Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
Draft Minutes of the Board
March 6, 2006

Present: Jack Barbash, Mark Meyers, Marilyn Omey, May Gerstle, Jim English, presiding, Jean Bosch, recording.   Guests: Bong Sto Domingo, Vickie Mercer, Tom Bangasser, Dennis Saunders

Treasurer’s Report: none

Announcements: 
* March 14 is the election date for the Parks District and the School District levies
* Bong is on vacation March 23-April 17
* Citizen Participation Initiatives meeting third Wednesday of each quarter, First and Marion Seattle, 6th floor, AM

Public Comment: none

Routine Business:  Agenda for March 20 community council meeting:

1. Tom Bangasser requested time to discuss 45 indicators of rurality on Vashon. The board suggested community members who would have data on several of the indicators who should be invited to the meeting. Jean will contact them. Tom will stay after the meeting to get names of people interested in continuing this work under the aegis of the economics committee. Mark volunteered to assist Tom in getting ready for this meeting.
2. The Puget Sound Ferry Advisory Committee has recommended to Washington State Ferries that WSF conduct an economic impact study of ferry policies and route changes. Jim will ask Vickie Mercer and/or Mike Sudduth to report on this development.
Motions: None
Board Action Items:
Joan Sells, Vice President of the board, has resigned. Kudos to Joan for her very significant leadership and outreach contributions. Joan saved the VMICC money by instituting a newspaper article system for upcoming meetings, rather than paid ad space. She also organized and led the outreach workshop in 2004 that formed the basis for two VMICC ad hoc committees that have done meaningful work in the community. Joan will be missed, but we wish her well in her next steps!
Filling Joan’s Position:
The board members agreed to use this opportunity to do community outreach, each agreeing to extend at least two invitations to community members to apply for the open position. Calls should be made by March 31st at the latest.
Suggested criteria for new members:
Commitment to Vashon quality of life; commitment of time and energy, i.e., minimum of two meetings per month and one committee; diversity of age, politics, gender, etc; stability in life situation; community involvement and connections; and folks new to the Island
Jim will make available the committee list, operating policy, and VMICC achievements to anyone contacting him.
Jean agreed to act as vice president until the next board meeting, when a new vice president will be elected.
Committee Updates 
Committee Coordinator:
Marilyn suggested the board create a new position: committee coordinator. She has volunteered to staff this position and will create a job description. Loud acclaim for Marilyn’s idea and gratitude at her willingness to do the job.
Youth Advisory: Oanh Meyers will chair.
Heavy Metals: May have disbanded as of last meeting. May Gerstle will write an article acknowledging the hard work of many committee members over the last 5 years. Well-organized archives are in the Library
Ferry Advisory Committee Candidates for ratification at next council meeting: Dean Katz, Greg Beardsley, Alan Mendel
Economic Committee will do a presentation at the next council meeting and re-form with any interested participants thereafter.
Outreach:  Board adopted synopsis of retreat submitted by Jean, who has agreed to chair and will ask for members at the next council meeting. Jean will ask Barbara Roberts to continue with refreshments, with $20 authorized for refreshments at the next meeting. Barbara and Jean will submit a budget request for refreshments for the rest of the year. Jim arrives at 7 so Barbara can have access to the building for set-up. Dan Schueler will bring the supplies box from previous times.
Nominating Committee will be elected at the November meeting.
Public Comment:
Tom Bangasser suggested that all publicly elected bodies be invited send a member (who will become an honorary VMICC board member) to the council meetings. These people could give regular updates, thus making VMICC the information nexus for all Island bodies with taxing authority. Favorable discussion. Each board member agreed to have a conversation about this idea with someone from each taxing body:
 Marilyn-Fire, Jean-Sewer, Mark-Schools, May-WD 19 & Parks, Jack-cemetery, Jean-airport.
Vickie Mercer strongly suggests we all contact our legislators regarding moving bill 6787 out of committee.