Protect Oak Harbor's Parks:

Comment Now To Keep The Vote

If you have been following this issue, you already know the people of Oak Harbor currently have the right to vote on the disposition of public parkland through a public election requirement in the city code (01.30.010).

On August 13 the Oak Harbor City Council will vote on whether or not to pass Ordinance 1999, which would render this voting right null and void through a series of significant caveats that circumvent the public election requirement. 

City staff initially claimed they wanted to remove the election requirement because it is “unique” in the state, then later admitted that the proposed removal was instigated by a pre-application for the development of a hotel next to Hal Ramaley Park. 

Ultimately, members of the city council want to be able to dispose of part of this public park to a private developer without putting it to a public vote and city staff has presented language that would allow the council to do just that.

The Proposed Code

There are four caveats to the voting requirement presented in the proposed Ordinance, including a 1:1 land swap in the event of the development of public parkland as well as other proposed property exchanges.

Through this code language, the city is proposing a major land exchange program that would shape the future of Oak Harbor's parks now and for generations to come. 

As such, this program needs to be designed as a part of a larger strategic vision for the city with the active participation of the city's parks and planning advisory committees, the public, and other key stakeholders before it is written, thoughtfully, into the city code. Passing this code without a strategic plan in place is putting the "cart before the horse" — which is not in the best interest of the public.

"The citizens of Oak Harbor should continue to have an opportunity to make informed decisions regarding parkland by way of a vote now, and for the decades to come. Any other position leans towards control and consumption rather than responsibility of public parkland."

— Laura Renninger,

Oak Harbor resident and President of Garry Oak Society

The Will Of The People

The Oak Harbor city staff, in their most recent report to the city council, justifies the amendment to the code by pointing to the public hearing process as a sufficient means for public participation in place of an election:

“Placing the final determination in the hands of the Council allows direct citizen participation in a public hearing.”

The public has participated in the public hearing process and the overwhelming majority are not in support of passing Ordinance 1999. The city has received over 75 written and oral comments from the people of Oak Harbor and the surrounding county insisting that the election provision remain as it is. 

The people of Oak Harbor want to keep their right to vote on parkland as it is.

Full stop.

As of now, Bryan Stucky is the only Oak Harbor council member who has publicly declared that he will vote with the will of the people, even though his personal opinion differs. We acknowledge and appreciate Councilmember Stucky's respect for the public comment process and his service to the people of Oak Harbor. Thank you for listening to your constituents.

What We Need From You:

We need your public comment before August 13.

If you have not commented yet, now is the time. If you have already commented, comment again.

• Demand the city council vote NO to Ordinance 1999 and keep the people’s right to vote in the city code as it is.
• Demand the 1:1 land swap (and other property exchanges) be re-introduced as a part of Oak Harbor's parks plan and the city's comprehensive planning process. A change like this requires strategic vision, a thoughtful plan, and active participation from all key stakeholders including the Oak Harbor Parks and Rec Commission, the Oak Harbor Planning Commission, and the community at large. 

What Else Can You Do?

• Share this information with anyone who lives in Oak Harbor city limits who will be directly affected by this decision

• Show up at Oak Harbor City Hall on August 13 at 5:30 pm for the city council vote on this issue

Comment now.

We need your voice.

Want to learn more about the issue before commenting?

Read the latest Whidbey News-Times article following the issue, watch the city council workshop (starting at 2:50), read the city council agenda for August 13, and review our fact sheet on the code change.

NOTE ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT:

If you submit written comments ahead of the August 13 meeting you will not be granted time at the mic during the meeting. If you plan to attend in person and would like to speak in person, bring your comments with you and sign up to speak during the meeting instead of submitting them ahead of time.

If you cannot attend the August 13 meeting, submit your written comments before 12 pm on August 13.

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