Formation Meeting of UAC for Cottage Lake and East Area April 30, 1998

Meeting opened by Geoff Groff-Smith, who introduced speakers Louise Miller, King County Councilmember, Everett Wilcock of Four Creeks Area Council, Don Stone of West Hill Community Council and Jake Jacobovitch of Vashon-Maury Island Community Council. Ron Sims enroute, late so Louise Miller opened the meeting. She has been a member of this community since 1967, being active in community affairs ever since and serving in the state legislature (Olympia) several terms. She worked on land use plans to fit into a Comprehensive Plan, then the Bear Creek Plan including plans for commercial areas as well as rural areas. She has been on the King County Council for 5 years? She hopes a UAC for our area will publish a newsletter, attend 2-3 meetings a year with the County Executive and the other community councils, participate in projections of 6-10-15 years for the area which is now designated as Rural.

Everett Wilcock sighted Brian Derdowski, Louise Miller and Kent Pullen as resource persons in the King Co Council for his area. There is a need to involve the entire community by sub-committee to study issues in the area, encouraging commentary on the future and present. "Knowledge is Power"!

Don Stone noted a vast diversity in the makeup of the existing councils. His is a older, very established, fully developed area on a hillside that has many springs producing unwanted water run offs and posing big problems. The County is not able to single out all areas with problems, it's up to the UAC's to reach the county for it's own needs. They publish a newsletter (see my copy) and make use of advance notice on construction projects that will impact commercial areas and traffic tangles.

Jake Jacobovitch is part of a council established in 1940, he sees the UAC's another avenue into the County Government that affects his area. It adds understanding to both sides, provides ties, promotes unification. They represent 11K men and women. Vashon-Maury Island is designated Rural. Their UAC is a "participatory council", everyone attending has a vote on issues, not just the board of the council. The more UAC's that are established, the larger the "clout" downtown! UAC's are well worth the effort.

Questions:

Jim Sebring asked how UAC's are financed. Ron Sims has allowed each UAC $10. for running expenses. With guidelines of course

Steve Gallagher of Hollywood Hills asked how their council can maintain their power and not be swallowed (represented) by UAC? Would the UAC's embrace and work for Hollywood Hill concerns? It's up to Hollywood Hills whether they are part of the UAC or not.

John Blanchard asked how UAC would affect Saybrook?

Jim Buck is concerned about scattered areas and fighting annexation into the city of Woodinville. Don Stone pointed out that UAC's have the ability to affect change in the beginning- not after the accomplished fact. "Cherry Picking" is the term used when cities annex revenue rich tax base areas only, leaving the rest to the County.

Kevin Coughlin asked what success UAC's have had with areas that abut the council boundaries not being picked off by adjoining cities? Same answer, be informed and act.

8:45, Ron Sims arrived. His message: UAC's make for a stronger voice in the County - communication between the County and the UAC's is the key. Information is Power again. UAC's = citizens talking to government=UAC community empowering itself. Boundary Review Boards listen to citizen input rather than the County. Areas of focus: resource management, housing pressures, transportation, ...........

sk officers from "storefront offices" to be on the board.

It was strongly suggested by the King Co Sheriff officer that we include the SE corner of the area within our boundaries.

5/4 98 Bong:

Here are the hi-lights of the meeting as I saw them....comments? What's next?

nancy