Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Carol at 7:34am. Randy J. led the flag salute.

Minutes:

Jack moved to accept September 24 meeting minutes, seconded by Dan G. Motion passed.

Guests:

Debbie Hunt, Mark Ohman, Jeff Cunningham, resident Tim.

Announcements:

Rowing Club’s Annual Erg-A-Thon is in November.

Dan Gase announced the John Wayne Marina Waterfront Day.

Kaj said NOLA is operating under the EDC’s administrative assistance and is looking for business owners and managers to join to speak to legislators as a united voice. Brian Garret said they hired a professional lobbyist.

Jack did not feel a lot of encouragement at the Rayonier meeting and is looking for PABA to help moving forward.

Program:  City of Port Angeles Council Candidates — Martha Cunningham and Brendan Meyer

Candidates gave opening remarks.

Martha would turn Lincoln Park into an ecological learning center, The city is responsible for safety. Brenda said the airport is important and if trees interfere, they have to be cut down, and be replanted. He favors a deal where both sides are respected.

Brendan would stand behind live streaming meetings for transparency, which would drive civic engagement. Martha’s focus is on jobs.

Martha said a toxic level will still be at Rayonier after cleanup and that will limit what can be done with it. Brendan wants to see it developed.

Brendan believes people are opposed to the MAT location. Martha is not happy where and how they chose the location and asked why they need such a huge facility.

Brendan said government transparency could have made more people aware of the 8th Street MAT clinic. Martha added Port Angeles is 200 beds and Sequim is starting at 400 beds.

Brendan believes using capital facilities for infrastructure is the way to provide trade jobs and entrepreneurship can also address the jobs issue. Martha would cooperate with the Port, emphasize marine services and forest products, and tourism.

Martha said once schools and the hospital are in line it is beautiful here and that is what we would offer companies when competing with other cities nationwide. Brendan said we have good internet and server infrastructure. What would bring people is our climate.

Brendan and Martha read about the MAT bed numbers in the paper but admitted they could be wrong and need the correct numbers.

Martha believes the city does not have an adequate water supply for the future and we may need a reservoir. Brendan said we do have a low snowpack and if a reservoir is needed we should build it.

Brendan and Martha are both opposed to the Affordable Housing Tax.

Martha said one of the best things about Port Angeles is community involvement, most discouraging is children aren’t getting what they need. Brendan agreed it is the people, they are very positive and a negative is frivolous expenditures.

With a million dollars, Martha would treat it just like a home budget. Brendan would pay for the Gateway Terminal.

Brendan believes the city should use its lawyers to combat short-sightedness coming from state and federal processes. Martha said suing is not a good idea and would use lobbyists and combine efforts with other cities.

Brendan believes in mixed use models for housing and would look at zoning to increase density. He said there is a lack of outreach from the city and people need to be informed. Martha said the Strategic Plan lays out a change to zoning and there are variety of housing projects being developed.

Martha stated WSDOT has a say in our traffic flow because of the state highway and they are looking at an alternative truck route. Lincoln Street will be a multi-use street and downtown could use a parking garage. Brendan said a bypass would be good, using BPA lines as a guide, but it would be very expensive, and we have to do something.

Brendan is not in favor of a line item in the city budget for a private/public partnership for affordable airline ticket prices. Martha would be in favor.

Regarding climate change, Martha would look at water and trash locally and follow behind the existing peninsula and state processes. Brendan would look at solar on public buildings and using green energy.

Candidates gave closing statements.

Upcoming Meetings:  Next three forums will feature Charter Review candidates

Meeting adjourned at 8:30am.