MAY 21, 2009 PORT ADVISARY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES 5:30PM, MANCHESTER LIBRARY

Attending today’s meeting were David Kimble, Norma Brady, Eric Cisney, Bud Larsen, Terrence Simons, John Winslow, Ron Rada, Janice Gilligan, Dan Fallstrom, and Wanda Larsen.

Copies of the text draft for the June 2008-June 2009 First Year Port Advisory Committee Actions & Achievements report were handed around and discussed.  There are 18 items in the report that Pac members had reviewed copy’s of in advance of today’s meeting.  It was agreed that the report would be sent on to all 3 of the Port Commissioners, Alan Fletcher, and Port Attorney Ron Thompson, for their review.   It is planned to have an annual PAC Actions & Achievements report

submitted each year on the June anniversary of the beginning of the PAC.   The PAC will appreciate comment from the Commissioners at the June 8, 2009 Port of Manchester Commissioners meeting on this informational report.

Commissioner, Steve Pedersen submitted copy of the informational publication being prepared about the Port of Manchester for distribution at Community meetings,  the June 21’st Friends of The Library Salmon Bake, and all interested parties.  The purpose being to acquaint the citizens of Manchester as to the many functions and statistics pertaining to the. Port of Manchester.  The report is well done with a bi-fold of4 pages of key information and pictures of the Community.  Printing of the publication will be done courtesy of Ron Rada.  Several updates on statistics were suggested.    Finished copy of the publication will be available at the June 8 Port of Manchester Commissioners meeting.

The PAC has been discussing a periodic Newsletter for the Port of Manchester for some time now that could be sent out once or twice a year through the offices of the Manchester Water District.  John Winslow has provided excellent copy that outlines the Mission of the Port of Manchester, monthly meetings, funding, grants, land acquisition, PAC information, volunteers beautify Pomeroy Park, welcoming sign now in place corner of Colchester and Mile Hill, summer 2008 Port User Survey, voluntary launch use donations, future funding, etc.   The plan is to submit the Newsletter draft to the Port Commissioners at the June 8 meeting for their approval.

Terrance Simons of the Mile Hill Block Watch group advised that he has taken on the job of trying to do something about the extreme noise problem everyone is experiencing from a cigarette boat operating without adequate muffler coverage.  This has been a complain for several weeks now and there have been numerous reports and complaints via telephone and email.   Bud has talked with the man who owns the boat and his statement was it was a boat launch and he could do what he wanted.   Terrance was able to talk with the man and advise him about the complaints, etc.   This is the same individual we have the same problem with last summer and fall (reports available).  We will continue to monitor the problem in any way we can.  (On Friday night both Bud and Terrance called a deputy after a 10:45PM severe noise problem.  A deputy came and went with Terrance to the bar and took him outside for a talk.  He was told he could not drive his boat anymore that evening.   The next morning the boat was gone and back at it’s mooring off Colchester.  We have been advised there was damage to the new overlay on the Port launch area parking lot that was closed off that night.)

Several items from the April 16, 2009 PAC meeting were updated.   Bud Larsen and Eric Cisney will paint the bull rail on the North pier as soon as things dry out a bit (completed May 26^th, stenciling to be done as soon as the wind dies down).   There was extensive discussion regarding annexation of 3 precincts not presently members of any Port in Kitsap County.  Dan Fallstrom outlined requirements to establish an election process and the need for individual contacts throughout each of the areas.  A special Committee will undertake a thorough study of this potential for additional revenue to the Port of Manchester.    Also discussed, was the possibility of an IDD 6 year levy lid lift, to keep the Port functional and within budget for the next few years.   

Steve Pedersen was instructed to talk with Jim Strode and Alan Fletcher as to the development of the Special Project Committee to discuss what cost saving resources are available.  Also, what community volunteers can do to reduce the Port’s contribution to the grant obligation.  Norma Brady recommended a breakfast meeting of the above mentioned individuals to go over the plusses and minuses for this important committee.

Paul and Janice Gilligan are preparing a white paper on mandatory launching fees for launch boaters.   It was felt the voluntary launch fee had not been adequately promoted and could not possibly raise sufficient funds to cover increasing costs of maintenance and upkeep, as well as utilities.  The Port must become a self supporting entity to move forward.  The Gilligan’s are contacting other Kitsap Ports for information on their equipment and procedures, financing, results, etc.

The report will be forthcoming as soon as all information has been evaluated.

Fund’s generated through mandatory launch fees is legally approved by the RCO as long as it is used for the purpose of maintenance, upkeep, and utilities. All can be charged a fee, with a lower fee for Manchester taxpayers and double the amount for not Port residents.  The Gilligan’s are looking at special decals, license methods, mechanical gates, etc.

It was agreed that the 4^th of July cleanup would be done by volunteer crews from the Friends, MCC, MCA, Safety, etc. for a minimum fee of $250.00 or more.  The money to be used for an appreciation day of the Port of Manchester on August 29^th, at the Launch and Park site.  Hotdogs, Chips, and beverage would be served for approximately 2 hours to all attendees.  There would also be entertainment by Fiddler’s from a special Manchester Library event.  This is an opportunity to bring groups and individuals together for a unified Community celebration.

There will be an informational booth at the Father’s Day Salmon bake that will distribute copies of the Port of Manchester informational brochure, Friends of the Library tri-fold brochure, safety information, etc.  Everyone is urged to stop by and see the results of PAC and others efforts.

Most of the attendees at today’s meeting have had an opportunity to see the new “MANCHESTER” community sign located at the intersection of Mile Hill and Colchester.  Installation was completed yesterday the Manchester Water District staff.   The artwork on the sign is beautiful, more than meeting our expectations when it was designed and ordered.   We have already received a number of very positive emails and calls regarding the sign, which calls attention to our fine community for local folks and others.   Landscaping to meet permit requirements for the site will be completed in the fall, along with final work on the launch area slope.

We are still asking for pledge donations to complete full payment.  We expect to pick up additional funds from the raffle of a ship in a bottle artwork that Steve Pedersen has arranged for.  Tickets for the ship will be sold at the Salmon Bake and other community functions with the drawing to be held at the Fall book sale at the Library.

Steve Pedersen is looking in to “Mutt Mitts” sanitation bags for distribution in the launch and park area for animals.   The signage and container come at no cost, and the bags themselves are at a nominal fee.

Finally we discussed the large ship being offloaded in Manchester waters, between the mainland and Blake Island.  The product is road salt that goes to Western and Eastern Washington areas for winter road maintenance.  This is a non-union ship transferring the product from the mother ship to barges that are small enough to enter the inland waterways at the Port of Seattle, for the ware -house where the salt is stored.  EPA does not think there is an issue at this time.  Puget Sound Partnership and People for Puget Sound have not responded to inquiries on their position on the issue.  DNR has no jurisdiction on anchoring of the vessel within their guidelines.  That’s all we have at this time.

The next meeting of the PAC will be held on the Third Thursday, June 18^th, 5:30PM, at the Manchester Library.    Submitted by Wanda Larsen 5-21-09/