Forks council approves Riverside lease changes, hears emergency-services needs and resident road complaints

Mayor Tim Fletcher and the City of Forks Council on Aug. 11 approved changes to a proposed lease with Riverside Forest Products USA and handled several infrastructure and community concerns during a regularly scheduled meeting.

Attorney/Planner Fleck told the council that Riverside disputed a Forks Forum report that cited a $28-per-hour starting wage, saying, "the average wage at the new mill would be $32/hour," and then outlined requested changes to the lease. Following discussion the council voted to approve the lease revisions and authorized an increase of up to 8% for the specified addition (with interest at 5% per annum); the motion was made by Council Member Soha and seconded by Council Member Gingell and carried.

Public safety and emergency-services needs at the Quillayute Airport also drew attention. Chip Kean, a commissioner with CCFD 6, reported that the previously approved emergency-services CONEX box had been delivered and provided an inventory of its contents. Kean said the next required items include "a PUD connection, radio antenna tower and base, grounding for the CONEX, and servicing of the porta-potty." Council members discussed possible local support; Council Member Wood said the American Legion has expressed willingness to help.

Council took a separate procurement action to address downtown infrastructure: Public Works Director Hampton described the need to replace a damaged light pole, and the council awarded the light pole replacement contract to Elite Electrical Contracting, identifying that firm as the lowest responsible bidder and authorizing the mayor and staff to execute a contract.

On economic development, the council authorized the mayor and staff to execute a memorandum of understanding with the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition (NOPRC) after Attorney/Planner Fleck reviewed the MOU's terms.

The meeting also included extended discussion of the city's chip-seal project. Council Member Soha said he had received numerous questions from residents; Public Works Director Hampton reported having spoken with several people who were upset about the work, and said the clarifier project should be finished in about three months. Mayor Fletcher acknowledged resident frustrations and said the current road condition is temporary.

Several routine items — minutes, payroll and claims, and a job-title and pay-scale change for one position — were approved. The council recessed to an executive session at 8:25 p.m. to consider potential litigation and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. with no action reported before adjourning.

Next steps noted at the meeting included Fleck's planned follow-up with the Washington State Department of Transportation on a proposed speed-limit change at the edges of town and continued staff work on funding and installation items for the CONEX at Quillayute Airport.