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MINUTES
JEFFERSON COUNTY Ferry Advisory Committee
(FAC)
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday July 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse – Commissioners
Chambers, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (HYBRID)
Members: Chair Tom Thiersch, Adam Levin, Nicole Gauthier, Steve King, and Diana Grunow CALL TO ORDER: Chair Thiersch called the meeting to order at the appointed time. In attendance were Members: Gauthier, Grunow and Levin. Also in attendance was Jefferson County Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette and WSF Community and Legislative Liaison Tally Teal. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Thiersch opened the floor for public comments, and no comments
were received.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Gauthier moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes
of May 14, 2025, as presented. Member Grunow seconded the motion. The motion carried.
DISCUSSION re: Appoint County Commissioner as Advisory Member: Chair Thiersch invited
Commissioner Dudley-Nollette to the Ferry Advisory Committee as a non-voting member. After
discussion Chair Thiersch would entertain a motion to approve the addition of an advisory member
to the FAC. Member Grunow moved to approve the aforementioned motion. Member Gauthier
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES STAFF
o Bids for 160-car H-E ferries
o Partial restoration of two-boat service for Port Townsend-Coupeville route
A recent meeting provided updates on ferry services, highlighting the awarding of a contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Florida for three new vessels. Full ferry service has largely been restored, with minor
exceptions, and a second boat is operating successfully, though limited to Friday through Monday. While the
current service is a significant improvement, it's not yet back to the pre-pandemic full summer peak season,
which included 7-day-a-week, two-boat service with extended hours. Despite some anticipated crewing-
related cancellations on other routes due to stretched staffing, officials are optimistic about continued
improvements, noting that DOT programs aimed at training new staff are progressing well, albeit as a long-
term solution.
WSF Community and Legislative Liaison Tally Teal left the meeting at 10:32 a.m.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
o Transit connections: Member Gauthier provided an update Olympic Peninsula
Gateway Visitor Center site plans. She shared there is a public hearing for Transit
Development plan for feedback on July 17, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
o Road work affecting terminal traffic: Not discussed.
o Tourism: Member Levin advised the Committee that the area has seen a noticeable
decline in tourism, particularly from Canadian visitors, leading to a significant drop in revenue
for local businesses that heavily rely on the busy summer months.
o FAC Executive Committee and FAC-T meetings: Chair Thiersch provided an update
on the Ferry Advisory Committees (FACs), with over a century of combined experience, are
advocating for direct consultation with the Evans School regarding its study on public
communication with the ferry system. The Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs (FAC-T) has
submitted recommendations to the Transportation Commission, proposing a 3% general fare
increase, a 35% peak season surcharge for all routes, and an extension of multi-ride ticket validity from 90 to 120 days. Additionally, riders will face a 3% credit card processing fee
starting March 2026 and a doubling of the capital vessel replacement fund charge from $0.50 to
$1.00 per ticket. These latter two fees are legislative mandates, not controlled by WSF and not
included in the FAC-T’s recommended fare increases.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments were received.
CLOSING REMARKS:
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Thiersch adjourned the meeting at 11:20 a.m. until the next
regular or special meeting as properly noticed.
Respectfully Submitted by:
___________________________________ ____________
Adiel McKnight/ FAC Clerk Date