SGA meetings
Five present. Announced upcoming regular monthly meetings on last Wednesday of every month except December. These will be in Library large room, 1-3p, and will often have a guest speaker present a topic of local interest. We hope this forum will accommodate larger groups.
Discussed our CAO DNS response, RMZ mapping, Bellevue’s planning sitemaps, and Evergreen Islands response to Sinclair permit due 10/14/26.
Council:we discussed how we could promote alternating council meetings with work meetings to promote better informed decisions and fewer surprises. Depending on implementation costs, we liked the idea of empowering council with Taylor’s dashboard after seeing a proof of concept using Seattle’s public portal.
Courtney Orrock joined us mid-meeting and contributed to conversations with fresh ideas.
Met with Bruce McDougall. Refinery provides us understated help. How to enhance public participation and possible use of Taylor Dashboards. We discussed ways to help the city with interns and talent bank, specifically grant writing.
9/25/2026 Three present
Discussed budget issues and ideas to help City
CAO strategies discussed, we questioned why the City issued a DNS on the CAO updates. They argued the update is just “text” and any impacts are speculative.
8/27/2026 Five present
Discussed revisions of SGA’s draft response to Permit Streamlining
8/12/2026 Nine present
Reviewed prior meetings, website, and discussed upcoming meetings
Workgroups were developed to provide position papers on R1 Zone, Affordable Living, Managed Growth, Permit Streamlining, Financial Transparency, Budget, CAO, and SMP. An additional workgroup to research “How to move No Net Loss to 20% Gain in Ecological Functions” position paper.
Visioning and SGA positions on key issues discussed
Strategy on how to avoid GMHB
Impact Fees and how to move No Net Loss to 20% Gain in Ecological Functions
8/7/2026 Two present including council member Luke Courier
Discussed many topics including affordable housing and long term visioning on budget and event center
Will schedule for another meeting in September
8/4/2026 Four present including council member Christine Cleland-McGrath
Agenda
Public Participation
Permit Streamlining Improvements
R1 Zoning
Growth
Finances and Affordability
Christine is Ward 2 representative and has a life-long history in Anacortes and planning experience. Engaged and willing to meet more on these topics.
7/22/26 Five present plus council member Carolyn Moulton, at large
Agenda
Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) is required by end of year. It must be in place before the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP).
FACET report. Multiple areas need to come into compliance with SMP and have not yet been addressed by city. This is key for our current work on CAO.
Discussed Herrigstad project. Earlier public participation could provide a better outcome. An example of how new streamlining permit process would not help outcome.
Public engagement opportunities – satisfaction comes from dialogue. SGA’s position is that neighborhood ward meetings facilitate the flow of information through our ward representative to our city and back. We also believe smaller ward meetings are more heavily attended than council meetings and can better address local issues.
Carolyn committed to providing meetings at city hall office(scheduled time for open door), senior center, and library and welcomed additional meetings with groups. ,
7/21/2026 Six present. Met with council member TJ Fantini, Ward 3 representative
Agenda
Much of the conversation was regarding affordable housing. It may be possible that LTAC funds can be used for workforce housing but requires legislative steps first.
Concerns about streamlining planning, event center costs (tracking), public engagement solutions,
Finance a key concern for all items on agenda.
TJ expressed willingness to represent citizen concerns. To do so, he needs research and questions to take to next level.
TJ said neighborhood ward meetings can be added to city event calendar and said he would be resuming them.
7/2/2026 Six present. Discussed housing projected costs (old sewer lines, nitrate testing, sewer treatment plant, water supply). Planned to engage council members. Does GMA require planning departments to assume responsibility of habitat restoration?
6/26/2026 Five present. Discussed mission statement, website design, forums to interact with city, SGA brochure for Critical Areas Open House
