Laurelhurst Community Club

Minutes for December 8, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM

Attending: John Burge, Jeannie Hale, Mimi Levin, Pat Wright, Don Torrie, Mark Trumbauer, John Clark, Joe Herrin, Kate Lloyd, Jennifer Biely, Dermott Noonan, Maggie Weissman, Barb Ragee, Stan Sorscher

Excused: Shahina Piyarali and Susan Torrance (leaves of absence), Heather Newman, Mark Holden

Guests:  Eric Liu, Schools First Campaign; Rick Alvord, LVR Soccer; Robin Chalmers, Gregg Blodgett, Warren Perkins, Greg Parker, Karen Ko, Mary Jo Gasparich, Betsy Mullen, Jeff Mullen, Todd Cahill

 

Schools First, Eric Liu (epliu@msn.com)   

On February 3, 2004, Seattle voters will be asked to approve two levies – one for school operating funds and the other for capital projects.  The $338M operating levy accounts for nearly one-quarter of the Seattle Public Schools operating funds.  Seattle voters have approved renewals of the operating levy every three years since 1976. 

The operating levy will pay for instruction and teacher development such as reduced class size, counselors, full-day kindergarten, textbooks and bilingual and special education services.  It will pay for district-wide services such as school security monitors, custodial support and building repairs and maintenance and pupil transportation.

The capital levy has three components—a building component ($95M), a classroom technology component (42.75M) and an academic component ($39.75M).

Capital projects would include Bryant, Sacajawea and View Ridge, roof work on Laurelhurst elementary, building playground and furniture for John Rogers, and significant work on Garfield High School.

Liu was asked about the process for identifying projects. He said principals and teachers construct a list, which is sorted and prioritized by the District. Some are-allocation is possible along the way.

Another question referred to the District’s budget problems, which could lead to disenchantment. Liu said the Board and District recognize this problem. The new superintendent will enforce new financial controls, and make tough choices this fiscal year. Liu argued that the students bear a burden for past mistakes, and should not be made to pay twice for past mistakes.

 ADMINISTRATION

Minutes:  Motion by Biely, seconded by Ragee:  Approve the November 10, 2003 minutes as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

CALLS AND CONCERNS

1.      Suspicious activity: Recent incidents highlight the importance of neighbors reporting suspicious activity. A house fire caused substantial damage, and fire-fighters were delayed in responding. Passers-by saw smoke but did not call in an alarm.

Men who later robbed a neighborhood business were observed prior to the crime, and a call was made from a local business to report the suspicious activity. Mary Jo Gasparich encouraged neighbors to observe and recognize potential problems and report them immediately.

 2.      Magnuson Park Fields: Rick Alvord spoke on behalf of the LVR Youth Soccer Club. He passed out statements from LVR and an email from the Northwest Ultimate Association.   LVR is a youth soccer association open to children, ages 6 to 18.  Last season, LVR served over 1600 children, making it the largest youth soccer club in the state of Washington. 

LVR supports the City’s plan to build and install athletic fields at Magnuson Park.  Obesity is a public health problem among kids and adults and more fields will create safe, recreation options for kids.  At this time of year, hundreds of teams for soccer and frisbee (youth and adult) place great pressure on available fields. Many city playfields are poorly maintained, and lack lighting needed for games in the winter months. LVR teams use fields in Shoreline and Genesee Park for home games.

Alvord had checked the LCC web site, but did not find an official LCC statement regarding the Magnuson playfields. Alvord said the web site for Friends of Magnuson Park asserts that LCC opposes the new playfields, and he proposed that LCC withdraw support from FOMP.

The recollection of Trustees present at the meeting was that LCC had made a small contribution to the Friends of Magnuson Park, but that LCC did not oppose the Magnuson playfields. Rather, LCC’s primary interest is mitigation of adverse effects on traffic, lighting and surrounding undeveloped areas.

The Park Board had voted 3-2 to limit lighting on playfields to 10 PM, partly in response to objections from residents to the west of the fields.

Alvord asked LCC to consider withdrawing its endorsement of Friends of Magnuson Park.  He said the group wants fewer fields and no lighting.  LCC agreed to review its official position.

 3.      Crows, Robin Chalmers:  Thousands of crows have been congregating in the neighborhood, mostly by the Center for Urban Horticulture and some have attacked neighbors.  LCC has contacted John Marzluff from the UW who is well-known for his work on crows to ask why the crows are attacking our neighbors.  For example, it would be helpful to know if crows are attracted to certain colors or types of human behavior.  LCC has not heard back and Sorscher will follow up.

 Chalmers stated that the crows started gathering in very small numbers about a year ago and just increased day by day until we reached the hundreds that are there now.  Just prior to dusk everyday they all fly south to Foster Island which is where they spend the night.  Crows are intelligent birds and will eat almost anything.  They love garbage bins outside fast food restaurants and will eat bugs, worms, roadkill, mice, berries and corn.  They eat about 11 ounces of food a day which is a lot considering they each weigh about 16 ounces each. 

 Chalmers spoke with Mark Johnson who lives on 42nd NE about the situation.  Johnson will ask his wife Becky about the problem as Becky works at the Center for Urban Horticulture. For instance, we may be able to change plantings in neighbors’ yards, or perhaps the Parks Department could do something around Foster Island to discourage the crows.

 4.      Crime on Belvoir:  Neighbors on Belvoir have had a wave of vandalism in the last month.  LCC received a call from Lucille Pasco on November 25.  Hale followed up with Pat Brunzell.  Neighbors will work with Pat Wright and continue to work with our local police.

 On Saturday, November 15 at least four car tires were slashed with a large knife and a police report was filed.  Incidents reported include:  pumpkins being smashed, houses being egged, kids seen trying car doors to see if they were unlocked, beer cans left in a cable box and a garden, two young men seen dragging a pipe down the road after dark and then running off after neighbors asked what they were doing, voices being heard prowling around and in between neighbors homes, and cars being keyed.

 Neighbors are working with the police and have held one safety meeting on November 18.  They have organized patrols from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

 5.      Crime in the Town of Yesler:  Paul Klemond emailed on November 26 to tell LCC that his truck was broken into.  $25 worth of quarters were stolen from the ashtray.  The vehicle was locked.  Klemond contacted the police who have encouraged neighbors to report these types of incidents.  Marian Goddard called on November 25 to report that her car had been broken into the week before her call.  The culprit stole her checkbook from the glove compartment and cashed an $82 check at PCC.  She also mentioned that the parking strip on 44th behind John L. Scott needs to be mowed.  She fell in a hole at that location and broke her wrist.  She asked the workers in the area who were nonresponsive.  Goddard also complimented LCC on its most recent newsletter and the article about car prowls.

6.      Neighbor Appreciation Day:  Neighbor Beth Alderman emailed on December 6 to report a conflict with the 2004 Neighbor Appreciation Day and the upcoming precinct caucuses—scheduled 10 a.m.-noon the same day.  Hale contacted the 46th district chair to report the conflict and was told the date for precinct caucuses could not be changed because it was set statewide.  Hale then emailed the director of the Department of Neighbors to see about changing Neighbor Appreciation Day to February 14.  The event has traditionally been scheduled the Saturday before Valentines Day.

7.      Boats Parked on Streets:  LCC has received reports of neighbors parking boats on streets for extended periods of time. A City ordinance prohibits parking boats on the street unless the boat trailer is attached to a car.

8.      Fire in the Neighborhood:  Patrick Halcomb called on December 4 to express concern about the recent fire at 4102 51st Ave. NE at the corner of NE 41st St. and 51st Ave. NE.  He was concerned about the elderly gentleman living there as the home was destroyed and offered to assist.  Wright did some checking and learned that the residents found a place to rent in View Ridge and the homeowner is staying with people across the street. 

9.      Robbery at Farrell’s:  Mary Jo Gasparich called on December 4 to express concern about the recent robbery of Farrell’s Jewelry Store.  The owner, the person who works there and a customer were bound and gagged and left in the backroom.  Two armed men wearing hoods and hats robbed the store—one armed with a gun and the other with a knife.  Gasparich was disturbed about the violence and suggested a community wide crime prevention meeting.  Farrell’s is now keeping its doors locked.

10. Robbery at Windermere:  Lloyd reported that Windermere Realty offices were broken into and computers taken.

11. South Lake Union:  Whit Hamlin called on November 18 to enquire why LCC signed onto the statement requesting an EIS for South Lake Union.  Hale explained that the changes under consideration—reduction in parking requirements and increased building heights would apply citywide, not just to the South Lake Union area, thus putting the Battelle property at risk.  Hamlin, who works for Vulcan, didn’t know that.

12. Inquiry:  Julie Kelly called on December 8 to inquire about the activities of LCC.  She’s joined the email network and hopes to attend a future LCC meeting (conflict tonight).  She also mentioned that a week ago, Varlamos was broken into and the cash register stolen.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS 

1.      Thank you!  Thanks to Torrie for coordinating distribution of monthly trustee packets and for Lloyd, Levin and Noonan for assisting this month.  Thanks also to Levin and Weissman for the delicious cookies.

2.      Sad News:  Carolyn Corson former LCC trustee and current member of LCC’s transportation committee had a malignant brain tumor the size of a lemon.  She had surgery last week and is recovering at University Hospital.

3.      Thank You, Great Harvest!  In its Fall newsletter, the Sand Point Housing Association thanked Great Harvest for its weekly donations of bread for Sand Point residents.  Thank you, Maggie!

4.      Public Safety Funding:  LCC received an explanation of what happened in the budget process regarding LCC’s request for funding for community service officers and crime prevention from Councilmember McIver.  The council eliminated funding for CSOs due to a need to address budget shortfalls.

5.      Staffing for Major Institutions:  Councilmember Conlin introduced a budget amendment to restore some of the funding for Major Institutions staffing.  This amendment failed to garner sufficient support from other councilmembers.  Conlin was successful in getting support of a Statement of Legislative Intent directing the Executive to develop a way to assess the costs of this staffing to the institutions so that there would be a consistent and linked source of funds for this in the future.  Thank you, Councilmember Conlin!

6.      Peter and the Wolf:  The Roosevelt High School Orchestra will feature the Fourth Annual Presentation of Peter and the Wolf on Saturday, December 6 at 4 p.m. in the Roosevelt High School Auditorium.  Tickets are $3.00 per person or $10.00 per family and tickets are available at the door.  All proceeds support the Roosevelt High School Orchestra.  Families of young children are welcome to bring pillows, blankets, and a favorite stuffed animal.  For further information, contact Anna Edwards at 206-252-4948 or Andrea Wilson at rhsorchestra@msn.com.

7.      Messiah at St. Stephen’s!  The Northwest Chorale, under the direction of Lynn Hall, will present Handel¹s Messiah on Friday, December 12 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen¹s Episcopal Church.  Soloists are Ann Paris, soprano; Paul Karaitis, tenor; Laird Thornton, bass, and Diane Radabaugh, alto.  The performance is free.  A goodwill offering will be taken for the sole purpose of feeding the poor—100% of the proceeds will be donated to local food banks. The offering will benefit Northwest Harvest.  For further information, contact Kay Kessel-Hanna at kay@ststephens-seattle.org.

 REPORTS/ACTION

Crime Prevention:  Pat Wright reported that no residences were robbed in the last tracking period. Car prowls are down but thefts are up. Pat Brunzell has not contacted Diane Horswell, yet. However, Wright would like to attend a neighborhood meeting to review the Belvoir vandalism problem. In the University District, police have been conducting noise patrols and speaking at fraternities and sororities. Greek houses are starting crime prevention programs.

School Levies: Motion by Sorscher, seconded by Trumbauer: LCC supports the school levy proposals and will educate voters on the web site and in the Newsletter.

LCC Website:  Susan Rucker and Sorscher continue to work together to update LCC’s website. 

Treasurer’s Report: We are pursuing the UW lease lid and the UW master plan before the Growth Management Board.  Our legal expenses are significant, but within the estimated budget amounts. We should have more detailed reports for the January LCC Trustees meeting.  LCC normally sends out its annual dues statement early in the year.  It was decided that the dues statements would be sent out as soon as possible.  

LCC is co-sponsoring a candidates’ forum with View Ridge, at a nominal cost.

SR 520 Study Committee Update: The Study Committee hired an urban design specialist. Joe Herrin and Jean Amick are representing neighbors on this committee.

Waterway No. 1:  In October, LCC wrote to DCLU and SDOT about issues related to Waterway No. 1 and encroachments by the adjacent property owner.  The property was recently sold, upgraded and sold again.  It appears to LCC that approximately 20-30 feet of the upland area was appropriated for the full length of the waterway.  A gravel parking area was installed and a hedge planted with additional landscaping to incorporate the appropriated property within the residential yard of the adjacent property owner.  The hedge also raises potential view blockage issues.  Further, a dock was replaced and relocated and now encroaches into the public waterway.  LCC asked DCLU and SDOT to review issues relating to permitting, compliance with local and state policies governing public access to publicly-owned properties and clarify responsibilities regarding maintenance of the public property.  LCC received a letter from the attorney of the adjacent property owners and that letter is included in this month’s correspondence packet.  The adjacent property owners state that they have permits authorizing the encroachments.  LCC will continue to work with SDOT and the Department of Natural Resources in resolving the issues.

Laurelhurst Park Advisory Committee: Torrie reported that the Halloween event was popular with neighbors. The playground area will get fresh wood chips.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM

 

Minutes by Stan Sorscher