San Juan Island Trails Committee 2014 Meeting Minutes
DECEMBER 2014
The Trails Committee meeting for December is cancelled.
Our next meeting will be January 6, 2015. We recently voted to change our meeting time to the first Tuesday of the month at noon, beginning in January. We will continue to meet at the Whidbey Island Bank meeting room, but we are trying this time change to see whether it’s easier for many members to attend.
Happy holidays!
NOVEMBER 5 2014
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at 5 pm at the Whidbey Island Bank meeting room. Those present were Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, David Harsh, Alice Hurd, Mike Lazzari, Tracy Roberson, Bill Severson, Theresa Simendinger, and Karen Vedder. Chair Theresa Simendinger presided. Those present reported 21 hours worked on trails in the past month, and the Roche Harbor volunteers rteported 49.5 hours, for a total of 70.5 hours.
Theresa reported on the State Trails Conference she and Dave Zeretzke attended in Bellingham in October. She was pleased to see the diversity of people attending, in contrast to the Trails conference she attended two years ago, and she was pleased that a good deal of the program involved young people participating in a variety of ways. Mike suggested that we discuss the next Trails conference (two years from now) well in advance and determine what we wish to gain from it.
Bill, representing Dave Zeretzke who could not be present, asked that we re-order this year’s budget to allow more money for advertising and public outreach, and the group agreed. Eileen said that she would also like to have some money set aside for small gifts to those who lead walks for us. Tracy suggested that she talk with Sally Thomsen and perhaps ask FANS to fill this need.
Eileen reported on the Know Your Island Walks and the Know Your Islander Talks. We have had 40 Walks so far over four years. One Walk next year will be to the five Town parks, and one additional Talk will feature Lee Taylor telling about accomplishments in 2014 at the National Park and plans for 2015.
Karen proposed we join with the National Park, the Land Bank, and the Friends of the Library in creating “Poetry Walks” in honor of National Poetry Month in April. The group agreed that we would like to participate.
Theresa announced a Walk/Run on the Roche Harbor Trails this Sunday at 10 am organized by high school juniors Robby Miller and Uma Hu to raise money for orphanages in Russia. There will be a 4-mile walk or run and an 8-mile run. Meet at the sculpture park.
Louise suggested that we write the County Council concerning the selection of a new Public Works Director and emphasize the importance of multi-use roadside trails. Bill will check into this.
Mike was given approval to talk with web designer Tim Dustrude about our web page and come back to the group with some recommendations.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
OCTOBER 15, 2014
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 5 pm at the Whidbey Island Bank meeting room. Members present were Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, David Harsh, Theresa Hill, Mike Lazzari, Kyle Loring, Doug McCutchen, Theresa Simendinger, Sally Thomsen, Steve Ulvi, and Dave Zeretzke. Mike Lazzari presided. Those present reported 24 hours worked on trails since the last meeting, and the Roche Harbor volunteers reported 48 hours, for a total of 72 hours.
Officers elected for the coming year were:
Theresa Simendinger, Chair
Dave Zeretzke, Vice Chair
Louise Dustrude, Secretary
Bill Severson, Treasurer
Mike Lazzari, At Large member
Mike turned the meeting over to the newly elected chair, Theresa Simendinger. She led a discussion of possible changes to the meeting time. The group voted to change to first Tuesdays at noon, beginning in January, and to continue on first Wednesdays at 5 pm for this year. Mike will check on whether this meeting place will be available next year.
Dave Zeretzke reported on the volunteer survey now under way. It has been sent to the Trails email list, and an ad in today’s print Journal on page 10 invites those wishing to volunteer to attend one of two meetings: Monday, October 20 at 1 pm at Islanders Bank, or Monday, October 27, at 6:30 at the Library conference room.
Eileen Drath reported the final Know Your Island Walk of the year will be on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 pm, led by County Engineer Rachel Dietzman. Eileen said she will organize these walks for one more year, and then hopes to turn over that responsibility to another.
Eileen reported on the new Know Your Islanders Talks she is arranging with Bethany von Dassow at the Library. The first talk will be by Bob Anderson, owner of Star Surveying, on Nov. 3, talking about his experience surveying Mount Rainier, and other adventures. She is planning other talks at the library in January through April.
Dave Zeretzke and Theresa Simendinger will represent us at the Washington State Trails Conference in Bellingham this weekend, and will report back at the next meeting. David Harsh asked them to look for films that could be shown here, and for ideas for naming, color-coding, and signing the trails at Mitchell Hill.
Sally Thomsen reported that Island Rec will sponsor a 5K run on October 25 called Monster Dash beginning at the Fairgrounds and including the trail at the Airport.
Doug McCutchen reported that the Land Bank is working on public access and trails on the Beaverton Marsh Preserve and the False Bay Creek Preserve, and he also reported on potential projects of the Land Bank.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met at the National Park office (because of a mix-up with the Whidbey Island Bank community room) at 5 pm on 9-3-14, Bill Severson presiding. Others present were Mike Lazzari, Dave Zeretzke, Eileen Drath, Lee Taylor, Theresa Simendinger, Tracy Roberson, Mikial Denker, Alison Caruso, Sarah Hanson, and Louise Dustrude. Those present reported 36 hours worked on trails, and the Roche Harbor Trails volunteers reported 55, for a total of 91.
There have been some requests that we change the time or day of our meetings, and we will discuss this at the October meeting.
Dave Zeretzke reported that he and Bill had met to discuss volunteer training and coordination (a follow-up to the Trails Retreat last year) and that they plan to survey Trails Committee members (and others) to learn their areas of interest for volunteering, including trail maintenance, trail construction, public information and outreach, planning and governance, leading walks and public events, website design, writing grants, and trail stewardship.
Sarah Hanson, who works with the San Juan Island Conservation Corps (middle school students at present, but probably high school as well later) reported that she has signed up for a booth at the Washington State Trails Coalition Conference in Bellingham in October, and she encourages members of the Trails Committees on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan to put literature in the booth.
Eileen Drath reported that there will probably be a change in leaders and topics for the September and October Know Your Island Walks because Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy (who was to lead the September walk) is resigning at the end of the month. Information will be on our website and also sent to all members.
Bill reported that the nominating committee (himself and Dave Zeretzke) suggests Theresa Simendinger for chair, Dave Zeretzke for vice chair, Louise Dustrude for secretary, and Bill Severson for treasurer. The at-large position has not been filled. We will elect officers at the October meeting. Further nominations may be made from the floor at that time.
Mike Lazzari expressed concern about the fact that the steering committee agreed by email to pay the registration fee ($150) for up to six members to attend the Washington State Trails Coalition Conference. He feels this is an excessive amount of money to spend in relation to the possible benefit to the trail-using public. There was discussion. The next conference, in two years, will be brought up for discussion earlier and at a public Trails meeting.
Eileen reported that she and Bethany von Dassow (head of adult programs at the San Juan Island Library) have set up a program of monthly Know Your Islanders Talks to be at 6:30 pm on the first Monday of every month except summer months.They will be listed on the website.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
AUGUST 6, 2014
Attendees: Lee Taylor, David Harsh, Theresa Simendinger, Cinda Pierce, Mark Pierce, Eileen Drath, Mike Lazzari and Bill Severson
1. Lee Taylor presented the Mitchell Hill signage project with a set of color handouts describing: Information Kiosk to be located at the Horse Trail Road entrance. Sign locations at almost every trail intersection. Each 12 inch square brown sign will have a name and arrow for intersecting trails plus an arrow showing way back to parking lot. Also sign posts on the loop trails with color coded arrows
2. Eileen gave a debrief of the Webb Trail Walk on August 3rd. Over 50 participants, Lee Taylor gave a talk. Erik, the new owner of the Oyster farm, spoke. And goodies were served.
3. Mike Lazzari led a discussion on trail signage design standards.
4. Eileen gave a debrief on the Briggs Lake walk led by Mike Buettell; 17 folks participated and everyone made the 4-mile loop around the newly enlarged lake.
5. Eileen announced the next Know Your Island Walk would be August 23, a discovery walk on the new Peace Trail to be led by Steve Ulvi.
Meeting adjourned so that Lee could attend a National Park Service employee’s going-away party, and some of us headed to the Music on the Lawn event where Island Rec would be celebrating this year’s volunteers.
Service hours for the month = 48, plus 49 reported by the Roche Harbor Trails volunteers. Total = 97
Note taker, Bill Severson
JULY 2, 2014
San Juan Island Trails Committee Minutes – July 2, 2014
The Trails Committee meeting was called to order at 5 pm by the chair, Bill Severson. Others present were Louise Dustrude, Mike Lazzari, Theresa Simendinger, Sally Thomsen, and Dave Zeretzke. Hours reported worked on trails by those present in the past month: 30.
Louise reported on a Seattle Times story on 6-27-14 that said the UW plans to spend $19 million on the Burke-Gilman Trail, widening almost two miles of it to provide separation for bicycles and pedestrians. Dave speculated that the cost must include purchase of land. Theresa pointed out how neighbors who at first opposed the trail now offer it as an amenity when listing their homes for sale, and Mike said he had collected House for Sale ads in the Journal for some time that mentioned closeness to trails on the island.
Bill asked for reports from the three teams formed at the Trails Retreat last year: (1) Volunteers (Dave, Bill, Sally, and Rik Karon), (2) Public Outreach (Theresa, Bill, and Louise), and (3) Programs (Mike, Eileen Drath, Leslie Viers, and Dave Harsh). The Volunteers team will meet Thursday morning at 9:30 at the Island Rec office. Theresa led discussion of finding a student to do a Facebook page for us. Mike asked that someone else chair the Programs team, and Bill will follow up.
Theresa asked for support for a Pedestrian (or Horse) Crossing sign on West Valley Road where a blind spot due to a hill makes for treacherous crossing. It was agreed unanimously to support her in this, and she will approach Public Works again.
Bill reported an email from Eileen asking for $125 from the committee to pay for refreshments for the August 3 hike from English Camp to the Westcott Bay property, led by Lee Taylor. After discussion, it was unanimous that this is not a good use of public funds and that a Snack Potluck or Dessert Potluck approach is better.
Sally asked for volunteers to walk in the 4th of July Parade with Island Rec. She said Island Rec will go for a new levy, probably in February 2015. She said her board was willing to take on the ballfields, as requested by the school district, (1) if the fields are brought up to a standard that can be maintained and (2) if the voters support the idea.
She said there is a vacancy on the IR board, open to anyone 18 years old and a registered voter on the island. She circulated a sign-up sheet for working in the IR Fair booth.
The state Trails conference will be in Bellingham this year October 16-18. There is usually reimbursement to anyone who attends for a portion of the registration fee — which is $200 this year. Dave, Theresa, and Louise expressed interest in going, and others are encouraged to go.
Bill will name a nominating committee for officers for next year.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
JUNE 4, 2014
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met on Wednesday, June 4, at the Whidbey Island Bank community meeting room. Chair Bill Severson presided, and others present were Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, Lowell Jons (a new employee at Island Rec), Mike Lazzari, Kyle Loring, Lee Taylor, and Sally Thomsen. The total hours reported as worked on trails this month were 30, plus 42 reported by volunteers at the Roche Harbor Trails.
Lee Taylor, superintendent of the National Park, reported that the Park has been given some money by the National Parks Conservation Association and it will be used for low-profile directional signs in the Mitchell Hill area of the Park. She will welcome suggestions. Send her an email at Lee_Taylor@nps.gov if you’re interested in helping.
Eileen Drath reported on plans for a celebration on Sunday afternoon, August 3 — another walk from English Camp to Westcott Bay led by Lee Taylor, since the walk she led in January took place in heavy rain and a number of people said they would have come but thought it was probably canceled (it wasn’t and 16 did show up). For this occasion people will be encouraged to bring their own snacks, park at English Camp, and walk to Webb Camp at Westcott Bay; and then walk back. There will be transportation for those who can’t walk that mile-long trail.
Sally Thomsen, Island Rec director, reported that Island Rec is celebrating “30 years of People, Parks, Programs, and Trails.” We are all encouraged to join them in the Fourth of July parade — walking or riding horses or bikes. We’re also invited to help with their Fair booth, planning and/or working a shift. She said Island Rec will probably go for a six-year levy in November; the current levy expires in 2015. She said Island Rec has agreed to take on the maintenance and operation of the school district’s ballfields on Carter Avenue IF the public wants it to and will support it financially. She said current plans include three ballfields, for boys’ soccer and girls’ soccer and football, and a perimeter trail 8 feet wide paved with limestone.
The chair reminded everyone of the grand opening of the Hospital Trail on Saturday at 1 pm, starting near the orchard at the Peace Island Medical Center, and of two work parties before then, on Thursday from 1 to 3 and Friday from 9 to 11.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
MAY 7, 2014
Trails Committee Minutes – May 7, 2014
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met May 7, 2014, at the Whidbey Island Bank community room. The meeting was called to order at 5 pm by the chair, Bill Severson. Others present were Louise Dustrude, Farhad Ghatan, David Harsh, Rik Karon, Kyle Loring, and Cinda Pierce.
Volunteer hours in support of trails reported by those present: 31. In addition Roche Harbor volunteers reported 6 for March and 22 for April. Total: 59.
Farhad Ghatan, a member of the Town Council, reported plans for a trail between Spring Street and the post office following the granting of a 5-foot easement by the Browne brothers along the edge of their empty property on Spring Street, which will connect with land owned by the Town connecting to Ellsworth Avenue. The Town will discuss naming its property a public park at the next meeting of the Town Council, and then will create the trail. The Committee agreed unanimously to offer design and maintenance assistance for the new trail (but specifically did not commit to mowing).
Rik Karon reported that the second puncheon has been completed on the English Camp trail to Westcott Bay. He reminded the group that two other puncheons were previously built on Mitchell Hill by volunteers from the Trails Committee and the Park Service, and especially commended Mark Hetrick, Mike Lazzari, Lars Sjoholm, David Harsh, and Steve Ray for this work. He also commended several high school students who have worked on these trails for their senior projects.
Rik said Scoutmaster Chris Halleck would like help re-routing a trail that goes from the Mitchell Hill property onto Boy Scout property so that it avoids the main camping area. Rik suggested that Park employees could flag such a trail, and he and others from the Trails Committee would work to clear it.
Cinda Pierce reported that 12 people showed up for the recent work party on the Hospital Trail, and that the Grand Opening will be June 7th at 11 am. The trail is nearly completed but there will be one more work party before the opening, and Mark Pierce will be installing benches before then. Carolyn Haugen has donated a Peace Pole similar to one she donated to the elementary school.
Cinda asked for $100 to purchase a few more signs for the Barracks to Boats Trail (English Camp to Roche Harbor Resort). It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to approve this expenditure.
She also reported that Jesse Douglas-Seitz at Public Works has encouraged us to put in applications for improvements to trails before the end of May. Check their website for details. Cinda put one in last year for an ADA trail around the corner property at Cattle Point Road and Golf Course Road (part of the American Camp Trail), and she understands that will be built soon.
Bill Severson reminded the group of the three work groups that were set up at last year’s retreat:
1) volunteer training coordination: Dave Zeretzke, Bill Severson, Rik Karon, and Sally Thomsen. Rik reminded the group that Sally had suggested a paid employee of Island Rec might handle this.
2) public outreach: Theresa Simendinger, Louise Dustrude, Bill Severson, and Norris Palmer. This group suggested a volunteer public relations leader (Theresa volunteered), four special meetings a year, including the spring potluck, and a monthly newsletter.
3) strengthening programs and policies: Eileen Drath, Leslie Viers, Mike Lazzari, and Dave Harsh.
Kyle Loring reported that Mike Lazzari had wanted to buy a GIS program for his computer. He said the FANS group (Family and Neighbors Support Island Rec) has voted to give Mike $100 for a one-year license of a home version of GIS.
Louise spoke of the plaque given the Trails Committee by Feet First in Seattle for our Know Your Island Walks, created by Eileen Drath. The group agreed that we should try to put the plaque on display at either the Library or the Island Rec office.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
APRIL 2014
The meeting of the San Juan Island Trails Committee, normally set for the first Wednesday of every month, has been CANCELED.
The Committee has been nominated for an award by Feet First in Seattle because of our Know Your Island Walks. Eileen Drath, who originated the idea and continues to organize these walks, along with chair Bill Severson and others, will be at the awards ceremony Thursday morning. Their absence, along with several others, means a lack of quorum for the Trails meeting.
We’ll see you in May.
MARCH 5, 2014
Trails Committee Minutes, Wed. March 5, 2014
Present: Eileen Drath, David Harsh, Don and Ann Jarrell, Mike Lazzari, Bill Severson, Theresa Simendinger.
Hours reported by those present, 30, plus 6 hours reported by the Roche Harbor Resort volunteers.
The meeting was called to order by chair, Bill Severson. Bill reported on the public Works Open House where there is great interest in Trails from the Economic Development Commission and Public Works.
Report from the Public Relations Team: Theresa Simendinger has put up 40 posters around town to publicize the March 12th Potluck. Flyers have been sent to a number of folks, as well.
Public Outreach team is led by Dave Zeretzke who is out of commission for two months while his replaced hip heals.
Programs Team: Mike Lazzari, Leslie Veirs, David Harsh and Eileen Drath. Eileen reported on plans for the Feet First, A Walkable Washington symposium to be held at Pike Place Market in Seattle on April 3, 2014. Bill Severson, Leslie Veirs, Eileen Drath, and Pat Moses from Bellingahm, will attend. A short presentation will be given by Eileen. Eileen also reported on a very successful Know Your Island Walk with Superintendent Lee Taylor of the National Historical Park on Sat. Feb. 22. Sixteen people attended, even though the weather was rainy and cold.
Mike Lazzari discussed the mapping project for trails. Allan McCory, the National Park Trail mapper plans to be on San Juan Island and walk all the trails. This is part of the planning process for Mitchell Hill.
There is good work being done by two 11th graders from Friday Harbor High School.
Mike Lazzari is following up to make sure that each island trail has someone to care for it. So far, it looks like this:
Town Core and Jackson Beach: Bill Severson.
Airport and Hospital Trails: Don Jarrell.
Mitchell Hill and Roche Harbor Highlands: Theresa Simendinger.
Westside: Karen Vedder.
Cross-Island: Mike Lazzari.
Roche Harbor and the Highlands: Mike and Sue Buettell.
The March 12th Potluck at the Grange is in good order. Alice Hurd, Louise Dustrude, Theresa Simendinger and Eileen Drath have been meeting and working on the details. Karen Vedder agreed to do the program, a slide show telling about the cycling trip by four local people who traveled from the most southern tip of England to the most northern tip of Scotland. This is bringing lots of interest from people who hope to attend.
Respectfully submitted, Eileen Drath, Acting Secretary
FEBRUARY 19, 2014
San Juan Island Trails Committee. Minutes of 2/19/14 meeting:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 by the chair, Bill Severson. Others present were Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, Farhad Ghatan, Alice Hurd, Mike Lazzari, Kyle Loring, Theresa Simendinger, Sally Thomsen, Karen Vedder, and Dave Zeretzke. Those present reported a total of 50 hours worked on trails in the past month, and the Roche Harbor Trails volunteers reported 3 hours, for a total of 53.
Three teams were formed at the Trails Retreat on Feb. 8:
1) Bill Severson reported for the Public Outreach Team (himself, Theresa Simendinger, Louise Dustrude, and Norris Palmer) that Theresa has agreed to be the public relations leader; and the team recommends following the Retreat suggestion for just one working meeting a month, on the first Wednesday, and four special events a year on varying days and times of day.
2) Dave Zeretzke will chair the Volunteer Coordination Team and members are Bill Severson, Rik Karon, and Sally Thomsen.
3) Mike Lazzari will chair the Strengthening Programs and Policies Team and members are Eileen Drath, Leslie Veirs, and Dave Harsh.
The annual spring potluck will be Wednesday, March 12, 5:30-7:30 at the Grange. Karen Vedder will be the featured speaker, talking about a recent bicycle trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats and how it came to be that hiking and bicycling are so well provided for in England and Scotland.
Farhad Ghatan is the new representative of the Town Council to the Trails Committee. He reported that the Town had a retreat on Feb. 8 and agreed to “look favorably on more trails in town.” He said they are in negotiations now for a trail from Spring Street near the former Browne Lumber to the post office and Blair Avenue. He said the vacant property across from the sewage treatment plant will become a public park.
The three county Trails committees have been asked to make a presentation on March 19 or 20 to the Terrestrial Managers Workshop at the Grange, and Dave Zeretzke agreed to represent us at that.
Eileen reported that we have been asked to make a presentation about the Know Your Island Walks at the Feet First conference at Pike Place Market in Seattle on Thursday, April 3. She will do so. Bill will attend, and perhaps others. The committee voted unanimously to pay the $40 fee for those who wish to go.
Mike encouraged others to help him in GPS’ing trails in the Mitchell Hill and Briggs Lake areas, and offered to help. He also reported that two high school students, Oliver Webb and Cassidy Quigley, are doing good work on the Westcott Bay Trail.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary
JANUARY 2014
San Juan Island Trails Committee. Minutes of 1/15/14 meeting.
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met January 15, 2014, at 5 pm at the Whidbey Island Bank. Present were chair Bill Severson, Kate Balmer, Mikial Denker, Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, Thor Hanson, Mike Lazzari, Tracy Roberson, Theresa Simendinger, Karen Vedder, and Dave Zeretzke.
Volunteer hours reported since last meeting were 27 from those present; in addition, the Roche Harbor volunteers reported 5 hours for the past month and 8 hours for the previous month (not previously reported here).
Bill Severson told the group that the retreat, Rejuvenating the Trails Committee, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the former Webb house in the new addition to English Camp. The group decided we would meet from 10 to noon, break for a potluck lunch, and continue after lunch for a couple of hours. Anyone interested is welcome.
The annual spring potluck will be March 19, probably at either the Grange or the Brickworks. Eileen, Alice Hurd, Theresa, and Louise will get together to make plans.
Bill reported that county public works director Frank Mulcahy had called him and they had met to discuss how Public Works can help with bike trails in the county. This will be a topic of discussion at the retreat.
Eileen has the Know Your Island Walks planned for the coming year, and Mike will put them on the website. The first one is Saturday, Jan. 25, 1-4 pm at American Camp. This is Eileen’s fourth year of planning these informative walks. The Trails Committee received an email today from Feet First, a statewide organization that promotes walking, telling us that they would like to highlight our KYI Walks on their website, and as a case study and synposium award nominee at their inaugural Walkable Washington Symposium and Recognition event on April 3 at Pike PlaceMarket. Bill will respond.
Karen is following a case which was argued yesterday before the U.S. Supreme Court which has the potential to end the common policy of converting disused railroad rights of way into trails, but instead returning the affected land to the adjoining property owners. This has enormous potential for eliminating trails all over the country. She will continue to monitor the case.
Mike asked those who would like to GPS trails on the island to correct any errors on the maps, to meet next Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at the library. Several volunteered. Mike, Tracy, and Karen are taking a GIS class from Raena Parsons of the National Park, and left at 6 pm for that class.
Thor Hansen presented information and maps about a potential trail he and his wife Eliza Habegger are offering on their property to the Land Bank, to connect with our American Camp Trail (between American Camp and Friday Harbor). The potential trail could ultimately lead west and north from the Fraser Homestead property depending on the willingness of other landowners to offer easements. (This possibility is on the Land Bank’s agenda on Friday, Jan. 17, at approximately 10:00 or 10:30.)
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Secretary