HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/26/1999 3958
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Port Angeles, Washington
April 26, 1999
CALL TO ORDER - The City Council joined the members of the Downtown Forward Executive Committee
SPECIAL MEETING: to hear a presentation on the Gateway Project by the Final Design Phase Consultant
Team. The meeting commenced at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Braun, Councilmembers Campbell, Doyle, Hulett
[arrived at 9:40 a.m.], McKeown, Wiggins, and Williams.
Members ,4 bsent: None.
DFEC Members D. Foster, K. Grandbouche, J. Haguewood, C. Hulse, P.
Present: Coover, E. Knight, J. Melton, V. Rudin, B. Taylor, and K.
Waggoner.
City Staff Present: J. Pitfis, T. Smith, Clerk Upton, and P. Rasler.
Others Present: A. Holzschuh, R. Woody, J. Beckham, C. Anderson, D.
Vange, L. Pardini, B. Lindberg, and J. O'Neill.
Gateway Project Gateway Project: Cathleen McKeown, Councilmember and Chairman of the
Downtown Forward Executive Committee, announced that Federal Transit
Administration funding had been released as of Thursday evening, so efforts on the
Gateway Project could proceed. Public Works Director Pittis indicated that an
agreement with the consultants could not be finalized pending the receipt of the
funding. Further, he indicated the June meeting of the Downtown Forward Executive
Committee would be held on schedule, unless it might be necessary to call an earlier
meeting in order to address the contract before its presentation to the City Council.
Lee Pardini and Darrell Vange led a discussion on the Gateway Project. Mr. Pardini
indicated it was their role to assure that the "underpinnings" were in place before
moving forward with the project. Essential to the success of the project is consensus,
understanding, and mutual support as the ideas progress. In conjunction with the plan
submitted a couple of years ago, Mr. Vange indicated thc scoping phase will be
reviewed and interrelated with Downtown Forward and the Transit Study so that one
can build on the other.
In summarizing the scope of the project, consideration will be given to a review of the
Gateway concept, the transportation center, a full transit center, sign and traffic centers,
public parking, a public plaza meander, commercial spaces, needs at the
Chamber/Visitor Center, and a waterfront promenade on the Tidelands East. Also to
be considered are the involvement of the Tidelands West, the Elks Lodge, the Oak
Street property, the Landing Mall, and the Marine Lab. Mr. Vange noted that a
community typically starts out concenlmting on a small, tangible project which will, in
turn, attract other activities on adjacent properties.
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3959
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
April 26, 1999
Gateway Project Mr. Pardini indicated that, because funds are now available to build the Gateway
(Cont'd) Project, the challenge is to create a vision. He urged all involved to think "outside the
box" and envision Port Angeles in the year, 2025.
Discussion ensued as to the traffic patterns envisioned in the future, particularly as they
relate to truck traffic. Director Pittis reviewed for the group plans underway to make
certain these efforts coincide with the Transportation Improvement Plan. Further, he
reviewed specific projects intended to provide a by-pass for the truck traffic,
emphasizing that the downtown plan cannot be accoraplished until the remainder of the
traffic plan has been realized.
The group discussed the funding available for the project, the associated restrictions,
and the fact that the vision will go beyond present funding. It was noted that various
current projects relate directly to the overall success of downtown revitalization, such
as the Valley Creek Estuary, the renovation of the Lee Hotel, and the State office
project. All of the projects interrelate, and emphasis was placed on the importance of
private investment as plans progress.
The consultants outlined their plans to meet with the community in order to receive
input as relates to the vision. These meetings will likely occur during the months of
June, July, and August. Also considered in the discussion was the relationship with
Victoria, B.C. The consultants cautioned the group that current discussions and
drawings are not representative of the final vision, nor are they site specific.
Discussion was held with regard to the environmental process required by virtue of the
Federal Transit Administration funding. To that end, it will be necessary to have a
preferred concept for presentation, but it will be advisable to also have alternative
options available.
Members of the group expressed the fact they were impressed with progress made thus
far and with the effort of the consultants to work together on this project.
ADJOURN TO The members of the City Council departed the meeting at 10:20 a.m., and the Mayor
EXECUTIVE SESSION: convened an Executive Session to discuss personnel.
RETURN TO OPEN The meeting returned to Open Session at 11:50 a.m.
SESSION:
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Becky~l. Ul~Jn, (~{ty C1;rk'-- GaryjBraun, l~or' '
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