Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Kevin H. at 7:30am. Steve Deuterman led the flag salute.

Minutes:

No motion was made to accept Nov. 6 meeting minutes.

Announcements:

A representative from Habitat for Humanity talked about opening a 2nd store across from Clallam Co-Op, grand opening November 29. Tiffany Lovell, who owns Reclaimed Light Theraphy, Kate Dexter, Shenna stated that Habitat is working with the Sequim School System.

Debra Marchant talked about the Lincoln as a multi-use theater. HVAC and electrical drawings are being worked on and the timeline is unknown. They’ve sent in their 501(c)3 application to the IRS and are working on their mission statement to enrich and educate the community. No working bathrooms yet. The Waterfront Art Center will be a different type of venue, they will be able to work together.

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report by Jon Fager: Jon also reported on his tour of PAHS CTE program and how they hope to offer it a couple times a year. It included a ride on the bus, guided tour, and lunch in the cafeteria. Steve Bearman said his faith in our future has been renewed. Students said most of the challenging issues start at home. There is interest in the education community working with the business community. Kaj said PABA should use the weekly email to announce these programs. CTE skills are increasingly important with better broadband and the business community should liaison with schools to help form CTE needs / classes.

Kevin talked about the San Juans where they open their CTE program after school to non-students. The challenge is for us to grow, but contractors and services are backed up. That program might work here, too.

There is an ROV Program at the Feiro Marine Center and Sequim HS, no robotics currently available.

John Brewer said the city is doing a housing study and also has a task force. Shortly a mailer will lead people to a survey link. Dept. of Ecology held stormwater training, comments were sent in and the city will wait to hear. Mike French said this hits both the city and development community, and impacts rate payers.

Mary Hogan and Shenna Younger from VIMO.  Shenna said ghost houses are sitting vacant and most are owned by Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. They will probably sit for years while banks focus on more concentrated areas of higher property values. She suggests creating a plan and sending it with legislators to help. It’s a nationwide problem with hundreds of homes here. The Community Reinvestment Act was discussed. Kaj offered the idea of banks selling at market rate and writing off any loss. Dick said there is resistance of banks to take ownership to get them sold and asset management companies take a long time.

Mary said there is a land trust in Port Angeles to help people stay in their houses and they are holding a clinic with Serenity House. They also have a mobile unit donated by Bill Littlejohn and are taking the show on the road for screenings, vaccines, hep screenings and more. They are funded by grants and donations. The ReDiscovery program gives local law enforcement staff overtime to work 20 hours a week, and they have 2 social workers in the field with success stories.

Kaj asked if something could be done with the empty business buildings downtown including code enforcement to incentivize owners. Mike F. mentioned a book, “The Empty House Next Door”, and talked about using foreclosure listings to maintain information. The problem is lack of clean titles and absentee owners. There are local and federal tools, they city doesn’t want to use eminent domain but it’s a tool.

Shenna ended up saying they are trying to change the dialogue of homelessness. We see people downtown, hear of drug use and crime meanwhile 40% of homeless in Sequim are women 60-80 years old living in a car. In Port Angeles it’s families. She is working on video to help change public perception.

Upcoming Meeting:

• Nov 27: Waterfront Arts Center

Meeting adjourned at 8:35am.