Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
DRAFT Minutes of the Board
October 3, 2005

Present: Jolene Lamb, Marilyn Omey, Jack Barbash, Joan Sells, Mark Meyers, Robin Hess, May Gerstle ,Jim English, presiding, Jean Bosch, recording

Minutes approved with the following changes: change “values” to “rights”, change “Ferry Advisory Committee” to “VMICC Transportation Committee”.

Treasurer Report:  No change since last report.

Announcements:  

Jennie Hodgson, League of Women Voters: 
* Candidate’s Night Oct. 26 at Courthouse Square.

* Jennie attended the Affordable Housing workshop of the Land Use Committee and the Local Taxing District Committee meeting: hearing Islanders wrestling with how to preserve Vashon’s character.  Proposes an Island-wide forum to discuss community priorities. 

Jay Becker: Within the last year organized a similar meeting to identify and rate goals for the Island. He will look for the materials generated by that discussion.

Jack Barbash: this has been done numerous times, would be good to gather results from previous efforts prior to any meeting. He volunteered to compile any information sent to him: ahimsafirst@earthlink.net. He welcomes summaries of past planning efforts, retreats, open houses, etc.

Public Comment:
Armen Youssoufian deplored the rancor and personal comments at recent VMICC meetings. All comments should be addressed to the chair, and a parliamentarian who understands Roberts Rules of Order is a must. Note from the Chair: committee chairs have the option to close any meeting if an offending participant refuses to leave. Jolene cautioned that this should not be used to shut off “negative” or unwelcome views. Marilyn volunteered to assist committees to use appropriate policies, by-laws and procedures.

Agenda for VMICC October 17:
1. By-laws changes (30 mins)
2. Septic PUD presentation (10 mins)
3. Local Taxing Districts tutorial (1 hr) Start at 8:15, will need overhead projector. Dan Schueler will contact Bill Ameling to see how to best present his information. Mark will do high school outreach.

Board Action Items:

1. Mark Meyers appointed Clerk of the Council. Jean will act as Board Secretary.
2. Robin Hess elected alternate parliamentarian
3. Mark and Dan will pick up all VMICC materials from the Library, Jim will help them sort. Will keep at least one year’s minutes and all treasurer reports. Rayna Holtz, reference librarian, may be willing to assist.
4. Mark donated a copier to VMICC
5. Committee membership: motion made and approved to continue present policy that specifies that anyone who attends may vote at committee meetings
6. May reported no relevant information in the annual report of the Department of Human Services.

Steve Graham, Septic Solutions report:
PUDs originally intended to foster water and electric service. Can only deal with septic issues in conjunction with water or electricity. Rita Schenk of IERE and Steve are considering a joint proposal for a PUD that promotes energy conservation and operates on a “fee for service” basis. Savings from energy conservation could go to provide septic assistance to homeowners.

PUD structure makes possible low interest loans, funds granting, federal assistance, development of prototype solutions, large-scale buying, permitting authority, etc.                      

Committee Reports:
* Ron Leaders, Economics Committee:  May need an urgent motion to consider a letter from the Economics Committee to the County planning staff of the Rural Economics Initiative. Will bring a report to the next VMICC.
* Governance and Policy Committee: Marilyn resigning, Robin will be the new Board liaison. Melvin Mackey will chair.
* Disaster Preparedness:  Joe Ulatoski is resigning as head of the coalition, May will be the new liaison.
* Transportation: Ferry Advisory Committee meeting on Vashon Wed, Nov. 9, 6:30, McMurray Multipurpose room.
* Restroom: Committee waiting to see Parks budget. Nancy Vanderpool may become chair.

Note: May and Robin asked whether King Co. Liaison Bong Sto. Domingo could stay until the end of the meeting,

Public Comment: Steve Ellingson, Armen Youssoufian, Dan Schueler offered comments