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4-15-10
MONTHLY PAC MEETING NOTES, 5:30PM, MANCHESTER LIBRARY Attendance
at the meeting included, John Winslow, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Margaret Guariz, Phil Paquette VFW2669, Joseph G. Hovey VFW2669,
Commander Post 2669 Greg Streete, Steve Pedersen
POM, Eric Cisney, Paul and Janice Gilligan, Bob and
Rash Ballard, David Kimble, Bill Malmquist. Port
Commissioner Steve Pederson, the PAC Chairman called the meeting to order and
there were self introductions. Steve welcomed our guests from the VFW
and clarified Mr. Hovey and Mr. Streete are the official liaison representatives to the
VFW for the purpose of discussions on a proposed Veteran’s Memorial Gardens
Wall, further discussion later in the meeting. There
was a brief report on the Monday, April 12th meeting of the Port
of Manchester Commissioners. It was noted the Commissioner’s gave
permission for the Friends of the Library to obtain annual permits for all
special events. Alan Fletcher will have a form for the Friends President,
John Winslow, in advance of the April 24th Plant and Book Sale,
hosted by the Friends. Phil Paquette asked for a like permit for
the Manchester Community Assn., and the request was approved. The
new Seasonal Landscape contract with Black Lotus Landscaping was
reviewed. The contract includes a written outline of exactly what
service to the Port property is required on a seasonal basis.
This eliminates any questions as to what the company is or is not contracted
to provide to the Port of Manchester. A misunderstanding
regarding the maintenance of the limited grounds around the Launch area
restroom was made clear, the Long Lake Garden Club is not responsible for
maintenance, neither are the Friends of the Library, the work in question is
included in the annual landscaping arrangements. An
update on the Launch Fee that began on April 1, 2010 was made. $660 has
been collected to date in the annual local tax base fee of $50.00, and 2 of
the $5.00 per day for launching fee. No fee’s
have been made by out of the local tax base users of the launch.
An application for the Boat Launching Ramp Fee 2010 Annual Pass was
reviewed. It includes the applicant’s first and last name, property
address, mailing address-including City and Zip, home phone, work phone,
vehicle ID#, boat ID, date of purchase, notice of $50 “in” the Port Taxing
area and $100 “out” of the Port taxing area. It states that the
information provided is true and correct and that failure to pay boat
launching Ramp Fee will result in up to a $500 fine, towing, &
impoundment of vehicle at the owner’s expense (POM Res. 4-10). It also
states the applicant understands that the Port of Manchester reserves the
right to verify residence status and inspect the vehicle and boat for
compliance. For the daily launch fee of $5.00, numbered envelopes
are provided at the new Kiosk which has been constructed just left of the
entrance to the ramp for the $5.00 deposits, with the boater retaining the
numbered stub to be placed on their dashboard. Trailers will be
inspected by PAC volunteers and the contracted Water District crew on a
regular basis. They will be scheduled for 2 hour time frames
morning and afternoon beginning May 1, 2010. The violation log includes
information on date, license number, Make of vehicle, model, color, the
violation comments, etc. The bright orange violation cards list “Unpaid Ramp Fee (Stub/Pass Not Displayed” or
Vehicle is Improperly/Illegally Parked). Violation cards will be
placed under the windshield wipers.
Volunteers will also be providing information sheets to all interested
boaters, the information sheet lists all fee information per day, per year
local, and per year non-resident. While launches have historically been
free, the costs for garbage, janitorial, facility repairs, general
maintenance have continued to rise. Users are now asked to help support
these vital services when they launch by paying the fee listed. Annual
passes will not be prorated for partial year activities. All monies go directly
to support operations & maintenance. The passes may be obtained at
Manchester Water District or permits can be obtained by contacting www.portofmanchester.com or call
360-871-0500 during business hours. The PAC volunteers wear official
badges that state Port of Manchester VOLUNTEER Parking & Ramp Fee
Administration. Margaret Guariz volunteered
to distribute a volunteers appeal for monitoring the
launch area. Violations cards will be placed under the windshield wipers.
Violations have already been entered on the log. A
review of letters and comments regarding the proposed Veteran’s Memorial Wall
was made. There is no objection to the
Memorial Wall concept. There are a number of special concerns that were
brought up at the 4-12-10 meeting of the Port Commissioners, plus a number of
emails received. Following in depth review, the Port
Commissioners tasked the PAC with meeting with representatives of the VFW to
come to a decision agreeable to all interested parties.Those
concerns are primarily in regards to the
proposed size of the wall that lists a base of 2’W and 8”D X 14L and
the actual wall 16”W X 13’L by 7’ tall. The wall in review would
contain over 500 bricks in vertical rows on both sides of the walls.
Cost of each of ½” thick tiles is $30.00 each. There was concern about
a wall that high in such a limited space. It could impact the
site-distance corridor and be a potential hazard to cars attempting to park
in the library spot next to the garden (where line of sight would be unsafe)
and exit and entry in to the parking lot could be impacted. A
very important factor is this is a parking lot, not a safe place to be
standing to honor the fallen. It was felt a wall of this size would not provide
the space needed for it’s
intended purpose of honoring the names of those who will be on the
wall. A larger more appropriate space is needed in order for visitors
to come and view the names and pay their respects. More, a
structure of any size at this location may hinder traffic in that the
site-distance corridor will be impaired causing pedestrian and vehicular
conflicts. It is important that every time we walk or drive by the
entrance of the Library and Port parking that we remember the fallen soldiers
and their grieving survivors. Is this the right site
location? The
site being considered already has a veteran’s memorial. Several
mentioned or wrote to suggest the VFW consider an alternate site large enough
to provide the tranquility for a memorial site. In addition
constructing anything that is not completed at the time of construction begs
for vandalism. A question asked over and over related to
“is this the right location for a memorial”? The site is near the
County Right-of-way and tying up this corner may hinder future road,
sidewalk, and/or Port improvements. Once a memorial is built they are
difficult to remove. Eric
Cisney volunteered to look in to the possibility of
removing the bricks for use in a larger Memorial Wall. Manchester
is a great community that is solidly behind its veterans, but that aside, the
project has to make design and location sense before being
considered. Several felt a different location may suit a memorial
better than the small memorial already in place. Improving the
present garden was felt to be a consideration worth looking in to. Next
was the question of what becomes of the 107 memorial bricks already in the
ground at that site. The gentlemen from the VFW did not think
they could be cut out without being destroyed (they are a large standard
brick). How did they decide on the Manchester location for a
Memorial? They like the location near the
water. Did they consider Jackson-Lund Park which has adequate
space for an appropriate site? No. Since it could be a Kitsap
County Memorial countywide, why not Silverdale where it could accommodate
numbers of visitors at a time? Silverdale is a different VFW
Post. All felt the bricks already in the ground needed to be
preserved and a larger location would better serve their intent , also the
current Memorial could be upgraded to better honor Manchester’s fallen
with the bricks that are already installed.
Most
welcome information was that Standard & Poor’s has granted the Port of
Manchester an A rating. Working with local banking, they will convert
their 1998 final 10 years of bonding along with the 25% parking lot grant obligation,
to a slightly lower rate bond in a new 20 year bond. This will also
allow for any future acquisitions providing there is adequate income. David
Kimble explained the site plan for shoreline improvement in phases.
There is considerable erosion to the shoreline at this time, especially
around the fishing dock area. It was mentioned
that money could be available as early as next year for shoreline
preservation through RCO. They have financed the facility and it is in
their best interests to endeavor preservation methods. David has
submitted a workable plan at little cost. Eric Cisney
reported that while he does not have the suggested 25’ logs he does have a
supply of 13’ logs available at no cost. The PAC to tell the Port
Commissioners of their recommendation that they make application for a permit
for shoreline preservation ASAP. The fee is a nominal $250.00 and the
permit is good for 5 years. While there is the option of doing
nothing, it was felt that preserving the facility we have all worked so hard
to improve is worthwhile, a permit ensures time to work with RCO and others
to keep the site from even more serious erosion in the years to come.
We also discussed the serious condition of the fishing dock that will require
all new surfacing before too much longer. It
was agreed that the Port will not change their meeting locations in 2011 to allow for the AARP Tax Program to use
their space at the Library. This has been done for a two year
period willingly, but it does cause confusion for attendees who are used to a
set every second on the month on Monday attending Port Meetings at the
Manchester Library. Respectfully
Submitted: Wanda Larsen for The PAC |