3-11-08 MCP&PSG
WEEKLY TUESDAY COFFEE & DISCUSSION SESSION, 6:45AM, MANCHESTER FAMILY INN
Those in attendance included
Ron and Joyce Rada, Richard Dillworth, Paul Gilligan,
Joe Blazevich, Bud and Wanda Larsen. Out of
town and excused were Joe Guariz and Peggy
Warren. Welcome back to Ron and Joyce after their trip to The
Bahamas on vacation. Two Sheriff's Office News Releases were
available for review.
We discussed various agenda
items from last night's Port
of Manchester Commissioners
meeting. The Manchester Water District will hold their
monthly meeting tonight at 5:30PM at the district offices, Bud and Paul plan to
attend the meeting. There will also be an MCC meeting
relating to Parking issues that will be held tonight (3-11-08) at 6:30PM at the
Manchester Library. Anyone interested is invited to
attend this meeting.
The Port
of Manchester has received
confirmation on their website domain number "Port of Manchester.com".
Arlene Brennan is the acting webmaster and is already working on a design for
the website that will report on a monthly basis for the Port and in addition
will have it's own segment in the Manchester View, our
local publication for our group, the Friends of the Library, the MCC, the MCA,
etc. This publication will be an excellent communication tool, for
everyone involved and we look forward to having access to Port agenda items,
topics of interest, proposed business issues and new
considerations. Welcome Arlene, she does an
very professional job.
A new agenda for the Port
was very effective with bullet form numbered action and other
topics. The Port attorney, Ron Thompson was instructed to
look in to the insurance status for hold harmless events scheduled to be held
on Port property for the MCA and Friends of the Library etc., to be sure
all possibilities are covered prior to the upcoming MCA cleanup
day. April 29th Friends of the Manchester Library plant
sale should be OK, same as before.
Northwest Landscape's
proposal for grounds maintenance contract, was approved.
Commissioner Pedersen will be contacting Kathleen Byrne-Berrantes
of Grant Solutions, to further discuss what is needed to obtain a grant for the
purpose of a full scale planning project. In the interests of the
Port Comprehensive Plan there is a need to list all the considerations for
involvement and action on such items as parking problems in Manchester, Vehicle towing for violators on Port property,
Upgrade and maintenance for Pomeroy Park, lawn and landscaping, stormwater issues to work with the County on, land
acquisition , construction options, ROC clearance for stormwater
outfall pipe on their recreational land and priority attention to safety
issues.
Of special interest was
setting up a Port sanctioned Users Survey for both the boat launch area and Pomeroy Park. Joe Guariz spoke to the intent of such a survey, which
could be conducted on 3 to 5 separate dates during the high boating
season. Timing to be 4:00AM to dusk and conducted by volunteers with a
short and to the point question and answer format of approximately 5
questions. One on one contact with two
volunteers working together on each 3 to 4 hour shift.
Commissioner Steve Pedersen will act as the Port representative. A
map of Manchester
boundaries, safety information, will be handed out as needed.
The survey takers will check off the survey sheets, adding any other
information that is volunteered by the boaters or park visitors. They
will wear safety vests and a tag stating they are working in behalf of the Port of Manchester. It was
noted boaters are either entering or leaving the water and in the majority are
in a rush, so working quickly is important. Suggestions for
the questionnaire included, boat launch....
how far did the boater travel to get to the launch (over
3 miles, not a Manchester
resident), are they fishing or recreational boaters, do they use the Port
facilities (restroom and garbage containers, picnic tables, etc.), where do
they park , what improvements would they like to see.
For Pomeroy Park, questions included
, distance traveled to use the park, are they a group or family visiting
the park, will they use the facilities, where do they park, and what
improvements would they like to see. Any of the questions
could be elaborated on by the survey taker, and so noted.
The form being considered to be taken to Alan Fletcher for
approval and or changes as soon as possible and action to be taken at the next Port of Manchester Commissioners meeting.
Stormwater outfall issues were discussed at
length. It was felt necessary to compile the
information available and make every effort to work with Kitsap County
representatives to change some of the present format into a more simplified and
higher capacity proposal. The Commissioners agreed to
coming together with the County to overcome the problems existing on County
property alongside Port property. Ray Pardo displayed maps he has designed to correct some of the
problems in affordable segments, that funds could be
found to make the necessary corrections and alleviate a number of the stormwater flooding problems that are experienced on a
regular basis.
The idea of an official Port
of Manchester Citizen's Advisory Committee was introduced and
discussed. The concept being Manchester residents working to
assist the Port Commissioners in research and studies to enable the Port to
work with all organizations active in the Community, and with public citizens
that would be allowed to submit letters of interest following publication of
the Committee in The Port Orchard Independent, and notices posted in the
Manchester Post Office, P.J.s Convenience Store,
Manchester Library as well as a notice published along with the Manchester
Water District billing envelopes. The plan was well received
by everyone in attendance. Organizations to be included are the Friends
of The Manchester Library, Manchester Community Council, Manchester Community
Association and our MCP&PSG. Size of
the group to be limited to insure an overall cohesiveness of the effort.
Commissioner Pederson will be the Port
of Manchester assigned
representative. Alan Fletcher of the Manchester Water District will
assist in formalizing the group. Bud Larsen and Paul
Gilligan have indicated interest in representing our
group. The Committee will address safety issues,
parking problems, park and launch area maintenance and improvements, facilities
upgrades and regular maintenance, etc. With everyone working
together it can benefit every citizen in a number of ways.
REMINDER:
4-19-08 IS THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ANNUAL PLANT SALE. VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED
FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT. IF YOU HAVE PLANTS TO DONATE PLEASE BRING
THEM IN ON THE 18TH, OR EARLY ON THE 19TH. SETUP WILL BEGIN AROUND
6:00AM, WITH THE SALE
STARTING AT 9:00AM. THERE WILL ALSO BE A BOOK SALE INSIDE THE LIBRARY.
PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP EITHER AT THE LIBRARY OR CALL A FRIEND.
Submitted:
Wanda Larsen