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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/21/1997 3481 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington April 21, 1997 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Ostrowski called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at SPECIAL MEETING: 3:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Ostrowski, Councilmembers Campbell, Doyle, Hulett, McKeown, and Wiggins. Members Absent: Councilman Braun Staff Present: Manager Pomeranz, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, B. Collins, J. Pittis, and T. Smith. Guests from Victoria: Bob Cross, Mayor; Chris Coleman, Counselor; David McLean, Counselor; Jane Lunt, Counselor; Don Roughley, City Manager; and Len Vopn0jord, Planner. Public Present: Ian KJngham and Elizabeth Robbins. Meeting with Victoria B.C. Mayor Ostrowski opened the meeting by welcoming all those present and by introducing Officials the members of the Port Angeles City Council and staff. Victoria Mayor Cross then reciprocated by introducing members of the Victoria Council and staff. Mayor Ostrowsld presented Mayor Cross with a key to the City, as well as a picture of the Kalakala. He presented the Council members with a pin of the Port Angeles logo. Elizabeth Robbins, Washington State Department of Transportation, presented Mayor Cross with signs designating the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. Ms. Robbins indicated that this is a historic occasion in view of the two cities forming a partnership and, as a gesture of good will, the signs were being presented as part of what is hoped to be developed as an international gateway through Port Angeles. Ms. Robbins expressed the hope that all those seeing the signs would know they are in the coastal corridor. Mayor Cross accepted the signs with pleasure and noted this is the first step in the joint effort between the two cities. Manager Pomeranz expressed his pleasure with having the Victoria dignitaries as guests, as it has long been a goal to improve the working relationship with Victoria. Port Angeles has been in the process of changing and diversifying, and the key to this change is the downtown area, the heart of the town and the gateway. Tim Smith, Grants and Projects Administrator, reviewed the revitalization efforts in the form of the Downtown Forward Project, inclusive of the Olympic Peninsula International Gateway. Mr. Smith felt this meeting introduces a great opportunity to strengthen tourism between the two cities. Marketing materials and an interpretive center could be established to describe the Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. In the discussion that followed, it was agreed that the two cities must unite in seeking funding opportunities, assuring the longevity of ferry service, and strategizing to maximize the linkage between the two. Mr. Smith continued by reviewing the K-Ply/Valley Creek Estuary Project. Manager Pomeranz reviewed the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Cities of Victoria and Port Angeles. The agreement was being proposed in the interest of ' ' fostering a cooperative relationship to further mutual goals of improving local economies and tourist industries. To that end, he summarized the principles, policies, and agreements set forth: identification of mutual goals and objectives, joint investigation and coordinator of projects and strategies, economic development/transportation projects, tourism promotion endeavors, and cooperative funding and in-kind support. Having reviewed the agreement while traveling to Port Angeles, Mayor Cross spoke in support of the agreement and solicited input from the Victoria C0uncilmembers. All comments made were most favorable, and City Manager Roughley expressed the opinion that this is a step forward for the two cities in seeking positive initiatives for economic health and increased tourism. Manager Roughley indicated that Victoria is most interested in pursuing this relationship with Port Angeles. Lengthy discussion followed with respect to marketing opportunities, joint planning on easing the transportation bottlenecks, the need to provide entertainment for tourists who are waiting for transportation, and capitalization of the Cascadia connection. Members of the Port Angeles City Council expressed their total support of the proposed relationship, and discussion followed on how funding opportunities might be enhanced by this joint effort. -1- 3482 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING April 21, 1997 Meeting with Victoria B.C. Consideration was given to how the two entities might plan joint festivals during those Officials (Cont'd) times when Canadian and American holidays fall within days of each other. A "Friendship Festival" was suggested as a possibility for the period, June 30 - July 5. Also, it was suggested that .e~mded weekend packages could be established, in response to many areas moving toward year-round school terms. Another idea was generated with respect to Victoria's present efforts with the Canadian Navy on marine events and festivals. It was suggested the U.S. Navy may wish to join forces in these endeavors. Elizabeth Robbins again addressed those present by discussing the possibilities of a joint International Gateway Brochure application. She distributed copies of the Washington Coastal Corridor Master Plan for U.S. Highway 101, copies of a brochure on W ashington's coastal highways, and artwork which could be incorporated in a joint brochure with Victoria on the International Gateway theme. Ms. Robbins reported that the Department of Transportation Coastal Corridor Plan will be used to manage the highways, and she strongly endorsed the partnership being proposed. Ms. Robbins indicated grant fimding is available through the State, as well as through the National Sterne Byways Program. She felt a joint effort such as this should compete very well in grant solicitations. She noted that Port Angeles is the only International Gateway in three states. Manager Pomeranz emphasized there is not a border between the two cities and countries, but rather, there is a gateway. The group explored the concept of one region/two flags, and Mayor Cross made note of the fact that the majority of tourists to Victoria, other than those from. Washington, are fi.om California. The possibility of joint relationships between hotels and bed & breakfast inns was introduced. Mayor Cross suggested that the management of the Coho Ferry should probably be brought into some of these discussions. Discussion was held pertinent to north-south commerce connections and business locations. Manager Roughley summarized some of Victoria's efforts in enhancing job oppommifies in the area of high technology. He suggested the possibility that Admiral Marine might wish to make use of some of the high technology companies locating in Victoria, in association with the University of Victoria. This effort towards growth in business and tourism is proving to be quite successful. Manager Roughley felt some companies might opt not to locate in Victoria, but might prefer to be located in Port Angeles. Similarly, other companies may prefer to locate in Victoria. Therein lies an opportunity for both cities to work toward economic development, as there may be some compatibility between the two. Discussion followed as to how economic development is pursued by the two entities, and Manager Pomeranz informed the Victoria dignitaries of the economic summit being planned in Port Angeles by Governor Locke. He invited their participation in this economic surmnit. Also, Manager Roughley reviewed Victoria's involvement in the Institute of Smart Cities, something in which Port Angeles might wish to become involved. As a conclusion to the meeting, consideration was given to setting a date for a reciprocal meeting in Victoria. Planning Director Collins suggested the possible dates of June 23 or July 28. It was agreed the two staffs would continue to communicate on the issues discussed and will work towards establishing the next meeting date and agenda. Everyone was in agreement that this will prove to be an exciting venture. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m, Ci-ty Clerk tq V - l- - --/J ~/Mayor "/ , -2-