November 2002

Activities' Announcements and "What's Happening"

Thanks for all of your years of service Bonnie Jardine!
We would like to thank Bonnie Jardine for serving as treasurer of the Activities Committee for the past years (actually decades!). She has been wonderful in helping out with many activities and has been extremely timely in her duties. Thank you so much Bonnie for all of your time and energy throughout the years! Here is to you Bonnie, Cheers!

Welcome Reception for Newcomers
On Sunday, November 17th, a wine and cheese party was given to welcome newcomers to the neighborhood. It was a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to meet each other and for residents to say 'welcome'. Approximately 50 folks attended. Thank you to the Hospitality Committee (Kathy Malarky, Sylvia Moren and Sandy Risse) for planning and hosting. We also appreciate Bob and Judy Allen for their assistance too.

Rummage Sale Alert
Thank you, Thank you for those collectible treasures-BUT-this is a reminder that we want CLEAN and USEFUL rummage NOT rubbish!

Also, note: no bed pillow cases, no mattresses, cushions and decorative pillows are acceptable. Please, no consoles, and no monitors-we pay the recycling fee! (We will only accept a monitor if CPU is included.) Also, we want appliances only if they work.

Note dates and hours of collection:

Dec 7th and Dec 16th ; Jan 11th and Jan 20th ; Feb 1st and Feb 10th
10:00 am to NOON --
The drop-off is at the kitchen doors in pool parking lot.

Do some early spring cleaning and merge and purge your stuff! Also, please note that we are unable to give you a donation receipt because of the Activities Committee tax status is 501-C3 Not for Profit--Not tax exempt 501-C3.

Wanted: Holiday Party Help! Work off the "too much turkey" on Sunday, Dec 1st from 2-4 pm and come do some "light" decorating at the clubhouse. Chris and Pam (with husband support) will be there setting up for the celebration for the following week. Make sure you don't miss Santa and the Mrs. for your kid's delight.


Festival of Lights and Holiday Party--
Sunday, December 8th
from 4 - 6 pm

January Activities Meeting
The New Year kicks off with a meeting at Jane Lowell's house. The Activities Committee will meet at her house on Tuesday January 7th at 7:00 pm.

TGIF Series Coming in 2003!
New and exciting events sponsored by the Activities Committee are as follows:

Decorating with Color
(and confidence!)
February 7th 2003

You're tired of the "linen whites" and the like and want to add splashes of color without overdoing it, right? Well, then this is the class for you! Gary Volk from 'On the Wall' will be the presenter. As a color specialist he will inspire us how to effectively use paint color and how such a simple and relatively inexpensive "home makeover" can do wonders. Call Chairpersons Pam Smit at 533-0240 or new resident Ingrid Gerbino at 533-6144 to find out more.

The Ultimate Cooking Class
February 28th 2003

Discover divine cooking secrets, and the epicurean ways from a local chef and entrepreneur. The epicurean, entrepreneur speaker is Susie Wirth from Sweet Basil's Café. Call Kathy Malarky at 546-2341 to find out how you can help.

Wine Tasting and Fine Foods
March 21st 2003

An event to whet the appetite! Jan Holbrook and Jeri Jacobsen are taking the lead on this one. Learn directly from a vineyard expert or a wine merchant from Central Market about the nuances of pairing wine with fine foods. Mark your calendars for March 21st, book your sitters and make it a special night out. Call Jan at 546-3524 or Jeri at 542-7373 if you can lend a helping hand.

Keep in mind it's YOUR community and to make it a fun place to live one needs to put some time and effort into making these hip happenings happen (Can you say that tongue twister three times?).

Help!! We need somebody! We need an Activities Chair to lead our group! Pam Smit wants to move on and help the neighborhood in other ways. She's willing to take the time to find her replacement and help this person in all aspects of the job. Here's a review of what the Activities Committee is all about and a job description of her position.

WHO: We are a group of self-selecting community volunteers who organize and execute a variety of activities open to the neighborhood. We also recruit, cajole, encourage (and sometimes beg or plead) others to join in and help make these events happen.

WHAT: The Activities Committee provides fun and social opportunities while serving the neighborhood. We sponsor an Egg Hunt, Salmon Barbecue and Holiday Party. Our annual Rummage Sale finances our projects and events. Come and join us!

WHEN: You may join us at anytime!! Meeting dates are always posted in the bulletin. It's a great way for newcomers in the neighborhood to meet people and get involved. Some members are active all year-round and some help at certain times--it's up to you! We appreciate anyone who gives of their time, talent, expertise, etc.

WHERE: We meet at members' homes, and usually in the evening. Sometimes we meet during the daytime.

WHY: Don't ask what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community!!

The Activities Committee Chair is chosen by the Activities Committee and ratified as a member of the Innis Arden Community Club Board at the annual Board election in January. This person serves as a regular Board member in all respects, but the term of ratification is one year. The following are the specific responsibilities of the Activities Chair as a member of the Innis Arden Board

1. Report to the Board and community about activities, planning, financing, impact cost/ benefit, etc.
2. Report to the Board and community regarding projects which the Activity Committee is undertaking independently.
3. Serve as liaison between the Innis Arden Board and Activities Committee with respect to community improvement projects which are planned and or financed jointly.

Block Watch Update
(Report Criminal Activity to Blockwatch Captains)

Another mail theft has been reported on Ridgefield Road. October's Bulletin suggested locking mailboxes as a way to avoid mail theft. Another Web site to check is http://www.mailboxes.com. Click on 'residential' and 'roadside'. "Amber Alert" has now been implemented in Washington State. The Regional Public Information Network (breaking news and alert system) can be found on: http://www.govlink.org/news/rpin/

Innis Arden I Blockwatch captains
Cindy Rasch, Linda Wilson, Suzanne Gross ,
Lisa Maryatt , Joan Nordheim

Innis Arden II Blockwatch captain
Shelley Watson 542-4369

Innis Arden III Blockwatch captain
Judy Allen 542-3219.

If you don't know what Innis Arden subdivision you live in, refer to neighborhood map or contact Judy Allen who can help you out.

Innis Arden Welcomes new neighbors:

Randy and Susie Hoverson 18522 Springdale Court

Dan and Judie Roberts 17244  12th NW

Agenda for the December 10th 7:00 PM
Board Meeting

A. Community Comments
B. Board Agenda (to be posted on Web site 3 days before meeting)

Discuss and vote on Board's Response to View Petitions
Land use attorney Rich Hill recommends that the Board take a more active role in the view dispute resolution process. In 1984 there was a View Preservation Committee that evaluated view complaints and issued "requests" that homeowners bring their trees into compliance. Should the Board undertake this process, or another similar process, and homeowners fail to comply with the Board's "requests," this would assist in making a record to support reinstituting the Special Master process.

The Board has the authority to use the 1984 process, or some similar process. Judge Ellington's correspondence of June 18, 1992 implicitly approved (indeed, affirmatively requested) the use of this type of process. This type of process would carry out the Board's obligations, with respect to view preservation, as set forth in paragraphs 10 (dealing with hedges) and 11 (dealing with nuisances).

The flowchart below is a modified version of the one published in the October Bulletin. Elapsed time has been reduced from a possible eight months to 90 days. A step has been inserted for Board involvement.

• Romney-18335 17th Place NW: Garden room addition at north end of house
• Marcu-1435 NW 188th St: New addition in the back, three rooms and a bath
• Roberts-17244 12th Avenue NW: Remodel will include expanding the footprint and raising the roofline of the house

• Elaine Phelps again asked Mike Jacobs to name the members of the Grouse Reserve Neighborhood Association. She felt that Grouse Reserve project was being done in secret. Mike explained that this is of public record and that she can find out from the Web site of the Secretary of State.
• Dianna Dillard reported that Loys Lamb came over to her house, saying that he had heard rumors that she had applied for a building permit with the city of Shoreline. She felt violated and that this was a form of harassment. Lowell reminded her that their remodel was denied without prejudice.
• Mark Smith was shocked by the what he called the devastation of Grouse Reserve and added that he would be upset if the Reserve adjacent to his house received the same treatment. He pointed out that a soils study has already been done in the Reserves and it is on the Web site. He asked about the 3 fold increase in legal expenses and wondered if that is why the dues were increased.
• Treasurer Howard explained that the budget for legal fees was actually reduced for 2003 from 2002 from $20,000 to $15,000.  $5,000 is for our deductible in case we need to use it and $10,000 was allocated for legal fees relating to reinstituting the Special Master Process.  We have already spent $5,000 as a retainer on this process in 2002.
• Judy Allen said that the dues were raised nearly two years ago to catch up on neglected maintenance and a large majority of the shareholders present at the annual meeting were in favor of raising the dues.
• Lowell added that dues are now going to a reserve fund to finance a new roof for the Clubhouse and a new retaining wall adjacent to the playground.
• Fran Lilliness likes the openness of Grouse Reserve and felt that it was safer.  She felt that there is a benefit to actively (rather than passively) managing the Reserves.

Creating a World of Difference by Kelsey Ochs
Last year, Kelsey Ochs, a Shorewood High senior, representing the school organization "Creating a World of Difference", described the work of the group: holding forums, education for tolerance, workshops at Shorewood, Einstein and elementary schools to educate students about tolerance. The group requested to use the Clubhouse, as they did the year before, for an overnight training session for their members. The Board waived the rental fee, asking only a deposit refundable on condition that they clean up the premises after the session. The Board approved of the same terms this year, for November 15^th-16^th.

Shoreline's Proposed Amendments to the Development Code
Solle presented the following proposed amendments and provided comment forms for people who wanted to respond:

1. Amend parking design standards to limit the number of vehicles parked outside of a single-family residence from 6 to 3
2. Amend definition of a junk vehicle throughout, and include it as a public nuisance in order to better enforce the removal of such vehicles
3. Add a new subsection to parking design standards to limit the number of RVs/watercrafts/trailers that may be parked outside of a single-family residence to 2-must be screened by a solid board fence or sight-obscuring landscaping at least 6 ft high; if have reasonable access these vehicles should be parked in rear or side lots-if not, only 1 such vehicle less than 28ft in length may park in the front of a residence.

Boeing's conditions for quitclaiming the reserves to Innis Arden Club, Inc
4-21-1950 Office Memo to Mr. Boeing from Hugh Russell requested a) that the reserves be deeded to the Club and b) a sum of $28,000 in cash to be used for construction of an underpass under the Great Northern Railroad tracks, tennis courts, and club incorporation.

5-31-1950 Document that describes Boeing's conditions for deeding the reserves and offering $28,000. The conditions included:

THIS OFFER IS EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED upon the Corporation accepting the following propositions;

1. That the Restrictive Mutual Easements of Innis Arden, Innis Arden No. 2 and Innis Arden No. 3 mentioned above, by this reference and by the references made thereto hereinabove, are incorporated into and made a part of this offer.
2. That said Restrictive Mutual Easements shall include all amendments made in accordance with the terms of said Restrictive Mutual Covenants.
3. That THE INNIS ARDEN CLUB, INC., by accepting this offer, shall assume and shall agree to be bound by said Restrictive Mutual Easements and shall accept the benefits thereof as a part of the consideration for the purchase of the property described herein.

Board of Directors of the Innis Arden Club accepted Boeing's offer

6-7-1950 #4022769, Statutory Quit-Claim Deed was recorded

Solle felt that this agreement obligates the Board to manage the Reserves with view preservation (an amendment to the restrictive mutual easements) in mind.

Long Term Plan for the Reserves

• The first part of the plan would be the Board hiring a certified surveying company to mark and map all significant trees in Running Water, Blue Heron, and Eagle Reserves for tree location, type, and size. A boundary survey would also be completed. We learned from the Grouse Reserve permit application this was a city of Shoreline requirement.
• Next a certified arborist would be hired to survey the Reserve trees for hazardous, unhealthy, or crowded growth patterns and areas of invasive species to be removed. The arborist would present to the board a Vegetative Management Plan to restore the Reserves for views and increased native under story plants for wildlife habitats.
• A geo-technical engineer would be hired to assure increased soil stability and restoration for the severely eroded areas of the Reserves.
• It would then be the responsibility of the impacted residents to form associations to pay for the tree removal, replanting and soil stability in the Reserves that affect them.

This plan would address the board's responsibility for the long term management of the Reserves as well as allowing residents to improve the Reserves without having to bear the entire cost of past lack of management in the Reserves that has led to the present predicament. Fosmire presented a bid from Group Four, Inc, to perform a Boundary and Topographic survey, locate existing trees 6” and greater, and 40%+ slopes within Running Water, Blue Heron and Eagle  Reserves of Innis Arden, for $28,750.

• Fosmire said that the views of 252 households are affected by Running Water, Blue Heron and Eagle Reserves.
• Elaine Phelps thought that old trees are to be treasured, and that there was no mention of anything but view restoration.
• Fosmire said that Reserves should also be managed for trail maintenance, erosion prevention and safety (there are trees that are old and dangerous). The soil survey reference by Mark Smith earlier addressed erosion and improper drainage. The Board previously tried another way to manage the reserves by planting an under story without removing the taller trees.  Forty-five thousand dollars were spent planting an under story and half of the trees died. The larger trees shaded them out. According to a recent arborist review, this effort was a failure.
• Anne Knight said she is affected in a positive way by Reserves in their natural state and prizes older trees. It is misleading to label older trees as ‘dangerous’.  When people get old, they are not destroyed and likewise, trees should not be destroyed even when they are loosing limbs and have hollow cores. Seattle has registered trees that are old and honor them and she would like to see Innis Arden register old trees.
• Diane Dillard is horrified by what happened to Grouse Reserve.
• Mark Smith doesn’t want to be lumped into the 252 households adversely affected by the Reserves. He enjoys them for their beauty and wildlife.
• Eric Gillett felt that active management is good and it is long term. He wondered why Boeing Creek Reserve was left out of the plan.
• Mike Jacobs would like to see Bear Reserve managed for removal of hazardous trees.
• Fosmire said that Bear and Boeing Reserves impact fewer people. Boeing has lots of slides and it is a Salmon habitat.
• O’Neill understands the value of view restoration, safety, habitat, trails and old trees.
• Ia Dubois raised concerns about increased Coyote activity.
• Hollinrake is disappointed that many trails are now gone.

Action: A motion to contract with Group Four to perform the surveys was passed unanimously.

Discuss the Board's response to View Preservation Petitions received from residents
Fosmire said that land use attorney Rich Hill suggested that the Board take a more active role in facilitating view disputes, as was done in the early 80’s. “At that time there was a View Preservation Committee that evaluated view complaints and issued ‘requests’ that homeowners bring their trees into compliance. Should the Board undertake this process, or another similar process, and homeowners fail to comply with the Board’s ‘requests,’ this will also assist in making a record to support reinstituting the Special Master process.” He went on to say that Judge Ellington’s correspondence of June 18, 1992 implicitly approved (indeed, affirmatively requested) the use of this type of process.

• Elaine Phelps stated that Hill had represented many petitioners and that according to her, he lacks credibility.
• Kate suggested that one or two Board members, along with volunteers appointed for their diverse points of view, be considered as part of this committee. It would 1) lower the work load for the Board and 2) enhance the credibility of whatever the Board decides.
• Fosmire suggested hiring an outside consultant
• June would like to see the Board take on the responsibility
• Lowell suggested that we publish a revised process (yet to be discussed) in the Bulletin and include it in next month’s agenda.
• Solle presented a revised flowchart, shortening the petition process time from 8 months to 90 days, and adding a step for Board involvement

Action: A motion to table this discussion until the December meeting was passed unanimously.

C. Committee Reports

Treasurer:
There are a few people who have approached Howard saying they didn’t get notice of the delinquency of their dues until after the liens were filed, and requested being excused from paying the penalties, interest and legal fees that have accrued. One shareholder thought that because he no longer belonged to the Swim Club, he no longer belonged to the community club and so he discarded all mail from Innis Arden. The Board decided to remain firm.

Howard presented the 2003 Budget.

Action: A motion to approve the 2003 budget was passed unanimously.

Activities:
December 1^st from 2-4, the Clubhouse will be decorated for the Holiday party. Shelley Watson has volunteered to be a Block Watch captain for Innis Arden II. There will be a wine and cheese tasting party honoring new neighbors on Sunday, November 17th from 4 – 6 at the Clubhouse. All in Innis Arden are invited, but please RSVP to Kathy Malarky. Please drop off rummage well before noon. People are arriving at noon with large loads and volunteers are unable to leave until 3:00 PM. Officer Obstler spoke about vandalism and parties in the Reserves. She needs keys for her officers. Fosmire will provide some keys for Officer Obstler. The next Activities meeting will be on January 7^th. In February, another wine and cheese tasting event is planned.

Clubhouse:
Sledziewski reported that it is ‘business as usual’.

Reserves:

• Boeing Creek Trail: Fosmire is still working with the city for trail renovation. Work can begin no sooner than April. The city may let us renovate trails using a generic plan that can be a standard for all trails.
• Boeing Creek: Met with city about increasing use of the storm water detention pond. They are willing to go back to the consulting engineer to investigate sending less water down Boeing creek, thereby reducing erosion along the creek.
• Shoreline Mini-grant: City Council has approved $2200 for work removing English Laurel from 15^th NW and NW 188^th. Fosmire will be asking for sweat equity, valued at $10/hour, to match the $2200. The remaining $2800 that is available may be used to clear city right-of-way at trail heads (i.e. Bear Reserve at 180^th).
• Running Water: A permit has been issued for emergency removal of hazardous trees.

Grounds:
Next week, new Plexiglas will be installed for the entrance map. Darren French from Greenwood Landscaping is going to be trimming around the playfield and by the tennis courts. June mentioned that the entrance and triangle is overgrown. Lowell suggested designing a new entrance.

Buildings and Remodels:
Marcu, 1435 NW 188th: A new addition in the back, three rooms and a bath, same height as the existing house; a fence at the street. The final look will be stucco with earth tones complemented with landscaping. The house addition did not meet covenant setback requirements. The fence is to be 4 feet high with caps up to 5 feet. The fence helps block out headlight glare and noise from the Clubhouse across the street. The covenants allow for the Board to use it’s discretion with regard to fence height.

Action: A motion to approve the stucco fence to a height of 4 feet with caps up to 5 feet, per drawing, was passed unanimously.

Action: A motion to deny without prejudice, the addition pending compliance with setback requirements, was passed unanimously.

Romney, 18335 17th Place NW: Garden room addition at north end of house. Construction commenced before making  an application with the Building and Remodel Chair. Lamb advised that work be stopped immediately. The addition does not meet setback requirements.

Action: A motion to reject the application was passed unanimously.

Hollinrake thanked the Board for the work done in the Reserves. He noted that a large maple tree recently crashed into a storage shed on his property, and that if it were occupied, someone could have been killed or injured.

Action: At 10:47, a motion to adjourn was unanimously approved.
-Carol Solle, Secretary

Bulletin Board

The holidays are coming and Singin' In The Kitchen Personal Chef Service is right here in Innis Arden to help! Chef Tracy will keep your freezer stocked with healthy meals so you'll have more time for holiday activities. Or, relax with your guests while Chef Tracy prepares and serves the meal for your dinner party. 206-412-0717

Babysitting: Sixteen year old babysitter (who has completed a babysitting/childcare course) is available week nights and especially on weekends. Call 546-1846!

Home for Rent: Three bedroom, 1 3/4 bath, large deck at 18742 Ridgefield Road. Call 206-546-6241.

Commercial Advertising: Did you know that paid advertising can be found in the Innis Arden Directory? If interested in placing an ad, call Craig or Judy Runions, 542-7137.