Port Angeles council adopts 2025 state legislative priorities, including transportation, housing and environmental protections

The Port Angeles City Council unanimously adopted its 2025 state legislative priorities, a staff-prepared briefing document that highlights local requests including transportation and connectivity projects (notably the SR 117 and US 101 interchange improvements), funding for homelessness services and essential public-safety resources, and environmental protections for the watershed that supplies the city’s water.

Staff said the draft reflects council discussions held in November and that items with broad council support (four or more members) were prioritized for inclusion. Nathan (staff) noted a minor typographical correction had been made in the public-safety resources section and recommended council authorize the city manager to make minor technical modifications to the document, such as incorporating bill numbers or updated AWC (Association of Washington Cities) guidance as bills develop.

Councilmembers discussed wording and small edits: one member asked staff to add a short phrase to the homelessness funding point emphasizing “essential services for families and individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness,” and another asked that unanimous adoption be noted in distribution materials. Several members praised staff for consolidating priorities and discussed coordinating with AWC and regional partners as bills are introduced. Councilmember Latrisha moved to approve the priorities with minor modifications authorized; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff will distribute the adopted priorities to the city’s legislative contacts and monitor the legislative session for bills the city may support, returning to council if specific bill-level endorsements are recommended.