April 2nd: Fundraiser For Stormwater Legal Costs

The County Council has released their long awaited draft stormwater ordinance, and for some it is already being called a step backward (letter to Councilman Petersen) from the original stormwater funding ordinance that resulted in expensive legal action by citizens opposed to it, and then by the County Council who in response to the filing of the first county initiative, attempted to keep the matter from coming to a vote of the people.

A fund raising party by supporters of the initiative that killed the first funding ordinance has been scheduled for Wednesday the 2th, both as a celebration of the initiative, and also as a means to pay off the legal bill that Alex Gavora incurred as a result of walking in and simply filing the initiative -an act that resulted in her being sued by the County Council.
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“Normal” Service Will Resume -WSD Director Moseley

(David Moseley and Jayne Davis of WSF answer questions from the public)

David Moseley has been the Washington State Ferries Director for only eight days, but he made time on Wednesday (3-12-08) to come to San Juan County to answer questions from the County Council, invited members of the Friday Harbor Town Council, and members of the SJC Ferry Advisory Committee.

Moseley made note In his introductory remarks that while he comes to the job with over thirty years of public administration and management experience, he is without any prior maritime experience, but indicated he was selected for the position based on Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond’s goal of bringing leadership and management abilities “to move the ferry system forward and restore the public trust and confidence in the ferry system.”

Like all good managers, Moseley had already drawn up a list of priorities, which he shared with the assembly. The first was to build new boats; a process that is already underway; but under some direct questioning, Moseley said the first boat new boat that will be ready for service in San Juan County is now only in the design stage, and will not sail for at least two, or three, years.

His second priority is the maintenance of the existing boats, with a goal of resuming normal service by early fall of this year. The Council did not ask for a definition of “normal”, so it was not clear if the fall will bring steady and consistent service, or only that there will be the normal number of boats with the normal amount of capacity assigned to the SJC runs.

The third goal is to continue to work with the various state committees and commissions to meet the goals set out in the passage of the so-called “ferry Bill” by the state legislature; goals that are to be met by 2009. Related to this is his forth goal of meeting and working with local communities and groups; a process he said that his type of management style.

The Council had prepared two “action needed” requests, the first was to “fund an independent economic analysis of the relationship and impact of ferry fares…and allow no increases until the analysis is completed.” The second was to have more of a say in how WSF actions affect SJC.

Councilman Alan Lichter express concern that too often decisions have been made that affect the community without consulting with the community. Moseley said he would “love to hear how we can do better. That is exactly what we want to do.”

Moseley promised to consider ways to involve the County planning and policy discussions. He also promised to be a frequent visitor to the County, with his first return visit in just three weeks when he attends the April 2nd meeting of the San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee.

A question was about the future of passenger only ferries, and Moseley said WSF will no longer be involved, that “will reside in county government”. He said it will be up the counties to create and fund such programs

The Council asked if there was a contingency plan for SJC if ferries broke down. Moseley said up “until Fall, we will have no vessels in reserve so we have very little flexibility,” he said. If any other boats have to be taken out of service, the problems will “ripple throughout the system.” The system has had a succession of service and maintenance problems since the four 1927 vintage steel electric ferries were permanently taken out of service last November because of safety concerns.

Councilman Howard Rosenfeld brought up the subject of the spot checks by the Border Patrol in Anacortes. Moseley said they too were concerned, but there was nothing they could do.


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Discussions On Future Transfer Station Monday

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee will discuss the five proposed sites for a new solid waste transfer station, commonly once referred to as a "dump." The main topic on Monday the 17th will be wetlands, and how, and if they impact any of the proposed sites.

In Monday’s presentation Public Works and CD&P will discuss the location and size of the five proposed sites. AMEC, the consulting firm that is preparing the draft EIS, will have their wetlands expert there to present what a report on wetlands (e.g., the number and location) at the five proposed sites: Egg Lake, Sutton Road, Beaverton Valley Road, Golf Course Road and Daniel Lane; all on San Juan Island.

AGENDA
SAN JUAN COUNTY
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
March 17, 2008
Islanders Bank, Friday Harbor11:45 Call to Order and Introductions (Bob Freehauf)

11:50 Approval of Minutes (Bob Freehauf)

12:00 Citizen Comments (Bob Freehauf)

12:15 Draft EIS discipline report regarding wetlands (Gary Harshman, AMEC Environmental)

1:15 Draft supplemental analysis regarding conceptual site layouts for the purpose of site selection only (Gary Harshman, AMEC Environmental)

1:45 Adjourn


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