Manchester Community Council                           www.manchesterwa.org

PO Box 173                                                                         

Manchester, WA  98353-0173

“it’s a great place to live…”

 

Draft Minutes for MCC meeting of 08/28/07

Action Items:

1)      Anyone interested in leading the organization of a local candidates’ forum, please contact Ron Rada or Wanda Larsen.

 

Speaker:

Ron Rada introduced our speaker, Senior Program Manager with Surface and Stormwater Management (SSWM’s), Dave Tucker.  Dave told us that SSWM’s is serving as a multi-agency addressing not only flooding issues, but water quality and health issues as well.  In 1999, the County tasked consultant CH2M Hill to investigate the stormwater flooding issues in the Manchester area.  The investigation resulted in a length document recommending action in four areas, Ricky Court E., Alaska E./Duncan Creek, Colchester Dr. E., and Virginia Ave. E.  The 2002 Manchester Plan included a goal that the four identified projects be completed by 2022.  The County has limited funds to invest in these projects, so as a result the projects are prioritized for action.  Several have already been completed.

The Main Street project, which is currently underway, is designed to handle a maximum flow of 33 ft3/sec.  Last winter the maximum flow was measured at 14ft3/sec.  There is also an issue related to potential bacterial contamination of the outflow.  The Health department will be undertaking an effort to identify where this contamination is originating.  Results should be available at the end of this year.  (We will likely invite a representative from the Health Dept. to review the results at a future MCC meeting.)  Another issue with the Main St. project is what to do with the discharge at the interface with the shoreline.  The Port had originally considered allowing an easement across the parking lot, but found that the IAC funding agreement for the new launching ramp did not allow such easements.  The Port is currently investigating a shoreline retention system using logs could be used for dispersion.  (Tucker expressed concern whether this could work at maximum outflow volumes.)

 

Minutes:

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Ron Rada at 7:25PM.  Ron welcomed the 21 people (16 current members) in attendance.

 

Foundation Program announcements:

Manchester Community Association: At their next meeting the MCA will be setting their calendar of events for next year.  They plan to include a street fair in these events.

Manchester Historical Society: No report. (But Rada suggested that the Manchester Realty web-site [www.manchesterrealty.com] has some terrific historical photos of the area).

Manchester Foundation: The next meeting of the Trustees is tentatively set for 10/18.

Crime Prevention and Public Safety Group: Bud Larsen reported that recently speed monitoring has occurred in Manchester.  Along with the monitoring, enforcement has happened as well, resulting in numerous speed violation citations.  The extension of the boat launching ramp is scheduled to occur 9/4-18.

The nuisance abatement team has also had some success in cleaning up several locations with excess accumulations of junk/old cars.

 

Business meeting: The MCC mission was read by Ron and past minutes approved.

 

Reports:

Treasurer: Debby Trudeau reported a treasury balance remains at $1076.99.  One outstanding bill for payment of the land-use attorney remains and should be approximately $350.  There was no significant correspondence.

 

Sewers Sub-Committee: The next meeting for the members of LID#9 will be October 18th at 6:30PM in the Library.  Ron commented that 23 parcels from the original LID#9 elected to be included in LID#8.

 

MCC Action Groups:

-Downtown Design: The proposed final draft of the Design Standard is now with the County for action.

-Historic Village Character: No report.

-Partnerships with other Agencies: No report.

-Village Commons: The next meeting of this group is scheduled for 8/30 at 4PM in the Library.

- Recreational Venues: No report.

 

Kitsap County Land Use Actions:

            Matti Walters reviewed her findings on several County land use actions.  An application has been made for a drive thru coffee stand “Manchester Mocha”.  The proposed location is the parking lot adjacent to Dr. Sharman’s office.  The applicant is our very own Arlene Rebelowski!

 

Old Business:

            A number of members of the groups working on the new Manchester Plan expressed their frustration with the County’s approach to what was billed as the “final meeting” of the groups.  Concerns were voiced that the County had interjected a vote on “site specific variances” to the zoning rules.  A vote was taken among a large group of people who were not identified as regular participants and they apparent left the meeting immediately after the vote was taken. 

 

New Business:

Carrilu Thompson brought up the subject of appeals to the “Director’s interpretation” to the “two story-28 foot height” item from the Plan.  The Director’s interpretation has been successfully appealed by Bill Palmer, so now Carrilu and Carole Leininger are appealing the appeal; they are asking for individual financial help with continuing the appeal.  This potentially will have bearing on the outcome of three proposed downtown development projects which could be grandfathered if Palmer’s appeal stands.

            The Executive Board had previously discussed the possibility of hosting a candidate’s forum prior to the general election in November, asking Water District and Port District candidates to review their platforms with the voters.  Wanda Larsen expressed willingness to help organize such a forum, but we need someone else to spearhead the effort.  Anyone interested in taking the lead should contact Ron Rada or Wanda Larsen.  The League of Women Voters would be solicited to conduct the forum to insure impartiality.

            Topics from the floor:

Mark Rebelowski announced that the Friends of the Library will be hosting a reception on Wednesday September 26th from 4:00-5:30PM to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Library.  The FOML will have refreshments and will recognize those who stepped-up early on to get our Library building constructed.  Also on October 11th the Friends will have a wine tasting to continue the celebration; advanced tickets are available for $15 from Mark.

           

            There being no other discussion, Chairman Rada adjourned the meeting at 8:12PM.

Our next meeting is scheduled on Tuesday September 25th at 6:30PM in the Library. 

Ron Rada and John Winslow will jointly develop an agenda for our next meeting.  If you have any additional items for the agenda, contact John Winslow prior to 9/17.

 

Respectfully submitted,

John Winslow, Member-at-Large:Manchester Community Council