Natural Resources/Trail Committee Meeting

06 June, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Pres. Mike Porter at 10:03 a.m.

The agenda was approved as were the minutes from the last meeting of 02 May 2006.

Financial Report

            Jack Manning, CFO, passed out copies of this year’s budget as well as ytd expenses as of 31 May 06. Although we’ve had a spate of spring expenses due to trail maintenance, our balance remaining is approx. $3500. All of the organizations who donate to our account have paid their “dues”.  There are some discrepancies in the amounts reported in the fund for the Grant Sharpe memorial and our own monies, to be worked out between the PLVC CFO and Jack.

Sub-committee Reports

            Stewards:  Head steward Doris Monti reported that her plea which was published in the June VOICE received several responses from would-be stewards. Additional responses are needed however to bring the team up to speed. She also reported on several areas which need extra work such as trees down, mowing needed, etc.

            Grant Sharpe Memorial:  Marge Carter has formed an ad hoc committee of Barbara Nobles, None Sharpe, Phyllis Hansen, Bobbie and Bill Collins, and Ron Garten to look at the area in the Interpretive Trail that has been prepared for the memorial and make relevant decisions toward finishing it.

            Natural Resources:  Dick Ullmann reported that both purple martin colonies are up, but we’re not sure they’re running yet. If anyone sees a martin enter one of the new homes provided, please let Dick know. One is on the golf course near the John L. Scott office and the other is near the gazebo on the Bay Club trail down on the water. Dean Morgan was the main planter of the 12’ poles for these. Individual home-owners are welcome to request advice about installing their own colonies, but NRC will not be providing funds.

Dick has ordered a few pounds of NW wildflower seeds to be planted at the entrance of the Interpretive Trail. We need a gas-powered trimmer to cut some of the grasses before strewing.

            Dick has three dates planned to have a table at the Friday Market for selling our brochures and giving away maps.

            Trail Work:  Mike Porter reported that the Interpretive Trail is considered finished. Six firefighters widened the trail to the left of the bridge, Mike rototilled it, the work party put sand/chips on it, posts and chains were installed, a switch-back was created between the stairs, and a railroad tie was installed at the bottom of the stairs.

            Railroad ties have also been installed between Paradise Bay Rd. and Keel Way for a safer entry there.

            Jack Riggen is/has been working on the Lower Rainier Loop Trail every Wed. a.m. from 9:00 – noon. Someone from the WA Trails Assn. recommended using the fallen cedars there, rather than the hemlocks, for bridges as the hemlock rots faster than cedar. The Upper Rainier Loop needs to be re-routed in one area as it is on private property.

            Marge Carter reported that the Timberton Loop parking lot needs weeding. The mowers who were to do Timberton Loop didn’t come as planned. Mike tried doing it with a rented mower. Tom Kingston offered to help with a different mower.

Old Business:

Trail Agreements: No letter of understanding has been signed with LMC yet. Insurance was cited to be the uppermost issue, especially for maintenance workers. A letter of release of liability has been drawn up for each worker to sign when they work.

            Trail Maps:  Mike Porter has taken 100 maps to each club and has put a small donation box with them. Real Estate Co.s and the marina would like to have some as well. The committee decided that real estate co.s should pay $1 each for them but the marina will get them, along with a donation box, for free.

            National Trail Day: Mike Porter was very disappointed that only 15 people showed up to be escorted along our trails, especially since he advertised prolifically. He especially had hoped that some folks on the boards of our sponsors would take the time to see where their money was being used. Everyone else on the committee who had run into even worse attendance at various events consoled him.

            No Bikes: Signs made of plastic and screwed onto the trail signs are in place at trailheads belonging to trails considered too narrow for both walkers and bicyclists.

New Business:

            Liability releases are available and should be signed by everyone working on the trails. Soozie Darrow will be the keeper of these documents so please see that she is given them. Work safety rules were handed out and should be followed by everyone.

            Janet Hanz asked about progress on the Olympic Trail. Work has been curtailed until build-out of the sub-divisions in the area and golf course work. PLA and Mike Porter are planning to take a look at it in the near future and make some plans.

            All other trail work will now be every Wednesday on the Rainier Loop with Jack Riggen as trail boss. Meet at 9 a.m. on Rainier Ln. between the entrances of the upper and lower loop.

            The next meeting will be Wednesday, 5 July, 10:00 a.m. at the firehouse.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Soozie Darrow, secretary