[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6218330,"mediaKeyId","3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323","parentId",3630798,"title","Council agrees to return planning-commission code update for additional review","audioSeconds",1101,"startMs",5897000,"endMs",6998000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323&start=5897&end=6998","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323/thumbnail_5897000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218330/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Council-agrees-to-return-planning-commission-code-update-for-additional-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218330-553348e66aebe217d449fc96f5f72a6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=GwfQ0Mh35r-M4zKNdWaoEQrmAkC2rnpzMp7nta~pfuCUJOMr~3ywBVR53qjCQwgfwLZLmYsK-JqZhaAJ64F7HeNDPAifI3ieoVt-m~vCI1F9j~T7e-vFt1jOshku2jxoguorG7NxVPS-XzBJUY842dr2TUOt8O3fRsNraIOUnIwoEpgO2DecMG07q7zJenwoESN6uYtzs6HmYipyiKs2zfxIRahyP3G0dVDZG2cnErvVEJONAoWe0A-I-z0POlNkR9KFrDAdRNWD06L~jd2M2E~dCb42rQL0FpwabDeWm2-Lgk5npZCyKH0LqMW7oxkG7rzXQawY4a1tc38hPjHYLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sequim City, WA","date","2025-06-02T21:45:04Z","article","Sequim councilors discussed an ordinance to amend Sequim Municipal Code 2.36 to modernize planning commission procedures and align them with recently adopted boards-and-commissions standards.

Staff said the amendment would allow the planning commission to adopt rules of procedure consistent with current practices and the city’s advisory‑board framework. The code change is intended to formalize practices the commission already follows and to enable the commission to adopt its own rules of procedure.

Council members raised concerns about scope and staff capacity if commissions pursue self-initiated projects. One staff speaker warned that allowing commissions broad independent authority could overburden staff and recommended guardrails and coordination so staff workload and statutory mandates are balanced.

Council discussion emphasized the two-way role of commissions: they provide advice and also serve as community eyes and ears. Several councilors supported clarifying policy language so commissions can raise issues for discussion while ensuring staff and council remain in the decision loop.

After discussion, a councilor moved to send the proposed code change to a second review pending a discussion between Mayor Brandon Janisse and the city attorney; another councilor seconded the motion. The council did not adopt the code amendment that night and there was no vote to adopt at the session.

Staff and councilmembers asked for the motioned language to be reviewed and clarified before returning the amendment to a future meeting so that the planning commission may adopt rules of procedure but staff capacity and council oversight remain clear.

No regulatory citation or statutory change was enacted at the meeting; the item will return to council after the requested review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work and Regular Session - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members debated scope and staff capacity for proposed changes to Sequim code governing planning commission procedures and boards and commissions. Council voted to send the code amendment back for a second review pending a discussion between the mayor and city attorney.","taxTitle","Sequim, Clallam County, Washington","taxId",72051,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218333,"Sequim staff and consultant outline extended schedule for 2025 comprehensive-plan update",1003,4926000,5929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323&start=4926&end=5929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323/thumbnail_4926000.jpg","/articles/6218333/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-staff-and-consultant-outline-extended-schedule-for-2025-comprehensive-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218333-761e9b7afe34947e41c31acdab16b0e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=aKeS1W39b6mxhMldxpHUnAL0CzQOWCeEZwzMBzrBl0UvetXEy9g1rt4uRsTI9rXG~lRUp-xCJg2nIJ-OFothTJWrmERpvUMdWmDmpmJR7kasqj6dwfwjxgyjvE7Lj1i6KUmep9u~q0KiPrVhmi-nd~5v9LmrBGEFMbmT6NxpnyXCeDz0Zbhi0~Pcp1WH-3yIrrEm0tv~MU-a~dkQW0xg8RCqMN4EYLUUjB6zla4jkJv9D--oT392Csb46OORo8DmSs7B0ELLkCIcxob~5UlB2G9iGPPR0UMJsKiF3ovWjafsq4XkuJTvlpaEjzWsRoIqxnMachqGgoTFCf~8hpMoXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carla Bowden of Cross Sound Consulting told Sequim City Council that the city’s periodic comprehensive-plan update is proceeding but will need additional time and technical analysis to be thorough and Sequim‑specific.

Carla said staff and consultants had drafted most policy chapters internally and were advancing chapters to the planning commission for review; she described an added six-month schedule extension to allow full public engagement, technical studies and coordination with the planning commission and council.

The nut graf: The update will produce three linked documents—a policy document (chapters with goals and policies), a future land use map, and a capital facilities plan that incorporates utility- and facility-specific projects (including sewer and other utilities) to serve growth allocated under the Growth Management Act.

Carla said chapters for introduction, community character and other topics are near completion, and that the transportation chapter was under review by engineering staff. She said the city will engage a specialty consultant (Leland Consulting, subcontract to SCJ) to complete a land capacity analysis and the housing needs assessment that will include housing-unit estimates by income band and a market analysis tailored to Sequim.

Christina, identified in the meeting as a city staff member working on the update, told council the department had hired an intern to assist with mapping and that staff are preparing to accept annual map‑amendment requests from private property owners as part of the docket process required by state law. \"We're trying to get the word out,\" Christina said regarding the open application window for map amendment requests.

Carla outlined the public engagement and decision timeline: continued chapter review through the summer and fall, a joint planning commission–council meeting to vet the draft future land use map, a public release and outreach phase in February with online and in-person open houses and a Saturday workshop, planning commission recommendation and council hearings in spring.

No formal council action was recorded at the work session; staff sought direction on schedule and technical scopes so the planning commission can continue review and the consultant work can proceed.

Staff emphasized that the Growth Management Act requires the city to plan for allocated growth rather than to create growth, and that the housing and market analyses are intended to provide neutral, data-driven inputs for map and policy decisions. Carla said draft development regulations (title 17 subdivisions and permit-procedures chapter 20.01) are in parallel internal drafting and will be advanced during the update.

Council members asked clarifying questions about timeline and public engagement; staff said they plan iterative updates to the planning commission and will bring amendments through the statutory docket process for council consideration.","Planning staff and consultant described progress on the city’s 2025 comprehensive-plan periodic update, including internal chapter drafts, a planned joint planning commission—council session on the future land use map, and a suite of technical studies (land capacity and housing needs) to inform maps and capital facilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218335,"Sequim leaders outline sewer operations, reuse water program and multi-year capital plan",3598,862000,4460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323&start=862&end=4460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3630798-4e835b7c23279420f0a52a1638f12323/thumbnail_862000.jpg","/articles/6218335/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-leaders-outline-sewer-operations-reuse-water-program-and-multi-year-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218335-0f5f2443c72703c7b79d25ebaae59174/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=jUR81EAAwUCK99zyB6EspXukStUKJAu5fSEgrEDW2pab5kD7Yuh1FzaiNbncMDNOvm3fjUV4Rdjb4FzYIaJP0J~sV7Xy65gHSa7twynLYnSkTRfgVUlFTmR3UkMPm-i7mQoLLAC9OrkJHvAyKO5tUPSAEElaLGjeGcmoTPnu6z6UPbVsOk2bTfukjNTTGUPolRyUNjTgaQjpavDV2D6~CyNJYENlrJSYbcm0j9AEHA6i4Ngya58h1O9LPHqhW7NmdZl4e-YCtu73uD8Dj17pyyIHBuKHoczHIE0rFsYhM2y520qk31xomZvLbeYgzPHpCoinc77k~ScRw6URolw5~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City public works staff on May work session gave a comprehensive briefing on Sequim's sewer system, describing plant operations, monitoring programs, funding sources and a multi-year capital improvement plan.

The presentation, led by a public works staff member identified in the meeting as Paul, described the city's wastewater utility as heavily regulated and technically complex and highlighted the Water Reclamation Facility's (WRF) recent performance and reuse-water work. \"If it can be flushed, we've seen it,\" Paul said, urging residents not to dispose of wipes in toilets.

The nut graf: The WRF processed 284,700,000 gallons in calendar year 2024, with an average daily flow of about 780,000 gallons, and staff reported that Sequim produced 100% Class A reuse water and 417.4 dry tons of Class A EQ biosolids in 2024. Those outputs, staff said, position the city to reuse water for irrigation and to supplement stream flows while complying with state and federal permits.

John Christianson, who the meeting identified as responsible for the WRF and the water system, presented treatment metrics and regulatory context. He said the plant is one of two in Washington that produce Class A reuse at that scale and noted the facility's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and the Puget Sound nutrient permit under state law govern discharges and byproducts. \"These permits are kind of our guiding force,\" Christianson said.

Staff described operational tools and programs used to protect system capacity and compliance: routine lab testing and monitoring, a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, TV inspections by NASCO‑certified crews, sewer cleaning and maintenance, a FOG (fats, oils and grease) program for restaurants, industrial pretreatment surveys and an infiltration and inflow (I&I) program. Paul said daily lab tests act as an “early indicator” that can reveal process or equipment problems before permit limits are exceeded.

The council heard that Sequim operates more than 75 miles of sewer mains (6-inch to 18-inch), 1,577 manholes and four lift stations; three lift stations were deeded to the city by developers. Staff noted all lift stations are operated with two pumps for redundancy and said the city intends to standardize pump types to simplify maintenance and parts inventory.

On capital work, staff outlined an approximately $4.4 million sewer program for 2025 that includes I&I reduction, lift-station replacements (including Doe Run), Washington Harbor loop manholes (a partnership project), and designs for West Sequim Bay projects. The presentation listed a larger $7.2 million program for 2026 and additional major construction through 2027 tied largely to the West Sequim Bay sewer corridor project, which staff called the \"schedule driver\" for the near term.

Staff explained procurement lead times can affect schedules; for example, Doe Run lift-station pumps had a 16-month lead time and the $1.2 million project will span multiple years. They also said an aerobic digester capacity study is underway that will inform future design and construction decisions for solids handling.

On funding, staff said the utility budget ($5.5 million operations) is financed largely by utility rates, general facility charges (GFCs) and loans or grants; staff noted sewer projects attract more grant and loan opportunities than water projects. The presentation named a roughly $3.7 million grant from state programs to support Flores Acres water and sewer improvements and described partnership revenues tied to tribal loop projects and other interlocal work.

City Manager Matt, during a comment, praised public works technology investments and said the division has developed inspection and GIS tools that allow staff to view high-definition video inside pipes and link that video to the city GIS for asset-management planning.

The meeting included no formal council ordinance or vote on sewer projects; staff sought to inform council and gather direction for upcoming budget and CIP discussions. Staff said the general sewer plan and a collection-system model update are underway and that the city will continue to refine asset-management schedules to target repairs at the right time and avoid replacing assets prematurely.

Looking ahead, staff recommended further work on the I&I study (12–18 months of monitoring), completion of the West Sequim Bay project design and beginning construction phases in 2026–27, and continuing conditional assessments tied to a prioritized camera-inspection program to set inspection frequency by condition.

The presentation closed with staff reminding residents that illicit stormwater connections must be identified and removed under the NPDES permit and urging the public to report sewer problems to operations staff.","City public works staff gave a detailed briefing on sewer operations, treatment-plant performance, reuse-water production, condition assessments and a multi-year capital improvement program that includes a major West Sequim Bay project and an infiltration and inflow study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council agrees to return planning-commission code update for additional review

Sequim staff and consultant outline extended schedule for 2025 comprehensive-plan update

Sequim leaders outline sewer operations, reuse water program and multi-year capital plan