Minutes for April 12, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM

Attending: Heather Newman, Kate Lloyd, Maggie Weissman, Shawn Whitcomb Bonnie Zinn, Jim Romano, Mark Holden, Jen Biely, Pat Wright, Jeannie Hale, John Burge, Don Torrie, Stan Sorscher, John Clark

Excused: Barbara Ragee, Mimi Levin, Joe Herrin and Dermot Noonan

Guests: Todd Cahill, and Diane Horswell SPD North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Crime Prevention: Diane Horswell prepared a map showing 6 recent burglaries in the Laurelhurst area. Six is well above the historical rate. These incidents involved easy access through open windows or unlocked doors, for the most part. Reports of teenagers, engaged in suspicious activity, may be related to the burglaries.

Other easy access burglaries sometimes involve the homeowner's ladder being used to enter second floor windows, or house keys left in cars. Diane encouraged neighbors to set up and participate in block watch programs. Email networks can also be helpful. Diane and Pat Wright are helping recruit block watch captains.

 Diane offered to discuss home security issues.  Her number is 206 684 7711.

 Two suspects were arrested in the robberies of Farrell's jewelry store.

ADMINISTRATION:

Treasurer’s Report: 

1.      Dues Returns:  The Treasurer’s report reflects that 760 neighbors have paid their dues for a total of $42,000.  The average payment is about $55.  Dues payments continue to trickle in.  In 1997, dues totaled $14,230 with 357 payers and an average payment of $40.

We set up online dues payment and so far, three neighbors have used to service. The company collecting the dues charges 4.5% commission. However, for each $10,000 we collect, the rate drops by 0.1% to a minimum of 4.0%. The founder of the service also recommended that we offer premiums of some kind for members - particularly items with Laurelhurst Community Club's name on it. He says that in his experience, dues and name branding naturally combine favorably.

 2.      Eychaner Services:  At its February 9th meeting, LCC approved expenses up to $1,080 for Carol Eychaner to review the revised Talaris plans, meet with LCC and undertake other services on the project.  Hale and Levin asked Eychaner to prepare a budget through the end of the year.  Budget materials were distributed and emailed to the trustees prior to tonight’s meeting.  Eychaner has billed LCC $753 out of the $1,080 authorized.  Services estimated through the end of the year are estimated at $4,980 (83 hours of work). 

 3.      Little League:  Little League has once again asked LCC to sponsor a team.  Team sponsorship ranges from $250 for “Farm” and T-ball teams to $500 for softball division, majors, juniors and seniors.

 Minutes:  Pat Wright asked that the March minutes be amended to delete the reference to a summer camp, and substitute a different point altogether..

 Motion by Kate Lloyd, seconded by Mark Holden: Accept the March minutes as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

 Nominating Committee:  Kate Lloyd has agreed to chair this year’s Nominating Committee if this meets with the Board’s approval.  Thirteen of the 19 LCC trustees are up for re-election.  Each year, between three and five trustees decide not to seek re-election or to complete their two-year terms.  A sign-up sheet was distributed for current trustees to indicate whether they would like to continue on the board.

 Bylaws Committee:  Bonnie Zinn has agreed to chair this year’s Bylaws Committee if this meets with the Board’s approval.  Four years ago, LCC undertook a major revision of the bylaws to incorporate provisions required by state law.  Bylaws are reviewed in even-numbered years.  If trustees have suggestions for bylaw changes, please contact Zinn.

 John Clark and Jennifer Biely volunteered to work with the Bylaws.

 CALLS AND CONCERNS

1.      Suspicious Solicitor:  Linda Reeder emailed on March 11 to pass along her experience with a young woman who came to her door.  She said the young woman was from Paragon Management Group, a “second chance program” for single mothers.  The website address provided did not work.

2.      Talaris:  Katie Mahoney emailed on March 12 to thank LCC for its work in protecting the Battelle property from UW encroachment.  She is hopeful that the Talaris proposal moves forward.

3.      Crime on East Laurelhurst:  Connie Mitchell emailed on March 15 to report that someone had rummaged through her garage, car and garage cabinets.  Karmann Kaplan reported that young men were going door to door acting suspiciously, making excuses when neighbors were at home.  Jean Amick observed similar behavior by young men in a Suburban.  When she called out the window, the boys said they were picking someone up.  Amick didn’t recognize the name of the person to be picked up and the young people then took off.  A similar Suburban prowled the Sand Point Country Club.

4.      Sidewalk Safety:  In the process of making arrangements to transfer the sidewalk safety materials form Karl Weyrauch to Dermot Noonan, it was pointed out that LCC may need to postpone implementing the sidewalk repairs for a year or so.  Weyrauch was very upset about this.  Noonan is working on a sidewalk safety brochure listing the dos and don’ts of sidewalk safety, what you can get traffic tickets for, rules about sidewalk overgrowth, etc.

5.      UW Expenses:  Nancy Evans emailed on March 24 to suggest that LCC’s financials be reported in the monthly newsletter.  Hale responded that this information would be available at the annual neighbors meeting and that space was very limited in the newsletter. Trustees considered the appropriate level of disclosure regarding litigation. The important messages are that we made progress in one of our legal cases, but did not prevail in another. These actions are expensive by nature, but we think such actions are one option we need to take from time to time to promote neighbor's interests.

6.      Recycle Boxes on Sand Point:  Jessica Curtis emailed on March 24 to express concern about the two recycle boxes and one clothing donation box located on Sandpoint way and 47th Ave NE.  She noted that the boxes are not only an eyesore but are a potential hazard.  That intersection is already regularly misused with people making U-turns to park in front of the stores on Sandpoint.  Weissman agreed to check into this.  Also, Bonnie Miller from Hawthorne Hills is checking to see if the bins are properly permitted.

7.      CUH Pedestrian Bridge:  Bob Ingalls emailed on March 25 to mention that the UW has earmarked removal of the south pedestrian bridge over the University Slough from parking lot E5.  He doesn’t think he’s received an adequate response from the UW and believes bridge users should have been consulted.  Hale emailed Tom Hinckley and was sent a copy of a letter he wrote to Ingalls.  Hinckley explained that the bridge is rotten and is no longer safe to use.  He said that there is a bridge at the north end and that that bridge is safer and more logical (feeds directly into path that goes along north side of soccer field whereas the location of the old, south end bridge means that you have to traverse the E-5 lot and then you end up at a place where you either have to turn right or left to get to campus)

8.      Compliments:  Neighbor Rebecca Ross emailed on March 8 to thank LCC for its monthly email message.

9.      Ads:  Ragee asked about the status of potential newsletter advertisers.  She asked about factors we consider for businesses outside the neighborhood advertising in the Newsletter.

10. Packing Peanuts may be recycled by calling Candy O'Malley or by taking them to the UPS store near University village

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

1.      Thank you!  Thanks to Don Torrie for coordinating distribution of monthly trustee packets and to Heather Newman for assisting this month.  Thanks also to Jennifer Biely who assisted in getting neighbor email addresses.

 2.      UW Master Plan:  On March 30, Judge Lukens issued his decision on the UW master plan case.  The Judge upheld the decision of the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board in deciding that the Board had no jurisdiction to rule on the matter. 

 3.      Nominations Open for Small Business Awards:  Nominate your own business or a business that you think is exceptional to receive a small business award.  Any for-profit organization or individual owning a small business within the Seattle city limits that employs fewer than 100 employees and has annual sales of less than $10,000,000 may be nominated.  A current City of Seattle business license and currently paid City B&O taxes are required. Franchises and past winners of the Mayor's Small Business Award are ineligible.  Contact Karin Zaugg at 206-733-9810 (karin.zaugg@seattle.gov), or Cathy Hawley at 206-684-4008 (cathy.hawley@seattle.gov) to request a nomination form.  Prizes include four complimentary tickets to a Mayoral reception honoring winners and past winners; box seats for a Mariners Game; a 2004 Mayor's Small Business Awards Winner window decal; a beautiful commemorative award, and your company name listed in an announcement in an ad in a major local newspaper.  The nomination deadline is Friday, April 16, 2004.

 4.      Annual Neighbors’ Meeting:  The annual neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 20.  Talaris confirmed they can send representatives to the meeting.  LCC has not yet heard back from County Assessor Scott Noble to confirm whether he can attend.

 

REPORTS/ACTION

Sand Point Housing Update: John Clark reported on the transitional housing project at Sand Point. Residents would normally stay less than two years. Some units are intended for singles and teenagers. Others are meant for families. Family housing will be built after some existing buildings are demolished. Sponsors include Fremont Housing Association and the Community Psychiatric Clinic. The operating plan currently does not call for a 24 hour onsite resident manager, but that might be added later. The project may set up a Head Start Program. Two older barracks buildings will be renamed in honor of local artists.

 Finance Committee:  At the Strategic Planning Committee meeting, it was recommended that LCC set up a finance committee to develop checks and balances and internal financial controls to recommend to the Board.  Levin and Biely agreed to serve on the committee and recommended that Torrie be included.  Anyone else interested in serving on the committee should contact Biely.

 Orientation Packets:  Samples of LCC orientation packets were passed around.  After election of trustees at the annual neighbors meeting, an orientation session will be scheduled.

 

Executive Session

The Board went into executive session at 8:10 PM.

 The Board discussed the format and content of the current month's financial report. Expenses for the month should be apparent. Also, current expenses should be clear, since the group wanted to make timely payments on bills due. Thinking of timely bill payment, we discussed who should have access to bank accounts, so we could make sure backups are ready if the Treasurer is out of town or not able to make routine transactions.

 Two current bills were considered - those from Peter Eglick and Carol Eychaner.

 Another expense item was support of a Little League team. In the past we have contributed $500 to Little League teams. This year, several trustees donated a total of $250 to be submitted immediately to the Little League coordinator.

 The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 PM.

 

 Minutes by Stan Sorscher