Port
Ludlow Village Council
UNAPPROVED Minutes, March 2, 2006
I. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM, Elizabeth Van Zonneveld, President, presiding. A quorum was declared with the following members present: Don Clark, Bert Loomis, Tom McCay, Larry Nobles, Bruce Pyles, Bruce Schmitz (LMC), Tom Stone (SBCA), Ralph Stroy, and Dwayne Wilcox. Absent: Allen Panasuk and Tony Durham. Bert Loomis had to depart about 10:30 but left his proxy with Bruce Schmitz. Also attending: Chief Wilkerson, Chief, Fire District #3, Diana Smeland, Acting President, Port Ludlow Associates, Puget Sound Energy representatives and Jefferson County Public Works representatives. At least 120 residents attended the general meeting.
A quorum was declared.
II. Due to the length of the scheduled briefs by Puget Sound Energy, The President modified the agenda and asked Chief Wilkerson to make his report first, followed by Puget Sound Energy and then Jefferson County Public Works.
The normal Business meeting would follow.
III. Fire District #3: Chief Wilkerson stated that the windstorm was no major problem in Port Ludlow. He stressed that all should be prepared for self-sufficiency and have at least 72 hours of supplies for small events. He stated that he now believes we should have one-two weeks of supplies such as water, food, blankets. He will discuss this more in the coming months.
IV. Introduction of Guest Speakers – Greg Zeller, Kebeda Jimma, Dave Terry and Linda Streisguth, Puget Sound Energy.
Greg Zeller provided a handout and stated we were knocked out by trees and wind. They knew about the storm and had called in extra work crews. He said that this planning saved 1 to 2 days of outage. He acknowledged that the 1-800 outage number was not the best as there was too much happening. They need to do a better job.
Dave Terry discussed distribution systems and stated that Port Ludlow is at the end of a ten mile long transmission line from Irondale. This is our only power line. He stated that in 2007 a new line is planned from Chimicum and that there may in the future be a line that originates in Port Gamble.
Kebede Jimma discussed transmission lines and stated that Jefferson County does not have enough transmission lines and must rely more on Distribution lines. There followed many comments and questions.
Linda Streisguth stated that emergency communications could assist. Homeowners can be on Puget Sound Energy list for updates. Phil Norwine PLVC Emergency Preparedness Chair was asked to take action
V. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 and reconvened at 10:40 with Jefferson County Public Works brief on the proposed reconstruction of Paradise Bay Road at Oak Bay Rd intersection.
The lead Engineer stated this will be a 4/10 of mile construction from stop sign to Ludlow Creek. This has been planned for a long time. There is state funding and county funding. Even though this is a rural road, it will be given more urban treatment that is more appropriate for the setting.
In response to various questions, it was reported that: County will maintain the median so that volunteers won’t have to work in the middle of the road; there are no left turns bays planned but PLA could do them as part of their development; there will be drainage as well as irrigation; bids will be opened 13 March and if within budget, work will start in May and take three months; lights will not be installed but conduits will put in place; this is phase one of road widening of three phases, two of which are not funded. A question was asked how often the county reevaluates their road building priorities. Response was annually and PLVC will be informed in advance of the next planning session.
VI. Comments from the Floor: A question was asked if a letter was ever sent that stated the Council members had resigned from the organization called Friends of Port Ludlow. The answer was Yes.
VII. Minutes for February meetings were approved unanimously. Corrections to the January 13 Special meeting will be addressed later.
VIII. Treasurer’s Report: Bruce Pyles reported that as of February 28, 2006 the bank and cash balance was $16,830 for PLVC and $5,345.70 in Trails Account. There was $553.68 in income and $629.12 in expenses in February. Treasurer’s Report (attached) accepted MSP.
IX. Port Ludlow Associates: Diana Smeland stated that they are conducting an outreach program to gather comments on their Ludlow Bay Village project. Trendwest will submit an application for a development agreement change to Jefferson County in next two weeks that will effect zoning changes. Ludlow Bay Village hearing has been rescheduled to April 4. There will be a water and sewer rate increase. Look for a letter to explain this.
X. Standing and ad-hoc Committee Reports
Community Development:
Ludlow Cove II/ Trendwest. Hearing Examiner Berteig has issued an Order Response to Remand. Expect lawsuit hearing in June. Conference center sale to local church. The property will be divided into two plats. CDC has no concern over that. A letter has been sent from PLVC to Jefferson County advising that the Council believe this is change that comes under the Major Revisions Provision of the MPR Ordinance.
Bert Loomis has filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with State Growth Management Board stating that the MPR no longer qualifies. An informal legal opinion on this filing was prepared by the SBCA lawyer and provided to the CDC Chairman for study.
Emergency Preparedness:
Phil Norwine reported six lessons learned from the wind storm/ power outage situation.
#1- Many block Captains did not get the advance warning message. Lacking activation of the team by telephone, the radio communications system was not used.
#2- We continue to urge every home to survive for 72 hours without outside help. This emergency exceeded that 72 hours by a full day.
#3- We had established no coordination with PSE to get information on the progress and estimated time to full recovery.
#4- Lack of local spaces (both clubs) to provide warmth and food. Neither club is suitable without electricity and it is recommended that a study be undertaken to acquire permanent or temporary adequate alternate power sources for each club. #5- Block Captains lack neighborhood profiles to prepare to evacuate those who may be in need.
#6- We had no coordination with Jefferson County Properness to report our situation with detail information and seeking help which might have been made available.
Mr. Norwine stated that he has initiated three programs. First is
neighborhood profiling to identify where there are people that might need
immediate aid. Second is the purchase of identity vests for every captain. This
will take funds. Third deals with avian flu. He is working with the Fire Chief
who has contact with the County Health Office. Stay tuned.
Friday Market: Ralph Stroy stated that the market will start the first week of May. Vendor prices will increase from $7 to $10 per session. The committee is in need of a volunteer for publicity/ public affairs and to write Voice articles. HELP
Recycle: Not present
Trails:
Marge Carter reported that the Committee lost one of our "Founding Fathers" when Grant Sharpe died on Jan 17th. He had been with the committee since its inception and had always been the authority on forest management and the appropriate use of forested areas, including trails. The Committee will plan to finish Ludlow Falls Interpretive Trail project as he had started it. Funds from PLVC will be requested.
This winter's rains and wind have done some damage to local trails, but the Committee is working to address those. Volunteers have removed a number of downed trees and will continue to clean up as spring goes along.
A $1,000 check from SBCA to PLVC for deposit to the Trails account.
Marge stated that she and her husband, Tom, are ready to retire from the leadership of the committee. They would like to remain as committee members to complete some unfinished business, such as the Grant Sharpe Memorial, and work on the Bay Club Gazebo hill trails. She asked for volunteers to take their place in the committee leadership.
Utilities:
Lee Amundson stated that he was elected as the new chair of their committee at their February meeting. Their purpose is to examine the benefits of forming a local Special Purpose District as apposed to joining the Public Utilities District (PUD). Presently the Olympic Water and Sewer is a private company, owned by PLA. They received a briefing outlining the formation process for a Water & Sewer Special Purpose District (SPD) and the advantages and disadvantages compared to being acquired by PUD 1. It was shown that a distinct advantage was local control and all funds remaining in the district instead of remote control and funds used elsewhere. It was decided that they would visit other SPDs in the state to gather more information.
He stated that the committee met again to evaluate the PLA decision to raise the sewer rate by 5%. Diana Smeland attended and she stated that increase is due to high health and benefit costs. It was estimated that the raise would amount to approximately $3.75 per customer every two months. This increase will generate $5,437 every two months. PLA because it is a private company declined to have their books examined. The Utility Committee’s position on the increase is that that there was insufficient information presented to justify the raise in rates especially in view of the large number of new connections in the past few years.
Ludlow Bay Resort:
Jim Brannaman reported the hearing examiner’s final hearing is now scheduled for April 4 at 10 AM at the Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden. Written comments by the public will still be received up to the hearing date and will become part of the record.
He urged anyone with concerns to attend and to speak up. They have no idea when the examiner will render a decision when the hearings end.
FunFest:
Marilyn Durand stated the “official’ title of the event will be “Port Ludlow Funfest on the Bay”. It is scheduled for 10 am to 5 pm on September 16 &17. Volunteers are really needed.
Archives Committee: The President announced the appointment of chair Connie Wilkinson. She and her two assistants will start their inventory in May and report to the PLVC in June.
XI. Correspondence: Nothing to report
XII. Unfinished Business
Request for funds – Trails: Marge Carter requested a $1,000 grant to the Trails Committee. Without debate, a Motion to approve was unanimous.
Request for funds – Voice: The Treasurer stated we had a request for $2400. He made a Motion that this request be denied as we do not have the income to pay it. During discussions it was noted that the PLVC presently has a negative cash flow and does not have a defined source of funds. It was also noted that PLVC does not have an annual budget. The Motion was voted on and approved by a vote of 6 to 3. The President later directed the Treasurer to contact the Voice to discuss other means of supporting the Voice.
Updating of Website: The Secretary reported that the website has been updated and has had 1300 “hits” to date.
Survey request regarding Trendwest site: It was reported that our Webmaster has provided an update on how this survey could be accomplished. This item will be discussed at the next CDC meeting.
XIII. New Business. The President stressed that we need volunteers for the FunFest, Trails and CDC committees.
XIV. Announcements
Next PLVC meetings: Workshop: Tuesday 21 March at 9 am at Bay Club
General Mtg: Thursday, April 6, 2006, Bay Club
XV. Comments from the Floor
A member urged SBCA and PLVC to do a study and let residents know about the consequences of the Bert Loomis challenge to the MPR.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Submitted
Tom Stone, Secretary, PLVC
Attachments:
Treasurer’s Report of February 28, 2006
Questions to Puget Sound Energy from Russ Read