HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07/31/2018G,
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Port Angeles, Washington
July 31, 2018
CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Bruch called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 4:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Mayor Bruch, Deputy Mayor Dexter, Councilmembers French, Kidd, Merideth, Moran, and Schromen-
Wawrin.
Deputy Mayor Dexter participated by conference call.
Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: City Manager McKeen, Attorney Bloor, Clerk Martinez -Bailey, C. Delikat, K. Dubuc, N. West, and Grant
Degginger.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Based on input from Attorney Bloor, Mayor Bruch announced the need for an Executive Session, under the authority of
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for the purpose of discussing potential litigation with legal counsel, Council moved to the Jack Pittis
Conference Room for Executive Session for approximately 30 minutes. The Executive Session convened at 4:05 p.m.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
The Executive Session concluded at 4:30 p.m. No action was taken.
OPEN SESSION
City Attorney William Bloor used a PowerPoint presentation to provide background on the issue regarding the transfer of the
water facilities arising from the failure of the United States to fulfill its obligations. He asked City Council to consider
whether or not to accept a proposed transfer agreement. Attorney Bloor discussed the proposed settlement agreement, the
1992 Elwha Act, and provided background on the Elwha River. He spoke about the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries
Restoration Act and its purpose, to protect the quality and quantity of the water coming from the Elwha River. Attorney
Bloor spoke about the purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government and discussed concerns
the City had relative to taking over the facilities, which included high costs and risks, and the economic impacts of
maintaining the facility. City Manager Dan McKeen provided background on the settlement negotiations, saying they began
in 2016. Attorney Bloor asked the City's Legal Counsel, Grant Degginger to speak about the risks and benefits of litigation.
He outlined the primary risks as well as the benefits of settlement. Council discussion followed.
It was moved by Kidd and seconded by French to:
Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Elwha Water Transfer agreement between the U.S. Department of the Interior,
acting through the National Park Service and the City of Port Angeles concerning the transfer of ownership of the Elwha
Water Facilities and the rights and responsibilities attendant to the transfer as articulated in this Agreement.
Motion carried 7-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
It was determined there was no need for an executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bruch adjourned the meeting at 5:33 p.m.
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Sissi Bruch, Mayor