Staying open through COVID … and Fewer Potholes in our future
It was time last week for the Forks Chamber of Commerce to hear the annual State of the City report and once again city staff delivered the update via Zoom at the weekly Chamber meeting.
Clerk-Treasurer Audrey Grafstrom started off the presentation with the financial side of the past year and proud of the fact that when many municipalities shut their doors for COVID the city of Forks has continued to stay open.
The city is normally on a 2-year audit cycle but COVID financial assistance put them over the threshold of expending over $750,000 in federal funds. At the cost to the city of $20,000, that audit was completed recently with no findings.
The city received $140,500 in CARES Act funds, (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act). Over $100,000 of those funds were distributed to 13 Forks businesses in 2020. The Quillayute Airport was awarded about $90,000 CARES funds, as well as ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.
The city also was allocated $1,083.94 in ARPA funds which are committed to design and engineering for a water tank north of the Calawah River, COVID-19 response costs, and the bulk to go to sewer system improvements.
While COVID had an economic slowdown effect for many, Forks saw an uptick in many areas. Concealed weapons permits increased in 2020 and 2021. Building permits are on the rise and real estate has been crazy with excise tax doubling from 2020 to 2021; from $25,000 to $54,000.
Lodging tax was also up, higher than any previous year, and with people staying home (except all those who came to visit) and shopping online the city saw sales tax increase as well.
Public works director Paul Hampton shared that his department continues to repair water leaks, install new meters and install new water services.
A new emergency well has been completed and the city assisted area residents who lost water service during the November flooding.
Additional staff has been hired to help with street repairs (potholes) and the acquisition of a new asphalt recycling trailer will speed up the pothole repair situation. Storm damage repairs have also begun.
Security cameras have been added at Tillicum Park and remodeling is planned for the old restrooms at the Park.
The city will also embark on improvements for the Wastewater Treatment Plant using ARPA funds approved by the city council and $2,375,610 from the Clallam County Opportunity Fund, recently approved by the Clallam County Board of Commissioners.
City Attorney-Planner Rod Fleck spoke about activities at District Court II. The court sees a wide range of cases, about 10-20, each Monday. The biggest issues facing the court are defendants with mental health problems and/or substance abuse. The city continues to hope for activities at the Industrial Park and continued engagement on the topic of broadband.
Fleck reported that the DNR and USFS continue to meet timber harvest/sales volumes. “Recent events (November floods) have reaffirmed the importance of numerous USFS roads that can provide other means of access to and from the West End,” Fleck shared, “2022 will see the City pushing harder for ensuring those damaged roads are repaired and reopened.”
Fleck also urged those seeking to buy, build and/or develop in the Forks area to first stop by city hall and check zoning, building requirements, and critical area/wetland codes. “It could save some trouble before you buy,” Fleck said.
Forks Police Chief Mike Rowley was called out to respond to a situation just as it was his turn to speak so Fleck shared some data on that department too.
In the crime statistics department assaults are down slightly but DUI’s are up a bit; burglaries are down but thefts are up some. Vandalism remains a problem. The police department recently added another officer and is in the process of a new hire. Bookings have been down due to COVID.
Mayor Tim Fletcher thanked the city staff for all they do. He referenced the legislature’s actions that have left police departments damaged and the city’s safety at risk. “We continue to see infrastructure that needs repairs, USFS roads need to be fixed, they are also important for emergency fire response, BPA lines continue to be an issue, the Hoh River Bridge is 90 years old.”
The Mayor also said that our economics still continue to be unstable.
He shared that the city recently assisted FEMA and the SBA set up at the ICN building on Spartan Avenue as those entities helped area residents that were affected by the November flooding. The Mayor thanked the Clallam County EDC and the County Commissioners for their recent help in getting funding for wastewater treatment plant improvements and he thanked the voters.
