PORT LUDLOW VILLAGE COUNCIL
General Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2008
The meeting was convened at 3:00 p.m. at the Beach Club.
Present: Bill Browne, Gene Carmody, Don Clark, Adele Govert, Tom McCay, Jack McKay, Lynn Gauché, Larry Nobles, Frank Siler, Elizabeth Van Zonneveld (LMC rep.) and Ken Snider (SBCA rep.).
Absent: Dean Mosier.
Mea Graham served as Recording Secretary
Lynn Gauché called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and ensured that there was a quorum. Approximately 25 persons were in attendance
MSP to approve the minutes of the May 1st, 2008 General meeting (all ayes).
MSP to approve the minutes of the special meeting held May 20th 2008
MSP to ratify the email vote.
Member Bruce Schmitz addressed the Board concerning the actions of the board over the past months: 1. The Utility Committee Chair presented a letter for approval which had been unanimously approved by Utility Comm. members. It was then approved by board. Subsequently, after the meeting, some board members requested Otness withdraw the letter. Jack McKay stated he had asked at the special meeting in May if the contents of the Utility letter had been shared with PLA and was assured that it had been; it turns out that was not the case. J. McKay is disappointed and suggested that the board had voted based on misinformation.
2. The Iron Mountain committee request for funds issued 2 weeks prior to special meeting. The letter was rewritten and acting President Larry Nobles asked for approval of the re-write by email. This letter has not yet been sent out. Schmitz feels that once a recommendation is voted upon, it should be implemented. Taking 2 different actions – one in public and one in special private meetings – appears to be subverting the various committees’ suggestions. He urged the board to review their recent actions. Lynn Gauché shares the concern that a vote in an open meeting is then changed after the fact defies by-laws, Robert’s Rules of Order and any attempt at parliamentary procedures.
Jack McKay had requested that the board review the letter. He stated that the board worked very hard to gain credibility and felt the letter had expressed more fear than fact, and requested the board seek out more information and meet with Pope Resources
Speaker: Tim Caldwell, General Manager, Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce
(Manager for PSE starting June 30) spoke on the topic of Ferry Service for Hood Canal Closure and Long Range Problems of Washington.
As he passed out handouts, he described in detail the options being considered when the Hood Canal Bridge Repair Project requires closure of the bridge for 6-8 weeks beginning no earlier than May 1, 2009 and re-opening no later than June 30, 2009. Passenger only options are: the Port Ludlow - Kingston, and the South Point – Lofall. He encouraged all residents to go online to www.hoodcanal.org to respond to the survey re options. Tomorrow is the deadline for answering the survey. His handout described pros and cons of each, and has a list of important contact names and numbers for those interested in more information.
The chamber of commerce would like to encourage the Port Ludlow – Kingston passenger ferry since it would provide savings for consideration of a Port Townsend -Edmonds auto ferry. The concern of the chamber is for commercial vehicles since the Steilacoom is too small for Port Townsend Paper trucks, and other industries. This is not relevant for the tourism industry as that is discretionary spending.
Caldwell’s name and phone number and email are on the handout. Please contact
him with any questions.
Port Townsend - Seattle passenger ferry is a stand-alone project and part of the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan. Part of this plan is to make that permanent weekend service before the bridge closure.
The DOT cannot afford many boats if bids are too high. The rest of the fleet is 30-40 yrs old. The DOT needs to find revenue necessary for fleet maintenance and purchase of new boats. For the 2009 legislative session $85 million is budgeted for ferry service and boats. DOT now reports directly to governor.
Community Reports:
v Port Ludlow Associates – Diana Smeland – gave an update as follows:
Ludlow Bay Village Superior Court Hearing on July 22nd in Jefferson County, and Ludlow Cove (log dump) -1st hearing on July 11 at 2:00 PM in Port Ludlow at Beach Club – public invited. She stated that a letter from PLVC supporting the project would be helpful.
Olympic Terrace 2 has three custom specs homes being built; waiting for pre-sales.
Ebbtide Court construction is on-going.
Harbormaster hours are changing (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday happy hours are still in effect) the Fireside Room is open seven (7) days a week
v Fire District #3 – Ed Wilkerson, Chief – no report
v Jefferson County –
§ County Commissioner John Austin spoke applauding Tim Caldwell for his efforts trying to resolve the problems inherent with living on the peninsula.
§ WADOT Long term plan for #19 and #20 corridor – overpasses, shoulder width, bicycle friendly, pedestrians too, He asked them to let PLVC know when DOT meetings will be held; will contact Bev Browne at the Voice.
§ Bus shelters for installation in Port Ludlow are in the process of being refurbished.
§ Denny Richards – interim director of Community Development – acknowledged.
§ Port Ludlow Lead Planner, David Wayne Johnson (DWJ) mentioned the amendment of the development agreement – commissioners deliberating and seeking legal counsel on it,; a new Ordinance may need to be written and signed; July 11 hearing for Ludlow Cove 2 could be moved further into July if the new ordinance has to be written.
Iron Mountain Quarry (IMQ) issue – letter by DWJ – a Jefferson county conditional use permit is required and Iron Mountain has asked that another code interpretation be undertaken.
Conditional use process has criteria involved – they could be potentially denied use – DWJ narrowly basing criteria for Jefferson County with potential offsite impacts; this is likely to be appealed and the Hearing Examiner would make a determination, which then could be appealed in Superior Court. He affirmed that we cannot deny them the mining rights but can put conditions on the use through community influence, public input, public hearings. Announcements of meeting re conditional use are posted in newspaper, and individuals may be part of the roster of the MPR code and be issued notice, and the PLVC already is registered as party of interest. Be sure to contact Davis Wayne Jonson if you wish to be part of the roster.
Treasurer’s Report: Gene Carmody gave the May 2008 report (see appendix)
Money donations have been received for IMQ legal fund
MSP to accept the Financials (all ayes)
Committee Progress Reports
Report on the Iron Mountain Quarry Appeal – Dave Armitage spoke of a hearing on June 16th at Superior Court at 1:15 pm to settle matters such as standing, trial dates, etc. He strongly recommended that present parties to the current appeal be represented at the hearing by counsel, if and when it occurs.
He described 4 zoning changes: the Kevin Hunter property, the Guise property, Blue Moon Investment land parcel, and the Boyer property.
IMQ will probably ask for a code interpretation regarding the development of a conditional use permit after DWJ has written it. During the conditional Use Permit Hearings the public has its chance to influence the limits placed on any IMQ mining operations.
He thanked Suzanne and Peter Graber for their effort and many hours on the IMQ expected mining proposal. He resigned his position as CDC chair due to Board decisions made causing him to feel impugned regarding the efforts of his committee and scolded the inaction of the silent majority.
Resident from Goliah – Scott Hopper (former land developer) – expanded on Armitage’s IMQ observations and astounded that residents are not reacting to this quarry situation. He believes that mine development should be stopped from occurring as it will impact house prices, climate and have many other negative impacts on the area.
As a result of the letter not yet having been sent, it was decided that any interested resident should send questions to Bill Browne or Lynn Gauche that will be addressed with Jon Rose of Pope Resources and PLA re Iron Mountain Quarry by Monday.
Larry Nobles asked if an LMC email could be sent out asking for questions on this topic, to all of the homeowners associations in LMC. Responses should be sent Stan Kadesh, Brian Belmont and Elizabeth Van Zonneveld. The email should make clear that the LMC has not taken a position. The letter from the PLVC will be sent after the meeting next week.
v Utilities Committee – Phil Otness was not present – but will report at next workshop
v Digital Village – Dean Mosier/ Dave Pike not present – will report later
v One Port Ludlow -- Adele Govert reminded all of the LMC, SBCA and PLVC Boards hosted social next week
Old Business
PLVC hosted social for LMC/SBCA Boards
“To try and bridge conversations and work on joint community needs.” There will be no agenda; introductory and closing comments will be made by Lynn asking those present what they like and do not like about Port Ludlow, and then go back to their respective organizations and talk about future possibilities within their own organizations. All attendees are encouraged to wear name tags; Bill Browne indicated that to date there is high acceptance from LMC, PLVC and SBCA Boards.
* Last Month’s Vote on Fundraising Letter - procedural Issues
§ Discussion & Vote on what fundraising events PLVC will support – moved to workshop.
§ Updates on Fourth of July Fireworks - cancelled because of lack of funding.
§ Banners – moved to the workshop meeting (Music on the Green and Art Walk)
§ Jack McKay raised the issue of not placing the telephone directory on website. We should honor and respect privacy. And since this is the
money maker for the PLVC, keep the directory in paper form, not on the website.
New Business:
MSP that the July 3rd. general meeting be moved to July 15th .
There will be no workshop meeting in July.
Mary Stuart (CDC committee member) spoke of the need for trust and communication between this PLVC and its CDC committee and the Utilities committee. If the work is advisory – our best work – and the Board chooses to do revisions – then do the revisions in communication with the committee that had done the initial work.
Comments from the Floor
Adele Govert– Friday market and a PLVC presence – needs to be coordination of hours for some representative from PLVC perhaps monthly at the Friday Market.
Larry Nobles announced the July 4th grand opening of the Niblick’s Trail. Larry Scott will lead a 10:00 a.m. hike of the 2 ½ mile trail with hot dogs and drinks on patio at Niblick’s after. This encompasses South Bay and North Bay into a “one Port Ludlow” event.
Schedule of Future Meetings:
June Workshop Meeting – Tuesday, June 17, 3:00 PM – Beach Club
July General Meeting – Thursday, July15, 3:00 PM – Bay Club
Meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.