Minutes for August 9, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM
Attending: John Clark, Kate Lloyd, John Burge, Barb Ragee, Maggie Weissman, Joe Herrin, Jennifer Biely, Jeannie Hale, Stan Sorscher, Heather Newman, Pat Wright, Dan Becraft, Joyce Hinkley, Tom Maider, Mimi Carsley
Excused: Mark Holden, Dermot Noonan and Don Torrie could not attend the meeting. Susan Torrance and Bonnie Zinn are on leave of absence.
Treasurer’s report: Biely provided a written report, balance sheet and budget reflecting actual income and expenses and budgeted amounts.
Blakeley Crescent Park: Biely has gotten records relating to Blakeley Crescent Park in order. She suggested closing this account to avoid monthly service charges. It was decided that the account would remain open until after the project is complete as it is expected that contributions will be solicited at the official park opening.
Heath Landscaping: Biely briefed the board on her efforts in working with Heath Landscaping on the costs involved for boulevard maintenance. This month LCC received an invoice for $252.42 for replacement of a sprinkler clock battery and $80.52 for replacement of a sprinkler head. These amounts are in addition to the monthly $478.72 service fee. She is exploring a reduction in monthly fees and periodic charges for maintenance with Heath. It was agreed that LCC should ask Dick Barnum to serve as liaison with Heath on service and repair needs as he lives right in front of the boulevard and has unofficially held this role for many years. (The City’s controls for the irrigation system are in his garage.) Biely will be in touch with Barnum to see if he is willing to do this for LCC. The idea is that Barnum will coordinate with Biely and the two of them will work together to address maintenance issues.
Newsletter Advertising Rates: The Finance Committee recommended that LCC increase our advertising rates. Currently, the rate is $45 for a single-sized ad. The recommendation is to increase the rates to $100 for single-sized ads and $175 for a double ad. We currently have 21 advertisers with two double sized ads. Advertisers on the waiting list typically take 12-15 months to work their way into the Newsletter. Options discussed included incremental increase in the ad rates; sharper increases and finding an ad solicitor to bring in more advertisers; and term limits for current advertisers. Motion by Jennifer Biely, seconded by Tom Maider: increase the single-ad rate to $75 per Newsletter issue, and raise the double-sized ad rate to $150 per issue. Motion passed 8-2-2, with Kate Lloyd and Maggie Weissman abstaining.
Recalling a discussion from the July meeting, Hale summarized the last few months’ payments for legal fees, with the anticipated special appeal for additional neighbor contributions scheduled for September. Monthly payments would be at least $1000, with higher payments depending on the funds available.
The monthly Treasurer’s report format was discussed, with the goal of clearly identifying amounts for anticipated monthly expenses, budgeted and actual expenses. Motion by Maggie Weissman, seconded by Barb Ragee: pay $2500 toward legal fees this month, with a formula for future payments based on assets above operating expenses including a $5000 reserve with a review each month. Any revenue in excess of operating expenses will be paid for attorneys fees with the proviso that $5,000 would be held in reserves. This formula will be applied until the board decides otherwise. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes: The board reviewed the minutes of the June and July trustee meetings. Spelling and formatting errors were corrected in both sets of minutes. Motion by Kate Lloyd, seconded by Barb Ragee: to accept the June minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Barb Ragee, seconded by Heather Newman: to accept the July minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously.
CALLS AND CONCERNS
1. Jeanette Williams: Kate Lloyd brought a birthday card for Jeanette Williams, a local activist for many years (see Announcements, below).
2. Accessory Dwelling Units: Alan Hess emailed on August 7 to ask about laws allowing conversion of a single-family home into a two-flat rental. LCC directed Hess to the Department of Planning and Development’s memorandum on accessory dwelling units. LCC pointed out the owner-occupancy requirement and the requirement that one off-street parking space be provided for the accessory unit.
3. Robbery: Neighbors Jack and Eugenia Smith reported that their home was broken into on July 27 between 3:30 and 8:30 p.m. The culprits forced out a screen on a window and then opened the front door. A number of small items were taken. Among them a watch, a camera, binoculars, Naval Academy class ring, gold Cross pen, silver cigarette, $100 American Express travelers check and change. They also took some very old identification items such as WWII dog tags and an old Longshoremen's card from Los Angeles. The Smiths closed their bank account and opened another, as they weren’t sure if blank checks were taken.
4. Dead End Traffic Problems: Toni Clayton emailed on August 2 to report traffic problems on her dead end street—the 4500 block of 55th Avenue NE. Clayton said at least 100 cars a day use her driveway as a turnaround. Drivers don’t seem to see the dead end sign at the beginning of the block and probably assume that the street goes through to Magnuson. Kate Hemer suggested better signage or perhaps a small triangular island at the intersection. LCC has been in touch with SDOT about this and they will investigate. John Marek and/or Theresa Smith from SDOT will follow up.
5. Waterway No. 1: Judy Thornton has again written to LCC about Waterway No. 1 and her letter is included in the correspondence packet. Thornton has been told that LCC would like all neighbors working together on a compromise for Waterway No. 1—similar to how the City handles shoreline street ends. There is currently public access at Waterway No. 1, but the adjacent property owners over the years have extended their landscaping and other hardscape onto the public property. LCC’s major concern is a dock that was installed with pilings. The pilings and the fact that a large boat is parked to the right of the dock are problematic because both interfere with neighbors launching non-motorized boats. LCC will continue to work with the city and the state to develop a compromise.
6. Raccoons: Robin Chalmers called regarding raccoons in his neighborhood. Raccoons sometimes fight with pets. If raccoons are around, neighbors need to take special care with garbage, and avoid leaving cat or dog food outside.
7. Center for Urban Horticulture: Kate Lloyd took a call regarding employee parking on the street near the Center for Urban Horticulture.
8. Car prowls: Barb Ragee took a call regarding car prowls in the neighborhood.
Crime Prevention Report: Pat Wright reported that the “Night out” event was a big success. About 500 block parties were held, including 7 big parties in Laurelhurst. At the playfield, graffiti was found in the bathroom. Investigators hope to identify the vandal(s). Tom Rasmussen spoke to the North Precinct Advisory Council about City services and priorities. Seattle had some notorious arsons, which are being investigated by a team including police fire and ATF agents. Robbery investigations now include surveys of E-Bay, looking for stolen goods.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Thank you! Thanks to Lloyd and Torrie for delivering this month’s trustee agenda packets. Help is needed for packet distribution in the Town of Yesler.
2. Arson Alert: An Arson Watch flyer from the Seattle Fire Department was distributed.
3. Happy Birthday! Jeanette Williams, former city councilmember and president of the Sand Point Community Liaison Committee, just celebrated her 90th birthday! She was honored with a proclamation by the city council. Williams served as a councilmember from 1970-1989, worked on civil rights issues and is responsible, along with Senator Magnuson, for acquisition of the former naval station for park purposes.
4. Qwest DSL: On August 2, Qwest informed LCC that the job to provide DSL to a portion of Laurelhurst has been approved and will hopefully be built in late September or early October. The project will feed the middle third of the Laurelhurst area and we do not have the boundaries yet. Two additional jobs are needed for the other areas. Qwest will keep LCC informed as they move forward.
5. Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH): Tom Hinckley, former Director of CUH, emailed on July 10 to let LCC know that John Wott was appointed as acting or interim director of CUH. Wott will remain as director of the Arboretum. Hinckley will continue to serve on the Master Plan Implementation Group. David Mabberley from England will be the new CUH director. Mabberley will begin after he gets a work visa. He should begin by September 2004. The rebuilding of Merrill is proceeding on schedule, however, the building of the commons, an integral part of the building is going more slowly. Present scheduled opening date is December 15.
6. Repaving NE 45th: Children’s reported that they had a good meeting with SDOT about repaving NE 45th. Children’s has committed $70,000 (half) of the repaving cost of the asphalt covered portion of NE 45th, already in bad condition, but made much worse by the 100 large dump trucks a day over an extended period during construction of the new garage. SDOT will design the project in 2005 and plan to repave in 2006, contingent upon funding.
7. Helicopter Landings Review Committee: Children’s has asked that LCC provide an additional representative to serve on the Helicopter Landings Committee. Trumbauer has agreed to serve on the committee. The next meeting is August 25 from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. William Gore also represents LCC on the committee but is often unable to attend due to his wife’s poor health.
8. Community Center Project Advisory Team (PAT): The Parks Department has selected members for the PAT that will advise consultants and the Department on renovation of the community center. Those selected are: Chris Barrett, Nate Benjamin, Antonio Diaz, Kathleen Herbert, Joe Herrin, Al Hovland, Steven James, Julie Kelly, Kent Mettler and Lendy Duda Vail. PAT meetings are open to the community and LCC will provide notice to neighbors.
REPORTS/ACTION
Brochure: Joyce Hinkley presented a draft of the tri-fold brochure that would go with the special appeal mailing scheduled for September. It would also be posted on the web site, for downloading. The “Click-and Pledge” form would also be edited to include the special appeal.
Finance Committee Report:
1. Form 990 Submission: The IRS contacted LCC in June indicating that LCC must file a regular Form 990, rather than the shorter Form 990EZ. Biely submitted the information required and it is included in the agenda packets.
2. LCC History House Expenses: Chris Barrett, LCC’s historian, is preparing a Laurelhurst historical exhibit for History House for LCC. History House, located in Fremont, will feature exhibits by northeast Seattle neighborhoods in Fall 2004. Barrett’s project for LCC will display never-before-seen items that are not included in the history book and items that have come into her hands since publication of the book 20 years ago. The exhibit will include eight 20 inch X 30 inch boards. Barrett requested reimbursement of her expenses—ranging from $50-$100—for the backboards and reproduction of original photographs. The Executive Committee approved reimbursement of this expense. Bylaws allow the Executive Committee to approve up to $500 between board meetings.
3. Special Dues Statement: Burge prepared a draft letter for the upcoming special dues statement. The Finance Committee reviewed the letter and will provide Burge with comments. The target donation amount would be $50.
4. Treasurer Policies: A draft statement of policies and procedures governing the Treasurer are included in the agenda packets. The language calls for a Finance Committee, and monthly reports, and sets procedures for handling checks and paying bills. Motion by Kate Lloyd, seconded by Mimi Carsley: to accept the policies and procedures for Treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Dues Increase: The Finance Committee also recommended a dues increase from $45 to $50, with the landscaping fees increasing from $15 to $20 per year.
Stop Light/Curb Bulb Project: Weissman reported that she has received commitments of $2,000 so far for the stop light/curb bulb project. The fundraising letter is included in the correspondence packet. Maggie will wait to hear from Seattle Department of Transportation before approaching businesses in the area for additional support.
Talaris Update: A letter from The Seneca Group regarding the Talaris proposed development is included in the correspondence packet. The letter outlines areas of the proposed development that are outside of the 1991 Settlement Agreement. In the letter they indicate their willingness to consider a conservation agreement for the wetlands area. Instead of having the conservation easement run in perpetuity, however, as requested by LCC, they indicate it would run only for the life of institute for advanced study use of the property.
The letter also indicates that the relationship between Talaris and the Center for Mind, Brain and Learning no longer exists. The name of the latter organization has changed, so it is unclear what it meant by Wicklein’s statement. LCC has not heard back from Carol Eychaner to follow up on the Settlement Agreement issues.
UW Issues:
1. Lease Lid: There have been two public hearings on the UW lease lid options. Hale, Lloyd, Sorscher, Ragee, Holden and Dick Barnum testified supporting a compromise along with many others. The Council is considering two lease lid options.
Council President Drago has proposed Option 1. This option would eliminate the lease lid, include an amendment to prohibit UW acquisition or lease of the Battelle property, prohibit leasing in pedestrian zones (including the four-block pedestrian zone in the Laurelhurst business district) and include a prohibition against UW leasing in residential zones other than for residential purposes. Councilmember Licata has offered an amendment to this option to prohibit new leasing after seven years unless the City takes affirmative action to allow leases, either unrestricted or with a lease lid limit.
Councilmember Licata’s has proposed Option 2. This option includes the amendments above, but instead of eliminating the lease lid increases the square footage by 200,000 square feet—enough leasing space to accommodate the University’s needs for the next five to eight years. This option also includes a Housing Quality Assurance amendment restricting advertising by landlords with the University if they have an uncorrected housing code violation.
2. UW Master Plan: Hale prepared a draft settlement agreement for the attorneys on the master plan case. LCC should receive the finalized draft agreement back from Helsell Fetterman tomorrow.
1. Signage Issues: There are tentative plans to install a rather large sign—about 15 feet long and four or five feet tall above the entrance to Magnuson Park on 74th. The sign would say “Sand Point Historical District.” There would be a small sign close to the ground with the name of the park—Warren G. Magnuson Park. The Northeast District Council did not support this approach to signage. Certain areas of the Park such as the Community Garden, the off-leash dog area and the fields are not part of the historic district. NEDC passed a motion requesting that the historic district sign be reduced in size and not outshine the sign with the official name of the park, that the sign for the name of the park be larger than the signs denoting the historic district, that the historic district be labeled differently so as to not create confusion, that historic rules be followed, and that the same signage with the official name of the park be located at both park entrances. : LCC agreed to support the position of NEDC should the opportunity to comment arise.
2. Security at the Park: The Sand Point Community Liaison Committee wrote to Councilmember David Della, chair of the Parks Committee, on August 4 about safety and security issues at Magnuson Park. The letter is included in the correspondence packet. In the letter, Jeanette Williams points out that there have been two instances of arson at the park, vandalism at night due to beach parties, drug dealing in the parking lot next to Kite Hill, lack of monitoring of late evening events and extensive destruction of citizen efforts to rebuild the Promontory Point natural area. LCC agreed to write a letter to Councilmember Della, chair of the Parks Committee, about security issues at Magnuson Park and lack of adequate law enforcement.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Minutes by Stan Sorscher