Vashon Maury Island Community Council
Minutes for the April 18, 2005 meeting
Courthouse Square

The meeting, which followed the Washington State Ferry Tariff meeting, was called to order by President Jim English at 8:00 p.m.  There were approximately 36 people in attendance. The minutes from the previous council meeting were not available for approval.  Jolene Lamb gave the treasurer’s report.  There is still $8,063.04 unspent in the budget of $10,000 for the year.  Of the $1,936.96 which has been spent, $1,129.93 is for insurance.

The president announced a board vacancy due to the resignation of Floyd Williams.  Deadline for applications is the Friday before the next board meeting May 2.  

Ray Deardorf, the WSF long range planner, talked about projected growth from both Vashon and Southworth.  He will be coming back in June when the various options and input from the public have been finalized.  

VMICC Board member Jack Barbash, who is also the chairman of the Sustainable Practices Committee, presented “The State of Our Island Environment.”  The report covered species, land, forestry, agriculture, water, transportation, energy use, recycling and waste disposal and businesses.  He discussed where we have been, are now, are headed and what the challenges are.  

Terry Gaskill, chairman of the Restroom Task Force, announced that there is progress on the building of a restroom and that the Park District has been asked for funding.  Jim announced the formation of a Bike Task Force and said there was a signup sheet on the front table.

Vickie Mercer, chairwoman of the Transportation Committee, reminded attendees that final comments on the ferry options will be taken at the April 26th meeting.  May Gerstle announced that the Heavy Metals Committee will have a workshop using ferns to extract arsenic from the soil will be demonstrated at Chautauqua School on May 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.  She also passed out fliers reminding people about the meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday, May 17, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Vashon High School Cafeteria to discuss the Glacier NW plans and permits for mining on Maury Island.  Joe Ulatoski announced that King County Council has approved an ordinance to form the Vashon Island Emergency Management Area (VIEMA) and an interlocal agreement to establish a legal framework for the planning efforts of the Disaster Preparedness Coalition.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Submitted by Joan Sells, VMICC Vice President