September 2002 Bulletin

September 2002

September Activities Announcements

Have you been to the board meetings lately? Well, you can thank Kathy and Ian Malarky, and Judy Allen for the refreshments served during the meetings. They make sure we have fresh coffee and something sweet to eat. It makes the meetings more enjoyable. Thanks for the special care!

Salmon Barbecue: Thank you to Mary Cleaveland for chairing the Salmon BBQ again. And without the help of many key volunteers this event would not have been possible. The salmon was delicious and many neighbors seemed to enjoy visiting with each other. Mary has fled to Europe for a reprieve so we'll have a full report on the event next month.

Salmon BBQ Chefs Extraordinaire:
From left, Betty Ward, Linda Gigstad, Mary Cleaveland and Kathy Malarky

Let the Games Begin! At the Salmon BBQ the activities' committee unveiled the new 'industrial size' volleyball net purchased with monies received from the rummage sale. In addition to the purchased set, Linda Pugmire graciously donated a volleyball set to the activities' committee too. Thank you Linda. Now we are able to offer v-ball games during our sponsored events.

Thank you, Thank you! We would like to thank Joyce Michelson for her leadership in organizing the Junior Tennis Program. She invested many hours over the past years in developing and sustaining the tennis program for the youth. She officially relinquished her duties as coordinator and bestowed upon Kimber Bang and Heidi Nelson the responsibilities of the Junior Tennis Program. Thank you Joyce for all of your time and efforts over the years.Kimber and Heidi!

It’s that time of year again, Rummage Collection! The activities' committee has an annual rummage sale in March. With the proceeds earned from the sale, the committee isto financeand/or events in our neighborhood. One of the projects they are presently working on is updating the playground equipment. So start collecting your "collectibles" and just remember… one person’s rummage is another’s treasure!

Here are the collection dates and times.your calendars.

1st Saturday of the month from 10 am to 12 noon

Drop off is in the pool building.

Holiday Party: We need a chairperson for the family Holiday Party. This is a relatively easy and fun event to plan. We even have a notebook of ideas and plans of the past parties. There are folks willing to help with this event. Call Chris or Pam to find out how easy it is to chair. If we don't find a chairperson there will be no party.

Next Activities’ Committee Meeting: We encourage anyone who is interested in joining our group to come to our meetings. Please call Chris Kocher (533-1223) or Pam Smit (533-0240) for more information.
Activities Meeting Schedule:

Activities Committee…WHO, WHAT WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY…

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 and you may call Chris at 533-1223 or Pam at 533-0240 to find out more. 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!!

Agenda for the October 8th Board Meeting

Arian and Carrisa Smit
Brad and Sandy Barnard
Randy and Vicki Jones
Steven and Kristen Reiner

On the night of September 9, despite short notice and beautiful weather, 17 Innis Arden residents gathered to discuss the future of our old Clubhouse. After two hours of inspiring and constructive exchange of ideas, comments and suggestions it became clear that our residents would benefit in many ways from a functional community center. Among these are:

The clubhouse is almost 50 years old. It is not up to present building code, is worn out, unattractive, and does not fulfill today’s needs. It is very costly to heat and therefore, environmentally unfriendly. These negative qualities are the other reasons why we should join forces and take on a big project: a clubhouse remodel.

Our first step will be to form a steering committee to identify our needs and critical aspects of the project, and to research similar facilities.

Several residents have already volunteered to be a part of this neighborhood “adventure”. We still need more experts so if you have a keen interest in improving our clubhouse and have experience in architecture, interior design, loans, fund raising (critical to our success), accounting, legal issues, please contact:

If you would like to participate in the project but do not want to be a part of the committee, please contact me anyway. The best scenario would be if the steering committee could meet before the October 8th Board meeting.

The Innis Arden Swim Club is hosting the premiere swim event for the Seattle Summer Swim League next summer. It will take place Aug 5, 2003. The All Cities Swim meet will feature the 6 fastest swimmers in 72 events. It will be a gala event sure to rival any Olympic event. Sixteen teams from North and South end of Seattle will be coming to our community to participate in All Cities. This means there will be lots of cars and people on this day. -Lisa Allen

It was reported that some time over the Labor Day weekend several vehicles in Innis Arden had windshields smashed. Many of the vehicles were parked along side the road on Ridgefield Road and one on 14th Avenue. Neighbors may want to consider parking vehicles in their garages and/or closer to their homes. Please call the police if you hear or see suspicious activity.

These incidents were reported to the police. Officer Leona Oblster who is working with us on Blockwatch provided these suggestions:

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

Innis Arden II Blockwatch captain
Teri Jones
Innis Arden II Blockwatch Meeting
Thursday October 3rd– 7 pm
At the Clubhouse

Innis Arden III Blockwatch captain
Judy Allen
Innis Arden III Blockwatch Meeting
Thursday October 17th– 7 pm
At the Clubhouse

If you don’t know what Innis Arden subdivision you live in, contact Judy Allen who can help you out.

Work Begins on Grouse Reserve

In early August, the City of Shoreline sent notice regarding the Grouse Reserve project to all Innis Arden residents. The notice detailed where the permit process was, the appeals process available, and the approximate date of permit issuance. It explained that the project provides for retention of approximately 40% of the total existing trees and the planting of 355 trees, 830 shrubs, and 1868 herbs/ground covers and that tree removal and pruning shall be performed by an ISA Certified Arborist and licensed contractor.

On September 17^th, the permit was issued and work began on September 18^th. Arborists from Seattle Tree Preservation are currently hard at work thinning and removing trees. Thinning of the upper canopy will ‘release’ the trees of the lower canopy which include Oregon White Oak, Cascara, Shore Pine, and Oregon Ash planted ten years ago. Woody debris resulting from the tree pruning and removal will be chipped, stockpiled and used as mulch after re-planting. Irrigation will be provided while plants are acclimating and being established. A group of Innis Arden residents called the Grouse Reserve Neighborhood Association is financing this project.

Detailed information on the project is available from Paul Cohen, Project Manager, at Planning and Development Services, City of Shoreline, 17544 Midvale Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133.

Above, a maple tree is carefully removed branch by branch to avoid damage to trees below.

Several wildlife snags are going to be left in the reserve as required by the City of Shoreline. The snag pictured right was a diseased tree.

Innis Arden Club, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
September 10, 7:00 PM
Summary of Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Board members present: Kate O’Neill (Vice President), June Howard (Treasurer), Carol Solle (Secretary), Ewa Sledziewski, (Clubhouse), Loys Lamb (Buildings and Remodels), Mike Jacobs (Grounds), Dave Fosmire (Reserves), Pam Smit (Activities). Absent: Roger Lowell (President)

Swim Club: Nancy Maxwell announced that the Swim Club will be hosting the all-city swim meet on August 5^th, 2003 between 2 and 10 PM. Because there will be sixteen teams competing, efforts will be made to accommodate parking requirements by providing a shuttle from church parking lots to the Clubhouse. The community will be updated as this event approaches.

Car window smashing incidents: There have been two instances of vandalism on 2 different nights involving 5 cars. Rocks have been thrown through windshields along Ridgefield Road.

Update on covenant revision: Because there have been no meetings since the last Board meeting, there is not too much to report. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 17^th at Ewa Sledziewski’s house. The group is working through a ‘strawman’, marking up existing covenants. When completed, it will be published before it is presented to the Board or to the Community.

Grouse Reserve: Elaine Phelps wants a report on the disposition of Grouse Reserve, because nothing has been published in the Bulletin or the Web site. Additionally, she wants the names and addresses of the people from the Grouse Reserve Neighborhood Association. She was told that all of this information is public record. There will be a progress report on the Grouse Reserve project at October’s meeting.

Building and Remodels and vegetation compliance: Elaine Phelps asserted that the Board never did act on the Dillard remodel and so they can build (editor’s note: according to the April 2002 Board meeting minutes, the remodel was denied without prejudice, pending tree dispute resolution between Rasch and Dillard. Because a resolution was never achieved, Building and Remodel Chair Loys Lamb returned the plans to Dillard in July).

Board Meeting Comment Policy: In an attempt to allow broader participation and to limit the length of Board meetings, a comment policy was proposed. It was modeled after the City of Shoreline’s public comment policy. After some discussion and modifications the following motion was made:

Discuss vegetation compliance being a consideration for Building and Remodel approval: Land use attorney Richard Hill said that although the Board does not have the authority to cut non-complying vegetation, the Board can require the resident to demonstrate that they are in compliance with the covenants or we can withhold approval of their remodel.

Discuss reinstituting Special Master Process for views: In 1989, the Superior Court created a ‘Special Master Process’ and appointed a court special master to rule on the tree height amendment in individual cases. Hundreds of petitions were processed during the following years and views were restored. In 1992, the Superior Court decided that the majority of the work that the covenants were intended to accomplish had been completed. In 1993, The Innis Arden Board developed the “Petition for Relief Under View Preservation Covenants”, to replace the Special Master Process. The current Board is unable to identify any view dispute resolutions resulting from the 1993 petition process. Since then, trees have grown out of compliance and views are disappearing. The Board is considering reinitiating the Special Master Process to resolve view disputes.

Rust commented that the Special Master process pitted neighbor against neighbor, and that the Special Master made arbitrary decisions. Weinberg said that his attempts to mediate view disputes were disappointing. Jean Tolfree suggested a provision for sharing of costs in individual cases. Phelps was concerned about startup expenses which are estimated to be $10,000-$12,000. Rasch and Lilliness felt that the Board has the power to enforce the covenants. O’Neill replied that even if the Board does enforce the view covenant, serious disputes may go to court anyway. Judy Allen recalled the painful process of being petitioned, but felt that in the end, it was the right thing to bring her trees into compliance. Daviscourt added that view preservation is black and white and not subject to discussion.

Action: A motion to retain Richard Hill to reinititate the Special Master process was passed unanimously.

Non-view Covenant Compliance: During a special Board meeting in April, a proposal was made for non-view covenant enforcement. It was published in the Bulletin for community input, and scheduled for a vote during the September meeting. Rasch was concerned that Shareholders be given due process. Judy Allen suggested using Mill Creek’s “Covenant Complaint Form” as a model. Tom Compton suggested putting the form on the Web site. Dan Tolfree stressed the importance of diplomacy. After some discussion and modification, a motion was made to adopt the following principle, with the intent of designing an implementation procedure by the next meeting:

Treasurer’s Report: Howard presented the August Financial Report, showing a cash balance of $142,875. Liens have been filed on 24 delinquent properties. Two copies of the Audit Report have been received and Howard will attempt to get it put on the Web site. The Auditor gave a list of suggestions, such as reviewing insurance and getting at least 3 bids for projects.

Costco Card: The Clubhouse Manager and Bulletin Editor have to write personal checks to cover expenses until they are reimbursed by the Club. Sledziewski suggested that Innis Arden apply for a Costco credit card to avoid this inconvenience.

Action: A motion to secure 2 Costco cards on 1 account for Innis Arden with charging privileges was passed 7-1.

Activities: The Annual Salmon BBQ was well attended. Blockwatch captains are busy contacting neighbors about the program. Neighborhood meetings have been scheduled with Police Officer Leona Obstler to discuss and answer questions about Blockwatch. Meetings will be posted in the bulletin. A chairperson for the Holiday Party is needed or there will be no party! The next Activities Committee meeting will be September 18^th at Pam Smit’s house.

Clubhouse: Sledziewski extended a thank you to Wendy Morales for work as Clubhouse manager and welcomed Susan Lundli as the new manager. The meeting held to discuss the future of the Clubhouse went well with 17 people in attendance. Constructive discussion lasted for 2 hours. It was suggested that we talk to the Swim Club as they may wish to remodel as well. Perhaps this could be consolidated. Amely Wurmbrand volunteered to help with the design and Mr. Miller, an architect will help make a list of professions that would be part of the steering committee. Progress will be reported next month.

Reserves: Officer Mann from the Shoreline Police has been patrolling Boeing Creek, issuing trespassing, parking and liquor citations. He has found young Innis Arden residents at Boeing Creek very late at night and wanted to know if the Reserves had hours. There is a sign posted very high (to avoid vandalism) at the entrance of Boeing Creek, but it isn’t visible at night. It was decided that all of the Reserves as well as the playfield will be closed from 10:30 PM until 6:00 AM. Fosmire will have metal signs made for Reserve entrances and the playfield.

The problem of boulders blocking Boeing Creek was not resolved. Kids have been building dams, flooding the trail and the rocks are too heavy to move.

Grounds: During the June Board meeting, a motion was passed to discontinue rental of our playfield to soccer and baseball leagues, due to parking shortages, increased trash, and the declining condition of the playfield. The Board is now reconsidering this motion

Action: A motion was made to rent the playfield for $750/year to both leagues providing that parking and litter were controlled was passed unanimously.

Jacobs will obtain game and practice schedules from the leagues. Solle will research how Shoreline schedules usage of its playfields as a guideline for Innis Arden’s playfield usage.

Entrance Sign: Someone has spray painted the entrance sign and the plastic may need replacing.

Park Dispenser and ‘Mutt Mitts’: To minimize pet waste on the playfield, it was decided to buy a dispenser and plastic bags.

Action: A motion to buy Mutt Mitts and a Park dispenser for approximately $115 was passed unanimously.

Buildings and Remodels: Leland, 18331 8th NW, limited new second floor over the central part of the existing single floor to accommodate a new bedroom bathroom, study and small view deck. Neighbors signed off on this remodel and vegetation was in compliance.