Everett Council of Neighborhoods

Council of Neighborhoods Meeting Minutes Sept 22, 2014 Meeting was called to order at 4:05pm. Agenda and minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Attendance: Nikki Oku, Roger Hoot, Michael Trujillo, Steve Bugge, Ben Blacker, Tom Norcott, Colleen Kain, Elly Smith, GeorgaDee MacLeod, JT Dray, Art Olson, Jim Prissel, Andrea Tucker, Dennis Dudder, Teresa Schultz Staff: Matt Coomes, Pat McClain, Wendy McClure, Deborah Wright, Brooklyn Holton Monte Cristo: Brooklyn Holton announced work party tasks that can be done by volunteers either at home or in office and showed members the invitations and labeling work that can be taken home. Citizen Comments: none Mayor Stephanson: Construction is well underway for the new Farmers Market building, which will house a year round farmers market to encourage a sustainable food supply. The new Hampton Inn is booked solid. Construction scheduled to start in October for the new Marriott hotel at Wall and Colby. This is the final week of staff parking there. Broadway Bridge contract is set to go to the City Council this week on Wednesday. Regarding the Bond Street closure, BNSF did this without notice to city. The city is now in negotiations with BNSF to find resolution, hoping to report a positive outcome soon. City staff are considering all other options. The Community Streets Initiative process is very positive so far. Mayor is looking forward to hearing the task force report in November. The 2015 budget process is underway; all expenses are under review, such as jail costs. We see a revolving door for some in jail, and for folks with mental health issues. Fire Dept study proposal is going to city council this week, with a contract to be approved soon. City will start with Fire Dept in special study to more effectively deploy resources. Other departments may also be reviewed and analyzed. Comment from Victor Harris about Broadway Bridge repair. Mayor responded that fire trucks and para-medics are restricted from using the bridge. But the restrictions don’t need to remove traffic completely at this time. Once construction starts there will have to be a detour around site later on. Buses are off the bridge already. CT is now re-routed. Michael asked about Bond Street closure with railroad. Mayor responded that the railroad contacted the city in June about closing Bond Street pedestrian crossing. City refused to close the access. Subsequently, BNSF closed it arbitrarily instead of finding solutions. Mayor’s negotiations with BNSF will stress that city and railroad are dependent on each other, that acting on their own is not how partners should behave. The two entities need each other. Mayor is prepared to send a resolution stating objections but trying diplomacy first. Andrea Tucker commented about berm proposed at end of Hewitt, she is hoping not to trade one for the other. City can place conditions on SEPA permit that will have to be issued for the berm. BNSF closed to truck traffic. The railroad bridge is deteriorated and BNSF wants to place bridge there, which will go through city council process. South of Bond street, an area of slope stabilization requires use of city Right of Way to solve that situation so BNSF needs city cooperation. Mayor is hoping to have partners who are willing to negotiate in good faith. City interested in supporting improvements to Bond Street pedestrian crossing. Teresa – people are moving because residents can no longer afford Everett. Taxes driving people out. Mayor responded that rental may be a more and more attractive way to start or end career as far as housing and that residential development occurring downtown may appeal to young couples as well as retiring couples. Its important to have good mix of housing types and to encourage mixed development. Tricky question with economy downturn, and we don’t want to drive anyone out. City Council Liaison Scott Bader: City Council agenda is focusing more and more on budget balancing. Two Saturdays ago, city held a dedication of old city hall to honor Bill Moore, who had great impact on city as mayor. He had positive impact in bringing navy base here. Oct 1st city council agenda will include presentation on recreational marijuana ordinance. Oct 22 at the day time meeting there will be a briefing from city attorney’s office on open public meetings. This may apply even more to city boards. Question on tax increase sunset plan for down the road. Councilmember Bader responded that he will be monitoring options for sun-setting or cost cutting measures. The next few years, the trend line isn’t good for the economy. When the economy changes, then maybe the city will be able to sunset the taxes. Michael asked question about marijuana sales locations, approvals, etc. Councilmember Bader responded that the state had a process for allocating licenses per jurisdiction. Everett will be allowed to have 5 licenses. One is on north Broadway, the rest scattered about city, distant from other uses and each other. Process continues to evolve. City Reports: John Petersen – Parks Dept Update – Bruskrud Road – passive open space opportunity in south Everett with a 15 acre property acquired in 2008. Southernmost area will be replacement for Fire Dept site at Silver Lake. Public process will take place next month with area residents to gather input. Outreach will be around 106th to 110th street, and a presentation is planned at Cascade/Twin Creeks in October. No parking is to be provided as this will be a neighborhood park and the neighborhood access will be by foot. Mike Gunn – Everett School District – Mike introduced himself and is the executive director of facilities and operations. He has an update for the process related to property owned by district. The district held a community open house series and developed a property use matrix with community input. Now the district is looking to get community input on use of properties. Changes to matrix are housekeeping matters. The District leadership has moved into the new community resource center which is now completed. The move and facility changes will be updated on matrix. The district staff also moved out of Longfellow Building and Annex north of Memorial Stadium in addition to vacating the Educational Service Center which was the old central office on Colby, south of 41st street. District staff met with community to announce the process. Mike described how to find info on school district web site. An online community survey about those two properties is posted. Go to survey to turn in ideas between now until Oct 10. The district will collect info and plans two more meetings in early Nov to share results of survey and get more info about the buildings, to validate what was heard. The District will prepare board meeting recommendations to present on Dec 9th. At that school board meeting, the board will make a decision about changes to matrix and narrowing choices for Colby and Longfellow properties. Process calls for implementing decision over next several months. Tom Norcott asked about ownership of land. Properties are owned by school district. Andrea asked about how people know about survey. Mike indicated the district has 10,000 subscribers, and they are posting in The Herald, and have a contact list of people interested in property disposition. She made the suggestion to get it out on Facebook, social media. Mike indicated other communications staff at the district are making efforts to use lots of approaches. Tom asked if the new community center is available for community use. Mike responded that there is no charge for neighborhoods. But schedule is really tight. Andrea asked how much land is available? Mike responded that 8.04 acres at 47th & Colby site. Michael asked about community meetings to meet with superintendent. Those are occurring. Dave Koenig – Planning Dept – Dave announced that Port of Everett has made application to the city to redo the Port Marina project – a new application called Waterfront Center has been submitted, and port is asking for input on environmental review. The port wishes to make use of a prior contract between city and port, a planned development overlay – so contract will be altered to reflect planned changes, if approved by city council. Port is providing details now. There will be an open house and presentation on Sept 30th, set that date so neighborhood groups will not have conflicts – the open house is to be held at port offices to take public comment. Dave encouraged participation. Dave also reported that the Planning dept has developed alternatives to respond to PSRC projections for city growth, of 165,000 pop. over next 30 years. City of Everett has not had sustained growth over last 30 years, and the projection is not matching trend of recent past. Staff are working to show how it could happen with different factors - input from citizens is shaping how project will go forward. Deborah Wright – Neighborhoods and Community Services – Deborah commented that there is a lot going on. She hopes that people are following the issues and process of the Community Streets Initiative. The process has included self-education by committee members about perspectives and data of service providers, churches, police, jail, housing, etc. Members are sharing points of view and going on tours of services. There are 4 remaining meetings. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. She described how to gf to city website to get information and watch video. Comment forms on line so please comment. Wendy McClure will describe social practical later in the meeting, but it will be a good opportunity to get an overview of the Streets Initiative and issues. Wendy Grove – Everett Recovery Café – this non-profit is opening this fall, near downtown Everett. She is working to secure space near downtown. Wendy likes the idea of the Council of Neighborhoods, and related it to the intentional practice of building community. The café serves to invite folks in who are facing homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, need services after jail, etc to fill gap to get on their feet and have a safe place. Café setting is free but people need to have been drug and alcohol free for 24hours. Also need to attend peer support group facilitated by staff and volunteers as part of participating in the cafe. In the groups, they give and receive feedback about goals in their lives. Participants also help with tasks, such as lunch, classes, food prep. Goal is to create community, provide referrals to treatment and resources. Recovery happens in community, not in isolation. Wendy announced a fundraising breakfast in October, with an opening of the café after that. The group is relying on public donations and grant writing to get the café started. The café is a day support center – Andrea commented on jail release with folks getting out at midnight. Wendy described an issue with church and handicapped access as potential problem with that location. She is looking for other options. Based on a successful model in Seattle, Seattle Recovery Café, affiliated with Seattle but the Everett Café is separate. Ellie commented on value of volunteering at the café, important to have feeding programs but important to have participation. George – reminded folks of the public fundraising breakfast – Oct 16, See info at EverettRecoveryCafé.org Question about hours and amenities – the initial hours will be open from 12 -4 serving lunch, open for meetings before hand for peer support group, walking club, and activities. Member volunteers want to come in early to help out, get off the street but for now the center will open later in the day. Nursing clinic will be offered. Staff and volunteers at the café will work with people to connect them to resources. Teamwork Reports: Monte Cristo Update – Wendy reported that the project is moving forward with support from committee members who have succeeded in bringing in donations to offset city dollars. Brooklyn will be helping coordinate tasks and day of event efforts. Next Social Practical is focused on Community Streets Initiative. Deputy City Attorney David Hall will give a presentation on the initiative and all that has been learned, and next steps. He will also take questions. Comment forms will be available at the meeting. Viola Ousler park – Council members discussed possible work party for park clean up. It looks better but still needs a clean-up, it has been mowed but is not tidy. Michael reminded folks about volunteering as members of Council of Neighborhoods. There will be a possible work party Oct 25, 26. Vintage Apts residents might be good contacts. Laurel and Andrea will plan to visit the management office and bring Monte Cristo invitations for residents. Announcements: James Grindle - was introduced from Bayside and he will be replacing Nikki Oku for next 6 months. Women’s Wellness Center has moved from Rockefeller Ave to a location across from Hampton Inn. Neighborhood Reports: Bayside – Held meeting, police report provided. Wendy was guest speaker and helped with Bayside vision and planning effort. Boulevard Bluffs – Had a meeting in July and Roger is hoping to attract participation, although that has been very difficult. Cascade View/Twin Creeks - 7 attended. Lori Tobin, 257-7724, public education specialist, Public Works, spoke about water sources for city of Everett, Source to Sound and provided a great presentation. They had police report. Lori brought lots of giveaways, such as shower heads. At NNO in August, the neighborhood partnered with Westmont/Holly, with over 90 people signed in. Library staff did great crafts for kids once again and there were face painters, a magician, and the popular book walk where they gave away books donated by Half Price Books. Mayor Stephanson, some city council members and Chief Templeman attended the NNO event. Delta – Had 16 people and Sgt. Jack Jessup spoke. Delta had previously had Jeff Nevin speak about graffiti and also had a visit by Kevin Fagerstrom from Code Enforcement, focused on graffiti, gang graffiti. Delta leaders are considering contacting owner of recreational marijuana business about how they will be a neighbor. Evergreen – No meeting in September, October TBD. NNO at Madison Morgan Park was popular with 30-40 at the event. Folks enjoyed meeting and talking at ice cream social style event. Firefighters came by. Glacier View - no police report. Discussed school district property and how to get more people involved in neighborhood. School district issue will be a key item. NNO event included a car show with 15 vehicles. Senator John McCoy attended. Police Chief Templeman and Mayor Stephanson attended. For food they had a hot dog vendor and ice cream. Harborview Seahurst Glenhaven – Neighborhood had a great NNO picnic. Nest meeting is in October, may have a couple candidates at meeting. He is following activities at CEMEX - keeping community informed. Tom also commented on strategies about parks. Forterra has been consulting with city to beautify parks. Another option is finding steward of park. Ask people to be involved. He also suggested going to apt complexes to their meetings, to get them on steering committees. NNO had about 125 people, Mayor visited as well as Police chief, fire dept, and there was a great turn out. Games for kids, prizes, coin hunt were popular. Lowell – Had an officer report including an update on gang issue around Mariner. Had a quorum and held a re-vote electing new officers. Gail discussed her historic book. Lowell is all about history, not in the present yet. Northwest – 39 in attendance. Shelley Weyer chaired. Sgt. Jessup gave police report. They heard from two candidates for office - Judy Tuohy and Rich Anderson. Pinehurst – The held a successful NNO event in August, serving hot dogs and ice cream. The Fire Dept brought the Smokehouse, an Aid Car and also several police officers attended. Next meeting tomorrow, with Mayor as guest. Lots going on with emergency cache preparations and some crime incidents. Port Gardner – Three NNO events took place in Port Gardner, at Rucker Hill with a potluck and a DJ at Kiwanis Park and lots of food. Residents at the preserve also held a party. About 60 people attended the Kiwanis Park NNO. Neighbors held a rally in September at Bond Street about the trail access closure instead of the regular meeting, with 35-40 people. BNSF did not attend but sent a police/security officer. Bob Jackson made presentation about park use and trail. Oct 13th is next meeting which will be at Hampton Inn and Suites, with Mayor as guest speaker. Riverside – Sept 9 meeting had 24 in attendance, but no police report. Explanation of SMART 911 was given. Garfield Park clean up was successful, and picnic shelters were cleaned up by Denny Youth Center. CDBG will be used to replace picnic structures. Committee members are leaning toward replacing in same style with shelters that cover the table. A reminder was passed out at Riverside meeting on House of Excellence, to seek more nominations. Pocket park at Everett Ave and East Grand has had sign replaced and more will need to be done for Grand Ave water project. Halloween and Winter decorations themes were discussed. Three little free libraries are doing well. Several old houses have been torn down and replaced with new structures. Silver Lake – No report. South Forest Park – Discussed 911, no officer report. The community garden is doing really well and is productive. Community gardeners have donated over 700 pounds of fresh produce to the food bank. Valley View – No meeting, no report. View Ridge-Madison – Mayor visited the group and there was an officer report. Over 20 neighbors attended, discussed concerns and how city can help address concerns with CEMEX issues. Then residents held a meeting with CEMEX, and planning staff and Wendy. CEMEX is moving forward on some items to resolve concerns about noise. Construction materials stored on site for first and second building at Boeing have led ton noise from loading and unloading steel beams. Noise variance was previously granted to allow all night long. CEMEX plans on moving the Boeing steel yard work into the interior of their property to reduce noise. View Ridge had a yard sale at end of August which was a neighborhood yard sale. Top 5 Items to report: Marriott Hotel starting construction in October, there will be impacts to parking Fire Dept Study – consultants to evaluate October 1st Marijuana store locations applications coming up for recreational marijuana School District Open House Nov 5, 6 and Dec 9 school board meeting on property disposition Port Project development – Open house on Waterfront Center to be held Sept 30 at Port offices at waterfront Meeting adjourned at 6:05pm. Next meeting on Oct 27, 2014 Minutes prepared by Wendy McClure