Minutes of the December 12, 1997 General Meeting of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council 1 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35PM, Craig Beles presiding. 2. The Treasurer reported balances of $93.33 checking, $2,478.47 savings. 3. Ronald Summers of Lone Star NW presented the company's positions regarding proposed expansion of their gravel pit on Maury Island. a) They have not yet applied for permits for the expanded use of the pit. b) They have not had any major marine operations at the pit since the late 1970s, and have not completed an environmental update since then, either. An updated environmental review is needed regardless of whether the pit is expanded to provide fill for the third runway project. c) The company would prefer to avoid a full Environmental Impact Statement, even though it intends to complete all the studies needed for an EIS. They prefer to be able to hire environmental reviewers they know and trust, rather than put the work out to the lowest bid through the County's process. d) The third runway project will be included as a worst-case scenario in their environmental review, but there are other large projects around the Sound that the pit may be used for. e) Large marine barging projects can run 24 hours a day for up to a year, while the third runway project would run even longer. 4. Sharon Nelson presented her Committee's position on permitting for the expanded use of the pit. a) The Committee is not opposed to expanded use of the pit, but wants a full Environmental Impact Statement, not a pro-forma renewal of the existing permit. b) Many significant community concerns are not addressed in the existing permit project description. These concerns need to be addressed by competent, independent environmental reviews. c) Greg Nickels has endorsed the call for a full EIS for expanded use of the pit, and has requested Ron Sims to do the same. d) The community is skeptical of company-controlled environmental studies. The public process of an EIS is important, not just the quality of the science. 5. Major Norton of the King County Sheriff's Department presented updated crime and police activity statistics for the Island and the precinct as a whole. 6. Fred Hansen requested that his motion to endorse firearms safety education in Vashon schools be recalled from Committee and be put to an immediate vote. The procedure for overruling the Board on the handling of a Motion requires a 2/3 vote of Council members present. a) Fred Hansen said there was nothing controversial about the motion, and it does not require any further study. It does not mandate any action on anyone's part, and does not endorse any specific safety program. It simply endorses the concept of teaching children basic safety skills. b) The request was put to a vote of the general membership and passed. i) Aye 41, Nay 4, Abstain 11 c) The Motion was brought up for debate. i) Some members expressed concern that the Community Council would be stepping on the toes of the School Board. ii) Others noted that the Community Council has repeatedly endorsed or requested actions from other government agencies and businesses that are beyond our control. This is not a demand, just an endorsement of the concept. iii) The Motion was put to a vote and passed. a) Aye 34, Nay 2, Inappropriate 2, Abstain 8 7. Dale Goforth's Motion requesting priority loading for Postal Service vehicles on Vashon ferry runs was brought up for debate. a) Craig Beles noted that the Motion was originally accepted in error: Mr. Goforth is not a resident of the Island, and is ineligible to make motions to the Community Council. Because there were several people willing to second the motion when it was introduced, however, it is clear that the Motion could have been properly made and seconded by Island residents, so the original error is harmless, and the Motion will be considered valid. b) As noted in the Motion and accompanying letter, the USPS has occasional scheduling difficulties when their trucks are delayed. c) Ed Johnson of the WSFS noted that the current WAC already allows priority loading for postal vehicles on the Mukilteo- Clinton run. d) There is a complete review of preferential loading under way, which may produce significant changes. This will be the subject of separate public meetings. e) The Motion was put to a vote and passed. i) Aye 28, Nay 3, Inappropriate 0, Abstain 2 8. The Public Safety Committee reported that safety improvements at the North End are underway, and the County has agreed to implement the Community Council's Motion requesting the conversion of the downhill lane into a ferry traffic holding lane. 9. The Land Use and Natural Resources Committee noted several developments. a) The closure of the Puget Sound Energy office affects only the part-time clerk's position, not repair or dispatch services. Payments will be accepted at several local businesses. b) Louise Miller has proposed a greatly improved telecommunications ordinance, much better than the pervious proposal. c) The substantial increase proposed for Board of Health fees is to be decided Friday. d) There is a Ferry Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Southworth in January, and another one is planned on the Island. 10. There being no new business, the meeting was adjourned.