October 1, 2008 Community Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting Notes     Draft

CAC Member attendance: Joseph Murray (CAC Chair), Ted Muralt (CAC Secretary-Webmaster), Mike Doherty (County Commissioner).
Guest attendance: Sasha Medlen (West End Consulting – CAT coordinator), Diana Goplen (CAT Tourism), Clea Rome (NOP RC&D), Linty Hopie (Peninsula College Entrepreneur Institute), Royce Rotmark (Habitat for Humanity), Susan Bauer (Peninsula Development Association), Linda Rotmark (Clallam EDC)

Chair Joe Murray convened the meeting at 3:30 PM. The Agenda was approved as presented except for the “County Zoning Changes” because Steve Gray was not in attendance.
Agenda was as follows:
1    Economic Development Council (EDC) Update
2    American Planning Association Trip in October & Proposal for Future Assistance
3    Library Opening
4    Slip Point Lease Renewal and Transfer Status
5    Update on WRIA 19
6    Update on Lake Ozette Recovery Plan
7    New Business

Introductions of each person in attendance were made around the table along with a brief description of their areas of interest and/or job.

Joe Murray introduced himself as being a forester (M&R) and was the chair of the Clallam Bay – Sekiu Community Advisory Council (CAC). He described the purpose of the CAC Council (primarily, interfacing between the community and the county). Joe’s email is abies@olypen.com

Diana Goplen introduced herself as a community member who (along with her sister, Sue Heiny) owns an art gallery in Clallam Bay.  Diana (and Sue) has an avid interest in most all the CAT activities especially the Tourism Committee.  Diana’s email is sgoplen@centurytel.net

Sasha Medlen (a.k.a. Sasha Sicks, before recent marriage) introduced herself as the Community Action Team (CAT) project coordinator working on a 2 year $50,000 USDA grant, funded through the Clallam EDC. The CAT web site is http://cbsekiucats.com/default.aspx and Sasha’s email is westendconsulting@centurytel.net

Ted Muralt introduce himself as the owner of a mobile home park in Clallam Bay, and is the note taker (secretary) and web master for the CAC. The CAC web site is http://www.clallambay.net/cac and Ted’s email is ted@clallambay.net

Clea Rome introduced herself as being a coordinator from the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council (NOP RC&D). The NOP RC&D is a 50 1(c) (3), not-for-profit, non-government organization that addresses natural resource conservation, economic and community development issues. The NOP RC&D area encompasses both Jefferson and Clallam counties and includes representation from county and city governments, tribes, ports and other economic development and conservation entities. The Mission Statement of the NOP RC&D Council is “To bring people and resources together to measurably enhance community vitality and our natural environment for present and future generations.”  Clea’s email is Clea.rome@wa.usda.gov
Clea said that they are involved with several grants for this area and mentioned the following current projects:
1    A 3 year grant to use NASA technology (with Battelle) to support North Olympic Peninsula schools, PUD, county, city, tribes and other agencies. The technology will support monitoring stream flow to help determine fish restoration, ice melt models and other factors, but primarily for supporting the Elwa river dam removal project. This grant is used in conjunction with the peninsula college students and facilities to develop, establish and support databases. NASA Web site is http://wmp.gsfc.nasa.gov/projects/project_SolutionsNet_NOlympic.php
2. Supported the Clallam Bay Library expansion project by helping to get a Paul Allen foundation grant.

Linty Hopie introduced herself as being a coordinator for the Peninsula College Entrepreneur Institute (PCEI). She said the Entrepreneur Institute provides timely and relevant entrepreneurial education that helps people and businesses grow. Through education, the Institute promotes the awareness of entrepreneurship as a career, helps new and existing businesses to prosper, and contributes, promotes and encourages economic growth on the North Olympic Peninsula. They are located at the Lincoln Training Center and work in conjunction with the Center. The web site is: http://www.pceinstitute.com and Linty’s email is lintyh@pcadmin.ctc.edu

Royce Rotmark introduced himself as the Executive Director for the Habitat for Humanity in Clallam County. The Habitat, in conjunction with all segments of our community, provide a hand-up, not a hand-out, to working level families with limited financial means to attain the American dream of a home of their own. The Habitat will also provide families with an opportunity to not only improve their life skills in basic financial management and home maintenance, but to become more contributing members of the community through their service to others.  Royce said that they have completed a house in Forks.  Habitat is restructuring their building plan (concept) to get more financing from the potential homeowners, but still using volunteer labor.  Habitat plans to try the new concept as a pilot program on the West End. The web site is: http://www.habitat.org (then type in area code 98362 for Clallam) and Royce’s email is dvhfh@olypen.com

Susan Bauer introduced herself as a Coordinator for the Peninsula Development Association (PDA). The Association was founded in 1984 as a regional economic development organization. The PDA’s main objective is to foster a cooperative effort in supporting and implementing regional programs and projects. The PDA is comprised of representatives of Jefferson and Clallam counties, cities, tribal communities, and representatives’ at-large of employment, education and labor. Susan said that some of the regional support could be for the ailing swimming pools in the various locals (Forks, PA, etc.).  The PDA web site is: ourpda.wordpress.com and Susan’s email is peninsula.development.assoc@gmail.com

Linda Rotmark introduced herself as the Executive Director of the Clallam Economic Development Council (EDC).  The EDC Works to create a positive environment for business development, job creation, and community wealth. The EDC web site is http://www.clallam.org and Linda’s email is lrotmark@clallam.org.

Mike Doherty introduced himself as a Clallam county commissioner whose coverage area includes the West End of the county and is the county contact person on the CAC. Mike’s email is MDoherty@co.clallam.wa.us. The county web site is http://www.clallam.net.

***********************************Agenda item discussions******************************
Item 1.    The first agenda item (EDC update) was addressed by Linda Rotmark. She said that the EDC had several new tools to measure grant processing. These tools and sophisticated demographics available assist businesses in making good decisions. Also, we have GrantStation (http://www.grantstation.com/) available for non-profits at highest tier of information in addition to Western Washington University technology and databases. The EDC works in conjunction with the PDA, NOP RC&D and the PCEI to serve the entire county’s business sector through networking, regional committee and board participation, state and federal programs.

Item 2.    Sasha addressed the American Planning Association (APA) Trip in October & Proposal for Future Assistance agenda item. She said the CAT had worked on, and received a grant for support from the American Planning Association. The association is scheduled to come to the Clallam Bay and Sekiu area (tentatively Oct 29) to assess the possibilities for landscaping improvements, (and possibly local road and buildings improvements). Sasha said that Steve Gray (County Senior Planning Manager) would be in attendance. Mike Doherty suggested that Rich James (County Transportation Program Manager) could contribute greatly for insights on landscaping, etc. Sasha said she would extend the invitation to Rich James as well. Sasha had a list of affected landowners along the strip and would alert them to the event and ask for their attendance.  She indicated that if the visit with the APA walk through went well and the town was able to incorporate their suggestions, the APA might schedule a return trip in the spring some time for additional expansion of ideas and suggestions. The APA indicated that they would like to see a support letter from the CAC to identified effort and goals for the return spring visit.  Mike Doherty suggested that we also get a letter from the Chamber. Sasha said that she already had a letter from the chamber and that the APA expressed a desire for the CAC letter.

Item 3    The local library improvement was heralded spectacular by all in attendance. The local Clallam Bay Friends of the Library group was given the recognition of being the main supporter and organizer of attaining the funding, bolstered by a $100,000 contribution (with 2 year time constraint) from Lee J Nutter (former CEO of a forestry company and old time resident of the Clallam Bay community). It was agreed that the library expansion (from 1200 square feet to over 3 times that size) is now a jewel in the rough and could serve as a cornerstone for future development/beautification. The total expenditures were gathered from several sources including matching funds.
More details are shown in the NOL Web page at  http://www.nols.org/cb/CB_Building/

Donors:
Clallam Bay Friends of the Library First Federal Bank
Benjamin Phillips Trust Lee J Nutter
Paul G Allen Family Foundation Clallam Bay/Sekiu Lions Club
Clallam Bay/Sekiu Chamber Wal-Mart Corporation
Anonymous Donor Peninsula College (In-kind donation of shelving and furniture)
Many Generous Donors
Project Cost: $460,774

Item 4.    Sasha and Diana said that the CAT Tourism Committee, and the community as a whole, has had a lot of interest in using the Slip Point Property as the hub for local activities and tourism attractions. The CAT Tourism Committee is mapping out a set of trail maps and plans for biking and hiking. The trail systems they are mapping include the old railroad bed, along the Strait, out of Olson’s resort, to Eagle point. That property is owned by 5 property owners (including Green Crow, Rayonier, etc.) and should be relatively easy to acquire and would be relatively easy to develop.  The other trail, being considered, is from Clallam Bay to the spring tavern and would require a little more development and easement consideration.
The CAT and would like to include the Slip Point property for long range considerations and knew that Mike Doherty has had several years of working with the tribes and the government to transfer the property from the Coast Guard to the county.  Sasha and Diana presented a letter to the CAC (and Mike Doherty) at the meeting defining community usage intent for the property and the communities desire to identify a time line for the turnover from the Coast Guard to the county and a list of steps to accomplish the turnover. Mike said that he has, indeed, been working on the turnover for several years and had recently (within the last couple weeks) been in contact with a Coast Guard representative who was to ‘get back’ with Mike with the steps required to complete the transfer. Mike pointed out that Sue Heiny and Diana had also been in contact with the same person and knew of some of the complexities involve with completing the transfer. The letter is included as an attachment to these minutes and the reference to the Catalog Federal Domestic Assistance, 39.002 Disposal of Federal Surplus Real Property is found on the government web site at http://www.cfda.gov/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=39.002.
Mike pointed out some of the stumbling blocks in the transfer.
a.    Removal of lead base paints. (Government paid for study but $600,000 is estimated for removal)
b.    Removal of asbestos products.(Government paid for study)
c.    Archeological study completion
c.    A Sheriff Deputy lives in ½ of the building (county looking for relocating deputy)
d.    MOA with the tribes is drafted but needs legal review and agreement from tribe(s).
e.    The county needs to renew the lease for the property.
Mike said that the prison could possibly provide a work force for the removal of a. and b. He also said that he knew someone who had all of the necessary protection gear and knew the removal technics. However, he suggested that the government (through Norm Dicks or the like) be asked to continue paying for the cleanup prior to turnover.

Item 5.    WRIA19 meeting is tonight (Oct.1. 2008) Two more meetings are scheduled before sending plan to the county commissioners.

Item 6.    December is target to complete the plan for the Lake Ozette Recovery Plan

Item 7.    New Business Agenda Item(s):
Joe Murray said that M&R was studying ways of developing and delivering forestry residue (slash) for fuel (co-generation and other purposes). He said stripping the bark was one of the problems. Doherty and others in the group commented on the resurgence of the interest in using slash (for co-generation and landscaping materials, etc.) such as:
a. Forks/Quilayute school system (Bio-mass heating system)
b. Port Townsend Pulp mill (Bio-mass for 50% reduction of oil energy)
c. Grays harbor paper (Bio-mass fuel generation and use, fertilizer generation, 100% recycled paper generation)
d. Stove pellet fabrication options (several companies)
e. Department of corrections in clear water (and Clallam Bay Corrections?) (heating systems)
f. other miscellaneous projects
All these alternatives are being considered and developed because it becomes more viable considering the cost of oil products. Going ‘green’ is certainly the wave of the future. Linda Rotmark said she would have her people call Joe’s people to discuss options for industrial applications for forest products.

Mike Doherty said that on Oct 9th the Washington State department of fish and wildlife will submit a grant to the Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) for the possible acquisition of Olson's resort boat launching and parking areas for preservation for public use.  The question was raised as to whether this was part of the original $100,000 ($50,000 with $50,000 matching ) CTED grant started about a year ago to study the marketing prospects for Olson’s property. Linda replied that the CTED grant was finished and closed, and that the grant by the Fish and Wildlife was a separate (new) deal. Another person asked if there was a report on the final results of the $100,000 CTED Grant. Linda said that there was a report but, to protect the Olson’s privacy, it was not public information.

The zoning/rezoning and Growth Management Plan discussion (3 areas around the Clallam Bay area according to Sasha) is set for community discussion by Steve Gray to be held Oct 15th at 1:00 at the Sekiu community Center.

LeAnne Fletcher and Katie Fletcher will no longer be on the CAC because of LeAnne’s new prison job and Katie has graduated.  Mike will get with the prison staff for a replacement for LeAnne and Sasha will get with the school staff for replacement (student and/or teacher) to represent the school.

The Hospital (Olympic Medical center) is promoting (requesting) a contribution auction for 10 to 12 people for a lunch or diner at the M&R lodge along with a tour of the tree farm. Joe will provide more details and/or announcement later.

Linda Rotmark stated that on May 1, 2009 at 12:01am the DOT said the hood canal bridge will be closed for the construction work.  It will remain closed for approximately 6 weeks. The DOT said that they would try to provide ferries for the big trucks to be handled by ferry system on a schedule of once in the morning and once at night.  Nippon said it has approximately 30 trucks a day of chemicals etc. and can not sit around waiting for ferry traffic backups at those time intervals.  It is estimated that approximately 250 trucks a day cross the hood canal.  Linda Rotmark was interested in the affect of M&R trucking during the closure and asked for Joe to provide estimated trucking schedule times, and impact, for a report she was preparing for the DOT. She would send Joe an email with more details.

The 2008 Olympic Tourism Summit will have seminar from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center in Blyn. Linda Palumbo and Donalynn Olson (from the Clallam Bay – Sekiu Chamber) will attend the tourism summit. Included on the agenda are Becky Hixson, with the state Department of Transportation, who will speak on the 2009 Hood Canal bridge closure; Mark Lellouch of the Sonoran Institute on geo-tourism; Eduardo Jaramillo of Peninsula College on marketing essentials; Steve Faulstick of the Portland Doubletree Hotel on going green for growth; Deborah Hopkins of the San Juan Islands Visitor and Convention Bureau on effective marketing and Eric Waterkotte of Peninsula College on "The Web Today."

Doherty said that John, with the Department of natural resources, is submitting a grant to a foundation that had 500 million dollars for the Canadian soft wood NAFTA litigation. John was asking for all the timber companies (and other agencies) to review the timber situation in their areas and see if there was a basis for tagging their company and/or group name (M&R and/or the CAC, in this case) onto the grant draft as an “interested party”.  The Grant Draft is scheduled out in late October. Joe said that he could not see why not. Linda Rotmark was going to email (forward) Joe with more information.

The Port of Port Angeles is investigating using Neah bay as a barging port and Mike thought that, possibly, it could be used, in part, to support M&R products. Mike suggested following the port funding and/or meeting minutes.

Tribal tourism (Wally Jackson working on 2nd grant) is still being developed for marketing.

Joe Murray thanked everyone for coming and the Meeting was adjourned about 5:00.

Respectfully,
Ted Muralt Secretary.