Minutes September 10, 2008

Present:
David Dehlendorf, Susan Dehlendorf, Rick Exstrom, Glen Garrett, David Harsh, Eleanor Hartmann, Liz Illg, Ann Jarrell, Don Jarrell, Mike Lazzari, Kyle Loring, Peter Morrison, Cinda Pierce, Mark Pierce, Tracy Roberson, Howie Rosenfeld, Jamie Schiff, Lee Schiff, Sandy Strehlou, Steve Ulvi, Chris Wolf.

Volunteer Hours In August:
August 5 steering committee: 8
Today’s meeting: 28
General volunteer hours reported by attendees: 57
Work Parties: 75 (50 at Roche Harbor plus 25 at Land Bank projects)
Roche Harbor Stewardship Group:  0
  Total Hours: 168

Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 5:05 pm by Chairperson Don Jarrell. Introductions were made and the minutes from August 13, 2008 were approved as circulated by email and as posted on our website.

Meeting Agenda:
Don Jarrell introduced Sandy Strehlou, Historic Preservation Coordinator for the Town of Friday Harbor. Sandy gave a brief report on several on-going projects including two walking tour brochures and a county historic sites bike route map. She discussed the waterfront project with which she thought the Trails Committee might want to get involved as a partner. It would be a walking and water (boating/kayaking) route along the town waterfront from the University of Washington Labs to Jensen Shipyard that would identify various historical sites along the harbor. The costs, content, partners, potential partners, and potential fund sources were outlined, as well as, tasks and a time line. The steering committee will discuss what role the Trails Committee might play in the development of this historic preservation project at the next steering committee meeting on September 30.

Chair Don Jarrell presented the nominating committee’s slate of officers for 2009. Candidates were: Chair - David Dehlendorf; Vice-Chair - Cinda Pierce; Treasurer - Rick Exstrom; Secretary - Sue Buettell; and steering committee member At Large - Don Jarrell. There were no nominations from the floor. A motion was made and seconded to accept the slate. The vote to accept the slate was unanimous.

Liz Illg reported on the upcoming Transportation Summit on September 17 at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. She announced various speakers and topics, and requested additional volunteers from the Trails Committee to help with registration and table hosts. The Trails Committee will be an exhibitor at the Summit. Cinda and Mark Pierce and David Dehlendorf will construct and staff the booth for the day.

David Dehlendorf reported on progress toward completion of the Roche Harbor Resort Trails network.

Signs warning users about hunting season are in place. There will be weekly work parties on Tuesdays, October 7^th to 28^th  from 9 am  to 12 pm. There has been a meeting of stewardship volunteers who have committed to monitoring/ maintaining certain sections of the trails. David also mentioned that the trail network has gotten some media attention. The daughter of Phil Schober has written an article on www.examiner.com to inform boaters about the trail system.

Along with hunting season awareness signs on the RHR Trails, the “Be Aware” message is on the Trails Committee website. The Trails Committee may also post warning signs on the perimeter of the DNR property on Mitchell Hill.

Rick Exstrom, on behalf of the Trails Committee, has agreed to attend the trails conference in Yakima on October 2-4 pending approval from Island Rec regarding covered expenses.

Cinda Pierce reported on progress made on the Cattle Point Road Trail. All property owners along the route, with the exception one family, have received the informational letter, a copy of the trail plan, and a copy of a draft of the proposed trail easement. Personal contact was made by some of the committee members (Cinda and Mark Pierce and Dave Zeretzke) with four owners: one has agreed but is not ready to sign an easement document; one agreed and is ready to sign; one is a “ no” at this time; and one “no” as the final answer. However, the lines of communication are still open. Contact with other owners will continue this month. The test case easement document at the Land Bank has been moved from legal back to Lincoln Bormann for approval. Don Jarrell will follow its progress.

Don Jarrell reminded everyone about the United Way Day of Caring trail building project on Wednesday, September 24 at the Land Bank property on Cattle Point Road. Doug McCutchen of the Land Bank will mark the trail route and do some heavy cutting prior to that day. Trails Committee members are needed to “head” work parties and are encouraged to join the trail building through the United Way sign-up at the Mullis Center at 8:45 am on the 24th.   

David reported that he is working with Tom Small, a volunteer with some expertise in easement attainment, for assistance in talking with property owners about trail easements for the proposed Park to Park Trail alongside West Side Rd. The Committee is waiting for the finalized easement language from Land Bank for the Cattle Point Road Trail project before contacting these property owners again. Public Works has tentatively approved $50,000 to support this project.  

Tracy Roberson reported on Safe Route to School/Walking School Bus. The Walking Bus will be every Tuesday beginning October 8 rain or shine. The first one will be an abbreviated route with breakfast served to walkers at the Elementary School. Word is being spread at school meetings, and there have been sign-ups at the Farmer’s Market. The group is looking for more volunteers to help with the Walking Bus in order to add more routes. Safe Routes is looking for an umbrella sponsor with a 501(c) tax status in order to process monies the group may raise through grants etc.

Tracy also reported that she will be a speaker at the upcoming Transportation Summit, advocating for multi-use bike paths.

Don Jarrell thanked Louisa Nishitani and Ann Jarrell for all their work on the plant list for our website. Louisa provided information on the trees, plants, and shrubs along the various trails, their Latin names, common names and the time of year they bloom. Hikers will soon be able to print out the information from our website, along with the trail map. Due to a major increase in cost, the Trails Committee website will not be as interactive as hoped.

Mike Lazzari reported that he, Steve Ulvi, and David Dehlendorf have been discussing with the Town of Friday Harbor advisory committee the possibility of public access in the Trout Lake watershed. It is hoped that all or some portion could be opened up for public use. The end of September is the deadline to submit our request to the advisory committee. Mike will continue to monitor progress. Susie Dehlendorf has agreed to draft the proposed letter. 

The Trails Committee, under the umbrella of County Parks, will not purchase tools for the Committee from Mark Pierce as previously discussed. Instead, Mark will continue to sell tools directly to members. One Rogue hoe and seven Lambert rakes are still available.

Various members brought up the following items: The appreciation picnic at South Beach given by the Land Bank was well attended. They commended the Trails Committee as one of their greatest supporters; the 1.5 mile loop trial at the Land Bank’s Westside Preserve is complete. The final work party will be Thursday, September 11. A wonderful Internet resource for trail support is www.americantrails.org. The Trails Committee should continue to monitor the progress on the National Park Service’s Cattle Point Road relocation plan on Mt. Finlayson, with a draft of the EIS expected to be ready for release in late October or early November.

The next monthly meeting is at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 8 at Whidbey Island Bank.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:33 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Cinda Pierce, Acting Secretary