Forks City Council Addresses School Lockdown Response, Advances Park and Airport Projects

Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 30, 2026

The Forks City Council convened Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, with all members present. The meeting opened with a modification to the agenda, rescheduling Planning Commission public hearings on the Ruble and Airport rezones, along with a proposed amendment to the definition of a mini storage facility, to May 26.

Public Comment Focuses on School Lockdown

Public comment centered largely on last week’s school lockdown incident.

Bill Henderson, maintenance and facilities manager for the Quillayute Valley School District, praised the rapid response by local law enforcement, particularly Police Chief Mike Rowley and the Forks Police Department.

“I barely had hung up the phone from calling in the threat and they were there,” Henderson said. “For a bad situation, it went smooth. I thank all involved.”

Sarah Hanson, speaking as a parent, expressed appreciation for the response but also raised concerns about communication and student safety during the incident.

“It was a traumatizing day,” Hanson said. “Some kids were at lunch, where were they supposed to go when they couldn’t return to campus? I wanted to storm the campus and get my child, but I know that would have been wrong.”

Hanson suggested establishing an information officer during emergencies to provide real-time updates and recommended a community debrief. She also noted that not all students have access to resources to process the trauma of such events.

Annie Foster addressed the council regarding ongoing park improvements, offering to answer questions about plans for a new playground project.

Council Approves Key Projects and Funding

In action items, the council approved a consulting contract with Skillings for engineering services related to the King Ranch Culvert project. The treasurer’s report was also approved.

Council members voted to move forward with a Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grant application seeking $500,000 for a multi-phase playground equipment renovation project at Tillicum Park.

Additional approvals included a grant application for the Quillayute Airport hangar and terminal project, as well as Federal Aviation Administration-related measures for runway rehabilitation, including a design addendum, construction management, and contract award.

Discussion Highlights and Council Reports

During discussion items, Councilmember Corey Pearson inquired about sales tax revenue. Clerk/Treasurer Caryn Depew reported that collections are running about normal, though slightly down.

Mayor Tim Fletcher noted the positive impact of having an active Parks Board once again as council members reviewed park board minutes.

In council reports, members reflected on both community projects and the recent lockdown.

Councilmember Vilkesh Patel shared that his son was at school during the incident. “We see this on the news all the time, we were all scared. I’m glad it came out okay,” he said.

Pearson echoed appreciation for the law enforcement response and emphasized the importance of constructive feedback moving forward.

“You can’t imagine having to make a decision like that,” Pearson said, referring to the potential use of force in a school setting. “I look forward to discussions on what happened and how we can improve.”

Staff Reports Address Infrastructure and Emergency Response

Public Works Director Paul Hampton updated the council on the wastewater facilities plan and scope of work, cautioning that continued price increases could impact future projects.

Police Chief Mike Rowley described the response to the school threat as a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies.

“All law enforcement entities nearby responded,” Rowley said. “We secured all buildings with armed guards and followed pre-established protocols for this type of situation.”

Rowley addressed questions about the presence of rifles, explaining they are used for precision in such situations. He also confirmed that emergency radio channels were restricted during the incident to maintain clear communication.

“I am open to a community debrief,” Rowley added. “It’s important to explain procedures, educate the community and kids, and talk about what can be improved. It was a scary situation, and I look forward to a peaceful week.”

Mayor Fletcher also commended responders for their actions during the incident.

The meeting adjourned just before 8 p.m.