SOUTH ROSE HILL/BRIDLE TRAILS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

General Meeting - Tuesday, January 13, 2004

 

President Bruce Feuling called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Bruce introduced the SRHBTNA Officers.  He also introduced members of the City Council in attendance:  newly-elected Mayor Mary-Alyce Burleigh, newly-elected Councilmember Jessica Greenway, and Councilmember Jim Lauinger.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ROSE HILL ELEMENTARY MODERNIZATION – A community meeting is planned for Thursday, January 15th, at 7:30 p.m. in the RHE library.

 

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Dana and Rhoda for, once again, bringing the refreshments to our meeting, and to the new Starbucks on 85th Street for donating the coffee.

 

HOUGHTON TRANSFER STATION - Provisos vetoed by Ron Sims were not overridden.  This means more hard work to do.  The King County Solid Waste Plan is due in February.  The City of Kirkland is putting together a Solid Waste Task Force which will include City Councilmembers, neighbors, etc., and will be adopting a position on the Houghton Transfer Station.

 

Bruce asked if the EMAILS TO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION are helpful.  Anyone not receiving N.A. emails should be sure to add their email address to the roster.

 

SRHBTNA ELECTIONS will be held in May.  Officers are elected every year, and directors serve two-year terms.  Bruce encouraged everyone to step forward and run for office.

 

REPORTS

 

KIRKLAND BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Bruce reported that the City of Kirkland has vacancies occurring on its Design Review Board, Library Board, Park Board, Planning Commission and Transportation Commission, and encouraged interested residents of SRHBT to apply, as this is where you can really make a difference.  Completed applications must be received by the Deputy City Clerk prior to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2004.  For applications or information, contact Kathi Anderson, Deputy City Clerk, 425/828-1109, or on the City’s website at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us. The Houghton Community Council members will be elected in the fall.

 

JESSICA GREENWAY, PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENTATION

Jessica served on the Park board for nine years, the N.A. Board for three years, and spent two years on the Planning Commission, and encouraged all to apply for boards and commissions.  Citizen boards are set up to get input from citizens.  Jessica stated it is very rewarding.  You learn so much, it helps in all aspects of your life, including how to work with groups, how to advocate, how to loose, etc.  The Planning Commission currently has two open positions.  Positions are usually four years.  The entire City Council and chair of the Commission does the interviews.  Council makes the appointments.  If appointed, at the end of the term, you can reapply, but you can only serve two four-year terms.  The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  Members get their packet on the Friday before the meeting and it does take a bit of reading.  Commitment averages 25 – 35 hours a month.  Jessica emphasized that everybody is qualified; you learn as you go.  It is important to have a reputation as always being prepared and attending meetings.  Make sure you can make the time commitment – but everyone can do this (even the technical stuff is fascinating).  You advise the City Council on important issues, make recommendations to the Council, and are doing a lot of work for the Council.  The Commission studies issues in-depth.  If you decide to apply, you may or may not get interviewed, but don’t give up.  Keep trying.  Different perspectives create interesting meetings.  If you would like more information, call Jessica at work or home, or contact her at Jessica@JessicaGreenway.com.

 

NORM STORME, TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION PRESENTATION

Norm serves as Chair of the Kirkland Transportation Commission.  It is a seven-person commission with a student member who is a voting member.  The Transportation Commission was set up as a trial in 2000 to see if it would be productive.  They meet from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesdays on the month.  The charter ordinance states the Commission assists the Council in evaluating transportation issues which may affect the City, with staff assistance, and gives recommendations back to the Council.  It has worked well.  The Commission has taken on interesting discussions including level of service, crosswalks, Segways, etc.  They set their own work plan.  At a work session, they review next year’s work plan.  Next year’s work plan includes pedestrian education and pedestrian safety, and the Commission will be reviewing preliminary transportation designs for a 124 & 124th roundabout.  They work with Public Works and Council, and have meetings with the Planning Commission because they need to work closely together.  Minutes and agendas are posted on the City’s website.  There are currently two positions which are open to anyone interested in transportation issues.  Consideration is given to applicants who have expertise in transportation related issues, such as a background in transportation management, engineering, or land use planning.

 

DAN TURNER, HOUGHTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION

Dan has been the Houghton Council, on and off, for 15 years overall.  The boundary of Houghton includes part of our neighborhood, and runs from Lake Washington to 124th, to Bellevue (except Bridlewood Circle), and to N.E. 68/70.  The Houghton Community Council is not a Board or Commission.  As part of annexation, the Houghton Council reserved the right to have veto authority over the City Council on certain land use issues.  The Houghton Council is reconfirmed every four years and every position on the Houghton Council is voted in.  They see a lot of land use issues, zoning code items, Comprehensive Plan issues, and review Process 2B and up.  They review development proposals, hold hearings, and then they make recommendations.  Only a few times was a veto required.  It is a lot of fun, a lot of work, but it is very important to study up on materials (you can tell.)  It is very rewarding and you meet lots of nice people, even though you are not always on the same side.  It is an incredible learning experience.  Every four years, all members and the Council itself are voted upon in accordance with State law.  (There are only two community councils in entire state; Bellevue has done away with councils.)  Applicants have to live within the borders to apply.  Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every month, at 7:00 p.m. in the Kirkland City Council chambers, and they frequently have joint meetings with hearing examiners.  Elections will be this fall. 

 

PAUL DUFFY, DESIGN REVIEW BOARD PRESENTATION

The Design Review Board meets on the third Thursday of the month.  They look at master plans for large things like the hospital, and at small things like renovations on buildings.  They look at types of things such as pedestrian orientation, sidewalks, building materials, color, etc.  Design Review doesn’t deal with building height, but rather building modulation horizontally and vertically.  The Design Review Board hopes to get things to fit well.  The Design Review Board gives guidance and direction so the applicants can go forward.  Triggers include one of three pedestrian-oriented business districts zones.  Size also triggers what comes to design review, including public visual corridors, significant sidewalk crossings, gateways into a community, etc.  The agenda is set by the Planning Commission.  Questions involving the 85th Street Corridor will involve design review but only for new construction.  There is currently one Board opening.  A background and expertise in design is considered for appointment to the Design Review Board. 

 

KAREN WESTERLUND, LIBRARY BOARD PRESENTATION

Karen Westerlund is chair of the Kirkland Library Board.  The Library Board is a five-member Board.  The chair and the managing librarian sit in on the selection process.  Members are appointed for a term of four years, with a maximum of three terms.  The Board meets every second Tuesday of the month in even months, at 4:00 p.m. at the library.  There is one vacancy (Imeria Schuler, from our own neighborhood, moved to Gig Harbor).  Prior to the bond election ten years ago, the library was controlled by City of Kirkland.  Then the King County Library took over the library.  Library policies are set by the KCLS.  The Board functions as a liaison with KCLS, the City of Kirkland, and the community.  Current discussion topics include changes to internet policies, screens, and items where opinions are diverse and can sometimes create heated meetings.  The mission is to support the Kirkland Library within King County system.  They also support Friends of the Library fundraisers and a huge number of volunteers who work at the library.  There are over fifty libraries in the King County System which is one of the most heavily used systems in the Country.   

 

COLLEEN CULLEN, PARK BOARD PRESENTATION

Colleen discussed the importance of having bright and principled citizens on the Boards and Commissions.  Colleen said Board members make big contributions.  The Park Board has the pleasure of working with the Department of Parks and Community Services.  Members are appointed by Council.  The main focus of work is to advise Council on parks and areas zoned as parks.  The Park Board meets every third Wednesday of month, except in August.  Meetings dates are adjusted if they fall during school holiday periods.  It is a seven-member Board which also has a Youth Council member.  Board members end up doing a lot of committee work.  Hours of involvement per month on the Park Board varies.  Colleen reported it is an extremely rewarding experience; the quality of people on the Board is incredibly high. Members share a deep commitment to community and open space resources in this community, and making the most of the precious commodity of open space in Kirkland.  Colleen passed out a new 2002 map of park facilities and acquisitions, and gave an update on South Rose Hill property acquisition on 124th south of Safeway.  Four of the six properties have been acquired.  Once all the properties are contiguous, the park will go through master planning process.  Currently the ballfields at Rose Hill Elementary and Ben Franklin Elementary are slated for fields by the Park Bond.  Permitting for the Ben Franklin construction will be in 2004, to be done in time for the fall 2005 school year, with the following year for turf to be established.  The process for Rose Hill Elementary is the same, but is one year behind Ben Franklin.  The future park adjacent to Ben Franklin School won’t become the park until the school is finished in 2006.  Money is coming out of the park bond; an investment account pays for improvements.  The City will schedule and maintain fields.  Michael Cogle's business cards were passed out in case there were questions.

 

COMMITTEE UPDATES                                                                             

 

85th Street Update - Design standards may be established the middle of this year and the Comprehensive Plan work would be done.

 

KAN Report - Tomorrow there will be a meeting to discuss neighborhood-business relationships.  All are invited to attend.

 

Treasurer’s Report - We are still waiting for the Grant money.

 

Houghton Transfer Station – Ray Schlientz, member of SWAC, the County's Solid Waste Advisory Committee, reported that the provisos by Jane Hague involving the Transfer Station were vetoed by Ron Sims at last minute.  Ray thanked the N.A. members for sending emails.  Jane’s office was encouraged.  Jane forced the Council to talk about the Houghton transfer station for a whole hour and made significant points.  However, they did not get enough votes for override.  The N.A. will send a letter acknowledging our appreciation to Jane Hague for all her efforts on our behalf.  The veto means $1.8 of capital funding is available to the Solid Waste Division.  They will go ahead and develop a master plan for the transfer facility and put in an application to City Hall for seismic retrofitting (which will upgrade Houghton to handle more tonnage than is handled right now).  

 

Neighborhood Association Picnic - We are going to have a picnic and we are looking for people to help with planning the picnic.  Logistics have not yet been worked out.  Volunteers are encouraged to contact Bruce.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Deirdre DeWan Johnson

Secretary