Minutes for May 9, 2005
Attending: Jennifer Biely, John Clark, Jeannie Hale, Joe Herrin, Mark Holden, Tom Maider, Heather Newman, Barb Ragee, Don Torrie, Mark Trumbauer, Maggie Weissman, Pat Wright, Bonnie Zinn
Excused: Kate Lloyd, Dermot Noonan, Stan Sorscher
Guests: Robin Chalmers, Karen Ko, Lora Poepping
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
ADMINISTRATION:
Changes to the Agenda:
Treasurer’s Report:
1. Finance Report: Biely distributed the monthly financial report. LCC has
received almost $24,000 in dues returns this month. Outstanding attorneys fees
should be paid off next month. There will likely be funds to implement the first
phase of the Sidewalk Safety Program and to improved the Mary Gates/41st Street
Boulevard.
2. Boulevard Maintenance: Biely distributed materials from Heath Landscape Services about boulevard maintenance. There is one estimate for $5,014.81 to remove sick and unhealthy or broken rhododendrons and manzanita and replace them with 100 rock roses in one gallon tubs ($1,949.20), addition of 160 new groundcover plantings with more Genista pilosa ($1,400), installation of mulch ($420 for the original bed and $840 for the Talaris addition). Biely stated that the most important work that needs to be done is the mulching. M/S/P (Biely/Ragee): That LCC authorize $5,014.81 in expenses to install mulch, remove unhealthy or broken plants and purchase and install new plants with the understanding that neighbors in the area and others who are interested will work together in selecting the types of plants to be installed. Motion passed unanimously. Ragee agreed to work with Biely and Barnum on this. A meeting of those interested in selecting plants will be scheduled soon.
Heath also provided a description of the work associated with startup of the irrigation system and a map of homes with irrigation on their parking strips. A schematic that was distributed indicates that LCC pays for both sides of the parking strip, with exclusion of a few homes. The city pays for the water. There was discussion of whether it was appropriate for LCC to pay these costs in that all other neighbors pay for their own irrigation systems. The idea of charging neighbors for the fees associated with irrigating their parking strips surfaced. Ragee pointed out that the neighborhood benefits from entering Laurelhurst and seeing green parking strips on each side. She thought we needed to check on the original agreement so that charging neighbors would not be seen as renigging on an earlier agreement. Hale pointed out that one neighbor noted on his dues return that neighbors in the area used to pay for all of the maintenance on the planted median. Concern was expressed that the UW has continually refused to pay its fair share of the maintenance for the portion of the median that abuts its property.
3. Land Use Consultant Expenses: A memorandum of 4/18/05 from Carol Eychaner in the packets outlines the extensive work that she has done reviewing and commenting on proposed amendments to the Battelle Settlement Agreement. She has participated in two lengthy conference calls with Peter Eglick, Sorscher, Hale and Dick Barnum, and meetings between LCC and Talaris.
In November 2004, LCC authorized $4,000. In the six-month period following the budget authorization, Carol’s work has exceeded the budgeted amount by $242.17. Her current billing statement reflects a reduction of $354 for “no charge” time and $57.73 for expenses.
LCC asked Eychaner for an estimate of how much time and expense would be involved in completing work associated with amendments to the Settlement Agreement. Although difficult to predict, Eychaner estimates that an additional budget authorization of $2,000 would cover the overage from the current bill and provide for approximately 30 hours of additional work, which should be sufficient to complete the agreement.
Sorscher is out of town in Washington D.C. and Baltimore this week and sent the board a written report as follows: In the last few weeks, Bob Wicklein and Jack McCullough marked up our draft language, making quite a few changes. Over the course of two conference calls, several changes were considered as well as various options and the history of the issues. After LCC prepared the initial proposed amendments to the Settlement Agreement, LCC reviewed changes suggested by Talaris and drafted a reply . The pre-meeting and hearing before the hearing examiner was continued to accommodate settlement negotiations.
The next meeting with the developers is scheduled for Monday, May 16. Bob Wicklein wrote that he is eager to see this settled promptly. Sorscher believes that LCC is closing in on final terms and conditions. He added that Carol Eychaner has been very thorough and attentive in the process. Her charges to date reached the limit we set several months ago. Sorscher recommended that the following motion be offered at tonight’s meeting: M/S/P (Trumbauer/Torrie): That the LCC Board authorize up to $2000 for Carol Eychaner to complete the agreement on amending the Settlement Agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes: The April 2005 minutes were included in the agenda packets. M/S/P (Ragee/Maider): That the April 11, 2005 minutes be approved as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
CALLS AND CONCERNS:
1. Meeting Inquiry: Robin Chalmers emailed today to find out details
about tonight’s meeting and the annual neighbors meeting. Hale sent him the
agenda for tonight’s meeting and the annual meeting flyer.
2. Crows: Chalmers reported that the swarm of crows in his area of the neighborhood have moved elsewhere.
3. Hazardous Intersection: Chalmers reported a near collision at the top of the hill on NE 41st Street and 43rd Avenue NE. He suggested a traffic mirror. Trumbauer agreed to look into this on behalf of LCC.
4. Car Prowl: Bill Cadwallader who lives on the 5100 block of NE 42nd called today to report that three weeks ago someone smashed his car windows at 3 a.m. Yesterday, someone also got into his unlocked car and took items out of the glovebox. Cadwallader called Wright to report this and to inquire about the Block Watch program.
5. Fireworks: Rita Paragas and Barbara Davis emailed on 5/07 to raise concerns about the fireworks display on 5/06 over Lake Washington near the Laurelhurst Community. Paragas’s home was shaking and her dog was traumatized. The Davis’s also had concerns about the noise and impact on pets and wondered if the UW secured a noise waiver in addition to the fireworks permit. They called 911 and were told the UW was having a fireworks display. They also left message with the UW president and Mayor Nickels lodging complaints. They suggested that LCC lodge a formal complaint stating that how can we expect other citizens to obey fireworks ordinances when they see and hear such events by adults. In general, LCC trustees appreciated the fireworks display. It was agreed, however, that LCC would check to make sure the proper permits were obtained.
6. School Closure Issues: Lora Poepping emailed on 5/7 asking that LCC address issues concerning school closures and Laurelhurst Elementary School. Poepping pointed out that if the school board moves to a neighborhood assignment model, that a full 47% of Laurelhurst students would be reassigned. It’s possible that if the school is under-enrolled, then there is a risk of closure of the school. Hale responded that LCC voted at its March meeting to oppose closure of Laurelhurst Elementary School. Hale pointed out that at the Northeast District Council meeting, there was a presentation from Brita Butler-Wall, our school board rep. Hale told Poepping that NEDC voted to write a letter or comment as appropriate, supporting neighborhood-based schools, subsidized Metro bus passes, academic excellence as a criteria for school closure criteria and closure of schools only as a last resort.
Coco Sherman, co-president of the PTA at Laurelhurst School emailed on 5/08 urging LCC to write a letter and get involved in the school closure issue due to the threat the Laurelhurst School could be closed. A cope of the PTA’s letter to parents was distributed. M/S/P (Zinn/Ragee): That LCC support NEDC’s position re school closure issues including quality of education as a condition that should be considered for school closures. Motion passed with all voting yes and two abstentions (Biely and Herrin).
7. Death of Ken Jones: Jeff and Jenny Gietzen emailed on 4/29 in response to the death of Laurelhurst’s beloved postal worker expressing condolences. LCC’s letter of condolence is included in the correspondence packet. Coco Sherman attended the memorial service and presented Ken’s wife Kim with a framed photo of him receiving his award at the Laurelhurst Neighbor Appreciation Day reception. Torrie and neighbors Lora Poeppoing and Goldie Silverman also attended. Today, Ken’s wife Kim called to thank LCC for the nice letter. A letter of 5/03 sent to Pat Wright from Ken’s supervisor at the post office was distributed along with an article that went out to hundreds of thousands of postal workers right before Ken died. Neighbor Barb Bender is organizing an effort to put together a gift basket from neighbors for Kim.
8. Sidewalk Safety: John and Maureen Harley emailed on 4/29 to inquire about the status of LCC’s sidewalk safety program. They have had some severe sidewalk elevation and disruption due to the roots of a large magnolia in their parking strip along 38th Street. They removed the offending tree and are seeking a contractor to have the sidewalk repaired, but wanted to check on the status of our program. Hale responded that LCC would be discussing that at tonight’s trustee meeting. She passed along her neighbor’s recommendation of Emil’s Concrete Construction in Woodinville who are doing work for Joe Brotherton.
9. Beach Club: Jim Schnitzius emailed on 4/26 inquiring about Beach Club membership information. Contact information was provided.
10. Boulevard Maintenance: Dennis King emailed on 4/22 regarding the 41st Street boulevard. He reported that the sprinklers were on and sending water across the roadbed down the gutters. Two hours later, the sprinklers were still one. Dick Barnum reported that the irrigation system covering the portion of the median in front of his house and the Center for Urban Horticulture had not been activated yet for the summer. Hale asked King exactly where the flooding was occurring and LCC is waiting for a response. Biely will follow up further with Heath Landscaping. There is a problem because no one knows where the control box is located. The wrong battery has apparently been installed and occasionally trips.
11. SR 520: Mike Mathews emailed on 4/20 to inquire whether LCC was working on SR 520 issues. Hale put Mathews in touch with Jean Amick and Joe Herrin.
12. Villa: Doug Knorr emailed on 4/10 to inquire about implementation of Villa’s master plan and the traffic rerouting that will be implemented as part of the plan. Knorr is in touch with Liz Ogden.
13. Missing Dog: On 4/17, Jean Amick emailed to report that neighbors in the vicinity of Webster Point lost an aging Corgi. All neighbors in the area were notified to be on the lookout. The poor dog has since been found dead in the owners yard.
14. Megahouse on 44th: Complaints continue about the rooming house going in on 44th behind John L. Scott. The owner has not responded to LCC’s invitation to attend a trustee meeting to brief the board.
15. Kids, Scooters and Skateboards: It was reported that middle schoolers (10-12 years old) routinely have been riding their scooters and skateboards in the street down the very steep hill on NE 41st Street in the afternoons.
16. Stoplight/Curb Bulb on Sand Point Way: Patti Pollinski emailed on 4/19 and 5/05 to report two accidents at the corner of the new pedestrian safety improvements. Pollinski forwarded a message for another neighbor in the area named Katie Hanson. Both say that the improvements are dangerous to vehicles. This is contrary to the great volume of information LCC has received through Weissman and Liz Ogden, chair of LCC’s transportation master plan. Both Weissman and Ogden have followed up with the neighbors. Ogden will pursue getting red paint to indicate no parking on the west side of Ivanhoe where it senters 50th Avenue NE. One of the complaints is that emergency vehicles cannot enter the one-way area. This is because of neighbors illegally parking in one spot. The red paint should fix this problem. The pedestrian safety improvement was designed to permit emergency vehicles to enter against the signage.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: (See announcements in the member organization packet.)
1. Thank you! Thanks to Tom Maider and Dermot Noonan for delivering this month’s
trustee agenda packets and to Don Torrie for coordinating packet distribution.
2. Absent: Sorscher and Lloyd could not be at tonight’s meeting. Sorscher is out of town on business and Lloyd is not feeling well.
3. Megahouse on NE 44th Street: LCC has asked for a written response regarding how the new “rooming house” development located at 3608 NE 44th Street complies with Code requirements governing height, lot coverage and setbacks. The Department of Planning and Development has yet to respond. LCC emailed the owner inviting him to a trustee meeting with no response.
4. Revenue-Generating Measures Under Consideration for Seattle’s Parks:
In the last city budget process, the Parks Department was reorganized to create
a new Enterprise Division to figure out ways to raise money to pay for park
activities. The city council asked to be consulted on how the new Enterprise
Division implement new revenue generating projects. On May 4, Parks
Superintendent Bounds briefed the council’s parks committee. Some of the ideas
for raising money include:
• Advertising in brochures, other publications, and facilities
• Pro-active sponsorship plan
• Membership cards
• Review parks fees and charges manual
• Rental policy review
• Analysis and Assessment of Rental Facility Utilization
• Concessionaires at athletic fields
• Reserved seating for 4th of July fireworks viewing
• Expand wedding opportunities
• Off-leash area sponsorship/fees
• Recreational vehicle hook-up sites at Magnuson for UW events
• Paint ball arcade
• Parking meters
REPORTS/ACTION:
Crime Prevention Report:
1. Playfield: Wright reported saw Office T.J. Havenor at the North
Precinct Wednesday, May 3 and thanked him for being so good about patrolling the
Laurelhurst Playfield. On May 6, David Yim reported one minor graffiti tag. With
more daylight and good weather ahead, there could be more graffiti at the
Playfield.
2. Crime Update: Diane Horswill reported that it had been a quiet month. On April 9 at 6 a.m. in the 4300 block of NE Belvoir Place, a homeowner reported a noise in the bathroom, but officers found nothing missing. On April 14 at 1 a.m. in the 4300 block of NE 45th, a neighbor thought someone was in the kitchen, but no one was found and it was thought to be the cat. On April 15 at 4:30 p.m. in the 5000 block of Mithum Place NE, there were several calls about a domestic dispute.
On April 16 at 10 p.m. in the 4300 block of 43rd Avenue NE, two teens were found in the attached garage. The owner caught one, but the culprit got away. The two teen were chased to the Playfield and the homeowner caught both, but one got away. The police used the K-9 until to track the other. Both were eventually caught and charged with burglary. Both are Roosevelt High School honor students.
3. Vehicle Thefts: Wright distributed a handout on vehicle thefts and told the group that City Attorney Tom Carr addressed these issues in the North Precinct. In 2004, there were 9,000 vehicles stole worth more than $41 million. Of these, 3500 were from the North Precinct and these vehicles were worth more than $15.8 million. In the first quarter of 2005, 1,067 vehicles have been stolen valued at $6.5 million—a 27% increase over last year. One third of auto thefts are by juveniles.
Car thefts are normally charged as felonies in Superior Court where they compete for judicial and prosecutorial attention with murders, robberies, rapes and other serious crimes. There is a current trial program in place where auto thieves in Seattle are being tried in city municipal courts instead of the county Superior Court. Carr would like to see this plan continue and the North Precinct Advisory Council has written a letter in support. Carr wants judges to know what’s going on with car thefts through education. He wants to see longer sentences. It costs $135 to book a defendant and $92 each day for a defendant to stay in jail.
4. Report from Captain Dan Oliver: At the North Precinct Advisory Council, Oliver reported that the city attorney is doing a good job. He said that the North Precinct handles over 125,000 cases a year, often 188 911 calls a day. The North Precinct now has 157 officers. At one time there were over 200. George Holzapfel reported that the main issue is acquiring new officers. The mayor’s request for 25 new officers will only help to make up for two years of cutbacks. In other news, Officer Wallace contacted 174 alleged prostitutes on Aurora, several robbers were caught, including one that held up a Wells Fargo Bank and a QFC shoplifter in Ballard, there was a shooting in the University District and a big party in Ballard.
5. Crime Prevention: At the North Precinct meeting, Diane Horswill reported that Curtis Thompson, the sex offender who lived with his mother in Hawthorne Hills, has been charged with the murder of the woman who lived near the Ronald McDonald House. Neil Hanson handed out our new public safety numbers’ sheets. Wright asked that these be put on the Laurelhurst website.
Annual Neighbors Meeting: Trustees reviewed the draft program for the annual neighbors meeting and made changes. Trustees signed up for various responsibilities at the upcoming meeting. Weissman agreed to provide cookies. Maider will arrange for two pump pots from a local coffee shop. Herrin will do the presentation on the community center expansion as the Parks Department staff are not available.
Invitation to Join the Magnuson Environmental Stewardship Alliance (MESA): MESA has invited LCC and other community organizations to become a member. The mission of MESA is to educate and involve the community in stewardship of Warren G. Magnuson Park. MESA has worked for a decade to restore Promontory Point with regular work parties. It has recently completed a trail map and walking tour of the natural area with information about the native plants. MESA is also responsible for convincing the Parks Department to allow the cliff swallows that nest at the park to remain on their annual journey to Capastrano. For years, the Parks Department has been destroying the nests and putting grease on the hangars to discourage nesting. Basic membership in MESA is $15. Other levels of membership are Basic+ $25, MESA Friend $50, MESA Sustainer $100 and MESA Founder $500. M/S/P (Zinn/Herrin): That LCC join MESA at the $100 level. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting with UW President and the Mayor: The meeting is scheduled on May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd Street. The purpose of the meeting is to work to resolve unidentified challenges and opportunities in the U-District and surrounding neighborhoods. The UW/mayor’s office are distributing a survey to assess community views as a starting point.
The University Park Community Club is boycotting the meeting. They have written to both Emmert and Nickels and those letters are included in the packets. Emmert has refused to meeting with the University Park group to discuss the need for a housing quality assurance program to address the continuing problems related to “party houses.” The UW produced a brochure encouraging students to be good neighbors. The brochure has had no impact on rowdy late-night behavior. (Emmert has also refused LCC’s invitation to speak at the annual neighbors meeting.)
In the letter to the mayor, University Park was complimentary about the city’s enactment of a noise ordinance with teeth and the initial police enforcement efforts. University Park, however, pointed out that the police are not enforcing the ordinance and do not have training to understand that warnings are no longer required. University Park also pointed out the city’s failure to enforce existing laws against illegal housing in the U District.
What issues would Laurelhurst like to bring to the table at the May 24th meeting? One continuing issue has been student and day care worker overflow parking into the Town of Yesler. Another issue is the UW’s refusal to pay its fair share of the landscape maintenance on the Mary Gates/41st Street median that abuts their property. Years ago, a neighborhood matching fund grant application indicates that the UW agreed to pay a portion of the maintenance cost.
Batting Cage at the Playfield: About 25 neighbors attended the meeting on the batting cage on April 20. Two families raised issues about the location of the batting cage at the third base side and the pinging noises. There was a discussion about the hours and rules of use and other issues. Torrie reported that to mitigate the “pings” Little League has agreed to require rubber sleeves on the aluminum bats for its users. The Parks Department will encourage the use of rubber sleeves by other users. Sleeves will be available for checkout at the community center. The batting cage will be available for use by Little League and other park users until July 15 between the hours of 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Signs will be posted stating the hours of use. Little League will re required to respond to complaints about Little League misuse of the batting cage and to inform the Parks Department. At the end of the season, the Parks Department will review the use of the batting cage and compliance with the rules in the Memorandum of Agreement.
LCC received numerous emails from neighbors supporting the batting cage at the Playfield. The email correspondence is included in the packets along with the final Memorandum of Agreement between the Parks Department and Little League. It was suggested that no batting machines be allowed in the cage, but that is not a part of the agreement. It was also suggested that the cage be removed if Little League doesn’t follow the rules. Little League has in place a policy to discipline or remove coaches that don’t follow the rules, so the suggestion was not accepted. The suggestion that use of the cage be limited to youth only was rejected because that violated park policy.
LCC’s letter to the Parks Department regarding the batting cage is included in the correspondence packet, along with a letter written by the advisory council and a letter written from Parks Superintendent Bounds to Kelly Noonan.
Community Center Expansion: An article from The Stranger’s “In Other Neighborhoods” April 14 column is included in the packets. The column mentions the efforts of nearby neighbors to address parking issues and transforming the community center into a destination spot. The mayor’s response to the neighbors is included in the correspondence packet. In his letter, Mayor Nickels indicated that the Parks Department must meet parking standards for community centers and will do so in a way as unobtrusive as possible while minimizing impacts to recreational spaces. In addressing the concerns that the expanded center would attract weddings, the mayor indicated that the community center is part of a citywide system. He commented on the significant community involvement in the process.
A Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) was issued for the project on April 7. LCC received the DNS and accompanying report on May 4, the last day to appeal the DNS. It is unclear what kind of notice the Parks Department provided and to whom regarding the DNS. Although LCC would not be interested in appealing the environmental determination, it is important that neighbors receive proper notice.
The traffic impact study indicates that there will be an additional four PM peak hour trips entering the renovated center and 11 trips exiting. Two intersections will be affected by the additional trips—NE 41st Street/43rd Avenue NE and NE 41st Street/48th Avenue NE. These intersections currently operate at Level of Service A, which means these intersections operate in the best traffic conditions with no delay. With the additional trips into and out of the center, the Level of Service will remain at the A level.
The project advisory team meets Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. The group will review exterior materials for the expansion
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.