Anacortes Planning Commission elects new chair and vice chair, sets regular meetings for second Tuesdays

The Anacortes Planning Commission elected Frank Dretske as chair and Linda Martin as vice chair and voted to hold regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month starting in March.

Commissioners nominated and seconded both leadership picks during the Feb. 3 meeting. A voice vote approved Dretske’s nomination for chair; commissioners then unanimously confirmed Martin as vice chair. The commission postponed action on minutes from its Dec. 10, 2025 meeting so staff and the chair could work through edits before returning the minutes for approval.

The panel spent substantial time discussing changing the standing meeting night away from Wednesday because several members said Wednesday evenings conflict with other commitments. Staff advised the commission that the municipal code does not prescribe a required number of monthly meetings and that the commission may set the frequency and time. Commissioners debated motions to meet on Tuesdays and, at one point, the third Tuesday; they ultimately approved a motion to meet on the second Tuesday each month starting in March to provide more scheduling certainty.

“Congratulations, mister Dretske. You get to take it from here,” one speaker said after the vote.

The commission also approved, by voice vote, excusing Commissioner Ryan from the night’s meeting. The session adjourned at 6:47 p.m.