​Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting: Jan. 25, 2023
Date of Meeting: Jan. 25, 2023

Members present: Observed via zoom; not able to see board member name placards
via zoom. It appeared that all board members Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie
Jackson, Ann Johnson and Brook Willeford were present. Dr. Jo Moccia,
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations, Dan Poolman,
were also in attendance.

Members absent: Unknown.

Others present (staff, media, public): Rachael Mathews, Food Service Supervisor [with
students Grant and Tevron]; Mark Hodson, SWHS Social Studies teacher; Val Brown
and Sue Ann Brewer, Librarians.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
Financial and Enrollment Report (expenditures $6.7 million; Students – 1145 year
average);

Memorandum 22/23 – 14 (Resolution 668) was passed which designates certain
expenditures for potential reimbursement from bonds or other obligations. This allows
for the school district to be reimbursed for architectural work and other soft costs by
bond monies when/if the future school bond measure is approved by voters.
The Board also approved ten other Memoranda regarding policies on: the Transitional
Bilingual Instructional Program; Guidance and Counseling – Learning Programs and
Supports; Suicide Prevention; Students in (Foster) Out of Home Care; Language
Access; Hiring of Retired School Employees; Substitute Employment; Rental or Lease
of District Real Property; Nutrition, Health, and Physical Education; and approval of a
Board Regionalization letter to be sent to WA state legislators.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or
programs:   

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?    YES  
If ‘yes’, what action do you recommend?
I would recommend that the LWV study the WA Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) policy on “Regionalization” that will result in the loss of $4 million over the next four years to the South Whidbey School District.
The SWSD asserts that this policy does not reflect the intent of the WA State Supreme
Court’s McCleary decision [In the McCleary case, the court ruled that the WA state
constitution requires the state to pay for all basic education costs and found that too
many school districts were instead covering basic education costs using local levy
dollars to do that]. SWSB voted in Memorandum 22/23 – 15 to send a letter to legislators to this regard.

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.  

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS

Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes

Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes
Were any non-agenda items discussed?  No

Was there adequate discussion of issues?   Yes
Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No
Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes

Was background material available to the public? Yes
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? For what reason? No

List any other concerns or observations: NA

Observer E-mail: rbnporter81@gmail.com                       Date submitted:  Jan. 25, 2023

Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting:   Langley City Council
Date of Meeting: 1/17/2023
Members present: Harolynne Bobis, Rhonda Salerno, Thomas Gill, Craig Cyr, Gail Fleming
Members absent: none
Others present (staff, media, public):  Mayor: Scott Chaplin, Planning Director: Meredith Penny, Director of Public Works: Randi Perry, Chief of Police: Tavier Wasser, Finance Director: Wanda Grone
There were also members of public on zoom - they are not shown unless they make a comment.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
Two public comments: one by newly elected commissioner for Port of South Whidbey District 2. Some concern was voiced about conflict of interest for this election because the newly elected commissioner is also Chair for Planning Advisory Board. A second citizen spoke on work to maintain Brook Haven Creek behind the visitor center.

Mayor Chaplin spoke of his attendance of MLK rally in Seattle and that workshops there were helpful. Among them was information on King Co. Equality and Social Justice plan and work being done regarding reparations. Lawyers he met offered to provide information free of charge on how to work toward similar programs in Langley.

Appointments of volunteers to Finance and Personnel Legislative Commission, Ethics Commission, Climate Crisis Action Committee, and Lodging Tax Advisory Commission were voted on and passed in consent agenda.

Director Penny reported that Island County projects for American Rescue Plan Act - Affordable Housing short list is posted on Island County website and two city projects are on the list: the Langley Lofts and The Goose Community Foundation -
https://www.islandcountywa.gov/arpa/Documents/Affordable%20Housing%20Shortlist.pdf

Director Perry reported she has been asked to speak at University of Seattle's Women in Leadership Conference in February.

Chief Wasser reported will be launching Officer Wellness application in February and because of his assistance in the program Langley officers will participate in BETA testing of project.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?    NO  

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes – All in attendance were polite and the motions were discussed and voted on in an orderly manner.

Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.  

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS
Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes - 
https://cms4files1.revize.com/langleywashington/2023%2001%2017%20Updated%20Council%20Packet.pdf

Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Were any non-agenda items discussed?  Yes, Yes - the
mayor motioned for a meeting contract with city designated law office just before adjourning.

Was there adequate discussion of issues?   Yes

Were any “Executive Sessions” called? Yes - two sessions for about 1/2 hour each.

Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes

Was background material available to the public? Yes – see council packet linked above.

Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? For what reason? Yes - council member Fleming left after executive sessions because of an appointment.

List any other concerns or observations:

Observer E-mail:  jrfic@yahoo.com                     Date submitted:  1/21/23

Name of Observer: Judy Hucka
Observed Meeting:   WbidbeyHealth Board of Commissioners
Date of Meeting: 01/19/2023
Members present: All five board members appeared to be present: President Ron Wallin, Gregory Richardson, James Golder, Grethe Cammermeyer, Eric Anderson. They were not introduced and did not appear to have nameplates, so I could not easily identify them or tell who was speaking.
Members absent: 0
Others present (staff, media, public):  Multiple staff members present: Dr. David Lemme, Neil Todhunter, Shanna Harney-Bates, Dr. Miller, Paul Rogers, Tim Waldner, Curtis Shumate, LaJolla Peters, Mike Layfield.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
--Unmet demand for healthcare services. This was a recurring topic during the meeting–large demand for medical care on Whidbey Island, but challenges to recruit and hire enough care providers of all kinds – doctors, nurses, etc. Freeland primary care clinic reopened on Dec. 1, 2022, and there is a waiting list of 700 people wanting to see a doctor.

In last 1 ½ years, WH has had a net gain of 12 providers, which Dr. Miller said speaks to the positive cultural change that has been happening at WH. Currently 8-10 open positions for providers; hardest to fill are positions for provider care providers.

--Expansion of telehealth/virtual care. WH is actively discussing telehealth services with four companies, as a way to meet customer demand for healthcare and also to increase business. Telehealth would be offered 24/7 and would help reduce wait times at clinics. Particular interest in using it for behavioral health services. It was noted that telehealth is where healthcare is going and that WH is well behind in providing it. If it isn’t offered, WH will lose patients off island and other healthcare organizations that offer telehealth.

--Financial status. Some improvements in financial status. Net loss for November was $106,000 and 2022 year to date was $1,069,432. These numbers are seen as good news because the level of losses is declining. Financial Strength Index is 0.81 (poor), but much improved from recent number of negative 3.1. WH has been making progress on CMS settlement payments, which within the next 30-60 days will improve the cash flow situation.

--Nursing staffing. WH is making some progress in recruiting nursing staff, though it is still needing to use expensive traveling nurses to maintain adequate staffing. Currently they have 138 RNs and 7 LPNs. Last year had a net loss of 14 RNs. Seeing turnaround in nursing staff morale.

--Staffing - recruitment, gains and losses. Currently they have 657 active employees.

--Interim CEO Mike Layfield report: Briefly discussed strategic plan and “Seven Pillars of Excellence.” Overall goal is to “delight the customer.” This was the last meeting for Commissioner Grethe Cammermeyer, who is resigning. She was praised and applauded for 11 years of service.

--Executive Session. The Board clearly advertised several executive sessions held on Jan. 18 and
19 to discuss candidates for the vacant permanent CEO position. When the board came out of executive session, they announced that they had asked HealthTech (current hospital management
team) to set up interviews with several CEO candidates. No votes were taken.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs:
Possibly access to affordable healthcare.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?        NO  

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? YES

Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.  

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS
Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes, but no supporting documentation

Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Were any non-agenda items discussed? Yes, stuck to
agenda.

Was there adequate discussion of issues?   Yes. Little discussion, but some questions, and praise for leadership team and staff.

Were any “Executive Sessions” called? Yes. To discuss candidates for permanent CEO position, currently held by interim CEO.

Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes

Was background material available to the public? Not that I could find.

Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? For what reason? No

List any other concerns or observations:
The Board of Commissioners, with leadership team and staff, met in person at WH’s Health Education Center. I attended online via Zoom. Because of the way the camera was set up, it was difficult to see who was speaking. It was also difficult to hear at times, particularly the commissioners. It was easier to hear staff. Members of the Board of Commissioners were not introduced and did not appear to have nameplates so I could not identify who was who. It would probably be better to attend these meetings in person.

Board President Ron Wallin made it clear that public input was welcome, and he asked at several times during the meeting whether there was anyone who wanted to comment. Near the top of the agenda was discussion of a letter to U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. However, there was no mention of what the letter was about.
Several staff members gave reports and shared various documents on the screen, but copies of reports were not readily provided on the website, so it was difficult to see the details of the reports.

Observer E-mail: judy.hucka@gmail.com                                     Date submitted: 01/19/2023

Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting:   Langley City Council
Date of Meeting: 1/03/2023
Members present: Harolynne Bobis, Rhonda Salerno, Thomas Gill, Craig Cyr, Gail Fleming
Members absent: Scott Chaplin and Darlene Baldwin
Others present (staff, media, public):  Mayor: Scott Chaplin attending virtually for approximately
five minutes. Council member Cyr ran the meeting in the mayor's absence. Planning Director: Meredith Penny, Director of Public Works: Randi Perry, Chief of Police: Tavier Wasser
There were also members of public on zoom - they are not shown unless they made a comment.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
2023 Work Plan Review - members did an overview of Work Plan from 2022 and reviewed the plan for 2023.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?    NO  

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes – All in attendance were polite and the motions were discussed and voted on in an orderly manner.
Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.  

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS
Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes -
https://cms4files1.revize.com/langleywashington/2023-01-03%20Council%20Packet.pdf

Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Were any non-agenda items discussed?  Yes/No
Was there adequate discussion of issues?   Yes
Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No
Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes
Was background material available to the public? Yes – the council packet linked above includes background material.
​
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? For what reason? No

List any other concerns or observations: None

Observer E-mail:  jrfic@yahoo.com                     Date submitted:  1/03/23