lower on parcels with different types and amounts of development, based on waste generation studies. (Read full story) 7 Pertussis Cases Reported on San Juan IslandFriday, Oct 7 2011 - There are now 7 confirmed or probable case of pertussis on San Juan Island according to County Health Officer Frank James. Already this year state wide there have been 58 cases in infants less than one year of age 22 have been hospitalize, including one from San Juan. Of the 22 infants that were hospitalized 18 were 3 months of age or younger including two that died.
“Pertussis is a very serious disease in young children and there is no vaccine to protect children under 2 months of age, and the vaccine requires a series of doses to be fully effective” said Dr James. The best way to protect infants is for all adults and children who come in contact with them to get vaccinated. “Community Immunity” is the most important protection there is for babies according to Dr James.
Close contact, particularly now that school is back in session, is one of the main ways that the disease is spread. State Law and School Policy both direct schools to keep children who are susceptible to the disease out of school so that they do not transmit the infection to classmates and school personnel. (Read full story) County Health Dept. Schedules Flu Vaccination ClinicsMonday, Sep 19 2011 - With cold weather and flu season approaching, the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department has scheduled adult flu vaccination clinics on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands.
Health officials note that, because different strains of flu develop and spread each year, protection needs to be updated annually. The Health Department’s clinics offer this season’s “trivalent” flu vaccine and will give residents a chance to update protection against other diseases including pneumonia, tetanus and pertussis.
The clinic dates are:
San Juan Island – Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1-4 P.M. at the Mullis Senior Center (in partnership with San Juan Healthcare) Adults only
Orcas Island – Friday, Oct. 14, 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., Orcas Senior Center
Lopez Island – Tuesday, Oct. 25, 11 A.M. – 3 P.M., at the Lopez Senior Center. (Read full story) Canvass Board dismisses Severson challengeWednesday, Aug 24 2011 - The San Juan County Canvassing Board earlier this week heard a challenge to the candidacy of Laura Jo Severson for Charter Review Commissioner. The Board unanimously determined that the candidate does meet eligibility requirements for the office, and dismissed the challenge to her candidacy.
The Charter, adopted by the voters in 2005, requires that five years after adoption the County Council call for election of a Charter Review Commission. Candidates for Charter Review Commissioner filed as candidates in June; the commission will be elected in the upcoming general election in November. The purpose of the CRC is to determine the adequacy and suitability of the Charter to the needs of the County. It may propose amendments to the Charter, which would be voted on at the next general election.
The Charter requires that candidates for Charter Review Commission “must be registered voters who have been residents of the County for at least five (5) years preceding their election.” The challenge, submitted by Shari and Harold Harrison, alleged that Ms. Severson does not meet the five-year residency requirement.
(Read full story) Local Election ResultsWednesday, Aug 17 2011 - After the Counting Tuesday night, 55% of the ballots Counted in the San Juan Island Library Levy election favored the 12 cent levy lid-lift to support its library.
In the Port of Lopez primary contest for District 2 Commissioner, Suzanne Berry finished the evening with a 42 vote lead over Stephen K. Adams. Berry and Adams will be on the ballot November General Election Ballot. Third place finisher Ken Knutsen received slightly less than 17% of the votes.
The Elections Department received ballots from 45.2% of the voters eligible to vote on the two islands. 2642 ballots were cast on the San Juan Island issue. 714 ballots were cast on Lopez.
Official ballot counts are posted on the County Elections Page (Read full story). Land Bank Renewal Qualifies for November BallotThursday, Aug 11 2011 - The Land Bank renewal petition for has been certified by County Auditor Milene Henley for inclusion on the November general election ballot.
Pursuant to RCW 82.46.070, a group of local citizens calling themselves “Renew Our Land Bank” circulated a petition to place the renewal of the Land Bank real estate excise tax on the ballot.
Of the 2,670 signatures submitted, 1,160 were checked by the County Elections Office. Of those, 1,005 were valid signatures. The Elections Office stopped checking at that point, as only 938 signatures—10% of the voters who voted in the last general election—were required.
The validation means that County voters will have an opportunity in November to vote “yes” or “no” on a proposal to renew for another 12 years a 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of real estate in San Juan County. The tax supports the acquisition and maintenance of conservation areas managed by the County’s Land Bank.
(Read full story); San Juan County secures 50-year lease on Odlin South property Friday, Jul 8 2011 - San Juan County has just concluded a 50-year lease with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the Odlin South school trust land on Lopez. The state paid DNR $1,096,000 through the Trust Land Transfer Program for the lease. These funds will be in turn used for school capital projects around the state. There was no cost to the county in the transaction.
The lease was negotiated by the San Juan County Land Bank. The property will be managed by the San Juan County Parks Department. (Read full story)
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State Calls Pertussis “Epidemic.” Vaccination Clinics Scheduled HereFriday, May 18 2012 - A new report from the Washington Department of Health shows reported cases of pertussis this year jumped by 200 in a single week in early May, to a total of 1484. That is more than ten times the number of cases reported in the state during same period last year.
The San Juan County Health Department reports probable cases have been identified on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands, but as yet the infection rate is low.
“Normally, the number of cases subside during the summer months, but it returns with a vengeance in the fall,” said County Personal Health Services Manager Susan Leff. She noted that between September 1 and December 31 of last year, San Juan County had 51 cases of the disease, two requiring hospitalization.
Pertussis, sometimes called “whooping cough” is a highly infectious respiratory illness that can be deadly to young infants. It is spread by sneezing and coughing. More information on the disease is available at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/
“During an epidemic, we worry most about newborns because they are most vulnerable to complications and lack vaccine-protection,” Leff said.
Vaccine is highly effective at protecting individuals from Pertussis. Leff advises parents to make sure their children are vaccinated and all adults over 19 years of age need a one-time booster “Tdap” shot. Babies under 6 months of age are too young for the vaccine, so it is important that everyone who comes in contact with them to be vaccinated.
To help all adults get vaccinated and build community immunity, the San Juan County Health Department is offering a series of Tdap drop-in clinics with extended hours at County public health clinics: Sliding scale pricing is available at all clinics.
Friday Harbor - May 29th 2-6pm
Lopez - May 29th 1-6pm
Orcas - May 31st 11-6pm
Appointments for vaccination and more information are available from the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department at 378-4474.
(Read full story)
Criminal Justice/Public Safety Sales Tax on August Primary BallotThursday, May 10 2012 - On Tuesday, May 8, the San Juan County Council voted unanimously to place a three-tenths of one percent sales tax increase proposal on the August 7 primary election ballot. Revenue raised from the tax would be used to protect existing law enforcement, court and public safety services as the County faces continuing cutbacks.
In County Administrator Pete Rose’s latest report on the County’s finances, he projected that – without new sources of revenue – County revenue would fall short of the level needed to just maintain services at the previous year’s level for each of the next six years.
More than 43% of the County’s operating budget is spent supporting District and Superior Courts, the Prosecutor’s office, probation, emergency services dispatch and the Sheriff’s office. In sending the proposed sales tax increase to the voters, the Council earmarked the new revenue to insure that substantial cuts do not have to be made to those budgets.
The Friday Harbor Town Council voted to support the tax, for its purposes, on April 26. It plans to use its share of the tax revenue for public works projects as well as criminal justice and public safety projects (Read full story). Mount Baker Project Walk May 3 Wednesday, Apr 25 2012 - (Public Works Dept release) San Juan County Public Works Department will host an Informational field walk on the Land Bank’s Stonebridge Preserve which will be affected by the Mount Baker Road and Trail Improvement projects.
The informational field walk will be held rain or shine on Thursday, May 3 , 2012 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on the first parcel West of Terrill Beach Road on the North side of Mt Baker Road. Please park off the road at OPALCO’s Generator Plant, traffic control will be provided.
Public Works engineers will explain the design of the road and new trail, the projects’ impact on traffic and on areas adjoining the road, cost, right-of-way acquisition, wetland mitigation and will be ready to answer questions. Land Bank Commissioners will also be on hand to tour the Preserve and receive feedback. Construction of the Mount Baker Road and Trail Improvement projects is scheduled for this summer.
(Read full story) Sheriff, Deputy Prosecutor Receive Safety Award
Sheriff Rob Nou and Deputy Prosecutor Kim McClay were congratulated at Tuesday's County Council Meeting
Thursday, Apr 19 2012 - On Wednesday, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission honored San Juan County Sheriff Rob Nou and Deputy Prosecutor Kim McClay with Target Zero Traffic Safety Awards for their work in tackling the problem of impaired and drunken drivers on the County’s roads.
Target Zero has the ambitious goal of eliminating traffic fatalities in the state by 2030 and a major part of the effort focuses on getting impaired drivers off the road. The statewide awards are given to a wide range of community leaders, law enforcement personnel, engineers and others who “go beyond their job duties” to improve safety on the road.
During this past year, the Sheriff and Ms. McClay arranged for every San Juan County Sheriff’s deputy to receive specialized training in investigating DUI cases, administering field sobriety tests, dealing with situations in which drivers refuse to take a breath test, and writing effective reports - all aimed at helping in the prosecution of crimes ranging from DUI to Vehicular Homicide.
(Read full story)
Charter Review Commission Appears Settled on Full Time County ComissionThursday, Apr 5 2012 -
(CRC News Release) The next meeting of the San Juan County Charter Review Commission (CRC) is on Saturday April 7th at Grace Episcopal Church in Lopez village from 8am to 3pm (with a break for lunch). Public input is welcomed and there is time set aside for comments at 8:30am and again at 12pm (after lunch). The CRC is charged with reviewing the Charter “to determine its adequacy and suitability to the needs of the County.” Proposed changes will be put on the ballot for the public to vote on in November.
The March 31st meeting of the CRC on San Juan was a working session in which the CRC approved draft language for changes to the Charter. The language addressed a three-member council elected countywide from each of three districts and an administrator who works for the County Council and is charged with assisting them in carrying out the administrative responsibilities of the County.
The CRC also adopted, by majority vote, a draft transition plan, which calls for special countywide elections in February (the primary) and April (the general) to elect the three-member Council.
Members of the CRC who had attended the recent meeting of the Citizens’ Salary Commission reported their observations and a committee was established to make proposals regarding the setting of elected officials’ salaries and to address the issue of interim salaries for Council members elected in April 2013 (if the proposed changes are accepted by the voters in 2012). They were also tasked with providing a draft job description for County Council members that may be useful in determining appropriate salaries.
The CRC also considered, but did not adopt, a motion that would prohibit any County Council member from serving as Administrator for two-years after the termination of their term. The Charter language proposals already adopted, prohibit any County Council member from becoming Administrator during the term to which they were elected.
Another motion considered, and referred to committee, sought to clarify the budget authority under the charter, creating the title of Chief Financial Officer, which would serve at the will of the Council and be responsible for budget preparation. The Auditor would hold this title unless the County Council decided to assign it elsewhere. There was much discussion, but the motion was not voted on at this meeting.
The working model of the CRC includes a three-member full-time commission with legislative and administrative authority, a professional County Administrator directly responsible to the elected commission, countywide non-partisan elections and maintains the powers of initiative, referendum and mini-initiative. Upcoming meetings will address the allocation of budget authority, setting the salaries of elected officials, the job description of County Council members and whether to propose changes to the Hearing Examiner system. Findings supporting the working-model are available at the CRC website: www.sanjuanco.com/committees/charterreview.
The website also contains documents considered in the review and the schedule of meetings. The April 14th meeting is at the Orcas Hotel from 8am to 3pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meetings and to contact any member of the Commission to voice their opinions (e-mails sent to crc@sanjuanco.com will be received by all of the CRC members).
(Read full story)> San Juan County Healthiest in the StateTuesday, Apr 3 2012 - According to a national study, San Juan County rates best in the state in six broad health categories: mortality, morbidity, health factors, health behaviors and clinical care. The study also ranked San Juan 2nd among the state’s 39 counties in Social and Economic Factors.
The study was performed by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood John Foundation.
Areas where San Juan County ranked below the state average was percentage of children living in poverty (20% vs 18% statewide) , excessive drinking (21% vs 17%), adults without health insurance (19% vs 18%) and people unable to see a doctor due to cost (14% vs 13%).
(Read full story)
Look for Mount Baker Road and Trail Improvement Project Construction This SummerTuesday, Mar 20 2012 -
The final phase of the Mount Baker Road improvement project on Orcas Island is scheduled go to bid his spring, with construction taking place during the summer. The project includes road safety improvements, wetland restoration and construction of a pedestrian trail.
The Public Works Department is supervising the design, right-of-way acquisition and permitting process.
The upgrade will increase the width of the road between North Beach Road and Terrill Beach Road by 10 feet so the road will now be 30 feet wide including 4-foot shoulders. The Terrill Beach Road intersection will be improved to increase visibility for vehicles turning left across Mt Baker to Terrill Beach Road. Drainage will be enhanced by replacing cross culverts, raising portions of the road, and improving or installing ditches. “Narrow Area Vegetated Filter Strips” will filter and treat stormwater to improve the quality of runoff water.
The project also includes a 5-foot wide pedestrian trail leading from North Beach Road to the Land Bank Stonebridge Preserve access gate where it will connect to a new parking area and trailhead for a new Land Bank primitive interpretive trail. The trail will be surfaced with pervious concrete to Buck Park, then gravel the rest of the way.
(Read full story)
There is Still Time to Comment on Solid Waste PlanFriday, Mar 9 2012 - San Juan County’s solid waste utility staff has begun reviewing public comments on the February 7 draft of the Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Plan. ( http://sanjuanco.com/swmp).
Planner Elizabeth Anderson said that many of the early comments focus on the conversion from a primarily self-haul to a primarily route-based collection system on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands.
Though County staff will accept any comments that are submitted until the moment the Council adopts the plan, staff urges interested citizens to provide their comments before March 16 to insure the content can be included in its first report to the County Council. The Council will begin its discussion of the plan on Monday, March 19, and will continue at its March 20th regular session.
The plan document, with the Council’s revisions, must be judged adequate by the Department of Ecology before the County can formally adopt it. The target date for adoption is August of 2012.
Comments should be addressed to:
Elizabeth Anderson, AICP
Solid Waste Program Planner
mailto:elizabetha@sjcpublicworks.org
P. O. Box 729
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-370-0531
(Read full story)
The Flu Hangs On - Be Careful with the KidsFriday, Mar 2 2012 - The San Juan County Health Department reports that the current flu season is the latest in decades.
Three regions in the US are reporting elevated levels of flu including one pediatric influenza related death last week. Friday Harbor and Orcas are still reporting elevated levels of flu this last week. The flu outbreak is not as large on Lopez Island
(Read full story)
Derelict Vessel Program Update
The vessel Bear in Deer Harbor
Wednesday, Feb 15 2012 - (Release from SJC Auditor) Derelict vessels are more than an eyesore in San Juan County: they are a risk to the environment, public health and navigation. So when San Juan County gave up its Derelict Vessel program in 2009 because of lack of funding, it was a disappointment to a lot of people. But some local advocates never gave up.
In 2010, Terry Whalen of A-1 Marine Services spoke to the County Council and to many community groups about the possibility of bringing it back. Over time, a consortium of community groups, led by the Friday Harbor Power Squadron and including Roche Harbor Resort, the San Juan Island Yacht Club, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Marine Resources Committee, Jensen Shipyard, Island Marine Center on Lopez, the Common Sense Alliance, and the Friends of the San Juans, all agreed to contribute money or services to a joint effort to support the County in managing derelict vessels.
The group agreed to pay half the County’s out-of-pocket expenses to run the program. With that support, San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley led the charge at the County level, and the program was reinstated with a $10,000 budget, on the assumption that $5,000 of that would be paid by the local citizen group. (Read full story) Health Department Reports: The Flu Has ArrivedFriday, Feb 10 2012 - Flu has arrived on San Juan Island and is starting to appear on Lopez island as well, according to the San Juan County Health Department. The department monitors the County’s schools for signs spreading communicable disease and it reported that there is no doubt that flu season has arrived.
Fourteen children suffering flu-like symptoms were sent home from Friday Harbor Elementary School on Thursday. Eighteen Friday Harbor high school students were also out of school with the flu.
For those who have been putting off getting a flu shot, San Juan County’s Personal Health Services Manager Susan Leff says – get your shot now, cover your cough, wash your hands often, and, if you’re feeling sick, stay home to avoid infecting others (Read full story). Charter Review Commission Favors 3-Member, Full-TIme CouncilTuesday, Jan 31 2012 - (Release from CRC) The next meeting of the San Juan County Charter Review Commission (CRC) is on February 4th at the San Juan Grange from 8am to 2pm (with a break for lunch). Public input is welcomed and there is time set aside for it early at 8:30 again at noon. At this meeting the CRC will hear presentations from current and past San Juan County department heads.
The CRC members were elected in November 2011 and began meeting in early January 2012. This board of 21 San Juan County voters is charged with reviewing the Charter “to determine its adequacy and suitability to the needs of the County.” Changes that they propose will be put on the ballot for the public to vote on in November. The schedule of meetings through March can be found at the CRC website (Read full story). Eastsound Constructed Wetland Completed
Eastsound Wetland will let pollutants settle out of stormwater runoff before it reaches marine waters
Wednesday, Dec 7 2011 - After seventeen years, the Eastsound Constructed Wetland is complete.
The County purchased the 0.9-acre “Mount Property” next to the Village Green in 1994 to create a facility to treat surface water runoff. During the next 12 years, a number of studies were completed to evaluate stormwater treatment options best suited for the site. The final concept was designed into a three phased project.
A grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, funded the construction of phase 1 in 2010. That phase included the installation of pipe from the treatment facility to Fishing Bay. Phase 2 was just completed with the installation of the constructed wetland treatment facility. The final phase of the project, planned for 2012, will include piping to convey stormwater runoff from A Street, and part of the Prune Alley and North Beach Road drainages, into the constructed wetland.
(Read full story)
Mosely, FAC Invite Public Participation in Dec 1 Meeting on Ferry ServiceWednesday, Nov 30 2011 - Washington State Ferries will hold a public meeting on Thursday Dec. 1 from 5:30-7:00 PM at the County Council Chambers, 55 2nd Street in Friday Harbor.
This meeting, meant for both the San Juans and Anacortes, will be streamed live from the county website, http://sanjuanco.com/council/video.aspx#mode.live
David Moseley, Assistant Secretary for Transportation and head of WSF, will attend along with members of his management team, and will make a presentation on state and local ferry issues. There will be ample opportunity for questions and feedback, either in person or via email for those watching the video.
(Read full story) Administrator Presents Preliminary Budget Proposal to Council
Administrator Pete Rose presents the preliminary 2011 County budget to the County Council
Tuesday, Oct 18 2011 - San Juan County Administrator Pete Rose began his budget message by saying, “A funny thing happened on the road to recovery” and proceeded on through nine pages of bad news.
He noted that the 2012 will be the County’s fourth consecutive year of cutbacks and the workforce in the County’s general fund departments, which have been reduced from 154 to 131.3 over the past four years will probably shed another three full-time equivalent jobs.
“We have spent three years trying to hold the core of the county government together,” Rose said. “We are not able to do that in this budget. Previous reductions have harmed the effectiveness of the county organization. The reductions proposed in this budget harm the organization itself and its capacity to deliver its services in the affected departments.”
He added that the cutbacks are “Destined to frustrate citizens and burn out staff.”
The County’s economy has not rebounded as quickly as anticipated. The County’s share of the Retail sales tax has dropped from $4.02 million in 2008 to a projected $3.56 million in 2011. At the beginning of the 2011 budget year, the County anticipated $1.17 million in building and land use permit revenue and has to reduce that estimate by nearly 40%.
The 2012 Preliminary Budget Book is available online at: http://sanjuanco.com/2012Budget
(Read full story) SJC Council, Administration Find Video Conferencing Effective
County Administrator Pete Rose speaks to both a live and video audience Thursday.
Friday, Sep 30 2011 - Video conferencing is making citizen access to government and management’s interaction with County employees easier and more cost effective in San Juan County.
On Thursday, County Administrator Pete Rose led two, 90-minute meetings with employees to discuss the County’s financial status and take questions. Though County employees gathered in five separate locations on the three islands where they work, Rose never left the County Legislative Building.
Thursday’s all-employee meeting was the largest trial so far of the County’s video conferencing capability, and Rose called it a success.
“We value interaction with our staff,” Rose said, “but the tough logistics have kept us from doing enough of it on an all-staff basis.”
Rose added that video conferencing the meeting saved both time and money. “We undoubtedly saved a couple of hundred employee-work hours because we didn’t have to transport dozens of people by ferry or boat, and we didn’t have to rent a meeting space that could hold the entire staff.”
San Juan County began looking seriously at video conferencing about four years ago, as a way to dealing with the challenge of communicating with staff and citizens in a community of islands. Given ferry schedules, a resident living on Lopez Island who wanted to offer five minutes of testimony at a Council hearing often had to spend more than a half day traveling and waiting for ferries.
(Read full story) San Juan Islands Scenic Byway Wins New Federal FundingThursday, Aug 25 2011 - (From the SJI Visitors Bureau) The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway Partnership is proud to announce two recent National Scenic Byways Program awards to continue their work on Washington State’s newest scenic byway, as funded through the Federal Highway Administration.
The first is a branding and wayfinding signage grant to mark the actual byway driving routes on Orcas and San Juan Islands, as well as the marine/ferry route from Anacortes, for $33,190.
The second grant, which was announced jointly on August 17 by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation, is to explore transportation alternatives for traveling the Byway, namely a shuttle pilot project, for $171,680. Both grants must be matched by 20% in local, in-kind services.
(Read full story) Council asks Voters to Decide: Solid Waste Plan A or Plan B?Friday, Aug 12 2011 - On November 8th, voters in San Juan County will choose between two alternative ways of providing and funding recycling and solid waste disposal services. The County Council formally agreed this week to forward the choice to the voters.
County Council Solid Waste Subcommittee Chair Patty Miller noted that both alternatives would change the current solid waste system because, “The economics of the current system have failed.”
The amount of solid waste brought to San Juan County waste facilities has declined each year since 2007. The reasons for the decline are not entirely clear, but nationally, decreases in solid waste volume have been attributed to the economic recession that has slowed construction, reduced the cash available for discretionary purchases, and – in some part – to a stronger participation in reuse and recycle programs.
Adding to the decline here, increases in fees charged at County solid waste facilities caused the Town of Friday Harbor to pull out of the County system and haul its garbage directly to the mainland.
San Juan County has unique challenges in handling solid waste because it is comprised of islands, only some of which are served by ferries. For several decades, the County has addressed those challenges by servicing its communities through solid waste facilities on each of its three largest islands. Each of these facilities has substantial fixed costs for maintaining infrastructure and staff. Mainland communities, whose waste systems have a similar or even much larger customer base, are able to provide service with a single facility.
Reductions in the volume of garbage here have created a critical situation because the solid waste program relies almost entirely on income from fees based on the weight or volume of the waste brought to its facilities. For many years this revenue was sufficient to cover costs.
Now, because of the declining volume of waste and increasing costs for state-mandated capital improvements, the economics of the system have failed. In the past three years, despite cuts in staff and service hours, the system’s expenditures have exceeded revenue by more than $1 million. In March 2011, the Council agreed to prepare a ballot measure that would give the citizens of San Juan County a choice of how solid waste services will be delivered and paid for. (Read full story) |