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Arts Commission and wellness program report; town pursues reusable flower baskets with Port of Friday Harbor
Summary
Executive assistant Julie Green presented the Arts Commission annual report, outlining rotating-installation plans and a poetry contest; the town wellness coordinator reported a WellCity award, $13,300 in premium savings, and 53% employee participation. The town administrator described an interlocal with the Port of Friday Harbor to acquire reusable self‑watering pots to reduce costs and runoff.
Executive assistant Julie Green presented the Arts Commission annual report to the Friday Harbor Town Council on June 4, summarizing the commission’s work and plans for 2026.
Green noted membership changes and described decisions on public‑art proposals from the previous year, including a ceramic eelgrass mural the commission and council declined to install, and a recommended rotating two‑dimensional installation featuring San Juan Island artists planned for 2026. The commission continues to discuss a mural on the wastewater‑treatment plant wall and other site‑specific installations, and Green said the commission will bring revised guidelines to the council this summer.
Green also reminded the council that the third poetry contest is underway with a submission deadline at the end of July and encouraged community participation.
On the wellness program, Green reported that for the 11th consecutive year the town earned a WellCity award, which yields a 2% insurance premium discount split between the town and employees. She said the town saved $13,300 on premiums last year and that 53% of employees met the program participation requirement. The coordinator described mini‑grants used for promotional items (one past mini‑grant funded water bottles), mental‑health campaigns, earthquake‑safety education, and incentives tied to statewide wellness partners and the Castlight platform.
Separately, the town administrator reported follow‑up with the Port of Friday Harbor under an interlocal agreement to assist with downtown flower baskets. The administrator said the town is considering purchasing reusable self‑watering pots — an investment expected to reduce watering frequency and wastewater runoff and be offset by lower ongoing labor and delivery costs; the administrator said LTAC funds are the likely funding source.
Council members encouraged the arts commission to pursue larger, permanent installations and supported exploring the Port relationship on public‑space beautification.
The administrator said more design work and coordination with local groups will follow and that staff will return with specifics if council gives the go‑ahead to purchase pots and proceed with plantings.
