HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07/03/2017 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Port Angc1cs, Washington
July 3, 2017
CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL MEETING:
Mayor Downie called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Mayor Downie,Councilmembers Bruch,Gase,and Whetham.
Deputy Mayor Kidd,Councilmember Collins,and Councilmember Merideth joined via conference call.
Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: City Manager McKeen,Attorney Bloor,Clerk,Vencklasen,C.Dclikat,and T.Agesson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Downie led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Eric Lewis,CEO of Olympic Medical Center at 939 Carolinc Street,spoke in favor of tree removal due to
community medical need and for emergency preparedness,
Steve Burke,Port Commissioner,225 East Fifth Street,spoke in favor of tree removal,noting that the Port passed an
emergency resolution in response to the Notice of Airman Restriction.
John Nutter, I I I I Eckard Street,spoke about tree data and advocated the removal of trees penetrating the air space.
Marolee Smith,P.O. Box 2498,asked why there hadn't been a Town Hall meeting to discuss the issues. She said the
FAA indicated that the Port had been negligent in getting them a Master Plan for Lincoln Park. She questioned why
there was the need for an emergency meeting.
John Kibele, 1906 Black Diamond Road,spoke in favor of emergency airplane service at the airport,but also
advocated for a tourist attraction such as carving contest using the trees at Lincoln Park.
Kristen Rucker, 1111 Eckard Street,said her daughter needed medevac air services and she couldn't imagine what
would have happened if those flights hadn't been available. She said lives are more important than trees.
John Brewer,5101 South Liberty Street,said the City needs an efficient,safe,and fully functional airport. Ile spoke
in favor of removing the trees.
Jim Moran, 1710 West Fourth Street,spoke in favor of removing the trees at Lincoln Park.As a pilot,he said he
agrees with the FAA guidelines and that the trees in the air space are a public safety issue.
Jeff Well,owner of Rite Brothers Aviation at 1.400 Fairchild Airport Road,spoke in favor of tree removal, Fle said
emergency services,his business,pilot safety,and the future of the airport are impacted by the issue.
Carol Johnson,director of North Olympic Timber Action Committee, 123 Henry Boyd Road,spoke in favor of tree
removal.She said that if people want economic opportunities in Clallam County,then the community is going to
have to start thinking bigger and protecting assets.
Paul Forrest,P.O.Box 2027,said Port Angeles has a great airport that needs to be protected. He said the community
should begin building a new Lincoln Park,taking out trees where necessary and planting new,shorter growing trees.
He said the community can have both an airport and a beautiful park.
Poor ANGELES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING—July 3, 2017
Connie Beauvais,Port Commissioner,95 Paca Lane,said that the Port Commission declared an emergency when
they realized they did not have the luxury of time. She asked Council to approve the removal of at least 38 trees
immediately.
Bob Schroeder,905 West Ninth Street,Director of the Economic Development Corporation,spoke in favor of
removing the tree-,at Lincoln.He thanked Council for taking on the issue so quickly.
Karen Goshen,Executive Director of the Port of Port Angeles,spoke about the process the Port's consultant and the
FAA went through to analyze the tree obstruction data. She spoke to the FAA requirements in relation to an
avigation casement.Council discussion followed.
BUSINESS:
1. Notice of Airman Restrictions&Tree Obstruction Removal at Lincoln Park
Councilmember Gase recused himself due to his employment with the Port of Port Angeles.He"tied the meeting.
City Manager Dan McKeen provided a chronology of events including:
• The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)issuing a Notice to Airman(NOTAM)imposing the restriction
that instrument approaches to night landings on Runway 26 at the William R.Fairchild International Airport
would no longer be allowed due to tree obstruction at Lincoln Park;
• Port Commissioners adopting a resolution declaring any encroachment of trees into the airport's glide path
an emergency due to the fact that it prevents life line flights from leaving Port Angeles at night;and
• The need for the City Council to call a special meeting to consider immediate removal of the trees at Lincoln
Park identified by the Port's consultant as being above the required threshold,
Port Executive Director Goshen showed a map illustrating the trees in Lincoln Park that are at or near the glide path.
Council discussion followed.
It was moved by Kidd and seconded by Merideth to:
Immediately remove 38 trees and authorize city manager to work with the Port to remove 36 in the future.
Council discussion followed.
The Mayor restated his understanding of the motion on the floor to:
Remove 38 trees to restore instrument approaches to the night landing on Runway 26 and to further authorize the City,
with the cooperation of Port staff,to remove an additional 36 trees identified as at or near the glide path.
The maker of the motion and the seconder to the motion accepted the Mayor's restating of the motion.
Attorney Bloor clarified that he understood the intent of the motion was that the City Manager would have the authority
to take care of the 74 trees,and not bring the item back to the Council.I-fearing no objections from Council to Attorney
Bloor's clarification,the Mayor said that was the intent.Council discussion followed.
Councilmember Collins called for the question.
Motion carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Downie adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
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