December 2008 Meeting Minutes

7:00 PM

Call to order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll call

Review and approve agenda

Public comment on topics which are not listed on the agenda

Beverly will be gone in January, and it was suggested that Eric take minutes.

Patty Davis and Kim Emmons

Maple Valley Farmers Market Steering Committee provided a letter to the GMVAC about plans to start a local Farmers Market. The market will begin as a Saturday-only market, and run from June to October beginning in 2009. They are looking at the Rock Creek Elementary School as a location, and plan on offering locally grown products, arts and crafts, and other items for sale that the community can provide.

7:10 PM

Sheriff's Precinct-Level Community Involvement Program

Major Dave Germani

Major Germani informed us that at present, there are no complaints against his department which need to be addressed by the GMVUAC. He updated us on how the King County budget impacted his department and was thankful that he was able to keep the storefront offices. Major Germani wants us to know that it is possible for citizens to volunteer with the Sheriff's department. Without citizen volunteers, he would not be able to staff the storefronts.

Major Germani also wants us to know that at times, law enforcement's hands are tied because individuals can commit the same crime multiple times before they even go before a judge. That is why it's so important for the community to become involved with the Sheriff's department and to contact elected officials with any concerns.

7:30 PM

Open Council Position Candidates Discussion

Steve will contact the potential candidates.again.

7:50 PM

Train Show Review

Steve Hiester and Kevin Daoust

Kevin provided us with a copy of the train show results. The numbers are as follows:

8:00 PM

Treasurer's Report

Kevin Daoust

Kevin passed out the ledger from 2007 so we could compare the information to 2008. We have decided to sponsor the 2009 train show on the third Saturday in October. 750 people attended the 2008 train show.

8:20 PM

Officer Nominating Committee Appointments

Susan (River Heights)

Eric (Francis)

Rob (Hobart)

Gordon (Ravensdale)

Susan is the committee chair.

8:40 PM

Landsburg Mine Clean-up Response Discussion

It was decided that we do not need to comment, since the community is satisfied with the process.

8:50 PM

Council Business Committee Assignments

Gordon: Ravensdale Committee will meet Monday, December 8, at 7:00 PM at Gracie Hansen.

Peter suggested we give a gift of $300 to Nancy Hertzel for her work on the website. The council agreed. We are also going to ask Nancy if we can put a hit counter on the website. We also decided to give a donation of $500 to the food bank.

Dave: The carbon sequestration project is still moving forward. There will be another meeting in January. Dave is in the process of putting together a 501 (c) 3 with the group to apply for grants. As soon as they have details, they will take the information public. Peter said he would contact the Sierra Club when Dave is ready.

Steve: He will be attending a meeting with the other UAC presidents to talk about UACs in general. The meeting will occur next week. The survey and election were suggsted as topics. Ravensdale Park was also suggested. A discussion occurred on whether or not we should combine our ideas with other UACs. There were comments on increasing the number of UACs and we are willing to help with that process.

Gordon: DDES has gone to a four-day work week. One million dollars has been committed by King County, and moved into the Ravensdale Park budget.