View Ridge Community Council

Board of Trustees Meeting

February 18, 2003

 

The meeting was called to order by President Lesley Sullivan at 7:05 pm.

 

Lesley introduced Lauren Yasuda who told us about the Friend of Annie’s Playground project.  It was her daughter the project was named after.  It is located between the Meadowbrook Community Center and Nathan Hale High School.  The playground equipment there is over 20 years old, and badly needs updating.  $55,000 has already been raised and they are applying for a matching grant from Seattle Parks Department.  Volunteers are needed to help financially and physically.  A fundraiser is planned for May 17.

 

The minutes of January 21, 2003 were read and approved.

 

The treasurer’s report was given.  Since the last report was given 2 additional families have contributed $10.  We now have 300 supporters which brings our assets from dues to $3,615.00. After all bills were paid we now have a balance of $2,529.62.  Suggested donation for club dues has been raised to $10.

 

Correspondence:

  1. Lesley received a postcard from Paul Janos re our inquiry into the gas station proposal at University Village.  He said they would review our concerns and give us more information about their decision by mail.

 

  1. Lesley received a letter from Deborah Jacobs, the city librarian.  She said the Seattle Public Library parking policies are made on a case by case basis.  There are no plans to impose a parking fee at the northeast branch, nor does the library anticipate the need to charge for parking at this location in the foreseeable future.

 

  1. Lesley received a letter from Treuman Katz thanking us for the wonderful letter she sent on behalf of View Ridge Community Council.  Mr. Katz stated the development of “Children’s 70th and Sand Point Way”, was clearly the most regarding project he has worked on during this nearly 25 years at Children’s.

 

Committee Reports

Dick Hillman reported on NPAC news.  Sites for sex predator facilities need to be established.  Housing is needed for 130 offenders.  They hope to place sites in industrial areas throughout the state.

 

Old Business

Lesley read a request from the Seattle Sun Newspaper for a donation for their upcoming annual celebration.   The donation would buy us an ad in the next edition sending our congratulations for their years in business.  It was decided to send them a $20.00 donation.

 

Dangerous S Curve

 

A meeting of the committee looking into this problem for the VRCC will be held at Gordy Ruhs house on February 24 at 10:30 AM.  A report will be prepared for the trustees before meeting with the city to discuss possible solutions.

 

Legal Review of Adequacy of Magnuson Park FEIS

 

The hearing before the City’s Examiner was held on January 23-24.  Closing briefs were filed on February 7.  The Examiner has 15 days from February 7 to make her determination.

NEDC MEETING OF 2/06/03

 

Ø      Councilmember Heidi Wills was the evening’s guest speaker.  She outlined the reform progress of City Light and Council initiated oversight reforms.  They include:

1.         Recently passed legislation created a 6-member Citizens Advisory Board with expertise in business, finance energy conversation, environmental protection, energy law, utility operations and power/risk management.  Those interested in serving should send their resume to Heidi Wills, 1100 Municipal Bldg., 600 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104

            2.         Every Councilmember will serve on at least one of two utility committees;

a.       Energy and Environmental Policy --- Wills (Chair), Pageler, Compton, Conlin, Drago, Licata

b.      Water and Health --- Pageler (Chair), Wills, McIver, Nicastro, Steinbrueck

3.      $600,000 will be set aside to create a Utilities Division within the Legislative Dept. to review policies and provide independent analysis to the Council.

4.      An independent consultant will review City Light’s performance in December and offer recommendations based on national standards.  This will create a scorecard, which will be reviewed quarterly and made available for public review.

5.      The City Council will do a thorough performance review of Superintendent Gary Zarker during Feb. and March.  Public hearings will be held (2/27 and 3/04), each at 5:30 PM

 

 

City Council Resolution 30567 was passed in late January.  It affirms the civil liberties of all residents of the City of Seattle.  Notable among its provisions are:         

1.      Affirm support for the Seattle Police Intelligence Ordinance and urge any attempts to alter it to address emergent terrorism concerns to be narrow so as not to weaken the measure,

2.      Refrain from undertaking or participating in any security initiative, such as the Terrorism Information and Prevention System, that encourages members of the public to spy on their neighbors, colleagues or customers,

3.      Urge schools to notify individuals whose education records have been retained by law enforcement agents pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act and urge Public Libraries to notify users that records of the books they check out may be obtained by federal agents under the USA PATRIOT Act,

4.      Urge the Washington State Congressional Delegation to monitor federal anti-terrorism tactics and work to repeal provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act that infringe on civil rights and civil liberties. 

 

Budget Results for Neighborhoods

1.                  Large project awards from Neighborhood Matching Funds will be capped at $100K.

2.                  Several Dept of Neighborhoods positions were cut that will affect coordination between the Dept, UW, COH and public schools.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm

 Respectfully submitted,  Doris Moehring