Port Angeles City Council leads our county on important policy and program implementation to solve our current issues. As Mayor of Port Angeles, I take pride in listening and responding to my constituents regarding our common concerns which span generations. I consider my role as Mayor to include facilitating discussion and maintaining a calm and level-headed presence during contentious issues. I always work to pass legislation that’s in our community’s best interest in a timely manner, and in both public service and my career have developed skills of collaborative leadership, partnership-building skills.

I worked with the Council to pass comprehensive changes to our municipal code to address the ongoing housing crisis. We implemented non-partisan, smart regulations that will help reduce barriers to building all types of housing. These measures included:

• Multifamily Property Tax Exemptions, which incentivize owners and developers to build affordable and dense housing.
• The Permit-Ready Plans Program, which provides free, pre-designed building and engineering plans.
• Our state’s first Comprehensive Building Permit Fee Waiver Program, which eliminated 25 building permit fees for different types of housing projects.
• Removal of zoning restrictions to allow duplexes, triplexes, quad-plexes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be built in the city.
• Elimination of lot setbacks and relaxation of lot splitting-restrictions.
• New Improvement Community Enhancement (NICE) Grants, which invest in infrastructure projects to increase infill potential.
• Affordable Housing Sales Tax and Use Grants, which can help build affordable housing projects.

The City Council and I supported the creation of ReDiscovery and the Port Angeles Fire Department’s Community Paramedicine programs to serve our most vulnerable community members and as a response to both the lack of access to behavioral health services and the increase of substance use disorder.

The REdisCOVERY Program was designed to improve coordination between law enforcement and behavioral health practitioners in order to help people before they are arrested or hospitalized. This program creates better outcomes for the individuals and reduces hospital and jail intake of people who may benefit from other services, which is better for everyone. Port Angeles Police Officers now have support from a Social Worker and a team of case managers. The REdisCOVERY team conducts community outreach, connects individuals to resources and services, responds to mental health crises and collaborates with various Clallam County agencies.

Working in partnership with our REdisCOVERY team, the Port Angeles Fire Department Community Paramedic program improves collaboration between the PAFD, PAPD and behavioral health. The teams have developed productive and effective professional relationships with community partners that assist our community members to engage in the appropriate service at the appropriate time with the least amount of resistance.

The city adopted the Complete Streets Ordinance in 2018, which improves the city’s design method to make streets safer and more accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers. The city worked to consider the needs of people who have been underrepresented by traditional transportation approaches, such as older adults, people with disabilities, and people who don’t have access to vehicles.

During the initial waves of the COVID pandemic, the City Council passed utility relief for individuals, families, and local businesses.

We have worked to develop a relationship with Mayor Marianne Alto of Victoria, BC, laying the groundwork for future cooperation and coordination.

We supported the city in applying for grant funding on behalf of the trails coalition and many municipalities.

We provided initial funding and support for the creation of Elevate PA, now the Waterfront District.