HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct. 2002 - MinutesADVISORY BOARD MEETING NOTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002
I. OPENING BUSINESS
Chair Mike Ryan called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. in the Main Floor Conference Room of the
Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, Washington.
Members Present: Mike Ryan (Chair), Brian Miller (Vice Chair), Randy Kline
Member Absent: Frank Trafton, Jr., Rick Tollefson, David Whipple, Eileen Rogers
Staff Present: Warren Steurer, Tim Black, Wendy Ward of Public Works
Guests: Bert Loomis, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Jennifer Jackson of
Peninsula Daily News; Commissioner Wojt
Quorum: There was not a quorum.
Minutes: The approval of the September minutes was tabled until the next meeting.
II. NEW BUSINESS
A. Road vacation: Wendy Ward reviewed the following proposed road vacations:
Portion of Platted of Willow Street adjacent to lot 23 of Paradise Bay Estates. The purpose of the
vacation is to make the two parcels of property contiguous for the siting of a reserve drain field for a
remodel. A RCW prohibits the County from vacating a road leading to water, even though there is a
steep drop-off and no water access. The petitioner proposed vacating the area between the two portions
of his property in exchange for deeding to the County public access to Oak Street which connects
directly with Paradise Bay Road. Staff is investigating the cost of placing a road through the deeded
portion rather than the existing portion of Willow Street.
Usage Right -of -Way of East Moore Street: Bert Loomis, Lands Agent for the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife, was present representing the Petitioner. The purpose of the petition to vacate East
Moore Street is to facilitate the beach restoration of the historic Chimacum Creek estuary, a long
process involving the Chumsortium, which includes the Jefferson Land Trust, Trout Unlimited, and
other agencies, and community groups. Nik Worden provided an information handout about this
proposed vacation. Mike Ryan reported that as a resident of this area, he surveyed his neighbors about
the proposed vacation. Only one out of six neighbors supported the vacation. They would instead like to
utilize the former log -skid area as a hand -launch boat ramp with a barrier to prevent cars from going
down to the creek. They would like to see the existing rip rap remain and the area reverting to nature.
Randy Kline said his understanding is that under Fish & Wildlife's plan the intent is not to limit
pedestrian access, but remove existing material. It was noted that the only exception in the RCW
prohibiting the County from vacating a road leading to water is when the property to which the road
leads is owned by a public agency and the property is to be used for public purposes.
Wendy reviewed the process of hearing and approving road vacations. At the end of this week, there
will be a public posting at the site, 20 days prior to the Nov. 5`h review by the hearing examiner. The
BOCC would approve or deny the road vacation. In response to a question about whether input would
be solicited from neighbors, Mr. Loomis said much community input has been received through the
Chumsortium over the years and there will be further opportunities for community input in the many
steps yet to be taken.
Randy Kline noted that he believes an issue among neighbors is whether the area can be maintained as a
park. Commissioner Wojt noted that it was understood that the County portion of the project would
remain as -is. Warren Steurer mentioned that although the County has not finalized its purchase of the
Cotton property for a public access park, the intent would be to make a nice transition between the two
pieces of property owned by Fish and Wildlife and the County. Staff and the PAB may need more
information about the restoration project. Mr. Loomis distributed his business card and asked that
questions or concerns about the project be presented in writing to Fish and Wildlife. He offered to have
a biologist explain the project and answer questions.
Lacking a quorum, the PAB could make no recommendation on either vacation.
Editors note: These road vacation petitions will be reviewed at the next PAB meeting on
November 13, 2002.
B. Heritage Campus — Lower Hadlock: Nik Worden is in Olympia at the Interagency Council (IAC)
representing the County in a grant project proposed by the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding.
Warren Steurer showed a rendering of the public access plan for the Lower Hadlock Heritage Campus,
which involves the creation of a parking lot and trails down to the waterfront.
C. Comprehensive Plan: There was a public hearing with the BOCC, resulting in changes to language in
Chapter 11. On Monday, October 21, the BOCC will sign a resolution approving both the Parks and
Recreation Open Space Comprehensive Plan as well as the Non -motorized Transportation Plan.
D. 2003 Parks Budget: With the budget hearing complete, there is a healthy 2003 Parks and Recreation
budget that will cover existing operation and maintenance as well as existing recreational programs.
There were advantages to Parks and Recreation working on expenditures with other departments in the
Public Services sphere (4-11, Cooperative Extension, Community Development, and the Health
Department).
E. 2002 Parks and Recreation District: Warren Steurer, Rick Tollefson and Eileen Rogers met last week
to begin the process of gathering information, developing strategies, timelines, goals and objectives for
a Metropolitan Park District. They will meet again on October 31. Warren mentioned that there is a
budget item for a county -wide survey to be conducted in early 2003; it is probable that the question of
long term funding (Districting) for Parks and Recreation would be addressed in this public survey.
III. STAFF REPORTS
A. Recreation: Tim Black reported that Junior Soccer started this weekend, with about 370 participants.
Concession food was provided by Aldrich's grocery who have reserved the concession stand for the five
soccer Sundays during the league schedule. The Leader also published a large aerial photo of H.J.
Carroll Park taken during the soccer games. He then showed the new soccer season t-shirt and circulated
team and candid photos taken last Sunday. This week, the teams played at Memorial Field under the
lights and the following week they will return to H.J. Carroll. The following weekend, five teams will
travel to Brinnon. There is only one team in Quilcene this year, but the WSU 4-H after -school program
has filled a big need in the community. It was noted that school enrollment in Quilcene and Brinnon is
down. Staff is busy getting gyms ready for winter programs and has sponsored several basketball teams,
especially in the Chimacum area, to utilize the gyms. He recognized Sue Lindsey's significant efforts in
coordinating, coach recruiting, and finalizing the Junior Soccer schedule.
B. Manager's Report: 2002 revenues are up thanks to the Memorial Field parking fundraiser during the
Wooden Boat Festival and increased soccer signups. With the exception of Lower Oak Bay,
campgrounds will be closed for the season beginning October 31. To date, Parks has collected $23.5K in
campground revenues, which exceeds last year's camping season revenues.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of October 9, 2002— Page 2
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Larry Scott Trail: Trail entrances and exits along SR 20 were adjusted to allow the Department of
Transportation (DOT) access to their "clear zone." Drainage issues on a section of trail south of the
bridge are being addressed. Discussions are also underway with the BOCC on acquisitions west of the
highway bridge. The BOCC has indicated its desire to support a property acquisition in order to progress
with the next segment of trail, allowing connection to the railroad right of way. There was a brief
discussion about whether Conservation Futures Funds could be used for this project. Commissioner
Wojt noted that DOT has plantings for placement along the highway. He believes that most of the
current vegetation is natural and therefore he does not believe additional plantings along the trail
easement would be necessary.
B. Chimacum Creek/Irondale Beach: The purchase and sale agreement is still being reviewed. Public
Works just received the signed agreement and is working to set up the escrow account required to close
the sale. Property possession is expected to take place by November 30.
C. Parks Board Business: An article was run in the newspaper soliciting new members.
D. H.J. Carroll Park: Warren noted that the soccer event, which will continue for next five Sundays, has
been very successful. The nearly finished basketball court looks great. A concrete sidewalk was placed
around the perimeter and an irrigation system was installed for the grassy area around the court. The
community pavilion as proposed by East Jefferson Rotary last month is moving ahead and the County
may be able to contribute to this project in the 2003 budget.
E. Community Network: There will be a meeting later this month.
F. Gibbs Lake: Warren Steurer has been working with Ropes Course organizers. Work groups involving
Grey Wolf will do landscaping while PT Rotary continues their fundraising efforts. An organizing
committee for that facility is projecting the course opening in Spring 2003. There is work left to do
which includes finishing elements, training facilitators and putting together a safety plan for the course.
Randy Kline said Quimper Trails Association will be doing trail work on the first Sunday in November.
Trails overall were in good shape but needed maintenance. In response to a question, he said he hasn't
seen many horses using the trail, but noted there was one trail that is not appropriate for horses.
G. Conservation Futures: It was noted that the project proposals have yet to be presented before the
Conservation Futures Committee and there is a tight timeframe for proposing projects. There is a real
focus on habitat conservation, but there are other projects like maintaining view corridors the citizens
also value.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, November 13, 2002.
Jeff. Co. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Minutes of October 9, 2002— Page 3