Meeting Minutes

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

Guests

Lindsay, Rich, Michelle, Travis, Erica, Steve, John, Norma, Bob, etc.

Minutes

Jerry Austin moved and Jack Glaubert seconded acceptance of minutes for June 6. Motion carried.

Announcements:

Ted Simpson is leaving his position on the Board and Julie Hatch has expressed an interest in that position. The membership will vote on Julie’s nomination next Tuesday.

Kaj said NOLA will be electing a President, Vice President and six sub-committee chairs via email. Steve Bearman said he woudl cover meetings while Kaj is gone.

Dan Gase invited all to the “Wings of Freedom” event on Wed., June 21. World War Two era planes such as the B17, B23, B25 and P51 will be on display. The event will feature a band, BBQ, car show, Coast Guard helicopter and balloon rides.

Matthew Rainwater said the recent fundraiser for “Pennies for Quarters” brought in over $4,000.

George Bergner thanked all who helped with the marathon which drew over 2,500 runner / walkers.

Program

Kay Kassinger, Peninsula Housing Authority Executive Director, presented drawings of the proposed housing project scheduled for the Mount Angeles location. She said PHA serves low income families with needed services. The Master Plan will feature, at first, 66 lots that will replace the present lots. Units will be half low income and half tax credit.

Funding is coming from the City of Port Angeles, Washington State Dept. of Commerce, Opportunity Fund and HUD. Demolition / construction will begin in July and the first phase of units should be ready for occupancy in 2019. Five proposals were received, but all but one dropped out after the November 2016 election. National Equity Fund was awarded the contract.

Original units were built in 1942, for immigrants. in 1952 and in the 1970’s and were showing wear and tear.  It was felt better use of the land would help double the number of units and provide for better traffic patterns, bike trail, playground, trees and public gardens. The first phase will concentrate on traffic concerns with demolition and construction to follow.

Q & A and Comments

Q: Sprinklers and security?
A: All units will have fire alarms and sprinkler systems. Security systems will be in units and surroundings. Proper management will be important to help with problems.

Q: Commons?
A: Playgrounds, tres, bike trails, traffic circles will be put in.

Q: Price per foot?
A: She did not have those figures on hand.

Q: All low income?
A: No, there will be rentals and privately owned homes to givev more of a neighborhood feel.

Q: Commercial Space?
A: There will be no room for commercial concerns. Space will be taken up with living units, Lutheran Community Services, Head Start, and Boys & Girls Club.

Q: Stormwater problems?
A: There were some areas that would not perc for city runoff. City will maintain streets once they are turned over to them.

Q: Traffic impacts?
A: Kassinger felt the traffic circles and new streets would take care of the problem.

Q: Need?
A: She said Port Angeles with a vacancy rate of 2% needs 2,000 rental units now and the Housing Authority cannot begin to address the problem.

Q: Who gets units?
A: Waiting lists, background checks, work files will all be checked. Sweat equity will be involved. Low income will be a priority.

Q: Children in all?
A: Now 93 units have children and 50/60% of the new units will have room for children. Seniors and disabled will need units, too.

Q: Boys & Girls Club?
A: Steve Deuterman, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, said they hope to expand from 6,000 sf to 16,000 sf. They are now maxed out as to the number they can serve.

Q: Veterans preference?
A: No.

Q: Income?
A: The average income, in the Port Angeles area for a family of four is $49,000. That is different than other parts of the County and the Country.

Upcoming Meeting

June 20: EDC Director Bob Schroeter