Minutes of the 126^th Port Ludlow Drainage District

 Regularly Scheduled Meeting

Thursday March 12, 2009 10:00 a.m.

Call to order:  The 126^th regularly scheduled meeting of the Port Ludlow Drainage District (PLDD) was called to order by Chairman, Commissioner Leland Amundson at 10:18 a.m. 

PLDD Commissioners present were Leland Amundson and Walter Cairns.  Commissioner James Laker was absent.

 The minutes of the regularly scheduled 12 February, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

 Expenses:

The PLDD Commissioners discussed and approved Drainage District expenses that accrued from 11 February 2009 to 11 March, for the total amount of $7,617.78.  A breakdown of this total is shown below:

Public Forum:

·        There were no comments from the public during this forum.

Old Business:

1. Engineer Nancy Lockett will contact Jefferson County regarding the final draft of the PLDD/ Jefferson County Administrative Rule Agreement with the PLDD Commissioners.  Previously, Ms. Lockett suggested that the PLDD should wait until after the County sends confirmation to the PLDD that they are implementing this agreement before withdrawing the PLDD request for a UDC Amendment.   Since April, 2008 the PLDD has been working with the Planning Staff to comprise what would best serve both entities regarding the Status of proposed Unified Development Code (UDC) changes that were submitted to the county in April of 2006 by the PLDD, regarding the preference of Jefferson County to use infiltration, which is not optimal in the Port Ludlow Drainage District.   Direct discharge is the preferred means of drainage here, with dispersion second and infiltration last. The PLDD had been advised to go through an administrative change via Jefferson County Planning Staff for these changes rather than a UDC Amendment, in which case the County would be forced to charge high fees.  PLDD Commissioners agreed that whatever the case, a written agreement of some form needed to be obtained.
2. The Rainier to Oak Bay Greenbelt Drainage project was briefly discussed.     The PLDD application for a Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) Design loan has been signed and sent in by Chairman Leland Amundson.  The Construction Loan could be applied for this May and would be at ½% interest with the funding being accessible for construction in July of 2010.  Ms. Lockett reported that the engineering is proceeding, with some surveying being done and more remaining, she will be consulting with landscape architect Susan Black who will be subcontracting on this project as well as for the wastewater treatment project.
3. The Drainage Issues on Foster and Jackson Lanes along with the nearby Green Belt area have been surveyed, and the design will now begin reported Engineer Lockett.  Ms. Lockett showed by diagramming how a solution could be reached.  This will involve carrying water from the culvert and multiple lots and getting easements off Jackson Lane (because of the topography) to carry the drainage down to the Rainier/Oak Bay greenbelt, away from the Mounts property on lot # 2-3-051 where it has been accumulating and creating a similar situation as on McCurdy and Walker Way.  Commissioners discussed various solutions; Engineer Lockett will continue to work on this matter.
4. Discussion was held about South Bay joining the PLDD through an Area Annexation, South Bay residents have continued inquiring about laws and what would benefit their drainage areas best.  South Bay representatives expressed conducting more research prior to taking further action.  Commissioners Cairns brought up the issue of possibly preparing a contract in case South Bay requests annexation with PLDD.  Chairman Amundson felt that at this time it may be premature, but did agree that if by petition or County election South Bay did vote for annexation, a formal agreement would be necessary.   
5. Chairman Amundson wrote a letter to the LMC Board of Trustee’s that reviewed what action the PLDD took regarding drainage lot numbers 1-2-022 & 1-2-023 on Condon Lane, belonging to Mike & Elizabeth Fessler.   Ted Buehler, Chairman of the LMC Greenbelt Committee (GBC) attended the February PLDD meeting and stated that Mr. Fessler is concerned that water flow j’s from a berm, saturating and eroding his embankment.  PLDD Commissioners stated that the drainage pipe in that area has been closed, the water is now diverted to another outfall, and any water coming through his property would now be coming from the road.  Mr. Buehler reported that a request for an appeal to the LMC Board by Mr. Fessler’s attorney is for a determination about three issues: 1) That trees on his property are under Critical Area Ordinance and/or the Shoreline Master Program and he should not be made to trim them, despite neighbor’s complaints that they are planted trees that have grown to obstruct their views.  2) That the PLDD built a berm, or allowed a berm to be built on the greenbelt near his property that he believes forces water back onto his property.  3) That the greenbelt be restored to the same state it was in prior to 2002.  Mr. Buehler stated that the LMC would like some documentation from the PLDD for use in the appeal process. A copy of the letter that Commissioner Amundson wrote to the LMC will be posted with these minutes.  This matter will now be removed from the agenda.
6. The Greenbelt area at the end of Warbler Lane will need attention due to erosion reported Engineer Lockett.  Ms. Lockett recommends that some rock be laid to disburse runoff that is causing some trenching to the site.  Commissioners authorized Ms. Lockett to draw up a plan which can then be distributed to the Small Works Roster.
7. Engineer Lockett consulted with Mark Thurston of Jefferson County regarding Erosion Protection to the Libbey Court catch basin.  Ms. Lockett recommended that a beehive grated manhole cover be installed, and do some berming on the Greenbelt to direct water to the catch basin.  By a motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, Commissioners authorized Gray & Osborne Engineering to proceed with this project by using the Small Works Roster.
8. The PLDD Policy on Vacant and Reserve Areas was discussed at length, including current cases that the LMC has at present, and the way that reduction in evapotrasporation could cause surface runoff.   Commissioner Cairns recommendation is that property owners who clear significant numbers of trees without house construction plans submit a report by a licensed engineer about how this will affect surface runoff, the downstream impact this could have, and that the property owner would have to accept responsibility for this impact.  Engineer Lockett reported that the state laws, RCW’s, only discuss property clearing on parcels that exceed 7,000 square feet.  Commissioners concurred that the LMC Architectural Control Committee (ACC) would be responsible for requiring waivers of applicants, and licensed engineering plans, however; since runoff may be affected the PLDD should be copied on this.  Commissioner Cairns and Engineer Lockett will continue to formulate a position; they will confer with Commissioner Chairman Amundson and Commissioner Laker prior to a formal PLDD work session with the ACC.  

New Business:

·        Commissioner Walter Cairns notified everyone that he will be putting his house up for sale in a few months, there will be thirty (30) days from whenever his closing will be until he will be resigning as PLDD Commissioner, he will make a recommendation for a replacement Commissioner.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Port Ludlow Drainage District will be held on Thursday April 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., at the Beach Club in the Bay View Room.

The March 12, 2009 meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted:                         Approved:                            Approved:

James Laker                                        Walter Cairns                        Lee Amundson

Drainage District                                   Drainage District                    Drainage District

Secretary                                              Commissioner            Chairman &Treasurer