HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-23,
Kate Dexter, Mayor
RESOLUTION NO l3-aj
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Port Angeles,
Washington, affirming and ratifuing the Declaration of
Emergency issued by the City Manager on Novernber 21,
2023.
WHEREAS, a Declaration of Emergency was issued by the City Manager on November
21,2023, a complete copy of which is attached; and
WHEREAS, the Council has reviewed the facts and circumstances that prompted the
Declaration of Emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Council hereby finds that the facts recited in the Declaration are true and
correct.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council ofthe City of Port Angeles:
1. The Council finds and declares that the structural defects and possible collapse of the
Viewing Tower on the City Pier discovered on Novernber 9,2023, constituted an
emergency in the City of Port Angeles; and
2. The City Council approves, affirms, and ratifies (l) the Declaration of Emergency
issued by the City Manager on Novemb er 2l , 2023, (2) all actions taken and contracts
make under the authority of that Declaration, and (3) the authorities declared in the
Declaration to take such additional actions and make other contracts as needed to
respond to the continuing emergency created by structural defects and possible collapse
of the Viewing Tower on the City Pier.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Angeles at a regular meeting of said
Council held on the 5th day of December 2023.
ATTEST:
Martinez-Bailey,
APPROVED AS TO
William City
t.
G
{".
CITY OF PORT ANGELES
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
Viewing Tower at City Pier.
Nathan A. West, City Manager of the City of Port Angeles, finds that the following facts
exist:
1. Earlier this year, the City contracted Sargent Engineers to perform a maintenance
inspection of City Pier Observation Tower. On November 9, Sargent reported discovery
of significant structural failures in and around the Viewing Tower. The structural failures
are reported to be so significant as to create the potential of the imminent collapse of the
Viewing Tower. This creates a serious risk to public safety and the safety of surrounding
property.
2. These facts create a situation that, for protection of public safety and of property, portions
of City Pier and the Viewing Tower and surrounding area must be closed immediately
and remain closed until the Viewing Tower can be restored to a safe and secure condition
3. Repairing the Viewing Tower will require the expertise of a structural engineer. The City
does not have a structural engineer on staff. It will be imperative to contract with one to
determine an appropriate long-term remedy for the Viewing Tower.
4. City Pier and the Viewing Tower are central features of the Port Angeles community.
The inability to readily access them is a significant and costly disruption to this
community. To prevent substantial economic loss, to protect public safety, to prevent
property damage, it is essential that safe and secure access to City Pier and the Viewing
Tower be restored as soon as possible.
5. Due to the severity of the structural defects and possible collapse of the Viewing Tower,
its impact on the City's economy, its central role in community life, and the need for
immediate repair, an emergency is present which may necessitate utilization of
emergency powers granted pursuant to RCW 35.33.081 and RCW 38.52.070(2).
Now, therefore, by the authority granted to me under State law and by the City Council, I
hereby declare that an emergency exists in Port Angeles due to the structural defects and
potential collapse of the City Pier Tower and that the City is authorized to do the following:
1. Close City Pier to the extent necessary to protect public safety and the safety of
surrounding property; and
2. Enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to remedy the conditions that
are creating this emergency situation; and
3. Authorize and implement all measures and acts deemed prudent to protect the
health and safety of persons and the preservation of property; and
4. Make purchases, enter contracts, direct staff actions as needed, and take all other
actions and measures as may be necessary to respond to potential imminent collapse of
the Viewing Tower; and
5. Each City Department is authorized to exercise the powers authorized and vested
under this Declaration resolution in light of the emergency situation without regard to
time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law (excepting mandatory
constitutional requirements).
6. This Declaration shall be presented to the City Council at its regular meeting on
December 5, 2023, for consultation and ratification.
DATED this 21 st day of November 2023.
Nathan A. West, City Manager