HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Summary - 01/08/2015PORT ANGELES FORWARD COMMITTEE
PITTIS MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM / Port Angeles, Washington
January 8, 2015
Mission Statement:
To create a strong, economically and culturally vibrant community
that will enhance the lives of our citizens.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kidd opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Cherie Kidd, Jim Jones, Sherry Curran, George Bergner, Larry Morris, Kaj
Ahlburg, Mike Edwards, Wendy Clark-Gertzen, Charlie Smith
Members Absent: Jim Hallett, Bill Greenwood, Ted Simpson, Andrew Schwab, Mark Ohman,
Todd Gubler, Patrick Downie, Sissi Bruch
Staff Present: Nathan West, Scott Johns
Others Present: Steve Methner representing Port Angeles Citizens for Education (PACE)
Public Present: None
Approval of Minutes
The December Meeting minutes were approved as presented.
Old Business
Steve Methner returned to PA Forward to request endorsement and a letter of support for the
School bond funding of the proposed new High School. This item stimulated a long and detailed
discussion on School finance, state education requirements, the intricacies of tax structure and
impacts to various citizen groups. Although there was general consensus that a new building was
needed, there was some reticence expressed over the total cost of the project.
A motion was made by Jim Jones to endorse support for the bond issue by signing a letter of
support. The motion was seconded by Mike Edwards and passed unanimously with one
abstention.
New Business
A 2015 work plan for the PA Forward Committee was briefly introduced. As part of the work
plan, Nathan West presented the Valley/Peabody Creek Loop Trail concept. The idea is to
establish a trail system that would connect the downtown area with Olympic National Park
following the stream corridors of Valley Creek and Peabody Creek. The project is currently on
the Capital Facilities Plan, much of the lands are in public ownership and some trail portions do
exist. It was pointed out that there is no City budget to finance the project, however it is believed
that between volunteer group participation and potential grant funding, there may be opportunities
to proceed with the idea. The group expressed support for the idea and would like to see
additional follow-up discussions.