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PORT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 1-21-2010, 5:30PM, MANCHESTER LIBRARY Committee
Chair, Steve Pedersen called the meeting to order. The following individuals
were in attendance for the first meeting of 2010, of the Manchester
Port Advisory Committee (PAC), George Beitel, Norma
Brady, Eric Cisney, Janice and Paul Gilligan, Joe Guariz, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Bill Malmquist,
Steve Pederson, Ron Rada, Gigi
and Rich Weixler. A round of
applause for first time attendees Beitel, Malmquist and both of the Weixlers.
The signup sheet was passed around and a few announcements were made.
Wanda reported on word received from Port Attorney, Ron Thompson, as to his
response to an email regarding his advice on any commercial use of the Port
facilities. Ron stated he felt it best to just prohibit any and
all commercial activity – if the door is opened for one, then
next comes the ferry boats and others. The information received
from Sarah Thirtyacre at RCO referenced RCFB manual
#9, pages 12 through 14 specifies the commercial use of the
launch Ramp. Pederson was asked to explain the RCO rulings to the
other Port Commissioners. As it stands now it is not permitted without
an agreement with the commercial entity and approval of
RCO. Meanwhile violations continue on a fairly
regular basis. While this could be a revenue getter if handled right,
the PAC agreed this was a consideration for the Commissioners to evaluate and
discuss at the February Port meeting on 2-08-10, 5:30PM at the Manchester
Library. It
was unanimously agreed that there is a need for a “NO COMMERCIAL VESSELS” sign, that includes acceptable weight limits for all
vessels, to be posted on both the North and South floats. It was noted
a large vessel with an off-load ramp was seen this past week coming up to the
North float, only to depart when it realized it could not offload the loaded
fuel truck. The boat then went on to the fuel depot to offload. Everyone
expressed regrets to learn that both Dawn Gogle and
David Hopkins have resigned from both the PAC and the Manchester Community
Advisory Committee (MCAC) that is sponsored by Kitsap County Commissioner
Charlotte Garrido. Wanda
was instructed to prepare a letter of appreciation from the committee chair
to both Dawn and David for all of the assistance they have provided to the
Port, the MCAC, the PAC, and the Community in general. They have spent
countless hours assisting with technical knowledge, on site assistance for
various PAC projects. Their work involvement at this time does
not permit them to further donate their time to Community issues. We
wish them every success in their on-going building and business ventures.
It was agreed that we need to obtain a volunteer to replace Dawn
on both the PAC and the MCAC. If you know of anyone willing to
assume the MCAC position, we will provide them with an application for the
MCAC position. The
next item of discussion on the agenda was the status of the proposed memorial
brick wall being promoted for the VFW flagpole sponsored area between the
library and The Anchors. The wall being promoted is felt to
be too large to be installed in the small section around the flag, plus no
formal proposal has been made to the Port Commissioners for the construction
of such a wall by the VFW. It was agreed the issue be reviewed
with Alan Fletcher prior to the PAC doing a walk around sometime before the
March Port meeting (3-08-10) and that it be noted that a portion of the land
involved is on county right of way. It was suggested we ask Port
Attorney, Ron Thompson to research the project and then write a letter to the
VFW inviting the VFW to attend a Port meeting and present a planning document for consideration by the
Commissioners. Findings on this matter to be an Agenda item for
the next Port meeting on 2-08-10. We
briefly discussed the next Friends of The Library plant sale which will be
held on April 24th, in the Library/Port parking lot.
An Agenda item for 2-08-10 is to ask for a hold harmless release clause from
the Port Commissioners for the plant sale. The sale is always major
fund raiser for the FOML. This
evenings meeting touched on a number of PAC involvements for
2010. One will be obtaining volunteers for the July 5th Post 4th of July Fireworks
Cleanup. The Port to again be asked to donate a specified amount, as in
previous years, for the cleanup. Here again we will require a
hold harmless agreement from the Port of Manchester Commissioners.
Those funds to be assigned to the Manchester Community Assn. (MCA) who will
assume leadership for the 8-28-10 2nd Annual Manchester
Celebration, with free hotdogs, chips and soft drink. This event was
very popular last year and a big assist in getting the word out about the
various organizations in Manchester that are working together for the overall
benefit of the Community. Kiwanis Club will also be a part of this
special event, once again. Plan to be
there for an evening of food, entertainment, and getting to know neighbors. Issues
considered worthy of interest in 2010 for the PAC include getting the word
out to boaters regarding the beginning of paid launching on April 1,
2010. We need to start in March with the distribution of flyers by
volunteers outlining the entire launch fee procedure and
requirements. It is suggested the flyers be either handed out to
boaters or placed on their windshields in the parking lot, as often as
possible though out the month and on in to the Spring. This
information and a copy of the flyer to be forwarded to Arlene Brennan, our
webmaster, for publication on the Port website. We will also need
volunteers for handouts of the flyer, applications for annual launch permits,
etc. for the opening of Ling Cod fishing on May 1, as well as the short shrimp
catch season that scheduled for the same time frame. It is important to
note that it will be necessary for all launch vehicles to apply their proof
of launching sticker on their trailer, following the instructions printed on
their application. This proves their launch registration
and the residence of the boating trailer. Steve
Pederson reported on damage done to the South pier during the recent wind
storm. Minor repair have been made by the District, with professional
help will be needed with some of the planking and pins
replacement. Another problem near the South pier is severe
erosion at the shoreline near the pier entrance. Volunteers may be
needed to assist on erosion control. Steve
to talk with Alan Fletcher regarding a special form for the use of the PAC
for in-kind hours relating to the new parking lot. Also, the PAC asked
for the status of all printing related to the start of launch
fees. What about press releases, flyers, public postings, launch
registration form to include both the mailing and physical addresses of each
launching vehicle and instructions that annual fees can be paid at the Water
District offices currently in place, until the new offices open in the
Spring. It
was suggested that Alan bring a copy of the Kiosk design to show at the next
Port meeting. Everyone is interested in the planning for
security, lighting, kiosk, and landscaping at the new project. There
are volunteers willing to assist with in-kind project hours. The
topic of Annexation of non-port areas to the Port of Manchester was felt to
need further study. With the economic level as it now is, and no
concentrated “plan” to offer to the 3 non-port areas, nor the number of volunteers needed
to put a successful plan in place, the PAC recommends that Annexation be
considered at a later date. Bud
and Wanda to talk with John Winslow regarding the development of a letter to
the Port of Waterman from the PAC, asking for input on the interest of
joining together with the Port of Manchester in some way. To
perhaps ask to meet with any interested parties looking to the future. Mark
your calendars for the 2-18-10 meeting of the PAC at 5:30, Manchester
Library. Also, July 10, 2010 for the 2nd
annual U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety inspections at the Port
of Manchester launch area. This was a very successful event in
2009 with around 35 boats being inspected and approved. Will keep you
posted on this one. It is hoped we can interest Kitsap
officials to look towards State, County or Federal money availability for
community development in Manchester. The Friends were asked to continue
researching grant writer possibilities. The
PAC recommends that the Port of Manchester pursue the purchase of property
for the future. Storm water issues are vital to any future
efforts. Future development of the community business corridor is also
vital. A special Committee was assigned to do additional research on
the large vessels being anchored in the waters of Puget Sound between the
Manchester shoreline and Blake Island. This is a matter of Community
concern throughout the citizenship. What can be done about it. The Committee consisting of George Beitel, Paul Gilligan, Joe Guariz,
and Bud Larsen will meet next week. The plan is to have dialogue or
meet with officials of the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma and members
of DNR. It is well known that the vessels who are anchoring out
of Manchester are waiting for space to load their vessels in either of the
Ports. If they anchor within either of the major Ports they are charged
many thousands of dollars a day to anchor. It was felt that with
waters outside Manchester being used as holding areas, there should be some
percentage of renumaration, to the Port of
Manchester. Apologies
for the length of these notes, there were a large number of issues under
consideration to report on. Wanda
Larsen for the PAC |