HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07/22/2004 5371
City Council Special Meeting
"Brainstorming" Session
Port Angeles, Washington
July 22, 2004
Senior Center, 3:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Headrick called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and turned the meeting facilitation
over to Manager Quinn.
ATTENDANCE: Members present: Mayor Headrick, Councilmembers Braun, Erickson, Munro, Pittis, Rogers,
and Williams
Staff Present: Manager Quinn, Attorney Bloor, Directors Connelly, Cutler, McKeen, Riepe,
Smith, Ziomkowski.
Others Present: Brian Gawley of the Peninsula Daily News
AGENDA REVIEW: Manager Quinn reviewed the proposed agenda whereby the first couple of hours involved
project interaction with the staff present, then a dinner break, and the remainder of the
meeting till approximately 7:30 p.m. would involve only the Council and select management
staff in discussion of specific projects.
Manager Quinn introduced the "Wheel of Progress" which categorized functional areas for
future strategic planning sessions based upon our Council Goals and suggested topics from
AWC and NLC. The categories identified were:
(1) Growth & Expansion, (2) Utilities & Infrastructure, (3) Intergovernmental Relations, (4)
Neighborhood Livability (5) Downtown Enhancement, (6) Municipal Services, (7)
Transportation, and (8) Community & Economic Development. These categories revolved
around the hub of Council policies, projects, vision, and goals.
An additional sub-list of topics under each category was also added, and an example was
used in the category of Transportation. The topic was Walk/Bike Improvements with a
project listing of Gateway and "Walkable Communities" as referenced to a consultant
presentation at the AWC Summer Conference by Dan Burden. Attachments on "Walkable
Communities" criteria, a survey instrument, and our 2004 Community Workplan were
provided for reference.
COUNCIL/STAFF
DISCUSSION: Review of concepts associated with "Walkable" Communities, Nuisance Enforcement,
Corridor Improvements, and Community Image were discussed. General comments are
summarized as:
Corridor Transportation needs further review. We need to seek a balance between moving
vehicles, encouraging pedestrians and bicyclists, and improving aesthetics. Should we
review the advantages/disadvantages associated with maintaining the one-way couplets on
the entry corridor? What should our strategy look like and function for aesthetics and
maintenance? Pedestrian overpasses downtown were discussed as all-weather ways to move
people; and archways over the road were seen as strategic signage opportunities. Streetscape
and landscape opportunities were discussed along our corridors and a detailed plan was
promised by staff. The impact of signage was also discussed with an emphasis upon
consistent color, logos, etc.
City Council Special Meeting: Brainstorming I July 22, 2004
5372
Policy and planning for creating walkable communities was also discussed. It was noted that
Port Angeles Forward Executive Committee (PAFEC) has incorporated several of these
topics into their overall recommendations. Image and cleanliness of the community are
important objectives. Being pro-active rather than reactive was considered a useful strategy
in dealing with economic development and being able to influence important property
development, like the Rayonier site, for overall community benefit. The application of City
resources was also considered an important asset for shaping our community as we seek a
balance between m-fill and expansion properties for extension of utilities and services.
Involving the community into this strategic planning process to assist the Council in their
vision for the future will be utilized more in the future as we use community surveys, e-
government applications, etc.
Nuisance abatement and improving the community's image was another major topic of
discussion. Staff should research other examples and address the best way to handle such
enforcement issues as private versus public maintenance responsibility of adjacent planting
strips to the curbline, and whether we can deal with aesthetics or concerns on private
property. It was discussed that we consider an incentive approach rather than an ordinance
enforcement approach and rely upon community pride. It was generally the consensus of
opinion that cleaning and improving the community image was important, and that setting
an example with the City's property would be a critical element.
DINNER BREAK: 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.
COUNCIL
DISCUSSION: Based on the above discussion, the following objectives were designated for staff followup:
(1) Be more strategic than reactive in planning, and consider more frequent "brainstorming"
sessions devoted to one category or topic; (2) focus on traffic corridors for enhancement with
an emphasis on a Front Street Streetscape Plan, (3) Build and improve upon our Community
Image; (4) Build Community Value through strategic investment in the community
infrastructure and strategic property development and/or purchase; (5) Consider an archway
across Highway 101 coming into the City from the east as a "portal" effect; and (6) develop
a letter to assist new owners of commercial property development that explains our process,
standards, and resources.
Short-term objectives derived are: (1) Revision of the Nuisance Ordinance; (2) Develop a
Code Enforcement proposal for the 2005 Budget Review; and (3) Look into the sign and
portal concept.
The Council also received an update from management staff on the Elwha MOU
negotiations.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:15 p.m.
~ ,~ael Quinn -~'
Ri hard A. Headrick'''~ ~' B~cky J. Uptq ~/ - - -
Ma' for City Clerk
City Council Special Meeting: Brainstorming 2 July 22, 2004