Council punts on blanket letter for Touchstone Campus; votes 4-3 to postpone indefinitely

The Port Angeles City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 to postpone indefinitely a request to authorize the mayor to sign a general letter of support for the Touchstone Campus, a privately organized project that would provide temporary housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Council member Miller originally brought the item after touring the Touchstone Campus and participating in volunteer training; Miller described her support for the organization's approach and noted the group's recruitment and volunteer efforts. "I brought this to council after going to the Touchstone campus and having multiple tours," Miller said, explaining her involvement and her role on a campus committee.

Council debate focused on whether the city should supply a broad, standing letter for use in any grant application or instead provide targeted letters for specific grant opportunities. Council member Navarro said she was "deeply uncomfortable with supporting an ask that we don't know where it's going to" and argued the council had typically only issued grant-specific support letters. Other council members supported general support as a practical tool for a volunteer-run organization with limited grant-writing capacity.

A motion to postpone indefinitely succeeded 4-3; council minutes reflect concerns about setting a precedent for open-ended support without an identified grant or funding target. Some council members said they remain supportive of the project and would provide tailored letters for particular grant applications in the future.

Ending: The council did not authorize a blanket support letter at this meeting; city staff and council members indicated they will consider requests for specific, grant-targeted letters of support as they arise.