Meeting Minutes

President Brewer called the meeting to order at 7:31am. Guest Speaker, Brooke Taylor, led the flag salute.

Guests

Rich Erickson, Tom Allen, Lloyd Eisenman, Dick McLean, Chris Fidler, Ty Deuterman, Jesse Major and Judith Broadhurst.

Announcements

Kiwanis Nut Sales today and Kiwanis Pub Crawl / Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest on Thursday, December 22 at Red Lion Inn and pubs around town.

John reported that 24 people made it to the Elwha trip.

Young said that the new downtown trees should be in by Thursday and will be lit after that.

Minutes

Matthew Rainwater moved and Jack Glaubert seconded acceptance of minutes for November 29. Motion carried.

Program

Retired Judge Brooke S. Taylor, started his program by asking how many people knew Donna Morris.  No one in the audience knew her and it seems very few people in town remember her, yet she left an endowment/will of $9,000,000 to the people of Port Angeles for a performing arts center.  Neither the City nor the College were able to take on owning such a facility, so seven community members representing seven groups were named as stakeholders to plan and carry out her wishes. Brooke Taylor, Judith Morris, Karen McCormick, Dorothy Field, Bill Kindler, Dan Wilder, Sr. and Nathan West, representing Peninsula College, Peninsula College Foundation, City of Port Angeles, Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles Community Players and Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts.

Monies will be managed by D.A. Davidson and along with land on Oak St., donated by Dorothy Field, will make up the funding.  Now with a 501c3 status, the Center has selected an architectural firm – LMN Architects of Seattle. That firm is known for its work on Benaroya Hall, McCaw Hall, and the Science and Technology Building at Peninsula College.

A feasibility study indicated a need for an Executive Director, and Chris Fidler, a Port Angeles native, has been chosen as the Interim Executive Director. The first phase, a written assessment as to what is needed, costs and options should be done by the end of March. While called a Performance Center, the Board has a goal to come up with a Community / Conference Center, a Destination Center. Brooke said the private non-profit status mans they do not have to put up with many of the constraints that the City or College would face.

Q & A

Seating?  Plans are for a 600 – 800 seats which will augment High School, College, Vern Burton and Lincoln.  A foyer, a room of about 10,000 square feet – which can be made into small rooms, kitchen and restrooms will be built.  Wood will be used wherever it can be.

Parking?  Existing parking will be used as long as possible. Funds from parking will help with cost.  Parking at Winslow and Bainbridge will be looked at.

Construction?  Local businesses ill be used when they can, but due to uniqueness of building, it might require outside contractors and builders.

Art Groups?  Projects will bring local art community groups together which might result in an Arts Council.

“This is a project creating a dream which is backward from a dream creating a project.”

Brooke said state and federal funding will be sought. They will work with the local tribes. Market Research is being done to the Performance, Convention and Educational components together.

** Meeting was extended for another 15 minutes **

Lodging?  Lack of lodging during summer would give Center a chance to hold conferences during off tourist season.  More lodging is still needed in the area.  Lodging taxes will be sought.  The endowment sets some funding aside to pay for expenses. Members on the present council are all volunteers.

Earthquakes, cross laminated timber, glass, solar and wind are all being considered at ongoing meetings.

Contact Brooke if you have any COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS:  judgebrooke@wavecable.com

Upcoming Meeting

December 13:  Annual Christmas Party. Bring your spouse or family, member or prospective PABA member to enjoy the vocal music and to honor volunteers from the Sheriff’s office.

December 20:  Derek Kilmer will be the speaker.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45am.