Port Angeles City Council

The presentations revealed complex perspectives on addressing homelessness in the community. County officials presented data showing Clallam County has improved from ranking 4th to 13th statewide in overdose deaths, while harm reduction advocates emphasized that their services save lives and connect people to treatment. However, public commenters who identified as people in recovery strongly challenged current approaches, arguing that consequences and accountability—not comfort—led to their successful recovery. Peninsula Behavioral Health's CEO described the "readiness gap" in housing placement, noting that individuals often need significant stabilization before they can successfully transition to permanent housing. The meeting demonstrated the community's ongoing struggle to balance compassionate services with accountability measures. While service providers emphasized meeting people "where they are" and reducing immediate harm, several residents called for more enforcement of existing laws and questioned whether current harm reduction approaches enable continued substance use rather than promoting recovery.

- **Consent Agenda:** Approved 6-0, including $1,874,297.37 in expenditures, final acceptance of Jones Street Reservoir Valve Replacement project, biosolids transportation service contract, three temporary wheeling agreements with Clallam PUD, and material purchase for electric meters - **Resolution H-1:** Passed unanimously to update Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedure, extending decision timelines from 10 to 30 working days and clarifying electronic recording procedures - **Committee Appointments:** Added to consent agenda but specific appointments not detailed in available documents - **Peace Pole Project:** No formal action taken; informational presentation only for project to be completed by end of March with ceremony March 28

"I did not get clean because my addiction was made comfortable. I got cleaned because someone drew a line for me when I couldn't draw one for myself." **Stacy Richards, person in recovery:** "Addiction is not interrupted by comfort and ease. It is interrupted by consequences, pain and accountability paired with treatment. Pain is the touchstone of growth." **Jenny Oppelt, harm reduction advocate:** "All people in our community deserve safety and dignity, and harm reduction does not treat drugs and drug use as a moral failing." **Wendy Sisk, Peninsula Behavioral Health CEO:** "Housing alone is not the solution. Treatment alone is not the solution. Navigation alone is not the solution. Stability happens when housing, readiness, and support work together." **Mayor Kate Dexter, on meeting purpose:** "This evening we have some presentations that are being made to us to help better understand the bigger picture in advance of a workshop session that we will have on April 7th." **Susie Blake, person in recovery:** "It is time to start listening to the voices of people who have overcome and stop focusing on catering to the people who are still using."

# MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE ## Meeting Overview The Port Angeles City Council held a special meeting at 5:15 PM followed by a regular meeting at 6:00 PM on March 3, 2026. The special meeting included International Women's Day recognitions and an executive session to discuss potential litigation. The regular meeting focused heavily on homelessness and housing issues, with five presentations from various agencies preparing for an April 7 workshop on camping and homelessness topics. ## Key Terms and Concepts **International Women's Day Proclamation:** An annual global celebration recognizing women's contributions to cultural, social, economic, and political structures worldwide. The city proclaimed March 8, 2026 as International Women's Day in Port Angeles. **Police Star Award:** One of the Port Angeles Police Department's highest medals and awards, presented to retired National Park Service Special Agent Sandy Lustig for her work in victim assistance programs. **Peace Pole:** An internationally recognized symbol bearing the message "May peace prevail on earth" in different languages. A partnership project between Nor'Wester Rotary Club and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to be installed at Pebble Beach Park. **Harm Reduction:** A practical set of strategies to reduce harms associated with drug use through various interventions, treating substance use as a health issue rather than a moral failing. Includes services like sterile syringe programs, overdose prevention, and connections to treatment. **Homelessness Task Force:** A Clallam County board that distributes federal and state funds for homeless housing and assistance programs, created through county resolution with representatives from various organizations. **Vector Attraction Reduction (VAR):** The processing of sewage sludge (biosolids) to reduce its attractiveness to vectors like rodents, flies, and mosquitoes, minimizing disease transmission potential. **Clean Buildings Performance Standards:** Washington State mandate requiring buildings over 20,000 square feet to meet specific energy use targets or pay penalties. City Hall currently uses 41% more energy than the required target. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting portion held under state law to discuss potential litigation with legal counsel, lasting from 5:30-5:55 PM before the regular meeting. ## Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kate Dexter | Mayor | | Navarra Carr | Deputy Mayor | | Mark Hodgson | Council Member | | Amy Miller | Council Member | | Drew Schwab | Council Member (attending remotely) | | Lee Suggs | Council Member | | John Hamilton | Council Member | | Nathan West | City Manager | | William Bloor | City Attorney | | Brian Smith | Police Chief | | Sandy Lustig | Retired National Park Service Special Agent | | Sarah McBride | Healthy Families Program Manager | | Sean Simmons | Past President, Nor'Wester Rotary | | Carmen Watson Charles | Cultural Manager, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe | | Angie Estey | Senior Account Executive, Trane Technologies | | Christine Dunn | Behavioral Health & Homelessness Coordinator, Clallam County | | Jenny Oppelt | Deputy Director, Clallam County Health & Human Services | | Wendy Sisk | CEO, Peninsula Behavioral Health | ## Background Context This meeting represented a comprehensive information-gathering session in advance of a planned April 7 workshop on homelessness and camping issues. The council heard presentations from county agencies, health services, and community organizations to better understand the scope and complexity of homelessness in the region. Several community members spoke during public comment expressing concerns about public drug use, encampments, and safety issues downtown, while also sharing personal recovery stories. These speakers represented different perspectives on harm reduction approaches versus enforcement-focused strategies. The presentations revealed significant data about homelessness in Clallam County, including that over 70% of overdose deaths occur in homes (not on the streets), and that 40-60% of homeless individuals nationwide have some form of employment. The county's harm reduction program has helped decrease overdose death rates from 4th highest in Washington State to 13th highest. ## What Happened — The Short Version The meeting began with a special session recognizing city employees for International Women's Day, followed by an award ceremony for retired park service agent Sandy Lustig. Council then heard five information presentations about homelessness services and infrastructure needs. Key presentations covered county homelessness funding (distributing $720,000 for housing assistance programs), harm reduction services (providing clean syringes and overdose prevention), and Peninsula Behavioral Health's housing programs. The city also heard about infrastructure needs at City Hall, where outdated heating systems require $2 million in upgrades to meet state energy standards. A peace pole project was presented by Rotary and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, featuring the message "may peace prevail on earth" in eight languages including Klallam. The pole will be installed at Pebble Beach Park later in March. Several residents spoke during public comment, with some sharing personal recovery stories and advocating for consequences and boundaries, while others expressed concerns about drug activity and safety in downtown areas. ## What to Watch Next • Workshop session on camping and homelessness issues scheduled for April 7, 2026 • Peace pole installation ceremony at Pebble Beach Park on March 28 at 2:00 PM • Additional presentations from Serenity House, Peninsula Housing Authority, and other organizations at the March 17 council meeting • Decision on City Hall infrastructure upgrades pending grant application results (due March 4) --- # MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Q:** What was the main purpose of the presentations at this meeting? **A:** To provide information gathering for council members in advance of an April 7 workshop session on homelessness and camping issues. **Q:** Who received the Police Star Award and why? **A:** Retired National Park Service Special Agent Sandy Lustig received the award for her work developing victim assistance programs nationally and serving on the Healthy Families board since 2013. **Q:** What are the eight languages on the peace pole and who translated the Klallam phrase? **A:** Klallam, Japanese, French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Tibetan, Hebrew, and English. Elder Jamie Valdez translated the Klallam phrase meaning "feel peace here in our home." **Q:** How much funding does Clallam County have available for homelessness programs in the current cycle? **A:** $720,000 for homeless housing and assistance over two years ($360,000 per year), plus $130,000 for affordable housing and $445,167 in supplemental state funding. **Q:** What percentage of overdose deaths in Clallam County occur in homes versus on the streets? **A:** Over 70% of people who died from overdose in 2025 died in their homes, not on the streets. **Q:** How has Clallam County's overdose death ranking changed recently? **A:** The county dropped from 4th highest overdose death rate in Washington State in 2023 to 13th highest, showing significant improvement. **Q:** What is City Hall's current energy use compared to state requirements? **A:** City Hall's Energy Use Index is 76.3, which is 41% higher than the required target of 54, potentially facing an $87,000 penalty if not addressed. **Q:** How much would it cost to bring City Hall into compliance with clean building standards? **A:** Approximately $2 million for all recommended energy conservation measures including HVAC upgrades, LED lighting, and boiler replacement. **Q:** What services does the Harm Reduction Health Center provide? **A:** Sterile syringes, overdose prevention supplies, wound care, vaccinations, connections to treatment, hygiene supplies, and naloxone distribution through community boxes. **Q:** How many people did harm reduction programs serve in 2025? **A:** 1,279 individuals (duplicated count), with 252 participants reporting they used naloxone to reverse an overdose. **Q:** What is the biosolids rate for material that doesn't meet Vector Attraction Reduction standards? **A:** $147.15 per ton, compared to $140.15 per ton for biosolids that meet VAR standards. **Q:** What are the three wheeling agreements being approved? **A:** Temporary agreements for properties at 3626 Aviation Place (25 years), Critchfield Road addresses (through December 2026), and CEDO Inc. construction areas (through December 2026). **Q:** What did several public comment speakers emphasize about recovery? **A:** Multiple speakers stressed that they got clean because of consequences and boundaries, not because their addiction was made comfortable or enabled. **Q:** What is the recommended approach for the Public Safety Advisory Board? **A:** The ad hoc committee recommended pausing appointments and having Council discuss the board's current purpose and expectations before proceeding. **Q:** When will the peace pole dedication ceremony take place? **A:** Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the peace pole location in Pebble Beach Park. **Q:** What percentage of Serenity House population is over 55 years old? **A:** 30% of Serenity House's population is over age 55, with about 10% of those over 55 needing some form of assisted living services. **Q:** How many people experiencing homelessness are employed? **A:** According to the United States Interagency Council, 40-60% of homeless individuals nationwide have some form of employment, with 10-12 currently employed individuals at Serenity House unable to secure housing. **Q:** What is the consent agenda expenditure amount? **A:** $1,874,297.37 for expenditures between February 7-20, 2026. **Q:** What infrastructure projects were completed at the Senior Center and Fire Hall? **A:** Both received HVAC upgrades, solar arrays (50kW each), battery storage systems, and received $500,000 grants each, with potential federal tax credits of $250,000-$400,000. **Q:** What emergency session was held and why? **A:** An executive session from 5:30-5:55 PM under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss potential litigation with legal counsel. --- # MODULE S3: QUIZ WITH ANSWER KEY **Question 1: What was the primary reason for holding multiple presentations at this meeting?** - A) To make funding decisions for homelessness programs - B) To gather information for an April 7 workshop on homelessness and camping issues - C) To approve new housing developments - D) To discuss city budget allocations **Question 2: Who received the Police Star Award during the meeting?** - A) Chief Brian Smith - B) Sarah McBride from Healthy Families - C) Retired Special Agent Sandy Lustig - D) Carmen Watson Charles **Question 3: According to the harm reduction presentation, what percentage of overdose deaths in Clallam County occur in homes?** - A) 30% - B) 50% - C) Over 70% - D) 90% **Question 4: How much total funding does Clallam County have available for homelessness programs in the current 2025-2027 cycle?** - A) $720,000 - B) $850,000 - C) $1,295,167 - D) $1,613,559 **Question 5: What is City Hall's current Energy Use Index compared to the state-required target?** - A) 10% higher than target - B) 25% higher than target - C) 41% higher than target - D) 50% higher than target **Question 6: What phrase did Elder Jamie Valdez translate into Klallam for the peace pole?** - A) "May peace prevail on earth" - B) "Feel peace here in our home" - C) "Peace begins with understanding" - D) "Welcome to our sacred land" **Question 7: How did Clallam County's overdose death ranking change from 2023 to 2025?** - A) From 13th to 4th highest in the state - B) From 4th to 13th highest in the state - C) From 1st to 10th highest in the state - D) Remained unchanged at 4th highest **Question 8: What services does Peninsula Behavioral Health provide for housing?** - A) Only emergency shelter services - B) Only permanent housing - C) Both transitional supported housing and permanent supported housing - D) Only housing referral services **Question 9: What was the expenditure amount approved in the consent agenda?** - A) $1,500,000.00 - B) $1,874,297.37 - C) $2,000,000.00 - D) $720,000.00 **Question 10: When is the peace pole dedication ceremony scheduled?** - A) March 15, 2026 - B) March 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM - C) April 7, 2026 - D) March 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM **Answer Key:** **1. B** — The meeting was explicitly described as an information-gathering session in preparation for an April 7 workshop on homelessness and camping issues, with no formal action to be taken that evening. **2. C** — Retired National Park Service Special Agent Susannah "Sandy" Lustig received the Police Star Award for her work in victim assistance programs and service on the Healthy Families board since 2013. **3. C** — Jenny Oppelt from Clallam County Health and Human Services stated that over 70% of people who died from overdose in 2025 died in their homes, not on the streets. **4. C** — The total includes $720,000 for homeless housing and assistance, $130,000 for affordable housing, and $445,167 in supplemental funding from Washington Commerce, totaling $1,295,167. **5. C** — Angie Estey from Trane Technologies reported that City Hall's Energy Use Index is 76.3, which is 41% higher than the required target of 54. **6. B** — Elder Jamie Valdez translated the phrase as "Tx́ái sáac̓ ay̓iŋk," meaning "feel peace here in our home" since Klallam doesn't translate directly to "may peace prevail on earth." **7. B** — Jenny Oppelt reported that Clallam County dropped from the 4th highest overdose death rate in Washington State in 2023 to 13th highest, showing significant improvement. **8. C** — Wendy Sisk described Peninsula Behavioral Health's five transitional supported housing homes and permanent supported housing facilities including Dawn View Court and North View. **9. B** — The consent agenda included expenditures between February 7-20, 2026 in the amount of $1,874,297.37. **10. B** — Sean Simmons announced the peace pole dedication ceremony would be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the peace pole location in Pebble Beach Park. --- # MODULE S4: Q&A — COMMON QUESTIONS **Q: Why were there so many presentations about homelessness at this one meeting?** A: The city council is preparing for a workshop session on April 7, 2026 to discuss camping and homelessness issues. They invited various organizations to present information so council members could better understand the scope and complexity of the issue before making any policy decisions. This was purely informational with no formal action taken. **Q: What did the people who spoke during public comment want the council to do differently?** A: The public comments revealed a divide in approaches. Several people in recovery emphasized that they got clean because of consequences and boundaries, not because their addiction was made comfortable. They advocated for enforcing existing laws and providing clear consequences. One speaker opposed criminalizing homelessness and forced treatment, advocating for dignity and long-term solutions instead. The speakers generally wanted either more enforcement or more supportive services, but disagreed on which approach. **Q: How much money is actually being spent on homelessness programs in Clallam County?** A: Clallam County has $1,295,167 available for the current 2025-2027 funding cycle. This includes $720,000 for homeless housing and assistance programs (spread over two years), $130,000 for affordable housing, and $445,167 in supplemental funding from Washington Commerce. However, they received requests totaling over $1.8 million, showing demand far exceeds available funding. **Q: Is the harm reduction approach actually working to reduce overdose deaths?** A: According to the data presented, Clallam County's overdose death ranking improved significantly, dropping from 4th highest in Washington State in 2023 to 13th highest. The harm reduction program distributed 4,909 naloxone packs and participants reported 252 overdose reversals using naloxone. However, some community members questioned whether harm reduction enables continued drug use rather than encouraging recovery. **Q: What will happen if the city doesn't fix the problems at City Hall?** A: City Hall currently uses 41% more energy than required by Washington State's Clean Buildings Performance Standards. If the city doesn't meet the energy use target, they could face penalties of approximately $87,000. The building also has failing heating systems, maintenance issues, and 90% fluorescent lighting that needs updating. The estimated cost to fix all issues is about $2 million. **Q: Why is the city working with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe on the peace pole project?** A: Port Angeles sits on the traditional lands of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, so including them in community projects shows respect for the area's indigenous history. The tribe's cultural manager Carmen Watson Charles explained that many community members are lifelong residents, and the peace pole represents partnership and shared values. The Klallam language phrase "feel peace here in our home" reflects this connection to the land. **Q: What happens next with the homelessness presentations?** A: The council will hear additional presentations from Serenity House, Peninsula Housing Authority, and other organizations at their March 17 meeting. Then on April 7, they'll hold a workshop session to discuss potential policy changes related to camping and homelessness. Any actual decisions or policy changes would come after the workshop. **Q: How does the harm reduction center respond to concerns about drug paraphernalia being found in the community?** A: Jenny Oppelt acknowledged this is a valid concern and said they try to provide supplies in appropriate quantities, have conversations with participants about their actual needs, and provide sharps containers for safe disposal. They also accept returned supplies and found needles from community partners for safe disposal. However, they noted that availability of trash disposal is a challenge for people living outdoors. **Q: What's the deal with the Public Safety Advisory Board?** A: The ad hoc committee reviewing applications recommended not appointing anyone right now. Instead, they want the full council to discuss what the board's actual purpose and expectations should be before seeking new applicants. This suggests there may be confusion about the board's role and effectiveness. **Q: When will residents see the peace pole and other projects completed?** A: The peace pole installation is scheduled for two weeks after the meeting (mid-March 2026) with a dedication ceremony on Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 PM at Pebble Beach Park. The City Hall energy upgrades depend on grant funding results, with applications due March 4. Infrastructure projects at the Senior Center and Fire Hall are already completed.