The Kingston Citizens Advisory Council will meet on Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. at the North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Station, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE, Kingston.
Here is a summary of the council’s Aug. 3 meeting.
Old business
Temporary flashing speed signs have been installed on West Kingston. They could be there for six months or longer.
County report
Rebecca Pirtle said the county is negotiating with a contractor regarding updating the sidewalks. With regard to ferry traffic, there are four options being modeled — two with signals and two with roundabouts. The state will be provided with this information when the models are complete.
Staff is negotiating a design for the Mosquito Fleet Trail through Heritage Park.
Parks and open space
Cost of the Randy-Kan rental at Arness Park has been covered for all four months.
Salal harvesting will be allowed at Heritage Park, with money earned directed back to the park.
The North Kitsap Trails Association has submitted a plan to Kitsap County. While not officially open, the White Horse trail is available for use. Users should park in the parking lot, not at the trailhead.
Port and SoundRunner
SoundRunner general manager Meisha Rouser gave a brief report on the passenger ferry service.
SoundRunner is focused on economic development and bringing people into Kingston. There is a four-year, long-term plan and educating the community is an important piece of that plan.
The first Thursday of each month there will be a midday run. SoundRunner will experiment with a midday run on the third Friday of the month as well.
Other organizations gave presentations and updates:
Rotary
The Kingston Rotary Club was formed in 2004 with the goal of helping to support the Hansville, Kingston, Indianola and Suquamish communities.
The club’s “SPARK,” or Schools and Parks ARound Kingston, has raised money for lighting at Kingston High School, the Village Green Foundation’s completion of the community center and picnic shelter pavilion, and weekend meal packages for students of Wolfle Elementary School.
Most recently, the golf tournament was the best ever with a 15 percent increase in funds raised. The Fun Run was well-attended and the weekly beer garden has been successful. A gala auction is being planned for spring.
Kingston Rotary has a lunch meeting every Wednesday at noon at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club.
Friends of the Library
The Friends support the Kingston Library any way they can, particularly through fundraising. Book sales are the main source of fundraising income; the group presents three book sales each year, as well as an ongoing sale in the library.
The Friends meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m., in the Kingston Community Center. Membership dues are $10 a year.
Kingston Stakeholders
The Kingston Stakeholders work to enhance the local business and economic climate. The group was formed in 2005.
Projects include funding of the streetscape along West Kingston, the Kingston Town Map on Route 104, and sponsorship of the Concerts on the Cove since 2008.
The group meets the first Friday of the month at 9 a.m. at Cleo’s Learning Center, above Nancy’s Green Garden in downtown Kingston.
Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Chamber of Commerce is to promote the interests of the business community by developing and implementing programs and services which enhance economic activity and local quality of life.
The Chamber of Commerce’s lunch meeting is the first Tuesday of the month, noon, in the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. The board of directors meets the second Tuesday of the month, 7:30 a.m., at Little City Catering on Ohio and 3rd.
Kingston Farmers Market
The mission of the Kingston Farmers Market is to provide a venue where local artisans, crafters, farmers and producers can come together on a regular basis to sell their wares in a retail environment.
Research shows that for every $100 spent in a grocery store, $25 stays in the community. For every $100 spent at a farmers market, $62 stays in the community. People attend farmers markets to shop and connect to their community and many feel the market improves the health of the community as well as perceptions of the neighborhood.
The Kingston Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Schools update
Kari Golden, school parent representative, said Kingston’s elementary schools boast strong PTAs and the high school booster club is incredibly supportive.
Superintendent Richard Jones will be with the North Kitsap School District through June 2012.
In response to a question about strengths and weaknesses in school programs, she said she felt it unfortunate that there is no marine biology program, particularly in light of our proximity to Puget Sound.
Carpenter Lake/Creek
The Carpenter Lake and Creek Stewardship Committee is a volunteer group connecting the Kingston community with federal, state and county departments, restoration groups and local organizations.
This group works to inform the public about public health, watershed and wildlife protection, and water quality concerns. Projects include:
— Carpenter Lake trail and Boardwalk project
— Carpenter Creek benthic monitoring project (for more than seven years).
— Carpenter Lake Natural Area Preserve designation.
— Watershed restoration and acquisition projects.
— South Kingston Stillwater’s Fish Passage project.
— West Kingston salt marsh large wood placement.
Kingston Garden Club
This club was organized more than 50 years ago and is a forum for learning the art of gardening and sound environmental practices.
Civic projects include community beautification; the Blanche Gray Garden Shows for elementary school children; and the Aloha Wright Grant Program, which provides subsidies for horticultural-related education and civic projects. An annual plant sale is held in May.
The club meets the third Wednesday of each month from September through June, 9 a.m., at Redeemer United Methodist Church at Parcell and Shorty Campbell roads. Program topics range from pruning to wildlife sanctuaries.
Village Green Foundation
The Village Green Foundation received 501(c)3 status in 2007 and submitted its first Building Communities Foundation grant application in 2008.
In 2009, several Village Green Stewardship Committee members joined the Board of Directors. There was a campaign to form a Metropolitan Park District for ongoing maintenance and operation of the park, and the building began. Volunteers currently maintain the park and are working on the picnic shelter project.
“Pie in the Park,” a family-oriented fundraiser and pie auction, was scheduled Aug. 25.
The Village Green Foundation meets at 4:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, at Cleo’s Landing.
Kiwanis
The Kingston Kiwanis Club was formed in 1984. The club’s primary mission is to serve children.
Projects include the basketball court at Kola Kole Park, involvement in the Kingston Boys and Girls Club, Wolfle Reading Night, Santa photos, student scholarships ($5,000 in scholarships were presented this year) and working with the Rotary Club on the Wolfle food program.
The club supports the Village Green Foundation through annual financial contributions and volunteer work. It runs a year-long toy drive to ensure local children are able to have a Merry Christmas regardless of their family’s financial situation. It has donated more than $2,000 and food to the two local food banks.
The club meets Wednesdays at noon in the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. Dinner meetings are on the second Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m., at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club.
Downtown Kingston Association
The mission of the Downtown Kingston Association is to promote Kingston as an exciting convenient place to live, play, shop and work while preserving its small-town charm. It was formed in November 2006.
The association serves as an events committee of the Chamber and is responsible for Kites over Kingston, Concerts on the Cove, Kingston Homecoming, and Country Christmas.
It also serves as a reporting/recording vehicle for other events; SoundRunner reports to this group as well.
Outside events include Echelon Gran Fondo, Kitsap Arts & Crafts, Paddle Kitsap, Slug Hunt, Pie in the Park, and Eat Your Way Through History.
