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PARKS, RECREATION, TREES, & TRAILS ADVISORY BOARD
Council Chambers
Minutes - August 27, 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: Members present are Pam Adams (zoom), Becci Kimball, Matt Miner, Jim Todd, Russell
Hill (zoom), Debbie Jahnke, Richard Hefley absent excused, staff and visitors include Matt Klontz (Port
of PT), Patrick McCoy, Steve King, Robin Hill
II. Approval of Agenda/Changes to Agenda: consensus approval
III. Approval of Minutes: consensus approval
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person/agenda items only): Scott Doggett via email asked for
information about the city's plans to deal with Ailanthus; Steve Mader commented on the Ailanthus
issue, noting it was also a serious fire hazard due in part to its branching pattern that provides
ladder fuels. A brief history of the species' presence in PT was given, along with plans to monitor via
our DNR grant. DNR asked communities to monitor. It is a class C noxious weed so removal is
recommended but not required. It is mostly on private property. Public education will be needed.
V. Old Business (40 min)
A. Sims Way and Boatyard Expansion (Steve and Port of Port Townsend): Matt Klontz of Port of
PT, James Day and Connie Reckord of Macleod/Reckord presented: Steve covered recent
history of the process; first stakeholder meeting in July 2024 after the work in 2022; Gateway
plans revised; criteria shown in memorandum from Tree Solutions; complex criteria provided
coding of green (best), yellow (okay) or not suitable based on what is needed for the boatyard
but not creating a full screen. Soil samples analyzed for suitability. Soils need decompacting
to 2-3 feet with amendment addition. Maples are overplanted here. Spreadsheet explaining
criteria is very informative. Tree Solutions did exhaustive research. Matt Klontz noted that
prep and planting would come immediately behind the PUO's work; planting likely in fall
2025. Russell asked to ensure information was available to the public. Connie mentioned
development of some imagery of tree sizing over the years of growth to help public
understanding of project. Public member Kathy Darrow asked about Port Orford conifers;
pollen output is a limiter. Board recommended acceptance of the proposed list.
B. Lawrence and Tyler Street (Steve and Patrick): Project will be built as designed, going forward
on Lawrence this year, Tyler paving next year, contract being signed. Council approved
design. Preconstruction meeting next week, work will start soon.
C. Tree subcommittee update (Debbie, Robin, Russell): one more meeting of the subcommittee
will be scheduled prior to presentation to board.
VI. New Business (40 min)
A. Quimper Parks and Trees Foundation (Becci): We now have a parks foundation; JCF will be
our fiscal sponsor, working on principles for QPTF, we didn't get the Arbor Day Foundation
grant but we did get a foundation. Name was chosen to indicate inclusion of efforts outside
the city.
B. IRA/USDA grant update (Robin): Dudek was chosen as consultant, experience with
challenges for density and housing, and experience with comprehensive plans, contract
was completed with WSU Extension Service, two grants recombined via River Network.
Public query from Steve Hartman about balancing canopy loss and densification. Madrona
Ridge retained 30% of canopy and dedicated a major wetland area to the process. Pre -
platted city is one of our major challenges to preserving canopy.
C. Autumnal Arbor Day Plans (Staff and Board): set for October 26 at Mountain View 12-2,
species and issues discussed, planting class by DNR person will be coordinated with the
event.
D. Land Capacity Analysis — next steps (Steve) - next month or so for our subcommittee - will
be looking at all pre -platted lots and some unplatted lots; virtually no multifamily (MF)
units built in decades; what was built is age -limited or otherwise restricted; we have about
20% MF, more common elsewhere is closer to 40%. We have to be able to accomodate
GMA requirements for growth, or we get sprawl. Jim queried about growth in Hadlock's
impact on city growth. Steve discussed due process for land use and hopes that our
subcommittee may engage in the next few months.
VII. Staff update — (10 min)
A. Operations (Steve): Hiring still for one park staff, caretaker at Koh Tai is doing a great job;
Matt volunteered to write up information for the city newsletter
B. Pool: report postponed
C. Water Street Trees root barrier and irrigation leak: At Pope Marine, we have 15-year old
trees with water wells and root barriers, maple roots escaped the barriers; good lesson
about the aggressiveness of maple roots and necessity to accomodate needed root volume.
Jim inquired about leakage on Jefferson - source has not been found as yet.
D. RCO grants (Steve): Presentations went well, we should find out later this year about
funding.
VII. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: September 24, 2024
Vill. Public Comment: Kathy Darrow commented about master planning a park from July minutes.
IX. Adjourn: 5:58 pm
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