With Council Members Bob Myhr, Howie Rosenfeld, Gene Knapp, Alan Lichter, and Rich Peterson present, plus County Administrator, Pete Rose and staff, the San Juans’ Ferry Advisory Committee met at the Lopez Island Community Center on Feb. 26.

Ferry Leadership Meeting

According to a draft copy of the minutes, taken by Jim Smith, FAC member from Lopez Island, the council has invited the new WSF Director David Moseley, to visit for general introductions to Council and others on March 12 at Friday Harbor. The meeting’s purpose is to develop and improve relationships with WSF, and the FAC will be invited. The Council hopes to speak as one voice, and to develop talking points.

Pete Rose had prepared an outline which lists subjects for discussion during the “Ferry Leadership Meeting” with points including the amount of traffic passing through San Juans’ terminals, much of which is tourism (including kayaks bikes and boats). Council members underlined need for statistics on inter-island walk-on traffic which they feel helps demonstrate importance of inter-island transportation to the community of San Juan County. The Council instructed Pete Rose to request that, whenever WSF proposes funding for the Anacortes terminal, that funds should also be allocated to island terminals as well. Smith cited the $170-plus million proposal to remodel the Anacortes terminal, which funds did not include improvements at any island terminals.

The Council applauded Pete Rose’s “Leadership” outline as being positive in tone, and emphasized the need for accurate data showing how many people walk on rather than drive.

Council Liaison to FAC

Bob Myhr asked Alan Lichter if he would re-consider the job of Council Representative to FAC. Lichter’s response was that he would depending on what kind of a relationship the council wanted to have with FAC.

When it was suggested that a Council member be appointed both as Council representative and as chair of the FAC, Smith suggested that the Council return to the intent of the FAC, which is a volunteer advisory committee. Smith said that to have the Council appoint “one their own as chair would seem to create micromanagement; and would defeat the purpose of citizen volunteerism.” While several council members agreed with Smith, and he suggested that this subject be saved for discussion at the next meeting.

Smith asked if the Council was aware of the draft entitled “Ferry Advisory Committee Charter,” dated Oct. 25, 2007 and issued by WSF. It describes the roles of FAC members, officers, executive committee , mission, meeting rules. Smith said that it would appear to be parallel in intent with the county charter,with some differences. Smith suggested that the WSF charter be studied alongside the county ordinance and differences be resolved in the course of making the revision. Since no one had knowledge of the WSF paper, Smith was requested to send a copy to Pete Rose.

FAC ordinance

When the Council met again with the FAC on Monday March 3, the FAC was increased to seven members, with Rosenfeld selected to be liaison between the committee and the Council. A “working session” followed at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the details of the ordinance establishing the FAC. A future FAC meeting will be held on Monday, March 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Friday Harbor. Items on the agenda are the establishment of a regional transportation council, and the San Juans as a Scenic Byway, with Deborah Hopkins of the San Juans Visitors Bureau as an invited speaker.