June 27, 2007 Community Advisory Council. Meeting Notes

Member attendance: Mike Doherty, Joe Murray, Patti Adler, Ted Muralt and Donalynn Olson.

Guest attendance: Judith Morris; Norm Dick’s new regional assistant

The meeting was called to order by Chair Joe Murray at 5:10. Joe welcomed the guests and introductions were made around the table. It was agreed to stick to the proposed agenda for the meeting;

• United Way

• Clallam County Environmental Health – Liz Maier / Andy Brastad On-Site Septic Management Plan

• Commissioner Mike Doherty
•  -New Representative from Congressman Norm Dicks’ Office

• Sekiu Rezoning
• Sekiu Airport

It was moved by Patti Adler and seconded by Ted Muralt that the minutes from the previous meeting be approved as written.

Mike Doherty introduced Judith Morris as being the new regional assistant for Rep. Norm Dicks. She is located at the Tipton Peabody law offices (332 East 5th Street) in Port Angeles and is available on Monday or Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. However, said she would be glad to talk with any one, any time and provided her phone number; 360-452-3370 and email; Judith.morris@mail.house.gov.

Doherty stated that about 5 state agencies are working on Olson’s property to preserve it for the public domain. Ryan Dicks, VP of Cascade Land Conservancy, has been out to visit the Olson’s a couple times in the last couple months and Judith Morris (representing Norm Dicks) visited to Olson’s on this trip to Council meeting.

Chris Andresen is going to be the new State director for Maria Cantwell and will be out to the Olympic peninsula in about 5 weeks (maybe in time for the next Council meeting). There is also going to be an assistant for Cantwell and Andresen, covering the Olympic peninsula and may accompany Andresen on her visit.

Patti Adler brought up the subject of the next town meeting and it was determined that the town meeting would be a large portion of the next council meeting agenda.

United Way: Joe Murray said that he was on the funds distributions committee and he was concerned about the way that the United Way funds were distributed to the West End. He felt that the organizations in the Clallam Bay – Sekiu areas might not be getting their required amounts (i.e. the crisis center). Mike Doherty said that potential recipients need to apply to Executive director, Jody Moss to receive funds not designated by the donors. He also said that a large portion the undesignated funds distributed by the County, primarily go to the West End, being the most needy. Mike brought up the point that distribution through the county costs about 6% while distribution through United Way is more like 2%. The bottom line is for the needing agency to apply to the United Way and to solicit the donors to designate recipients of funds. Joe stated that additional work should be done to increase local contributions and to possibly generate another civic group for collection and distribution of funds. Judith Morris suggested that the council could invite the Executive director, Jody Moss, to one of our meeting for more insight on increasing collections and allocating funds.

Septic Tank System inspections: Liz Maier and Andy Brastaci from the Clallam county Environmental Health Department passed out literature and presented a slide-show addressing the issues and ramifications of the new state law requiring mandatory periodic septic system inspections. Information is available at http://www.clallam.net/html/septic.htm, which includes the Clallam County On-Site Septic System Management Plan.

Their presentation identified that Clallam County is required to prepare a plan to implement new State requirements for the Marine Recovery Areas (MRA), see Chapter 70-118A RCW, and Chapter 246-272A WAC. The plan must be approved on June 19^th and completed by July 1, 2007. To prepare this plan, the County is seeking input and recommendations from the Work Group and public meeting on the following topics:

• Identification of sensitive areas and marine recovery areas where on-site septic systems pose an increased public health risk. The sensitive areas would be addressed first, and the remainder later. The current sensitive areas of primary concern are the Dungeness and Sequim Bay.

• A system to identify all on-site septic systems in the County (see WAC 246-272A-0015 and RCW 70.118A.060) and requirements that On-Site Septic System (OSS) maintenance specialists, pumpers, and/or inspectors submit reports of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) inspection results and failing on-site septic systems to the County (See RCW 70.118A.060).

• A process for inspecting systems consisting of a septic tank and a gravity "Subsurface Soil Absorption System" (SSAS) at least once
every 3 years and annual inspections of all other systems (see WAC 246-272A-0270).

• The presentation had charts that showed that the inspections (at $250) would actually save money, in repairs, if the system failed due to lack of detection.

• Funding provisions to finance the County’s program, is an assessment of $10 to $20 per system to the owner.

• The county is considering how to offer financial assistance to owners of on-site septic systems. This will include assessing existing capacity. This particularly true for the low income families. They are considering such things as low interest loans, and/or pay on resale or refinancing of the property. Property owners would be allowed to do their own inspections, if properly trained. Business systems would require professional inspections. A very small business could do their own if they could prove they were close to residential outflow.

Septics 101: A brochure was passed out which identified free classes (called Septics 101) to be given through out the year to answer the following (and more) questions

• How does a septic system work?
• Why do I need one?
• Why should I take care of it?
• How do I take care of it?
• Where do I find it in my yard?
• What are the different types of systems?
• What determines which kind I need?
• How much will it COST ??!!

These classes are designed for people who...

* currently have onsite septic systems
* think they might have an onsite septic system one day
* are just curious about onsite septic systems

Each class is a two-hour overview of how septic systems work, and how to monitor and maintain them. Classes feature Environmental Health staff and local onsite professionals.

Please call Environmental Health at (360) 417-2258 to register for one of the following classes. Please preregister and receive your as-built (a ‘map’ of your yard & septic) at the door and your informational packet.

LOCATION FOR ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE DUNGENESS RIVER AUDUBON CENTER, RAILROAD BRIDGE PARK.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm

Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm

Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm

Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm

Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 1:00-3:00 pm

Sekiu Rezoning: A series of emails from Carol Creasey, County planner, to Council members described the proposed rezoning of some Urban Residential High density (URH) areas in Sekiu, to Urban Center (UC). After review and coordination with council members, Joe had prepared a letter stating that the council approved the rezoning stating that it "would be good for the community" and "will have no additional environmental impact". Patti Adler said that she was concerned there was no proposed immediate use defined, other than a resort owner wishing to store some boats behind an enclosed cyclone fenced area. Doherty stated that the boat storage usage is what started the rezoning consideration and that adjacent owners were contacted and indicated that they did not mind if the area was rezoned and included their parcels as well. Joe pointed out that any proposed imminent use was not as important as what improvements, to the properties, would be bound to when developed in the future. In other words, the council must realize that any of the allowed usage’s defined in the UC zoning is possible. Ted Muralt brought up the fact that the Sekiu Airport was very close to the subject property and was zoned URH. Airports are not approved under URH and were approved under UC. Ted thought that it may be a good time to get the Sekiu airport ‘legal’ and include it into the rezoning from URH to UC. Though many agreed about the airport rezoning, it was decide to treat this as a separate issue and it was agreed to submit the Council approval letter to Carol Creasey.

Sekiu Airport: Ted Muralt said he was concerned that the Port Commissioners may not be interested in maintaining the Sekiu Airport after the last pubic meeting with Bob McChesney in Sekiu over a year ago. Bob indicated that the Sekiu Airport was a negative asset and funds were hard to come by because the FAA was not reimbursing anything for the Sekiu Airport.

After the May 26^th 2007 fly-at the Sekiu Airport, Ted walked the runway and took a few pictures. He was impressed that the basic runway appeared relatively sound, with a few cracks and one drainage catch basin problem. The pictures were posted on the CAC website http://www.clallambay.net/cac/Sekiu-Airport.html and an email was sent to all members of the Council (and Pat Ness) on June 7th for review (of the pictures) and comment. Pat Ness is on the Sekiu Airport Committee and she set up a meeting, about the airport, with the Port Authorities and Green Crow to discuss repairs and tree trimming. The meeting is to be at Sekiu Airport on June 28^th 10:00 am. Mike Doherty said he was going to be at the meeting to take his hits and support this losing fight (part of his Irish culture, he said).

Ted had sent an email to Jeff Robb (Airport/Marinas Mgr )on June 21^st about the airport conditions (linking the webpage pictures) and the up coming meeting. As part of the email Ted told Jefff that he understand that the airport is currently a negative asset for the port and money is hard to come by for necessary repairs and maintenance. We, as a community, appreciated the port keeping the airport going for us all these years. Negative or not, this is an asset which should be maintained, as much as possible, to prevent total deterioration. The potential for the airport is very hard to forecast, but with the rapidly changing real estate climate that is happening here (potential condo development, etc.) it is possible that the airport may be a valuable commodity. Ted went on to suggest, to Jeff, that with the port getting 7.5 million from the state for the graving yard settlement; wouldn’t this be a good time to fund the needed repairs at the Sekiu airport?

Patti Adler reminded everyone that the Charter Review Commission covered several important charter considerations and that review was in the final stages. She urged every one to review the proposed changes and make any final comments. Visit the web site http://www.clallam.net/Board/html/board_crc.htm for the latest information.

The next Meeting to be on July 25, 5:00 PM at the School Administration Office. Preliminary agenda will cover:

1. The town meeting subjects and time
2. United Way
3. Septic 101

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30.

Respectfully,

Ted Muralt Secretary.