By NINA LARAMORE

Staff reporter

Orcas Island Fire Chief Mike Harris informed the commissioners that he and Commissioner Jim Coffin had met with the Karla Reig, the tenant on the location of the proposed Deer Harbor Station, to discuss her vacancy of the property. Reig informed them that she was working on moving and requested an extension of her lease until Nov. 30. Harris presented a signed agreement outlining her vacancy of the property on that date that he asked the commissioners to formally approve. The commissioners unanimously approved the agreement.

The Fire District received two Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in response to the published Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from architectural firms. The SOQ were from Frank Lawhead and Associates out of Bellevue, Wash. and from the Seattle firm of Ben Trogdon Architects. “I have read both proposals and while I think both firms would do a fine job, it is our recommendation that we attempt to negotiate an agreement with Mr. Ben Trogdon’s firm first. My reasons for recommending them are: we already have a relationship with them, I was very impressed with the firm’s qualifications, they have scaled down their rates for the district, and perhaps the most important reason, is that we want an architect who can participate in the building management. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve Harris pursing negotiations with the Trogdon firm first and the Lawhead firm second.

OIFD All-Hands meetings are closed-to-the-public, quarterly meetings of all personnel, including volunteers and paid staff, where updates on a variety of issues, including training and policies, are reviewed.