York Neighborhood Association General Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

7:08 – 8:10 pm

Garden Street United Methodist Church

Present Board Members: Anne Mackie, George Liepart, Jessica Bandstra, Jeff Bates, Carol Dixon, Helen Jackson, Lisa McShane, Barbara Davenport and Libby Stark. Nick and Leslie Hill and Seth Cool indicated they would not be present.

Present Neighbors: Jill Kelly, Jon Ostby, Larry Farr (political candidate), Ben Stewart, Kirsten Shore and Jeremy Nunnikhoven.

Announcements: Anne Mackie noted the Bellingham Housing Authority will be having a presentation on a new low-income apartment building on 8/16 at 7 pm that will be built just outside the neighborhood. Jessica Bandstra noted that the Garden Street Church is investigating putting in speed bumps in the alley.

I. York Neighborhood Association committee reports:

• Planning Committee: See attached provided by Anne. She has asked that Signs By Tomorrow assist with signage to publicize the October 10 general meeting. There will be another walk-around on 8/20 at 6 pm. The next committee meeting will be Tuesday 9/4 at 5:30 at Nelson’s Market.

• Disaster Preparedness: See attached provided by Carol Dixon.

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

• Rock Hill Park Steward: No written report, however George Liepart reports that there is now a garbage can and bench at the park. The butterfly arbor has been taken down so Parks Dept can bring in their lawn mower more easily. George is still working on lighting. The bench that Jeff Bates wrote the grant for will be installed at Franklin Park.

• Franklin Park Committee: See attached provided by Helen Jackson.

• Garden Club: See attached provided by Carol.

• Quality Committee: See attached provided by Lesley Keenholts. WWU CCC and YNA will be passing out door knockers again this year. Letters will also be mailed to YN landlords. Jeff reports that WWU CCC will be hosting the Let’s Talk forums here in YN this fall. Concern about code compliance will be addressed in the neighborhood plan update.

• Treasurer: See attached provided by Helen.

II. Upcoming events and additional volunteer opportunities:

• Annual picnic and school reunion committee 9/23: The Small and Simple grant money is available to help with printing costs for the posters and fliers. Anne is coming up with a list to place the fliers. The poster and flyers were designed by Jeff and look wonderful.

• Tree planting: In the fall a list of tree options will be provided. A coordinator is needed as previous coordinators have since become unavailable.

• 506 Potter Street: There was a review of the hearing examiner’s decision regarding 506 Potter Street. The footprint will be maintained and an attempt made to save the tree. Barbara mentioned that she would like to see a tear-down fee and also expressed concern over the environmental impact.

Topics for next general meeting: Neighborhood plan update on 10/10 at 7 pm at GSUMC

The meeting adjourned at 8:10.

Submitted by Libby Stark