2-5-08 MCP&PSG WEEKLY COFFEE & DISCUSSION 6:45AM MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

In attendance were Ron and Joyce Rada, Bob Edwards, Joe Blazevich, Peggy Warren and Bud and Wanda Larsen.     A news release from the Sheriff's Office was sent around.  Bud read our mission statement for the MCP&PSG, noting that it has been awhile since we had reviewed it.  The statement reads as follows:

NAME:                MANCHESTER CRIME PREVENTION & PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP

PURPOSE:       1.  Bring responsible law enforcement presence to our Manchester  Community.

                            2.  Recognize, bring attention to our public officials and work to correct unsafe conditions that could bring bodily harm or health problems to the residents and/or visitors to our Manchester community.

The group is made up of residents that are interested and willing to meet on a weekly basis to discuss issues of concern.  Membership will be required for the purpose of voting.  Attendance at meetings does not require membership.

The meetings are designed to be open discussion among the attendees and invited guests.

Bud Larsen has acted as the coordinator since the inception of the group several years ago, with Wanda Larsen acting as his assistant.  The position is open to anyone who is interested in the group effort.

Notes are taken and distributed to interested parties to maintain some record of the issues under discussion and actions taken on said issues.   Names and email numbers are added to the control list as requested.

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An email from Port Commissioner Steve Pederson was read.  Steve expressed his appreciation for being invited to be our guest at last weeks meeting, saying he enjoyed the discussion and looks forward to dropping in for meetings as his schedule permits.  From topics discussed at last weeks meeting a list can be compiled of things we hope to accomplish and we all move forward on the issues confronting the Port and Manchester. 

We discussed a meeting held this past week with two members of the Dept. of Ecology Water Quality Northwest Region.   Their purpose in visiting Manchester was to get a first hand look at some of the flooding and water pollution issues we have in Manchester.    They felt there may be grant monies available from Ecology that could help the county address pollution sources in the Main Street, Manchester stormwater outfall.  Their program is called the STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM and can fund identification and removal of illicit discharges into municipal storm sewer systems.  The grant program just recently released this year's grant awards but it's not too early to begin application for next year.  Eventually, if enough improvement can be documented to demonstrate the discharge from the outfall is clean, state and county health authorities might consider removal of the "Water Pollution" sign on the dock, that is so offensive to the community.  They are currently drafting a letter to this effect to the Health Dept. and will copy us.

There was considerable interest in the creation of special citizen's advisory Committee (or Friend's of the Port) to work directly with the Port Commissioners on research and study of Port issues and goals.    Commissioner Pederson will take this idea to the other Commissioner's at the March meeting.    It would seem that with representatives (1 or 2 folks) from each Manchester organization could be very effective, representing the Friends of the Library, the MCC, the MCA, the MCP&PSG, and/or other interested parties.  Our group felt that having the Committee represent all groups, but working directly with the Port initiated interest, to be the most effective.  There will be a meeting of the MCC executive Committee on Thursday evening of this week, at which time we hope to discuss ideas and options.  The Committee could act as an outreach program representing everyone, that would bring folks together.

NOTICE:   The 2-19-08 meeting of this group will feature Dee D'Haem, head librarian at the Manchester Library and a representative from Kitsap Regional Library.  They will be looking for specifics on how best they can help our group with safety issues, as well as other topics we may be interested in.    A good opportunity to understand the many extra features available to us all at our local library.

Joe Blazevich agreed to prepare a rough draft outline for a survey to present to the Port of Manchester for use in determining who uses the Port of Manchester and Pomeroy Park. How often do they use these facilities?    How serious are parking problems to them.What are objectives of such a survey?    It is important to define local and out of town use.  What improvements would be appropriate?    A number of folks have already volunteered to assist with such a survey for the Port, over a two or there week period during the fishing season.   Results of such a survey could be very helpful to everyone concerned.

We will be inviting Commissioner Dan Fallstrom to join us for a discussion, as soon as he can work it in to his schedule.   We would like to visit with him, get to know him, and ask questions.   In addition, it has been some time since we have had Commissioner Jim Strode as a guest, so we will be inviting him to join us as well.

We are pleased to report that member Ray Pardo has submitted his application to the Transportation Planning Advisory Committee (TRAC) for one of the 3 open positions in that group.  Ray was our representative during the Manchester Community Plan for 2007 and led the development of the Transportation Plan section.   Ray has the career related background to be a real asset to the TRAC efforts to develop safer walkways, and bikeways for Manchester and the County as a whole.    

REMINDER:    Monday, 2-11-08 7:00PM joint sponsored meeting of the Port of Manchester and the Manchester Library & KRL.   Special program by Kathleen Byrne-Berrantes of Grant Solutions, a grant consulting firm.  We already have 30 folks signed up for the meeting so come early, seating is limited.   Commissioner Pederson is providing refreshments and Margaret Gauriz will be assisting him. 

We discussed the possibility of a prominent Manchester sign at the corner of Mile Hill and Colchester.  This would require a county right of way release and we are looking in to this possibility.    Anyone knowing of a good designer with ideas for multi-purpose signage, please let us know.   This would be a Community effort between local businesses, local groups such as ours and many others, residents, etc.    Any ideas appreciated.

Submitted:       Wanda Larsen