Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

Annual Meeting

Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

Annual Meeting: November 8, 2025

Meeting Called to Order: 2:36

Board Members Present: Allen Bush, Gabe Murphy, Kathy Malley, Jep Burdock, Michael Brown

Members of the Public Present: Recorded on Sign in Sheet

Meeting Agenda: Approved

Welcome: Kathy gave a quick introduction explaining that there was no USGS report this year because of the government shutdown and that we had a guest speaker and we would otherwise focus on the other accomplishments of the committee. Each board member present introduced themselves and gave their reason for being on the committee. Kathy explained how we support the Guemes Sub-Area Plan.

Treasurer’s Report: Jep gave the annual Treasurer’s report and spoke about all of the donations and expenses we’ve had over the last several years. He made a solid case for donating to GIPAC to help us do the things we do for the community.

GIPAC Account Balance: $3071.96

Business:

• Board Member Elections:
  • Gabe as the Secretary described the election process per the GIPAC By-Laws and announced the nomination of Pat Richley-Erickson. Kathy and Allen proceeded with holding an election to elect Pat to the board.

• What has GIPAC been up to?
  • Protecting our water resources:
    • Michael briefly discussed the well drilling code amendment and why it is important. We reiterated GIPAC’s stance on preserving well water quality and the water resource we all depend on.
    • “Water Works”: Patty Rose described the work that her group is doing and 
    • Patty Rose gave an introduction of the Guemes Water Committee/Water Works and reiterated they are collecting data and gathering information on wells, not monitoring wells. She explained how people can get their well water tested and how they can share those results if they want to.

• Protecting parks and open space: Youngs Park – Gabe (3 minutes)
  • Gabe gave a brief background of the issue, what GIPAC and Islanders did to make their voices heard and push back. He briefly covered the current status of the Young’s Park repair (mostly unfinished), and talked a bit about the gravel storage SUP at Schoolhouse Park moving forward.

• Seeking transportation alternative on Guemes and in Anacortes
  • Kathy spoke briefly about the bus pilot run, the SKAT survey, and what we and SKAT learned during the process. She also talked about the Anacortes micro-transit project for on-demand service in Anacortes.

• Supporting the Ferry Committee:
  • Allen spoke a bit about how the ferry committee and GIPAC interact and work on different aspects of our transportation system.
  • He talked a bit about the Anacortes dock reconfiguration project as well as the Technical Advisory Group looking at ferry replacement options.
  • GIPAC as a board has submitted public comments on both the fare increase proposal and the Anacortes dock proposal this year. 

• Creating a GIPAC website – Gabe and Allen briefly spoke about the GIPAC website.

Questions and final comments from the membership.

Meeting Adjourned: 3:55 P.M.