Port Ludlow Trails/Natural Resources Committee Minutes

03 July 2007

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Scott at 9:00 a.m.

A letter of resignation from the committee from Janet Hanz was read. We will all miss her very much.

The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the 05 June meeting were approved.

Sub-committee Reports:

            Finance: CFO Jack Manning distributed a financial report for the month ending 30 June, 2007. Our current total accounts are:

            Trails petty cash checking                       863.85

            PLVC account                                     6922.74

            Grant Sharpe account                             743.96

                        Total                                      $8530.55.

The 2007 $1000 contribution of PLVC has not been received as of this date. We recently received individual donations of $75 from Robert Reasoner and $100 from the Kraghts as thanks for all the volunteer work on the trails.  The CFO was asked to clarify the detailed budget tracking report at the next meeting.

            A motion was moved, seconded and passed that we set aside reserve money as a specific line item for future large cost projects. One of these might be asphalt repair of the Around the Bay Trail. Larry Scott has talked with Brian Belmont, general manager of the Beach Club about costs/companies for this kind of work since the club recently had work done of this type. More specific information will be available once one or more of these companies knows what is needed.

            Maps: Janet Hanz delivered all the maps to Jack Manning since she is resigning and was in charge of their distribution. She also gave him $5.37 from the collection boxes at the clubs.

            Natural Resources: see Trail Status

            Stewards:                see Trail Status

Trails Status

            Interpretive: Bobbie Collins, steward, reported some minor vandalism has occurred but has been remedied.

            Dick Ullmann reported that this trail is well used by many. The entrance is/will be a work in progress. Watering the plants is now the main directive. 90% of the plants are native and have all been labeled! The Hood Canal Coalition, with whom the Collins’ daughter works, donated 40-50 plants and has been thanked by Dick. Compost/mulch is needed especially for the plants which prefer wet feet. Dick has done and continues to do a Herculean job here.

            Larry Scott is going to get an estimate from a tree removal company regarding the alder tree which is threatening the bridge. There is also a potential concern regarding the amount of PLA’s water we’re using to water the entrance plants.

            Grant Sharpe Memorial: The Ad Hoc Committee has not met since our last meeting.

            Timberton Loop: Beaver Dam signs have been installed and the trail weed whacked between rocks 9 & 10. All numbered rocks on the Loop have been cleared of weeds so they can be seen. Grass between rocks #18-19 needs mowing – will be done 07 July using a rented mower.  Bill Lane is keeping the Timberton Loop parking lot clear of weeds using a weed whacker.

            Timberton Spur: Waiting on the arrival of a small mower with a cart attachment before chips are put down.

            Around the Bay: Sections 8-14 and 15-20 need some clipping of nettles, blackberries, etc. Many areas could use some Herb Robert pullers.  Steve Holmes, steward of 20-25, is moving. Jack Manning offered to be his replacement.  A tree leaning over the trail precariously in Bay View needs to be taken down before it falls down. Julia Blakeney-Smith reports that she has been diligently working on 2 Bridges and will be weed whacking it soon.

            Montgomery Loop: New signage is being developed.

            Rainier: The lower portion is an on-going project of widening, leveling and chipping.

            Bay Club Gazebo:  Needs a tree cut down.

            Niblick’s: The work crew cleared the burn pile last Saturday. The mower (see Timberton Loop) will be busy there 07 July.

Old Business:

            Inventory: Finally completed.

New Business:

            Dan Darrow reported attending the North Kitsap Trail Meeting on 27 June. Jon Rose of ORM called the meeting to discuss trails opportunity through Pope property and other parts of North Kitsap. He stressed the value of trails to any community both for healthy owners and real property values. There were 492 people present at the meeting.

            Larry Nobles informed us of an upcoming PLVC booth at the Friday Market, either 13 or 20 July to promote the Fun Fest, sell phone books, give out trail maps, etc. They would like a Trails/NRC representative to help man the booth. 

            Larry also expressed concern the fires at Lake Tahoe and their relationship to our Greenbelt.

Goals and Priorities:

            1. Finalize the Interpretive Trail temporary entrance – on-going

            2. Signage for all trails – on-going

            3. Niblick’s work – on-going

            4.  Lower Rainier water drainage (on hold, since we are going into the dry season)

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Next meeting will be at the Beach Club, 7 August at 9:00 a.m.

Submitted by:  Soozie Darrow, Scribe