EYE ON CLALLAM: County board to discuss Elwha bridge options

The three Clallam County commissioners will discuss alternate routes for the U.S. Highway 101 bridge over the Elwha River when they meet Monday.

The work session will begin at 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ boardroom (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

The riverbed on which bridge piers are located is being undercut by the now free-flowing Elwha River in the wake of the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, state Department of Transportation officials have said.

A majority of the public comments received by Transportation favored replacing the bridge west of Port Angeles, building it on a new alignment and allowing traffic to continue to move during construction.

A small group has been addressing the bridge issue for several weeks with a focus on Dan Kelly Road as an alternate route.

“They believe it needs closer examination by an unbiased third party so that the best decision is reached,” according to an executive summary to the discussion.

“They are convinced that another bridge in the flood plain is risky and maybe even more expensive.”

Other discussion items for the work session include:

• An Olympic Climate Action presentation.

• Proposed changes to county policy for purchasing, bids and contracts.

• A briefing on a public records ordinance and policy.

• Certification of a county match for the Spruce Railroad grade/Daley Rankin tunnel restoration project.

Commissioners will conduct their regular business meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Action items include:

• An agreement with Glisson & Morris P.S. for State v. Darold Stenson, Supreme Court No. 94298.

• Agreement with the state Military Department to share security and other confidential and proprietary information.

• An agreement with Washington State Consolidated Technology Services for statewide imagery services used for GIS satellite mapping.

• An agreement with the state Department of Social and Health Services for funds for Developmental Disabilities Services.

• A proposal opening for associate development organizations.

• Reappointment of Emily Boone and Ken Billings to the Fair Advisory Board.

• Notice of a May 16 hearing on county policy for a hazard communication program.

• Notice of hearing to be held at 10:30 a.m. May 30 regarding vacation of Charles Road, Sampson Road and a portion of Lower Elwha Road.

Port Angeles city

Port Angeles City Council members will consider placing a question on reclassification of Port Angeles as a second-class city and an advisory vote on fluoridation of city water on the Nov. 7 general election ballot when they meet Tuesday.

The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St. It will be preceded by a presentation on the 2018-2023 capital facilities and transportation improvement plans at 5 p.m. at the same location.

During the regular meeting, proposed increases to the Medic 1 utility fee will be the subject of a public hearing and first reading at 6:30 p.m. The hearing will be continued to May 16.

The Medic 1 public hearing will be followed by a public hearing and a first reading of the capital facilities and transportation improvement plans. That hearing also will be continued to May 16.

Port Angeles is now a noncharter code city. An anti-fluoridation citizens group — Our Water, Our Choice! — has filed a petition to ask voters to downgrade the city’s status to that of a second-class city. The cost to place it on the ballot will be between $900 and $2,500, city staff said.

As regards fluoridation, the city halted fluoridation of water in August and decided to ask voters their preference in an advisory vote.

A joint presentation also will be presented at the meeting by the city Parks and Recreation Department and the Composite Recycling Technology Center.

Clallam PUD

Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners will conduct a public hearing on a draft water system plan and water use efficiency goals Monday.

The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Lake Crescent boardroom at the Carlsborg main office at 104 Hooker Road.

Other agenda items include a 2016 audit report, an invitation to bid for construction of the Old Olympic Highway water distribution project and contract pre-qualifications for inclusion on the small-works roster.

Planning commission

The Clallam County Planning Commission will continue a discussion on proposed zoning code amendments to definitions, development standards and permit requirements related to vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfast inns Wednesday.

The work session will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room 160 of the Clallam County Courthouse.

The commission also will hear a staff presentation on the Clallam County Comprehensive Plan, zoning and the state Growth Management Act.

Olympic Medical ­Center

Olympic Medical Center commissioners will consider several agreements when they meet Wednesday.

Commissioners will meet at 12:30 p.m. at Linkletter Hall in the basement of the hospital at 939 E. Caroline St., Port Angeles.

They will consider agreements on the Soldier Wall project, elevator service and billing electronic service.

Sequim schools

The Sequim School Board will hear an overview of the kindergarten-through-fifth-grade physical education program when it meets Monday.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. at 503 N. Sequim Ave.

It also will hear a graduation update and consider out-of-state travel requests.

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