News Flash

This document is a general review of the County Council meeting, Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Information related to agenda changes, Consent Agenda, and Public Comment are on the County website. For additional information about what was discussed, please refer to the recording.  

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA 

The Auditor’s office requests approval of payroll expenditures and associated benefit expenditures for the pay period ending January 24, 2023.The Auditor’s office requests approval for warrants issued the week of February 13, 2023. 

Council voted to approve the consent agenda. 

Public Access Time 

1stTouch, to set a Public Hearing for a resolution to Dispose of Surplus County Personal Property by Public Auction. 

This presentation by Van Fleet Services was a first touch to discuss selling equipment by public auction. As new equipment arrives, old equipment gets parked for sale, typically in the Spring and Fall. The equipment gets offered to other departments first and values are based off of Blue Book/NADA, past sales, and surveys. 

A notice will be placed in the newspapers and will run before the public hearing on April 4. The auction companies used are Public Surplus or Govdeals and run for up to 30 days. Proceeds from ERR vehicles will be returned to ERR and department-owned proceeds will return to the department. 

Council voted to set a public hearing for April 4, 2023. 

Housing Advisory Committee recommendation –Argyle Lots RFQ responses.  Mark Tompkins, Ryan Page

In October 2023, the County officially released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a development partner for the Argyle Lots.  At the close of the RFQ response period, the County had received responses from three developers: Favor 34, G Projects, and the San Juan Community Home Trust (Home Trust). 

That RFQ laid out the process by which a developer (if any) would be selected:  

1. County Staff will evaluate responses and prepare initial recommendations based on the merits of the proposed projects, whether the project meets the priorities, goals and strategies of the County's Comprehensive Plan, and whether the response meets the criteria of this RFQ.
2. Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) will review staff reports and present their recommendations to the County Council. 
3. County Council will accept or reject the HAC recommendations. The County Council has final decisions-making authority and reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, and/or withdraw or subsequently modify or review the terms contained with this RFQ.”

At the January 11, 2023 HAC meeting the HAC determined that the response from G Projects did not meet the minimum threshold of information needed to be considered. Staff concurred and that response was not included in future deliberations.

After thorough review of the application materials and conducting brief interviews with the two remaining candidates, staff recommended to the HAC that the San Juan Community Home Trust should be the developer to move forward with in collaboration on the Argyle lot project.

On Thursday February 23 2023, the HAC held a special meeting to consider the staff recommendation. After their discussion and deliberations, the HAC voted unanimously to concur with the staff recommendation that the San Juan Community Home Trust should be selected as the preferred developer for this project.  

The County Council took these recommendations into consideration along with the responses to the RFQ. They are continuing to seek additional information before deciding to move forward with one of the development partners. 

COUNCIL MEMBER & COUNTY MANAGER UPDATES: 

Council Update: 

Christine: 

• Met with constituents 
• Toured Public Works properties with Colin Huntemer
• Met with the County’s trail group 
• Attended Shannon Wilbur’s retirement party
• Attended the Aleutian Isle Day
• Met with the Legislative Steering Committee virtually to review house bill 1628 

Jane Fuller: 

• Attended special council meeting regarding the Aleutian Isle incident 
• Attended a meeting on Lopez Island with county staff, the Sheriff, the SJC coordinator of juvenile services and the Head of the Lopez Fire District to discuss the relocation of the Sheriff’s office and juvenile services on Lopez in the future.
• Attended the Agriculture Summit on San Juan Island
• Ongoing engagement with constituents on various local matters
• Plans to join the Lopez Friends of Canoe Journeys for a ceremony with the House of Tears Carvers who are preparing to journey with a totem on the invitation from the Apache Stronghold leader who has asked them to be in Oak Flat, AZ for a court hearing regarding a long-disputed copper mine.
• Plans to meet with the Sheriff’s office staff on Lopez for introductions
• Plans to attend the SJI Visitor’s Bureau Board meeting on Thursday
• Plans to attend the Elected Officials meet and greet on Lopez 
• Plans to attend the Luci B Wellness Van launch party 

Cindy Wolf:

• Attended the Agricultural Summit
• Attended the Aleutian Isle Response meeting 
• Attended a memorial service for a former County Commissioner
• Plans to meet regarding drone policy 
• Plans to meet with Public Works regrading the possibility of a public dock space in deer harbor 
• Plans to attend the Elected Officials meet and greet on Lopez 
• Plans to attend the workshop council meeting on Monday the 13^th 
• Plans to attend the board of health and Luci B launch party 
• Plans to meet with Cantwell’s staff to discuss grant opportunities 

Manager Update: Mike Thomas, County Manager 

Council Clerk Update: Sally Rogers, Clerk 

a. Review Agendas & Council Calendar Items 

b. Advisory Committee Appointments/ Reappointments: 

• Appoint Peggy Bill to the Land Bank Conservation Commission, District 3 Position 3 

Council voted to appoint Peggy Bill to the Land Bank Conservation Commission, District 3 Position 3. 

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