An abridged version of minutes from the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council meeting of March 6.

A special presentation was made by County Commissioner Robert Gelder. Commissioner Gelder would like the county and KCAC to set forth on a path to examine its membership, representation, focus, mission and work plan.

Those present described a lack of dialogue between county and KCAC and that KCAC is underutilized. KCAC needs deeper issues to delve into.

There were questions of whether the outside groups being brought into the KCAC achieved the goals that they were intended to. Many people present were interested in Gelder’s idea that KCAC meetings become primarily work-study sessions. There is no vehicle for people to bring issues to the KCAC. Some would like to see more of an action-oriented group.

There is an opinion that some presenters are not open to input and were at KCAC meetings as a formality.

There was discussion of adding a sentence to KCAC’s Mission Statement, stating the intent of the group is to be an active developer of policies.

Ideas were discussed regarding subcommittees; they may bring in active participants who are not appointed to KCAC. Would other outside parties also be able to participate?

Policies and projects should be looked at through the Kingston Sub-Area Plan. A re-evaluation of the Sub-Area Plan’s goals and policies should occur.

Discussion also focused on how the Greater Kingston Economic Development Council fits within the KCAC’s parameters and the Sub-Area Plan re-evaluation process.

More discussion of sustainability needs to be included into the Sub-Area Plan.

Council structure and membershipA discussion of possibly shrinking the size of the council and making all positions at-large was held. However, no formal vote was taken.

Questions were asked about why there should be a reduction in the diversity of the KCAC, after so many years of trying to get the current people at the table.

KCAC may need to look around the table and see what is missing, such as economic development. There is the possibility of structuring subcommittees based on county departments.

Some feel there is no difference between subcommittees and an at-large council — there will be a lack of representation regardless. KCAC represents community leaders and does not want to lose sight of community leadership.

The council questioned Gelder about what he needs from KCAC. Gelder said he needs a local body that can delve into issues and pass on that information to the county. He sees the communication piece as key, but also needs an action-oriented group he can invest resources into.

Gelder and the council will take time to process the discussion from this meeting and will continue it at the April meeting. Gelder will bring more specific needs he has of the council and KCAC will look at how that matches with its mission.

Ferries, Parks and Trails updates

Kingston Ferry Advisory Committee
The $10 billion transportation funding package, described last month, continues through the legislative process. Currently, the package has legislative opposition and low public support.

In summary, the package includes a 10-cent gas tax and a 0.7 percent car tab tax, aimed at highway preservation and completing state road “megaprojects” like the 520 bridge and viaduct. It should also provide stable operating funding for ferries. There’s a separate bill to fund ferry construction — up to four of the seven boats that we’ll need by 2028.

Walla Walla’s repairs are scheduled for completion by late April.

Parks
Replacing Arness Park big belly trash cans has not occurred. Replacements will be serviced by volunteers. Gelder has offered to fund the Arness Park Randy-Kan for the summer.

A county volunteer is rounding up help keeping the skatepark clean.

The county Parks Department is considering disposition of parks in its inventory that it cannot maintain and for which no alternative approach to managing the property can be found.

Trails
Volunteers and volunteer groups are needed for trails maintenance activities. There is a schedule for 2013; with many hands, trail maintenance activities can be limited to 10 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays.

— May 25: PUD trails (clip vegetation), led by Evan Stoll.
— July 27: Quiet Place Park (clip vegetation), led by Mark Libby.
— Sept. 28: Eglon Trail (clip vegetation), led by Bobbie Moore.
— Nov. 23: White Horse Trail (clip vegetation and remove holly), led by Kate Kuhlman.