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Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 6:09 PM
To: SLSA Meeting Notifications
Subject: SLSA Meeting Notes for February 10th
The South Lake Sammamish Association met at Sunset Elementary School Library at 7pm.
SLSA Officers and Reps in attendance were: Gary Thede (SLSA Chair, Samm Beach Club), David Bangs (SLSA Secretary), Deborah Parsons (Greenwood Point), Melody Scherting (Sammamish View), Wayne Eddy (Weatherwood), Chad Hardisty (South Cove), Martin Page (substituting: Lake West)Other neighbors in attendance were: Bob Nersveen (South Cove), Debbie Smith (Sammamish Crown), Mike Tuohy (South Cove), Joe Decuir (S.E. 42nd), Deborah Freng (S.E. 42nd)
Gary Thede chaired the meeting, starting with a presentation by WSDOT on the roundabout.Roundabout
David Edwards presented on behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation. (Project engineer Dawn MacIntosh was also present, as was Kurt Watt of the City of Bellevue.)He reported that the roundabout will be rebuilt this summer, after school lets out. Work should be substantially completed prior to school beginning in the fall. To reduce the traffic impact, flagging operations will be restricted to between 9am and 3pm. and lanes should be freely open at all other times. The contractor is responsible for preserving the existing plants inside the roundabout.
The purpose of this project is to improve traffic flow. The circle will be about a third larger in diameter. The larger circle will accommodate more cars simultaneously and with more natural turning radius. The existing plants in the center will be retained, ringed with concrete stamped with a red brick pattern. This is aesthetic and more forgiving because it will accommodate wayward tires with no damage to the car or the landscaping. New lane separating islands approaching the roundabout will separate cars properly and improve flow. These islands will also be red brick patterned concrete.The enlarged circle requires elimination of the bypass lanes to and from our section of W. Lake Sammamish Parkway. That means all cars must go through the roundabout. This will eliminate problems with merging and "cheating."
The road surface will be completely rebuilt with better attention to drainage, so that the potholes will not recur.For more information, contact project engineer Dawn McIntosh at 425-489-1772.
Information will be available on the WSDOT web site (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/ ) as the project date draws near.Standing Rules
All Reps present approved the standing rules and budget as presented at the previous meeting. No objections have been received from any neighborhoods. The standing rules (as posted on the web site) are approved.Officers
Gary Thede was elected chairperson, and David Bangs was elected secretary. (Both unanimous)The position of vice-chair remains vacant.
Dues
Dues of $1 per home from member associations are due March 1st. Payment has been received from Greenwood Point, Lake West, Sammamish Beach Club, Sammamish View, South Cove and Weatherwood.
Sammamish CrownDebbie Smith was present from the Sammamish Crown Condos, across the street from the roundabout. The condos have 53 units. She was invited by WSDOT to learn about the roundabout, and was surprised to learn about SLSA and the Issaquah Annexation effort. Debbie mentioned her HOA may be interested in joining SLSA and those present indicated they would be welcome and encouraged to join.
These condos are within the Issaquah's Greenwood Point Annexation Area: www.issaquahweb.org/slsa/images/slsaneighborhoods.pdf , but due to an apparent error have not been included in our previous outreach efforts.Annexation
Gary Thede reported that the Issaquah city council has voted to move forward on annexation of our area, and decided that the method should be by election. The election is likely to be this November, with the date for annexation set for a date (to be decided) in 2006.In the meantime, the whole thing has to be approved by the State Boundary Review Board. There isn't expected to be any problems, since this has long been an Issaquah Annexation area. The board may choose to hold a public hearing to determine neighborhood support and concerns.
There may be two questions on the ballot: Do you want to annex to Issaquah, and Do you want to accept Issaquah's bonded indebtedness. 50% must vote to annex, and 60% must vote to accept bonded indebtedness. The impact of accepting bonded indebtedness is that we would pay the same property taxes Issaquah residents currently pay. In fact, it could be lower for everyone because the existing bonds would be getting paid off by up to twice as many people. Issaquah property taxes are quite a bit lower than our existing property taxes. The impact of not accepting bonded indebtedness is that Issaquah would probably reject the annexation.
Those present felt that for simplicity the two questions should be combined into a single question: Do you want to annex to Issaquah and assume bonded indebtedness. (Note: David Bangs has since sent an email to the city council and planning department suggesting the simplicity of a single ballot item).
County Districting
David Bangs reported that our activism to get the Greenwood Point Annexation area included in the same King County Council district as Issaquah was successful. David Bangs and Mike Barnett of Timberlake Lane both testified at the committee meeting. Numerous people sent email. Councilman David Irons helped by contacting the committee directly.
The committee had initially created proposals the used a contorted curve to include the South Cove area with Bellevue. Later drafts split our neighborhoods into two districts. Only the final draft got it right, and it was definitely because our feedback was heard.
David Irons will continue to be our councilman until the November Election, at which time we will elect a councilperson for the new District 3. For more information, visit www.metrokc.gov/council/districting/ .
Roads
David Bangs reported that he had collated road problem reports and sent them to David Irons office, which will schedule a meeting to go over the problems. Meeting attendees will include representatives from the county, city of Issaquah and SLSA. The City wants public roads to have a minimum rating of 40 on a scale of 100. There are currently roads way below that level. David Bangs feels some roads will have to be overlaid.Joe Decuir and Deborah Freng discussed S.E. 42nd St, which is a private road. The neighborhood hopes to improve it to the degree that it could be a public road. The problem so far has been drainage, since traditional drainage would impinge on front yards along the street. Neighbors are working with the King Conservation Council and may pay a reduced fee for design of environmentally friendly drainage, which involves the installation of pervious surfaces. If this works out, they hope the street may be able to be taken over by the county or city.
Blackberry ParkMartin Page reported that the Lake West neighbors had a work party and constructed a fence. They will raise money, $20,000 or more, for playground equipment. Several people volunteered to help at future work parties.
Lake Sammamish State ParkGary Thede, our rep on the Lake Sammamish State Park Advisory Task force, discussed improvements to be implemented circa 2009. He pointed out that the park will remain 70% natural and 30% developed, just like it is now. They will avoid outdoor night lighting. The current plan, which will evolve and be subject to public input and environmental reviews, includes a rowing house, boating center, a small beach cafe, an indoor soccer arena and RV camp ground (near the the current maintenance shop) and a few other things. Plans are at www.parks.wa.gov/plans/lksamm/
Neighborhood Networking/Roundtable
Gary Thede mentioned that Sammamish Beach Club homeowners voted to put locks on their beach gate, and issue keys to neighbors. Deborah Parsons of Greenwood Point said such an arrangement has worked very well in that neighborhood for several years. Lock repair can be expensive.
There was discussion of a theft ring operating locally. Some cars have been stolen from various neighborhoods.
Next Meeting
We decided that SLSA meetings are two be schedule for the 2nd Thursday of every third month starting in February. Changes will be made if needed.
Feb 10th, May 12th, August 11th, Nov 10th.
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