Minutes of the July 19, 1998 General Meeting of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council 1 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM, Craig Beles presiding. 2. The Treasurer reported balances of $91.83 checking, $1,909.85 savings. 3. There were several announcements of general interest. a) Vashon Pet Protectors will be having a fund raiser August 2 with Howard Lyman, 2-4 PM. b) Wolfe Internet Access has donated an account to the Community Council, and a Community Council web page is under development. http://www.wolfenet.com/~vmicc 4. The Public Safety Committee reported that it has set a six month agenda. Next meeting is August 12. 5. The Ferry Advisory Committee will be having a meeting August 5 on proposed new priority loading rules. 6. The Transportation Committee reported that: a) The search is on for parking alternatives for commuters. b) New stairs will be going in at the north end parking lot, including a roof to keep them somewhat clean and dry. c) Next meeting is July 27. 7. The Land Use Committee reported that: a) County planners have scaled back the proposed repeal of the Community Plan, and 23 or 24 of the Plan's policies will probably not be repealed. b) There is a new County policy pending on the metering of rural growth. Vashon has already exceeded the growth planned by the County for 2012, so any efforts to restrict growth in line with planned growth could be very important. c) The County Council will pass the ground water plan if the Ground Water Advisory Committee accepts certain amendments. d) The Department of Health's grant for septic system education has been approved. e) The new Code Enforcement ordinance is headed to the County Council. f) WashPIRG is conducting a campaign for clean water and salmon recovery. g) The relaxation of cell tower siting standards in the new County Telecommunications Ordinance has been appealed to the Growth Management Review Board for failing to ensure compatibility with rural areas. h) Next meeting is July 29. 8. The Forest Practices Committee reported there will be a field trip by the Forest Practices Board on August 11. Call Nancy Silver, 3-9173, or Laura Bienen, 7-4613, for information. 9. The Governance and Policy Committee will next meet August 10, 7:30PM, at the old kindergarten building. 10. The Signs Committee will next meet August 25, probably at the old kindergarten building. 11. David Vogel's Motion that the Community Council provide childcare at its meetings was brought up for debate. a) A primary concern of many members was cost: the Motion does not set a limit on costs, and providing adequate child care can be very expensive. The Council does not have insurance for this, either. b) Some questioned whether spending public money on child care for meetings was appropriate. Others responded that this was the only way for many people to take part in public meetings, and thus essential for democratic society. c) The Motion was put to a vote and failed. i) Aye 32, Nay 46, Abstain 9, Inappropriate 5. 12. The Motion to authorize the Community Council Board to appeal, at its discretion, any decisions in the LoneStar gravel pit expansion permit process, was brought up for debate. a) The permit process has short enough deadlines that there would not be time for the Council as a whole to approve any appeals. This Motion would authorize the board to act quickly if the County takes inappropriate actions. b) The Committee reports the County is probably going to determine significance and require an EIS, but this is not certain. c) The Motion was put to a vote and passed: i) Aye 88, Nay 0, Abstain 0, Inappropriate 0. 13. Sharon Nelson reported on an upcoming series of courses on the care of on-site septic systems. The courses, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension, will provide information on how to care for a septic system, what is safe to put in a septic tank, etc. See flyer for more details. 14. Betty Capehart made a presentation on racist graffiti and other hate crimes on Vashon/Maury. a) The racist graffiti reported on Michael B's restaurant before it burned may or may not be linked to the fire, but should be of concern in and of itself. Why was there no concern before the fire? Someone other than the perpetrator must know who painted it, but no one has come forward. b) The County's road cleanup volunteer signs for the Vashon Gay Pride Alliance have been vandalized repeatedly for several years. No one has been caught. c) The Northwest Coalition on Malicious Harassment has documented increasing hate crimes in the region. d) This is an issue for everyone, not just the targets and the perpetrators. Why do the perpetrators feel the community will tolerate their crimes? 15. Beth Bitter, Betty Capehart, and Emily Vogt proposed a new Motion reaffirming the Community Council Bylaws' nondiscrimination principles, condemning acts of hate and violence, and calling on the Community Council to support and co- sponsor events to address community diversity. 16. Cliff Goodman proposed, and David Vogel seconded, a Motion that the VMICC explore the feasibility of contracting with the YMCA to provide licensed and insured childcare at VMICC meetings. 17. Joan Wortis proposed, and Jack Barback seconded, a Motion that, to accurately reflect Vashon's rural and peaceful nature, off island military vehicles and other military displays be excluded from the Strawberry Festival Parade. 18. Jake Jacobovitch proposed, and Jason Everett seconded, a Motion that the Community Council support WashPIRG's clean water campaign. 19. Adjourned.