WHILE THE CLOUD OF ETHIC'S LINGER OVER CITY COUNCIL.
That will be one of the topics on the City Council agenda coming next Tuesday. The council that is this current ethical drama, will manage to conduct business under the cloud of ethic complaints. According to the staff memo provided, regarding assuming the lease to the Elwha Tribe: On December 24, 2015, City staff received a letter from the Clallam County Historical Society. The letter requested that their lease agreement for the Carnegie Library (205 South Lincoln) be assumed by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The City’s Real Estate Subcommittee was provided with the letter at their February 1st meeting. At that time it was agreed that staff should obtain information on fair market value for the property along with sending an invitation to interested parties to attend their March 7th Committee meeting. An estimate for fair market value was provided by Chuck Turner of Port Angeles Realty.
The estimate identified the lower floor of the Carnegie as having a value of 40 cents per square foot. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe simultaneously provided information on the hours and services they planned to provide in the building. Staff recommended a value of 40 cents for the office space located on the lower floor with no cost for the public and museum areas of the building. Tracey Hosselkus, Chief Operating Officer of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe was present at the meeting and presented a different view on lease rate that took into account services provided. The Real Estate Committee agreed with a vote of 2 to 1 to recognize value in the public services and additional hours being provided by Tribe resolving to maintain the existing lease rate of $1 per month. The approving committee members calculated the costs of having to provide full time staff to maintain regular open hours for the building and associated museum. Committee member Lee Whetham requested addition legal analysis to ensure the approach was not in conflict with the constitutional prohibition against gifts of public funds. (See full details on E 63 of agenda packet)
Ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2881
Other items on the agenda are on Fluoridation:
A verbal report on the progress of the ad hoc committee regarding looking into alternative solutions for those who don't want fluoridation. Which I might add will probably turn out to be a complete waste of time and money, just like these ethical complaints being filed which seems at this point turning out to be thus far with the ethics committee droping the complaint against Council member Dan Gase. I'm just waiting for the next shoe to drop. From today's article posted on the PDN: Port Angeles ethics board drops complaint against Gase, postpones Kidd review---PDN
Quote from article posted: Gase said he was not surprised by the decision.
“It's a shame they had to go through the time for what was really a frivolous claim,” he said afterward. “It's kind of like trying to prove a negative.”
I have this gut feeling charges against Kidd will also be dismissed, along with the other complaints filed. Care to make a wager on that? Both Kidd, and Gase came loaded for bare with hired attorneys paid by taxpayer money, I can imagine the Mayor will also follow suit and hire an attorney and I'm just guessing here, be paid for by the taxpayer. The thing of it is, many of the monies used from taxpayers, are probably from the very ones filing these claims, and opposing fluoridation through tax revenues collected. So in essence its the compliant filers, and anti-fluoride crowd paying for the defense of those who are being targeted by these complaints, isn't that a hoot!
The other item regarding fluoride which is on the City Council agenda next week is: Fluoride Infrastructure Update .
According to the staff memo provided (page L5) of the agenda packet:
Background/Analysis: During Public Comment periods, at several recent Council meetings,
members of the public have made numerous misstatements regarding the fluoridation facilities and
processes. This paper intends to correct those misstatements:
1. The building which contains the fluoride infrastructure is in very good condition. It is a 10
year old metal building which should remain in good condition for the next 20-30 years
given regular routine maintenance. The public statement that the building is in poor shape
and in need of replacement is incorrect.
2. There are no plans for any major rebuilding of the fluoridation system. The water utility
budgets approximately $2000/year for routine maintenance of the system, which includes
any parts replacement. With this planned routine maintenance, there is no requirement for
a major capital project. The public statement that a $200,000 project is required is
incorrect.
3. The water utility tests water fluoride levels on a daily basis with specialized, calibrated
equipment in the water plant laboratory. The utility also uses an independent, state
certified laboratory to provide additional water testing. These test results are reported to
the Department of Health on a monthly basis. The fluoride levels consistently remain
within State mandated levels. The statement that fluoride levels are 2x to 3x regulatory
levels is incorrect. If any citizen is concerned with water purity, the utility will perform
additional water testing at additional locations in the City.
In other meetings slated for next week:
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHT: Resolution authorizing expenditure from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to increase the approved funding to the Clallam Bay/Sekiu Chamber of Commerce by $10,000
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda item details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
City of Sequim will hold a retreat to Review Open Public Meetings Act
see agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1363
In case you missed it Forks City Council did held their meeting on the 28th. See agenda
http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda32816.pdf
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHT ITEM:
Action: Move to refer downtown parking to the Community Development and Land Use Committee; interim regulations for marijuana to the Community Development and Land Use Committee with a report date of June 6, 2016, and video camera policy to the General Services and Special Projects Committee.
see full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=348
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHT ITEM: RESOLUTION : Establishing a Revolving Fund for Authorized Expenditures on Behalf of the County’s Tourism Coordinating Council through the Hotel Motel Fund
see details: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commissioners/Agenda/2016%20Attach/040416_ca03.pdf
See full agenda: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commissioners/Agenda/2016%20Agendas/04-04-16.pdf
OLYMPIA DIGEST:
Statement from Gov. Jay Inslee on passage of supplemental operating budget
Inslee signs bills to continue expansion of educational opportunities for all children
WSDA: Industrial hemp bill starts process of creating state program
Governor signs AG-request bill to reauthorize Medicaid fraud law -
AG: GUILTY PLEAS IN PIERCE COUNTY CIGARETTE TAX EVASION CASE
Washington State delegation returns to Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany
Ten Washington companies showcase innovative products and services from engineering, in-flight entertainment and technology solutions to manufacturing, materials and data management systems.
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers
Construction safety the focus of May 4 event in Puyallup
Gov. Inslee, Guinness World Records on deck for SR 520 bridge ribbon cutting this weekend
New rules protect consumers from utility billing errors
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Did Jesus Violate the Sabbath?
Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5---Gospel Way
COME JOIN OUR FACE BOOK GROUP PAGE
A $25.00 donation or more would be appreciated...many thanks!
