[{"_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",6200009,"mediaKeyId","3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1","parentId",3819861,"title","Sequim advances Transportation Improvement Program; council directs staff to schedule public hearing","audioSeconds",1208,"startMs",4399000,"endMs",5607000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1&start=4399&end=5607","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1/thumbnail_4399000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200009/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-advances-Transportation-Improvement-Program-council-directs-staff-to-schedule-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200009-7f11973809b03b7d2b29bd35d98a7930/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982869&Signature=kIdiMGlsRGhcQHD4lZ1inpCL7imkimtIBQc03Kkjd1IJTMSKgSGKaFv2VvNR9iijYBPQ0TLryfFxXZbk~VIHbXXB93K-YM-tHVWkaOlfqpSq9vfiWV7FTPnqI-a~bHCDNL5AmfJcbvLTvQu5wV5mtlHpS7oITOZ-T~HGzMZtwO7PRuJZeqmqSCBEGKB9djULTZJAU3xWUQzpHpecMb4axvBX0sHpaxNQqooE~Od-bz6-56KdBO-Dk-IW9eUBvMOcAlMKiYHofiTfB78wIDXnH~K4dyZmkgcS9HJHT7zowomH9JgKXUa-F2FkIU0wQMwmc8eTEF~qB0SYPxgDDiB2vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sequim City, WA","date","2025-06-12T15:07:25Z","article","City engineer Nick Doste presented Sequim's Transportation Improvement Program at the June 12 meeting, highlighted recent project completions and asked council to authorize a public hearing and a resolution to adopt the updated TIP.

Key points from the presentation: Doste described the TIP as a dynamic document aligned with the comprehensive plan and noted recent completions including the North Sequim Avenue pedestrian/bike project and overlay. \"This is a dynamic document,\" Doste said, and the updated TIP separates pavement work into two categories: arterials/collectors (to be sized for federal match opportunities) and local streets (city-funded preservation work such as chip seal and dig-outs). The split is intended to let the city pursue federal or other grant matches for larger corridor projects while using city funds to address local neighborhood pavement needs.

Priority projects and funding strategy: Doste called out the North Third Avenue complete-streets project (a Safe Streets for All/other federal funding candidate), the West Brownfield Road alignment (a developer \"fee in lieu\" funding opportunity), and a citywide ADA ramp replacement program that used a TIB match in a prior year. He said the Brownfield fee-in-lieu money must be spent within five years and described a plan to use it to purchase right-of-way and to leverage it as match for larger grants.

Council action: Councilor moved and seconded a motion directing staff to prepare a resolution and schedule a public hearing on the TIP; the motion passed without objection. Staff will return with the resolution, public-hearing date and associated project documents.

Context and next steps: Doste said the TIP will continue to evolve as the updated transportation master plan and grants cycles advance. Staff stated they will follow the adopted public process for the resolution and public hearing and will pursue grant matches for collector/arterial projects while using city pavement funds to improve neighborhood local streets.

Ending: The council vote directed staff to prepare the resolution and schedule a public hearing; no council discussion changed the TIP priorities as presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Session - June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City engineer presented a revised six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that splits pavement preservation between arterials/collectors and local streets to better target neighborhood repairs and leverage federal matching funds; council directed staff to prepare a resolution and schedule a public hearing.","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},6200014,"Sequim council reviews formal rules, reporting and 1.5% cap for municipal funding program",2327,9899000,12226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1&start=9899&end=12226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1/thumbnail_9899000.jpg","/articles/6200014/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-council-reviews-formal-rules-reporting-and-15-cap-for-municipal-funding-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200014-ba0c8ef3d8cf631d1167e5966aa01318/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982869&Signature=SbPyttS-XFv0K6eP-uiFf~dpmdWP6MpSvagLpTNkwq4Orb1UmQKXZgIVqeOGoDXJj5lZH03wOII1vcank4WQLREBPUogPoGaacYESYgyAW8HXdqRErPUozVOcaVGFXU2USKz95aYozWfYTzM4SGJxuGWQwR8XMPXlJro~qbFCae-6jvGDf~7AUFhE00CjIzmDeBElgGxSkRHuPBcTDxQQn1fb1ST0l5buxLQTwOr9iaZT7SKsB0mdnNPTe3QC0OPr8B6~7E4lcvBUpk1LhnQp06bwohZEg~kw~Zoxv4cdsWm-9~wgrO6NxzJLrGXcOBRXu5sWjNZnW5IG2U78a3zrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff presented a revised municipal funding program and related application, reporting and scheduling rules at the June 12 meeting and asked for council direction on several items including the program cap, application deadlines and whether award decisions should continue to be made by full council.

What staff proposed: Marin Packer, executive assistant and program lead, told council the recommended process would move the municipal funding review earlier in the budget cycle so requests are evaluated before the finance director finalizes the budget book. \"We are proposing that rather than in September when finance delivers the budget book to council, that the municipal funding request review happen in June,\" Marin said. The updated guidelines add standardized, short applications, require an annual report on a city template with expense documentation, and propose three funding terms: one-time awards (for amounts under $10,000), one-year awards paid by invoice during the year, and two-year awards (repeat award for two years, not automatically renewed).

Why staff suggested changes: staff said the changes are designed to make the program clearer, faster to administer and to improve accountability. Marin said staff will no longer accept late applications after the deadline and that they will post a public reminder at the program opening; councilors asked for two or three public reminders spaced through the application window. Staff also proposed requiring all successful applicants to file a short annual report and expense documentation on the city's template.

Council feedback and direction: councilors asked for a modest set of adjustments. Several councilors suggested multiple public reminders rather than individualized outreach; one councilor proposed also issuing a press release and contacting local partners (for example, chamber or community organizations) to amplify notice. Staff said it could change the calendar and recommended moving the deadline to June 30 (staff later agreed to make that change and to return the final language for placement on a future consent agenda). On funding scale, staff proposed a policy cap of 1.5% (or less) of the general fund as a guardrail to protect general-fund resources for core municipal services and infrastructure. Councilors expressed concern both for constrained city resources and for community need; several asked staff to return with the formal language and the updated calendar.

Practical details and reporting: Marin emphasized the application is intentionally short and asks applicants to identify goals and measurable outcomes (with a maximum of three deliverables) and to upload a simple budget template. Staff said the city has historically paid a small cohort of larger applicants; in recent years municipal funding grew and 2025 spending was higher than previous historic levels. To improve transparency staff recommended full-council award decisions (rather than a small subcommittee) and said staff could provide a summarized annual report of award outcomes to the council and post full reports publicly.

Next steps: staff will revise the guidelines and calendar to reflect council feedback (including public-notice timing and a June 30 application deadline for future cycles), prepare the annual-report template, and return with the final language for council action. Marin told council she would present the revised program documents on a future consent agenda for formal adoption and noted staff will continue to meet applicants to help them comply with the new forms and reporting requirements.

Ending: Council did not take a final vote on ordinance or resolution language at the work session. Staff was directed to bring the revised municipal funding guidelines, the deadline change and the template for annual reports back to council for formal adoption.","Council and staff discussed codifying municipal funding guidelines, adding reporting requirements, moving the application-review window earlier in the budget calendar, and setting a suggested cap of 1.5% of the general fund for annual awards.",{"_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},6200019,"Sequim staff propose multiyear water, sewer rate and hookup-fee increases to avoid reserve shortfall",2257,179000,2436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1&start=179&end=2436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819861-8daf908462014915e8a3f717124d46f1/thumbnail_179000.jpg","/articles/6200019/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-staff-propose-multiyear-water-sewer-rate-and-hookup-fee-increases-to-avoid-reserve-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200019-f26d816133b99a1000bf3e9f6c73624d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982869&Signature=iKZd3cqRdQRs5Mb15LdxeApSxei8rW0iKbKn7352fIpB6nh~Ceib8-Wy9MG57oi0JRW702Xwm6qCiAwuL2bgNegNE-SgOz76ZYXX30KepA1~bkDtRPNIAWvJrwtw1LIKWa3C3ZNhr9mAp6~uhzjlFBaTqZ46COEF8DHKQ63DIhVbdhqTD8wVPD7haAxZOCrmQXWTK5ZPj9rAv~SYJcCmxNZ0VHRbJsoN3r1hkwcY40GfJjWI2hbdWo-ybJHgK4-TBywXlTzOoIZJp5XAhR51hu3sIr1dGzpKP6Stu1W~fXGsaa0pG6FmO9C7TA-QEi4nsFVRNX98rjetFTTYqkI1vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff from Sequim's utilities and finance departments presented a multiyear rate and general facility charge (GFC) proposal at a June 12 work session, saying models show the utilities' cash position could cross the city's minimum-reserve threshold within five to 10 years if changes are not made.

The presentation, led by a utilities presenter identified in the meeting as Paul, outlined three modeled scenarios and recommended a combination of GFC increases and multiyear utility rate increases. Paul said outside consultants (FCS Group) recommended earlier, smaller annual increases that were not fully implemented and that compounding inflation since 2020 has eroded the utility's purchasing power. \"Some outside consultants called the FCS group did an a rate analysis for water and sewer and GFCs, and they determined back in 2020 that the utility on the sewer side needed a, 2% increase. Yep. 2% increase every year for 5 years,\" Paul said during the presentation.

Why it matters: staff's Waterworth model projects that under a low- or no-increase scenario the utilities' projected cash would fall below the city policy minimum (2.5 years of repair/replace capital expenses) and could reach a point where the city would have to delay projects or reduce services. Amy, who led the model demonstration, described the policy threshold on the model: \"This red dotted line is our operating threshold. So this is the policy of the city to maintain 2 and a half years worth of repair, replace capital expenses as our our minimum balance.\" The staff said that, absent changes, sewer cash crosses the policy line around 2029 and the combined utility position becomes critically negative before 2035 in the most conservative scenario.

What staff proposed and why: staff summarized three scenarios: scenario A (no rate increases, 3% annual cost inflation) shows cash falling below policy and then into negative territory; scenario B (3% increases to both rates and GFCs) reduces the decline but still leaves the utility below the policy line; and scenario C (larger near-term increases) keeps the cash position above the minimum. Staff's recommendation to the council is to bring forward an ordinance that would: increase GFCs by 3% per year for five years; raise sewer rates by 5% per year for three years and 3% per year for two additional years; and raise water rates by 6% per year for five years. Paul told the council staff will return annually with updates and could recommend adjustments during the five-year window if actuals differ from projections: \"we will be coming back on an annual basis to tell council how this is all working out and whether we can, recommend another rate increase or decrease, at any time during these 5 years.\"

Household impact and context: staff translated percentages into household dollars to illustrate the scale: a 6% water increase for five years would add roughly $1.05 to $1.25 per month for a single-family resident in the early years and a 5% sewer increase sequence of 5% for three years then 3% for two years would be roughly $3.25 to $3.50 per month in earlier years, according to staff's examples. Staff also compared Sequim rates with nearby utilities and found Sequim remains lower than Port Townsend and Port Angeles for 2025 service levels. Paul noted that differences in source water and treatment (groundwater versus surface water) are key drivers of those differences.

Planned capital needs and grant strategy: staff walked the council through the capital-improvement program and identified several projects that will require large sums or outside funding. Paul highlighted an aerobic digester capacity upgrade preliminary cost estimate between $20 million and $45 million and said that, if that figure holds, the city would have to pursue significant grant funding rather than fund it solely from rates. Staff emphasized they have separated some preliminary, high-uncertainty projects from the near-term CIP until scopes and costs are better defined.

Council and staff direction: council members asked questions about timing, inflation assumptions and options (for example, 4.5% or 5.5% alternatives were modeled live). Staff will prepare a draft ordinance for the next council meeting and include proposed GFC and rate changes and a request for a public hearing. Amy demonstrated how quickly scenarios can be revised in the Waterworth tool and staff said they expect to update the model quarterly or at least annually with actual expenditures to keep rolling projections current.

What remains unsettled: the council did not vote on rates at the work session. Council members discussed preferences and trade-offs (a smoother, steady increase versus a larger near-term increase), but the only formal next step recorded was staff's plan to bring a draft ordinance and public hearing request to the next council meeting. Staff also asked for direction on the level of transparency and annual reporting; they proposed returning with an annual status report before each budget cycle.

Ending: Staff emphasized the models are decision tools, not final orders, and urged the council to consider the multiyear view to avoid sudden large increases later. Paul concluded the presentation by saying staff would bring a draft ordinance and the council's feedback would be incorporated before the public hearing two weeks later.","City staff presented models showing current utility revenues will fall below the city's reserve policy within the next decade unless Sequim raises rates and general facility charges; staff will bring a draft ordinance and request a public hearing at the next council meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Sequim advances Transportation Improvement Program; council directs staff to schedule public hearing

Sequim council reviews formal rules, reporting and 1.5% cap for municipal funding program

Sequim staff propose multiyear water, sewer rate and hookup-fee increases to avoid reserve shortfall