The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

Attending: Heather Newman, Joe Herrin, Kate Lloyd, Jennifer Biely, Mark Trumbauer, Jim Romano, John Burge, Jeannie Hale, Mimi Levin, Pat Wright, Don Torrie, Mark Holden

Excused: Barb Ragee, Maggie Weissman, Dermot Noonan, Bonnie Zinn, Shahina Piyarali, and Susan Torrance

Guest: Geof Logan, from the Pike Market Constituency Group, gave us a status report on the Market development. The project is on hold, pending resolution of a dispute over a charter amendment to allow financing by tax-credits. Under this arrangement an investor buys the property for a non-profit purpose, and returns possession of the property at a future date. Now, the PDA owns the lot adjoining the LaSalle Hotel for senior housing. The tax-credit financing would apply to this property, but in the future, the rules could be changed so the new development might also qualify. In this case, the PDA would manage the development and the property would revert back to the PDA.

On July 15, 2003, the PDA called a special meeting. The agenda was not approved on a tie vote, so the meeting never officially began. Nevertheless, some constituents conducted an election on the development, anyway, using materials they had brought. They declared a victory on the charter amendment, permitting the tax-credit financing. This action is being contested, with another election scheduled for August 19, 2003.

Minutes: The minutes of the July 14, 2003 meeting were amended to correct two names. Motion by Levin, seconded by Biely: Approved the July 14, 2003 minutes as corrected. Motion approved unanimously.

Treasurers Report: Levin presented a spreadsheet breaking out income and expenses for the year. Discussion included legal fees, and budgeting for the rest of the year.

Election of Officers: The slate of nominees for officers includes: Jeannie Hale, President; Jennifer Biely, Vice President; Stan Sorscher, Secretary; and Mimi Levin, Treasurer. No other nominations were made. Motion by Holden, seconded by Newman: Approved the officers as nominated. Motion passed unanimously.

Laurelhurst Database: We are looking for a volunteer to maintain information we use for e-mails and interest in different projects. Sorscher announced that we might also look for a volunteer to take over the web site. John Burge will prepare a Newsletter notice seeking volunteers.

CALLS AND CONCERNS

Subdivision: Beryl Schulman called on 7/14 and emailed on 7/16 about a project located at 5058 Harold Place NE. The property was owned by the UW and recently sold for subdivision into two lots. Because each lot is at least 5,000 square feet, there was nothing that neighbors could do about the project. Schulman suggested more articles in the newsletter to tell neighbors how to find out and comment on land use projects.

Battelle: Dr. Bob Gross called on 7/15 to ask about the status of Talaris. He owns the Springbrook Building and has rented about 17,000 square feet of his complex to Battelle for many years. Battelle has indicated that it might be moving to South Lake Union after development progresses in that area. Dr. Gross thought Battelle might be moving out of the Talaris property at some point.

Prowler: Patrick Halcomb emailed on 7/31 to let LCC know that he had a prowler casing his house on 51st Avenue NE. He reported the incident to the police and now has a case number. The suspect was approximately 6 feet tall, African American, muscular build and wearing a black T-shirt, black ball cap and jeans. He also carried a shoulder bag.

Good News! Ninety-two year old neighbor Aimee Bryant has been blind for the past ten years. She had cataracts and by the time she looked into getting them taken care of, it was too late. She recently had laser surgery on one eye and can now see. She will have surgery on the other eye in September.

Provail Tenants: Marielle Roloff emailed on 8/1 to let LCC know that the Provail Burke-Gilman tenants received notice that the owners of the apartment complex intend to renew their HUD contract, subject to the availability of government funds. This means that the tenants living arrangement will stay "as is" for at least the next year and a half.

Newsletter Idea: Richard Ettinger emailed on 8/4 to suggest that LCC’s newsletter include a column for neighbors to ask for LCC’s advice on various issues—similar to the "Dear Abby" column. He provided an example about asking what to do with a neighbor’s noisy attic fan and the recourse available.

Night Out: Charlie Moore called on 8/5 to report that neighbors in his area were having an event. Over 100 neighbors participated and contributed funds to honor their mail carrier. Neighbors purchased a trip to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper. (More on this in the Crime Report, below.)

Vandalism: Candy O’Malley called on 8/6 to report that Nate and Christa Jonmarker’s car window was shot out with a bee-bee gun. The Jonmarkers’ are her tenants.

Methane Abatement: Newman heard from Judy Foss that houses within 5000 feet of the old dump site need permitting for methane abatement when remodeling. Hale said we might check with Carol Eychaner about this, and whether it might affect the driving range or the Talaris development.

Rabanco Trucks: We heard a complaint about Rabanco trucks making early morning pickups. The driver denied it, but neighbors had digital photos to verify the time and driver. The early pickups have stopped.

Cell Towers: We clarified the cell tower process, somewhat. The permits are granted as a matter of right. Our interest in the issue is in getting a better idea of what is at stake, and possibly seeking city rule changes on new towers.

 

Absent: Ragee, Weissman, Zinn and Noonan could not attend tonight’s meeting due to conflicts. Both Torrance and Piyarali are on leave of absence.

Save the Date: LCC, Ravenna-Bryant Community Association, the Northeast District Council and other community groups are planning a candidates night on Thursday, October 2nd at Eckstein Middle School. Each group has been asked to provide a rep on the planning committee.

LCC Roster: An updated roster will be provided at the September LCC meeting to reflect new officers and changes in email addresses for Biely and Noonan.

NEDC: There was no August NEDC meeting, so minutes for the July meeting were not included in the agenda packets and no August announcement handout was available.

Save Our Creeks Initiative: On 7/30, King County Superior Court Judge James Doerty ruled that the Save Seattle Creeks initiative went beyond the initiative power, by getting into land use issues, and threw it off the September ballot. The I-80 campaign is appealing this decision and it is likely the Initiative 80 will appear on a future ballot.

Crime Prevention: Wright reported one burglary in our area – the front door seems to have been left open. No incidents were reported at the park.

The block party "Night Out" event was very successful this year. About 725 parties were held city-wide; 445 in the North end and 6 in Laurelhurst. More will be held in September. Jim Compton spoke in favor of the fire-fighters levy, highlighting help for marinas, the waterfront, fire stations and the dispatch center. The 2004 city budget may have more personnel cuts.

Fire Facilities Levy: At the July LCC meeting, LCC heard a presentation from Firefighter Paul Atwater about the proposed fire facilities levy and reviewed various alternatives proposed by the mayor and city council. At that meeting, LCC was inclined to support the levy, but wanted to know which of the alternative proposals would be facing voters on the November ballot. The measure that will be on the ballot has now been finalized and materials are included in the packets.

Under the proposed levy lid lift, about $167 million in levy proceeds would be available to: (i) upgrade, renovate, or replace 32 neighborhood fire stations; (ii) construct a new training facility and upgrade the Department's Fire Alarm Center; (iii) establish emergency preparedness facilities and disaster response equipment that includes a modern, seismically safe Emergency Operations Center, emergency community supplies, emergency shelter power generators, and emergency water supply capacity for fire fighting in the event the City's fire hydrants are disabled; and (iv) a new, large platform fire boat, a rehabilitated and enhanced Chief Seattle fireboat, and a new fast attack small fire rescue boat. All newly constructed or renovated facilities in excess of 5,000 square feet of occupied space are anticipated to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's Silver Rating, which is the City's standard for environmentally sustainable design.

Motion by Biely, seconded by Newman: The LCC should communicate our support for the levy to city officials. Motion passed unanimously.

Community Center Advisory Council Update: The minutes of the April Advisory Council meeting are included in the packets. In the future, we hope to include those minutes in the packets. The batting cage has been removed (!)

Sand Point Housing Update (deferred for John Clark.)

Mayor’s Proposal to Ban Trashing of Recyclables: The mayor’s proposal to ban recyclables from trash pickups and DCLU’s report on the proposal are included in the packets. The mayor has submitted legislation that would ban yard waste and paper from commercial garbage, a process that will be phased over three years. The proposal also includes a ban on paper, bottles and cans from residential garbage, a process that also would be phased over three years.

Commercial

Residential

If the City Council approves the mayor's proposal, public education about the bans would begin in 2004, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2005. At that point, notices would be placed on garbage bins containing significant amounts of paper, cardboard or yard waste.

Beginning in 2006, commercial and multi-family customers would receive two warnings and then face fines of up to $50. Single-family residents would not be subject to fines but would have their garbage collection delayed until the recyclable materials were removed, as is now the case when yard waste is found in garbage. Yard waste has been banned from residential garbage since 1989.

The mayor’s proposal does not address expanded polystyrene (EPS), sometimes known as "plastic peanuts." These materials are non-biodegradable and often can be seen after garbage pickups because they fly all over the place and are hard to pick up. A resolution supported by the League of Women Voters regarding plastic peanuts was distributed. The resolution calls for educating consumers about alternatives to plastic peanuts that are biodegradable. The resolution supports biodegradable alternatives and a ban on plastic peanuts. The League is working on incorporating a phased in ban on plastic peanuts in the mayor’s proposal.

The sense of the Board was to support restrictions on recyclables in trash for commercial and multi-family customers.

Motion by Biely, seconded by Trumbauer: LCC supports the League of Women Voters proposal and will send a letter to the Seattle Public Utilities Department encouraging a city ordinance to that effect. Motion passed unanimously.

Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Proposal: The mayor’s proposal to allow detached ADU will be considered by the city council soon. The proposal would allow detached ADUs throughout the city and provide incentives to encourage their development. It would allow detached structures such as garages to be converted to ADUs so long as development standards are met. Lot coverage would be restricted to 35% including the main structure. Minimal setbacks one off-street parking space would be required. The proposal would essentially duplex single-family neighborhoods. Also, existing garages could be justified, thus allowing building right up to the property line with no setbacks.

The sense of the Board was to continue opposing rule changes regarding ADU’s.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Minutes by Stan Sorscher