York Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

7:03 – 8:40 pm

Nelson’s Market

Present: Tom Scott, Helen Jackson, Anne Mackie, Jessica Bandstra, Barbara Davenport and Libby Stark. George Liepart, Judy Bachman and Amelia Lunde indicated they would not be present.

Oso Keeler, former board member, attended as a guest.

Announcements: Judy Bachman is moving at the end of August to the Portland area. A farewell party will be held at the July meeting. The city of Bellingham is not paying for the “Welcome to the York Neighborhood” sign repair. YNA is covering the costs. Libby and Barbara are neighborhood conflict managers through WWU Campus Coalition and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center. Barbara noted that Puget Sound Energy has a form for green energy donations and the area that donates the most receives a prize.

• Historical Preservation Committee Chair: Barbara and Toni Nagel, of the Lettered Streets Neighborhood, are organizing a general historical committee meeting for all Bellingham historic preservation committees to be held July 12 at Garden Street United Methodist Church. Barbara noted that she had a meeting with Katie Franks of the Planning Department who emphasized the importance of deciding on a specific area and a design review standard. Barbara is doing some oral history work with some elderly residents. Two WWU students are researching and will be completing the triangle section this summer for the required documentation. There is a new Comprehensive Plan out and Helen will give a copy to the YNA.

• Franklin Park Renovation Chairs: The trail along the hillside is looking good. There is grant money available but a master plan needs to be drawn and approved by the Parks Department before we would be eligible. There was also discussion about a crosswalk between Franklin and Grant Streets.

• Franklin Park Market: Helen is looking at suggestions for the use of the $420 profit. The dog station is too costly because of the yearly bag cost. The Parks Department will install a dog station made by the Eagle Scouts. Helen has been in contact with Rae of the Parks Department.

• Franklin Street Island: There is a lot of work to be done on the island and Katie Franks of the Planning Department suggested dividing the island into thirds over three years to make it manageable. One Yorker will begin work in August..

• Rock Hill Park Steward: Amelia, Anne and Carolyn planted and weeded. Mulch will be coming later in June. The Parks Department is using herbicide to make the lawn easier to cut. They still want the butterfly arbor taken down.

• Treasurer: Helen provided a handout indicating we have $168.70 in our checking account and $1051.61 in our savings account. See attached.

• Fundraising Committee Chair: All “renewal” letters have been mailed out for 2003, 2004 and 2005. There have been about 10 responses.

• Garden Club Chair: The last meeting was held at Judy’s house where they took a tour of Franklin Park. The July meeting will be at Anne’s house.

• Dumpster Day Chair: The dumpster was full by 11 am. Libby will write a thank you letter to SSC and Recomp for their donations.

• General Membership Picnic: A potential date is the third weekend in September at Franklin Park. Anne has a project plan sheet and two co-chairs will be selected in July. Doorknockers and landlord letters will be mailed out again this year.

• Planning Committee Chair: The city mailed out the rezone request letter (see attached). The city is paying for the meeting but the YNA Planning Committee is designing the format with the intent of collecting information from attendees. Pat Carman and Chris Koch, the Planning Department liaisons, will be doing a small presentation at the meeting. Refreshments will be provided.

• Other business: Tom brought a brochure from the Office of Neighborhoods in Seattle. There is no sidewalk on the 1700 block of Humboldt, Barbara will pursue further information. Sidewalks are supposed to be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan.

Topics for next board meeting: General membership picnic

The meeting adjourned at 8:40.

Submitted by Libby Stark