HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10/08/2015 PORT ANGELES FORWARD COMMITTEE
Downtown Waterfront Park / Port Angeles, Washington
October 8, 2015
Mission Statement:
To create a strong,economically and culturally vibrant community;
that will enhance the lives of our citizens.
CALL TO ORDER: Cherie Kidd opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Cherie Kidd, Mark Ohman, George Bergner, Sherry Curran, MarySue
French, Kaj Ahlburg, Jim Jones
Members Absent: Patrick Downie, Jim Hallett, Bill Greenwood, Larry Morris, Charlie Smith
Mellissa Williams, Wendy Clark-Getzen, Mike Edwards, Michael Peters
Staff Present: Nathan West, Scott Johns
Others Present: None
Public Present: None
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes for August 13, 2015, and September 10, 2015 were approved.
Old Business
Chair Kidd introduced the topic of the Waterfront development project in downtown by reviewing
the September PA Forward meeting that took place at the City's waterfront to review the project,
and thanking staff and committee members for the work that they had done to move the project
forward to its current level of completion. Several comments regarding the positive input that has
been received about the project were made.
She then turned the meeting over to Community and Economic Development Director Nathan
West. He began with the announcement that the final change order to complete the remaining
items of the west end park was approved by council. The wind spires will be ordered and due to
wetter weather, the landscape elements will be completed. Mr. West then provided a PowerPoint
presentation including a brief history of the project, the current status of the project and the status
of future phases of the project. Discussion of encouraging vendors to the park, if and when
restrooms could be added, and phasing of the remainder of the project followed. Permit timing
and the impact of permits timing out were also discussed. Mr. West also indicated that at this
point in time, he felt it was important to refresh the public input portion of the process. That will
provide the city with ideas as to what has been successful with the project and what changes may
be called for.
The discussion then expanded to other concepts associated with enhancing the downtown visitor
experience. Parking location, availability, and cost were a focal point for some. The potential for
closing Laurel Street to vehicles for a pedestrian mall was also discussed. Mr. West pointed out
that the City has received a grant to move forward on design for improvements to Race Street.
The way finding project is poised to move ahead if funding becomes available. That project is
eligible for funding through the Lodging Tax program.
George Bergner provided updates on the Bicycle Advisory group meeting and progress on the
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Port Angeles Forward Committee
Meeting Minutes for October 8, 2015
Dungeness River trestle replacement project, indicating that the expected completion date is the
end of December.
Mr. Bergner made suggestions that improvements to the Waterfront Trail between downtown and
Ediz Hook were needed and would greatly improve the biking experience to the Hook. He also
pointed out that Railroad Avenue from Lincoln to Laurel was also greatly in need of paving, and
that the Railroad/Lincoln intersection was confusing to bikers and better signage was needed
there. With Crab Festival coming up, Mr. Bergner mentioned the bike corral that would be
available.
Kaj Ahlburg provided and update on the Clallam Opportunity Investment Network (COIN).
COIN is an investing network focused on smaller businesses that need startup funding.
Suggestions were made that potential locations for vendors could be on the City Pier and near the
end of Ediz Hook. Consideration of improving the visiting experience to Ediz Hook would also
include improved signage through the Nippon Mill site. Mary Sue French indicated that some
improvements have been made in association with the new truck scale that was recently
completed. She also indicated that she would follow up with Nippon to move forward with an
improved passage through the mill site.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:34 a.m.
Next Meeting Date
Next regular meeting date—November 12, 2015, at 7:30 a.m. in the Pittis Co ference Room.
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Cherie Kidd, Chair `Scott Johns, S c tary
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