Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Review and Approve Agenda

Public Comment on topics, which are not listed on the Agenda

Approval of minutes

7:20 PM

Burn Ban Update: Jim Nolan

Jim updated us on what happened after our last meeting with him.  One thing that came through loud and clear after our meeting was to go back and look at why the current rules aren’t enough.  He said that in his analysis with the support of the Fire Marshals that there are enough rules.  He provided a map that showed the area we live in and around.  Jim said that the red on the map represents the urban growth boundary.  The white area may not be zoned for residential, and it could be agricultural.

One of the requirements Washington State has that they hadn’t talked about in the past is a 50 foot setback area from a structure.  Realistically you may not be able to get a burn permit on a parcel that is less than an acre.  The setback also includes fences.  It was decided that if the current rules were enforced that none of the parcels in the light green area would qualify for a burn permit.  About 95 percent of the parcels in our area would be eligible for a burn permit.  Our area is District 43.  Jim said that in order to accommodate people that can’t burn that King County will look at more days where they have pick ups in order to clean up the area.  Jim said they are focusing on the setback rules.  Jim reiterated that if they enforce the current rules, then people can’t burn next to each other.  If you can’t get more than 50 feet from your home or your neighbor’s home, then you will not be able to get a burn permit.  The Fire Chiefs have asked that they leave the regulating to them, and not change the current rules.  Larger fires may require a greater setback, but that hasn’t been determined yet. 

Jim said that in order to prepare those who cannot burn, King County may be able to do a better job of advertising the free clean-up days.  Recreational fires are not subject to the same rules.  Jim was asked what role the clean air agency group has.  If there is an event, then the issue is turned over to them.  In an event penalties can start at $3,500 if it is necessary to put out a large fire.  Warren asked about a ten foot fire.  Jim said they are going back to enforcing the four foot rule, and fires bigger than four feet currently require a written permit.  Sometimes you have to go to a website to get a permit for a fire bigger than four feet.  Every fire district does things differently, and permits are usually good for an entire year.  The state says for a fire bigger than four feet you need to have a written permit.   Jim’s department issues agricultural permits.  Jim visited 4 Creeks and Vashon to discuss the same issues.  They revisit this issue every three years, and will look at what happens in the next three years by just enforcing the existing laws.  King, Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish are all part of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. 

7:50 PM

Committee Reports and Assignments

Steve brought up the fact that we have a lot of committees on our website, and some people on the website are no longer on the council.  Peter will remove Dick, John, and Claudia.  We also have an area called Focal Points, and a discussion occurred on whether or not we still need Focal Points.  The group decided we did.  Peter proposed that we put the Focal Points, Committees, and other council business on the agenda every month.   This is where we will discuss internal business, and ask for updates from Committees and Focal Point Groups. 

Committees and Focal Points were discussed under "Other Council Business." It was decided that each individual listed below would look at the definition of their area on the website, and determine if anything needed to be changed.  Below is a listing of what we discussed.

Focal Points

Standing Committees

Ad-hoc Committees

If individuals have other focal points they want to add, they should bring them to the next meeting.

Citizens Advisory Committee for Property Management

Gordon read from the July 15 Voice of the Valley on the CAO.  It was suggested that we contact Steve Hammond and Dow Constantine to make presentations on the CAO.

Steve asked us to review a memo from Marissa Alegria asking for public comments on proposed ordinance related to home occupation sales.  Steve will contact Julia Larson for more information, and let Marissa know that the committee cannot comment on such a short period of time.  If they will extend the date for public comments, then we may be able to comment. 

We will defer a discussion on the open positions until next meeting. 

9:30 PM Adjourn