PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council expects to bring a ballot measure before voters later this year, but whether it includes one or two new special property tax levies remains to be seen.
One levy would fund a $4 million retrofit of Civic Field while the other would contribute up to $6 million for waterfront redevelopment.
During the council’s annual retreat Saturday, a few members voiced concern that they would overwhelm voters by bringing them forward at the same time.
The council opted to continue working toward placing the Civic Field measure on the ballot while pulling the reins on waterfront improvements so that more public input can be received.
“I think we are a little premature on the waterfront right now,” City Councilman Dan Di Guilio said, noting the first phase of construction has not started yet.
“I think it sends a better message and is easier for us to experience the need for additional revenue if they have something to go down [to] look at and touch.”
Don’t delay project
City Councilwoman Brooke Nelson said the city should not let the project be delayed, and the council needs to know if the public is willing to pay for it.
“We have a lot invested and a lot of money and time in this,” she said. “If we are not going to get it paid for, we really need to know.”
The council had been supportive of asking residents to vote on both levies either in August or September because they would replace two expiring levies that paid for the Port Angeles Senior Center and fire station.
The city has pledged that it would not result in a higher tax burden for residents, though it would prevent the current tax rate from dropping.
Waterfront redevelopment is scheduled to kick off this year with the construction of an esplanade west of the ferry terminal.
Other planned improvements include a new park west of Oak Street and new lighting and landscape features.
The council also discussed a slew of other topics during the six-hour meeting at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, including goals for the city, economic development and funding for transportation projects.
The annual retreat is intended to set the objectives and set the pace for the city over the next year.
“We are trying to further establish better communication with our citizens. We’re trying to implement projects we already have started and make sure studies don’t get put on the shelf,” Mayor Cherie Kidd said. “So citizens can see we are working on your behalf, we’re getting things done and we’re following what the people want.”
Here are some of the other highlights:
Transportation funding
Glenn Cutler, city public works and utilities director, noted the city has no money this year for street paving, and City Manager Kent Myers introduced a few ideas for funding.
Myers said the council has a few options to consider: a 0.2 percent sales tax increase or vehicle tab fee increases of up to $100.
A sales tax hike and any tab fee hikes more than $20 would require voter approval.
The council chose to table the issue into next year because it already is considering new tax levies.
Staff reported the city of Sequim has seen success with its sales tax increase because of its big-box stores.
Collins said the sales tax option would also probably be the best for Port Angeles because tourists would contribute through their purchases.
“It seems to me that they should help pay for some of those streets,” he said.
Economic development
Staff noted several of the city’s economic development efforts will start going online later this year. Examples are retail analysis, planned waterfront improvements and the citywide wireless network.
The retail analysis, provided by Buxton of Fort Worth, Texas, is being offered to Port Angeles businesses at no charge, though they have to meet with an intern from Peninsula College to access it.
Myers said about 30 businesses have signed up, and meetings should begin next month.
The $35,000 analysis provides a trove of consumer data on consumer habits in the area, including a breakdown by demographics on purchases.
Myers said the goal of the study is to help existing business rather than to attract new ones, which he noted is an approach not taken by other Buxton clients.
“We are committed to helping existing businesses grow before we go out and do additional recruitment,” he said.
Di Guilio said he would like to see downtown developed for luxury apartments as a way to bring more “energy downtown.”
“Everything you need is right there in walking distance,” he said. “I think that’s a market we ought to be looking towards.”
Port Angeles in transition
Myers said Port Angeles is a city in transition as it moves away from traditional industries such as logging, and he asked the council members what they would like the town to be like in the next decade.
City Councilman Max Mania noted how Ashland, Ore., turned its economy around by revitalizing its commercial core and by establishing a high-quality of life.
“These companies move there because it’s a nice place to be,” he said, noting Ashland has attracted chocolate, soap and electric-vehicle manufacturers.
Kidd said Port Angeles needs to be a place for the young and old.
“I want to keep it family-friendly,” she said, adding that the town needs family-wage jobs.
City Councilman Pat Downie said he would also like to see a younger demographic and “less government and more community involvement.”
City Councilwoman Sissi Bruch, who took office this month, said she wants to see more clean industries.
“We don’t want anything that adds pollution” to the harbor, she said. “We need clean industry that create jobs, that create a high quality of life.”
City Councilman Brad Collins said sound fiscal policy is his goal, while Di Guilio said he wants Port Angeles to be a town residents speak of positively and attracts those who want to create jobs.
The council also made new committee appointments, including to a newly formed panel to review salaries and benefits for employees along with the city’s leave policy.
A Peninsula Daily News investigation found the city has spent $1.4 million compensating employees for unused leave since 2003.
Nelson, Di Guilio and Collins were assigned to that committee.
Myers said they will meet over the next couple weeks, but he didn’t know when they would have recommendations for the rest of the council.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
