Draft, VMICC Board Minutes 7-6-05 meeting, recorded by Jay Becker, jaybecker@aol.com, Community Consulting

            Vice President Joan Sells called to order the Board of the Vashon Maury Island Community Council at 7:15 p.m. in the Courthouse Square. Board members present included May Gerstle, Terry Gaskill, Marilyn Omy, and Jolene Lamb. Visitors included Bill Smith, Jay Becker, Mark Goldman, Sandra Hamilton, Tom Bangasser, Marian Whited, Kathleen Fitch, Ivan Weiss and daughter.

            Lamb reported little change in the treasury from last report.

            Fitch, organizer of the Economic Development for a Sustainable Vashon group, (EDSV) reported it pursues new business for island businesses in cooperation with other island groups. EDSV plans to survey commuters in July and August. Gerstle suggested and Fitch agreed to introduce a resolution of endorsement to the VMICC.

            Bangasser, President of the V-M Chamber of Commerce, reported the Chamber, with EDSV and Institute for Environmental Research and Education, (IERE), decided to bring in Delor Zimmerman to help clarify and consolidate current visions of what island life ought to be like. The county plans to develop economic development strategies this fall, he reported. Bangasser noted  major challenges need change, particularly in transportation and relationships with King County.

            Sells asked how others can be involved in this effort. Ask sponsors, Fitch answered.

            Minutes of the previous board meeting were approved without change.

            Vandalism of autos was discussed. No action taken.

            A motion to impeach President Bush was declared inappropriate for a vote by the whole Council based on VMICC by-laws and contract with King County. Gerstle moved not to forward it to the whole council. The vote was four “yea” and one abstention. Goldman argued the motion was not a partisan political issue, but about defending the constitution and rule of law.

            A motion to require an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of new board members was referred to the standing By Laws Committee. It would take a by-laws change, Lamb said. Motion passed 3-1.

            A motion to create a property rights committee with review power over recommendations of all VMICC committees was referred to the by-laws committee by a 5-0 vote because “as worded it does not fit the by-laws”. A motion to recommend the land use committee sponsor a dialogue on property rights was dropped.

            A motion to endorse a Vashon-Maury Watershed Plan developed by a county committee of volunteer islanders and others was forwarded by consensus for a Council vote.

            Also by consensus the board agreed to tell Dan Schueler, webmaster, to put a disclaimer on the list of citizens who asked to share information about VMICC activities.

            Omy was asked to write rules for public decorum in Council meetings based on the Council’s parliamentary procedure manual (Robert’s Rules. 10th edition) for the chair of Council meetings.

            Meeting adjourned about 9:25 p.m.