January 2007 Meeting Summary

Area Council elects officers for 2007

By Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary

The Greater Maple Valley Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to the King County Council. It represents all unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District. On Monday, January 8, our Regular monthly meeting addressed the following major items: (1) Area Council Officer Elections, (2) King County Comprehensive Plan Update, and (3) Rural Vision.

Area Council Officer Elections

The Area Council elected its officers for 2007. The positions, duties, and officers for 2007 are: Chair: Maintains Council operations and interfaces and presides at all meetings---Richard Bonewits; Vice-Chair: Serves in the absence of the Chair and plans and conducts Council election and citizen advisory surveys---Steve Hiester; Recording Secretary: Prepares Council meeting minutes and keeps major records--- Les Dawson; Corresponding Secretary: Prepares and transmits all Council correspondence, authors articles on activities, and controls web site (in development)---Peter Rimbos; and Treasurer: Receives and is accountable for all Council funds, maintains accounts, and pays all obligations---Kevin Daoust

King County Comprehensive Plan Update

The King County Comprehensive Plan is the guiding policy document for all land-use and development in unincorporated King County and is updated each year. Every fourth year major revisions are proposed for adoption. This was last done in 2004 and the update for 2008 is now being prepared.

Paul Reitenbach, King County Senior Policy Planner, described the year-long update process, which starts now and culminates in final approval by the King County Council in late 2008. Information on the Comprehensive Plan and the update can be found at: http://www.metrokc.gov/ddes/compplan/.

Mr. Reitenbach discussed proposed Items being considered for the Plan update in the following major categories: Regional Planning; Urban Communities; Rural Legacy & Natural Resource Lands; Environment; Parks, Open Space and Cultural Resources; Transportation; Service, Facilities and Utilities; Community Planning Areas; and Implementation. Any citizen can propose changes to the Plan using the process and forms located at: http://www.metrokc.gov/ddes/compplan/docket/index.htm.

Rural Vision Underlying Objectives

A few months ago, following several months of discussions and a thorough review of past Citizen Advisory Surveys, the Area Council adopted a draft overarching Rural Vision statement:

Our community’s Rural Character will be supported by: facilitating strong local ties and communication between the public, organizations, and government; promoting locally owned businesses and supporting quality education; protecting the environment and maintaining landowner’s rights and responsibilities; promoting controlled and well-planned growth with appropriate infrastructure; ensuring proper representation for Rural Interests and needs; and supporting the health and safety and the privacy of our vibrant community.

The Area Council is now finalizing the draft underlying objectives and policy elements that support the Rural Vision statement. Later this year members of the general public will be provided opportunities to provide comment to help finalize our Rural Vision. The Rural Vision will be used in talks with the County and other organizations to provide a clear voice on what the greater Maple Valley community believes is important to maintain our rural character and support rural interests.

Next Meeting

The Area Council meets on the first Monday of each month (except on legal holidays) in the conference room of Sheriff’s Precinct # 3 Headquarters (at 231^st St & SR-169 across from Fire Station). The public is invited to attend. Each meeting begins with an Open Comment period to allow the public to voice issues of concern. Our next regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, February 5, at 7:00 PM. King County Councilman Reagan Dunn will be a featured speaker. Comments on Area Council business may be submitted to GMVAC, P.O. Box 101, Maple Valley, WA 98038, or to Dick Bonewits, Chair, at gmvac_chair@hotmail.com.