Kingston Citizens’ Advisory Council notes

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following was culled from notes provided by Kingston Citizen’s Advisory Council secretary Mary Kulish from the KCAC meeting Aug. 6. The next meeting of KCAC takes place at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Kingston Community Center. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.)

At the Aug. 6 meeting of the Kingston Citizens’ Advisory Council, co-chair Greg Platz read a letter of resignation from KCAC member Gene Medina, who stated since he has retired as North Kitsap School District Superintendent, he should no longer serve as schools’ representative to the council. NKSD Community Relations and Communications Director Chris Case is the new schools representative serving on KCAC.

The main topic of discussion at the August meeting was the final report of the Kingston Sub-Area Plan review. KCAC unanimously approved the amended report, which will be compiled with a summary and raw data from previous community meetings then submitted to Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer, county staff, KCAC members, and the public. A summary of the report was printed in the July issue of the Kingston Community Review.

The following amendments will be in the final report:

• The number of people who attended each workshop so the county understands the ranking of priorities is a good representation of the community’s desires for the Kingston area;

• The definition of “purple pipe implementation” as water reclaimed to quality standards;

• Under Big Budget Items summary note that the Highway 104 rerouting was ranked high by two groups; and to add the South Kingston Road bridge replacement project;

• Under Small Budget Items summary note that two groups ranked ‘complete shoulder work to Kingston Middle School’ and ‘complete shoulder work to Gordon Elementary’ as high in importance;

• A sentence in the summary explaining that although rankings in the report were listed as high, medium and low, “low” does not mean community members believe these projects to be unimportant.

In response to council members’ concerns that this document be used by Kitsap County when determining project funding and priorities, Scott Diener, policy and planning manager of the county’s Department of Community Development, said this document will be considered an official reference for the county, its agencies and programs, including the Capital Facilities Comprehensive Plan, as well as other public agencies. DCD hopes to add information from this document to the Kingston Sub-Area Plan as an amendment.

KCAC co-chair Denise Lietz suggested, and the membership agreed, KCAC should look at the volunteer portion of the report and consider if the council wants to take the lead in any of the items listed or just continue its role as a communications body. Members Walt Elliot and Karen Ross said the council should bring information about who in the community is already actively working on these issues (White Horse/Arborwood public trails, marketing the marina to tourists, marketing Kingston as a great place for destination businesses, and working with Kitsap Transit to improve coordination between ferry and bus schedules) or hear reports from these people to determine what role KCAC should play.

County report

Diener reported the 2007 Buildable Lands Report shows 57 percent Urban Growth Areas development and 43 percent rural areas development, reversing a previous trend.

The county’s Growth Management Comprehensive Plan was deemed in compliance with the state.

The county is updating its permit code process for Titled 16, 17, and 21. In particular, Diener mentioned the requirements and process for home-based businesses is being discussed.

County staff is meeting with the Kingston Stakeholders regarding downtown district planning and to prepare a list of items (parking, connectivity, infrastructure) to be addressed. He mentioned the Kingston Sub-Area Plan will assist in this process.

In response to a question by KCAC member Betsy Cooper, Diener said the county is reviewing boundary-line adjustment policies because all county citizen advisory councils are interested in that issue.

Sub-committee reports

There was discussion about having Washington State Ferries representatives come to the KCAC October meeting to discuss the operation of and plans for the Kingston-Edmonds route. Citizen councils from Hansville, Suquamish and Silverdale would be invited as well as representatives of the S’Klallam and Suquamish tribes. Platz suggested Elliot write a letter to the WSF on behalf of KCAC and that whatever date in October was agreed upon would become the council’s designated, regular meeting for that month; the membership agreed.

Elliot reported, on behalf of the KCAC Parks, Trails and Open Space Sub-committee, that the use of the North Kitsap Heritage Park would not be encouraged or publicized extensively until stewardship of the parking area, trash and signage are secured.

Cooper asked if the council would like Kinley Deller from Sustainable Kitsap to speak at the September meeting. Diener offered that Commissioner Steve Bauer might like to address the council at that meeting. Diener said he would confirm Bauer’s schedule. Based on what Diener indicated, Cooper said she would request Deller’s appearance for the November meeting.

Community reports

Downtown Kingston Association: Nancy Martin said a certified arborist completed tree pruning between Cleo’s Landing and the Main Street Ale House on Highway 104.

Friends of the Library: Jan Richards reported the group raised more than $2,000 on its summer book sale.

Schools: Chris Case said construction of the Kingston High School tennis courts has begun and that the new portable classroom for Spectrum is slated for an Aug. 8 delivery.

Kingston Revitalization Association: Karen Ross reported the Fourth of July Ball Race raised almost $1,000. The water truck used to water the baskets and other plants is in need of extensive repairs. The downtown group is looking for financial assistance.

Carpenter Lake and Creek: Naomi Maasberg reported people have been climbing over the platform and someone even placed a mat on top of the plant life. Both activities harm the natural vegetation. Anyone seen in the area should be told that fishing, kayaking, swimming, and other such activities are prohibited.

The South Kingston bridge project over the estuary is now an official line item in the Army Corps of Engineers budget. It has been ranked as the No. 1 project in the region by the Army Corps because of its environmental importance and community support.

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