PORT OF MANCHESTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING 11-20-08, MANCHESTER LIBRARY

 

We were able to start the meeting promptly at 5:30PM. The Chess Club has agreed to dismiss their weekly meetings a half an hour early on our meeting nights, thanks to the help of Librarian Dee D'Haem. Much appreciated.

 

Attending today's meeting were Ron Rada, Bob and Rashani Ballard, David Hopkins, Dawn Gogel, Norma Brady, Joe and Margaret Guariz, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Eric Cisney, Bob and MC Edwards, Carol Campbell and Commissioner Steve Pederson. This is the final meeting of the group for the year 2008. The 1St meeting of 2009 will be held on the third Thursday, January 1St", 5:30PM at the Manchester Library. At this meeting a list of 2009 special projects will be established for review and further action at a special brainstorming and planning session to be held on Saturday, January 17th 9:OOAM to Noon at the Manchester Library. Please mark those two important dates on your 2009 Calendar. We hope to include a presentation of the formal grant presentation recently presented to RCO representatives in Olympia, at the January meeting. A "Show & Tell" look at the proposal that was made and resulted in the awarding of the $577,447.00 grant for land acquisition and parking to the Port of Manchester. The group will be asking to set up a special showing of the presentation to the Manchester community, at an open house sometime this Spring. This meeting would be advertised and invitations extended to many parties interested in community improvements. The question was asked "just what kind of things would work for in 'kind "matching funds"? This does need to be defined. Wanda noted that at the last Port meeting, Ron Thompson offered to look in to whether attendance at Port meetings is in-kind time spent? Time at the Advisory Committee meetings is approved.

 

In advance of the January 15th monthly meeting we are asking members of the group and others to be thinking of projects for 2009. We are interested in ways and means to obtain money for projects, be it by special grants, donations, etc. How do all the funding mechanisms work and how can we get involved? In what ways can the Advisory Committee help achieve goals set for 2009 and beyond? Determine if there is an interest to research having adjoining precincts who have no Port affiliation, in becoming a part of the Port of Manchester. Any additional ideas you may have will be appreciated. Commissioner Pederson asked those present to submit their ideas and comments to Bud and Wanda Larsen at bwlarsen@wavecable.com or 360-769-8793. Our plan is to publicize planning for the Port and the Community, to the best of our ability, thus letting everyone know what is planned and why.

 

We hope to have our grant writer Kathleen Byrne-Berrantes join us for either the February or March meeting of the group to discuss other funding she is aware of. Steve Pederson mentioned the CCED group as a potential funding organization. Kathleen can bring us up to date on the focal points of grants as well as other programs we can look at. We also have information regarding the recent Port of Tracyton bid for matching funds for upgrading their facility.

 

Following a lengthy discussion regarding the need to move forward on purchase of property for the proposed addition of 16 parking spaces adjoining the present Port parking lot, it was the consensus of the entire group that the time is now to act immediately to establish a hold on the property. Steve Pederson was asked to talk with Commissioner Strode in the next 24 hours. It was felt that waiting until an appraisal is made, is putting the cart before the horse, before making an offer on the property. The group requests this be an ACTION item at the December 8th meeting of the Port of Manchester Commissioners. In the interests of complete transparency and to eliminate any conflict of interest issues, it was suggested the negotiations should be conducted by Bob Ballard of Manchester Realty in advance of any appraisal. Note that Bob has offered to donate a significant part of his commission on any sale, to the Port of Manchester as an in-kind contribution. It was also suggested we obtain a definite explanation of what is "fair market value".

 

David Hopkins reported on the Manchester Parking Lot Lighting plan that Jack Higgins of Infolight has supplied to our group. The proposal included the cost of 7 poles, 10 parking lot lights, and all of the necessary circuitry, cost of boring, trenching, and all necessary excavation. This is major expense, but necessary and in keeping with upgrades underway. Other options are available. Commissioner Pederson was asked to discuss the proposal with our grant writer to determine if the expense for this addition could be included in the grant money expenditures already approved. This project to be discussed at the 12-08-08 Port meeting. David was advised that at the last Port meeting, it was determined that there would be no problem with him either purchasing the portion of land at the drainage swale location, or a long term, low cost lease could be possible, and would include utility service and maintenance of the property by The Anchors homeowners association. David was asked to make up a proposal to submit to the port for ACTION at the December meeting. David noted that on 12­08-08 he will be taking out the curbing alongside the library parking lot, to make a more effective replacement.

 

Joe Guariz and Bud Larsen discussed the voluntary fee container that has been made for the Port launch area. Commissioner Fallstrom has had the container made, similar to those used in Washington State Parks. The group was asked to determine a color and a location for the box following Joe and Bud's report. It will be attached to large yellow pipe at the left side of the North float. The concensus was that grey/silver would be the color used. The informational sign attached to the fee box to read as follows. (PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. The sign itself to be white with black lettering)

               

                "SUPPORT YOUR PORT"

            

                VOLUNTARY USE FEE $5.00

 

Steve Pederson will arrange to have Dan Fallstrom bring the box to the December Port meeting for final ACTION on color and placement as suggested.

 

Joe Guariz discussed the possibility of assigning 3 or 4 reserved spots for overnight parking for boats visiting Blake Island, at a charge of $10.00 per night on specified nights. Arrangement would need to be made for reservations and payment. Wanda has small envelopes left from the DNA testing done some years back by the Sheriff's Dept., that would suffice for this purpose.(ACTION)

 

On January 9th, the WSU Stewards will be conducting a 6:30PM to 9:30PM beach walk at extreme low tide.  MC Edwards asked for approval for parking in the Port lot for this special event. Commissioner Pederson stated that since it is unlikely there will be a need for boaters parking that time of year, it would be affright to go ahead with the plan.

 

Considerable time was spent reviewing the proposed Welcome to Manchester sign for the corner of Mile Hill and Colchester. Pictures of the sign created by Mark Dalton were well received by those in attendance and the contract has been signed. Joan Winslow is the Committee Chair for this project. Significant funds have already been committed by the Port of Manchester, The Friends of the Library, The MCC, and others. Carol Campbell has offered to take charge of the accounting of the remainder of the donations for the sign project. The Manchester Water District has agreed to pursue obtaining the permit necessary to put the sign in place. The Water District will be a major participant and provider of equipment in the placement of the sign. Steve will see if we can get a progress report placed in the monthly Water Districts invoices for the sign. It is generic in format, and will resemble the present Dalton sign at Colchester and Miracle Mile (though much larger). It will state the following information, Library, Dining, Food and Beverages, Public Boat Launch, and Manchester Water District. Commissioner Fallstrom is looking in to obtaining surplus telephone palls to stay with the nautical format of signs in Manchester.

 

We need a volunteer to work on the verbiage for ownership of the sign, which will be 51% owned by the Port of Manchester. The Port will then be the contact for authorizing any "banner's " used on the sign. This would eliminate "garage sale" signs, etc. It was suggested a "slogan" relative to Manchester be developed to use as a banner on the sign when no special events, such as the Salmon Bake, or book sales are posted.     It was also suggested a contest be held to establish a "slogan". Another suggestion was a slogan banner in place when there is no special event, might distract from the special events. No decision was made on this. We do need ACTION to go ahead with the sign at the next Port Meeting.

 

No word has been received from The Rotary yet, as to sponsoring the upgrade of the bare slope between the North and South floats at the launch area. The opinion was to go ahead with planning for the project and develop an in-kind work effort, as well as a solicitation format.

 

Please excuse the lengthy report but we covered a lot of ground at this meeting. See you at the Port meeting on 12-08-08 6:OOPM at the Manchester Library, we can accomplish many things with an attendance like we had tonight, at the Port meetings as well. Plan to be there!

 

Wanda Larsen