EYE ON CLALLAM: County, Forks to consider calling for crime lab funding

Peninsula Daily News

Clallam County commissioners will discuss a proposed resolution calling on the state Legislature to fully fund the State Patrol crime lab and toxicology lab at 9 a.m. Monday.

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

County Prosecuting Attorney/Ex-Officio Coroner Mark Nichols requested the discussion to address forensic testing backlogs that have developed at the state crime and toxicology labs, according to an executive summary.

Several Clallam County murder cases have been delayed due to pending scientific evidence testing.

Other discussion items for the work session include:

• A contract amendment with the state Department of Health to amend a statement of work for a drinking water program.

• A contract with Salish Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization for a criminal justice treatment account that supports therapeutic courts.

• An amended agreement with Jefferson County, city of Port Angeles and Tyler Technologies, Inc. for a standard software license and services.

• A call for bids for a hot mix asphalt supply.

• An agreement with the state Recreation and Conservation Office to develop three design and construction-ready plans to replace three undersized culverts.

• A discussion on space issues within the courthouse.

• A contract with Clallam County Fire District No. 5 to exchange services and fulfill the requirements of state law.

• A grant application questionnaire with the state Department of Commerce for the electrification of transportation systems.

• A follow-up discussion on the Jefferson Dinner project.

A quarterly income report from the state Department of Natural Resources will be presented at 1 p.m. Monday.

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

Scheduled action items include:

• A letter to the Federal Transit Administration for a Clallam Transit bus and bus facilities grant application.

• An agreement with OAC Services, Inc. for pre-design services associated with construction of a joint 9-1-1 dispatch center.

• An amended agreement with the state Military Department for the Operation Stonegarden Grant.

• An agreement with the State Patrol for public safety radio communications.

• A contract amendment with Salish Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization for substance use disorder outpatient services.

• An agreement with the state Department of Ecology for the Sequim-Dungeness watershed Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) program.

• An agreement with the state of Department of Health for sharing data to support the Opioid Overdose to Action grant.

• A resolution for member position changes to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board.

• A resolution for re-structuring the Homelessness Task Force.

• A resolution reappointing Brian Cays to the Permit Advisory Board.

• A resolution appointing Jesse Charles to the Behavioral Health Program Fund Advisory Board.

• Notice of a March 24 hearing for a proposed consumer fireworks ordinance.

• A public hearing for proposed policy amendments for employee recognition, refreshments and miscellaneous reimbursements.

Port of Port Angeles

Port of Port Angeles commissioners will consider awarding contracts for Terminal 3 maintenance dredging when they meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The meeting will be at the commission meeting room at 338 W. First Street.

Commissioners also will consider a amendment for the pact with Century West on the Fairchild International Airport sewer extension and a fuel float design agreement.

Sequim city

The Sequim City Council will discuss the next steps for recruitment of a permanent city manager when it meets in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday.

The council will meet at Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St. The regular meeting will be preceded by a work session at 5 p.m. An executive session also is set during the regular meeting.

City Manager Charlie Bush’s resignation is effective April 17.

Also during the regular meeting, the council will consider appointing Phil Obrechts to serve as hearing examiner pro tempore on administrative appeals now before the city, a utility on-call engineering contract award, an interlocal agreement for a tourism strategic plan and a discussion of a proposed city scholarship fund.

During the work session, the council will discuss the Sequim Avenue Sidewalk and Bike Lanes project.

Forks City Council

The Forks City Council will consider an ordinance for the retainage of state sales and use tax for affordable housing at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The meeting will be at Forks City Hall, 500 E. Division St. Other agenda items include a resolution calling on the Legislature to fully fund the State Patrol crime and toxicology labs and public works vehicle replacements.

Port Angeles schools

The Port Angeles School Board will conduct a budget development workshop at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The workshop will precede an executive session at 6:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7 p.m. All will be at the Lincoln Center at 905 W. Ninth St.

On the agenda, which had not been issued as of Saturday, is expected to be reports on public records requests, teaching and learning and special services.

Conservation District

The Clallam Conservation District board will consider grant amendments at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The meeting will be in Suite H at Armory Square, 228 W. First St., Port Angeles.

An executive session is planned for employee performance reviews.

A special meeting will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday for a board of supervisors election. The special meeting also will be in Suite H at Armory Square.

The elected three-year term of office presently held by Robert Beebe expires in 2020. Beebe is running for re-election against Carolyn Wilcox, district officials said.

Information about the election, candidates and their responsibilities is available at www.clallamcd.org.

Public Utility District

The Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners meeting originally scheduled Monday has been canceled because of a lack of business items, district officials said.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 23.

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