Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association November 2007 Minutes

As part of our ongoing coverage of the activities that shape your Salmon Creek neighborhood, the following are the formal minutes from the North Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association General Meeting, held on November 27, 2007.

12/31/07

To: North Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association Members

From: Larry Gentry, NSCNA Secretary

General Meeting Minutes – November 27, 2007

The November ’07 General Meeting, held at the Three Creeks Library, began at 7pm with cookies and donated Starbucks’ coffee and hot chocolate. We were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by members of the American Legion Post 176 which donated a new set of flags to the Three Creeks Library.  President Dan Bodell welcomed all and made a few announcements:

• Halloween Decoration Awards.  Certificates and prizes were awarded to all who participated in the Halloween home decorating contest. A full list of winners is attached.

• Hwy 99 Renewal Project Forum. A short report of the inaugural meeting of Team 99 was brought to the group. See attached Team 99 Action Plan.

• Sargent Brad Crawford Park fundraisers were announced.

• The NSCNA annual holiday decoration contest is about to begin. See attached information if you want to enter your home or nominate someone’s home.

• NSCNA Annual Election of Officers. We held elections for 2008 NSCNA officers. Dan Bodell cannot run again due to other commitments. New officers for 2008 are:

President: Barbara Anderson (previous Vice President)

Vice President: No nominations.  (Office to be filled as soon as possible).

Secretary: Larry Gentry (previous Secretary)

Treasurer: Darin Kaysner (previous Treasurer)

Our evening speakers were as follows:

1. Chinook Community Park Update.  ____    and Matt Hall presented an update on status and plans for the proposed Chinook community park .  Due to lack of accessibility and conflict with existing wetlands the Chinook Park is on hold. CC Parks and Recreation is hoping to acquire other property that can be developed in the same area.

2. Three Creeks Annexation or Incorporation. Clark County Commissioner, Betty Sue Morris, spoke to us about the options that will be available in the future for the so- called Three Creeks communities which include part or all of the Felida, Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek and the Fairgrounds (see attached Columbian article for additional information and a map of Three Creeks).  Ms Morris suggested that residents in Three Creeks may have to make decisions in the next decade whether they wish to be annexed into metropolitan Vancouver or to incorporate into an independent new city

Ms Morris provided very useful information and answered numerous questions regarding advantages and disadvantages of Annexation vs incorporation. There was too much information for these minutes, however, a simple summation is in the following points:

- Annexation will be the default and easiest solution but allows for little flexibility in local governance.

- Incorporation will allow the Three Creeks area to control its own destiny as a separate entity but will necessitate planning and development of a city infrastructure. Ms Morris said that there are a number of city models that can be used in Washington that range from simple to extensive and complicated.

- Remaining part of Clark County is also a possibility, however, the revenue generated from this area will be a strong attraction for annexation.

- Recently, the Columbian reported on Vancouver’s annexation plans for the next two decades.  The present Three Creeks communities are very much on the city’s planning horizon and will be progressively annexed along with other Clark County areas further to the east.

- The issues are complicated but there is time for residents to be informed and involved so that we can influence the direction and process of annexation or incorporation. The NSCNA will continue to follow and report on Three Creeks.

Submitted by;

Larry Gentry, Secretary, NSCNA

Please feel free to join your Salmon Creek neighbors at an upcoming meeting.