Trails/Natural Resources Meeting Minutes

2 May 2006

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m.

The agenda was approved.

The minutes of the 4 April 2006 meeting were approved. The minutes of our meetings will be on the Village Council web site soon.

Financial Report: Treasurer Jack Manning reported that we still have $42.15 in petty cash. As of 30 April we have $6751.70 in our account with the Village Council, $2685 of which is dedicated to the Grant Sharpe Memorial Fund. This leaves us with spendable funds of $4066.70. We are in receipt of monies from all donating organizations for this year. The Village Council has approved giving us a checking account of our own with $1000 of our funds so that people can be reimbursed in a timely manner or a check written for payment to the billing organization. 

Since the last meeting we have spent $200 on a storage cabinet for our tools; $499 for 1000 maps; $81 for chipper rental; $24 for signs. A memorial bench for Grant Sharpe has been purchased and received for $355.

Sub-Committee reports:

            Stewards: Doris Monti read a note from the Barbers regarding the condition of the Warde’s Walk trail. She reported that the steward of the Ludlow Cove Trail, Edie Dempster, is planning to move so a replacement is needed. Timberton Trail #1-12 portion also needs stewards. Doris will have an article in the VOICE asking for new volunteers for the Steward Committee. She also reported that the Timberton Trail needs mowing.

            Grant Sharpe Memorial: Reportedly, the Sharpe family really likes the Interpretive Trail and is pleased with the spot chosen for the bench. A circle of stones depicting a campfire will be in front of the bench as Grant really enjoyed campfires. There will be quite a bit of money donated in his memory left over. We did not make a decision on a use for these monies.

            More signs are being made for the Interpretive Trail. These will be planted in cement. The first signs were not in cement. It was also suggested that we cover all the signs with a heavy plastic to deter further damage. One sign has been removed from the trail as it was damaged by a sharp rock or similar unknown instrument.

            Natural Resources: $500 has been specifically allocated for this committee. Mike feels that Natural Resources should be integrated into our “Trail” committee more.

Accordingly, Dick Schneider, former member of the Board of NOSC, has been called upon to acquire permission from appropriate political entities and means to attract chum salmon to Ludlow Creek. Mike feels this would get more residents involved in our environment by helping to monitor the salmon.

Dick Ullmann gave a very comprehensive report on plans to install two colonies of four gourds to lure Purple Martins back to our area. It was moved, seconded and approved that materials be purchased and installed for this project. It will cost approximately $250. One will be placed on the golf course near the John L. Scott office and one by the gazebo in Ludlow Cove.

            It was also decided that we make about 20 regular bird houses, place 4 on the Rainier Loop, 4 on the Interpretive Trail, and replace 4 that have been removed from the golf course. The other 8 we would like to try to sell at the Friday Market for $10 each. The cost for each of these is about $4.00. Dick is also going to try to sell some of the Natural Resources booklets at the Friday Market.

            Dick also suggested that we plant native wildflowers at some of the local trailheads.

            Trail Work: Mike reported that the first work party was very successful and the trail at the Bay Club is now looking great. Thanks to 20+ hard working volunteers. The Interpretive Trail work party is scheduled for Tues. 16 May. Mike hopes to get the firefighters out 13 May to do some of the really big work prior to our arrival.  On the Lower Rainier Trail two culverts have been installed at each end. There were lots of trees down this winter on this trail, many of them cedars. Mike is looking for ways to use these on the trail work. Part of the Upper Rainier Trail has been found to be on private property. Therefore, that part of the trail has to be relocated.

            The Timberton Trail is going to need mowing by the end of the month. Mike put out bids for the project and only received one reply – for $300 even though only about two miles of the trail are left needing mowing. It was moved, seconded and passed that we hire this person to mow and then re-evaluate the situation.

            We need to place some signs on the trail near the Bay Club.

            The trails that are now in the Paradise Bay Rd. construction area should be avoided as they are unsafe at this point.

Unfinished Business:

            Tools and storage: Tools are now in a 3’ x 6’ storage cabinet at Fire Station #32.

            Trail Agreements: Michael Cahn will be the emissary to the LMC to try to get written agreements for trail use.

            Maps: 1000 more maps are being made by Minuteman Press in Silverdale for the clubs, marina, etc. It was suggested that a donation box be placed next to them but this probably is not feasible.

            Mission and Goals: Janet Hanz will examine our mission statement.

            National Trail Day: Trail Day is 3 June. Mike would like to have anyone in the community meet at the kiosk (at the recycling bin area) at 9:00 a.m. that day to participate in any one of four hikes on Port Ludlow Trails.

New Business: Mountain bikes: We need to decide what trails we can allow mountain bike use and find a way to denote that. Signs are $24 plus posts and don’t necessarily keep bikers from using the trails anyway. Any ideas would be welcome.

The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon.

The next meeting will be held 6 June at the Fire Station.