NOTES FROM THE JULY
16, 2009 5:30PM PORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING, MANCHESTER LIBRARY
Attending
were Bud and Wanda Larsen, Joe and Margaret Guariz,
Ron Rada, Dawn Gogel, John
Winslow, Norma Brady, Steve Pedersen, Eric Cisney and
Carrilu Thompson.
Chairman
Pedersen reported on the success of the July 5th Post 4th
of July beach cleanup. A number of PAC members were there to move
things along and two large size dumpsters were filled to
overflowing. It is hoped the cleanup can be an annual event with volunteers from all the Manchester organizations
helping out if they are needed. It is anticipated that the Port
Commissioners will elect to donate a reasonable amount each year for a
volunteer cleanup, with the amount to be determined by the Commissioners and
then contributed by the Port of Manchester Commissioners to the cleanup.
The funds to be deposited with the Friends of The Library with the PAC
establishing what the funds will be used for each year. The funds
could be used for future special community events, or for special Library programs.
John
Winslow and Bud Larsen reported on the July 11th U.S. Coast Guard
Bremerton Power Squadron voluntary inspections. Several Squadron
members were on from 8AM to5PM, offering inspections to boaters at the boat
launch. John and Bud treated the Squadron members to lunch at the
Manchester Family Inn, where they were very enthusiastic about the response to
the voluntary inspections. 30 inspections were made and the response from
boaters was in the majority very positive. Those not wishing to participate
merely went on through, others were inspected in about
10 minutes per boat average. The Power Squadron has asked to return
again in 2010 on July 10th. The PAC highly approved this
special event, as did the Commissioners at the Monday 7-13 Port
meeting. Everyone note that with new water safety rulings, the U.
S. Coast Guard anticipates that it will make between 5, 000 and 5,500
inspections this Summer in the water that are around Manchester.
Water safety in Puget Sound waters is of vital importance to one and all.
The
upcoming August 29th Port of Manchester Celebration was discussed at
length. Carrilu Thompson was on hand
representing the MCA to report on what planning has been discussed to
date. The original idea outlined by Joe Guariz
was a hot dog, chips, and beverage appreciation for Manchester citizens who
have been outstanding helpers to the Port of Manchester and the
community. The concept of the event has since grown to include all major
organizations in Manchester working together for a common goal. The MCA
volunteered to coordinate this event, working closely with other groups who may
wish to participate and will keep an open line of communication between the
groups. The Manchester Library
through KRL has secured well known fiddlers Vivian and Paul Williams (from
Humanities Washington Inquiring Minds Program) they are long time talented
fiddlers. In addition, Dee has engaged the non-profit organization
Washington Old Time Fiddlers Assn (all volunteers) to perform an hour ahead of
the Williams, and an hour following their appearance. The Old Time
Fiddlers have asked for a donation of $50.00 an hour which is used to send
young fiddlers to their youth fiddler’s Camp. There is a
also the possibility of at least two other musical groups being available to
participate in the concert. It was felt that with complimentary hot
dogs, chips, and beverage, along with this fine concert being offered at the
same time, that it would be a big attraction and attract a good crowd.
Steve Pedersen offered to talk with Commissioner Strode regarding permission to
hold the event in Pomeroy Park (and perhaps information booths in the
Library parking lot) on that date, with all insurance requirement’s
for “hold harmless” being in place. Exact timing has not been
finalized but discussion related to having it start early enough to insure the
concert is done before dark, around 9PM. The MCA plans to
make every effort to insure as little as possible disturbance to boaters for
the event. The Manchester Library will be printing posters about
the event for posting in the Manchester Post Office, Library, Store, and other
local businesses. The South Kitsap Kiwanis has volunteered to do
the cooking for the food portion of the event. Other group’s
involved include the Manchester Community Advisory Committee, The Manchester
Port Advisory Committee, The Friends of the Library, The Manchester Community
Assn., the Manchester Community Council, and the Manchester Crime Prevention
& Public Safety Group.
Needless
to say volunteers will be necessary to help set up the event, take it down
after the concert, and cleanup the site the following day. Tickets
will be handed out by a ticket taker for the food service line. It
is hoped that further planning can be submitted by August 10th for
dispersing to interested citizens.
Ray
Pardo asked at last month’s
meeting if it would be possible to arrange for an access walkway or stairway
between the Library parking lot and The Anchors condominiums. Dawn Gogle outlined the report she gave to the Commissioners at
the July 13th Port Meeting. In that there would be the
potential for accidents going between the two sites on a regular basis, The
Anchors has determined it would be an insurance risk, as well as a costly
factor with all of the sprinklers, water systems, landscaping, etc., already
being in place, it would not be possible at this time for a walkway to be put
in place. A sidewalk along the road would be
encouraged. Dawn reported on a grants program allocating
sidewalk or walkways for Kitsap County is
available. Wanda to provide Dawn with contact
information to contact Ray regarding interest in researching this grant.
Steve
Pedersen announced that the Mutt Mitt’s for animals program is now in effect
on-site at the boat launch/Pomeroy Park area. This should alleviate
many complaints about animal refuse issues on-site. Steve was
able to obtain not only the bags, but the fixture that contains them at no
cost. For future replacement bags there will be a nominal charge.
We
discussed planning for obtaining an official qualified appraisal for the piece
of property to the North and behind the Manchester Library.
Obtaining an appraisal was approved by the Port Commissioners at the July 13th
meeting. The appraisal to take place as soon as possible and prior to
filing for an Industrial Development District
(IDD) for Manchester. Alan Fletcher and the Port Attorney will have an the IDD information on-line and with the Port Orchard
Independent within 10 days. Steve will
keep the PAC advised on progress. With the publication in
place, the next meeting of the Port Commissioners on August 10th,
will include a public hearing on the IDD procedure and information pertaining
to economic development and the amount being considered.
It
has been determined by the Port Commissioners that the potential for setting up
Annexation for 3 currently non Port member areas that adjoin current Port of
Manchester boundaries, could be scheduled for 2010. We will be
looking for a strong leadership campaign to insure the success of such a
procedure.
Janice
and Paul Gilligan have completed their Port of Manchester User Fee White
Paper. They are out of town attending a wedding this evening and
unable to attend. Wanda Larsen was asked to report on the White Paper to
the PAC. Copies of the 25 page paper were distributed to all in
attendance. The Port of Manchester Commissioners have
also been provided with copies for their study. Also handed out were
separate “comment” sheets with a request that everyone compile any comments
they might have that relate to the White Paper and the User fee, and return the
comment sheets to Wanda who will deliver them to the Gilligan’s upon their
return. All “comments” will be added to the “comment” section of
the White Paper and will then be presented to the Port Commissioners at a
regular monthly meeting of the Commissioners. Wanda noted that “those of
us who have seen the paper, and read it in its entirety, have found it to be amazingly thorough on analysis and recommendations
for the proposed user fees. The research done touches on all sides
of each concern that has been made, with facts and figures from other Port’s in
Western Washington are well reported, and the
recommendations for options are presented in a very professional manner.
The Gilligan’s are to be commended.” Copies of the paper are
available from Wanda, or at the Manchester Water District.
Once
again the concept of a permanent local repository for Port of Manchester records, was discussed. Steve
Pedersen to determine how much actual volume we are talking about for records
dating back to 1921, and advise the PAC. It is felt that a proper
storage temperature must be maintained, as well as security. The
Manchester Water District may be able to handle a certain amount of historical
files, etc. Ron Rada volunteered the use
of a large 4 drawer file in secure storage at the Edward Jones Offices.
It was also felt that a certain amount might be able to be stored at the
Manchester Library. We need to know the volume, as well as what
retention and storage requirements are involved. There is strong feeling
these public information records need to be located in Manchester with public
access to the records.
Steve
was also tasked with making contact with Alan Fletcher and Commissioner Jim
Strode to set up a breakfast meeting whereby they could meet with the PAC
Special Project Committee. There are a number of professional
PAC volunteers on the committee who are ready to do research legwork for the
Commissioners in as many ways as possible. The committee consists of
David Hopkins, Dawn Gogle, Ron Rada,
John Winslow, Bud Larsen, Joe Guariz, and Eric Cisney. While no actual shovel ready action on the
grant property will be in place before 2010, now is the time for research on a
number of factors, before monies are expended. This committee has asked
to hold this breakfast meeting on several occasions and no meeting has been
called.
We
will be asking for a review of a Port meeting held some months back, when
representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars attended a Port meeting, to ask
for permission to install a new and better flag pole, which they have
done. They also talked about removing mature plantings, and doing
revisions to the wall of memorial bricks, to date nothing has been done about
this. There is concern that the work must be supervised to ensure plantings will not be lost, and that any walls or
pathways do not infringe on either Library or The Anchors property. Carol
Campbell has volunteered to work with the veterans at their convenience.
Carol has been maintaining the Memorial Garden for many years as an individual,
not as a Friend of the Library. While many Friends have helped her over
the years, it is a Memorial Garden endeavor only and needs to be upgraded to
the best advantage.
It
was noted that the Port of Manchester newsletter will
be coming out within a few months, at some time to be determined in the
Fall. It is felt this will be a real asset to keeping the public informed
as well as maintaining the transparency that is so vital to the Port of
Manchester.
Norma
Brady announced that volunteers will be need for work to complete the North
side of the slope between the two boat launches, sometime towards the end of
October. By then there will hopefully be enough rain to protect plantings
through the Winter. Norma and Margaret Guariz to meet with the Port gardener, Ron Williams, to
discuss re-positioning of the sprinklers to better cover the slope already planted.
The large heather has already been lost, due to the lack of water.
Other plants and shrubs on the slope have done remarkably well and have
received a number of compliments for the effort.
The
next meeting of the PAC will be held on August 20th, 5:30PM, at the
Manchester Library. Please mark your calendars.
Wanda
Larsen