The June KCAC notes did not run in full in last month’s Kingston Community News; they are presented here. The notes were edited for the space available.
This is an abbreviated summary of the June 6 Kingston Citizens Advisory Council meeting.
Special presentation: Sen. Christine Rolfes.
Sen. Rolfes shared her 2012 Legislative Report. Highlights of the state’s economy and budget were discussed. The belief is the economy is on a stable low and will pick up over the next two years. There were major budget cuts this past spring totaling about $500 million. The state budget is $31 billion for two years, which does not include transportation or capital investments.
Users are paying more for park services to support those programs. Most cuts were in human services. While there were no cuts to education, schools are dealing with serious budget issues. A committee is working on job creation and 15 pieces of legislation served to develop a vision of how the state can be strengthen. The state invested in science and engineering in hopes of training the next generation.
There is a very robust unemployment fund in Washington state. Effort was made to protect children from budget cuts and the state’s Apple Health for Kids program remains in place. Support continues for our military families.
Transportation is a serious issue, with funding for ferries running out in 2014; tax packages are being discussed. School funding is another issue as the Supreme Court ruled legislators are not meeting the minimum requirements for education funding; it is the No. 1 responsibility of the state and much time will be spent on this budgetary challenge.
Closing of the Tourism Office was questioned. Rolfes said budgets were scaled back so far that the Tourism Office was undermined. The private sector, it was determined, could do the job better; thus the Washington Tourism Alliance was created. There were cuts in the film industry, which resulted in serious revenue declines so tax incentives are being offered once again.
In order to maintain the passenger ferry, ridership must go up to prove that it is on a path to self-sustainability. Rolfes is working with the Port of Kingston to see what can be done to get more riders on board.
Rolfes now has an office in Poulsbo City Hall; her legal assistant works Monday through Thursday and is available to answer any questions.
Subcommittee Reports
— WSF Committee: Walt Elliott. Legislators approved $300 million in ferry funding from increased fees that closed the gap in operating costs and current fare revenue, and also funded the building of a second 144-car ferry.
The keel was laid for the first 144-car ferry in March and the second will start in December. These and a third boat will replace boats for service on the San Juan Islands, Bremerton and Mukilteo routes. Performance measures were set by the Legislature.
The USCG approved the concept design for retrofit to liquefied natural gas fuel to Issaquah class boats. This will cut fuel costs by 40-50 percent. Phase 1 of the reservation system will be updated this summer. Phase 2 will begin in 2013 or 2014. Senior tickets should be available online in the near future.
— Parks and Open Space: Walt Elliott. The North Kitsap Trails Association collects data on the usage of trails at the Port Gamble area and Heritage Park.
A toilet was set up in Arness Park; donations are needed to help with the cost. Commissioner Gelder has decided to keep the Kingston-Eglon trail and small parking area open. Work is under way to build a boardwalk trail across the wet areas by the parking lot at Heritage Park.
Work parties continue the second Saturday of the month; meet at the Miller Bay Road entrance. Focus this year is on Scotch broom removal. On Aug. 4, there will be an opening ceremony and dedication of the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail, from 4-6 p.m. at Mike Wallace Park.
Community Reports
— Kingston Stake-holders: Dan Martin. Stakeholders met on June 1 and Walt gave them an update on the SoundRunner passenger ferry.
A check for $1,000 was written to the Event Committee to support bands; $500 was donated to the Food for Kids Program.
— Kingston Port and SoundRunner: Pete DeBoer, Port of Kingston. There is a new concrete pad in front of the stage.
The Port will be applying for an emergency maintenance dredge permit with anticipated costs of $500,000 or more. Sen. Rolfes suggested that, since the Carpenter Creek project came in under budget, there may be funds to address the sedimentation problem. This is being investigated.
