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San Juan County Council signs letters backing local housing, pool and broadband projects; approves committee appointments
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting the San Juan County Council approved letters of support for Opal Community Land Trust’s Peapatch Community Campus, the Friends of Lopez Island Pool and Rock Island Broadband’s BEAD application, and confirmed three committee appointments. Council also set a public hearing on surplus-property disposition.
The San Juan County Council voted Jan. 21 to sign letters of support for three community projects and approved three committee appointments.
Council members unanimously authorized letters backing the Opal Community Land Trust’s Peapatch Community Campus project, the Friends of Lopez Island Pool (FLIP) and Rock Island’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding application. The council approved the letters after brief presentations from project liaisons and staff and after members asked clarifying questions about funding status and next steps.
Council members also approved appointments to three county advisory bodies: Matthew Laslow (Board of Equalization), Charles Bookman (Marine Resources Committee, District 3) and Richard Locke (Clean Water Advisory Committee, District 3). The council set a public hearing for Feb. 11 on a proposed resolution to dispose of surplus county property by public auction.
Why it matters: The letters are intended to support grant and legislative requests that county staff and local nonprofit partners are pursuing this legislative session. The broadband and housing letters back requests for state and federal competitive funding streams; the pool letter notes prior state support and a narrowed remaining funding gap for a Lopez Island public pool project.
Details and council questions - Opal Community Land Trust, Peapatch Community Campus: Council member Justin Paulson briefed the council that the housing portion of the overall campus is substantially funded and that site work and campus infrastructure remain the focus. Paulson said the overall original project scale was closer to $15 million and that there was still a remaining lift; he reported that the housing portion is “95% funded.” The council approved the letter of support by voice vote.
- Friends of Lopez Island Pool (FLIP): Council members heard that the project has received $1.7 million in prior state funding and additional private donations, and that the organization is seeking a modest additional appropriation to close its remaining gap. Council members asked about long‑term operating sustainability; FLIP’s representatives said the pool is planning a mixed membership model, a maintenance endowment and ongoing fundraising. Council approved the letter of support by voice vote.
- Rock Island BEAD: County manager Jessica Hudson told the council that Rock Island previously received a technical‑assistance award to prepare its BEAD application and is now seeking a letter for its full BEAD application. Council discussion noted Rock Island’s recent receipt of other federal funds transferred for local infrastructure and asked staff to invite Rock Island to present to council about their application and coverage maps. Council approved the letter of support by voice vote.
Votes at a glance - Letter of support — Opal Community Land Trust, Peapatch Community Campus: Motion moved by Justin Paulson; second not specified in record. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Letter of support — Friends of Lopez Island Pool (FLIP): Motion moved by Council member (recorded as a council motion); second not specified. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Letter of support — Rock Island BEAD application: Motion moved by Council member (recorded). Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Appointments: Matthew Laslow (Board of Equalization); Charles Bookman (Marine Resources Committee, District 3); Richard Locke (Clean Water Advisory Committee, District 3). Motion to approve slate moved by Council member; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Set public hearing: Resolution to dispose of surplus county property by public auction — hearing set for Feb. 11, 2025 at 9 a.m. Motion moved by Council member; outcome: approved (voice vote).
What the council asked staff to follow up on: staff was asked to (1) provide updated project funding figures where available, (2) arrange a presentation from Rock Island about coverage maps and BEAD strategy, and (3) finalize and circulate the signed letters for legislators and partners.
Ending: The council’s approvals allow county staff and community partners to proceed in legislative and grant advocacy for projects judged by members to be high‑priority community investments.
