April 9, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by President Easton Craft. Board members present: Easton Craft, Maggie Taber, Jim McCulloch, Cindy Esselman, and Jeff Gough.

PRESIDENT, Easton Craft –

Carlson litigation:  The Club’s document production in response to Mr. Carlson’s requests for production has been completed; the Club produced over 3,000 pages of documents and emails.  Mr. Carlson took my deposition for a full day; much of Mr. Carlson’s questioning focused on what several past compliance/legal documents did or did not say. E&W also deposed Mrs. Carlson, who confirmed that she knows very little about the litigation, is not planning to attend the trial if there is one, and is basically deferring on Mr. Carlson with respect to matters involving the Club, including the litigation.  The Court is now scheduled to hear cross motions for summary judgment on Friday, May 17, 2019.  If the case is not resolved on cross motions for summary judgment, trial is set to commence on June 24, 2019.

Tynan:  The Club is giving Tynan until after the April 15 tax deadline (he is a CPA) to get started on completing compliance and then E&W will send a letter and take steps to wrap up the lawsuit assuming all is progressing as planned.

Norden: The Norden compliance and fine matter was settled last month. I have a follow up meeting with Mrs. Norden to review her experience with the City’s permitting process.

Storm Creek: The IA Board has clarified with the City that the IA Club is supportive of a joint resolution for the Storm Creek matter and intends to participate, as we have in the past, including by attending meetings, coordinating, and, when the time comes, providing reasonable access if the Club’s help is necessary.  The next steps is to convene a meeting with all parties to better understand the permit process.

Reserve Trees:

After multiple meetings with City staff by Easton Craft regarding a framework for effectively addressing steps to review the Reserve Tracts, The Club is awaiting a formal proposal from the City.

VICE PRESIDENT/COMPLIANCE, Dave Fosmire –

NOTE: All Compliance hearings are held at the Innis Arden Clubhouse at 7:00PM unless noted otherwise.

Nothing to report for this month.

BUILDING AND REMODEL, Cindy Esselman –

No remodels to review this month. Upcoming in May: Garden Shed for the Ferguson residence at 17030 12th Ave NW.

TREASURER, Jeff Gough –

An extension with the was IRS filed to allow time for auditing (as is standard practice).  Our final / audited 1120-H return should be completed by late May.

At the close of March, the Club Operating Checking balance was $18,521, the Collections Savings balance was $275,830 and the Asset Reserve Savings was $277,082.

CLUBHOUSE, Brian Branagan –

Laura Taylor has given her notice that June 30th will be her last day as the Clubhouse Manager. She also informed me that Fred Lui, who has been providing cleaning services after clubhouse rentals and community social events, will also be leaving on June 30th.

I thank Laura and Fred for their years of dedicated service that have made the clubhouse a valuable asset to the community.  I am updating the position descriptions to reflect all the extra service they both brought to their roles and have started looking for candidates.

If you are interested in either part-time job, please contact Brian Branagan or Laura Taylor for more information.  Both positions have flexible hours.  Clubhouse cleaning would make a great second job for someone looking for extra income and can be done in the early morning or evenings.

Rentals:

March was an incredibly busy month with seven events: the Annual Rummage Sale, private resident parties, an Innis Arden Living travel presentation, an exercise class, and a several Celebration of Life commemorations. Thank you to all those who rented in March for leaving the clubhouse in great shape which helps to keeps our cleaning costs low.

Rental income for February and March was $4,100 with refunds at $625.

GROUNDS, Jim McCulloch –

2019 Objectives for the Grounds Committee:

  1. Maintain and improve the existing lawn and planting beds around the Clubhouse
  2. Maintain the Innis Arden Main Entrance and other Innis Arden Entrances.
  3. Improve lawn areas by removing moss and re-seeding.

Work Items Completed Last Month:

  1. Main Entrance:
  2. Weekly maintenance.
  3. Seasonal pruning.

Grounds:

  1. Weekly maintenance.
  2. Seasonal pruning
  3. Moss Control and fertilization.

 

Work Items Scheduled this Month:

  1. Continue weekly maintenance of Grounds and Entrances, including removal of leaves and cutting back of entrance grasses.
  2. Remove moss and re-seed southwest field; protect with temporary fencing until new grass is established.
  3. Aerate grounds area per contract.

.

ROW  Trees

  • 1463 NW 186th St: (One 18” deciduous):  Tree and stump removed; replanting remains.
  • 18742 Ridgefield Rd. NW (One 30”Conifer):  City denied hazardous tree assessment; proceeding with standard ROW Tree removal permitting with City.
  • 16904 14th Ave NW (Two 14” Conifers):  City confirmed location of trees are within ROW; proceeding with City permitting process.

Other Items

Petanque Court Survey Results (119 Respondents):

  • Aware of the Petanque Courts?:  68% yes, 32% no
  • Used current courts?:  10% yes, 90% no
  • Have your own equipment?:  12% yes, 88% no
  • Recommend Sand Volleyball at $5k cost?:  44% yes, 56% no
  • Prefer Petanque?:  23% yes, 77% no
  • Recommendations for other uses (most common responses):
  • Various Courts/games: 8
  • Return to grass: 11
  • Remain as is: 8

Other Comments in general:

  • Don’t spend more money.
  • At this point, the results of the survey do not support any change in use of this area from the current Petanque Courts due to a lack of consensus in an alternative use and  respondents’ desires to minimize additional expenses. Consequently I recommend no further action be taken regarding the Petanque Court area at this time.

NATURAL RESERVES, Steve Johnston –

Trails

The hole cut by vandals in the chain link fence north of the Boeing Creek gate has now been repaired.  We will be doing more work this coming month to better secure the top of the fence against climbers.

The handrail at the 14th Ave NW entrance to Blue Heron has been repaired.

Spring Planting

80 Excelsa Cedar trees, which grow to about 30 feet, have been planted in Bear, Grouse, and Blue Heron Reserves.

Invasive Plant Control

Garden Cycles has been hard at work cutting back blackberry cane and undertaking other seasonally appropriate invasive plant control.

ACTIVITIES, Maggie Taber –

Save the dates:

  • Wine Tasting Evening – Friday, April 12th
  • Egg Scramble – Saturday, April 20th
  • Men’s Night – Saturday, May 18th
  • Annual Salmon BBQ – Wednesday, July 17th
  • Oktoberfest – Saturday, October 5th

This Friday, April 12th is the Wine Tasting event.  Please contact Jennifer Buma and Cori Whittaker if you would like to volunteer.  Tickets are available on Brown Paper tickets. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4045105

The Egg Scramble is coming!  Saturday, April 20th, 10am at the playfield.  An annual Innis Arden tradition includes egg hunts for various age groups, and this year gets better with the addition of coffee for adults.  Please swing by!

Men’s night is Saturday, May 18th.  Gage Wagoner and Kelly Sanders are co-chairs.  Theme this year is smoked foods and unusual whiskey.  tickets will be available via Brown Paper Tickets:   https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4111541

Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods:

Please see http://www.shorelinewa.gov/our-city/neighborhoods/council-of-neighborhoods/con-minutes for the meeting minutes from the Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45PM