HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/13/2014 PORT ANGELES FORWARD COMMITTEE
PITTIS MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM / Port Angeles, Washington
November 13, 2014
Mission Statement:
To create a strong, economically and culturally vibrant community
that will enhance the lives of our citizens.
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Downie opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present.- Patrick Downie, Sissi BrUCh, Jim Jones, George Bergner, Todd Gubler,
Mark Ohman
Members Absent: Cherie Kidd, Jim Hallett, Larry Morris, Bill Greenwood, Ted Simpson,
Andrew Schwab, Kaj Ahlburg Sherry Curran, Wendy Clark-Gertzen, Mike
Edwards
.Staff Present: Nathan West, Scott Johns
Others Present: Charlie Smith representing the Historical Society
Public Present: Barb Maynes, Jeff Bohman, Mary Sue French
Approval of Minutes
Approval of the October Meeting minutes were continued to the next meeting due to a lack of
quortu11.
Old Business
Nathan West provided an update on the status of the WTIP. The beach construction portion of the
project is complete. A contract for the second phase of construction has been signed with Primo
Construction and some elements are currently being constructed at Primo's facility.
New Business
Barb Maynes, Olympic National Park representative, presented information relative to the
proposed increase in Park entry fees. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act(FLREA)
provides the underlying legislation for fee increases for access to public lands. Fee increases are
proposed for several national parks and includes other agencies including the Forest Service,
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Bureau of Land Management. Fees collected for park entry
are returned to the point of origin at an 80% rate and is used for specific needs of the park. The
remaining 20% is used to fund other national monuments or facilities that do not collect fees.
Each park facility is required to submit proposals to the National Park Service to justify the
requested dollars. Monies not used are not allowed to stay with the park. Several park projects
were mentioned as planned expenditures in the park, including rehabilitation of the Rain Forest
Center, providing improved accessible parking and trails at the Hoh Visitor Center, the Glines
Canyon Dam overlook, as well as upgrading sewer and water facilities at many of the visitor
facilities.
Several members of the group suggested ways for the park to disseminate their message regarding
the fee increase to a larger segment of the community. Comments on the fee increase will be
accepted until December 31, 2014.
Mary Sue French, representing Nippon USA, was introduced to the group. Access through the
mill site to reach Ediz Hook recreation areas was discussed. It was pointed out that many first
Port Angeles Forward Committee
Meeting Minutes for November 13, 2014
time visitors to the area reach the mill and turn around due to the unwelcoming visual impression
presented. Several ideas were presented for ways to improve the section of the trail and roadway
to facilitate more comfortable passage through the mill. Those ideas included adding murals to
mill building walls to illustrate the mill's history, improving signage, and more dramatic street
marking.
Ms. French indicated that the mill is very unique in its configuration with a public street and trail
passing through the mill site. It was suggested that the unique nature of the situation should be
emphasized.
French she would carry the message back to the mill decision makers and she felt that the mill
would be open and supportive of improvements. The consensus was that improvements would be
a win/win situation for both the mill operators and the City.
Jeff Bohman of the Peninsula Trails Coalition presented his organization's mission and success in
providing a world class trail system. The coalition has been instrumental in advocacy for grant
funding and in collaboration of trail projects. It was pointed out by Jim Jones that many grants
require a match in funding that is often supplied by volunteers from the coalition. Mr. Bohman
indicated that both the County and the City have been very helpflrl and supportive of trail system
improvements.
The coalition is also involved in fund raising. They have a $50—$60,000 budget, most of which
is spent on administrative needs and feeding volunteers at activities. Growth of the organization
will most likely require that a paid staff member be hired at some point in the future.
George Bergner representing PA Likes Bikes organization, provided an update regarding
bicycling issues, programs and achievements. The group is currently in the process of generating
the application for rating by the League of American Bicyclists. The application will be unique in
character due to the cooperation between the City, the County and Native American tribes.
Several positive comments regarding out-going County Commissioner Mike Doherty's
contributions to bicycling and trails over his tenure on the commission were made.
Sissi Bruch requested that the findings and results of the AIA SDAT study regarding downtown
parking be placed on the agenda for December.
Jeff Bohman (as a member of the Port Angeles School District steering committee for a new high
school) requested to be included on the December agenda.
A(hournrnent
Vice Chair Downie adjourned the meeting at 8:44 a.m.
Next Meeting Date
Next regular meeting date—December 11, 2014, at 7:30 a.m. in the Pittis Conference Room.
PZattN l< Downie, Vice"Cl air Scott Johns, S Are ry..
T UTESTA FORWARD COMM ITTEE\2014\11.13.14 MIN UTES.DOC