Attendees Watershed residents: Tom Linde, Judy Pickens, Chris Nack, Steev Ward, Dennis Hinton Fauntleroy Community Association: Phil Sweetland Fauntleroy Church: Randy Sleight Seattle Public Utilities: Kathy Minsch, Martha Burke, Nancy Ahern Seattle Parks: Don Allen Guest: Tim St. Clair (West Seattle Herald)

Facilitator: Dennis Hinton Scribe: Randy Sleight

NOTES 1. Introductions/roster updating

2. November minutes approved as published

3. Treasurer's report Dennis H. reported $353.25 in the council checking account

4. Public Notice Dennis H. indicated that the Herald continues to publish our meeting notices.

5. Presentation Comprehensive Drainage Plan: Nancy Ahern led an update on aspects of the draft comprehensive drainage plan applying to the watershed, with input and questions from those present, including Martha Burke.

She said that the city intends to use the plan as a tool to sort projects to determine if they are cost effective and add value. She reported a tightening up on certain policies about what constitutes a reasonable expenditure of public funds; however, drainage needs directly related to or derived from operation of the drainage system would rank high on the list for funding. The whole issue of using drainage utility funds for salmon enhancement projects is under closer review, she said. Many times, Endangered Species Act-related reviews are directly tied to a project; others are less clear and as a consequence undergo closer review before city funds are allocated for them.

She noted that the only specific project in the draft plan for this watershed is a solution to the trail washout at S.W. Cambridge Street. Judy P. confirmed that most "hard" projects outlined in the Watershed Action Plan have been accomplished, leaving "soft" projects related to public information and signage.

Randy S. noted that landslides have been a problem in past years in Fauntleroy Park, on adjacent church property, and along the city right-of-way alley into the park. Erosion is also a concern, with sand from the upper watershed easily transported by rain into the creek system. The discussion also touched on seismic hazards and flooding; city staff said that protection of existing infrastructure has priority for emergency funding.

Action item: The Council will provide additional input, as requested, as this plan moves toward adoption.

Critical Areas Code update: Given that January 21 is the first public meeting to update the city's Critical Areas Code, discussion ensued about which aspects of the code have worked well to protect habitat here and which could be strengthened.

Action item: Phil S. and/or Tom L. will attend the public meeting; Judy P. will draft written input and circulate to them and to the Executive Committee.

6. Upper watershed project updates and action requests Easement: Randy S. briefed the Council on development of an easement for trail access and maintenance involving Seattle Parks and Fauntleroy Church. With surveying help from Kirk Hopkins, he prepared a legal description and map for the city and church trustees to further the process.

Vegetation management/volunteer outreach: Mark Mead (Seattle Parks) submitted an update by e-mail. He said that the Parks Board adopted the vegetation management plan for Fauntleroy Park and that he is working on a volunteer-outreach contract with EarthCorps, using monies from plan development. He hopes to finalize the contract in the first quarter.

Kilbourne Park invasive work: Don A. reported that, though the budget limits the ability of his crew to tackle invasives in Kilbourne, the Seattle Conservation Corps did do triage work there for two weeks recently to try to save some of the trees by pulling vines and weeding to the drip line.

Pet-waste study: Judy P. updated the Council on the outreach phase of the pet-waste study with Kapka Cooperative Primary. She worked with SPU and State Ecology staff to create a small brochure for dog walkers, now available from a brochure box on the kiosk at the S.W. Barton Street entrance to Fauntleroy Park. The box is a test to determine public interest and the likelihood of publications becoming a nuisance for Parks staff or a target of vandals. Students will come to the Council in May to report on their study.

Upper watershed improvements: Discussion ensued on other upper-watershed projects - installation of large woody debris scheduled for June and near-completion of trail upgrades. Randy S. noted that Trails Program staff was doing great work especially on the steep section above the Forest Court tributary bridge.

S.W. Cambridge Street entrance: Chris Woelfel (SPU) submitted an update by e-mail, noting that Matt Orr (Seattle Conservation Corps coordinator) and SPU's mini-drainage repair coordinator have started developing a repair plan.

7. Lower-watershed project updates Salmon habitat strategy: Tom L. and Steve W. summarized a debriefing/strategizing session in December with Katherine Lynch (SPU biologist) and Bill McMillan and Dave Crabb (Washington Trout return monitors). The agreed-to strategy is to focus community and agency efforts on improving the creek as rearing habitat and to continue to collect data on out-migration.

Action item: Judy P. will work with SPU staff to improve the survival prospects for Salmon in the Classroom fry.

Reach-to-beach property: Judy P. announced that the reach to the beach property has a prospective buyer, who contacted her about critical-area implications. Despite providing written information about the creek to the owner and listing agent, neither passed it on to the prospective buyer.

Action item: Judy P. will reference this experience in Council input to the Critical Areas Code updating process.

8. Executive Committee News/action requests Bird coordination: Judy P. announced that Arbor Heights residents Robert and Linda Gresky are very enthused about cultivating bird awareness in the watershed; both are experienced Audubon volunteers.

Photos for website: Dennis H. called for anyone with a digital camera to submit photos (preferably in jpeg format) to webmaster Chris Nack for possible posting to enhance our site.

Watershed brochure: Judy P. noted that our watershed brochure needs updating; given the hour, substantive discussion was postponed until March.

Upcoming agenda topics: 
Critical areas 
Outreach contract 
Pet waste study 
Cambridge Street park entrance 
Church easement 
Bird awareness 
Watershed brochure

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Next meeting: Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m. @ Fauntleroy Church