A. The January 15 meeting of the Vashon Maury Island Community Council was
 called to order at 7:40.
B. Greg Nickels' new assistant Irene was introduced.
C. Jim Garrison reported ending balances of 396.06 checking, 808.19 savings,
 107.46 sister community, 735.60 S.O.S.
 1. The Treasurer reminded the Council that January is dues time. Please
 pay dues when you see the Treasurer!
D. It was announced that there are openings on all standing and ad hoc
 committees.
E. There will be a traffic & safety meeting regarding North End ferry traffic
 February 1, 6 PM, at Chautauqua School.
F. The final revision of proposed amendments to the Council's By-Laws was
 presented for adoption. Significant changes include a non-discrimination
 clause and a conflict-of-interest clause for the board, as requested by the
 County for recognition as an official Community Council.
 1. The Motion to adopt the revisions was put to a vote and passed 31:0:0.
G. It was then debated whether the Council should apply to the County for
 recognition as an official Community Council.
 1. The Motion to apply for recognition was put to a vote and passed
 37:0:0.
H. The Council was briefed on the status of our Growth Management Act appeals.
 1. The Island's appeal of 5 acre default zoning was approved, restoring
 the present 10-acre default unless the County can justify more urban
 density.
 2. The County disagrees with the need to justify densities greater than 10
 acres. Because of the way the law is set up, their only avenue of
 appeal is to sue the Community Council and all other parties to the
 appeal.
I. The Council debated the motion to request a small grant from Greg Nickels to
 fund centralization of Council records and equipment.
 1. Some questions were raised about the continuing cost of maintaining
 these facilities after the grant runs out.
 2. The Motion was put to a vote and passed 38:1:1.
J. The Motion to request more reasonable hours and agendas for King County
 Council hearings was brought up for debate.
 1. Many members recounted having been at meetings that lasted ten or more
 hours, including meetings at which the County Council ordered pizza for
 themselves while citizens attempting to be heard had to wait even
 longer to testify.
 2. Several members wondered if the Council might intentionally hold
 endless hearings so that no citizens remain when the Council finally
 takes action.
 3. The Motion was put to a vote and passed 34:2:2.
K. The Motion to support the work of Vashon Island Community Care in saving
 Island Manor nursing home was put to a vote and passed 43:0:0.
L. Laura Wishik intropduced an Emergency Motion to support passage of the Parks
 & Recreation District levy on Feb. 6.
 1. Bill Ameling listed many of the non-Park functions the District is
 serving, providing local government functions needed by the Teen
 Center, Heron Rookery, Fern Cove, etc. in the absence of local
 government by the County. 
 2. 50% of K-6 students are in Vashon Parks programs.
 3. The levy increase is large but a small share of overall taxes:
 currently 1% of taxes, proposed 3% of taxes.
 4. Opposition focused on elderly and low-income Islanders being taxed off
 their land to fund well-intentioned programs. How much is too much?
 5. The Motion to suspend the bylaws passed 12:0:0.
 6. The Motion was put to a vote and passed 43:1:0.
M. An Emergency Motion was introduced to support the Feb 6 School District levy.
 1. Monty Bridges noted that the 2 year replacement levy would end up with
 lower tax rates in 1998 because of increased valuations. The levy
 funds about 20% of school expenses.
 2. The levy is separate from the construction bond issue, but the cost of
 that may be coming down, too, if the District can reduce the interest
 rate through refinancing.
 3. The Motion to suspend the bylaws passed 12:0:0.
 4. The Motion was put to a vote and passed 39:0:1.
N. Dave Rogers and Laura Wishik presented an Emergency Motion to support
 legislation allowing local communtities to form special districts to buy
 development rights.
 1. The District would arrange voluntary purchases of development rights,
 rather than forcing downzones on unwilling property owners.
 2. Currently, County governments are allowed to have development rights
 programs, but in King County that has not worked well for Vashon.
 3. The proposed legislation would allow a maximum tax of 25 cents per
 $1000 valuation.
 4. The current special session of the Legislature provides a good chance
 for passage.
 5. The Motion to suspend the bylaws passed 12:0:0.
 6. The Motion passed 31:1:3.
O. Leslie Creed presented information on her troubles trying to install
 alternative secondary treatment instead of a drain field for her property in
 Burton.
 1. State and national officials have approved numerous secondary treatment
 systems, but none have been approved by King County.
 2. Leslie Creed plans a lawsuit seeking relief under the new expedited
 land use petition process: trial is scheduled for April.
 3. Council members asked about the implications for other parts of the
 island: wopuld currently unbuildable lots become buildable? Could the
 be approvd for repairs only?