[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6602155,"mediaKeyId","3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492","parentId",3005681,"title","Public comments at commissioners meeting raise North Shore access, industrial project concerns and allegations about official oaths","audioSeconds",378,"startMs",4677000,"endMs",5055000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492&start=4677&end=5055","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492/thumbnail_4677000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6602155/Skagit-County/Washington/Public-comments-at-commissioners-meeting-raise-North-Shore-access-industrial-project-concerns-and-allegations-about-official-oaths","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602155-9308f417cb6958df1f2607355180f5f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808215&Signature=BAV5CY0dJ9xuPvsKMQfwKkFjPofqEhisTQNX1~L9yXdmSrIK8pFQus0DzKO~GBZc9SMGaXh2uJvP8kQ3se8opkxa3rPA~vtcR41g5-6TST-Haf9qNJ4xPracfdcLTEIucIUYn0VkMLhqCLDz6Wcn5PU19WHRANIykYKjFCTY98UjT6Q6CpObd4J50Zr3FTr1FC79OdnMopXC0apN1k8S6aKm0ebt5yHEWWE4SdFDtCoJchX2HYv3gvzo9d0f1I0feMMMPKb~XdXRvH5DAVx94rGIkme6F-9JvWCCv9rOB695dyDW-FLznho55P2izHuDx51gpr-~~~6MEFaS684BIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Skagit County","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","Several members of the public spoke during the April 15 open‑comment period to raise local safety and process concerns.

Lorena Humble (Lake Cavanaugh resident) described a recent treefall that brought down a live power line across South Shore, leaving a dangling live wire that temporarily blocked the only entry and exit for part of the lake community. She said utility crews ultimately repaired the line, and she reiterated an earlier request that the county find funding to restore the North Shore route to ensure reliable access for residents and service vehicles, including utility contractors.

Ingrid Hinton raised environmental and safety concerns about a proposed industrial project she said is sited near Viva Organic Farms and close to the Skagit River. Hinton cited Moss Landing as an example she does not want repeated locally and urged commissioners to oppose permitting or to ensure preventive protections for emergency services and environmental safeguards.

Resident Rebecca Peck criticized the county’s handling and public notice of the Tuesday 11:30 a.m. public comment slot, providing a calendar she said showed frequent cancellations or schedule changes in 2023–2024 and urging clearer, earlier notice when session times change. She said the county website still lists the regular Tuesday time and recommended better advance notice when meetings are rescheduled.

Cody Hart delivered a packet to the commissioners and said he had issued a notice alleging misuse or loss of public funds tied to contracts with the Skagit County Superior Court. He asserted that several judges had failed to file required oaths of office with the secretary of state and the county auditor after the 2024 election and requested tax funds be reinstated. County leadership noted Mr. Hart has filed multiple legal actions in the past and said the packet would be forwarded to the county prosecutor’s office for review.

No formal board action directly followed these public comments during the meeting. Commissioners acknowledged the remarks, thanked speakers and noted some items would be taken up by staff or referred to appropriate offices for follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Skagit County - Record of the Proceedings - Tuesday Session - Apr 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, residents described a downed live wire affecting North Shore access, raised environmental and safety concerns about a proposed industrial project near farms, criticized meeting scheduling and public comment availability, and a resident delivered a packet alleging misuse of public funds related to judges' oaths.","taxTitle","Skagit County, Washington","taxId",5125,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602160,"Skagit County commissioners proclaim Food Waste Prevention Week",0,8669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492&start=8669&end=8669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492/thumbnail_8669000.jpg","/articles/6602160/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-commissioners-proclaim-Food-Waste-Prevention-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602160-e1d7e6372b8ffcce39e346d73e6a8c01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808215&Signature=LkroRYmy0Hcpz82DQcwvS0072lh2z9WvSURnM1t7lwpi7HuArc2ET8XJ8blLslTVwnGWiBXQ~Tu-u~QImzu3qQqWTzTNT5EoAhxZAdoKPqdQdHMxjbPcpFfd3s4l4XRZcMiLKpfv4DbkSPvKPuJ6-wpH-qPHjBIXoVHHvZ5Mm4c5Pz4Em2qYyZVUaumnZS507IwV1vcpvIaIWO3fjbA8QfRQCBaqtJO2xJVrqwptGvDByk8qJqcRCm2PF0~nIgWT8IDMHcYxIywJ1~GWsCsuBt2o3ky~5jaOf8cjFxRQ0ZaVh081Fx1QURvAH06hdKMXpoP35Y5yessy6H3-aGcdCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation on April 15 declaring a Food Waste Prevention Week and encouraging residents to reduce food waste, conserve resources and support waste reduction practices.

Commissioner Browning read the proclamation and the board moved and seconded approval. Commissioners recorded the vote by voice; the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioners briefly noted local examples of household food‑use practices and encouraged residents to reduce waste. The proclamation covers awareness actions through the end of March 2025 as read during the meeting and urges residents to adopt measures such as tracking refrigerator contents and using leftovers to reduce waste.","The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation declaring a food waste prevention week in Skagit County to encourage residents to reduce food waste.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602166,"Skagit Transit presents long‑range plan to commissioners; proposes route realignments and on‑demand pilot in Anacortes",1863,5924000,7787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492&start=5924&end=7787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492/thumbnail_5924000.jpg","/articles/6602166/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-Transit-presents-longrange-plan-to-commissioners-proposes-route-realignments-and-ondemand-pilot-in-Anacortes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602166-fb98300c61387fea7865c5a923504008/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808215&Signature=mk1IjVcxTWIj~FDfJnv-0YuCz3dMpDWqXQaBHqGc0FYC-tDcXLnZYe2NdY-TbJoPKMU-fo4dSow8KoSpDe1xGTwoj-gK53~mgjD6oAySbOmfhxovY~j4tmP3zPGKwFsoZ3t9OrcHJZUiuwkJGtcQ1~i~IlBRUubTqxJcm3dyK7VLC5s8446pqU5HoR60Xh8Sr2i-hUEF7e~TdTgEjhoIKVvWSRhfLHFRRrm8eVxNMha3MrpuDrt9AfiNSCUIT-PlF6qxeN~aWUFsDdoyLF0fkp8gfvHcZJw0JrcfFbgChK8EMRo0JFu9ltkr7kuPnF9nNAvdPqSWNWR3OYyiVzoczA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit Transit staff and their consultant briefed the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on a draft long‑range transit plan April 15, proposing route restructures across the county, an on‑demand pilot targeted to Anacortes, and phased investments in fleet, stops and facilities over a short, mid and long implementation timeline.

Crystal Stidham, Skagit Transit chief executive officer, introduced consultant Sam Sambabwe, who said the plan looks five to ten years ahead and incorporates public outreach, existing ridership patterns and equity analysis. The plan’s diagnosis noted strengths—countywide coverage and key park‑and‑ride and facility assets such as Skagit Station—and challenges, including circuitous routing, routes with hour‑plus headways, and limited evening and weekend span in some corridors.

Sambabwe described recommended near‑term actions that aim to streamline routes within the current resource envelope, reduce duplicative service, and strengthen direct regional connections (for example extending some routes into Downtown Anacortes and altering service between Sedro‑Woolley and Mount Vernon to provide more direct two‑way trips). Mid‑ and long‑range recommendations would layer in additional service hours to increase frequency and span and add capital investments in fleet and facilities.

The plan identifies on‑demand microtransit as a candidate service type for areas where fixed‑route service is less efficient. After analysis, Anacortes was recommended as a top candidate for a zone‑based on‑demand pilot; Skagit Transit staff said the pilot would allow booking by app or phone, aim for roughly a 20‑minute wait target (depending on demand and fleet deployed), operate in accessible vehicles and generally maintain the same fare structure as fixed route. Staff said the agency is seeking grant resources and would begin a pilot if funds are secured.

Sambabwe said the agency ran a Title VI equity analysis and found the recommended changes would not produce disparate impacts on protected populations; staff also explained that existing complementary paratransit obligations (mandated within three‑quarters of a mile of fixed routes) would be grandfathered for current riders in areas where fixed routes are reduced and that no new paratransit enrollments would be accepted under the old route footprint. Commissioners asked about evaluation and responsiveness; staff said the plan is a living document, short‑term changes would be monitored and adjusted, and continued public engagement is planned during implementation. A 30‑day public comment period is open and the full plan and survey are on Skagit Transit’s website.","Skagit Transit staff and consultants presented a long‑range transit plan that proposes near‑term route simplifications, mid‑ and long‑term frequency and span increases, and an on‑demand pilot for parts of Anacortes; the plan is out for a 30‑day public comment period.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602170,"Skagit County holds public hearing on 2025 HOME annual action plan; public comment period to remain open until 4:30 p.m.",867,3492000,4359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492&start=3492&end=4359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492/thumbnail_3492000.jpg","/articles/6602170/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-holds-public-hearing-on-2025-HOME-annual-action-plan-public-comment-period-to-remain-open-until-430-pm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602170-ac5c760a2256bced92cde953894c33e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808215&Signature=KvahJyHHThTOWanIqoXJ4-Z0XpmDJWtniTrLXfelLGmTi4fEu5FD8FPDZd~L4hL~1Y42igRQkZggdjtNBos1XcL6sL2U6sPbmX14huV36e~SNT95jporf2YQjiCbXd7kPlR~T~3fFBJNOEwbIw4BUwkK~o1z18UNyJZueqLQLSfSmFu~cAZQVfK8gNrknhM5U-WiRXhrdXBmssxWxc5WFJyHGRsMONNSY-hZCADh4HqW5OtqjZbxnl5KOY55Iuhis8bo1YmrdIpHxz~16fEIli6erpUVEj-AZqdPEniWasvVKEnGsTr7JnnAq2SUE-zCI69-cfY3RqBkajbjSpyWSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit County Public Health held a public hearing April 15 on the draft 2025 annual action plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, presenting tentative allocations and a proposed affordable housing project supported by the consortium and accepting public comment through 4:30 p.m. the same day.

Director Keith Higman opened the hearing and introduced Madeline Anthony of Public Health, who presented the draft plan to the commissioners. Anthony said the HOME program is part of the consortium’s five‑year consolidated plan (2023–2027) and that the annual action plan sets goals and tentative funding allocations for the 2025 program year. She said the final federal award from HUD had not been received but staff expected roughly the same allocation as the prior year.

Anthony described tentative percentage allocations for HOME funds in 2025: 40% toward housing development, 15% for CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) development, 35% for tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA) to support homeless households, and 10% for administration and planning, which covers activities such as preparing the annual plan and the CAPER report. She said the county expects to proportionally adjust totals once HUD’s final award is received.

Anthony also described a planned development in Mount Vernon proposed by Community Action of Skagit County: a 25‑unit affordable rental property to include one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units. The presentation stated 7 units would be one‑bedroom, 12 would be two‑bedroom and 5 would be three‑bedroom; Anthony said six units would be set aside for homeless families and that the project aims to serve farmworkers and people with disabilities. (The presentation described the project as 25 units while listing bedroom counts that sum to 24.)

No members of the public offered live testimony during the hearing; one Zoom participant was present but did not unmute. County staff said written comments were accepted by email until 4:30 p.m. Commissioner Wason asked about monitoring of affordability restrictions; Anthony confirmed the 10% administrative allocation covers monitoring of HOME‑assisted units for the required affordability period. Natalie (county staff) said the county expected a similar HUD allocation to last year but that the final award was not yet committed.

The board moved and seconded a motion to close the public hearing effective 4:30 p.m. that day; the commissioners voted \"aye\" and the motion carried. No board action to adopt the plan was taken at the hearing; staff said they will submit the final plan to HUD following receipt of the final award. Written comments received during the 30‑day posted comment period will be considered by the consortium.","Skagit County Public Health presented the county consortium’s draft 2025 HOME annual action plan, including tentative allocations and a planned affordable housing project in Mount Vernon; the board closed the hearing effective 4:30 p.m. and will submit a final plan to HUD after receipt of the final award.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602175,"Skagit County public works demonstrates Cyclomedia ‘Street Smart’ for road inventory and pre‑engineering",3069,152000,3221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492&start=152&end=3221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005681-90ce2e3399278e01123155a05dab7492/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6602175/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-public-works-demonstrates-Cyclomedia-Street-Smart-for-road-inventory-and-preengineering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602175-f96165b03b7a91439f932df80b0f4f09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808215&Signature=WzwyL61bFlUdsop4MfrEYkIpshFm5GkZIdJIsoOsqBuWkGVHmcY0p0iF~otoTGbiis5ePJtD5v~OnFc~bmk9UfMluKRRwhexvozgdNbbaRg2dfPRZP~N3s8zZKTycRLI869qi~6Wubq2putoOuHGbUq680yzjkie4XMDzUkQ6umeFu89Jc5zzL-mMl~6UXEumiKY4I-kGlQ02uKeKX6VIx6NCphixszOLX5zDL2wXz8Tbkqnlli-w9VcDOCNvyCN4NBn9iPgVaLol1kDBIqYx6D-9WmLHMnqReOaSFLpPnOwjlQCFjukPv3sXtwkx23Qzy-GPMvT04MqwIHRwK7m0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit County Public Works staff demonstrated Street Smart, a Cyclomedia platform that combines 360‑degree imagery and LiDAR to create a detailed photographic and point‑cloud record of county roads, during the April 15 meeting of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners.

Acting county engineer Tom Roberts introduced the program and handed the presentation to Given Coutts of the county’s traffic engineering section. Coutts said the county contracted with Cyclomedia in late 2020 and completed runs through 2021 and 2023, covering the county’s 800 centerline miles under county jurisdiction. He described the platform’s capabilities — 360‑degree imagery collected roughly every 15 feet, synchronized LiDAR point clouds that enable distance and height measurements, and overlays that let staff measure lane widths, shoulder widths, patch areas and estimated material quantities from a desktop.

Coutts noted departments across county government use the data: public works engineering, planning, the assessor’s office, code enforcement, DEM and risk management. He demonstrated examples including: visual comparisons between 2020 and 2023 imagery for the same location; an elevation overlay used to view hypothetical inundation and identify low spots for catch basin placement; and point clouds that can be exported into AutoCAD and Civil3D to begin pre‑engineering work. He said Cyclomedia accuracy in urban areas is on the order of centimeters and that the data has been imported as a layer into the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) 'Gizmo' Viewworks environment so street signs, guardrails and other assets appear in the county’s asset database.

Commissioners and staff asked operational questions during the demonstration. Coutts clarified that Street Smart captures above‑road assets only (buried utilities and culverts are not visible) and that field visits continue to be required for final verification. He described training availability for staff and said about 43 public works employees, 24 planning staff and 14 assessor staff currently have access. County surveyor Jason McCauley was identified as the staff member most familiar with the point‑cloud export workflow used for engineering.

Public officials on the dais praised the platform’s time, safety and cost savings. Commissioner Browning and Commissioner Wiesen both thanked staff for the demonstration and noted the program’s potential for reducing unnecessary field visits and improving inventory accuracy. Roberts and Coutts said they plan to propose budget adjustments in 2026 to fund a rerun on a 3–5 year cycle and to pursue cooperative runs with neighboring jurisdictions to reach pricing thresholds that reduce per‑mile cost.","Public Works staff demonstrated Street Smart, a Cyclomedia photogeometry and LiDAR platform, describing uses for inventorying signage, measuring assets, pre‑engineering and linking data to the CRAB 'Gizmo' asset management system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comments at commissioners meeting raise North Shore access, industrial project concerns and allegations about official oaths

Skagit County commissioners proclaim Food Waste Prevention Week

Skagit Transit presents long‑range plan to commissioners; proposes route realignments and on‑demand pilot in Anacortes

Skagit County holds public hearing on 2025 HOME annual action plan; public comment period to remain open until 4:30 p.m.

Skagit County public works demonstrates Cyclomedia ‘Street Smart’ for road inventory and pre‑engineering