Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Carol Johnson at 7:30am. Dr. Robins led the flag salute.

Thought of the Day:

Peggy gave a history moment

Minutes:

Jack moved to accept August 13 meeting minutes, seconded by Edna. Steve  B. suggested two corrections: comment about the moratorium “was a narrow vote to defeat the moratorium” and Brandon said that humans have a part in climate change “but is not sure how large”. Motion passed.

Guests:

Jim Stoffer, Mark Ozias, Bill Peach, Jim Moran, Colleen McAleer. Therese Stockan running for Charter Review. Anne Marie Henninger, Brendan Meyer, Martha Cunningham, Charlie McCaughan.

Announcements:

Carol reminded members that Jon Fager is moving, leaving the position of Board Treasurer open. The board had nominated Debby Fuson, who agreed to fill in. Carol asked for additional nominations from the floor. There were none. Carol called for a vote for Debby as Interim Treasurer through the end of the year. Membership approved the vote.

Program:  Port of Port Angeles Commissioner incumbent running for a 2nd term Connie Beauvais, and challenger Maury Modine

Connie opened reviewing her previous goals and what has been accomplished. Maury said his goals include jobs in the west end, improved timber and marine infrastructure, expanding the Marine Advisory Board, and keeping the John Wayne Marina public.

Connie commented about the Marina, having worked 8 years on the Shoreline Master Plan, that the law says you cannot restrict access to the marina. She said all tax money is used for Port projects, the Port is self-sustaining, has community partnership programs, and brings high paying jobs.

Connie discussed CLT and the work with Composite Recycling Technology Center. Mary talked about the need for more jobs and value-added products. Discussion followed about healthy forests. Maury is opposed to clear cutting.

When asked about their decision-making process, Maury talked about accountability in government and building community while protecting our natural resources. He uses research, facts, and talks to people. Connie uses research and is passionate about everything she does. Maury added he is an industrial pipe fitter and has served on the Board of Trustees for Magdalena,  NM where they worked together as a community.

When asked what brought them to Port Angeles, Connie said she is an Air Force kid from Monterey, CA and moved here from Alaska. This led to being on the local water board, then Charter Review and Planning Commissions. Maury was born in Southern CA and moved around a lot with his father’s job rehabilitating drive-in theaters.

In response to a question about selling the marina to the Jamestown tribe, Maury said it’s a private entity. The only entity he would to is the City of Sequim to guarantee it would stay public. Connie said they have to keep public access and wants to see the concepts they bring. Law says public access can never be diminished. The Port owns the road to the water. Maury added in 2017, Steve Burke said it was 1/10 of the Port revenues. Connie approved the motion to go through steps to see what was involved in selling the marina. She spent months with a developer and made a motion not to sell after that, then looked for other forms of management of the marina. Maury said the marina creates jobs and is home to 270 Sequim residents. Connie is concerned about replacing the floats. The Landing Mall and the Armory buildings were owned by the port and then sold. That’s what they do, it’s an open public process about who will be the best steward.

Maury has lobbied in NM but has no Port experience. He believes in unions. Connie said the Port moves through the legislature as a port body with other ports. They have hired two lobbyists and maintaining the airport runway lane was passed in the first year. Workforce training and NOLA are important. Maury added he would work with those groups as well.

The question was asked how to get money to repair the piers. Connie said the Port takes every last penny to meet the stormwater mandate. It would go out for bond and is a county vote. She does not want a school levy and a marine bond on the same ballot, wanting kids to have the vote. Maury answered money is always found. Connie said there is no grant money for replacing floats. She said the county is not going to see anything from timber arrearage, it will be rolled into the next generation. Maury said as more environmentalists are elected it will be harder to get back, we need to get other industry here. Connie said she’s an environmentalist, carbon is important in the cycle and they need to work on educating people. We are in a prime spot for value added wood products. Maury said forests living up to 800 years and it’s good to cut down sections of trees.

Can the Port help with technology and intellectual property? Maury was not sure how to answer but said it’s a tremendous role for the Port to bring in more industry. Connie said it is important for high paying jobs and we need a wider array of this type of job. We have legislation for workforce training which can be part of that we need better broadband.

Closing statements were made.

Carol said PABA will meet Tuesday after Labor Day.

Meeting adjourned at 8:48am.