May 6, 2008

CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Robert Busch at 3809 Legoe Bay Road, Lummi Island, WA. 98262 called the Special Meeting for Tuesday, May 6, 2008 to order at 7:01 p.m.

PRESENT: In attendance were Commissioner Robert Busch, Commissioner Wendell Terry, Commissioner Pete Cameron, Fire Chief Duncan McLane, and Board Secretary Tammi Lynch.

GUEST: Iona Molnar-Jacobsen, Director of the Lummi Island Boys and Girls Club, Jerry Anderson, Treasurer of the Lummi Island Boys and Girls Club, Beverly Busch, and Terry Terry of the Lummi Island Boys and Girls Club.

Terry Terry brought forth an estimate of costs regarding building the new Boys and Girls Club on the property across the street which is owned by the Fire District. The Boys and Girls Club is under a timeline due to grants that they are applying for.

Commissioner Cameron asked about liability issues.

Iona Molnar-Jacobsen explained that the Boys and Girls Club is liable for anything that happens while children are under their care. She also said that a fence would be an option.

Commissioner Cameron asked about exiting issues.

Iona Molnar-Jacobsen explained that it would be detailed in the lease agreement if there was an issue. Chief Duncan McLane gave a scenario of an example of what could happen if either party would want to pull out of the lease.

Commissioner Cameron asked about which children use the Boys and Girls Club facilities, if children from Gooseberry Point come over.

Iona Molnar-Jacobsen said that it is all children that attend Beach School. There have been a couple of children from Gooseberry Point. Commissioner Cameron pointed out that the parents from Gooseberry Point do not pay taxes for Lummi Island Fire Department. Iona also stated that there will be a Boys and Girls Club starting in the next few years on Gooseberry Point.

Commissioner Cameron stated that he has issues with the fact that the Fire Department is not sure as to what they want to do with the property yet, so if something goes in, that it would limit what the Fire Department wants to do.

Commissioner Cameron pointed out that the money that bought the property was from the tax payers of Lummi Island for Fire and EMS services. His concern is that if we are doing something for the Boys and Girls Club, why we are not doing something for other organizations on the island.

Commissioner Busch stated that when they bought the property, the intention was to have space for the community for community functions. He asked if the Boys and Girls Club would be willing to let non-political organizations on the Island to use their space. Iona Molnar-Jacobsen stated that it would probably be available.

Commissioner Busch asked if children would be allowed to play on the Sports Court on the weekends or when the facilities were not open. Iona Molnar-Jacobsen said that it would not be available when there was no supervision.

Commissioner Cameron pointed out that there may be a conflict of interest with Beverly Busch and Terry Terry being wives of two commissioners, Commissioner Robert Busch and Commissioner Wendell Terry.

Commissioner Busch suggested that we could hold a Public Meeting on the Island, and make sure that the taxpayers are aware of the issue. Secretary Tammi Lynch pointed out that the relationship should be put in the minutes. She also stated that since Lummi Island is a small community of approximately 800 people, and that the small numbers of active participants are members of multiple boards, that there really isn’t a conflict of interest. Currently, Beverly Busch is also a member of the Lummi Island Grange and the Disaster Preparedness, and Terry Terry is also a member of the Lummi Island Community Association, the Civic Club, the Lummi Island Grange, the Island Chapel, the Disaster Preparedness, as well as being a firefighter with the Lummi Island Fire Department.

Commissioner Cameron stated that he feels that bringing the Boys and Girls Club onto the Fire District property is not appropriate and he is against this opportunity.

Commissioner Wendell had no comment, all of his questions have been answered, and he is for this opportunity.

Chief McLane stated that he looked into the legalities of this. He said that it would be doable, and that he has sent a letter to Sam Ryan regarding the conditional use permit. He has not received anything back in writing, but he met with her last week and found out that if we set up phases in the conditional use permit and SEPA, and started within two years, that it shouldn’t be a problem. Chief McLane gave a scenario of an example of what could happen if either party would want to pull out of the lease. Chief McLane wants to make sure that the intention is still clear 40 years from now when the members now would not be around. Chief McLane agrees with Commissioner Cameron on some of his points. He stated that we aren’t going to be using all 5 acres and if by leasing to the Boys and Girls Club can bring in income to offset the possible need of going to the taxpayers for more money if that be the case in the future. It would be required to get a conditional use permit. To do that, neighbors within a certain distance must be notified for an open meeting. An Island-wide meeting should be done. He also stated that this would be a good opportunity to start recruiting new younger members, by having the Boys and Girls Club so close to the Fire Department. Chief Duncan McLane is for this opportunity.

Motion: Commissioner Robert Busch made motion “to give the go ahead to the Boys and Girls Club so they many begin applying for grants for putting in their new facilities.” Commissioner Terry seconded, AND PASSED 2-1. Commissioner Cameron voted against.

SIGNING OF THE DOCUMENTS:

Motion: There being no other business to come before the Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Terry moved and Commissioner Cameron seconded, to adjourn the meeting, AND PASSED 3-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

______________________________ By: _________________________

Tammi Lynch, Commissioner Robert Busch

Board Secretary

By: _________________________

Commissioner H.E. “Pete” Cameron

By: __________________________

Commissioner Wendell Terry

Approved at the Whatcom County Fire District # 11 Board of Commissioner Meeting on May 13, 2008.