Port Ludlow Natural Resources/Trail Committee Minutes

6 February 2007

The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. with Larry Scott presiding.

            Attached is a list of those in attendance.

The agenda was approved with the addition of “Liability Release” form under old business.

The minutes of the January, 2007 meeting were approved as submitted.

Sub-Committee Reports:

            Financial Report: CFO Jack Manning was touring southern parts of our country.  Thus there was no financial report. 

Larry Scott attended the February, 2007 SBCA meeting and formally requested their $1,000 contribution.  This was approved, is part of their 2007 budget and should be remitted shortly.

Natural Resources:  Dick Ullmann provided updates.  See attached outline

                        Bird Houses – The existing birdhouses were cleaned and inspected.  Dick shared examples of the fine living available to the avians.  New bird houses were placed in several areas in our community.  The purple martin condominiums at the golf course have been hung securely.  New gourds will be placed near the Twin Islands.

                        Natural Resources Brochure/Book – Dick reiterated that there is still an inventory and would like all to come up with new ways to promote the sale of these fine books.

                        Noxious Weed Day – April 11.  Planning is well under way.  This will be the sixth annual clean-up.  Work will be from 1 – 4 pm with an after celebration party. 

Twelve priority areas for clean-up have been identified.  Janet Hanz has provided generous support for the after party.    

            Stewards:  Doris Monti is also traveling in warmer climates, so there was not a formal report.  New stewards for the Timberton Spur are Mike and Ellen Mallett.  Additional stewards are needed for:
ABT – between stop sign in the village and Ebb Tide Court (old trail)

Bay Club Gazebo Trail - if we develop the informal path to the water.

Trails Status:  The status of the trails was reviewed.  The following are the significant comments. 

            Interpretive and Grant Sharpe Memorial – A clean-up work party is scheduled for Feb. 8 to finish storm debris.  Larry Scott reviewed the plans for the new entrance behind the PLA office.  PLA enthusiastically supports the improvements.  All of the new interpretive signs are now in place.  The final sign for Grant Sharpe is being designed.

            Around the Bay Trail – A work party spread chips on the trail between Bayview and the retention pond.  The trail between posts 5 and 14 needs signage review.  Some signs are missing and others may be needed to avoid confusion.

            Rainier – Jack Riggen continues to work on cleanup after the storm blowdowns.  Also the bridge repair project is pending.

            Olympic Trail – This is still being developed.  It was suggested that we consider a name change so that this trail that goes around the southern end of the “Timber” course will not be confused with future trails that are part of the Olympic Terrace development. 

Old Business:

            Our Mission Statement was approved by the PLVC at their January meeting.

            Non-slip surfaces - Larry Scott described possible solutions for putting non-slip surfaces on selected bridges and steps.  It was moved and seconded “That we authorize spending $450 for the purchase of non-slip material to be selected by Larry Scott after input from Larry McDuff on the material used by the Washington Trail Assoc.”  Passed unanimously.

            Meeting with Pope Resources – Larry Scott and Larry Nobles had a very productive meeting with Brandon Bird and Patrick Raymond of Pope Resources.   Some of the items discussed were:

            Okay to explore possible paths from Olympic Terrace to Teal Lake.

            Okay to explore possible future trails on the interior of the Timberton Loop.

            PLA and Pope will determine where the property line is in relation to the beaver dam and drainage.  Both groups will assist in solving this drainage issue.

            Pope Resources gave Larry Scott a permit so that he can drive a truck on the Pope roads.

            Pope discussed their future plans for property development on Tala Point and near Phillips Road.  The plans include developing trails that could possibly link with our trails in the MPR. 

            Liability Release – PLVC had a meeting about insurance issues.  It was emphasized that all people working on trail maintenance projects be requested to sign the “Liability Release” form.  A file will be maintained of completed forms and a list checked at all work parties.

            The insurance people assured PLVC that there is no issue with people walking on the trails, especially in light of Washington Recreation Use Statute 4.24.

New Business:

            The possibility of an end-of-the-season thank you gathering in October was discussed.

Priorities – No changes to the priorities established at the January 2007 meeting.          Recovery from storms.

            Non-skid on bridges and steps and repair of Rainier bridge. 

            Complete Interpretive Trail (Grant Sharpe Memorial).

            Timberton Loop - water and beaver dam project

            Rainier Loop, lower – address water issues

            Olympic Trail – continue working with PLA on the development.

            Mowing/grass control.  It was reiterated that we have approved spending up to $1,500 for hiring maintenance people.  Larry would like to try a method of “dragging" the trails to provide some control.

Next Meeting:  March 6 at the Bay Club. 

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 am.

Submitted by Dan Darrow – substitute scribe.