7-17-08 5:30PM MONTHLY MEETING OF THE PORT OF MANCHESTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In attendance were Commissioner Steve Pederson, Eric Cisney, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Joe and Margaret Guariz, Norma Brady, Phil Paquette, Robert Ballard, Bob lamb,  Carol Campbell, David Hopkins and Dawn Vogel.     Following welcoming remarks by Steve Pederson, at the invitation of David and Dawn, we were taken on a conducted perimeter tour of The Anchors exterior and perimeter boundary's.     While there is still a great deal to be completed, the general idea and overall picture are excellent.   A lot of landscape work has been completed already.  Very impressive was the permanent swale between The Anchors and the Port of Manchester Library parking lot property lines, this will act as an effective stormwater tool, to divert excess water in to the proper areas.    This has all been done in accordance with all the necessary permit requirements and County regulations.    The retail and owner parking in the back of the completed building has temporary stripes at this time, however, the location of the stripes is where they are required by contract.     There is also a 15 minute load/unload location at the entrance to the parking lot.

We discussed following the nautical theme in the boundary and swale area.  David will look in to the cost of bollards with either chain or rope between the metal standards.     At the present time some boats with trailers have backed over the earth berm that is at the edge of the swale, it is felt the bollard arrangement can eliminate the problem.     Regarding the very old evergreen trees between the completed condominium buildings and the units still under construction, David offered to trim and try to restore them.    Following open conversation by all of us, it was agreed that removing the trees and replacing them with fresh and manageable shrubbery is probably the least costly and most appealing concept.   This idea will be discussed with the Port Commissioners prior to any action.

We were shown the drawings for exterior lighting and the fixtures are very attractive black metal 12' poles, with two or more cones on each pole.   We reviewed the locations where the lights will be installed and they appear to be adequate for the project.    David has made every effort to be a good neighbor and is eager to work with the library towards the proper plantings along the parking lot and between The Anchors property and the Port property.    It is hoped the landscape flow can go on to include the VFW special corner at the entrance to the parking lot and Library.    Carol Campbell and Norma Brady were consulted on ideas of how the most pleasing landscaping could be accomplished.

David has proposed a consideration for an adjustment through a lease easement of the boundary property that would include the swale and the plantings bordering the space between the two property's.  He outlined an arrangement whereby the Condominium Homeowners Association would assume the responsibility and the cost of maintenance and upkeep for the garden areas and the swale.  This would include water, electricity, lighting, etc.    We stopped several times during the walk around the property to go over possibility's, options, costs, etc. if such a proposal could be accomplished.   This proposal will be outlined for an agenda item at the next Port of Manchester Commissioners meeting on August 11th, at 600PM at the Manchester Library.   In general it was felt by the group this type of arrangement could be a neighborhood benefit  for everyone after all considerations have been reviewed and acted on.

At 6:30PM we returned to the Library and conducted the remainder of today's meeting.    The July 12 Port of Manchester User Survey was discussed and the figures are a fine example of asking questions and obtaining important information for the Port Commissioners.  The final results on all the questions are forthcoming from Joe Blazevich, Sr. and Ray Pardo very shortly.    The preliminary results from Saturdays effort are as follows:

MANCHESTER BOAT LAUNCH:    4AM TO 5PM JULY 12, 2008.....75 BOATS (50 OUT OF THE AREA, 25 LOCAL) 163 ADULTS, 48 CHILDREN AND 1 DOG.

POMEROY PARK: 10AM TO 5PM JULY 12 -2008.....30 CONTACTS (17 OUT OF THE AREA, 13 LOCAL) 57 ADULTS, 43 CHILDREN, AND 9 DOGS.

KITSAP COUNTY TRAFFIC COUNTER FIGURES:    7-11-08 TIME 12:00 TO 11:59 7-2-08 =  626, 7-12-08TIME 12:00 T011;59-7-13-08 = 640, 7-13-08 time to23.59 7-14-08  

                                                                                             = 437  THESE FACTS SHOW THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS AS WELL AS THE VISITORS RESPONSE, AND THE

                                                                                             IN-KIND HOURS WORKED BY MANCHESTER CITIZENS.    IT WAS FUN AND VERY SUCCESSFUL.

Next User Survey will be held on August 16th, same times, same place.   The final survey will be held on September 13th, same time, same places.  We signed up quite a few volunteers to help out with the upcoming survey.  Commissioner Pederson has signed up for Pomeroy Park for 2 hours for August, and the boat launch for 2 hours for September, a way to meet the citizens of Manchester on site.

We will be inviting County Assessor, Jim Avery, to our next meeting on August 21st.    It was felt we could all use more information on finance and millage requirements for the Port of Manchester.    The State of Washington changes the approved amounts every 6 years and have only recently done so again.     If Jim is able to join us for this meeting anyone interested in learning more about the procedures and laws relating to millage, is invited to join us at 5:30pm at the Manchester Library.

One of the survey requests mentioned on a number of occasions was "what is going to be done about the bare slope on the boat launch grounds"?  The grass doesn't grow there and it is unsightly"  as well..   Norma and Carol volunteered to  look at the location (it is fairly large and located between the North and South piers).   With the Library expanding the size of their building they will have a number of plants that could perhaps be donated for use on this bare slope, along with some rock and other landscaping ideas the area could be turned in to an attractive addition to the park area.   In general, it was felt enough  native plants could be generated through citizen donations, to fill the space in an attractive floral design.     We also hope to get community interest in spending time on such a project as in-kind donations  of their time, to the Port's mass grant efforts.     The question was asked "what about animal control"?   Having already talked with Rance McIntyre of Kitsap Animal Control, we know there must be a written letter of agreement (similar to the one the Port has with the Sheriff's Office) between Animal Control and the Port of Manchester, before they can come to the site and take care of animal problems.     It was suggested we look in to obtaining the dog waste bags used in county, state and federal parks.  It was believed there is no cost  for this and the container could be placed in the rest room.

It was also mentioned that the noxious weed located close to the water by the float has been identified by our Master Gardner M.C. Edwards as a Japanese Knotweed.  We will be talking with the noxious weed agency to determine if they can remove the weed with less possibility of contamination, and perhaps at no cost.  This weed control service should be included as a service generated by the taxes each of us pay,  each year.    We have been asked to please not begin any digging of the Knotweed until we have talked with Kitsap County Noxious Weed Coordinator, Dana Coggan.    

 Manchester community signage was reviewed.    Commissioner Pederson has already talked with DCD and KCPW regarding permitting  and right of way issues for a welcome to Manchester generic sign at the corner of Mile Hill & Colchester.    It has been agreed the sign could be shaped in a "V" with one side aimed at Mile Hill coming from Southworth and the other side aimed at Mile Hill coming from Port Orchard.   A design is being done by Joan Winslow at this time.   It would follow the pole and rope background with nautical art and would include the name MANCHESTER, space for a large banner at the top for special events such as the annual salmon bake, book sales, local events, etc.     Then a list of services such as Post Office, Restaurant, Library, etc. would be listed.     A second signage could be at the current location of the sign at Miracle Mile and Colchester that would list the names of interested businesses, groups, agency's, etc.      Cost of the signs would come from a fee charged for the individual business, etc. that wishes to have their name on the sign, or from donations.     The sign ideas were well received and will be taken to the Commissioners for consideration.

After the tour and numerous ideas to consider, it was decided at 7:45 it was time to adjourn until August 21st.     The Port Commissioners to be asked to include the following agenda items for their next meeting on Monday, August 11th, 6:00PM at the Manchester Library:

                                1.   Lot lines lease adjustment, services, etc. Port of Manchester and The Anchors Condominium

2.   User survey and traffic counts dates and results to date

3.   Removal of evergreen damaged shrubs

4.   Noxious weed removal boat launch area

5.   Launch area slope planting design, etc.

6.   General lighting plan parking areas and other

                                7.   Community signs (2) and Fish & Wildlife Sign

Submitted by:        Wanda Larsen