| [Notice of meeting date and time change.] Record Of The Proceedings,
Skagit County Board Of Commissioners Guemes Island Ferry Task Force Schedule and Fare Policy The Board held a public hearing for comment on the Guemes Island Ferry Task Force Schedule and Fare Policy. Steve Flude, Public Works, stated that the task force has three basic recommendations --fare recovery; a proposal for summer/winter schedule; and a proposal for fare classifications. Glen Veal the Chairman of the Guemes Island Ferry Task Force provided background on the committee and the process. He went over the proposed recommendations. Mr. Veal said that the late service issue was resolved by increasing the trips to clean up the traffic prior to 6:00 p.m. He recommended that the Board accept the task force’s proposal. David Waherly, 5049 South Shore Drive, Guemes Island, felt that the task force should have increased the operating hours of the ferry on Monday through Thursday. He felt that this was discriminated against Guemes residents’ employment opportunities for shift work, and for cultural and educational opportunities. He recommended that a compromise be adopted. Steve Schmokel, resident of Guemes for about 10 years represented several individuals that would like to see a change in the 6:00 p.m. service. He provided a written document. Howard Pellet, 5293 Guemes Island Road, President of the Guemes Island Property Owner’s Association, read a letter approved by the Board endorsing the findings of the Guemes Island Ferry Task Force. The letter urged the Commissioners to adopt the recommendations. Bob Anderson, 6966 Holiday Boulevard, on Guemes Island stated that he lives on Guemes Island because of its rural character. He said that many residents chose to live their because of the ferry limitations, and that limitations on the ferry system is in no way discriminatory. The ferry schedule controls growth and related growth impacts on the Island. Elenor Powers, 317 E Lawrence, Mount Vernon, stated that she owns a 5-acres parcel on Guemes Island that she has not developed. She said that she does not blame Guemes residents for wanting to control the ferry. She said that the survey indicated that the residents wanted extended service; however, the proposal does not allow for extended service. Joost Businger, 6500 Square Harbor Lane, stated that he has been a Guemes resident since 1969. He urged the Board to adopt the proposal of the task force as presented. Susan Ferrel, 7389 Chestnut Lane, said she has resided there for 18 years. She has school-age children and she feels that a late ferry would not restrict growth since those individuals would have enough money to rent a motel or buy an apartments. The ferry service is more problematic to individuals with less money. Victor Garcia, 6204 Guemes Island Road, stated that he is a teacher with the Anacortes School District and a parent raising a family on Guemes Island. He said that an extended ferry service should only be allowed with voter approval, with a 60% approval of Guemes Island voters since those users would be paying for costs. He added that state ferries and County parks curtail their hours. Dyvon Havens, 4709 South Shore Drive, thanked the Commissioners for allocating the resources for the review of the Guemes Island Ferry. She supports the adoption of the task force’s recommendations. She felt it was a fair and thorough process. She added that everyone moved to Guemes Island knowing that the ferry stopped at 6:00 p.m. Since no one else
desired to speak, Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Munks seconded
the motion to close the public hearing. The motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Dahlstedt stated that if anyone else had written testimony to
submit to please do so prior to leaving. He added that typically the Board
takes additional time to deliberate before making a decision.Commissioner
Munks stated that all written materials will be reviewed by each of the
three Commissioners. Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Munks seconded the motion to render a decision on Monday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. The motion carried unanimously. (Note: this date/time had to be changed to January 20 at 10:00 a.m. due to the Martin Luther King Day Holiday.)
Shirley Knapp
acting for JoAnne Giesbrecht, Clerk of the Board |
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