Remarks by Ronnie Wright
112 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 5
Thank you, Council Member Romero. Thank you, Chief Anderson. Next, we have a presentation from the Washington State Ferries. It's an update, and here to introduce that is John Vecina.
They'll ask if they have them, but you can just keep going.
Yeah, so before I turn it over to Council, I just want to say, again, thank you for being here. It was important to have you come and share everything with Council. After you presented at Council of Governments, I wanted them to hear the same message. So thank you for being here. You have questions, comments for John at all? No? No? Council Member Arms, yes.
All right, we're going to move into the public comment section. Comment on consent agenda items or subjects of interest not listed on the agenda at this time. Opportunity to comment on the remaining agenda items during the meeting as appropriate. Please note comments regarding public hearing items will be heard during that portion of the agenda. We have no public hearing items for today's meeting. Visit our website for methods to submit public comments. Public comments sent anonymously or from a non-verifiable address will be shared with the mayor and council but will not be displayed. At…
So, Denise, could you state your name and address, please?
So I just wanted to say to both of you, I have your information. I would like to collect your email, though, before you leave. Did you put that on the information sheet? Because I would like to send you both a follow-up email. I'm going to send an email to the superintendent of schools. But this is something that we need to bring to the attention of the Northwest Pool Park and Rec Board because they are the body responsible for this. We don't have any... Okay, I'm just saying we don't have any jurisdiction over them, but I am going to raise your concern to them and let them know. But I would…
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Yeah, sorry, I don't know. I don't look at that garbage. Anyone else? Yes, Council Member Arntz.
Thank you. Anybody else? Yes, Council Member Wigginson.
Thank you. Anybody else? All right. Well, then we're going to move on to other items for consideration. We have an accounts payable voucher approval. Chamber of Commerce, this voucher list contains a payment or payments to the greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, of which Council Member Marshall is the executive director. In order to avoid a conflict of interest, Council Member Marshall has stated he will refuse himself from a vote on such payments, which are now a separate agenda item. Are there any comments that we received on this issue?
And is there anyone here with us tonight that would like to step forward and make comments on this issue? All right. Hearing none, then I will call upon council for their comments or entertain a motion for approval. Yes, Council Member Wittgenstein.
All right, we have a motion to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented by Council Member Wittgenstein, seconded by Council Member Marrow. Is there any further discussion before I call for a vote? Hearing, seeing none, all in favor, raise your right hand. All right, we have, what is that, six for and one abstention. Okay, perfect, thank you. All right, next we are going into executive session per revised code of Washington, RCW 4230, 110, parent one, parent I. At this time, council will move into executive session to discuss with legal counsel litigation or potential litigation.…
We have now come out of executive session. We'll resume the open session of the regular meeting. No action will be taken at this time. Council Member Peterson, you have your hand up. Council Member Peterson, you have your hand up.
Oh, perfect. Okay, I said we have now come out of executive session. We will resume the open session of the regular meeting. No action is taken at this time. Yes, Council Member Wittgenstein.
All right, we have a motion and a second to adjourn. All in favor, raise your right hand. We are adjourned at 7.30.
All right, welcome. As it is 5.30, I will call this city council meeting of August 18th, 2026 to order. We recognize that this meeting is being held on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people. We pay our respect to those past and present. Tonight's invocation will be led by Pastor Sam Giles from Living Faith Church. If everyone could please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Right? All right. Tonight's meeting will both be a physical and a virtual meeting. It may be viewed on YouTube and following the meeting on Facebook. Is Mary Pro Tem online? Okay, so she was supposed to be joining us remotely. Otherwise, everyone else is present and accounted for. So... Are there any suggested changes to the regular agenda? I think she's gonna join. I think she's just, she's dialing in from a vote, so. Yeah. Any suggested changes to the regular agenda as presented? If not, I would request a motion to approve it as presented. So moved. Second. All right, we have a motion to…
Appreciate you bringing that forward. I was not aware of that. So I will definitely will have a follow-up conversation this afternoon So great. Thank you.
We're going to put, I'm going to put you in contact with that lady right there. She'll follow up with you. Yeah.
All right. And is there anybody else here with us this evening that would like to step forward and make public comment? All right. How about those comments that were submitted electronically? There they are. That's it. All right. Well, that concludes all public comments. We'll close public comment, and we move forward to consent agenda. Are there any objections or other changes to the consent agenda as presented? If none, I would entertain a motion to approve it. Yes, Council Member Romero.
Okay. We have a motion and seconded by Council Member Arms. Is there any further discussion before I call for a vote? Hearing, seeing none. All in favor, raise your right hand. Passes unanimously, thank you very much. All right, we're gonna move on to Mayor's comments. First, I'd like to start my comments tonight by highlighting a few events around our community over the last several days. Here are a few pictures from the Navy League and Rotary meeting and tour at the Regional Public Safety Training Facility. The 50 plus member picnic at Windjammer Park and the Sound Edge marketing event at…
I'm honored to share an important event coming up on September 11th as we mark the 25th anniversary of 9-11. Our local first responders will be carrying a special 9-11 remembrance flag across Whidbey Island in honor of the people who lost their lives. The run will begin at Windjammer Park. following the community remembrance ceremony and continue across the island before concluding at South Whidbey Fire. I want to thank our police and fire chiefs and all of the first responders who have put their name, who have put their time and effort into making this event happen. 25 years later, it is…
That's great. Thank you. Anybody else for the good of the order? All right. We will close council comments and move on to our public hearings and meetings. First up is revenue sources and property taxes for the upcoming 2027-2028 biennial budget. And here to introduce this topic is our Deputy City Administrator and Finance Director, David Goldman.
Do you want to explain, though, where they are with the B&O taxes and how that's working out?
Any other questions? Council Member Wittgenstein has a question.