MCP&PSG MEETING
NOTES 9-11-07 6:45AM THE MANCHESTER FAMILY INN
Attending were Peggy Warren,
Kerri Desjardin, Joe Guariz, Paul Gilligan, John WInslow, Travis Baker, Bud and Wanda Larsen and special
guest Jerry Preuss, Kitsap County Fire Commissioner
for the Manchester
area.
A 9-5-07 KCSO news release
#07-038 / 125 / 43 was passed around. Wanda reported that Deputy Scott
Wilson has given us approval to forward news releases from the Sheriff's office
to anyone who would care to receive them. In addition if anyone would
like to be added to the news release distribution list, you may contact Deputy
Wilson at swilson@co.kitsap.wa.us these
releases give a clear picture of what is taking place in the community.
Be sure your calendar is
marked for Tuesday, September 25th, 6:45AM MCP&PSG meeting. Deputy
Pete Ball will be with us to go over new information on the neighborhood watch
programs in our area. We will be updating records through our
various watch Captains, they will be stopping by to see you
shortly. Pete is always a wealth of information and much
appreciated by those of us who work with him.
We have been reading in the
newspapers about the possible consolidation of Kitsap County Fire Districts in
to one unified organization. We had invited Jerry Preuss
Commissioner Dist. #7 Fire & Rescue to join us for the purpose of learning
what the "feel" is for a consolidation. Jerry noted that while
he is fully in agreement with the potential change, it is too early to have any
firm program data. The feasibility study just completed by the Employees Services,Inc. group is 253 pages
long and covers countless possibilities. The Commissioners
attended a special meeting to receive their copy of the report, then without
having an opportunity to read the report in advance, reporters were on hand to
ask questions which could not be fully answered prior to publication.
The only place near Kitsap County
that has a combined service arrangement is Auburn, Algona, and
Pacific. In Kitsap, Central and South have already voted for a
consolidation. Bremerton
and Poulsbo have not yet voted on a
merger. Whatever is written would leave an opening for approval to join
at a later date for other districts. The information now available just
scratches the surface. An important issue is the reduced costs that
would come in to effect through duplication of services
becoming a combined service. Keep in mind that whatever the
Districts decide, it then comes to a public vote and public input will be
involved throughout the process. How long would it take to have a
merger in effect? It appears the earliest estimate would be 2 to 3
years, or more.
Another interesting factor
would be dropped boundary's and exchanged boundary
areas. South Kitsap boundaries extend
150 square miles. Service to certain areas include
South Kitsap homes at 20,000, Central Kitsap
at 16,000, and north at 8,000. The current budget is being reviewed
at this time for 2008. 4 different unions are included in considerations
with all supporting a merger concept at this time. The criteria for the plan is overall improved quality of
service.
A key issue is maintaining
accreditation throughout the plan. Kitsap is accredited for two more
years. Accreditation is subject to review every 5 years. The
entire operation must meet the specific required standards. Way back when
there were 17 little fire departments in existence, now there are 6 with an
increased professional advantage to our area. It is possible that a
committee will be formed to establish an open forum. Did you
know that out of all Kitsap county 911 CENCOM department emergency calls, SKF&R gets 30% and 80% of these are AID
calls? Response time is very important, as we all know, with the
extensive growth in Manchester
it is anticipated that the Yukon Harbor Fire Station will be updated to a full
service, manned facility as soon as funds are available. Lots of study
and work is going into grants and special contributions to
make things move along.
The Monday 9-10-07 Port of Manchester Commissioners meeting was
discussed at length. Word has been received that the Sheriff's office has
agreed to the letter of agreement submitted by our 3 commissioners for law
enforcement rules and regulations for the Port property.
Signing for the resolutions will be an item of business at the next meeting of
the Port on October 15 (a change from the regular scheduled
meeting). Copy of the rules to be provided
in advance to the Commissioner's and attorney Ron Thompson to be emailed ASAP. so that a sign can be prepared informing the public of
the rules that will be enforced by the sheriff deputies. Budget was
reviewed and will be acted on before the January meeting. Bond capacity
is at $485,000.00 a good part of which has been paid back leaving an assessed
value of 451 million. A bond person will be invited to the
next meeting to more fully explain the bonding structure and procedures,
etc. 19.5 mills is the current mill, 45 is the max on millage.
The Port of Manchester
ramp extension was delayed because the contractor could not get his barges in
place. Closures is now scheduled take place
Monday the 17th and could last until
the end of the month. Further study will be done on "soft
shore" beach storm protection and Kathy Peters from the County will
be asked to attend our next meeting to listen to concerns that have been
expressed in regards to water surge, fecal coliform
levels, stabilizing log barriers, new State of Washington regulations, new
Puget Sound pollution requirements, health department consensus, costs,
permanent versus temporary, beach movement, loose land gain, bridge replacement
or relocation, and other questionable issues
ANNOUNCEMENT:
9-15-07 9:00AM TO 3:00PM MANCHESTER LIBRARY BOOK SALE