Port Angeles Business Association

position Port Angeles as the premier place for business on the North Olympic Peninsula

Meeting Minutes

November 15, 2016

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am. Guest speaker Kevin Russell led the flag salute.

Guests

Kelly Johnson, Bruce Emery, Will Johnson, Craig Fulton, Michael Peters, Don Darling and Josh Macklehargee.

Minutes

Sam Phillips moved and Mathew Rainwater seconded acceptance of minutes for November 8th.  Motion carried.

(Note: Spelling of new member Edward Unthanks last name  was corrected.)

Officer Slate for 2017:

President Brewer said the election will be on December 6th. Slate at that time will be:

  • President: Kevin Hoult
  • Vice-President: Matthew Rainwater
  • Treasurer: Jon Fager
  • Secretary: Peggy Norris
  • Board Members:
    • Jim McEntire
    • Ted Simpson
    • Deborah Spinks

New Member

President Brewer presented Bob Pensworth, Crescommwifi, LLC, with his membership certificate.

Announcements

Kaj reported on the NOLA meeting. Priorities for 2017 will be:

  1. Education and Workforce
  2. Public Safety
  3. Health
  4. Environment
  5. Transportation
  6. Governmental Affairs

They are now focusing on selecting a Board and on funding.

Kevin Hoult thanked the City for the new sewer outflow building and how much nicer it looks than the old one.

Soroptomists Singers performed music from the 1950’s to introduce this year’s coupon book. The book is now in its 31st year and has brought in more than $480,000 to be used locally for scholarships and other projects.

Dr. Luke Robbins did a little bragging about the Peninsula College Women’s Soccer team winning its match.

Program

Kevin Russell, President of the North Peninsula Building Association, said that the building industry is facing a tough road ahead in finding good qualified people. He asked that all be patient in waiting for licensed and bonded contractors so as not to be taken in by fly by night shysters.

Regulations such as seen by recent storm water runoff if burdening the industry.

King County treats Port Angeles area as its playground while telling locals how to use and build on their property.

Department of Ecology rules and regulations are not much better.

The good news is that building permits and housing prices are going up.

Q & A

Bruce E: Storm water is hard to manage because of what is imposed by EPA, DOE, etc.  Costs  for tests, engineering, rules, and regulations are all adding to the price of new homes. Many of those might not even be necessary.

KR: 24-27% of new home costs are due to technological requirements that might be outdated in 5-10 years.

George B: New McDonald’s an example of cause and effect of questionable environmental technology?

KR: Rental market is drying up. Insurance risks and costs are meaning no new multifamily homes. Young families cannot afford to move here. Needed materials are not coming in because suppliers want to sell to larger markets.  Drug tests and OSHA also keeping new and young builders out of the industry. A public voice, not voter apathy is needed in Olympia.

Don Darling: Mandates a problem?

Luke R: NOLA is so important because it can reframe conversation to what is best for the County.

KR: Overregulation to make homes super energy is adding to the problem. Might be better to rehab old homes.

Bob F- Have cost analysis been done on how much requirements add to price of building?

Kaj A: Where get help?

KR: Groups such as NOBA can help public know what questions to ask by reading their publications, checking websites and attending membership meeting.  Bringing back such things as the Future Builders Program and working with students by giving them scholarships might boost their interests in the industry. The industry is strong and building materials are more or less affordable but again it is the rules and regulations that are hurting everyone.

Guest Speaker – Nov 22:  Matthew Rainwater on the subject of “Pennies for Quarters”

There being no further business, the meeting was  adjourned.