Port Angeles Pier

Issues Facing Port Angeles

  • There is a lack of affordable and attainable housing in Port Angeles. A family making $94,000 annually would find it difficult to purchase anything more than a two-bedroom, one-bath house. Policy reforms, financial incentives, and strategic planning are all needed to promote diverse and accessible housing options. I am working towards the goal of increasing affordable and attainable Port Angeles housing. These are some of the elements I have worked on while serving on the Port Angeles City Council or the Port Angeles Planning Commission.

    • Pursuing Housing for All Initiative: Increasing flexibility in zoning allowing for higher-density housing options and reducing “red tape.”

    • Building Permit Fee Waivers: Permanently waived building permit fees for various housing types.

    • Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program: Developers constructing or rehabilitating multi-family housing are eligible for property tax exemptions.

    • Permit-Ready Plans Program: Pre-designed building plans for various housing types available at no cost to developers.

    • Housing Pilot Project: The city purchased a property to develop a multi-family housing project. The pilot will serve as a model for future developments.

    • Comprehensive Housing Action Plan Update: In 2025, work on updating the Comprehensive Housing Action Plan. This update will include a Housing Needs Assessment and Land Capacity Analysis to guide long-term housing strategies.


    I will continue to work on finding ways to reduce policy bottlenecks, increase city infrastructure to aid in development, and find ways to reduce financial burdens on prospective homeowners, builders, and developers. 

  • Homelessness remains a pressing issue in Port Angeles. Only by working on the solutions from different angles can we hope to reduce the homeless population. These are some of the elements I have worked on while serving on the Port Angeles City Council or the Port Angeles Planning Commission.

    • Housing Policy Reforms: Increasing zoning flexibility allowing for higher-density housing options, reduced “red tape” by simplifying or eliminating city code, and offering financial incentives to affordable housing construction.

    • Supporting REdisCOVERY Program: The Port Angeles Police Department collaborates with the Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic’s REdisCOVERY program, an interdisciplinary team that offers outreach, navigation, service linkage, case management, and medical and behavioral care to individuals experiencing homelessness.

    I will continue to work on finding ways to reduce homelessness by expanding affordable housing, improving access to services, and fostering community collaboration.

  • Concerns about crime and public safety persist and some residents express dissatisfaction with the current state of our law enforcement and emergency services, but only some can be achieved at the City level. Police bookings are referred to the Clallam County Court for charges. Ultimately, it’s up to the Clallam County Court to decide if charges are brought on someone. 

    However, there are public safety elements the City can impact including increased resources and support for public safety personnel. These are some of the elements I have worked on and supported while serving on the Port Angeles City Council, the Port Angeles Planning Commission, and the Port Angeles Public Safety Advisory Board.

    • Investing in Public Safety Personnel: Supporting legislative priorities and budgeting that emphasize increased recruitment and retention of fire and safety personnel. Supporting recommendations from the Chief of Police to ensure the Port Angeles Police Department is fully staffed.

    • Joint Public Safety Facility: Supporting an agreement with Clallam County to develop a Joint Public Safety Facility which will consolidate the county's emergency operations center and the city's emergency dispatch services allowing for increased coordination and efficiency.

    • Enhancing Police Services: Continue supporting the PAPD’s participation in the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET), a multi-agency task force targeting illegal opioid distribution.

    • Increasing Resources: Finding new funds for increased police presence downtown including the continuation of the downtown resource officer position. Supporting the expansion of storage space for derelict RVs which allows for more RVs to be removed from the street.

    • Paramedicine program: Supporting the community paramedicine program which provides non-emergency medical services to reduce police resources, hospital visits, and improves public health outcomes.

    I will continue supporting the Port Angeles Police Department through strategic investments, policy reforms, and collaborative initiatives. Support includes lobbying the state for police reform based on the recommendations of the PAPD.

  • The local economy is heavily based on tax-funded jobs and tourism. A diverse economic development approach will help shelter the local economy from government budget cuts and job losses from the fluctuation in tourism. Increased wages and job opportunities are part of economic development. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of a healthy local economy including well paying jobs. These are some of the elements I have worked on and supported while serving on the Port Angeles City Council and the Port Angeles Planning Commission.

    • Supporting Small Business: Streamline permitting & licensing to reduce barriers. Offer financial grants and incentives for local businesses including NICE Neighborhood Grant which provides funding for off-site public infrastructure improvements, and Facade & Sign Improvement Grants for businesses.

    • Partnerships & Regional Collaboration: Working with the Clallam Economic Development Council and other government and nongovernment groups focusing on strengthening key industries, supporting small businesses, and providing workforce training opportunities.

    • North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition: NOPRC is made of city, county, tribal, and other stakeholders. It was awarded a $35 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to implement target economic development projects in the region focused on job creation, workforce development, infrastructure enhancements, and support services.

    • Affordable Housing Initiatives: Address housing affordability by reducing policy bottlenecks, offering financial incentives for construction, and find ways to reduce financial burdens on prospective homeowners, builders, and developers.

    • Vision 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Working on the long-term strategy that outlines the community's vision and development goals for the next two decades with a focus on economic development and housing accessibility.

    As a small business owner, economic development is always one of my passions. I will continue to support local economic development through reducing burdens on small businesses, investing in infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, and supporting workforce development.