City of Sequim sets deadline for lavender groups’ comments

SEQUIM — The city has given Sequim’s two lavender associations until Friday to comment on new city requirements for lavender festival special-events permits.

After that, the city will issue the necessary permits for the July 20-22 lavender festival, city officials said.

The officials met last week with representatives of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association and the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association, which broke off from the growers group last year.

Paul Jendrucko, spokesman for the growers association, said the group would respond to the city Friday.

“It’s not earth-shattering,” Jendrucko said. “We’re going to work with the city.”

Scott Nagel, farmers association executive director, said the group’s board approved the city’s proposal Monday night.

“We’re very enthusiastic and completely supportive of the entire plan,” he said.

“This is going to take care of all the issues of confusion and make sure that visitors have all information they need.”

City Manager Steve Burkett, who along with City Attorney Craig Ritchie met Friday with representatives of both associations, said the meetings went well, and that “we are feeling confident that we will be able to move forward with these plans in a positive manner.”

Added Barbara Hanna, city marketing and communications director: “The whole reason we are getting involved is to ensure a good visitor experience.”

City requirements

The city’s first-time approach to lavender festival permitting lays down key requirements for visitor signage, shuttle bus transportation and information booths.

Last summer was the first time two separate festivals were held during Sequim’s Lavender Weekend.

The separate July events followed the groups’ January 2010 breakup.

On Friday, draft documents of the permit conditions and contracts for the upcoming Sequim Lavender Weekend events were reviewed.

The city requires a special-event permit “for any event that disrupts the usual flow of activity in the city and sets conditions to ensure the safety of the public and to support the success of the event,” Hanna said.

As part of the city’s role in promoting tourism, the city is able to enter into a contract with nonprofit organizations that are producing tourism-related events and that allows the city to provide some funding for the event.

Permit conditions that Sequim is requiring include provisions that:

■ Each association submit a signage proposal by April 1 so the city can coordinate a clear signage program between the two associations.

■ Each association provides a link on the home page of any website used to promote its event to the city of Sequim Lavender Weekend page, which will have information on all of the lavender events taking place during the Lavender Weekend.

■ Seven information booths will be located at key locations in the city, as well as at the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center.

Each association will staff each booth during the weekend.

Booth volunteers will be trained by the city and chamber, and each booth will distribute city-prepared event maps to each visitor.

■ The city will coordinate a shuttle bus to take visitors to key locations throughout the city.

■ Each association will provide the city with a plan for tour buses that come from other locations, including a designated drop-off location, holding areas, other transportation for visitors if needed and permission from any property owners that might be affected.

■ An estimate be provided of the costs to the city to support the events from both associations.

Each association is responsible for its share of the cost, unless it has a contract with the city that may allow the city to provide funding for some of the costs of the events.

In addition to the permit conditions, the city also reviewed new contracts with each association.

Cost estimates

City officials figure the cost to the growers association, which stages its event on and adjacent to Fir Street, will total $16,142.

The cost estimated for the farmers association, which stages its event at the city’s Water Reclamation Demonstration Park and James Center Band Shell, is $19,423.

Hanna said if the groups meet the city requirements and conditions of the permit, they will not have to pay the city’s costs.

“We have supported them in the past, and we could charge them if we chose to do so,” Hanna said.

The costs cover city services, from police traffic control and the use of city parks facilities to street sweeping, utility charges and bus transportation.

City parkland rental is based on 25 cents per square foot.

A deposit for all costs shall be paid before city permits are issued, and final actual costs will be settled within 60 days, city officials said.

________

Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Firefighters work to contain a wildland fire on Tuesday afternoon near Brinnon. “Go now” evacuation orders were given from Jefferson County’s Emergency Operations Center. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
Evacuation orders given in Brinnon-area fire

Several areas near Brinnon were being asked to evacuate due… Continue reading

Kennedy Reynolds, 2, takes a look at a row of lavender plants with her mother, Chelsea Reynolds of Port Angeles, during a Saturday outing to B & B Family Lavender Farm west of Sequim. The farm will be a participant in this weekend’s Lavender Weekend, a celebration of all things lavender in Sequim and across the Dungeness Valley. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Fields of lavender

Kennedy Reynolds, 2, takes a look at a row of lavender plants… Continue reading

Burn ban ordered due to forecast

Peninsula expecting temperatures near 90

Habitat project moves forward with infrastructure funds

Clallam County to provide $800K for Lyon’s Landing

Humane Society to house dangerous animals again

Contract with Clallam County to go through 2026

Port Angeles shade tree program open for applications

The City Shade Tree Program is returning for a… Continue reading

Kelly and Dan Freeman of Port Ludlow examine a 1958 Edsel on display during Friday evening’s 29th annual Ruddell Cruise-In at Ruddell Auto in Port Angeles. The event featured hundreds of antique and vintage automobiles from across the region as well as food, music and other activities. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Classic show

Kelly and Dan Freeman of Port Ludlow examine a 1958 Edsel on… Continue reading

Sequim School District officials report it could take upwards of 2 1/2 years to break ground on a new elementary school. Voters approved a $146 million, 20-year construction bond in a Feb. 11 special election that includes a new elementary school, renovated high school and more. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim schools eye bond timeline

Bigger projects may be 2 years away

Sequim volunteer Emily Westcott has led the flower basket program along Washington Street since 1996. This year she’s retired to focus on other endeavors, and the city of Sequim and the Sequim School District will continue the partnership. Westcott is still seeking donations for downtown Sequim Christmas decorations through the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim flower basket program shifts to city, school partnership

Westcott retires, plans to keep decorating downtown for Christmas

Clallam first in state to implement jail healthcare program

County eligible to apply for Medicare reimbursement for services

Writers to converge in Port Townsend to work on craft

Free readings open to the public next week

Firefighters extinguish blaze in fifth-floor hotel room

Firefighters from East Jefferson Fire Rescue and Navy Region… Continue reading