A range of public comments and city initiatives took center stage during the Forks City Council meeting on Monday, June 23, with topics spanning from industrial park development and 5G infrastructure to timber sales, water use, and opioid funding.
During public comment, Sarah Huling voiced concerns about a recent $400,000 grant awarded for engineering services at the Forks Industrial Park, to be managed by the Clallam County Economic Development Council. Huling called it a missed opportunity for broader community benefit and suggested that council consider amending the original motion to improve community return on investment. She also urged council members to engage in more in-depth discussion before approving items and pointed out that projects supported by the Allen Trust might qualify for matching funds. “I’m not criticizing, just trying to help,” she clarified.
Mark Soderlind, speaking on behalf of local mobile home park residents, highlighted Forks’ unusually high concentration of manufactured housing, around 25 percent of local residences. He announced plans to bring Ben Majors, a Washington State Department of Health regional planning staff member responsible for drinking water oversight, to Forks. Soderlind emphasized the importance of conserving drinking water and planned to connect later with Public Works Director Paul Hampton.
City council candidate Corey Pearson addressed the ongoing controversy over a proposed 5G tower project. Acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Person said she had filed public records requests and reviewed recordings, urging the council to thoroughly examine a 35-page document she believes was minimized. “I’m asking for accuracy and transparency,” she said, raising concerns about whether the proper process for a special use permit had been followed.
Cat Clark also spoke against the 5G tower, citing potential health risks from electromagnetic emissions. “We live in a biosphere that gives life,” she said. “Nature needs our help, be suspicious.”
Dave Ferguson echoed Pearson’s transparency concerns, saying his public records request on the 5G matter had not been fulfilled in a timely manner. He also requested that the appeal hearing scheduled for July 1 be delayed by 30 days.
Among action items, the council approved Resolution 526, allowing for the sale of marketable timber on city-owned property at the Forks Industrial Park. The removal of the timber will open up lots 8–10 for future development. The initiative began in 2022 in partnership with Pacific Forest Management, and proceeds from the sale will help offset costs associated with the harvest and any lot improvements.
The council also authorized the administration to proceed with a $300,000 FAA grant for the Quillayute Airport. The grant will fund crack filling, seal coating, and re-striping of the runway, taxiways, and apron area, along with the replacement of the access gate.
A final action item granted the Forks 4th of July Committee use of Tillicum Park, the Rainforest Arts Center, and Highway 101 for the parade route during the upcoming holiday celebration.
In council reports, member Jeff Gingell suggested implementing beach and park shuttles in the coming years to ease crowded parking conditions. He also noted that opioid settlement funds coming to the county could be used for prevention and treatment efforts.
Police Chief Mike Rowley spoke to the challenges of addressing drug use among individuals also dealing with mental health issues. “Many users have mental illness before they start using. We only have 16 beds in the state for people who are suicidal and drug-addicted,” Rowley said, stressing that treating the root cause is essential to recovery.
City Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck added that while local groups have seen success helping people with dual diagnoses, recent legislative funding cuts have hindered progress. He noted that opioid settlement funds might help fill that gap. Fleck also shared that he would be hosting a Forest Products Roundtable in Sequim, posing the critical question: “What happens when mills are lost?”
Mayor Tim Fletcher offered an update on State Senator Emily Randall’s recent visit, which included tours of the Industrial Park, Wastewater Treatment Plant, stops at the hospital and several businesses and discussions about local power outages. He emphasized the issue of tree-related outages and lack of cooperation from the U.S. Forest Service regarding right-of-way maintenance. Fletcher also mentioned that the Park Board is exploring a grant to fund new playground equipment in Tillicum Park.
The next Forks City Council meeting is scheduled for July 14.
