Port Angeles City Council debates ‘wish list’

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council delayed approving its six-year capital facilities and transportation improvement plan last week after debating whether the city has the means to pay for it.

The plan, called a “wish list” by staff, is a prioritized list of about 150 projects.

City Councilman Brad Collins argued Tuesday that the plan should be trimmed down to avoid overspending.

“Our budget keeps rolling along,” he said. “Our capital budget is leading the way.”

Glenn Cutler, city public works and utilities director, noted that none of the projects is guaranteed funding. He said they must be in the plan to receive grant funding.

Collins said the plan still “sets the tone” for how many projects get placed in the budget, which the council will approve in December.

He argued that the dollar amount for utility infrastructure projects should be reduced by

20 percent in order to “hold the line” on utility rates.

The other council members agreed on reducing the amount by 15 percent, though not all shared his point of view.

“You pay now or you pay later,” said Deputy Mayor Don Perry, noting that delaying water pipe replacements may cost the city more in the long run.

The council will consider approval of the plan July 5.

Projects listed as priorities include street paving, replacement of utility poles, Olympic Discovery Trail repairs, waterfront redevelopment, Race Street bicycle lanes and Valley Creek restoration.

________

Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Two people were displaced after a house fire in the 4700 block of West Valley Road in Chimacum on Thursday. No injuries were reported. (East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
Two displaced after Chimacum house fire

One person evacuated safely along with two pets from a… Continue reading

A Port Angeles city worker places a tree topper on the city’s Christmas tree, located at the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain at the intersection of Laurel and First streets. A holiday street party is scheduled to take place in downtown Port Angeles from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 with the tree lighting scheduled for about 5 p.m. (Emma Maple/Peninsula Daily News)
Top of the town

A Port Angeles city worker places a tree topper on the city’s… Continue reading

Hospital board passes budget

OMC projecting a $2.9 million deficit

Lighthouse keeper Mel Carter next to the original 1879 Fresnel lens in the lamp room at the Point Wilson Lighthouse. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Donations to aid pediatrics clinic, workforce

Recipients thank donors at hospital commissioners’ meeting

Whitefeather Way intersection closed at Highway 101

Construction crews have closed the intersection of Whitefeather Way and… Continue reading

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Commissioners to consider levies, budgets

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula

Highway 112 partially reopens to single-lane traffic

Maintenance crews have reopened state Highway 112 between Sekiu… Continue reading

Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that blew in from this week’s wind storm before they freeze into the surface of the rink on Thursday. The Winter Ice Village, operated by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce in the 100 block of West Front Street, opens today and runs through Jan. 5. Hours are from noon to 9 p.m. daily. New this year is camera showing the current ice village conditions at www.skatecam.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Ice village opens in Port Angeles

Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that… Continue reading

Fort PDA receiver protecting assets

Principal: New revenue streams needed

Ella Biss, 4, sits next to her adoptive mother, Alexis Biss, as they wait in Clallam County Family Court on Thursday for the commencement of the ceremony that will formalize the adoption of Ella and her 9-year-old brother John. (Emma Maple/Peninsula Daily News)
Adoption ceremony highlights need for Peninsula foster families

State department says there’s a lack of foster homes for older children, babies

Legislature to decide fate of miscalculation

Peninsula College may have to repay $339K