Port Ludlow Natural Resources/Trail Committee Minutes

6 March, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Larry Scott, chairman.

Guest, Kate Madson, spoke to us, inviting us to a discussion course sponsored by Northwest Earth Institute on global warming. This will be held on the four Thursdays of April, 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.. Cost for the book is $16. If interested in attending, call Kate at 437-5156.

The agenda was approved.

The minutes of the Feb. 2007 meeting were approved with an amendment – Marge Carter was also in attendance at the meeting with Pope Resources.

Sub-Committee Reports:

                Financial Report: CFO Jack Manning reported little activity the past few months. However, recent bills have been submitted and more are anticipated as the season for more maintenance is nigh. We have received $1000 each from SBCA and LMC and are looking forward to receiving the same from PLA and PLVC. Adjustments are being made between the Grant Sharpe Memorial Fund and the Port Ludlow Trails funds per the January Committee decision to identify the specific expenditures. Per the January decision, “These (Grant Sharpe) funds are designated for creating the memorial and for improvements and maintenance to the Interpretive Trail.”  When this has been finalized, the Sharpe Fund will be $1440.00 and the General Fund $6226.70. We have received donations from Janet Hanz and Julia Blakene

y-Smith to be used towards the Noxious Weed party.  Janet also turned in $6.81 from the Bay Club for maps.

                The Treasurer’s report (attached in the minutes file) was unanimously approved.

                Natural Resources: Dick Ullmann reminded us to sign up to help on the noxious weed pulling on 11 April, especially so that enough food will be available for the party afterwards. He has chosen 12 locations to be worked on. There will be 7 weed wrenches available. Larry Krotzer has offered to supply Roundup to put on plants that are cut rather than pulled.

                Dick also reminded us to keep watch for birds using the new bird houses, and special watch for purple martins in the houses provided just for them.

Trails Status:

                Although few stewards were present at the meeting, to report on their areas, we did discuss those we know from working and walking on them.

                The Interpretive Trail is essentially done except for the entrance. Larry has asked that the dirt form the golf course rehab project be brought over and dumped there for our use.

                The kiosk near the recycling bins will soon have a bigger sign. We discussed moving it to a more prominent location but no decision was made.

                ABT 15-20 has a grand new bench made by Dean Rosenthal who also did a lot of storm clean-up there.

                Ward’s Walk reportedly needs widening.

                ABT 2 Bridges - non-slip material has been installed on the steps and bridges.

                Rainier – Jack Riggen has been trying to repair the bridge as well as take care of potentially dangerous trees. The bridge is reportedly safe to use as is.

                Rainier Spur – the bushes are matted down because of the weight of snow but will spring back with some sunshine repair.

                Bay Club Gazebo Trail – Janet Hanz reported that there is enough debris there for the chipper to come into use and the trail there can use the chips. The Bluebills have repaired the steps of the gazebo.

                Olympic Trail – expanded metal has been installed on the bridge as non-slip material.

We discussed renaming this trail and decided that Niblick’s Trail would be appropriate. Mr. Scott will ask the golf club and PLA if there are any objections to this name.

                Beaches – Although there are technically three access paths to the beach, these are under review pending resolution of the PLA Marina/Resort area project.  There will be access to the Totem Pole area. From there one can walk the beach to the steps by the Beach Club pool.

Old Business:

·          Clean-up from all the winter storms is 90% done.                

·          The non-slip projects are done.

·          The Beaver Dam Overlook project has been flagged and a bench area identified. The fire department has agreed to blaze the trail for us. The ditch which PLA had dug at the side of the trail needs two bridges. Signage will be created by Dean Morgan.

·          It was agreed that, now that we have a new storage area for our equipment on Walker Ave., the inventory should be updated periodically.

·          Liability Forms for trail workers are being kept and checked at each work site for insurance purposes.

·          Some of the trail descriptions need updating.  Dean Morgan and Larry Scott will be surveying all the trails and signs in the near future. We need a write-up on the Bay Club Gazebo Trail .

New Business:

·          Larry Scott is meeting with Diana Smeland of PLA on March 6 to go over anticipated trails in the build-out. He has also  sent her a letter requesting PLA’s $1000 financial support.

·          We have received a letter from SBCA Board of Directors thanking us for our work on cleaning up storm damage.

·          We voted to approve a Trails Appreciation Party for the stewards, workers, et.al. to be held on Friday 5 Oct 2007 at 5:00 p.m. at the Beach Club. The club has already been reserved for the occasion.

It was decided to leave the Goals and Priorities intact.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

The next meeting will be held at the Beach Club, Tuesday 3 April at 9:00 a.m.

Submitted by Soozie Darrow, scribe