County clarifies $1.35 million cap for joint public safety project design work, seeks flexibility within limit

Clallam County staff told commissioners on March 3 that they will ask the board to adopt a resolution clarifying how the county’s previously authorized $1,350,000 contribution to the joint public safety facility may be used for property acquisition and design work.

County Administrator Todd Milke said the July 2023 management agreement with the City of Port Angeles described a county commitment “up to $1,350,000 for property acquisition and for design,” but noted ambiguous parenthetical language in the contract that could be read as prescribing fixed sub-amounts. Milke and county attorneys recommended a clarifying resolution so county staff can move funds between Phase 2A (schematic design), Phase 2B (detailed design) and related work without exceeding the total $1,350,000 cap.

The project team provided a schedule: OAC (the project architect) delivered roughly 30% documents in January; the team expects to reach 60–65% design by mid-April and then update final cost estimates. Milke said the joint partners plan a follow-up joint meeting of elected officials once the 60% package and revised cost estimates are available.

City staff confirmed the city is proceeding on a parallel track and that the clarification is a technical cleanup: the city council executed separate motions for property and design while county language combined the items, prompting the county’s requested clarification.

Commissioners said they supported preserving the overall $1.35 million limit while giving staff authority to adjust how the money is allocated among the design phases. Commissioner Johnson asked for regular, clear updates on schedule, costs and alternatives; Milke committed to a mid‑April design update and a subsequent joint elected‑official meeting.

Staff will return with the proposed clarifying resolution for the board to consider at the next regular meeting.