South Lake Sammamish Update

Some of these vehicles were deployed by the City of Issaquah to begin street repair projects in this area. During May, Issaquah replaced cracked and sunken sidewalks and used sealant to repair extensive cracking on several roads. Sand applied to absorb excess sealant was left for several days then removed by street sweeping vehicles. Some of the repaired roads will be overlaid with new asphalt this summer. Watch this space for more information.

The majority of the vehicles have been servicing a large lakefront construction project just north of the Greenwood estate and south of the homes on S.E. 42nd Street. Last week and the week before, double dump trucks were coming and going several times an hour from the construction site off of 192nd Lane S.E., where two homes have been removed to make room for the construction of a single larger home. The extensive movement of dirt is due, in part, to the need to re-route a storm drain system.

Census Results: 3720 Residents Added To City

From: Issaquah Press - Wednesday May 3, page A2

Thanks to the residents of South Cove and Greenwood Point, it is now known that there are about 3720 of them living in the recently annexed neighborhoods. A census, conducted for the state in March by an independent contractor, counted 1565 dwelling units in the area with an occupancy rate of 93 percent. These numbers, which are preliminary, have been forwarded to the state Office of Financial Management and must be verified before getting the official stamp of approval.

The Office of Financial Management uses the data to calculate how much tax money to allocate the city.

City planner Debi Kirac said the census workers were grateful for the resident's cooperation. Most were aware of the need for the information and readily provided it.

The Planning Department expected to have final numbers in hand by the end of April, Kirac said. But, officially, the state won't adjust the city's population until next year.

King County Property Tax Rates Still in Effect

Did your taxes go up this year? Though our area became part of Issaquah on March 2nd, we are still paying King County property tax rates this year and next. Plus, we have begun to pay Issaquah's storm water fees and utility tax.

This is due to a statewide plan that helps cities and counties cover the extra transition costs that result from annexations.

Starting in 2008, we will pay the same lower Issaquah property tax rates enjoyed by long-time residents and our overall taxes will be significantly lower than those paid by residents of unincorporated King County.

For a further explanation, refer to the article Property Tax Reduction Timing Explained, which was published in the October 4th edition of this newsletter:

http://www.issaquahweb.org/slsa/updates/2005/20051004.htm

Message from City of Issaquah about Bill for Storm Water Service:

The City has received a number of calls from residents in the South Cove and Greenwood Point area regarding the city’s utility bill for storm water services. This is a bi-monthly billing fee for maintenance and capital improvements of the Storm Water system. This includes the catch basins for collecting rainfall, detention ponds and the storm water pipe system.

Previously King County also billed for these services but included their fee on the annual property tax bill statement. You will note that this charge is on your recent statement from the county since your area was served by the county for the first part of the year. The county will be crediting residents the balance of the year since they will no longer be serving the area. If any resident paid the entire amount for the year the county will be issuing a refund. If you have any questions feel free to call me at (425) 837-3025.

Joe Meneghini
Deputy City Administrator
City of Issaquah

P.S. The city’s bill is for Storm Water Service only and residents will continue to receive their drinking water and sewer bill from the City of Bellevue).

City Launches Economic Vitality Task Force

Now, and in the years ahead, the communities that are the healthiest economically will be those that offer high environmental quality and community livability. Issaquah has the chance for both. We have many treasures, cherished by residents and businesses alike, including our natural setting and resources, our mountains, streams, and salmon. The arts are vibrant here: we have a well respected live theater, summertime music concerts, among many other amenities. Our Salmon Days Festival and the Public Market bring neighbors and visitors together to enjoy our small-town atmosphere.

How do we take control of our future so that we can protect these values and attributes?

A citizen committee, called the Economic Vitality Task Force, began meeting this month to help the City develop a strategic plan to enhance the area's economic strengths. The outcome will be an Action Plan that will detail priorities to achieve and sustain Issaquah’s economic vitality.

The mayor has appointed 15 citizens to the Economic Vitality Task Force, including South Cove resident David Bangs, who is compiling this newsletter.

For more information, visit the city's web site at:
http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/News.asp?NewsID=571

Lake Sammamish State Park Update

Dear Lake Sammamish State Park Enthusiast,

Last Thursday the State Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to take the park advisory committee's and staff's recommendation and remove indoor multipurpose and soccer arena and the dry-rack motor boat storage facility from further consideration at Lake Sammamish. They also enthusiastically supported language authorizing further consideration of a facility for non-profit partners. Specifically, a "facility, or portion of another facility, for support of recreation and conservation partner organizations operating in and around the park. This includes space for groups to meet, store equipment, provide interpretive programming, and administrative space for onsite staff/volunteer activities."

A copy of the agenda item approved without change is on the project webpage: http://www.parks.wa.gov/plans/lksamm/(7)Lk%20Sammamish%20Agenda%20Item%20VI.doc

Our next tasks will include developing a park-wide concept plan for facilities remaining on the list for consideration and firming up architectural design guidelines.

This work will begin at the next meeting of the Lake Sammamish State Park Advisory Committee, scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Issaquah Valley Elementary, 555 NW Holly Street, in Issaquah (driving directions below). Members of the public are welcome to attend.

We anticipate holding a public workshop later this summer specifically to receive public input on the evolving parkwide plan.

Thanks and we hope to see at the meeting!

Peter Herzog, Parks Planner
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
(360) 902-8652 Office

Upcoming Events

Issaquah City Council
Special “Town Hall” Meeting, Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 7-9PM

This forum will be an informal open microphone opportunity for residents to address the Council. This meeting will be held at Pickering Barn, 1730 – 10th Ave. NW, Issaquah.

Issaquah School District
Community Forum June 5, 7-9PM

You are invited to give input on the Board’s newly drafted mission statement and overall student learning goals. Board Room, District Administrative Center, 565 NW Holly St., Issaquah. Log onto www.issaquah.wednet.edu to view our newly drafted mission statement and goals, called “ends statements”. From the home page, click “more” in the first paragraph.

Earthquake Retrofit Class for Homeowners - June 6th

We live on the Seattle fault line. Are you ready? Attend a free 2 hour home retrofit class June 1st or June 6th. Sign up now! (Note: The June 1st Class is full)

For more information, or to sign up, visit the SLSA Web site:
http://www.issaquahweb.org/slsa/earthquakesafety.htm

5 Steps to Environmentally Sound Gardening - July 19th

The City of Issaquah's Resource Conservation Office will be sponsoring a gardening class, “5 Steps to Environmentally Sound Gardening,” held at Pickering Barn on Wednesday July 19th from 6 – 9 pm. Learn how to work with nature in your yard to create a great looking landscape that is easier to maintain and healthier for families, pets, wildlife and our unique Pacific NW environment. Please register by July 17th. People can register for classes by calling Jennifer Kaufman at (425) 837-3442 or e-mail jenniferk @ ci.issaquah.wa.us.

Summer SLSA Meeting - June 28th

The next SLSA meeting will be held Wednesday June 28th, 7pm, at the King County Library Resource Center on Newport Way. We will be discussing neighborhood improvement priorities. Brett Heath, Issaquah's director of public works operations, will be our special guest. SLSA Quarterly meetings are open to all homeowners.

For more information, visit our web site at www.issaquahweb.org/slsa

South Lake Sammamish Community Days to be Held August 21st

The 8th Annual South Lake Sammamish Community Days will be held on Monday, August 21st from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Coordinated by Mary Victory, this event has grown bigger and more popular every year and demonstrates the pride that we all have for our neighborhoods. As the event has grown, there will be a call for volunteers to help out in early August - we hope that you will consider volunteering.

Besides the great Ice Cream Social, among the attractions this year for your families are an obstacle course, inflatable bouncies, a climbing wall and other fun activities for the kids. Join your neighbors for a great evening of fun, food and conversation!!!

This e-mail was compiled by David Bangs and sent via the South Lake Sammamish Association e-mail list. To submit a posting, subscribe, unsubscribe or update your contact information, please e-mail and mention either your address or the name of your neighborhood.

Home Page