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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06/13/2013 PORT ANGELES FORWARD COMMITTEE PITTIS MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM / Port Angeles, Washington Meeting Minutes for June 13, 2013 Mission Statement: To create a strong economically and culturally vibrant community that will enhance the lives of our citizens. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Downie opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Chair Kidd, Vice-Chair Downie, Larry Morris, Terry Weed, George Bergner, Charlie Smith, Mike Edwards, Greg Halberg, Mike Chapman, Maggie Roth and Matt Fast for Linda Rotmark. Members Absent: Jim Hallett, Frances Charles, Kaj Ahlburg. Stqf ,�'Present: Dan McKeen Nathan West, Scott Johns, Roberta Korcz, and Teresa Pierce. Others Present: None. Public Present: None. Approval ofMinules Minutes for April 2013 meeting approved by consensus. (May meeting was canceled). Waterfront Transportation Improvement Proiect(WIM Update/West-End Park West reported Railroad Avenue is open for public access while work continues on Oak Street. Substantial completion enabling street access is expected for sometime in July. Art elements and lighting will be installed in August. The West End Park 100% design is underway. The funding gap of$1 million is now approximately $790,000. Several grants,totaling just over$900,000, are pending. Samples of trail markers and other art elements were displayed. High quality standards have been required throughout the project. If we are able to close the funding gap by the end of June, requests for West End Park construction bids could be advertised in July. Ribbon cutting for the Esplanade portion is expected in August. Chair Kidd encouraged all PA Forward members to attend the ribbon cutting as this is a project that did not set on the shelf and will be a legacy for PA Forward. Terry Weed asked about traffic lane widths. Lanes are the same width as other areas in the downtown including the First and Front Street corridors. Design work entailed modeling to ensure accommodation of large trucks coming and going to the Black Ball ferry terminal. Narrowing of street lane width ensures the pedestrian friendly environments we are seeking to coincide with the Esplanade improvements. Port Angeles Forward Committee Meeting Minutes for June 13, 2013. Discussion continued regarding the economic development stimulant, improvement to the international entry, Black Ball Ferry's initiative to improve their terminal both functionally and esthetically, and the incorporation of Native American elements planned for the West end park. Bicycle Tourism/Regional Bicycle Interest Group—Discussion George Bergner reported the subcommittee met on June 3. Bergner shared a variety of bicycle tourism and event statistics from across the country. A group from the Port Angeles Business Association (PABA) went to Victoria a few years ago. Another group is planning to go to Victoria again and talk with groups about having a Bike Crawl event in Part Angeles possibly in October. Bergner further reported Port Angeles Likes Bikes is up and running and will feature a Facebook page later this month. Website is under construction and fundraising is going well. Other subcommittees are being formed. Performance measures will be embedded to gauge results. Think/Choose/Buy Local Campaign Mike Edwards reported on the customer service training class held at Peninsula College. About 100 were invited, ads were put in the Peninsula Daily News, and resulted with 1.2 business participating. He followed up by asking those attending to encourage or recruit other businesses. However, this generated only one additional business which was already participating. Edwards stated lie has decided to withdraw from leadership role for Choose-Local as there is not the response or ongoing interest from the business community. He believes a fresh perspective is needed and has other projects needing his time and energy. Edwards will meet with Nathan West to see if Choose- Local could fold in to another effort, or dissolve, or other possible next steps. West commended Edwards for his efforts and how Choose-Local has been one of the most positively received programs. West noted how Edwards has done everything possible to keep the campaign going and is very appreciative of Edwards' time, work and commitment. Chair Kidd noted how familiar the Choose-Local has become within the community and appreciated Edwards' efforts. Halberg asked for Edwards' opinion on why Choose-Local has not taken off as it should or could have. Edwards said the campaign should be moved from City funding and be a method for businesses to support, fund and lead. West responded City will do as much as possible to keep the Choose- Local effort going. Edwards noted the subcommittee met all initial goals, and the time has come for the next steps to be determined and furthered. McKeen noted how crucial local businesses involvement is to the success and continuation of the program and the importance of businesses being open on weekends. Cruise Ships Downie reported there may be an article soon in the Peninsula Daily News regarding results and success of the first five cruise ship visits. He did not have specific retail statistics but it is estimated the ships' 320 total passengers generated approximately $25,000 locally. More visits are planned for September and October. The Cruise line is very pleased with Port Angeles and commented how Port Angeles had provided the best entertainment packages with the Port Angeles High School musicians being the most outstanding. The Cruise Line is very pleased with the reception they received in Port Angeles. Downie is confident they will return with another cruise schedule in 2014.. PA FORWARD COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES -JUNE 2013 Page 2 of 3 Port Angeles Forward Committee Meeting Minutes for June 13, 2013 Chair Kidd noted July I is Canada Day and she will be leading a delegation over to Victoria to participate in the celebration and invited PA Forward members to join. Mike Chapman congratulated Terry Weed on a successful career as the General Manager for Clallarn Transit System, wished him a successful retirement and thanked him for his service to the community and for serving on PA Forward. Economic Development/Downtown Port Angeles/Sub-Committee Reports None 2013 Topics for Discussion on Future Agendas-None None Member Reports—New Business None Adiournment Chair Kidd adjourned the meeting at 8:35 a.m. Next Meeting Date Next regular meeting date—July 11, 2013, at 7:30 a.m. in the Pittis Conference Room. Cherie Kidd, Chair Teresa Pierce PA FORWARD COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 2013 Pate 3 of 3