HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Summary - 06/11/2015 (2)Port Angeles Forward Committee
Meeting Minutes for June 11, 2015
Mr. Bergner then announced the award from the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle
Friendly Community (Bronze Designation). The designation is a joint City/County award. The
analogy of a string of pearls was used to describe the regional support for biking, stating that now
Port Townsend, Sequim, Blyn, and Port Angeles as all being Bicycle Friendly Communities, all
located along the path of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
The bicycle advisory committee is very active with visioning now underway to take full advantage
of the designation for the benefit of the entire area.
Chair Kidd and Pat Downie both praised Mr. Bergner for his (and the organization's) efforts on
gaining this award. The group followed up with general comments regarding the effort. Nathan
West brought up the bicycle facilities found in Cities that had gained the gold or silver awards and
indicated that many of those facilities are financed through general funds and emphasized the need
for public's support of bicycle facilities funding be made more obvious at City Council meetings
so that Council members hear what the public wishes are.
At the urging of Mr. Downie, Mr. West discussed the planned improvement to Race Street to
include bike lanes and the Complete Streets design concept and how the change would benefit the
City. Other efforts in promoting biking in Port Angeles was mentioned by Craig Fulton, Public
Works and Utility Department Director and Mr. Downie. Education and community outreach
were major items. Mr. Fulton mentioned the Coast Guard Base attempting to be designated bike
friendly and Mr. Downie mentioned Peninsula College being designated as a bike friendly
campus.
Jim Jones discussed the upcoming process regarding the Opportunity Funds issue that the City and
County have been involved in, regarding the West End Park project. Mr. West thanked the
County for their support of the project and also thanked the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe for their
assistance and support for the project. The final components are coming together and completion
is still on schedule for late summer, with a September opening event.
Member reports:
Ted Simpson asked about the signage and wayfinding program that had been undertaken as a
result of the AIA SDAT project. Mr. west indicated that the first signs have been in place with the
project on hold due to lack of funds.
George Bergner mentioned that the Peninsula Trails Coalition is moving forward on an additional
30 miles of the Olympic Discovery Trail, including the portion on the north side of Lake Crescent
that includes the 2 railway tunnels.
Michael Peters stated that the LEKT has issued Requests For Qualifications for architects to
design the Tse -Whit -Zen site.
Sherry Curran mentioned that the Tribe had recently held a "Resource Fair" and thanked the City
for its participation.
Chair Kidd reported on the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission and the concern regarding
the National Park plan to resurface Highway 112 along Lake Crescent. The public comment
period for the project has been extended to the end of June. Ms. Kidd indicated that through a
conversation with Park representative that all alternatives are required to be made public but that