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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06/11/2015 PORT ANGELES FORWARD COMMITTEE PITTIS MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM / Port Angeles, Washington June 11, 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, Patrick Downie, Jim Jones, George Bergner, Sherry Curran, Ted Simpson, MarySue French, Michael Peters Members Absent: Mark Ohman, Jim Hallett, Bill Greenwood, Mellissa Williams, Mike Edwards, Kaj Ahlburg, Larry Morris, Wendy Clark-Getzen, Charlie Smith Staff Present: Nathan West, Scott Johns, Craig Fulton Others Present: None Public Present: None Approval of Minutes The May Meeting minutes were approved as presented. Late Items No late items were introduced. Old Business Pat Downie discussed efforts and results from the 'Beautify P. A. in May' project. The project has resulted in the painting of the Laurel Street stairway and several other structures in and around the downtown area. Fifty volunteers were involved over 2 weekend to paint the stairs. Mr. Downie indicated that downtown merchants had reported significant changes in the nature of downtown as a result of the painting, particularly with regard to litter and the presence of itinerant people. The downtown merchants have been very supportive of the improvements. Discussion of the Outside Magazine's best outdoor city competition took place. It was generally agreed upon that Port Angeles had gained significant attention and value from the event even though the result was a second place. Support from various individuals and organization was indicated and thanked for their involvement. An article in Outside Magazine regarding Port Angeles is expected in the October issue. George Bergner reported on PA Likes Bikes. The repair/replacement of the damaged trestle over the Dungeness River is a priority project supported by PALB, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and the Peninsula Trails Coalition. Mr. Bergner will be taking community event flyers to Victoria for distribution to 25 bicycle stores. He thanked the City of Victoria for their support of Port Angeles as a Bike Friendly Community and the Outside Magazine contest. In combination with the Port Angeles Police Department, 216 child bicycle helmets were distributed this year. The project is in cooperation with the School District and 19 other organizations. The program will be increased by as much as 150 helmets for next year. 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 carnpus. 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 corning 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 Port Angeles Forward Committee Meeting Minutes for June 11, 2015 the intent is not to close the road for any length of time nor create long delays in traffic. It was pointed out that public comment is very important because the decision may not come from local Park staff, but rather from administrators from 'out of town'. Mr. Bergner indicated that the Port Angeles Business Association has extended an invitation to Washington State Department of Transportation to provide a speaker at a July meeting to speak to the Highway 112 paving. Adjournment Chair Kidd adjourned the meeting at 8:33 a.m. Next Meeting Date Next regular meeting date—July 9, 2015, at 7:30 a.m. in the Pittis Conference Room. l 4 �i Cherrie Kidd, Chair Scott Johns, Secret TAConimittees\PA Forward\Meeting Minutes\2015\2015-06-11 PA Forward Minutes.DOCX