EYE ON CLALLAM: Board to review proposed county budget

Clallam County commissioners will review the administrator’s recommended 2019 budget in a work session at 9 a.m. Monday.

The meeting will be in the commissioners’ board room (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

The recommended general fund budget shows $47.0 million in revenue and $49.3 million in expenses, leaving a “still robust” $9.7 million balance at year’s end, County Administrator Jim Jones said in a memo to the board.

Other discussion topics for the work session include:

• An update on the Shoreline Master Program.

• A letter to Gov. Jay Inslee to encourage fully funding salmon recovery and fish passage projects.

• A salmon recovery grant application to the state Recreation and Conservation Office.

• A grant application for the Forks off-road vehicle Calawah River bridge and trail project.

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

Action items include:

• A letter to the state Department of Ecology regarding a Phase II municipal stormwater report for the unincorporated Port Angeles Urban Growth Area.

• A letter to Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners regarding follow-up to a joint meeting.

• An amended agreement with Robinson Noble, Inc. to increase the budget to complete tasks for a water right application for the Carlsborg Urban Growth Area.

• Agreement with Sunny Farms, Inc. for the property’s use as a ballot drop box site.

A call for Oct. 30 hearing for consideration of debatable budget emergencies.

Port Angeles city

The Port Angeles City Council will conduct a first reading and hold a public hearing on proposed changes to 2019 utility rates at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The meeting will be in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth.

No change for electric rates is being proposed. The staff proposal is to raise water rates by 5.4 percent and wastewater rates by 0.5 percent, according to a staff memo.

Existing rates provide sufficient revenue for electric, solid waste collections, solid waste transfer station and stormwater, city officials said.

Medic 1 rates, which were adopted in 2017 for three years, would increase by 1.8 percent.

The overall impact to residential customer bills is expected to be less than 1 percent, city officials said.

Action on the proposed utility rate changes is expected after a second reading Nov. 6.

Other agenda items for the Tuesday business meeting include:

• A public hearing on 2019 budget revenue resources.

• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommendations.

• A facility use agreement for Port Angeles Nature School.

• An ordinance to rezone a parcel near Olympic Medical Center.

Sequim city

The Sequim City Council will conduct a public hearing on revenue thresholds for licenses for businesses outside city limits when it meets at 6 p.m. Monday.

The council will meet at Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St. A workshop will preceded the regular meeting at 5 p.m.

The 5 p.m. workshop will provide updates on the community development department and capital projects.

At the regular meeting, the council will consider the 2019 budget and consider adopting its legislative agenda and policies for the coming year.

Port Angeles parks

The Port Angeles Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commission will hear a presentation from a representative of the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The meeting will be in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Clallam Transit

The Clallam Transit board will consider a labor agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 at 1 p.m. Monday.

The meeting will be at the Clallam Transit System administration building at 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd.

Other agenda items:

• Recognition of Mechanic Douglas Lorentzen as employee of the quarter.

• Recognition of Operations Supervisor Linda Bell and Mechanic Larry Latson for their years of service upon retirement.

• Approval of a procurement and budget appropriation from state sales tax equalization formula funds.

Sequim schools

The Sequim School Board will discuss a letter of support for a STEM grant when it meets at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

The special meeting will be at 503 N. Sequim Ave.

The grant would be for science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula.

Marine Resources

The Clallam County Marine Resources Committee will hear an update on the MRC’s strategic plan at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The meeting will be in Room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse.

Other agenda items:

• A summary of a Salish Sea Shared Waters forum.

• Introduction of new Northwest Straits Commission Marine Program Manager Dana Oster.

• An update on an ecosystem improvement project.

• A summary of educational outreach at a Friday fundraiser.

• Project updates on Olympia oyster restoration, shellfish biotoxin sampling, pigeon guillemot surveys and forage fish sampling.

Board of Health

The Clallam County Board of Health will discuss a suicide prevention program at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The meeting will be in Room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse.

Other agenda items include the introduction of county Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry Unthank and an upcoming discussion with the state legislative delegation.

Planning Commission

The Clallam County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on the 2019-2024 Transportation Improvement Program at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The meeting will be in Room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse.

The six-year Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, lists funded and unfunded road and trail projects.

Other agenda items for the Planning Commission meeting include a public hearing on current use applications from the first half of 2018.

More in News

“Angel” Alleacya Boulia, 26, of St. Louis, Mo., was last seen shopping in Port Angeles on Nov. 17, National Park Service officials said. Her rented vehicle was located Nov. 30 at the Sol Duc trailhead in Olympic National Park. (National Park Service)
Body of missing person found in Sol Duc Valley

Remains believed to be St. Louis woman

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park, conducts a tour for interested visitors on Thursday. The lighthouse was built in 1878 when Congress approved $8,000 for the light and foghorns. Although the facility is still an active U.S. Coast Guard station, the equipment is monitored and operated remotely and no keepers are present. Regular tours on Saturdays and Sundays will resume in May. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Lighthouse tour

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse… Continue reading

EMT Teresa DeRousie, center, was recognized for her long service to Clallam County Fire District 2. Presenting the award were Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Denton, left, and Chief Jake Patterson. (Clallam County Fire District 2)
Clallam 2 Fire Rescue hosts awards banquet

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue recognized career and volunteer members during… Continue reading

Construction set to begin on new marine life center in Port Angeles

Groundbreaking event scheduled for April 8 at Pebble Beach Park

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory rower propels his craft in the calm waters of the Salish Sea. Whidbey Island is in the distance. Today’s high temperature is forecast to be in the low 50s with partly cloudy skies. Rain is set to return this weekend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rowing on the Strait

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory… Continue reading

Fire protection may impact insurance rates

New protection class considers nuanced data

The view looking south from Hurricane Ridge, where variable winter weather has limited snow coverage and contributed to pauses in snow sports operations in recent weeks. (Washington’s National Park Fund)
Lack of snow has impact at Hurricane Ridge

Water equivalent well below average for February

Port Angeles secures grant to aid in salmon recovery

State Department of Commerce to provide city with $109,000

Tickets still available for United Way of Clallam County fundraiser

Pajamas are encouraged, teddy bears are optional and comfort… Continue reading

Interviews set for hospital board

At least seven candidates up for commissioner seat

Port Angeles asks for fee to cover lodging tax contracts

Resolution sent to committee for administrative costs