Planning Commission

Julianne Coonts moved to Sequim for the first time in 1987 with her family.  She is a graduate of Sequim High School.  Julianne promptly left Sequim after High school to pursue her college degree and upon completion of her schooling she lived in the Seattle area for 6 years.  In early 2000 she made the decision to move back to Sequim to raise her family and she purchased her childhood home from her mother’s estate.  Together, Julianne and her husband Doug raised their 3 children in Sequim.  Doug and Julianne are small business owners in the community.   Julianne is passionate about public service and believes that serving the community she lives in is not only a duty but an honor.  She has volunteered for the Sequim Irrigation Festival since 1992, is on the executive committee for the Sequim Valley Chamber of Commerce and Co-chairs the annual Elk’s Charity Golf Tournament benefitting the Elk’s Children’s fund.  She is also a member of Sequim Sergers, an all-volunteer group that sews blankets to donate to children in need, both within the United States and abroad. Julianne loves all things outdoors and appreciates all this area has to offer for recreation.  She is truly passionate of her two hobbies, running and quilting.  If she is not out on the trail, she is in her sewing room.  Julianne loves this community and feels fortunate to live, work and spend time with family here.

Term Expiration: December 31, 2025
Email Commissioner Coonts

I am a retired Planner from a small community in New Mexico where I had the opportunity and privilege to work with a newly incorporated Municipality to create and establish Ordinances, Policies and a Comprehensive Plan.

The ability to enjoy saltwater activities was a primary for retirement and Sequim with its beauty and opportunities to enjoy the Pacific Northwest Climate became my home in 2012.

Term Expiration: December 31, 2027

Email Commissioner Mahalick

Born on the southside of inner-city Chicago, I made my escape in August of 1980 after earning my B.A. degree in Environmental Studies from Northeastern Illinois University. This liberation initiated a 9-year adventure of seeking environmental education pursuits and learning opportunities in Illinois, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Washington State. During this time, I was employed with the Youth Conservation Corps, the Conservation Society of Vermont, the Student Conservation Association, two different Outdoor Education Centers and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with Northern Illinois University where I earned my M.S. Ed. degree in Environmental Education.Near the end of this 9-year adventure I was drawn to the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula, I arrived in Sequim in July 1985. For the next 4 years I worked with the Student Conservation Association, Sequim Bay State Park, Olympic National Park and Olympic Park Institute. In September 1989 with new family members on the way, I embarked on a new career and a 29-year journey as a Certified Financial Planner and an Investment Representative.
I have been married since 1986. My wife and I are now empty nesters having 2 adult children who have flown the coop.
My wife and I like to travel in our little travel trailer when possible.  We both enjoy birding and visiting national wildlife refuges. I also enjoy genealogy and related history, local volunteerism (I am also on the Clallam County Planning Commission), meditation, NBA basketball, and a variety of movies and documentaries. 
Sequim, like many rural towns across the country, is experiencing pressing issues revolving around urban sprawl, economic development, housing, conservation, resource use, alternative energies and climate change resiliency, to name a few. These issues are not incompatible in my view. My experience of most Sequim area citizens is that they are thoughtful, concerned, want to be engaged and informed and are very forward thinking. I believe Sequim has the potential to address all of these issues and more.
Every 8 years we have an opportunity to update the Washington State required Comprehensive Plan, which drives policies, decisions and ordinances regarding the above issues and much more. The update to the Sequim Comprehensive Plan is due in 2025. Much work needs to be done and public engagement is critical to community planning. Robust community involvement, input and participation are key to this update. Please get involved. We need you.    

Term Expiration: December 31, 2024
Email Commissioner Carter   

I moved to Sequim in 2011 from Fairbanks Alaska after 30 years in the north. I was raised in Olympia, attended college in Bellingham, and headed to Alaska for a short break from the PNW. After I decided to move back to WA, I had to decide where. I wanted rural, small community, and a place that could be my forever home. Sequim offered all these things plus a lot less rain!

Education: BA at Western Washington State College, MA and MAT from University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Employment: Finally retired, but currently volunteering at the Sequim Visitors Center and serving on the Planning Commission. My working career included working with at risk youth, I was a non-profit director of early childhood programs (local and state-wide), a real estate broker, and teacher at local community college.  I also owned and operated a fine arts supply store in downtown Sequim.  
Volunteer Work: I was involved with my local Fairbanks governing community by serving on the Fairbanks North Star Borough for two terms.  I think it’s important to give back and local government has been an interest to me for many years.  Serving on the Planning Commission has given me a chance to help guide development and try to preserve the reasons why I moved here.  
Hobbies/Interests: I like to stay outside as much as possible, so I walk, garden, and find time to read - a lot!

Term Expiration: December 31, 2024
Email Commissioner Cummings

I was born in San Diego where my father was a Navy UDT commander and my mother served as a city planner. Upon graduation from high school, I jumped into the world of graphic arts, learning offset photo lithography and printed literature and book production from the bottom up.

My career in graphic arts eventually took me to Europe and Asia, where I met my wife, a Washingtonian native. We returned to the US when our children came of college age and settled in MN to be near my wife’s parents whom we cared for as they aged, as well as for the educational opportunities for our children. I continued my career in book publishing there as it evolved to include network administration, computerized manuscript processing, and e-book production. I volunteered as an election judge, serving in 25 elections.

On retirement we returned to our roots on the West Coast as many of our children and extended family had settled in the PNW, we chose Sequim for its combination of mountain hiking and cycling trails, streams, ocean, and Mediterranean gardening micro-climate, all mosquito-free! -- as well as the friendly, diverse, and stimulating native and retirement community.

I have been active in Sequim as a volunteer in CERT, as a Census enumerator, serving our local HOA as a board member, and serving as a part-time county employee during the last four election seasons.

Having lived in several of the major cities of Europe and East Asia without ever needing to use a car on a daily basis, or to even own one for 14 years, I am intrigued to see if the best practices of public transportation and community design from those countries can be applied here. I have an interest in development of co-op and non-profit manufactured home parks and tiny home communities for all ages, and the extension of ADA standard paths along all major corridors for safe walking and cycling, for our neighbors commuting to their daily jobs in Sequim as well as for recreation for all. I also would like to see reform of regressively structured taxes, utility fees, and broadband that put an undue burden on young adults, starting families, and fixed-income seniors alike.

Term Expiration:  December 31, 2023

Email Commissioner Fane

I was born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico and started my public service career with the City of Roswell in the building division.
I moved to Port Angeles in 1992 and continued my career working at Clallam County in the building and planning divisions.  I continued my building education obtaining several certifications through the International Code Council.  I worked at the City of Port Townsend and completed my career at the City of Sequim as Building Official and Fire Marshall.  I moved to Sequim in 2014.
Since my retirement I have joined the City Planning Commission. I enjoy the Commissioners I have served with and look forward to our work on the City’s Comprehensive Plan. I look forward to the continued and future growth of our beautiful City.

Term Expiration: December 31, 2027
Email Commissioner Hall