WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST (UPDATE)

OIL RIG BROUGHT BUCKS, WHILE PROTESTERS BROUGHT BAG OF HOT AIR! 

Hotel, eateries and more see spike in business from massive oil rig in Port Angeles Harbor

 PORT ANGELES — The expected blip in the city's economy from the oil rig that's commanding its northward views has bloomed into a full-grown bubble.

The Red Lion Hotel was ready to house dozens of workers preparing the rig for its journey to Seattle. Instead, it got a couple of hundred, General Manager Robert Utz said Tuesday.

Peninsula activists opposed to Arctic drilling plan to gather at Port Angeles Farmers Market table Saturday

PORT ANGELES — Members of Olympic Climate Action will be at the Port Angeles Farmers Market on Saturday to advocate opposition to Arctic oil drilling.

Editorial Comment: These two stories bring a question to my mind, had any of the environmental groups contributed to the local economy like the crew from the oil rig has done? The first article made mention of the influx of businesses along the water front had a boost of business, while making no mention of the visiting environmentalist protesting the oil rig had contributed a red cent to the local economy. So much for "loving" the area huh folks! All these protesters done was brought signs and their motorized boats, along with their arrogance. While the oil rig crew brought bucks! So why do these people feel compelled to disrupt the farmer's market with their leftist hot air!?

Port Angeles City Council approves search for grant for suicide-prevention fences

 PORT ANGELES — City Councilwoman Cherie Kidd has received consent from her council colleagues to seek grant funding for suicide-prevention barriers on the Eighth Street bridges.

 Quote from artilcle: " Prodded by Councilman Lee Whetham, who said he did not realize the resolution needed unanimous approval, council members rescinded the measure they had just voted on. Then, sitting at the dais in council chambers, they changed the wording to downplay Kidd’s involvement, crossing out her name in two instances and substituting it with “the city.”

But it retains a “whereas” that recognizes Kidd’s offer “to lead a search for a 100 percent funding grant for purposes of installation of an augmented safety railing system for the [Eighth] Street bridges.”---read more

Editorial Comment: Well that must of deflated Kidd's ego! When I first read this story, I thought okay just by the tone of this story, this is pay back for Kidd's swipe at the local media. As you recall a couple of weeks ago Kidd went on a rant about the local media not getting involvement of a local service club accurate. I made mention of those nasty contacts and agreements that seem to swell in cost due to an oversight or miscalculation ending up costing the taxpayer thousands perhaps hundred of thousands on capital projects above what was first proposed. Now, Kidd wasn't the only councilmember taking swipes at the local media a little while ago our pal Lee Whetham took a swipe at the media saying: " If the media gets it half right we be lucky" 

I ask what to they expect, propaganda? If they what that they can go to China!

Now, as for the bridges, even if they find grant funding they have to come up with matching funds. Something that was mention to Cherie Kidd during an interview with the PDN, she replied: "I am aware of it" That's like saying to the interviewer: "I am not stupid, how dare you remind me!" I tell you readers you have to read between the lines sometimes to pick up some of  this stuff. The story gave an account Kidd's facial expressions when her name was being deleted from a few lines of the resolution: 

"Kidd with her arms outstretched and mouth open looked stunned, and happy at the same time"

Meaning folks she was probably thinking You ingrates!

Some members of the audience according to the report made mention Kidd's thin skinniness. There are other examples of times when Kidd lost her cool. Back  a couple of years ago, the then Mayor Kidd banned the use of the Phrase: " Unfunded mandates" according to Kidd we are living in a new world order were her words when she chastised Dan Di Guilio who dared utter that phrase during a council meeting, she came down on Di Guilio like a angry hornet. Since then however Kidd herself had suddenly utters the phrase of unfunded mandates on occasions now suddenly its okay to say that phrase. 

Police Chief responds to Sequim’s ranking 14th most dangerous city

Port O Call inquired of the city of Sequim and their ranking as the 14th most dangerous city in Washington.  Chief of Police Bill Dickinson was kind enough to respond---PORT O CALL

Fire District picks Andrews for chief

After 14 years, Clallam County Fire District 3 is hiring a new fire chief.---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Please move on, Mr. Kelley

The Leader happily joins the chorus that is calling for the immediate resignation of Troy X. Kelley, who somehow got elected as the Washington State Auditor in 2012.---PT LEADER

DAVILA AND PISANI CHARGED IN FORKS OPNET CASE

Andrew R. Davila of Forks, age 32, was charged on April 20, 2015 in Clallam County Superior Court in a four count Criminal Investigation with a series of drug crimes including three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine and one count of Delivery of Heroin. All of the deliveries occurred within 1000 feet of a school bus stop in Forks.---FORKS FORUM

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT

Privacy watchdog alarmed by surveillance cameras in Victoria  

Two days after B.C. Transit started activating surveillance cameras in several Greater Victoria buses, B.C.’s privacy commissioner has gone public with concerns about capturing continuous images of people and vehicles along bus routes  ----TIMES COLONIST

Victoria council says no to business property-tax break  

Victoria homeowners dodged a bullet Thursday as city councillors narrowly voted down a proposal that would have almost doubled their property-tax increase this year in order to give business owners a property-tax break.  ---TIMES COLONIST

B.C. government collects $50 million from property deals in capital  

The B.C. government took in more than $50 million in the past two years by selling the Crystal Garden, Tourism Victoria’s Visitor Centre and most of a city block behind the B.C. legislature, documents released Thursday show.  ---TIMES COLONIST

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR THIS WEEK

 UPDATE!

The Port of Port Angeles and the City of Sequim released their agendas for this week's meetings, however Sequim hadn't posted their agenda on their webpage, though news reports are reporting what will they have on the agenda.
PORT COMMISSION AGENDA HIGH LIGHT:
The Department of Ecology requests a waiver of rental fees of the public meeting room
at John Wayne Marina for the purpose of hosting a series of Dungeness Water Rule
Implementation forums.

full agenda


Sequim council to tackle metro park district issue
(Sequim) – The Sequim city council tonight will vote on whether to put a metropolitan park district issue before voters next year.---KONP RADIO

COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

 Agenda highlight item: 3b Resolution confirming the appointment of an interim City of Port Angeles representative to the Opportunity Fund Board

See full agenda

Agenda item details

Other local & regional meetings

City of Sequim is scheduled to meet this coming week but no agenda has been posted on their webpage as of yet.

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA

 Vacation Rentals - Questions for CDLU

FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Agenda Highllight: Adoption of Growth Management Act public participation plan

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV

WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST

LEE WHETHAM HAS BIG POLITICAL GOALS...
After serving only 15 months on the City Council

Full video coverage of All Call for Candidates
On Lee Whetham He is already planning a run for a state position when he can’t even serve out one full term as city council member, before trying a run for Port Commission! What he going to do if elected as Port Commissioner? Cut and run for the first opportunity for a state posting!?
After seeing the clip provided from the Port O Call, I just had to laugh!
He pretty much gave the same old song and dance back in 2013!


Composite Recycling Technology Center Set to Receive $712K from State’s Clean Energy Fund

New economic impact report projects center will create over 300 jobs at $67K average wage.

Governor Jay Inslee has announced that the Port of Port Angeles’ Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) is one of five clean energy technology projects from around WA State to receive funding from the state’s Clean Energy Fund ---read more

Editorial comment: This was posted on the Port's webpage after Tuesday's meeting.

Big oil drilling rig arrives in Port Angeles

(Port Angeles) – A controversial oil rig arrived in Port Angeles today.

The 400-foot Polar Pioneer will remain anchored in Port Angeles harbor for two weeks. Crews are fitting the rig with equipment that was dismantled for the rig's trip across the Pacific Ocean. It pulled into the Port Angeles Harbor about seven this morning. It was escorted by a Coast Guard Cutter and another Coast Guard small vessel.---KONP Radio

Editorial Comment: To me it doesn't make sense to be protesting a oil rig for Pete's sake! I mean really, if their no oil there be no gas, no gas, no more planes, trains, power boats, or anything that uses fuel! We all be still using the horse and buggy routine. 

Clallam County commissioners drop sales tax, approve new EDC contract

(Port Angeles) – Clallam County will get a sales tax break.

County commissioners today approved a resolution notifying the state Department of Revenue it intends to reduce the amount of local sales tax collected by two tenths of a percent.---KONP RADIO

OMC's New Medical Building

Port Angeles -- The Olympic Medical Center hosted a special meeting Thursday afternoon, and previewed their new medical office building.----KONP RADIO

Nippon exceeds one-hour carbon monoxide limits 3 times; ORCAA says incidents did not affect air quality

 PORT ANGELES — Nippon Paper Industries USA’s new biomass boiler exceeded one-hour carbon monoxide limits twice Feb. 27 and once Feb. 28, without compromising the health of factory workers or city residents, according to the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.---PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Drought precautions under way in Clallam County---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Coast Guard escorts Victoria Clipper ferry following vessel fire near Port Townsend

An electrical fire broke out Thursday evening aboard the high-speed passenger ferry Victoria Clipper while it was near Port Townsend on a return trip to Seattle. The ferry's crew extinguished the fire and no one aboard was injured, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.---PTLEADER

Let's Dance!

Friday Jan. 9, 1925, many of the 300 or so Forks residents had gone to watch the Forks basketball team play Clallam at the IOOF Hall. The game got over around 10:30 p.m., many had barely gotten to sleep when the sound of barking dogs and the church bell ringing brought them to their feet and what they saw against the clear night sky was flames, lots of flames.---FORKS FORUM

 Summary of Key Harms from Fluoridation By Gerald Steel

The major dietary source of fluoride for most people in the United States is fluoridated drinking water---PORT O CALL

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Oil rig occupiers docked at Ogden Point are keen for next protest  

Greenpeace activists Andreas Widlund and Zoe Buckley Lennox were nervous but excited as they put on their gear one April morning at dawn ---TIMES COLONIST

Victoria man wants to talk to Port Angeles about disability issues...

By Peter Ripley, Publisher The Ripley Report

This story begins on Sunday while yours truly was stopping at Safeway after attending church services, when a city resident approached me and told me about a motivational speaker who would like to come to Port Angeles and share his story about disability issues. Les Chan, who was featured in the Senior Living magazine article below, and on a news broad cast in Victoria would like to come and speak to local governmental officials and the general public. 

Quoting from an email he sent to the Ripley Report: " The main reason I have contacted you is I would like to come over to speak to the disabled community in PA…at the age of 13 I had a serious brain tumor that left me partly paralyzed on my left side ….fast forward 49 years I now realize I have developed many tips and skills to making life easier for people with a loss of dexterity …it is my goal and passion is to show others how to live independently with personal grace and  personal dignity …my goal is to  inspire and motivate people to be more and do more …from cooking tips /dressing /personal grooming /and a host of every day task"

The following are the two articles about Mr. Chan:

A Resilient Man

By Thelma Fayle

Posted: Monday, June 1st, 2009

 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Open your heart to all who love you.

- Beautiful Dreamer, a poem by Les Chan, 1976

Long dark locks frame the sweet face of a 13-year-old boy in the picture looking down over the entrance to Les Chan's home. The arresting photo was taken days before Les had his head shaved for brain tumor surgery. 

A shaved head may not seem like the largest challenge, but it is a memory that still burns 40 years later. There was nothing "cool" about engaging puberty with a bald head in the '70s.

That pivotal time launched Les' determined crusade to handle life's challenges with his new body. Hemiplegia, a condition in which one-half of a patient's body is paralyzed, branded an indelible theme into Les' action plans. His mantra became: Move Forward.

"My disability has been a godsend in making me a very strong individual," he says. "I might have been a meagre kind of person otherwise."---Read more

With fingertips clenched we faded to dark

One last kiss (VIDEO)

This week's meetings:

COUNTY TO LOOK FOR NEW HEALTH OFFICER

During their regular meeting on Tuesday the County will consider Agreement with Olympic Medical Center for reimbursement of travel expenses related to recruiting a Health Officer. See details for this and other items on Tuesday's meeting

As for the rest of what's on the County Commission meeting:

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

2a Agreement for combined state and local voter’s pamphlet

2b Agreement with Peninsula College recognizing Health and Human Services as a training site for

health care professionals

2c Agreement with Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for implementing the Sequim Bay-Dungeness

Watershed Clean Water District Pollution Identification and Correction Plan pilot project

2d Agreement with Olympic Medical Center for reimbursement of travel expenses related to

recruiting a Health Officer

2e Agreement with Jefferson County for distribution of funds for the North Pacific Coast Marine

Resources Committee

2f Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for repaving, restriping

and shoulder work on LaPush Road

BIDS AND AWARDS

3a Opening and acknowledgement of proposals received for Chemical Dependency, Mental Health,

and Co-occurring Disorders Services

ADMINISTRATION

4a Resolution authorizing expenditure from general fund reserves for medical or other emergency

services at Public Hospital District 1 dba Forks Hospital

4b Resolution authorizing expenditure from general fund reserves for medical or other emergency

services at Public Hospital District 2 dba Olympic Medical Center

4c Resolution authorizing name change of a Fire Protection District

4d Resolution appointing a member to the Peninsula Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

PUBLIC WORKS

5a Notice of hearing to be held May 5 at 10:30 a.m. regarding a proposed ordinance creating a

Chapter titled “Integrated Roadside Weed Management” located within Clallam County Code

Title 9, Roads, Highways, and Bridges

5b Notice of hearing to be held May 12 at 10:30 a.m. regarding a proposed ordinance creating a

new chapter in the Clallam County Code titled “Carlsborg Sewer System Connection

Requirements

CITY TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTION FOR 8th Street Bridge Guard rail improvements

During their second meeting of the month, the city will introduce A resolution is proposed to allow a City Council member to seek 100% outside grant funding to install additional safety protection on the 8th Street bridges.

Recommendation: Per Council direction, a resolution has been prepared for Council discussion and possible adoption.

 At the April 7, 2015 Council meeting, Council directed City staff, by

consensus, to draft a resolution which endorses Council member Kidd to pursue outside funding for improved life safety protection on the 8th Street bridges. 

Editorial Comment: This should have been considered before the new bridges were built in the first place.

As for the rest of the City Council agenda:

CONSENT AGENDA / Approve

Verizon Wireless Communications Site Lease / Approve .................................... E-38

 Sanitary Sewer  & Stormdrain System Cleaning & CCTV, Project WW-14-017 / Award Contract . E-63

Eclipse Industrial Park Feeder Upgrade, Project CL-01-06 / Final Acceptance.......... E-65

6. Simple Steps BPA Conservation Agreement / Approve...................... E-66

7. Resolution Declaring Emergency for PenCom 9-1-1 Telephone Room Cooling System ..... E-74

PUBLIC HEARINGS – OTHER (6:30 P.M. or soon thereafter)

1. Ordinance to Vacate a Portion of Street and Alley Rights of Way / Olympic Medical Center / Conduct first reading..............G-1

H. ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. 2015 Budget Amendment #1 / Conduct second reading ...................................  H-1

J. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. AFSCME Collective Bargaining Contract ...... ....J-1

K. FINANCE

1. WTIP Phase 2 - Upland Phase / Award ............................. ............. K-1

Bids were requested for the Waterfront Development Phase 2C (Upland Phase), Project TR02-

2003. Three bids were received and opened on April 14, 2015. Primo Construction, Inc., of Sequim, WA was the low responsible bidder.

Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract for the Waterfront Development Phase 2C (Upland Phase), Project TR02-2003, with Primo Construction, Inc., of Sequim, WA in the total bid amount, including change order 1, of $1,124,742.26, and to make minor modifications to the agreement, if necessary. 

2. Professional Services Agreement with Herrera Environmental – NPDES Code and Standards Update ............................................. K-4

The City’s stormwater NPDES permit requires the City to perform a comprehensive update

of all pertinent City codes, ordinances, development standards, public works standards, etc., related to

Phase II requirements to eliminate barriers and implement low impact development (LID) as the

commonly-used approach to site development. This update requires that the updated codes and standards have a formal public process in order to seek input from the community, developers, and industry as part of the approval process. This effort will be jointly managed through the Community and Economic Development Department and the Public Works and Utilities Department. Herrera Environmental has been selected to provide professional services for this update of the City codes and standards.

Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services

Agreement with Herrera Environmental in an amount not to exceed $115,371, and to make minor modifications to the agreement, if necessary.

Editorial Comment: " minor modifications to the agreement, if necessary." Meaning if Herrera miscalulates or omits something in the agreement they will be back for more money on this study, just you watch.

Other area meetings

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 540 WATER STREET

Agenda Item highlight: Authorization to include the City of Port Townsend in the Jefferson County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan Update

Full agenda

FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

AGENDA - VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL

MUSIC VIDEO: Stevie Wonder Greatest Hits (Full Album) - The Best Of Stevie Wonder

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV

THANKS TO MY READERSHIP!

I just want to thank all my readers to this news blog The Ripley Report thanks to you, and those who takes a look at this blog from different parts of the world here is the status:
Not bad for a loser and no body  in his home town huh, karma folks, karma. Bravo and thanks!

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Lets keep it going smoke my detractors!

WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST (UPDATE: Port releases meeting agenda)

KIDD TAKES SWIPES AT MISCUES FROM MEDIA....

But silent on miscues on contracts and agreements mistakes that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars.

Council member and former mayor Cherie Kidd was fit to be tied during the city council meeting on Tuesday over news reports published in her involvement of a service club. Now, I search long and wide for a story that might be the thorn in Kidd's side and found the following article dated way back in December of last year! Why then there is no frustration over contracts and agreements that end up costing the tax payers thousands of dollars more due to some oversight, or miscalculation? I recall just a couple of years ago, a study being done regarding the landfill bluff project. The consultant doing the study came back to the council, asking for more money on the study of the project because they overlooked a figure in the estimation of the project, well that cost the taxpayer and additional $145.000! Where was Kidd's frustration over cost over runs due to miscalculations? Yet, she showed her frustration over a miscue over a news article. 

PDN December 14th article titled: Center Tourism in same hands

PA Chamber both kept in charge

The article posted reported that Kidd was member of soroptimist jet set. Which wasn't accurate according to Kidd who went on a rant during Tuesday's city council meeting.  If this is the article she was referring to why did she mention it now? It was posted months ago!? 

 According to her profile on the city council webpage: Council member Kidd is an active member of the Port Angeles Business Association, the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Soroptimist International, and serves on the boards of the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, Clallam County Economic Development Council, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Salvation Army. She also taught "Excellence in Customer Service" classes for Work First at Peninsula College. 

Now to be fair, I wrote Kidd an email saying: "Would you like to add or express your concerns over articles that were publish regarding jet Set? I am thinking of doing a commentary about accuracy in reporting. Those statements reminded me of many times when capital projects come and estimate a project cost, and the city approves such a project, and then after just a few months into the project, these contractors comes back requesting more money because of a miscalculation of the cost of the project as first advertised. Why isn't there just as much frustration felt for such mistakes, regarding contracts that are miscalculated by city staff? I am thinking about such a project regarding the landfill study that seem to continually rise because of some over sight by consultants who are hired to do the job."

She wrote back saying: " We have many civic clubs here in Port Angeles and it's easy to get one club confused with another one. This was a specific reference about my club affiliation that was associated with my voting and therefore it was incorrect reporting.  I hope I cleared the air and that's all I wanted to say."

Note she didn't address the contracts and agreement part of the question!

My point is practice what you preach! If you want fair and accurate news reports, that same measuring rod should be applied to these contracts and agreements that keep costing the city thousands of dollars more on projects due oversight or miscalculations. 

These consultants who do these studies on these various projects are always coming back to the city with their hands out wanting more money to do the job, and the excuses they generally give is: " We didn't factor this or that" Or we didn't include this figure....blah, blah. And no one on the council calls them on the carpet for it! The study or project ends up costing the taxpayer thousands if not millions of dollars beyond what was first advertised. In my book whenever these clowns come in asking for more money because of a mistake in their calculations,  that in itself should warrant not only a rant but a no vote!

In other local news stories 

 Port Angeles mayor decides against another term as other City Council members eye re-election

PORT ANGELES — The election picture is taking shape for the Port Angeles City Council.

Council members Cherie Kidd and Sissi Bruch said Monday they intend to run for re-election for their at-large, nonpartisan positions.

But Mayor Dan Di Guilio said he will not be seeking a third, four-year term.

Di Guilio, 66, also is completing his second, two-year term as mayor.

“I just want to spend more time with the family,” he said Monday.---PDN

Editorial comment:

 First of all yours truly made it a point to congratulate Dan Di Guilo in his dedication in serving out his terms in office without having the desire to pursue other venues of governess, unlike some of recent days. My hope the council will get dedicated people running for those postings who will serve at least one full term at least before pursuing another position somewhere else. The ironic thing is readers, the city had someone willing to serve a full term or two, but he was rejected by the majority of the voting public, and the guy who won the election ends up after only 15 months in office decides he wants to pursue a posting on the Port Commission....Karma folks, is so thick you can cut it with a knife!

Clallam County commissioner searches for answers to economic challenges amid discussion on spending reserves--PDN

PORT ANGELES — An emotional Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman said he “won't quit caring” and “won't quit trying” to help the local economy.

* In my opinion it is clear this is burn out, Chapman should have just ran for two terms. I imagine he is regretting running for three terms.  Two terms in office is enough for anyone.

Commissioner: Log shipping slump erodes Port of Port Angeles revenue; 40 percent to 60 percent decline expected at terminal

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles faces dwindling revenue from its log shipping terminal even as it encounters environmental challenges on the harborfront, a port commissioner said Tuesday.---PDN

Port Angeles City Council returns to discussion of suicide-prevention fences for Eighth Street bridges

" At Councilwoman Cherie Kidd’s request, city staff will prepare a resolution for the panel’s consideration April 21 that would authorize the city to seek state and federal grants to fund the approximately $1 million safety-barrier project, council members decided Tuesday."---PDN

* Those railings should have been installed from the beginning.

Vote: This Time It Matters!

In recent months, residents of Port Angeles and Clallam County have been barraged by news accounts painting a picture of gross mismanagement of the basic things people rely upon. Stories of millions of dollars of the public’s money spent on “economic development groups” year after year, with little more than continuing declines in the local economy to show for it.---PORT O CALL

Editorial Comment: This just reminds me if I were to run for office yet again, not saying that I am but if I did it would be against continuation of adding fluoride to our water supply. I would be pro marine industrial developments, and work to shore up our police and fire departments. Plus I would ensure accountability on those contracts and agreements.  

Clallam PUD power rate increase takes effect

(Port Angeles) -- Clallam P-U-D customers are opening their bills this month to find an increase in their power rates.---KONP RADIO

Biofuels is the topic of next Science Café---Sequim Gazette

Andre Baritelle has a background in the wine and food industry and in business development, holding a PhD in biological systems engineering from Washington State University.

New PT Paper mill manager rolls up sleeves

Carr Tyndall, the new general manager of Port Townsend Paper Corp., said Monday he'll focus on worker safety and three major mill improvement projects this year, including one that could help reduce the telltale paper-mill odor.---PTLEADER

Olympic Natural Resources Center in Forks Welcomes New Director

The Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC) in Forks, Washington—part of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington—is extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Bernard Bormann as its new director.---FORKS FORUM

Court rules Olympic Animal Sanctuary, founder violated the law

PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Superior Court held that a charity that raised $360,000 for a dog shelter, but failed to register with the Secretary of State or produce required records of how the donations were spent, violated the Charitable Solicitations Act.---FORKS FORUM

From Accross the Strait

Victoria council sets aside $1 million for homeless

Victoria councillors have set aside $1 million to help provide shelter for the most needy.

Councillors agreed to a proposal from Coun. Ben Isitt to use $750,000 of a $4.6-million surplus to increase funding to its housing reserve to $1 million from $250,000.----TIMES COLONIST

Meetings for Tuesday

Port Commission meeting is usually scheduled for the second Tuesday, however all this week they had special meetings. So, there should be a regular meeting on Tuesday, but the Port hadn't issued out an agenda as of yet. Once that is done I will post that agenda on here.
UPDATE!
PORT RELEASES MEETING AGENDA

Meeting highlight item:  KPly Clean-Up Action Plan Open House Report (verbal report no staff memo available)

The County will hold their weekly meeting on Tuesday and the highlight of their agenda posted is: Agreement with Economic Development Council for economic development activities

I thaught since the EDC has been reading tea leafs as of late on the prospects of our economic prosparity I thaught it would be fitting  to highlight this little number on the commission agenda this coming Tuesday. Especially now there is two big retailers closing their doors, Radio Shack, and now Walgreens thinking of closing.

As for the rest of the County Commission agenda:

CONSENT AGENDA –  

1a Approval of vouchers for the week of April 6

1b Approval of minutes for the week of April 6

1c Approval of payroll for the period ending March 31

1d Certification of applicant match for grant from the Recreation and Conservation Office for the

Spruce Railroad trail tunnel restoration project

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

2a Agreement with the Washington State Department of Health for information sharing

2b Agreement with Washington State University Extension to provide Clallam County citizens with

educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, family living, community resource

development, and 4-H/youth

2c Agreement with David Zehrung dba CONDAVENT.com for consulting services related to

management strategies and upgrade designs for the Sheriff’s Office radio communications

programs

2d Agreement with Economic Development Council for economic development activities

2e Agreement with McCrorie Carpet One for carpet replacement project in the Assessor’s Office

2f Agreement with Western Federal Lands Division (WFLD) of the Federal Highways Administration

transferring funds to them for the design and construction management of Segment D of the

Olympic Discovery Trail

2g Agreement with Olympic National Park and the Western Federal Lands Division of the Federal

Highways Administration for restoration of the Spruce Railroad grade segment of the Olympic

Discovery Trail

ADMINISTRATION

3a Resolution appointing a member to the Peninsula Housing Authority

PUBLIC WORKS

4a Notice of hearing to be held May 5 at 10:30 a.m. regarding a proposed ordinance titled

“Carlsborg Sewer System Connection Requirements

HEARING(S) – Beginning at 10:30 a.m.

H1 Consideration of resolution authorizing disposition of surplus property – three long-barreled

Remington 870 shotguns

Details of agenda items can be seen here

Other meetings Scheduled in the region

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

SEQUIM CITY COUNCIL

Agenda highlight item: Council Endorsement of SARC Use of Opportunity Funds

Complete agenda

Forks City Council meeting

From across the Strait: AGENDA - VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL

MEETING OF THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015, AT 7 P.M.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Centennial Square

TODAY's MUSIC VIDEO: The Who - Who's Next 1971 (Full Album)

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST

CONSULTANT WANTS ADDITIONAL 10,000 on harbor clean up study.

The endless study of harbor clean up

During the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, the city will be asked for an additional $10,000 for the harbor clean up study, which has been going on since 2012, from the consultant doing the study. I tell you one thing this study is keeping the consultant doing the study in business! While the citizens face higher taxes and utility rates more than ever. However fortunately, insurance will be covering most of the cost. But, still this is just one of three unfunded mandates from Ecology which continues to milk the city and citizens dry! As you recall this was the very project which the city was adding a surcharge to utility rate payers in order to pay for this "study", since then, the city gotten funding through insurance. Still, they haven't figured out what part of the cleanup will be the city's responsibility, and that I imagine will end up being on the shoulders of the citizens of the city, not the actual polluters. Lot of that sediment would probably be all washed out by the tide in time, but ecology in their infinite wisdom wants the clean up done. Once again, proving my point ecology only cares about their agenda to the point of bankrupting a town to achieve their ends.  

According to the staff memo provided:

Early in 2012, the Department of Ecology (DOE) released a harbor

sediment investigation report. Based on that report, DOE subsequently notified the City that it is

one of several entities potentially liable for some portion of the contaminants in the harbor. Once

that notification was made, the City was under an obligation to respond to it in some fashion.

After considering alternatives, the City Council elected to join with other PLPs to prepare an

RI/FS, which is the first step in evaluating possible cleanup actions. So, the City entered into a

Participation Agreement (PA). The other parties are the Port, Nippon, Georgia Pacific, and Merrill

& Ring. In the PA, those parties agreed to share the costs and expenses necessary to produce an

RI/FS.

Preparation of an RI/FS is largely a technical process. It requires scientists with specialized

training. Recognizing that, the PLP group hired technical consultants to support the preparation of

the RI/FS. Almost all of the costs incurred by the PLP group are to pay the fees of the consultants

and the testing and studies they conducted. 

The general steps that must be taken to produce an RI/FS are well known, but the details cannot be

predicted in advance. So, at the time the parties entered into the Participation Agreement, they

identified the general categories of work that the technical consultants would perform. That work

was divided into 3 tasks, and the group estimated the cost of each. At the same time, the PLPs

knew that circumstances could arise in the future that might require additional funding. Therefore,

they included in the PA provisions for making additional contributions to the group if future events

increased the necessary costs.

At this date, Task 1 has been completed on time and under budget. Task 2 is nearly complete.

Task 3 is not complete. It has required some additional testing and study that was not anticipated

in April 2013. So, some additional funding will be required to complete the RI/FS. The PLP

group cashier has called for an additional contribution of $10,000 from each PLP. All the other

PLPs have approved this additional contribution pursuant to the PA. 

Council needs to approve the additional expenditure pursuant to previous obligations for the

Harbor Study RI/FS project. Funding for this expenditure is expected to be paid directly by the

City’s former insurance carriers with little, if any, cash contribution from City funding.

We will revise both the revenue and expenditure sides of the budget for this project as part of the

2015 Budget Amendment #2 that should is anticipated to occur in late May/early June.

Recommendation: It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager, pursuant to

the Participation Agreement, to make an additional contribution to the PLP group in the amount of

$10,000. 

As for the rest of the agenda of the city council meeting:

CONSENT AGENDA / Approve

1. City Council Minutes: March 3, 2015......................................E-1

2. Expenditure Approval List: 3/07/2015 to 3/27/2015 for $4,270,074.99 ................................................................................E-8

3. Tumwater Truck Route Sewer Extension / Final Acceptance..................E-61

4. Economic Development Council / Appoint representative ......................E-62

Summary: Recently Clallam County Economic Development Council bylaws were changed

adding a second representative position for the City of Port Angeles. Council needs to

appoint a representative for this position prior to an April 9th meeting of the new board.

Recommendation: Appoint Orville W. Campbell as City Representative to the Economic

Development Council Board.

5. Electrical Pole Testing, Project LO-15-009 / Award Contract.............................................................................................E-66

Summary: Bids were opened on March 24, 2015 to test wood poles owned by the electric utility.

Two bids were received. The low, responsible bid was from Quality Resources & Services, Inc.

Recommendation: Award and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Quality

Resources and Services, Inc., for Project LO-15-009, in the amount of $33,879.34, including

tax, and to make minor modifications to the contract, if necessary. 

ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Ordinance adopting Public Defense Standards / Conduct second reading ..................................... H-1

Summary: The City is obligated to provide defense attorneys to indigent persons accused of

misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors within the City limits. To ensure that public defense

attorneys provide competent representation, the City should adopt standards for indigent

defense. The attached ordinance is offered for that purpose. 

2. 2015 Budget Amendment #1 / Conduct first reading ................ H-9

Summary: The 2015 Budget is being amended for the first time to adjust a variety of

funds to reflect changes in revenues and expenditures that have occurred during the first few

months of 2015. This budget amendment primarily includes items that are capital in nature,

while future budget amendments will focus on operating and maintenance adjustments.

As this budget amendment includes new revenues as well as an authorization to use funds

from reserves, the ordinance must be approved by a super-majority of the entire Council or at

least five (5) affirmative votes.

Recommendation: The requested action for this issue is as follows:

1. Conduct a first reading of the 2015 Budget Amendment #1 ordinance and continue to

the April 21st Council meeting.

. FINANCE

1. Accept Federal Surface Transportation Program Grant ........................................................................................................ K-1

Summary: The City was successful in obtaining a federal Surface Transportation Program

(STP) Grant in the amount of $804,845 for design and rehabilitation of 18th Street. A Local

Agency agreement with WSDOT is required to obligate the funding.

Recommendation: Accept the federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) Grant in the

amount of $804,845 for the design and rehabilitation of 18th Street, and authorize the

Mayor to execute the Local Agency Agreement and sign the Local Agency Federal Aid

Project Prospectus. 

2. City Hall/PenCom Emergency Power, HVAC, and Fire Suppression Upgrades, Project GG1201-Material Preorder......... K-3

Summary: Last week, Pencom staff was offered a grant opportunity from the Washington

Military Department, Emergency Management Division that can provide additional financial

assistance for Pencom requirements associated with the subject project. The financial assistance

is within the current State biennial budget, with the requirement that the work supported by this

grant must be complete by June 30, 2015. In order to ensure that this work can be completed in

time, material preorders are required for the longer lead time items to support the contract work.

Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to direct staff to issue material preorders

with vendors for UPS and for electrical components such as panels and switches for Project

GG1501 in the not to exceed amount of $120,000. 

ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2087

County Commission: Agreement with Peninsula Daily News for publication of legal notices as “Official County Newspaper”

1a Approval of vouchers for the week of March 30

1b Approval of minutes for the week of March 30

1c Proclamation recognizing April 6 – 12 as National Public Health Week

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

2a Amendment 1 with the Washington State Department of Agriculture adding funding for Noxious

Weed Control Board activities

2b Amendment 13 with the Washington State Department of Health and Human Services adding

contract language

2c Agreement with Peninsula Daily News for publication of legal notices as “Official County

Newspaper”

* It must be wonderful to be the "paper" of record and not have to feel beholding to the government in any way shape or form! Not have to sacrifice free speech! 

3a Bid opening – Carpet Replacement, Assessor’s Office

ADMINISTRATION

4a Resolution appointing members to the Crescent Community Advisory Council

4b Resolution appointing members to the Opportunity Fund Board and confirming Port of Port

Angeles and City of Sequim appointments

PUBLIC WORKS

5a Easement modification with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for the

Olympic Discovery Trail between Fairholm Hill and Cooper Ranch Road to accommodate

alternative alignment

details on agenda items

Other area meetings this week:

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 540 WATER STREET

Agenda highlight: B. Resolution 15-018 Related to the Disposition of City Property; Amending the Affordable Housing Inventory List, and Directing the City Manager to Take Appropriate Actions to Preserve City-Owned Property for Open Space and Stormwater Detention and Treatment Purposes

Action: Move to approve Resolution 15-018 Related to the Disposition of City Property; Amending the Affordable Housing Inventory List, and Directing the City Manager to Take Appropriate Actions to Preserve City-Owned Property for Open Space and Stormwater Detention and Treatment Purposes

See more of Port Townsend Agenda:

In other local headlines:

Twists, turns for Clallam’s Economic Development Council

Intending the funds to be used by the recently restructured Economic Development Council, Clallam County commissioners appropriated $150,000 from the county’s general fund toward general economic development March 24.---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Moss earns state recognition as volunteer

The volunteer efforts of Port Townsend Food Bank Manager Shirley Moss are being recognized by the 2015 Governor's Volunteer Service Awards Ceremony on April 21 at the Executive Mansion in Olympia.---PT LEADER

Nature Conservancy Buys 3,184 Acres on Hoh River

The Nature Conservancy has purchased 3,184 acres along the Hoh River near the Washington coast from Rayonier,the two organizations announced today.---FORKS FORUM

Cost — at least $10,000. Hoax report of girl in distress in water prompts expensive search in Port Angeles

PORT ANGELES — A hoax on April Fools' Day tied up police and Coast Guard resources for a half-hour and cost at least $10,000 before it was determined to be a prank.---Peninsula Daily News

Privatization of municipal services

Over the last half century, governments of all political complexions have increasingly embraced privatization—shifting some or all aspects of government service delivery to private sector provision—as a strategy to lower the costs of government and achieve higher performance and better outcomes for tax dollars spent.---PORT O CALL

News from across the strait:

Advocates hand out tents as winter shelters close in Victoria 

More people will be sleeping on the streets and in parks as winter shelters close this week in Greater Victoria — and many have started planning what to do, advocates for the homeless say --TIMES COLONIST

TODAY'S MUSIC VIDEO: John Lennon Greatest Hits (Full Album) - The Best Of John Lennon

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Ephesians 1:7 NKJV