York Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

7:11 – 9:00 pm

Nelson’s Market

Present: Helen Jackson, Jessica Bandstra, Barbara Davenport, George Liepart, Tom Scott, Elliott Smith, Lisa McShane, Sarah Bates, Anne Mackie and Libby Stark.

Seth Cool attended as a guest.

Announcements: The City of Bellingham has new information on the neighborhoods on their website, including a pre-launch of a new version of the COB.org site.

• Planning Committee: Tandem parking passed the Planning Commission 4 – 2. Helen attended that meeting and has the packet of letters handed out. The City Council meeting is December 4 and Anne Mackie would like to know how we will submit comments. Lisa McShane encouraged board members to submit comments with personal accounts of why York should be rezoned to single family residential. The Planning Subcommittee will be meeting to discuss lobbying efforts on November 29 at 7 pm at Nelson’s as well as the Planning Academy grant application. Tom will email the whole YNA list. The board will put together a formal letter to be submitted to Council.

• NW Rental Owners Association: During testimony at the City Council meeting several Yorkers should refute what members of the NW Rental Owners Association say and stress that none of these landlords live in the neighborhood. Tom voiced some concern about setting up an in-neighborhood vs. out-of-neighborhood conflict when talking about persons that do own land in the neighborhood.

• Planning Academy grant: The grant money can be used for the neighborhood update. Lisa made a motion to spend the $2500 grant money for the Neighborhood Plan Update. It was seconded by George Liepart and was approved unanimously. The application is due December 1, 2006. As noted, the Planning Committee will meet November 29 to complete any work for the application. Currently, Tom and Helen are working on the application packet.

• Neighborhood plan update: This new committee will need a chair to coordinate meetings and map out goals and strategies. The Planning Committee will be meeting November 29 at 7 at Nelson’s to talk about the Neighborhood Plan Update.

• Franklin Park: Katie Franks of the COB met with Leslie Bryson of the Parks Dept. Helen stressed it is important for York to be strong with what we want done with the park (i.e. landscaping). Helen passed around a sign up sheet for volunteers. Helen will include a survey in the next newsletter for suggestions. A work party was held where no one showed up. There is quite a bit of mulch and someone who needs to do community service will spread the mulch.

• Rock Hill Park Steward: George reports mulch is needed; Anne said she would email Parks. There was a work party with five volunteers.

• Historical Preservation Committee Chair: See attached notes provided by Barbara Davenport.

• Garden Club Chair: The annual progressive dinner party will be held on Saturday, December 9. Amelia Lunde will email out the invitation.

• Treasurer: Helen provided a handout indicating we have $537.99 in our checking account and $551.82 in our savings account. See attached.

• Holiday caroling: The holiday caroling wagon ride will be on Saturday, December 16 and begin at 6 pm at Nelson’s. Total cost will be about $400 and Tom and George are looking into donations. It was suggested to check with the Bellingham Hearing Center as a potential sponsor. Tom and George have raised $200 thus far. It was suggested to check with the Bellingham Hearing Center and Adich Chiropractic as potential sponsors as well.

• Newsletter: Jessica Bandstra reminded board members of the articles they would write. Delivery will be Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3.

• Newsletter ads: Anne made a motion to have Helen Jackson, George and Jessica come up with rates for advertisements (currently $100 donation for four business card-sized ad). Lisa seconded and the motion passed unanimously. George made a motion to have the Garden Street United Methodist Church ad run gratis because of their providing a room for meetings. Elliott Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

• Small and Simple Grant: The grant will be discussed at the December meeting.

• 5-plex apartment at 506 Potter St.: No permit has been filed as far as we know.

• Bellingham School District redistricting: Both Carolyn Mulder and Tom Scott applied to participate on the committee. There were only seven spots and neither Tom nor Carolyn received an invitation. Tom mentioned he was going to look into it further.

• Planning Committee: The Area 5 rezone passed and we are waiting to know the date of the City Council meeting. The Planning Subcommittee will be meeting at some point.

• New board members: Seth Cool was interested in joining the board. He has met the requirements. Anne made a motion to accept Seth as a board member. It was seconded by Helen and passed unanimously.

• Kathryn Hanowell of the City of Bellingham will be attending the next board meeting (December 20) to observe neighborhood activities.

• Sehome Neighborhood Association wants to be an urban village and wants to discuss with York their plans and solicit input. Their president Alan will be coming to the January board meeting (1/17). Sehome Neighborhood Association is in the early stages of a proposal for an urban village between Sehome and York on Samish. Sehome wants to discuss with York their plans and solicit input. Their president Alan will be coming to the January board meeting (1/17). Tom will keep tabs on their progress in the mean time.

Topics for next board meeting: Area 5 rezone, Small and Simple grant, Triangle area parking.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00.

Submitted by Libby Stark