Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

GIPAC Minutes 2026-05-04

Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

May 4, 2026

Meeting Called to Order: 6:33pm

Board Members Present:  Allen Bush, Gabe Murphy, Steve Orsini, Pat Richley Erickson, Jep Burdock, Michael Brown

Members of the Public Present: Gordon Erickson, Cindy Camp, Sue Skillman, Doug Charnock, Dianne Nielson

May Meeting Agenda: Approved

April Meeting Minutes: Approved

Treasurer’s Report:

  • GIPAC Account Balance: $5098.96

Public Comment:

Cindy asked how GIPAC is engaging with the county on the Guemes Parking Lot. Multiple studies have highlighted the need for additional ferry parking spots, not a reduction in spots as is being proposed. It was recommended that we engage with SCOG since they have a regional transportation plan and could have some input on this project.

Updates/New Business:

  • Parking Lot
    • GIPAC has been in communication with SCPW about the parking lot design as long as we have known about it. We (and the fire department) met with them onsite and gave recommendations on changes to design to benefit safety and usability.
    • The county has gone out for RFQ for a consultant to continue design work and it seems like the project will be moving forward. RFQ is due May 22nd to the county.
    • The board and members of the community had a long conversation about the details of the project, what everyone knows, what the county has and hasn’t done or communicated to the community, and what should be done next.
    • GIPAC will send out: A community outreach letter, a letter to the BoCC, and a letter to the PW director with our concerns, suggestions, and recommendations.

GIPAC Committee Business:

  • Land Acknowledgment
    • There was a short discussion on land acknowledgement, but no final decision was made on content. It should be in line with our mission as a committee and the Guemes Island Sub-Area Plan.
  • Board Recruitment
    • Allen talked a bit about board recruitment. Jep mentioned adding recruitment and fundraising to our community emails.
  • Updates
    • Follow-up: Anacortes Mayor Visit (April 11 recap): 
    • There was a long conversation about interactions with the mayor and the Anacortes city council about parking and enforcement in anacortes during the haulout.  

2026 Projects Progress Review:

  • Wildfire Evacuation Routes: address next month
    • Status of May meeting with Olivia:
    • Define next steps and potential annual meeting presentation
  • Water Works / Water Data Coordination/USGS: 
    • Update on coordination with Patty and County: No update
    • Define GIPAC’s role in data facilitation: GIPAC to reach out again on USGS on status of report.

Other Project Updates (as needed):

  • Water resources (wells, rainwater, data-sharing): No update
  • Natural resources & Comp Plan implementation: No update
  • Transportation (ferry, parking, transit): Brief conversation about SKAT engagement during the ferry outage and beyond.
  • Open Discussion
    • TAG: Allen updated the group on TAG discussions.
    • County Ferry District: Steve gave a brief overview of the history of County Ferry Districts at the state level, and recent legislative changes.

Meeting adjourned: 8:22

Gabriel Murphy