May 2002 Bulletin

On April 18, 2002, at least 73 Innis Arden residents turned out for the Traffic Safety Meeting. Residents were particularly concerned about speeding vehicles traveling along the collector arterial that begins on 15th Ave NW, winds its way along NW 188th St. to Springdale Ct. to 14th Ave NW, 15th Ave NW, NW 167th St. and along 10th Ave NW. Residents reported several accidents and 'near misses' along with a great deal of concern for the safety of their children.

The residents believe most of the vehicles are cut-through traffic: drivers that avoid the stop lights on Richmond Beach Road on their way to Woodway or Edmonds. Residents also observed many "high-speed" college and high school students. Overall, residents felt that the issue is lack of police enforcement.

The City is now trying to put together a plan to deal with our concerns. In the next few months, we may need residents to volunteer and help with traffic counts in the neighborhood. Please contact Michael Rasch if you are able to help out.

In the mean time, we need to walk defensively. Where it is practicable, pedestrians and joggers should use the left side of the road and face traffic when on the streets. This is not only common sense but the law. Please remind your children to observe this law where it is possible, especially when going to and from the pool and playground area.

The King County Dispute Resolution Center will give a presentation at the June 4th Board Meeting. A speaker from this organization will address our community during the first 30 minutes of the June 4th meeting. They will describe how their organization works and how it might apply toward helping us solve some of our community issues. Please plan to attend as questions will be welcome.
- Marc Weinberg

If so, please contact the Hospitality Committee so they can deliver a welcome packet. The hospitality committee is:

If you are planning a remodel, an addition, a deck, a fence, a garden/storage shed, a patio, or other external structures, you must obtain approval from the Board of Directors as required by the Protective Restrictions (Covenants) of Innis Arden. For a permit application or addition information, call Loys Lamb at 542-8049.

Thirty four pods have been established. Blockwatch captains and co-captains have been identified, and will be notified. We have tentatively scheduled 7:00 PM meeting at the Clubhouse, 6-12, for a Blockwatch Captain meeting. We are working with the Shoreline Police department and they have agreed to provide us with 34 copies of documents to meet their Blockwatch requirements. Expect a call and to volunteer call Judy Allen or Pam Smit.

JUNIOR TENNIS - Owen Bargreen, our instructor and coach for the junior tennis program, will be returning this year. Owen is graduating from Whitman College this June and is planning to do graduate work in the fall. We are very pleased to have him back!

Please send in your registration forms to sign up for the junior group tennis lessons for beginners to advanced (6-17 year olds). The lessons run from June 24 through August 7 and meet twice weekly. The tennis team for advanced intermediate and competition-level players is on Wednesdays afternoons beginning June 26 from 12:30-3:30pm. The team is in the North End Junior Tennis League. If you do not have a registration form, please call Joyce Michelson at 546-2722.

TENNIS COURTS - The tennis courts will be used by the Women's Summer Doubles group from 8:00am to 10:00am on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting in June. The courts will be fully occupied for junior tennis lessons from June 24 through August 7 as follows:

Ladies Tennis Flights—Come join in the fun for some summer tennis. Wednesday A.M. for beg/int and Thursday AM for advanced. Warm-up 8:30-9:45. Play 9:45 to approximately 10:30 AM (to allow courts for Junior Tennis). Call Joyce Garcia at (206) 546-1258 for sign-up.

We need help!! The Activities Committee needs event chairs!! Put your event planning skills to use and help us plan the Salmon Barbecue. Traditionally, the Barbecue is held in July but we’re flexible. (Last year it was in September to accommodate the event chair’s schedule.) The chair is responsible for making the necessary food purchases, coordinating the preparations, taking reservations, event set-up and decorations, plus more. Challenge yourself and see if you can plan the party of the year (within a set budget, of course)! Call Chris Kocher at 533.1223 if interested. We also need someone to chair this year’s Holiday Party. If you haven’t been involved with either of these events yet, here’s your chance to make your mark!

This is Diane Geary’s last year for making and coordinating signs for our community events. Thank you Diane for many years of sign-making. We need a neighbor to take on this job too.

Chris and Pam want to also thank Kit Hart and Johanna Warness for all their hard work on the past Rummage Sale. They are looking for “trainees” for next year. Please call Kit at 546-0871 or Johanna at 542-6984 to find out more.

NEW--Neighbor to Neighbor Program--NEW
Do you know someone in our community who lost a close relative? How about a mom with a new baby on the block? Reach out and offer your condolences or congratulations whatever the situation may be. Or better yet, ask them if you can lend a helping hand. What makes a community a community is a place where you know your neighbors really care and want to reach out. Many of you probably already donate time and effort on many great causes but why not “stay close to home?”

MAY MEETING COMING UP—The next Activities Meeting will be at Chris Kocher’s house on Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to have a say on how we plan on spending the monies raised from the Rummage Sale. We’ll take a vote on a list of line items for either purchase, repair or just some good ‘ol fashion sprucing up with a little money a lot of elbow grease from lots of volunteers. So make sure you bring your ideas with a treat or two and we all can make this happen together!

Innis Arden Club, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
May 7th 7:00 PM
Summary of Minutes

Board members present: Roger Lowell (President); Kate Laskin (Vice President); Carol Solle (Secretary); Pam Smit (Activities); Ewa Sledziewski, (Clubhouse), Loys Lamb (Buildings and Remodels); Dave Fosmire (Reserves), June Howard (Treasurer). Absent: Jim Skeel
Community members attending: About 30

April 2002 minutes were corrected to show June Howard as ‘absent’ rather than missing, and they were approved unanimously 8-0.

Community Announcements and Concerns
Donating the Clubhouse: Sunset School requested that the Clubhouse be available as a rental to be auctioned off at fund raising events. There was concern raised about the costs to the club, risk factors in not knowing who would rent the Clubhouse, and setting a precedent. A majority of Board members voted against donating the Clubhouse as an auction item.

Update on Legal Affairs: Parker, Shafer and the Board attempted mediation, but failed to reach a settlement. Parker and Shafer have agreed to a private settlement. Judge Downings dismissed the Parkers' claim for breach of fiduciary duty against the Club but the Board is being sued for Parker’s attorney’s fees. Lowell and Laskin will be witnesses at the trial on Monday, May 13^th. Insurance is covering the legal costs.

Web Site Message Board Policy: A proposed policy (on the Web site) was presented and discussion followed.

Action: A motion was made to adopt the proposed policy with the following change: Fourth paragraph after the first sentence, insert “The Webmaster and Innis Arden Board reserve the right to determine if the posting warrants removal”. It passed 7-1.

Publishing the Survey: Survey results included 10 pages of comments, some of which contained names and addresses. Because the Board did not indicate its intention to publish the results at the time of the survey, it felt that in order to protect privacy, names and addresses would be removed from the comments.

Action: A motion was made to remove names and addresses from the survey comments prior to publishing. It passed 7-1.

City of Shoreline $5,000 mini-grant: Every year, the Club passes up the opportunity to take advantage of the city’s mini-grant program because of several reasons. 1) Public property must benefit, so it can’t be used for improving the Reserves, Clubhouse or grounds. 2) It requires a volunteer to act as the “Neighborhood Project Coordinator”. This year, City right-of-way has been identified as a candidate for improvement. Many roadside areas along Ridgefield Road, NW 188^th, Springdale Ct NW and 14th have vegetation which obstructs pedestrian walkways. Preliminary feedback from the City indicates this would qualify for the grant. There will be an article published in the Bulletin about this opportunity and the need for volunteers.

Covenant Enforcement Topics:
1) Petition Process—A procedure for enforcing covenants (non-tree) was presented.

2) Notice to realtors—Properties are being sold in Innis Arden which have covenant violations, particularly view-blocking trees. There is a concern that this is not being disclosed to the buyers. It was suggested that the Board send letters notifying the realtor of these violations. Mark Smith felt this might negatively affect the value of the property and that the Board shouldn’t determine covenant violations.

Action: A motion was made that Fosmire will compose a form letter containing covenant information, subject to review by the Board, to send local real estate agents with Innis Arden Covenants and Amendments attached. This motion passed 8-0.

3) King County Dispute Resolution Center (KCDRC)—Marc Weinberg spoke with a representative from KCDRC and presented the following information. KCDRC has reviewed the survey results on the Web site and observed that 4 concerns became apparent; financial, views, safety and neighborhood relations. KCDRC provides group or individual mediation to help avoid the expense and anxiety of legal action. Their history of mediated settlements is 80%-90% effective. It costs $75/hour for mediation, and $50/hour for preparation. Mediated settlements are voluntary. It was decided to have a speaker from KCDRC give a presentation at the June 4^th Board Meeting.

Lowell offered financial help for mediation between 'IA Flats' residents (around 15th NW and NW 186th) and people on Springdale Court. However, no motion was made to approve of this spending.

4) Arbitrator for Building and Remodel conflicts—In cases of unresolved disputes, the Board is considering delegating the decision regarding view-obstructing trees to an arbitrator, taking the Board out of partisan debates. Bob Carlson suggested taking landscape review out of the remodel approval process. Al Wagar pointed out a process that Clyde Hill uses to resolve conflicts—neighbors attempt a resolution, then mandatory mediation is attempted followed by binding arbitration, which can be appealed to the town council. Wagar will get the phone number of Mitch McConnell who knows more about the process. An arbitrator can be hired from the King County Board of Arbitration.

5) Covenant Violations—Bob Phelps felt that it was unfair that the Board wield its power with respect to one covenant (tree-height) while ignoring another (shed 25-foot setback requirement), and that anyone requesting action by the Board should be in compliance with all covenants. Laskin asserted that the some of the current covenants are not workable. For example, chickens not exceeding a total of twenty-five in number are permitted on the premises, yet not more than one dog and cat may be kept for each building site. Most residents who build a garden shed tuck it into a corner in back of their property rather than complying with the 25-foot setback requirements. In addition, the Board has no enforcement capability. Laskin urged a revision of the amendments, and agreed to form a group composed of Fran Lilliness, Judy Allen, Joe Knight, Ewa Sledziewski, June Howard and Roger Lowell to explore this possibility.

Sunset School Auction—David McCormick representing Sunset School announced a fundraiser for playground equipment. There will be a school auction and dinner, June 8^th, at $25 for each seat. A notice will be put into the Bulletin.

Committee Reports
Treasurer Report: We have the financial statement for the first quarter 2002 prepared by Russell Cole our Property manager. Russell has been working diligently to get up to speed on our database. He sent the second delinquency notices in April. We still have approximately 56 outstanding mandatory dues payments.

We have the Reserves report from Bob Steimer that recommends we set aside $13,000 per year for maintenance and repairs, particularly for our roof and the railroad tie retaining wall on the west side of the playfield.

Action: A motion was made to set aside $10,000 for a new roof and $50,000 for a new retaining wall and that $13,000 is added to this fund starting in 2002 and for each year thereafter, reevaluating that amount in three years. The motion passed 8-0.

Howard will be writing a thank you letter to Julie Barnfather for her years of service.

Activities: Diane Geary, who has been setting up signs for special events, will no longer be doing this. The Activities Committee (AC) is looking for her replacement. In the event that the Cleaveland’s are unable to chair the Salmon BBQ this year, we may need volunteers to fill this role at a date of their own choosing. Smit is working with Judy Allen and Teri Jones to reactivate the Blockwatch program.

Action: A motion was made that the Board reimburse the AC for Blockwatch printing expenses, not to exceed $200. It was passed 8-0.

The AC is starting a new program called “Neighbor to Neighbor” to help neighbors in need who have experienced a hardship such as illness, a death in the family, or incapacitation. If you know of a neighbor in need, contact Pam Smit or Chris Kocher. The AC is continuing to update playground equipment again and is considering making a volleyball net available. Lowell suggested that an employee at the Swim Club might be able to take it down in the evening and put it back up in the morning (avoiding vandalism). The AC is also discussing sprucing up the grounds in front of the clubhouse and at the main entrance of IA. At the next meeting plans will be discussed. Next meeting is May 23^rd, 7:00 PM at Chris Kocher’s house.

Judy Allen suggested having college students make metal signs for Innis Arden, and was encouraged by the Board to follow through on that.

Reserves: It’s time for an arborist to perform a 5-year review in Blue Heron Reserve. Fosmire suggested having a survey of significant trees (8 inches in diameter and greater) in Running Water and Blue Heron reserves, and moving forward with the Vegetation Management Plan. One bid has come back at $10,000. Wagar urged using caution before plunging into this survey and that measuring the basal area can be obtained less expensively, such as with aerial photos.

Fosmire also suggested having a land use attorney review the VMP and the City of Shoreline’s influence over our Reserves.

Action: A motion was made to have a consultation with a land use attorney about the cost of getting an opinion letter regarding Innis Arden’s dealings with the City of Shoreline and the VMP, not to exceed $1,000. The motion passed 8-0.

Clubhouse: Sledziewski proposed a new rental policy and rate schedule for the Clubhouse. It included 1) renting to outsiders, but no sponsorship 2) requiring a banquet license if alcohol is consumed, but that no alcohol would be sold 3) parking must be kept to the Clubhouse parking lot 4) Clubhouse events must end by 10:00 p.m. and guests must vacate by 11:00 p.m. 5) the keys must be left on the kitchen counter rather than within 24 hours.

Lowell stated that if a Clubhouse event were scheduled simultaneously with a swim meet, it would be impossible to park in the Clubhouse parking lot. It was decided to schedule Clubhouse events when there is no swim meet scheduled. The Board will review the remaining Clubhouse policy revisions via email

Buildings and Remodels: Nelson—The Board reviewed Nelson’s plans and property and determined vegetation was out of compliance. Subsequently the Nelson’s brought their vegetation into compliance.

1) Change Board Meeting Day from the 1^st to the 2^nd Tuesday of the Month: Typically, there are 2 elections, 1 holiday, and always the Rummage Sale that forces rescheduling the Board meeting to the 2nd Tuesday. This presents a problem in getting the Bulletin out on time when the following meeting is on the 1st Tuesday. Unless we get new information, this scheduling change will be voted upon during the July meeting and become effective in September.

2) Enforcement of Covenants (non-tree): See May meeting minutes in this Bulletin for details. After incorporating community input, it will be adopted at the September meeting.

Every year, the city of Shoreline offers up to $5,000 in matching funds and/or labor to each neighborhood for a project that creates a tangible improvement in the neighborhood. Innis Arden has never participated in this program because projects must involve public property, which would disqualify the Reserves, Grounds and Clubhouse.

With a new focus on neighborhood traffic safety, a potential project has been identified: To clear overgrown city right-of-way to improve pedestrian safety and line-of-sight.

What the community needs now is a ‘Neighborhood Project Coordinator’ who would oversee the project on behalf of Innis Arden. Typical roles of the Neighborhood Project Coordinator include: organizing project planning meetings and work parties; obtaining volunteer labor pledges; submitting invoices; and coordinating the project with the Office of Neighborhoods and appropriate government entities.

If you see this as a meaningful way to contribute to the community, please call Carol Solle at 542-4978 or email her at csolle@earthlink.net by June 7^th.

Sunset Elementary and Community
Playground Auction
Saturday June 8, 2002 5:30 PM
Shoreline Center

Sunset Elementary will be holding a ONE time fund raising auction. The goal is to raise money to fund new playground equipment for students and the community. The cost of the structure will exceed $40,000.

If you would like to contribute merchandise, services or cash, please contact Sunset School @ 206-361-4351 or ss.playground@shorelineschools.org to make your tax deductible donation. Tickets are available @ $25.00 each. Includes dinner by Outback Steakhouse and no host beer and wine.

“Where a view-obstructing tree is demonstrated to have existed prior to the subdivision of Innis Arden, and trimming or topping to comply with the covenant would have a significant adverse effect on the overall health of the tree”

Where a tree is demonstrated to have been view blocking prior to subdivision (1941, 1945, and 1949 for Innis Arden I, Innis Arden II, and Innis Arden III respectively) and trimming or topping would significantly damage the tree, then it would be ‘grandfathered’. The Court accepted an arborist’s report showing the results of coring the tree, and establishing its age and height at the time the subdivision was platted.

The Board would like to inventory all Court documented grandfather trees. So far, ten properties in Innis Arden have been identified in Court records as having grandfather trees:

Filing Date	Address	Description of Tree
8-5-1991	18229 13^th NW	Fir (removed Nov 2005)
8-5-1991	1048 NW Innis Arden Drive	Maple (fell, April 2004)
11-26-1991	18303 17^th Place NW	Cedar, 3 feet south of garage
1-2-1992	18124 14^th NW	Maple at NW corner of property
1-2-1992	17285 15^th NW	2 Maples
1-10-1992	17259 13^th NW	Cedar, rear of lot
3-17-1992	17207 12^th NW	2 Cedars, behind house (removed July 2005)
3-18-1992	18720 Ridgefield Rd NW	Fir at north of property
3-23-1992	16732 16^th NW	Fir, east of lot
5-5-1992	16742 16^th NW	Maple at south of property

If you have a Court documented grandfather tree, please call the Board Secretary, Carol Solle (542-4978) with the Case Number, filing date, property address and tree description.

INNIS ARDEN CLUB, INC.
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE
(Cash Basis)
QUARTER 2002

Have Truck Will Travel! Hardworking college student w/pickup truck available for hauling, yard work, etc. beginning June 1st. Third year of operation. References available. Chris Melton 542-9505

Nanny Share/Daycare: New IA residents seek nanny share or similar daycare situation for 2 year-old boy. If interested or if you have any relevant information please contact Carol or David at 782-2767. Thanks.

View house for rent: 3 bedroom, available June 1st for up to two years. Please call David Steinmetz at 206 621 9840.

ATTENTION INTERNET USERS: Have you been wanting to upgrade your connection to cable or DSL? Or do you have more than one computer and want them all to be connected to the internet? Andrew Peterson has been educated in networking through the Cisco Networking Academy and is available to help you. Please call 546-5386

Board Position Open: Jim Skeel will be resigning from his position as Grounds Chair. If you are interested in this position, please call Roger Lowell at 546-0128.

McPherson Is Lost Again! 12-year old Lynx-point Siamese (tiger-like tabby), cream-colored; dark brown stripes and black points, black raccoon-like tail, badly deformed right pupil (visible in photo), weighs 15 pounds (a big cat), skittish; may answer to "Mr. Mac", declawed (but is a good mouser and catches rats), has microchip, but no collar.

Several probable sightings since April 14 meaning he's almost certainly alive and either keeping himself hidden (has impaired vision) or is in someone's safekeeping. Last time he was gone almost three months before we got