WRIA 14 PLANNING UNIT MEETING

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Shelton Civic Center

Shelton, WA

Meeting Summary

Attendance:

Government Members Present:
Al Frey, Port of Shelton	Pam Bennett-Cumming, Mason County
Theresa Parsons, City of Shelton	John Konovsky, Squaxin Island Tribe
Ron Gold, Mason County PUD # 1	Chris Hempleman, Dept. of Ecology
Government Members Absent:
Thurston County

Other Planning Unit Members Present:
Diane Cooper, Taylor Shellfish	Stuart Glasoe, PSAT
Drew Noble, Water Purveyors	Bob Simmons, WSU Extension
Harry Paul, Thurston PUD	Warren Dawes, SWPSWC

Others Present:
Shannon Kirby, Mason CD	Jen Thurman-Williams, Mason CD
John Bolender, Mason CD	Stephanie Kenny, Mason Co. Health
Kirsten Workman, Mason CD	Susan Gulick, Technical Project Mgr/Facilitator

1. Centennial Grant Project Rankings

q The Planning Unit heard presentations on two centennial grant projects: the Critical Area buffer Restoration and the Oakland Bay Riparian Area Assessment.

q Some Planning Unit members voiced concerns about the Critical Area buffer Restoration offering financial assistance to those who have intentionally violated the County ordinance. The CD assured the Planning Unit that they are focused on unintentional violations and would target assistance toward sites that would not otherwise be restored.

q The Planning Unit ranked the projects in the following order:

1. Oakland Bay Riparian Area Assessment

2. Critical Area Buffer Restoration

3. North Bay/Case Inlet Loan Refinance

2. Contracts

q Because the plan will not be adopted until February (at the earliest) the Planning discussed the need to extend contract services for plan writing and facilitation/project management.

q The Planning Unit authorized a no-cost extension of the contract with Plateau Communication (plan writer) until June 30, 2006.

q The Planning Unit also authorized an extension of Susan’s contract for project management and facilitation (Sound Resolutions) until June 30, 2006. The Planning Unit authorized an additional $10,000 of funding for Sound Resolutions plus an additional $5,000 in contingency funds, for a total contract amendment of $15,000.

3. Recommendations for the Watershed Plan

q The Planning Unit developed language for the remaining draft recommendations (attached as a separate document).

q The Planning Unit now needs to negotiate final wording on plan recommendations.

q The Planning Unit decided the plan should be as short as possible. They elected to move the existing conditions and options section to appendices. The final plan will consist of a short overview of the issues and the recommendations. It will also include an introduction or preamble that tells the reader where the additional information can be found.

q John K. will supply some language that states that the appendices should not be considered part of the plan.

q The plan is scheduled for adoption in late February.

4. Open Meetings Act

q The question has been raised of whether e-mail communications fall under the open-meetings act. It was further questioned whether the Planning Unit is subject to the Open Meetings Act.

q Pam agreed to do some research and report back to the group.

q In the meantime, Susan reminded that group that the e-mail list for the group is open to all and anyone can request to be added. Also, as a matter of procedure, it will not be assumed that all attendees at PU members have read all the e-mails that are distributed. Any references to e-mails made at PU meetings will be explained so that those who did not read the communication are informed.

5. Upcoming Meetings

q The next Planning Unit meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 14^th from 9-12 in the Shelton Civic Center.

q The meeting normally held on the 4^th Wednesday of the month (Dec. 28^th) has been cancelled. There will be a Planning Unit meeting on Wednesday, January 11^th from 9-12 at the Shelton Civic Center.