San Juan Island Trails Committee Minutes of Meeting on July 9, 2008
1. Meeting called to order at 5 pm by David Dehlendorf, Vice Chair
Introductions:
Mike Buettell, Sue Buettell, Sam Connery, David Dehlendorf, Susie Dehlendorf, Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, Glen Garrett, Eleanor Hartmann, David Jenkins, Peter Morrison, Cinda Pierce, Mark Pierce, Tracy Roberson, Howie Rosenfeld
2. Approval of the minutes
Susie Dehlendorf moved to approve the minutes for 6/11/08, which were previously distributed by email and placed on the website. Cinda Pierce seconded and the minutes were unanimously approved.
3. Volunteer hours - Update on reporting system
Whoever is in charge of a work party will be responsible to submit the hours for the team. Members should record and report at monthly meeting only hours donated outside of the work parties. We are part of the County Parks Department and thus we are all covered by its L&I insurance through the State of Washington. We share in the cost at 7.5 cents per volunteer hour and are billed every year. We may also need these hours for future grant applications.
4. Candidates for Trails Committee Office 2008
Current officer terms expire at the end of September. We are looking for new candidates for the October meeting. A suggestion was made to circulate the job descriptions online for people to review. Sue Buettell volunteered to “job share” the secretary position.
5. Upgrades to Trails Committee website
The website has been modified and now has an “announcements” and “minutes” section. The first announcement posted was that a new map of the trails at Roche Harbor Resort is now available on our website and that four new map signs had been installed at various trailheads in the Roche Harbor Trails area. Additional signs will be installed in other areas, including at the resort. Ann Jarrell and Louisa Nishitani are working on an enhancement to the website to include a listing of flowers to be seen on various island trails by season. David Jenkins expressed interest in working on the website as well.
6. Joint hike
Still planning an event with Orcas Pathways either in September or October here on San Juan Island.
7. Transportation Summit here on September 17
Liz Illg is organizing this and is looking for volunteers for the event itself, as well as for building and staffing a Trails Committee booth.
8. Progress report on CPRT/United Way “Day of Caring” ( in September) project
Cinda and Mark are in the process of working on this project which continues to make progress. The emphasis is on joining access to properties to continue the trail. The trail will be on the east side of Cattle Point Road. Progress on Golf Course Road access is still in progress as well. Discussion of easements ensued. Each easement goes from the Land Bank to the County Council for its final approval. The first such easement is now in the hands of the Land Bank.
9. Progress report Roche Harbor trail project. Volunteers for Adopt-a-Trail program.
Over the last month, over 145 hours of volunteer hours have been donated in laying 1,600 ft. of weedblock fabric and gravel along the Roche Harbor Road trail, installing signs, mowing and brushing trails, etc.. 2,500 small maps are due to be delivered and they will be placed in real estate type boxes for “sharing” by hikers in the area. A discussion of the new disc golf course ensued. Reference was made to the numerous volunteers who have worked on the trails over the last month. Volunteers who have contributed in June and July include: Ron Ashbrook, David Dehlendorf, Harry Dickinson, Robin Donnelly, Tom Donnelly, Rick Exstrom, Glen Garrett, Don Jarrell, David Jenkins, Ed Kelm, John Privat, Jeff Sarantopulus, and Phil Schober.
Roche Harbor is considering hosting a BBQ in September to introduce the new trails to the public. Most of the planned improvements have been completed: elevated walkways, gravel paths, and signage.
The next step is to establish an on-going maintenance program, perhaps an “Adopt-a-Trail” program. A sign-up sheet for maintenance volunteers was circulated during today’s meeting, with Mike Buettell, Sue Buettell, Sam Connery, David Dehlendorf, and Susan Dehlendorf volunteering. Mike Buettell will make an appeal at the annual Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association meeting on July 19 for additional volunteers. David will get the maps for Mike to distribute to the membership. Sue Buettell volunteered to oversee the Adopt-a-Trails project.
10. Scenic Byways report on June 17 meeting
Howie Rosenfeld reported that they are proceeding and we are committed to get National Scenic Byway designation.
11. Bicycle corner
Tracy reported a letter to the Trails Committee website regarding the activity level of biking on the island. This person, as well as a few others, will be encouraged to involve themselves in the Trails Committee. Howie reported that State Law requires that if a bike lane is on one side of the road, it must be present on both sides, which would require reducing parking on the main roads. Eileen Drath suggested that parents of school age children need to embrace the need for bicycle lanes. There is a right-of-way near the auto repair place that could be cleared to give access to the Post Office. Howie was not sure if the right of way goes through Grange-owned property. The area that was formerly Browne’s will become “paid parking” while it remains on the market for sale. Bicycles are permitted on the airport trail, mountain bikes are allowed on the DNR land and Roche Harbor area. Howie also shared that Mitchell Hill is a top priority for the council. Tracy’s vision for the bicycle paths is to look at the town as a central hub and have five main paths out of town for 3 – 5 miles. Some of that area is Land Bank property and their focus is on low impact use and a bike path may not conform to that vision. Work continues!
12. Trail building tools
Mark purchased 12 each of Lambert rakes and Rogue hoes ($60 and $32 including taxes and S&H) that he found on line and they are available for purchase from him if any work party members are interested.
13. Washington State Trails Coalition trails conference on October 3 and 4 in Spokane
Volunteers are needed to attend this conference and the officers of the new Steering Committee should consider attending.
14. Open items
Deer ticks are evident in this area but there have been no reported cases of Lyme disease. Howie reported that as of last spring in WA State there were only a couple of cases in horses.
15. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.
Important Dates:
1. Next Steering Committee meeting August 5 at 4 pm at the library. All are invited.
2. Next regular monthly Trails Committee meeting August 13 at 5 pm in the community room at Whidbey Island Bank.
3. Land Bank trails building work parties at Westside Scenic Preserve – Every Thursday for six weeks beginning at 5 pm on July 10. A sign-up sheet was distributed.
Volunteer Hours:
Eileen Drath 2
Cinda Pierce 8
Louise Dustrude 3
David Dehlendorf 6
Susan Dehlendorf 2
Harry Dickinson 8
Mark Pierce 6
Sue Buettell 5
Mike Buettell 5
Tracy Roberson 2
Total reported at meeting: 47 hours
Total from work parties at Roche Harbor on June 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, and 24, and July 7: 145
Land Bank work party at Westside Scenic Preserve on June 7: 45
(reported separately by Land Bank)
Total since last meeting: 237, including 45 reported separately by Land Bank and therefore not subject to Trails Committee’s L&I coverage
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Buettell
