York Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

7:07 – 8:35 pm

Garden Street United Methodist Church

Present: Anne Mackie, Jessica Bandstra, Sarah Bates, Carol Dixon, Elliott Smith, George Liepart, and Libby Stark.

Barbara Davenport, Jeff Bates, Helen Jackson indicated they would not be present.

Guests: Kathryn Hanowell from COB and Don Gischer from City Council 4^th Ward attended.

Announcements: Elliott Smith will be graduating from WWU this June. A card was passed around to sign and Libby is collecting money for a gift.

Approval of minutes: Sarah Bates made a motion to approve the minutes from the April board meeting. Elliott seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

I. Current issues with an upcoming deadline:

• Traffic Safety: Elliott reported the safe pedestrian crossing along Lakeway and Samish did not make the cut for the TIP proposal. It did, however, begin a dialogue with Sehome Neighborhood Association and COB about safe pedestrian crossings along these two streets. It was stressed that York Neighborhood wants to be a walkable neighborhood. The NTSP was submitted by Tom Scott. The three streets submitted to be evaluated by Public Works for this proposal were: Whatcom from Ellis to Grant, Gladstone from Ellis to Iron and Humboldt from Potter to Gladstone. Kathryn Hanowell reported that they received many applications for safe pedestrian crossings and that next year the TIP will have a section especially for pedestrian crossings. Elliott said it would be helpful to have better guidelines presented to the neighborhoods on the application process. Anne Mackie noted that we have gathered over 400 signatures on petitions for a crosswalk on Lakeway.

• YNA sign damage and repair: Anne reported the “welcome” piece of the sign at the corner of Magnolia and Ellis streets is gone. A police report has been filed by the homeowner. Anne will get a cost estimate for the replacement piece and perhaps some metal backing to prevent further vandalism. Kathryn said neighborhood signs will be looked at from a policy standpoint. Elliott suggested a small fence around the sign may act as a deterrent.

• Dumpster Day: Dumpster Day will be held Saturday, June 2. Jessica has been working with Paul, president of SSC, who graciously donated a dumpster for our use. The dumpster will be delivered Friday evening to Nelson’s and Anne and Jon Ostby will be there to set up cones around it. A thank you will be placed in the newsletter and letters of recognition will be written to City Council and the Mayor. Jessica will be coordinating volunteer trucks to haul trash to the dumpsters. It was noted that someone should bring a camera and a thank you sign so we can take a picture for SSC and the next newsletter. Guidelines for what is allowed to be put in the dumpster will be published in the newsletter. Jessica will also call ReSources to see if they may be available to take some items.

• Tree planting: Anne reported we received $1200 from the Small and Simple grant for tree planting. This will provide about 40 trees. Joe and Nick Hartrich are the tree planting coordinators this year. They will need to identify areas that would benefit from a tree, talk to the owner and ask for a contribution of $20 for cost sharing of the project. Trees will be planted in the fall.

• Newsletter: Jessica is still waiting for articles. Newsletter delivery will be Memorial Day weekend. Jessica will be out of town and somebody will be needed to pick up the newsletters from the printer’s. Jessica requested we develop a more clear process for newsletter content and deadlines. Jessica declined the offer of YNA buying Publisher so she can work on the newsletter at home as she mentions that she and her family may be moving in September. As there have been quite a few ads placed it was suggested we may need to set a limit for how many pages can be devoted to ad space.

• School reunion and picnic 9/22: Anne noted that YN received a Small and Simple grant for about $1300 to be used for the Franklin and Lincoln school reunion to be held during the annual membership picnic. A small article was featured in the Herald and Anne has received several calls already. She is actively recruiting participants to assist with planning.

• Candidate forum: Nobody from this committee was present. Anne will call Tom to see what the plan is. It was mentioned that the League of Women Voters is hosting a candidate forum on 7/18 at Municipal Court with a focus on neighborhoods.

• Board responsibilities: Deferred until June. It was suggested we develop a more clear process for mid-year board elections. Elliott brought up the issue of student representatives and stated he would return to the WWU CCC with our board’s definition of a student representative.

II. Committee Reports:

• Planning Committee: Fifteen members have been working on the plan update. Walk-abouts have occurred where participants review the neighborhood and think creatively about infill, development, historic character and strengths. The next meeting will be on 5/21 at 6 pm at Nelson’s for another walk-about. WWU student Eric Peterson has been working on an online survey that will be shown to Planning Committee members at the next sit-down meeting. Eric told Anne that there may be a small cost involved (under $50).

• Historic Preservation: See attached notes provided by Barbara Davenport.

• Rock Hill Park Steward: George noted that the grass has been cut and a garbage can was finally put in! Transients are still loitering and sleeping at the park. The abandoned garage at 1429 Iron is still there despite the owner being given a 90 day notice to remove the debris several years ago. Elliott brought up the concern of illegal activities occurring at the park. George needs assistance pulling weeds. Sarah noted that Jeff Bates was awarded the grant he applied for in early spring with the Parks Department to install a bench in the park. It is unclear what the next steps are. George is still waiting after 15 months to get the bench placed in memory of his wife but it was suggested that the second bench could replace the old one that is currently by the basketball court.

• Franklin Park Committee Chair: See attached notes provided by Helen.

• Garden Club Chair: Carol Dixon reported that the first potluck of the year was held and there were several new faces to the Garden Club. The next potluck will be held at Mary Newman’s house. Carol is still investigating a night at Bear Creek Nursery for June.

• Treasurer: Helen provided the treasury report indicating we have $1725.14 in our checking account. A round of applause was given to George for soliciting so many business donations. See attached.

III. Current issues:

• Holly Street construction project: Tom has been emailing out updates on construction that he receives from Public Works. Elliott brought up the issue of lights and asked if they were the Broadway “shoebox” lights. Kathryn doubted they were. It was noted that it is unfortunate they are not historic lights.

• 4-plex apartment at 506 Potter: No new update other than the Planning Department sent a letter to the designer Todd Fuller asking for a more historic design. The date with the hearing examiner is still unknown.

Topics for next board meeting: newsletter submittal process, Lakeway crosswalk petition, board roles and responsibilities, crime at Rock Hill Park.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40.

Submitted by Libby Stark