Activities Events and Endeavors

More than 50 residents showed up for IA’s First Annual Brew Ha Ha Oktoberfest. The Landboes and Kochers, clad in their Bavarian-style outfits, worked the grill and the taps to fill plates and steins with good German food and strong ales. With names such as Cut Your Grass, Face Plant, and Eddy Hop IPA who wouldn’t be “hoppy”?!

**Important**
Tuesday, November 4th @ the Clubhouse at 7:00 pm

“Bring-a-Newcomer Night” Activities’ Social and Meeting. Come with some finger food to share, any ideas to make Innis Arden even a better place to live, and pen and paper. Remember to bring your calendars too so we can get right to business! Anyone and everyone are welcome—the “new”, the “old”, and the young and tiredless! We need you all!

Friday, November 14th, 7:00 PM
--Save the Date---
Table Dressing
Presented by Sheri Miller
and the Activities Committee

Come join your neighbors for a creative evening to learn "table dressing." There are so many looks and styles you can present to guests that richly contribute to a memorable gathering. A classic but up to date look can be easily done with the right tools and a few embellishments.

Also, if you need ideas on how to create using a certain container or vase, feel free to bring it with you!

We still need some help with making and posting signs, set up and breakdown for this event.  Please call Chris Kocher at 533-1223 if you can spare an hour or two!

Attention All Shoppers:
It’s a Gift Gala coming your way!

Annual Holiday Party
Sunday, December 7th, 4 to 6 pm
Mark your Calendars
New activities planned and other surprises abound! Get it on your calendar, the household calendar and your kids’ calendar
(or their palm pilots)!

The Hospitality Committee welcomes new residents John and Claire Mills to the neighborhood! They moved in at on NW 167th. The Committee would also like to announce new members Celia Hamman and Pam Smit to the group. They join Kathy Malarky and Sylvia Moren who currently serve on the committee. Thank you Celia and Pam!

Agenda for the November 11th 7:00 PM
Board Meeting

Innis Arden Community Center Meeting
November 5th, 7:00 at the Clubhouse

YOU  ARE  INVITED!! WE WANT YOU TO SEE THE ARCHITECT'S 3-D
ANIMATED CLUBHOUSE PROPOSAL AND MODEL.  Click here for more info.

INNIS ARDEN SKI CLUB Attention all you skiers!

Hate driving in all that bad weather to get to the slopes? Join your friends and neighbors on the IA ski bus every Thursday starting January 8 through March 4, 2004. We alternate between Stevens and Crystal. There is also an end of the season trip to Sun Peaks, Canada March 8-12. Contact Ida Callahan for more information and prices.
206-546-2684 or e-mail: i3callahan@hotmail.com

ATTENTION! CLOSURE OF INNIS ARDEN RESERVES!

The Innis Arden Reserves will be closed until further notice
Last January, Nancy Rust, notified the Board of hazardous trees she saw along the trail in the Boeing Creek Reserve. The following month David Fosmire reported back to the Board that he found 12 seemingly hazardous trees in the Boeing Creek Reserve. However, David also noted that he was not an expert and the Board authorized using the services of an arborist to evaluate the trees in the Boeing Creek Reserve. David hired Tree Solutions to do the evaluation. The Tree Solutions' arborist, Sean Dugan, noted 24 hazardous trees along the Boeing Creek Trail in June.

This finding was disturbing because it put citizens of the community who use this trail at risk. Because there are a number of other trails in our community with obviously unhealthy, dead and dying trees, the Board asked for an evaluation of Running Water, Blue Heron and Eagle Reserves. The evaluation identified approximately another 160 (out of 2100) trees that were rated hazardous under International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards.

Prepared with this information, the Board consulted with its attorney regarding this finding. We were advised that because we had knowledge of these hazardous trees, if we fail to remove them, the entire community could be held liable if someone was injured by one of these trees. Therefore, after careful consideration, the Board passed a motion to close all the reserves. Signs have been posted and a warning has been given via the web site, message board, and email.

The Board does not want does not want to see anyone injured by these trees. But we also realize that the reserves are used and enjoyed by many, if not all of us in the community. The Board is acting to remedy this situation. Bids are being sought to have these hazardous trees removed. Unfortunately, the Reserve budget did not anticipate that this type of action would be necessary. The Board has been actively soliciting donations to help with this project. So far approximately $17,000.00 has been raised. But we need approximately $70,000.00 to complete the work in all the reserves. If you can help donate to this fund please contact David Fosmire or June Howard. The funds collected are only being used on the reserves. You may specify to which reserve the donation should apply.

In the mean time please stay out of the reserves. Warn your children and let your neighbors know of the danger. With the recent wind storms and rain the hazard is heightened. We are working to remedy this situation and will open the reserves again as soon as possible.

Special Meeting of the Board of Directors
to Discuss the Bylaw Amendment
November 19th, 2003 7:00 PM at the Clubhouse

The Board has listened to the suggestions of residents during the three special and two regular Board meetings regarding the proposed bylaw amendment to incorporate covenant compliance.

The following suggestions are being considered for incorporation into the proposed bylaw amendment:

On November 19th, the Board will 1) vote upon amendment revisions 2) vote upon whether the amendment should be decided upon by a vote of the Board or by a vote of the shareholders and 3) depending upon the outcome of #2, a vote of the board to decide on the implementation of the amendment.

What Would Judge Ellington Think?
On June 15, 1992, Judge Anne Ellington expressed concern about the “difference in cost to the parties of participating through the Special Master process we designed versus individual enforcement actions, but I think it very likely that the Community Club, faced with the responsibility for doing so, could devise a very effective mediation process which could resolve any outstanding issues.” (Proceeding, 84-2-09622-5)

In a letter to Richard Eadie (from the Innis Arden Board) dated June 18, 1992, Judge Ellington wrote “It is my understanding that the Club is willing to develop a plan for any future petitions. I would appreciate your asking the Board to flesh out a proposal for such a process. It would facilitate the resolution of the questions about the future of these proceedings. “

Judge Ellington followed up with a letter written September 30, 1992. “A community process must eventually be substituted (in lieu of the special master process) for long term implementation of the covenants….A healthy, well-designed process which can be implemented by the community ...”

In 1993 the Board adopted a procedure which included a choice of mediation or arbitration and the respondent had the choice of doing nothing at all. During the ensuing 10 years, there is no evidence of even one tree dispute being settled using this procedure, likely because the process was not mandatory. The new proposed procedure requires parties to participate.

The current Board is confident that the proposed bylaw amendment addresses Judge Ellington's concerns and will be an effective way to implement the covenants.

Innis Arden Club, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
October 14, 2003, 7:00 PM
Summary of Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:07.
Board members present: Michael Rasch (President), Mike Jacobs (Vice President), June Howard (Treasurer), Loys Lamb (Buildings and Remodels), Maggie Taber (Grounds, Dave Fosmire (Reserves), Roger Lowell (Activities), Ewa Sledziewski (Clubhouse): Community members attending: about 30.

Action: The September minutes were amended to include the following under B&R, O’Neil’s swim pool application. Action: A motion to disapprove the O’Neil swimming pool without prejudice pending a site visit was passed unanimously.

Presentation by King County
Wastewater Treatment Division,
Hidden Lake Pump station and Sewer Improvement Project

Representatives Jennifer Kauffman, Terry Smith and Bud Van DerAA from King County Wastewater Treatment Division gave a presentation on the county’s proposal to replace the Hidden Lake Pump Station. The county has a site application before the IA board for approval.

The project is at the 60% design stage. The county has conducted several outreach meetings with involved communities and plans other meetings to solicit public input. The Hidden Lake project is one step in the process of managing 42 pump stations with 5 in the replacement and upgrade phase. Hidden Lake pump station is part of a project in sewer improvements in the line from the Highlands through Innis Arden, Richmond Beach and to the Edmonds treatment center. The Hidden Lake pump station is 40 years old and needs work to ensure safe operations in the future. They need to add capacity to reduce outflow problems to Puget Sound, to install newer environmental controls, control odor and noise.

The new building will be quite a bit larger than the present building which will necessitate new landscaping and driveway access to the site. Many in attendance gave comments to the county. The county representatives took down the comments. The county plans another public meeting to receive comments in early November.

Action: Defer vote on the application until the November Board meeting. In the interim the board members are encouraged to view the site.

If community members want more information on the project they may call Jennifer Kauffman 206-263-6029 Jennifer.kauffman@metrokc.gov

Community Announcements and Concerns:

Al Wagar, Elaine Phelps, Stacy Pedersen and Fran Lilleness asked to be included on the Reserves committee. This decision was deferred to the Reserves portion of the meeting.

Gene Maddox complained of trash piled up from the clearing of brush from the sign post at the intersection of NW 10th and 167th. Rasch stated a clean up party was being organized for the weekend of Oct 18, weather permitting, and the brush pile would be shredded.

Board Agenda

RESERVES CLOSURE
Dave Fosmire, Reserves Chair, reported we now have 184 hazardous tree reports from the arborist.  There are reports for 160 of 2,100 trees in Running Water, Blue Heron, Eagle Reserves and 24 reports for trees in Boeing Creek Reserve.  In his monitoring of the Reserves he has found six of the previously reported hazardous trees have fallen across trails since the reports were issued in September. At the last Board meeting we authorized removal of the hazardous trees as funding becomes available. The report rates the trees on a scale of 6 to 12.  There was discussion of how many of the trees were 6 vs. 12 and if just the most dangerous trees should be removed. It was concluded that all the trees that were reported hazardous should be removed.  It was also requested that the arborist reports be made available to the community. Dave responded the reports are expensive to reproduce and if community members want copies of the reports they can request copies and pay a price to be determined. The Board could also make copies of the reports available for review. Mike Jacobs stated if we know of hazards and do nothing about them it increases our liability. It was suggested the trails be closed until the trees can be removed.

Peter Eglick, Club attorney, addressed the group. His concern is to protect the Club from lawsuits and minimize liability risks. If we have a qualified arborist reporting trees are hazardous, we need to consider what happens if one of the trees falls causing personal injury or property damage and we are sued. He was concerned the trails were not the only target of the trees should they fall.  He asked John Bergman an insurance defense lawyer about our liability.  His response was we need to take care of the problem by removing the hazardous trees.  He described the Reserves as a possible Attractive Nuisance.  Kids and others may not stay on the trails and could get hurt by falling trees/limbs off the trails therefore present further liability problems.

In prior discussions of the Reserves it was suggested we rely on community members with expertise in the management of the Reserves to advise the Board on removal of the trees. Eglick is concerned if we rely on community members for advice we risk the perception of prejudice toward cutting too many trees or not cutting enough and those community members might be personally liable. If we have a hazardous tree report from an outside resource, we are better insulated from the liability stand point. 

Trees that are removed would be replaced with new plantings. Removed trees would be cut in the safest manner usually by limbing and cutting in sections. The debris would be cut into sections and left in place.

Two motions resulted from the discussion.
Action: We close all trails in Innis Arden Reserves indefinitely until we can remedy the situation of hazardous trees. We need to survey the rest of the reserves for hazardous trees. Motion passed 8 to 0.
Action: Move that Dave Fosmire get signs made for all reserves showing they are closed and post the signs at the reserve entrances. $600 is authorized for expenses.
Motion passed 8 to 0.

BYLAW AMENDMENT
Rasch reported the Board will have another special meeting to discuss the proposed bylaw changes giving the Board authority to assess fines. We have made several changes to the proposed amendment as a result of community comments. We will be placing the revised amendment on the web and make copies available to the community.

Comments were made that the covenants did not give the authority to the Board to make changes of this nature, and that the changes, if made, should be done at a shareholders meeting and the changes should be made as they were directed by Judge Ellington during the special master process.

Action: A motion was made to schedule a special meeting of the Board of directors on November 19, 2003 at 7:00 PM at the clubhouse to 1) discuss amendment revisions 2) vote upon whether the amendment should be decided upon by a vote of the Board or by a vote of the shareholders and 3) depending upon the outcome of #2, a vote of the Board to decide on the implementation of the amendment. Motion passed 8 to 0.

Committee Reports

TREASURER:
Howard distributed the financial report. She requests committee chairs get their proposed budgets to her so she can prepare the FY 04 budget for distribution to the community.

ACTIVITIES:
Reminder of the Oktoberfest for this Saturday.

The committee needs volunteers for chair positions. In the past few years the committee has selected joint chairs: One to conduct the business of the committee and one to serve on the Board as the Activity representative. Both positions may be vacant.

GROUNDS:
Taber received a hazardous rating on the large Popular Tree in the SW corner of the play field and the two firs by the steps leaving to NW 15th.
Action: Motion to remove 7 trees from the playfield area. The Popular, the 2 firs by the steps and 4 other firs along the West side of the field to improve the landscaping. Passed 8 to 0

CLUBHOUSE:
The motion sensitive light at the SE corner of the clubhouse has been fixed. We passed our fire inspection.

RESERVES:
Most of Fosmire’s report has been discussed under the hazardous tree discussion.
The following residents have volunteered to serve on the reserves committee. John Hollinrake, Tony Morales, Al Wagar, Fran Lilleness, Elaine Phelps and Stacy Pederson. Hollinrake, Morales and Pederson were selected.

BUILDINGS AND REMODELS:

Discussion:   The O’Neil remodel was brought up for discussion early in the meeting (8:12 PM) but delayed to later in the meeting until the affected parties could be present (O’Neil, Leonhardi and Wax).  The discussion was resumed at 9:03 with affected parties and the Board’s lawyer, Peter Eglick and architect David Nordfors.   Mr. Nordfors was hired by Eglick to provide architectural analysis on project plans and potential view impairment (if any) so that the Board would have an objective basis on which to evaluate the various interested parties' claims on this disputed matter.

The Board's review started with an introduction by Building Committee Chair Loys Lamb followed by an invitation to Mr. O'Neil to make a presentation to the Board on his latest application. Mr. O'Neil spoke briefly and asked for Board approval.

Architect Nordfors made an hour and one half presentation including review of the various sets of plans prepared by O'Neils' architect as well as explanatory schematics and handouts  prepared by Nordfors himself.  The materials are available to shareholders by contacting the secretary.  In summary, Nordfors illustrated for the Board the line of sight and view impacted by the construction and offered an illustration approximating what view had been impaired. Nordfors suggested that, from an architect's perspective, the impaired view of the mountains had some worth in that an architect would design a structure so that the view was "captured", but it would not by itself dictate a structure's overall design.

Based on some line of sight and other analyses, Nordfors suggested that the "impaired” view could be restored by lowering the O'Neils' mansard roof by one to one and a half feet. In response to a question, Nordfors explained that, based on the plans submitted by O'Neils to the City of Shoreline, it appeared that the mansard could be lowered by that amount without compromising its structural integrity or general design. While reluctant to give a figure, he responded to a request for a very rough estimate that the cost of such a reduction could be as much as $15,000. The Board also asked various questions concerning, for example, the effect, if any, of code requirements for guard rails on the O'Neils' rooftop deck and similar factors.

After Nordfors presentation, the interested members of the audience, Wax and Leonhardi, were given an opportunity to respond and offer comments. Their concern was as previously stated, that the structure was higher than had been approved and that the reduction in the constructed height now offered by O'Neils and before the Board would not correct what they identified as substantial view impairment.

Mr. O’Neil, who was in attendance throughout, was then given an opportunity to respond. He pointed out that neither his attorney nor his architect were present. The Club's attorney pointed out that O'Neils' attorney had been given notice of the Board meeting, had said he might not personally attend, but had suggested that he would send another lawyer from his office. Because that had not occurred and Mr. O'Neil had not brought his architect either, the Club's attorney suggested that he would advise the Board to postpone the matter if Mr. O'Neil so desired. Mr. O'Neil indicated that he did not wish to postpone the matter, but continued to suggest that his architect and/or attorney might have responses to what had been presented to the Board. Several Board members then indicated that they did not want to proceed to a decision in light of Mr. O'Neil's suggestion. As a result, a motion was made and unanimously adopted to postpone Board consideration of and a decision on the O'Neil application.

It was decided that the Board would hold a special Board meeting, at a mutually acceptable time, after Mr. O'Neil had an opportunity to discuss this matter with his attorney and architect. All interested parties would be notified of the meeting and the time it would be announced on the web site.

Closing

Meeting Adjourned at 11:15 PM

Interview with Long Time Resident,
Elaine Philbrook by June Howard

On a Friday afternoon, Elaine Philbrook opened her door dressed in periwinkle blue slacks and shirt. This slender woman has a ready smile and quick wit. Soon she had a cup of tea ready and she shared her memories of Innis Arden with me.

In 1953, Elaine and John Philbrook moved to their present home in Innis Arden. They were the parents of three children, Nancy, Ralph, and Jack. Their last child, Fred was born in 1956. Elaine stayed home to raise the children. Everyday she would go to meet her children who attended Richmond Beach Elementary School at the school bus that stopped at the neighbor’s house. There were only about four houses on their street at the time. The Taylors and the Hagers lived on the corner at the top of Ridgefield Road. She also remembers the Irvines where the Laskins now live plus other neighbors, the Barlows and the Hunters

When asked what Innis Arden was like when she moved it, she said with a slight frown, “Well, there were no tall trees and the ravines had no great amount of vegetation.”

Elaine and John have been married sixty years. John was in real estate, at first in residential sales, and then later in commercial and farms in Eastern Washington. John retired at age eighty-six and is now ninety-three. He recently moved in with son Fred in Duvall as it has become too much for Elaine to care for him on a daily basis.

Innis Arden was an active neighborhood in the fifties and sixties. One of the first activities she remembers is that there were community dances at the Sand Point Country Club before the clubhouse was built. Elaine remembers she and John used to wash dishes and Frank Soderling did the calling for bingo games in the 1950s. There was also duplicate bridge in which there was a five-table group. Ira Overstreet who lived on 14th Avenue ran the games.

While the Philbrooks were not active in building the clubhouse, they did help when the Congregational Church that was only a block north of the old Richmond Beach Library moved to its present site.

Elaine remembers the salmon barbecue being on the Beach in Boeing Creek. She also recalls the picnics just north of Saltwater Park near the depot at the beach. Then, there were no restrictions on bonfires. They were built from driftwood and you only had to take paper, kindling, and matches for the fire.

Elaine has also helped with the rummage sale over the years. She remembers getting a baby sitter and taking a gardening class when the baby (Fred) was little. The class was with Landscape Architect Oliver Ester. Elaine was most active in a women’s choral group, the Innis Arden Triads, which was directed by Beryl Cassell who lived on 17th Ave. She remembers the pianist was Virginia Thorpe and Janet Zell was one of the triads. Elaine says they always had new dresses to wear for their performances so at practices they would sing and then spend their time afterward discussing the dresses they would wear.

At the end of the hour, we parted company with an invitation to come back and visit anytime. What a pleasant afternoon with a truly pleasant person.

Right Plant, Wrong Place
Letter from the Editor

In 1994 we planted a dogwood. It wasn't supposed to get taller than 12 feet. Over the years, several arborists told us that it was going to get huge. We considered pruning it. Then, a few summers ago as I was sitting in my neighbor's living room, I saw that the dogwood completely blocked her only potential for a Sound view (between houses).

The thought of destroying this beautiful tree was distressing, so I searched for alternatives. Plant Amnesty sponsors an 'adopt a plant' program in which a description of your tree or plant, location, and contact information is posted on their web site (http://www.plantamnesty.org/adoptaplant_list.htm).

Another alternative is a nursery called "Big Tree" (1-360- 563-2700, http://www.bigtreesupply.com/). They came over and hand dug and wrapped the root ball of our dogwood. It was taken to their nursery in Snohomish, soon to find a new home. It didn't cost us a cent and they offered to give us a deal on a more appropriate replacement plant.

This is also an option for people who are remodeling and have to remove treasured plantings.

Note: The trunk was about 5-6 inches, and the tree was about 12 feet tall, which is about as large a tree as they can rescue. The tree must be accessable for a loader. Winter is the right time to transplant!

Bulletin Board

Lost: Lovebird-green. Missing since September 9th. If found, please call Georgia. 206-546-8854.

Wanted: Piano (free or nearly free). Will haul. Call 542-4667.

Booksigning: Local author, Ivan Doig will be making an appearance on November 29th, 1-2 p.m. at the Edmonds Bookshop, and on December 2nd, 12-1 p.m. at the Shoreline Costco. His new book is "Prairie Nocturne". Have your copy personally inscribed!

Wanted: Do you have an old truck, car, boat or RV (running or NOT)? Call Habitat for Humanity at 1-800-287-7490 for pickup.