Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am. Rich Erickson led the flag salute.

Guests

None.

Minutes

Matthew Rainwater moved and Jack Glaubert seconded acceptance of May 9 minutes. Motion carried.

Announcements:

Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Connie Beauvais and President Kevin talked about their tour of an oil tanker in the PA Harbor. Both were impressed by the use of computers and the various jobs required. Connie said the crew loved Port Angeles because of the nice reception they get here. Kevin said tanker work is more water hauling than oil hauling. Connie said it would be nice if the Port had the equipment and permits for hull washing. She mentioned that Bill Lee, President of Airborne Environmental Control Systems, is moving his company to Port Angeles. Raised in this area, he has several times said he would like to have business located here. Now he will be able to follow his product from design to finish product.

Jack Glaubert said Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, will present a powerpoint on his vision for the Salish Village at John Wayne Marina on Thursday, May 18 @ 1:00pm.

Harry Bell, retiring Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee, was thanked for all his work. Jim McEntire will take over as Chair.

Dan Gase reminded the group that the “Wings of Freedom” will be returning to the Fairchild Airport on June 21. Planes from the World War II era will be on display and tickets can be purchased for rides. Dan said that part of his new job allowed him to visit 19 airports to see what they are doing right and Port Angeles, for its size, should be proud of its airport. He added something to what Connie has talked about. Airborne Environmental has been successful in building a device that can keep the temperature stable even thought the craft is going from 120 degrees (F) to minus 30 degrees (F) in just a few minutes.

Kevin reminded the audience that the Waterfront Tour would be on Sunday, May 21.

Program

Richard “Doc” Robinson, Serenity House, in a powerpoint presentation, said they have “three strategies to get off the dole”.  They include finishing the job with the chronic homeless, facing reality with rental assistance and developing better alternatives. He said many/most of the homeless are mentally challenged and probably could not hold full time jobs. They usually have behavioral problems and many need care workers to help them. Rental assistance is the cheapest option for the public to keep the homeless off the streets. State housing, trust funds, Foundation grants and levy options are the best sources of funding. Clallam County has between 4,000 and 6,000 – usually  married with children – needing rental assistance. Most jobs are seasonal and low paying, so the working poor ($14,000 per year) cannot afford the limited number of rentals available. Serenity House is working to help with better training, child care and job opportunities.  Unfortunately, job training is not always the answer with Port Angeles’ economy and labor market.

Q & A and Comments

Q:  Base level of education needed? Is GED enough?
A: Coding – taught and done online, might be one of the answers to the problem. Serenity House is working to teach adult skills such as showing up to work, ON TIME, how to read instructions AND how to follow instructions. He said new businesses looking to come to the area want good schools, medical facilities, available housing and an educated work force. He hope the added units at the Mt. Angeles facility and maybe remodeling of empty schools and hotel might help the housing problem.

Q: Will Artificial Intelligence do away with the need for coders?
A: Coders, especially the handicapped and women might find basic coding as a step to better jobs.

Clallam County should be doing a better job of working with the Olympic WorkForce to get monies that are now going to Kitsap County. It should start now to get some of the 15% that the Governor can hold back for training.

Q: How much does it cost to train a person for a job?
A: Robinson said he did have program at this time for training. Serenity House is working to have a commercial kitchen so they can train in that area.

Q: Housing?
A: Market is driving prices higher and higher. B&Bs and Vacation Rentals are full. Retirees from Seattle seem to have the funds to buy what they need.

Q: Addiction vs. Treatment?
A: Serenity House has no program at this time, but tries to refer to other agencies.

Q: Minimum Wage?
A: Train now and if they do a good job, they can move up the ladder when better opportunities arise.

Q: Competition?
A: Goodwill and they send their money to Tacoma! Serenity House brought in $600,000 last year with $480,000 of that comes from the Sequim store.

Q: Apprenticeships?
A: There are some programs in the Seattle area but they require businesses to pay for the training and then placement.

Upcoming Meeting

May 23: Craig Fulton, Director of Public Works, City of PA
May 30: NO MEETING

Meeting adjourned at 8:30am.