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PARKS, RECREATION, TREES, & TRAILS ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes - Special Meeting - Council Chambers
July 30, 2024 1 4:30 p.m. I Virtual or In Person Meeting
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Welcome, Introduction & Call to Order - Chair Debbie Jahnke
Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the Port Townsend Parks, Recreation, Trees & Trails
Advisory Board. The role of this Board is to assist City staff and to advise the City Council on
legislative matters concerning parks, recreation, trees and trails.
This meeting is open to the public at the City Council Chambers, virtually via this web format, and is
also being video recorded for those who could not attend the meeting today and for future
reference. Given that this meeting is in virtual format, we ask that the board members raise their
hands to be called on by the Chair. The public can do the some to comment during the public
comment periods. We take public comment at the beginning and end of the meeting.
I. Roll Call: Pam Adams, Richard Hefley, Russell Hill, Matt Miner, Jim Todd, Debbie Jahnke present,
Becci Kimball absent excused. Staff present include Steve King and Michael Todd
II. Approval of Agenda/Changes to Agenda: special meeting, no changes permitted
III. Approval of Minutes: approved by consensus
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person/agenda items only): Kathy Darrow spoke on behalf of
WNPS prairie management, regarding the thistles that have been pulled but need to be hauled
away.
V. Old Business (10 minutes)
A. Lawrence/Tyler improvement and tree planting update - Steve: No bids received on first try
as the package is too 'balanced' for a general contractor, Lawrence portion must be
completed by the end of the year so Tyler paving will be removed from the bid. Second bid
effort will be opened Thursday; farmers' market will stay on Tyler. Planters on Tyler are still
under discussion for layout. Lawrence plantings will be done in the current effort if bids are
received and accepted.
VI. New Business (60 min)
A. Overview of Comprehensive Plan retreat and studios - staff: 2.5 day event; staff also went
to the Nest and the food bank. Three scenarios were presented - A is compact with focus of
development where infrastructure exists; this scenario was not supported by participants. B
doubles down on what we currently have, having neighborhood centers we develop
around. Sewer is not yet available in one location - Hastings and Howard. C is what has
actually happened. It is the market development outcome; exclusive to those who have
resources to build. How is existing development accommodated in North Beach and Cook
Avenue, how did Seaview sewer line occur? LID? What are the arrows on C - does that risk
Cappy's Trails? Do we go Type A; good -enough 80:20, very few but high quality (gold
standard), or keep swimming (status quo)? Consensus here is for 'good -enough'. There are
only about 35(±) properties that have multifamily units in town, market has changed so
perhaps one of the seven multifamily tax exemption locations will develop. Peace Hill (SW
of San Juan/F intersection) is under development review. It was noted that the property
NW of San Juan/F has substantial contamination issues from the earlier gas station sited
there. Land capacity anlysis is what we have called Open Space and Land Use and that
work will be a part of the Comprehensive Plan effort. City will start thinning out Lombardy
poplars on the Koh Tai side on Sims in areas that will open up room for the existing native
trees behind them. Board wants to re-establish trails volunteers.
B. Tree diaper experiment on Discovery and at dog park overview - Richard - New method for
mulching trees involves encapsulating polymers in fabric; evens out water access for our
unique environment and it has success in some very harsh environments. These have been
in use for about a decade. These work better and last longer when covered with mulch. The
larger version is about $30 per tree. Experiment underway with the trees planted at the
west end of the dog park - the pair of lindens and a pair of the birches. Richard applies
water at 9 gal./week to each tree through the dry season.
VII. Staff update — (20 min)
A. RCO grant proposal update - Michael - Presentation at RCO will be at the end of August; both
playgrounds will be accessible. With RCO approval they would be in the 2025 workplan.
B. Parks & facilities staff update - Michael - We celebrated the renaming of Seamus Sims skate
park; event was very well attended. City is advertising for crew chief position. Pool is now
reopened.
C. Chetzemoka Kitchen Shelter update - Michael - Demolition will occur in August, approved by
HPC, with a rebuild next summer.
D. Mountain View Dog Park upgrades progress - Michael - Giant tires have been installed, new
signs ordered with new rules. Tires are painted with 'dogs only' to indicate it is not a
children's play area.
E. Richard brought up problems with some street trees on Water Street, including several that
are growing into grates. Michael asked for more details after the meeting to follow up.
VII. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: August 27, 2024
Vill. Public Comment: Kathy Darrow invited the board and staff to a Sunday 'Saunter' through the
Camas Prairie to learn about native species, prairie habitat, and current challenges.
IX. Adjourn: 5:50pm
Future agenda items:
• Sims Way, Port side will report out August meeting
• Land Capacity Analysis effort as part of Comprehensive Plan process
• Master plan for future westside park
• Tree subcommittee update — final drafts of street tree, POS trees, understory lists
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