PORT LUDLOW VILLAGE COUNCIL

General Meeting Minutes

approved June 7, 2007 approved

The meeting was convened at 3:00 p.m. Present: Bill Browne, Gene Carmody, Don Clarke, Tony Durham, Adele Govert, Suzanne Graber, Mea Graham, Tom McCay, Larry Nobles, Frank Siler.

Absent: Allen Panasuk, Lani McCarry, Vaughn Bradshaw

L. Nobles called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and ensured that there was a quorum. Approximately 25 persons were in attendance.

Guest Speaker: Ian McFall, Executive Director, Economic Development Council described a new Council approach based on local demographics (46% are retirees, the average income is 30% below the state average, there is a declining enrolment in the rural schools, and the average home price is unaffordable to the average wage earner all causing emigration of the younger workers). He views the role of the EDC as three-fold: to create desirable economic growth, provide one-stop support for the region’s businesses, and to provide a “voice” of local industry with regard to state and county regulations. With a focus on existing local industries, they wish to determine obstacles to growth, help remove unnecessary regulatory obstacles, and create a five-year plan for future development of local businesses. The EDC hopes to help growth in both vertical and horizontal expansion, obtain state and federal funding for regional programs that provide an infrastructure for key regional industries. There are five target local industries in Jefferson County: technology, marine trades, aquaculture and agriculture, tourism and hospitality, and light manufacturing. The major obstacles to growth perceived here are the lack of markets, adequately trained workforce, facilities, infrastructure (e.g. high speed internet is still not available throughout the region), regulations and capital. He described what the EDC is actively doing that is different from previous EDC entities: the board now has key industry representatives (not elected or appointed individuals), funding is done through membership fees and service fees, paid staff and volunteers. The projects are regional in scope with clear benefits to Jefferson County, and the focus is to be project-oriented (e.g. funding, training classes and the leadership skills being manifested are entrepreneurial, focused on results and driven by members). The EDC accomplishments thus far are: all business people on the board, an increase in membership (80%) and the EDC has been self-sustaining for the past 6 months. There is now a rate schedule for membership. The EDC has become a business now rather than a government agency. For further information, contact: director @edcjc.com 360-385-6767 2200 Sims Way, Port Townsend.

MSP to approve the minutes of the May 3 general meeting. (all ayes)

These will be posted on the website by Monday, June 11.

Community Reports

Jefferson County Administrator – John Fischbach announced that Peter Buck has been chosen as the mediator in the Port Ludlow Mediation / Hearing Examiner case on appeal and that the following ground rules have been established:

No attorneys unless they are themselves appellants will be permitted.
Fees of $15000 will be split three ways – PLA, Jefferson County and the appellants as a group.
The County will be responsible for coordinating the logistics and the process.
There is a need to agree on “stakeholders”; i.e. who will be invited to the table.
It is not an open public meeting of a governing body, but rather is an attempt to mediate among parties that are litigating. Individuals not mediating will not be able to attend the mediation sessions.
Involved parties have the right to consult privately with their attorneys from time to time but outside the mediation sessions.
The County will select the mediator with the approval of the other parties (Peter Buck was selected).

The applications for a new Appellate Hearing Examiner closes June 17 and the selection will be made by the end of June. The Closed Record Appeal Hearing will be conducted simultaneously with mediation in August. If the mediation is in progress, and an appeal is not needed, then the County will refund the fees paid by the appellants for the appeal.

Olympic Terrace II has been approved by the Board of commissioners and the final plat recorded as of May 7^th.

The Paradise Bay Road lights will soon be completed.

When asked by a council member about the status of the Visitor Center, Mr. Fischbach reported that the center will remain where it is, and after some permitting issues are resolved, they intend to landscape, pave, put in bathrooms, add new signage and perhaps a picnic area. All this should take place within the next year or so.

Diana Smeland, Port Ludlow Associates President, reported that the County Hearing Examiner approved the proposed Ludlow Bay Village development on February 8, 2007. PLA is entering into mediation with the appellants and hopes to resolve outstanding issues. If that is not successful, PLA hopes to have the Appellant Hearing sometime in July or August. The Olympic Terrace II final plat approval was received May 7^th and the plat recorded on May 10^th. They have released pricing the model and standard specs, as well as lot premiums. The standard specs will be granite countertops, tile, custom cherry cabinetry, hardwood floors, 10' ceilings and 8’ doors. The first model, the Anderson, is 2,465 sq ft and is single story. The second model is the Claywood at 2703 sq ft, and is also a single story. The third model, the Olympus, is 3157 sq ft and two stories. They anticipate opening the Olympus model in later July or early August. Two additional models should be completed during the Fall.

Arlene Obtinario, Administrative Chief PLFR, on behalf of Chief Ed Wilkerson, reported that the Board of Fire Commissioners has approved a new Fire Fighter Trainee program that opens three fulltime, fire fighter/emergency medical technician trainee positions to members of our Volunteer Resident Fire Fighter program. These three new trainee positions allow for full staffing 24 hours per day at the Port Ludlow and the Shine/ South Point stations. PLF&R expects to start this new program mid-July.

PLF&R is partnering with Melanie D. Lewis and Maureen Larsen, PL Coldwell Banker realtors, to sponsor the first annual Health and Safety Fair at an open house at the Port Ludlow/Oak Bay fire station. Friday August 31, 1-4 p.m. If interested in participating in the fair, contact Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue Administrative Chief Arlene Obtinario at 360-437-2236. See Appendix 1 for Health Fair information.

Treasurer’s Report:

Gene Carmody thanked John Cragoe for his able assistance. The storage unit is now rented on an annual basis saving PLVC one month’s rent. To date, the rental fee for spaces at the Friday Market has garnered $780.00, and with the large number of vendors it is expected that June cash will be even higher. The phone directory sales have earned $1490.00 to date and are continuing briskly. The Funfest projection figures look good.

MSP to accept the Treasurer’s Report. (all ayes) See Appendix 2 for Treasurer’s Report.

Committee Reports:

Communications Committee - Jack McKay stated that the committee now has some 200 key communicators that completed surveys. They will be forwarding an updated report to PLVC in the near future.

Community Development – Tom McCay said that this committee has held no meeting due to the delay in the Ludlow Bay build-out. Separately, he is concerned with lines of communication with the County. In a May 30 meeting with Larry Nobles, Tom McCay and Al Scalf, it was agreed that David Wayne Johnson would update the MERU data.

Finance - John Cragoe reported that a letter sent to agencies seeking insurance policy proposals has had no response to-date. Consequently, the Safeco policy was renewed.

Dwayne Wilcox will review general liability insurance for Friday market and Funfest activities and ensure that the PLVC has appropriate coverage. In regard to the Friday market the number of vendors has increased, but buyers are needed. Council members were encouraged to spread the word to encourage visits to the market.

Funfest – Lia outlined the work the committee has accomplished, discussed budget items and insurance concerns. This committee has accomplished a lot to date with still much to do. She referred the council to a catalogue titled Festivals in WA Counties Calendar and suggested that they might consider applying for inclusion in that for next year’s Fun Fest to promote interest and gain more income.

See appendix 3 for budget report and committee meeting minutes

Trails – Larry Scott publicly thanked PLA for supporting the make-over of the entrance to the Interpretative Trail and the donation of two weed wrenches for Scotch broom. He also thanked the Fire Chief and his crew who assisted with completing the Beaver Dam Trail. He mentioned future plans and priorities for improving trail drainage and budgeting for trail asphalt. Brian Belmont will assist him with that, and he asked Gene for a line item for that in the budget. Jack Riggin and Larry Scott will co-chair the LMC Greenbelt committee. Larry Nobles thanked Larry Scott and all his volunteers for the continuing improvement of the Port Ludlow trail system.

Recycling – Steve Failla mentioned the addition of bins for green glass and #2 plastics. There have been additional bins added, thus reducing overloading and less frequent pick-up is needed. Please call Skookum if a specific bin is close to full. Phone numbers are on the bins.

Electronic recycling, a joint effort of the Boeing Bluebills and Skookum, will take place Thursday, September 20, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

Utilities – Walt Cairns reported his committee had a short meeting with 4 people from Puget Sound Energy to discuss: 1. Encouraging residents to report these “danger trees” to PSE. and 2. The technical issue – the substation at the Four Corners is right on schedule according to PSE. PSE also intends to upgrade the quality of power on Oak Bay Road. This committee will meet again in September.

Health Facilities Group – would be similar to that which is currently in operation in Quilcene. Larry Nobles described the meeting held to discuss this topic and the subsequent response. See Appendix 4 for further information.

Correspondence: none

Old Business: One Port Ludlow.

B. Browne reported that he suggested that the SBCA Board support a concept of community harmony and recommend continuing support of the newly elected Board. The topic of unifying the area, how to get discussions started, should have the PLVC serving as a facilitator with the goal of maintaining the efforts. A meeting of SBCA, PLVC, and the LMC to develop a strategy for this effort will take place on Friday June 22 at 4:00 p.m. (location to be determined). Larry Nobles will check with Vaughn Bradshaw to see if the date and time are suitable for the LMC. The next PLVC workshop meeting will develop a mini agenda and a process by which this can get underway.

Lani McCarry has given her verbal resignation. The written resignation is expected within the week. An agenda item for the PLVC workshop will be a replacement for Lani.

Another agenda item will be the Wednesday June 27 tree cutting ordinance meeting with Jefferson County officials.

The third item for this workshop will be nominees for the incoming PLVC Board.