April 2008

7:00 PM

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Review and Approve Agenda

Public comment on topics which are not listed on the agenda

7:15 PM

Major Dave Germani

Fabienne Brooks former precinct commander in Maple Valley would like to meet with us. She is now with the National Coalition Building Group, and is looking for 15 officers and 15 community leaders to assist with a project that impacts Burien, Maple Valley, Kenmore, and the Shoreline areas. A one day workshop to train the volunteers will occur sometime between June and August. The purpose of this group is to sit down with the department and discuss tensions in the community should something dramatic happen. The officers can sit down with the community leaders and explain their point of view. This is already off the ground in Atlanta, and we would be the first on the west coast to have this type of coalition. Major Germani will be added to next months agenda.   

7:30 PM: Ravensdale Park

Gordon Moorman

This is the reason why the GMVAC is here. Gordon reviewed where we came from, and where we are today. At one time the community of Ravensdale felt that they weren’t being heard, and because of the GMVAC and our presentation TJ and others in the Parks Department decided they needed to start asking people that actually live in the neighborhood for their opinion and what their concerns are. Three people from the Ravensdale community were actually added to the Jones and Jones planning committee. Major stakeholders have bought into the preliminary final design.  There is a cost estimate that Parks had to provide. Phase 1 is the upgrading of the turf, and Phase two is the major part of the construction. Parks would like to see the partnership program pay for much of Phase 2. Phase 3 is where the cultural center comes in. Gordon provided a handout to the group that outlined the details. This design has not gone through SEPA, DDES, Traffic, and all the environmental studies. Currently the only fencing that is being planned is along the road; however, this topic is still up for discussion. Questions were asked about the lighting, but this is another area that is under discussion. Ravensdale Park is now considered a local park as opposed to a regional sports complex. There is another meeting on Monday, April 14 with the design committee.  Gordon reminded the group that this is a phased plan, and Phase 3 may not come for 10 years. Parks would like to have another meeting at Gracie Hanson, and would like to get the plan out in the community prior to the meeting. The news release that Gordon drafted was discussed, and with a few minor changes was accepted unanimously. It was also decided that Gordon will revise the news release, and email it to everyone.

Warren, Dave and Gordon attended the Maple Valley Community meeting where the Covington Notch, Summit Pit, and the Donut Hole was discussed. Reagan Dunn made a strong statement that the City of Maple Valley needs to be at the table. There were a lot of young people making comments on the Donut Hole and Covington Notch. Approximately 25 high school students gave comments. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 22^nd, at Northwood Middle School. Peter’s feeling is that other than the comments we made on Lake Desire nothing changed after we submitted our detailed comments sheet. He proposed that five of us sign up to and address the comment forms. Five members of the GMVAC volunteered to read public comments, and also submit written comments again. Those individuals will meet on Monday, April 14 to plan the presentation. Steve mentioned that he received a letter asking for someone to testify before the Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee on the King County Comprehensive Plan.

Gordon Moorman

A former King County employee was brought back to run the meetings, and Gordon pointed out that Stephanie Warden was not in attendance. Only 5 of the 9 members were present at the meeting. Gordon hopes that DDES is taking the committee seriously. There were more DDES people in the group, than committee members, and this was a concern. The purpose of this committee is to review the permit process for length of time, cost, and efficiency. They are looking at Bellevue and Redmond, and how their permitting process works. Gordon was provided with the fee study, and King County is significantly higher in price than other counties. They are pushing the project manager process from a residential perspective. It is now being used commercially. They want to have a set of goals by the end of October, and a recommendation that will be submitted to the King County Council. This committee was put together at the Councils request. DDES is in somewhat of a defensive mode because they are being compared to counties that use general funds to assist the permitting group. Gordon’s role is to ask probing questions to get to the heart of the issue.

Second reading provided by Peter Rimbos. The second reading was approved.

Gordon received an email from Joan Burlingame, and asked for our support of a meeting on June 9 with the Friends of Cedar River.

Flood Control – Dick was appointed by the King County Council. WIRA 8 meets on Mercer Island, and we should look into having representation. This meeting is open to the public.

9:10 PM 

Gordon spoke about the road dangers in his area, and that sight distance is an issue. He said that there is less than 300 feet between the corner, and where he and his neighbors enter the roadway. He said that cars move at sometimes up to 60 miles per hour, and his wife had no chance of escaping the accident. He feels the speed limit should be reduced to 35 miles and hour because there has already been a fatality in the area. Gordon’s wife Sarah was seriously injured. Gordon proposed that he draft a letter for the Executive Committee to review, and ask that this area be addressed.

Burn Ban/Flood Control – Lauren Smith who works for DNRP spoke to us about the burn ban, and volunteered to find someone to attend our next meeting to speak on this topic.

Dave would like to request that the land use committee help him put a proposal together on a 40 minute speech he was asked to prepare. Les suggested that we combine Dave’s request with our meeting on April 14, and the group agreed.

Adjourn