Unincorporated Area Councils Joint Forum Meeting Minutes

Date: September 29, 2001
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Location: Ober Park, 17130 Vashon Hwy. S.W., Vashon Island, WA
Board Attendees:

Four Creeks UAC: Oscar Bandelin,Vice-President
Greater Maple Valley Area Council: Terry Seaman, Chair
North Highline UAC: Jim Eeckhoudt
Upper Bear Creek Community Council: Geoff Clayton, Vice-President
Peter Lamanna, Secretary
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council: Jake Jacobovitch, President
West Hill Community Council: Babara Wilson, President

King County Attendees: Ron Sims, Steve Call, Stephanie Warden, Marissa Algeria, Linda Dougherty
Community Attendees:

The forum could not have asked for a more perfect day for an outing on the island. Everyone enjoyed great barbecued food and conversation. The grilled salmon was a big hit. Jake Jacobovitch, President of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. He also asked us all to refect upon the events of September 11th and how we should all strive to work together, love and care for each other. He then delivered a most excellent introduction of Ron Sims.
Ron Sims emphasized how valuable the UACs were to the county as a means of communication with residents. They are listening to us.
Sheriff Reicher was away so his chief spoke instead. She talked about how September 11th was going to require law enforcement to do more than it has ever done before. There are also many changes taking place as a result of the county having to do more and more work as service provider to the newly incorporated cities. Steve Call, Director, Office of Budget, gave a status report. The county due to its current budget shortfall, city annexations, formation of new municipalities, and a shrinking economy is going to have to make many deep cuts over the coming years. Some of these have already happened. Stephanie Warden, Director, Office of Regional Policy and Planning, discussed the upcoming Title 23 Code Compliance changes that will be going to council in 2 to 3 weeks. Reports were then presented by each of the attending UACs.

Oscar Bandelin, Vice-President, Four Creeks UAC, stressed the need to establish inter-local agreements to deal with the many problems confronting their community. He talked about development growth, housing density, Renton annexations, and traffic. Terry Seaman, Chair, Greater Maple Valley Area Council, voiced her community's disappointment with Sheriff Reicher's cancellation of their public meeting. They had 3 dozen people show up to complain about the meth labs in their neighborhoods. She stressed the importance for the UACs to become involved in the redistricting issue. The UACs may loose their council voice. They need to maintain at least 3 strong seats on the council. Jim Eeckhoudt, Member, North Highline UAC, also mentioned the existence of meth labs in his community. They are a poor community and need low income services. Peter Lamanna, Secretary, Upper Bear Creek Community Council, reported on events and issues important to the residents of his community:

1. Traffic; the Woodinville-Duvall Road and Novelty Hill Road projects. Why are we building roads for Snohomish county commuters.
2. BrightWater is important because of the possibility of providing reclaimed water for the Samamish Valley and the pressure it will bring to urbanize surrounding rural area. Ron was thanked for removing the Woodinville site from the list of proposed sites. It will be used for affordable housing.
3. Residents were caught by surprise and angered by the extension of the burn ban area. This was done without any consideration for practical and affordable alternatives.
4. The council is now incorporated and learning to work with the county as a vendor. They do miss the old way under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
5. The community would like to see a comprehensive plan for the Samamish Valley.
6. Environmental issues are very important. We must be able to continue to purchase habit for the protection of these resources and salmon recovery.
7. Active parks are in short supply. Cottage Lake Park is our only park and it is being heavily used.
8. Parks are very important to the community. This was demonstrated by the turnout over the Daniels Creek Park project.
9. Requested that a basin steward be hired for Issaquah so that Ray Heller could concentrate on Bear Creek.
10. Thanks were given to:
a. Marissa for all of her assistance.
b. Ray Heller, our basin steward.
c. Connie Blumen for consolidating all the community input on the Daniels Creek Park project and developing a plan to complete the work.
d. Ron Sims for visiting on September 20th.
e. All the departments for coming out to meet with us and present on issues.

Jake Jacobovitch, President, Vashon-Maury Island Community Council reiterated the importance of the redistricting issue. He said to take a look at their web site for more information. He cited the new compost facility on the island for their organic growers as one example of forging beneficial agreements. Parks was able to provide the land for the project. He also commented on the Maury Island mining of 10% above sea level.

Barbara Wilson, President, West Hill Community Council, came very well prepared. She handed out folders to all of the attending county employees.

1. List of all their newly elected members.
2. Goals
a. More public participation.
b. More proactive; planning and prioritizing.
1. Capital improvements.
2. Community forums, surveys, focus groups.
3. Major issues
a. Revitalizing their business core in an aging community.
b. More attractive area will require stronger code enforcement.
c. Greater sense of community will require more public places for residents.
d. Transportation i.e. traffic, speeding, pedestrian safety.
e. They are seeing urbanization along their urban boundary.
f. More services are needed i.e. transit.
g. Services need to be targeted where they can do the most good.
h. Task force to deal with annexation that is currently happening piece meal. Need to work for the best deal.
i. Youth in school. Youth are a priority. Need positive outlets for them.
j. Improve community image. They are often associated with crime.

They are actively recruiting and have established focus or working groups to address these issues.

Jake Jacobovitch then opened up the meeting to public input. Questions were replied to by the appropriate department head or heads.

Jake concluded the meeting with some closing remarks and thanks.

Overall it was a wonderful day. Everything seemed to move along smoothly and on schedule. The turn out was less than previously seen and expected.

Peter Lamanna Secretary Upper Bear Creek Community Council