Port Ludlow Trails/NRC Committee Meeting

4 December 2007

Attendees: Stan Gustin, Adele Govert, Kathy Muir, Jack Manning, Bobbie Collins, Dick Ullmann, Larry              Scott, Larry Nobles, Barbara Nobles, Dan Darrow, Janet Hanz, Doris Monti, and Soozie Darrow.

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

The agenda and minutes of the 6 November 2007 meeting were approved.

Sub-committee Reports:

            Finance:  CFO Jack Manning presented the 2008 budget proposed by the ad hoc committee of Stan Gustin, Dan Darrow, and Jack Manning, as well as the end-of-year report of 2007 expenses. Expenses for 2007 totaled $3100. The anticipated balance of all funds for 01 Jan, 2008 is $7117. There was much discussion of the budget for 2008 which anticipated having a $900 deficit.  A motion was passed to: balance the budget by reducing materials expenses to $500 from $1000 and maintenance expenses to $1600 from $2000. The revised budget as approved had income of $4,100 and expenses of $4,100.  Larry Nobles suggested that the final approved budget that is submitted show “2007 budget”, “2007 actual” and “2008 proposed budget”.  It was also decided to include a footnote to the budget showing the estimated number of volunteer hours contributed this year. The revision will be presented to Gene Carmody, Treasurer of PLVC.

            Jack also reported that Gene Carmody presented a suggestion at the 27 Nov. 2007 PLVC workshop to maintain all Trails/NRC monies in one checking account rather than in 2-3 sub-accounts as in the past. There was a concern voiced by one of the PLVC board members that there would then be no supervision of the account by PLVC. It was suggested that, if necessary, a requirement of two signatures would rectify this problem, as well as the statements being sent to the PLVC Treasurer for auditing.

            Maps: Janet Hanz reported that she has given the last of the maps to the Beach and Bay Clubs for distribution. Jack Manning reported that Minuteman Press in Silverdale assured him that alterations to the map can be added. It was decided to not order any more maps until we determine what additions or corrections need to be done.

            Natural Resources: Dick Ullmann turned in $40 from the sale of Port Ludlow Nature brochures. He also turned in a bill for $24.83 for plant ID tags for use in the native plant garden at the entrance to the Interpretive Trail. He passed around the 11 page document created by Patty Patterson listing information about all the plants in the garden. Dick suggested a future enhancement would be a wooden sign made for the entrance to the native plant garden.

            Dick offered to head, once again, the 7^th Annual “Knock Out Knoxious Weeds” event (formerly known as the Scot’s Broom Sweep) on Wednesday April 9, 2008 with the traditional barbeque appreciation dinner afterward at the Beach Club. It was suggested that Dick should work with a trainee/co-chair so that all the information only he knows can be transferred to someone for future use.

            The January bird house cleaning is also anticipated. The purple martin houses have yet to be inhabited, but we’ll give them one more spring season to find them.

            Dan Darrow pointed out that the Port Ludlow Golf Course received an Audubon award and the newspaper articles specifically mentioned the 45 bird houses which Dick has placed there (although they did not mention Dick!).

            Stewards: Head Steward Doris Monti reported no phone calls after the storm of Dec. 2 so we assume the trails are in good condition. We do need a temporary substitute steward for Timberton Loop #12-21 for a few months. If you wish to volunteer for this job, call Doris at 437-0716. There shouldn’t be too much to do this time of year and it’s a nice trail to walk! It was decided to change the Marik’s steward assignment  from the Ludlow Cove trail, that is not yet in use,  to ABT #6 to -Waterhouse  Lane and down to 6A which needs a steward.

Trails Status:

            Interpretive Trail: Bobbie Collins reported that she tries to clean this once week, even though Grant Sharpe said that an interpretive trail should be cleaned daily! She reported also that the bridge and stairs will need metal treads to replace the tar paper in the near future as the latter is getting slippery.

            Grant Sharpe Memorial: A letter was sent to Mike Porter requesting receipts for reimbursement of  expenses incurred for creating the bench and chairs.  He presented Jack Manning with receipts for $370 of the $450 requested. After discussion, a motion was made and approved: to pay Mike Porter the full $450, with a signed statement regarding the inability to recover receipts for the remaining $80.

            Around the Bay Trail: Soozie Darrow presented a bid from Guthrie Trucking and Excavating for removing the asphalt and replacing it with gravel on the ABT between #4 and Waterhouse Lane as well as the Cahn portion of the Rainier Loop.  The bid was broken down into three parts of the trail. Total amount was $24,500.  However, we do not have enough money in reserve to do any of the work. We also need to contact the Public Works Dept., as a large portion of the trail is actually in their right-of-way. Larry Nobles volunteered to discuss this with the PWD and ask if the work might possibly be done by them. This part of the trail has been of concern for several years as a matter of safety. However, major fundraising or an angel is needed to be able to accrue enough funds for its repair.

            Ludlow Cove: The status of the gazebo and Scot’s Broom in this area were discussed. No proposed action was suggested.

            Rainier, Upper and Lower: Stan Gustin said that he would look for storm damage in this area.

            Bay Club Gazebo: As mentioned at the last meeting, this gazebo’s roof is covered with moss. The Bluebills were asked if they could help with the moss removal and responded in the negative. The problem has been forwarded to John Cragoe, President of SBCA since the gazebo is Bay Club property.

            Niblick’s Loop: Crossing of the swamp continues to present a problem to finishing this loop. Discussion with the new Golf Club manager is needed before further action is taken.

Old Business: There was no Old Business presented.

New Business: Soozie Darrow presented a suggestion made by Andrea and Francis Marik that we create a new trail from Swansonville Rd. along Oak Bay Rd. as far as Libby Lane, which would create a loop with the Montgomery Trail that now exists. This potential trail was presented by the Forestry Dept. report paid for by LMC a few years ago as the easiest new trail to create.  A deer trail already exists there for us to follow and there are no ravines or other naughty things in the way. Adele Govert, who was instrumental in the Forestry Dept. assay, has agreed to investigate this area with the Mariks in the near future.

Goals & Priorities: No additions or corrections.

The next meeting will be 8 January 2008 (note change from first Tuesday to second Tuesday of the month due to the New Year celebrations) at the Bay Club, 9:00 a.m.

Submitted by: Soozie Darrow, scribe