PORT ANGELES — The formation of the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Public Development Authority did not violate the state Open Public Meetings Act or the city of Port Angeles’ municipal code, a report from the state Auditor’s Office concluded.
The report released today said the City Council did not conform with Harbor-Works’ charter when it appointed former City Councilman Orville Campbell as board chairman, but the auditor’s office considers the issue resolved, according to a document signed by Brian Sonntag, state auditor.
The charter says the City Council and port commission were to each appoint two members of the board, and those four members would chose the chairperson.
The City Council appointed three of the members, including Campbell as chairman, at the May 20, 2008, meeting when it approved the creation of Harbor-Works.
The Harbor-Works board officially confirmed Campbell’s appointment on Oct. 1, therefore resolving the issue, the auditor said.
The city said that it disagrees that Campbell’s appointment violated the charter, said its written response to the audit.
The report also concluded that Harbor-Works’ accounting system was acceptable, and that the board did not violate its charter by not selecting a treasurer until November.
The auditor’s office investigated in response to a request from two Port Angeles residents, Norma Turner and Shirley Nixon, to see if any violations of state or local law occurred.
The city created Harbor-Works to acquire the Rayonier Inc. property — which once was the site of a pulp mill, now closed — on the east end of Port Angeles Harbor, and to direct its cleanup and redevelopment.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
