Present
Anita Barreca, Sue Buettell, David Dehlendorf, Eileen Drath, Louise Dustrude, Rick Exstrom, David Harsh, Liz Illg, Jill Johnson, Loren Johnson, Rick Keefe, Mike Lazzari, Peter Morrison, Cinda Pierce, Mark Pierce, Howie Rosenfeld, Sally Thomsen, Steve Ulvi, Leslie Veirs.
Notices
1. Next steering committee meeting – Wednesday, October 7 at 5:00 pm at library. All members welcome.
2. Next regular monthly meeting – Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 pm in the community room at Whidbey Island Bank.
3. Next bike sub-committee meeting – Monday, October 19 at 5:00 pm at Whidbey Island Bank.
Volunteer Hours Since Last Meeting:
September Steering Committee 18
38 Today’s meeting 38
Bike Sub-Committee 0
Work Parties* 0
Roche Harbor Stewardship Group (July and August) 100
Other volunteer hours 133
Total Hours 289
*All work parties for the month were on Land Bank property. The correspond volunteer hours are reported by the Land Bank directly for L&I purposes.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson David Dehlendorf at 5 pm. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved as circulated by email.
Trail Tale
Loren Johnson reported that the Centennial Beach Court Trail neighbors were not originally excited about the trail project, but while he was working on the trail recently, a passersby asked if a certain nearby property allowed crabbing on their property, which he said was not the case. The neighbor now is happy that the trail helps with neighborhood watch!
Vote on Nominees for Steering Committee for 2010
The nominees were:
Chair Cinda Pierce
Vice Chair Dick Keefe
Secretary Jill Johnson
Treasurer Liz Illg
At Large Mike Lazzari
Sue Buettell moved to approve the slate; the motion was seconded. The new Steering Committee was unanimously voted in for 2010.
Change in Steering Committee Meeting Time
The new meeting time starting October 7 is 5 pm. There is no change in the location (the library).
Status of Bicycle Sub-Committee
The meetings will now be quarterly, with the next meeting on October 19. The group would like to be more involved with the Trails Committee and may decide on October 19 to merge back into our committee and no longer be a sub-committee. Glenn Gullickson is working to create a public advocacy group for bicycling and appeared at a recent county council meeting. He will present more information at the next county council meeting about biking options focused on safety for Tucker Ave. Glenn will be biking across the country and will sharing his experiences on CrazyGuyonBike.com
Fence Work Parties at Frazer Homestead Preserve
Weekly work parties continue tomorrow (September 10) at the Land Bank’s Frazer property on Cattle Point Rd. on the fence for the new trail connecting to American Camp. This is a difficult work project that a core group of 6-8 volunteers have been working on under the leadership of Phil Schober. The fence is expected to be completed by October 31.
Weekly Work Parties at American Camp
David Harsh reported that from 9 am to 12 noon on Thursday, September 17, there will be a series of weekly work parties on a new trail at American Camp. There will be an email in the next few days to confirm the date and time. The National Park Service has approved the new connector trail to be worked on between the Land Bank’s Frazer property on Cattle Point Rd. and the visitor center at American Camp. The trail will be a ‘rustic’ pedestrian trail. To increase participation in work parties, a suggestion was made to schedule some of these parties for the weekends to include people who work during the week. This will be up to the NPS.
The NPS has also approved the new connector trail between the parking area at the intersection of Roche Harbor Rd./West Valley Rd. and English Camp. However, Peter Dederich would like our volunteers to focus first on building the American Camp connector trail, so work on the English Camp connector trail will probabaly not start for a few months.
Mitchell Hill Hike
Dick Keefe will lead the Friday Walkers on a walk on September 11 in the Mitchell Hill area. Interested people should plan to meet at 9:45 am at the English Camp parking lot from which participants will carpool to the trailhead. The hike will be approximately 3 miles (2 hours).
Island Rec Article
There is an article on the Trails Committee, the Centennial Beach Court Trail, and our recent trail building workshop in Island Rec’s new autumn/winter program guide. Sally Thomsen was thanked for including our committee in the publication.
November 3 Ballot Measure to Renew Island Rec’s Levy
Sally Thomsen, director of the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District (Island Rec), explained that Island Rec was created in 1984. It has been celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer, including a Cake Decorating Contest on July 29. Cinda Pierce’s “Trail” cake won in the adult division.
Trails Committee volunteers are invited to an ice cream social at 3 pm on Saturday, September 12 at the fairgrounds to recognize volunteers for their work and to award outstanding volunteers. This is an annual event.
Sally reviewed the purpose and operations of Island Rec, which funds its operations through a levy of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of all real estate on San Juan Island. Island Rec’s levies, limited to a maximum of 60 cents, are for six years, with a vote (60% approval) required to renew and/or increase the levy. The current 10 cents levy has been constant since 1999, with expiration of the current six-year levy in November 2010. Instead of waiting until November 2010, however, there will be a levy measure on the November 2009 ballot which if approved would increase the levy to 17 cents for six years, including 10 cents to renew the existing levy and 7 cents to fund high school and middle school athletics on San Juan Island only. Because of recent budget cuts that led to the cancellation of all San Juan Island sports effective January 2010, the school district asked Island Rec if it could legally fund the athletic program through an increase in its levy approved by voters. A Seattle law firm contracted to determine the legality of this idea determined that the proposal is legal. Island Rec feels the best way to serve the youth of our island is to provide a sports program after school. A 60% majority is required for the measure to pass. If the levy fails in November 20009, Island Rec still has one year left on its existing 10 cents levy, with a new 10 cents levy proposal expected to be on the ballot in November 2010.
Sally reported that a 60 cents per $1,000 bond from the late 1990s to renovate the San Juan Island middle school and high school will be fully amortized later this year. The resulting reduction in property taxes would far exceed the amount of the proposed 7 cents levy to fund school sports.
Island Rec’s autumn/winter program guide has a review of the proposed levy. Also, www.IslandRec.org has information on the levy. Volunteers can call Sally at 378-4953 or email her at her at play@islandrec.org.
Monthly Social Hikes
We are looking for a volunteer to organize and coordinate periodic social hikes. Alice Hurd has volunteered to lead a walk in November. A suggestion was made to have ‘themed’ walks, such as “historic” walks. Interested volunteers should contact Cinda Pierce or email sjitrails@rockisland.com.
Treasurer’s Report
Rick Exstrom reported on the committee’s $2,043 in year-to-date expenditures:
• Equipment rentals – $253
• Trail building workshop – $158
• Website management – $783
• Trail plans and other printing – $364
• Stamps and supplies – $100
• CPR/first aid classes – $90
• Rental of Grange hall for annual potluck – $175
• L & I insurance – $120
• Total expenditures – $2,043. Our budget for the entire year is $4,100. Last year we spent about $2,700.
It was agreed that, to the extent permitted by our budget, we would focus in the next four months of the year on updating our website to make it more interactive.
There was discussion of our proposed 2010 budget for $4,500, which will be submitted next week to Island Rec. The proposed budget was emailed last week to all Trails Committee members. Funding ($750) is in the budget for sending 1-2 representatives to the biannual conference of the Washington State Trails Coalition in Tacoma in fall 2010. Jill Johnson moved to approve the budget, Louise Dustrude seconded, and all present voted to approve its submission to Island Rec. Final vote on the budget proposal will be at Island Rec’s board meeting in October or November.
Project Updates
The names of the proposed project managers for each trail are listed below. These managers will be confirmed at a later date by the new steering committee taking office on October 1.
a. Cattle Point Rd. Trail/Airport Trail – Cinda Pierce, Mark Pierce, and Don Jarrell Lincoln Bormann has signed the first two trail easements, which will be presented to the Land Bank Commission for approval on September 11. They then go to the County Council for final approval on September 28. Work is continuing on the other required easements.
Progress has been made on the multi-use, 8’ wide Golf Course Road Trail. The trail corridor has been surveyed by Public Works, who expects to build it in the next few weeks. This trail will cut off the bulge in Golf Course Rd., greatly improving safety for walkers and bikers, and be a pleasant walk.
Cinda and David, and Doug McCutchen of the Land Bank, met last week with Peter Dederich of the NPS to discuss the $25,000 challenge share grant for this project. It was determined that between our committee and the Land Bank, we now have sufficient volunteer hours for the entire grant to be. As the Trails Committee does not have any immediate use for the funds before the September 30 deadline, the Land Bank will be the beneficiary of the entire $25,000, which it will use to reimburse itself for its out-of-pocket expenditures on fencing, gravel, contractors, etc. on the trail segment on its Frazer property. (Peter told the committee that he expects that the NPS will provide our committee with funding from other sources at a later date for signage for the entire trail.) The committee thanked the many volunteers who worked on this project, as well as the Land Bank for developing the portion of the trail on its Frazer property.
b. English Camp Connector Trail – Louise Dustrude and Dick Keefe The trail begins at the parking area at the corner of Roche Harbor Rd. and West Valley Rd. and ends at the parade grounds at English Camp. The trail will be close to West Valley Rd. and will provide a shorter, less challenging connection to English Camp than the existing route over Young Hill. The northern section of the trail, known as the Boy Scout Trail, already exists. Construction of the southern segment is expected to begin in November or December once the
connector trail at American Camp, a higher priority for the NPS, is completed. The southern section will be relatively easy to build except for a short segment over a rock outcropping.
c. Centennial Beach Court Trail – Loren Johnson and Jill Johnson This trail behind the community theatre is finished except for permanent signage expected to be provided by the Town of Friday Harbor. (Loren has installed temporary signage.) Liz Illg will
discuss the proposed signage with the town administrator. There was discussion of a possible trail connection further north to Friday Harbor Labs, although it is expected to be difficult to obtain access through several private properties along the route.
d. Park to Park Trail – David Dehlendorf and Dick Keefe
This project is on hold waiting for Public Works to develop a new trail standards policy which may include ADA requirements. If it does, the project may not go forward. Dick Keefe is interested is developing the trail as a bicycle corridor as this is a bicycle safety hazard zone.
e. Jackson Beach Trail – Louise Dustrude and David Dehlendorf
The committee will continue conversations with Larry Soll and others from the Home Trust about the northern segment of this trail through the Home Trust and Buck properties from Grover St. to
the gravel pit. The Home Trust will include a trail in its first phase near Sunday Dr. However, the segment on its second phase project near Turn Point Rd. will probably have to wait until Public Works builds the proposed new Turn Point Rd./Pear Point Rd. connector road, which is in its 6-year road plan for 2012.
f. Valley View Trail – David Dehlendorf and Loren Johnson
This multi-use trail would connect town with the southwest corner of the Land Bank’s Sundstrom property at the corner of San Juan Valley Rd. and Douglas Rd. The Land Bank is agreeable in principle to building a trail to the viewpoint at the SW corner of their property. Several private trail easements would be required if the trail is to be built away from San Juan Valley Rd. The developers of the new community hospital project have indicated willingness to build a trail connection on their property located on the southwest corner of San Juan Valley Rd. and Franklin Dr.
g. Valley Farm Trail (fka Pipeline Trail) – Mike Lazzari and Steve Ulvi
This multi-use trail would connect the Valley View Trail across San Juan Valley to Wold Rd. We are waiting for the engineering firm contracted by the Town to design the new pipeline to determine its route, which is expected to be either under the road or close to it. Once the pipeline route is determined, we will continue efforts to convince the Town and Public Works to collaborate with our committee on this trail project. We remain in contact with Star Surveying who has been hired to survey the route. Liz Illg will also share any information when it is presented to the Town Council.
h. Ball Fields Perimeter Trail – Jody Burns
Loren Johnson reported volunteers have worked on the rest room building. Jody was not at the meeting, so there was no other news to report.
i. Mitchell Hill Trails – Dick Keefe and Steve Ulvi
Once Congress passes the 2010 budget, assuming there is no change to the appropriation for the acquisition, transfer of the property to the NPS is expected to move forward quickly. In the meantime, we will remain in contact with Peter Dederich of the NPS in an effort to assure that trails on the property remain open for not only walkers, but also for mountain bikers and horseback riders.
j. Cross Island Trail – David Dehlendorf and Dick Keefe
Connects Mitchell Hill with Three Corner Lake Rd. and/or Egg Lake Rd. There was no progress to report on the private trail easements or other possible forms of public access necessary to make this trail a reality.
k. Roche Harbor Resort Trails – Sue Buettell and David Dehlendorf
The stewardship group maintaining these trails continues to be active. There was no other news to report.
l. Roche Harbor Highlands – David Dehlendorf and Robin Donnelly
No news to report.
m. Trout Lake Watershed – Mike Lazzari and Steve Ulvi
There was no news to report on the committee’s efforts to have this property opened up for public access by its owner, the Town of Friday Harbor. Continued conversations with elected officials was encouraged.
n. Other Land Bank trail projects – Cinda Pierce and David Dehlendorf
We will continue to explore new trail opportunities with the Land Bank. Possibilities in 2010 include a trail in the Beaverton marsh area north of town on the west side of Roche Harbor Rd.
Update of Existing San Juan County Parks, Recreation, and Preserved Lands Plan Loren Johnson and Dave Jenkins have volunteered to coordinate our input for the plan update with the Land Bank, Public Works, and County Parks. We are trying to advance our focus on developing trail and bicycle access. Loren, Cinda Pierce and David Dehlendorf recently met with the consultant working on the plan update, which will take 6-12 months to complete. There will be a countywide survey and we are working with the consultant to assure that trail specific questions are included. There will also be at least two public meetings on the update on San Juan Island. Significance is that the County must have an updated plan to qualify for State recreation funds.
Website Management
Ann Jarrell, Jill Johnson, and Rick Exstrom recently began training by Island Rec staff in order to learn how to manage our website, thereby saving the committee fees currently paid to a third party for this purpose. The first tasks they will perform are posting our minutes and routine announcements. Enhancements to our website may come later.
Other
Cinda Pierce presented a gift from the outgoing Steering Committee to David Dehlendorf for his time, effort and commitment to the Trails Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 6:51 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Buettell
Secretary