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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/14/1995 3020 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington April 14, 1995 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Sargent called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order SPECIAL MEETING: at 1:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Sargent, Councilmembers Braun, Doyle, Hulett, and Ostrowski. Members Absent: Councilmembers McKeown and Schueler. Staff Present: Manager Pomeranz, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, K. Ridout, and T. Smith. Public Present: Congressman Norm Dicks, Kurt Beckett of Norm Dicks staff, and Greg Scberer from the Port Angeles Downtown Association. Multi-Modal Mayor Sargent welcomed Congressman Dicks and Messrs. Beckett and Scherer to Transportation the meeting. She indicated there would be a presentation on the Multi-Modal Center Transportation Center, which includes an expansion of the Marine Lab. Tim Smith, the City's Contracts/Projects Administrator, noted the Multi-Modal Transportation Center is one of the City Council's goals to further economic development by enhancing tourism and commercial activity through improved transportation facilities in the Central Business District and throughout the Port Angeles area. It is intended that the Multi-Modal Transportation Center would serve as a public and private partnership in facilitating economic revitalization and redevelopment, linking urban and rural areas. Mr. Smith, with the use of an overhead projector, showed the footprint for the existing structures and parking areas in the downtown area. He noted the City has absorbed 41% of available land for parking purposes, 21% for occupied buildings, 20% for streets and sidewalks, and 18% for new development. He summarized the various options which will be considered in a public process, such as multi-level parking structures, a transportation center, a docking area for cruise ships, and the like. The goal is to increase the amount of land which could be dedicated to business expansion. Throughout the planning phase, it has been recognized that the basics must be addressed, such as an upgrade of the downtown infrastructure, to include watermains, sidewalks, and the City Pier. Mr. Smith reviewed the phasing/timing of the revitalization project and addressed the matter of financing. Based on commitments made thus far, the project still needs further financing in the amount of approximately $3.6 Million. Mr. Smith reviewed the Marine lab project, as well as the possibility of the Lee Hotel being used for State offices. Congressman Dicks was most supportive of the State co-location, and he offered to write a letter urging the State to proceed with the project. Greg Scherer noted the revitalization program is the most significant project in the downtown area in twenty years, and it is hoped the project will give the downtown area a real boost. Congressman Dicks inquired as to how the project is to be funded. Lengthy discussion followed concerning various possible funding scenarios, and Congressman Dicks assured the Council he will do everything possible to help obtain funding. He advised the Council that, with the budget cuts, funding is still available but is more difficult to obtain. In the ensuing discussion, Congressman Dicks emphasized the need to enhance the application by revising the dollar figures and by detailing the public/community involvement in the process. In addition, he urged the City to seek the support of Senators Gorton and Murray, both of whom are on the Appropriations Committee. Discussion then centered around the importance of a convention center facility as part of the revitalization effort and the Port's ongoing efforts to negotiate for such a facility. Congressman Dicks indicated he would be making a major effort on this project, and he will focus on the transportation allocation. He will also seek the support of Randy Tate, a member of the Public Works Committee. - 1 - 3021 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING April 14, 1995 Removal of Elwha Dams Congressman Dicks inquired as to the mood of the public on the matter of removing the Elwha Dams. He noted his perception that 90% of the people are against the project. The EIS is still being worked on, and Congressman Dicks felt it important to consider impacts to Daishowa if relicensure must be sought. He indicated this is a major problem, and he felt all parties concerned must work together to seek a solution. He could not foresee that Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to remove the dams. However, relicensure of the dams is a costly 'and lengthy process and may not even be approved; other alternatives must be considered. Congressman Dicks strongly urged that Daishowa embark on a comprehensive education process to inform the public of the issues and the negative impacts that may result. Public input is essential, and recommendations need to come forward to Congress as to possible solutions. In response to a suggestion that the Federal government purchase the dams, Congressman Dicks indicated this could only happen if the intention was to ultimately remove the dams. The Federal government would not likely purchase the dams only to lease them back to Daishowa. He noted there are several disputes relative to the dams which could take years to resolve. Lengthy discussion followed. Marine Sanctuary Mayor Sargent inquired as to Congressman Dicks' position on the Marine Sanctuary. He responded that he is skeptical, particularly because it appears the regulations will continue to change. He felt it to be acceptable for the Governor to continue conducting studies on the Sanctuary, but he expressed the need for an iron-clad commitment that the Sanctuary won't negatively affect the Port and the other ports on Puget Sound. Manager Pomeranz advised Congressman Dicks of the City Council's passage of a resolution opposing the sanctuary, and Congressman Dicks · indicated that perhaps the sanctuary can be stopped. Brief discussion followed on the Jones Act and whether the City could do anything to open up opportunities for cruise ships in Port Angeles. Congressman Dicks indicated this is a difficult issue, and he suggested the City get involved with the Cruise Ship Alliance in Seattle in this regard. 4D Rule A brief discussion was held on the 4D Rule, and Congressman Dicks has suggested an amendment known as the "Olympic Peninsula Act". HO is attempting to establish a type of bioregion which would ultimately exempt the Peninsula from the act. Once accepted as a legitimate bioregion, which might serve as a regional land use plan, and the requirements have been met concerning the habitat, then the area would be declared exempt from the 4D Rule. Congressman Dicks' hope is to provide an option whereby endangered species are dealt with in the form of a plan even before they are determined to be endangered. ADJOURNMENT: . The meeting ad'o~ at 2:05 p.m.