Getting through to city council–good luck
(PORT O CALL) Port O Call attempts to bring important matters before the city council. One is the ambulance switcheroo deal the city has worked out with Olympic Ambulance. It is not in the best interest of the city residents but the council defends it–at the behest of city staff.
Another story we published has to do with the lack of access to our public access channel on Wave Cable. This subject was discussed at city council recently–almost. Phil Lusk, a hundred thousand dollar a year deputy director brought a goofy side show designed to scare everyone away from having an access channel even suggesting we’d have to put up with naked preachers on TV. ---read more
Editorial Comment: In his statement to this publication City Council candidate Dan Bateman shared his take on this issue:
I believe government should be open and accessible to the people.
 |
| Dan Bateham City Council Candidate |
Remember, only through access and transparency can the people be aware of what their elected officials are doing in their name and on their dime.
One way this can be done here locally is for the city council to allow access to the public access TV channel we have already been paying Wave Broadband for since 2002.
Let's demand a live hookup in both the City and the County meeting rooms. Let's let our local elected officials be seen in their their action or inaction on vital issues; and then we will hear the people's voices loud and clear as they hold local government accountable and have them take care of the people's business with viable common sense.---Dan Bateham
My question is who is going to pay for access to channel 3, and who is going to run it? We had a TV news station running channel 3 years ago, by Dennis Bragg. However, he gotten a job elsewhere, plus the expense of running the station was overwhelming. So, who is going to pay the bill? The city? or a private contractor? I also asked Dale Wilson of Port of Call who had been promoting this, who is going to pay for this, and who will run it? He wrote back with this answer: "This "deal" is already paid for. There has been $60,000 sitting in an account since 2002 set aside just for this project.
The "operation" should be run by an independent board of directors which should include people from the education sector, the government sector and the public sector. Public meaning just plain folks who want to see our students gain more experience in electronic news gathering and electronic field production techniques. Also, as a side benefit, more taxpayers can sit at home and watch their elected officials do the public's business. Everyone who spends taxpayer money should be televised so the taxpayers can determine if their interests are being protected. I asked Wilson what he would like to have a TVW/CSPAN kind of operation? He added the following: "Yes, but with a regular re-hash, perhaps on a weekly basis, where news people gather in a studio and discuss the week's events. Followed up by in studio interviews with news makers and others who have a penchant for communicating with the wider community."
okay, now here is a problem as I see when the $60,000 is used up and it will be used up quickly for sure where are they going to get money to pay for it after the $60,000 is gone? Plus there's been news reports that cable is on it's last legs, and more people are turning to the internet for news and information, plus entertainment. Heck you could post such videos on you-tube at no cost! So, with that being said that more people are turning to the net, and cable is on it's last legs according to published reports, will it be worth it?
Related story from the Verge:
The great unbundling: cable TV as we know it is dying
Now for some side note items:
| Cherie Kidd City Council Candidate |
She is running against Bateman during this election.
But! there's more I gotten responses from two Port Commissioner candidates.
One is from Connie Beauvais, who running against our pal Lee Whetham, and Rick (Doc) Robinson, Michael Breidenbach.
She sent yours truly her press release announcing her candidacy:
Port Angeles, WA, May 7, 2015 -- Connie Beauvais, Vice Chair of the Clallam County Planning Commission and 2015 Charter Review Commissioner, has announced her candidacy for the District 3 position of Commissioner, for the Port of Port Angeles.
| Connie Beauvais Port Commission Candidate |
”The Port is a public asset and needs thoughtful, creative management to afford our community the best possible economic outcomes. I’m looking forward to promoting the Port and its assets to create more jobs, working aggressively for cleanup of the harbor, engaging much more with the public, and operating within a balanced budget.”
In addition to her Charter Review and Planning Commission duties, Ms. Beauvais currently manages the Crescent Water Association which provides drinking water to approximately 2800 people in the Joyce area. She has previously worked in the private sector, owned her own businesses, served administratively in school districts in California and Alaska, and as a civil service employee for Naval Security Group Activity on Adak Island in Alaska.
She lives with husband Jim on 34 acres west of Joyce where they have operated Alpacas of Cedar Wind for the past 20 years.---Connie Beauvais Announces Candidacy for Port of Port Angeles Commissioner, District 3
One of her opponents Richard "Doc" Robinson
Answered my question on what differentiates him from the other candidates for Port Commission: What differentiates me? That's for the voters to decide.
As I see it...
1. 15 years logistics and transportation businessman and planner. I think business and know the language of policymakers.
2. My vision of our port as our leader in creating business and good jobs. From micro-loan programs for wood and carbon fiber products to generating a Master Plan for the expansion of Marine Services at one end and Tourism at the other, the port is our good jobs engine.
3. I say and will keep saying the unpopular things, such we all need to support our schools. Turn off the street lights if necessary. Put first things first. We must propel all our children to their future. Good schools also means good employers will want to raise their children here. We have everything else to offer employers, except schools. Schools are a jobs issue, jobs now from new businesses, jobs later from our children being ready to compete.
4. My willingness to listen. The other day it was how a big old motor condo boat was abandoned in our Marina and we are left the high cost of its asbestos abatement and demolition. Are there no performance bonds or quarterly seaworthiness tests? This is a management issue similar to the Port leases.
5. My curiosity about how we turn problems into money. We have pollution clean-up we are required to do. Are we creating a local business, hiring and training local employees, and are we finding the grants to do this work?
6. We have a ton of challenges. The county is not rich, the city is broke and everything costs more than it should. But you know, that is what makes the effort worth while. We have to do more, with less. We have to argue less, cooperate, contribute and shift our town from the logging town it was, to the mixed industry and tourism town it will be. The answer for all of us is on a kitchen magnet I picked up at Swain's - "Wag More, Bark Less."-----Richard "Doc" Robinson
(I have yet to hear from the other candidates which I sent emails too with the same question)
OTHER LOCAL NEWS STORIES
Utility rate hike seen as a likelihood as Port Angeles City Council starts budget priorities discussion at Tuesday work session
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) That's one thing Port Angeles residents can count on as City Council members begin discussing 2015 and 2016 budget priorities for the mammoth utilities department at a 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. work session Tuesday.
Port Angeles electric utility discount program running out of money
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) An electric utility discount program that saved 650 low-income households up to about $100 a month this year has been so successful it will run out of money June 19, the City Council learned this week. But council members said at a utility rates work session Tuesday that they may fund the program later this fall; just in time to buffer the impact of traditionally high winter electric bills.
Port Angeles port commissioners reject sale of acreage to waterfront company
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles rang up “no sale” Tuesday on 4 acres of harbor front that Platypus Marine Inc. wants to buy.
Port commissioners voted unanimously to instruct their executive director to continue pursuing a lease of the land that Platypus already occupies at Marine Drive and Cedar Street.
Port of Port Angeles divvies $65,000 in grant money between 8 groups
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) Eight trade and tourism agencies in Clallam County will share; and almost share alike ; $65,000 from the Port of Port Angeles.
Port of Port Angeles pares $320,660 from spending; topside repairs, logs lead losses
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) Sinking log exports and topside repairs that were shanghaied to Singapore have led the Port of Port Angeles to trim its spending by $320,660 for 2015.
Clallam County secures discount medications with agreement
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) Clallam County has inked an agreement with Public Health-Seattle & King County to provide prepackaged medications at a discounted rate
Landmark barn comes down
(SEQUIM GAZETTE) Time finally took its toll on a historical barn settled between U.S. Highway 101 and Brownfield Road.
Forks passes resolution calling for Olympic National Park to minimize West End damage from Highway 101 work
(FORK FORUM/PDN) Forks City Council members have passed a resolution calling on Olympic National Park to restrict West End impacts from a project to improve U.S. Highway 101 along Lake Crescent.
PLA, county at loggerheads: arbitration requested
(PT. LEADER) First, negotiate. If that fails, arbitrate.
A dispute continues to heat up between Port Ludlow Associates (PLA) and Jefferson County over PLA's logging of more than 140 acres that the county insists is illegal but which PLA says it had the right to do.
FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Mayor pushes other municipalities to set up their own housing trust
(VICTORIA NEWS) Victoria's mayor is hoping other municipalities will consider creating their own housing trust fund to address the issue of homelessness in the Capital Regional District.
Belleville Terminal to receive $17.4-million in upgrades
(VICTORIA NEWS) The Belleville Ferry Terminal is going to look a lot different over the next few years after the province and two local companies announced a $17.4-million investment to upgrade the facility Thursday.
Ex-employee says it’s routine for B.C. government to destroy emails.
(TIMES COLONIST) The B.C. government’s political appointees routinely destroy emails to avoid releasing them to the public under the province’s Freedom of Information law, an ex-employee says.
Les Chan, Disability Advocate dropped in from Victoria B.C
Friday and had coffee with yours truly. Talked about his plan to educate the Port Angeles
Community on disability issues. I introduced him to Tim Bruce, the Director
of the Clallam County advisory board of Developmental Disabilities. Bruce said he arrange Chan to talk with the board at their next local meeting in September.
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHT: General Fund Reserves – One time expenditure to Homeless Task Force fund (1 of 2)/$300,000:Health and Human Services, Homelessness Task Force – One time expenditure (2 of 2) $300,000
Full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details; http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
City of Port Angeles Agenda highlight item: Clallam County Economic Development Council Contract.
Summary: Since 2012, City Council has authorized one year contracts with the Clallam County Economic Development Council (EDC). In 2014 the EDC began efforts to make a significant transition. A strategic plan was drafted focusing on four primary objectives. The objectives include increasing jobs, employment, median wages, and median household income.
Earlier this year, City staff worked with other EDC partners to refine an initial work plan presented by EDC staff. Efforts were made to ensure that the workplan contained measurable outcomes. On April 30 ,2015 the EDC Board agreed to all proposed changes contained in the work plan. City staff has incorporated the work plan as Exhibit A of a new one year contract.
During Council priority setting efforts earlier this year contracts with outside entities were
identified as low priority items. In light of this policy direction the proposed contract is anticipated to be a one year transitional commitment. This is consistent with EDC bylaw changes that were also initiated to transition the organization from a public sector board to a private sector board.”
Attached is the proposed contract and work plan. The City’s contribution towards this contract will be $15,000. This amount was incorporated in the 2015 budget.
Staff recommends that Council discuss the merit of a one year transitional contract with the EDC and if satisfactory, authorize the Mayor to sign the contract and to make minor modifications as necessary.
Another highlight agenda item on the City Council agenda for Tuesday: Priority Setting Resolution / Conduct second reading
In 2012, the City began developing a Long-Range Financial Plan, with
the expectation that the plan would be used as one of the tools to assist with the development of the annual City budget. The Long-Range Financial Plan allows the City to assess current and future financial projections to ensure that City programs and services are sustainable into the future.
Financial forecasts are updated annually and reviewed prior to the annual budget process.
Beginning in January 2015, the City embarked on a priority setting process. The purpose of this
process was to identify and prioritize programs and services provided by the City. Again, the goal is to continue to provide services that are sustainable based on the City’s projected financial situation, and potentially eliminate those services deemed “lower priorities” if the need arises. The priority setting process started with Department Directors identifying their department’s lowest priority programs and services relative to each Department’s core mission. Council held numerous work sessions and a public listening session to review and discuss the low priority items. Next, Council individually scored each low priority item, and a consolidated list was assembled. Finally, Council reached consensus on the program and service priorities. The priorities, which will be used as another tool in balancing the 2015-2016 budgets, are categorized into the following
three groups:
• Group 1 – Highest priorities. Cannot be reduced without Council consensus.
o Maintain Public Safety
o Maintain Existing Infrastructure
o Maintain Support Services for External and Internal Customers
• Group 2 – Can be reduced if additional budget reductions are required.
o Public Safety and Prevention
o Beautification and Quality of Life
o Employee Wellness
• Group 3 – Lowest priorities. First to be eliminated to balance budget.
o Support to External Agencies
o Internal Efficiencies and Low Priority Program Reductions
For more agenda items see here: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2273
OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Agenda item highlight: Proposed code amendments to expand the applicability of PUD provisions to the C-II and M/C zones.
Full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=236
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:4 NKJV
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