Everett Council of Neighborhoods

Council of Neighborhoods Meeting Minutes April 27, 2015 Meeting was called to order at 4:05pm. Agenda and minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Attendance: James Grindle, Nikki Oku, Roger Hoot, Michael Trujillo, Kari Griffith, Steve Bugge, Ben Blacker, Carol Gogarty, Sandy Macham, Tom Norcott, Colleen Kain, GeorgaDee MacLeod, JT Dray, Art Olson, Jim Prissel, Victor Harris, Jo Brodersen, Laurel Hasley, Dennis Dudder, Ernie Staudt, Vanessa Randall, Teresa Schultz Excused: Liz Hawkins; Jackie Minchew, Elly Smith; George Lockeman Absent: Citizen Comments: Dean Smith – Reporting on Snohomish County train-watch results – During 7 days of watching, they saw 29 coal trains and 12 crude oil trains. This compares to last year at this time when they saw 24 coal trains and 16 crude oil trains. More coal, less oil. Results could indicate partial shutdown or anomaly in count compared to last year. Reduced flow of Bakken crude oil through city. Should recount in three months to see if trend continues. DOT 111 rail cars were observed. Refineries say they do not accept oil in these older tanker cars. In the US, there were four explosions in 2015. After the train watch this year the group held a practice evacuation of parts of the Port Gardner and Bayside neighborhoods. Recent Federal government scenarios for oil train crash and explosions in urban areas indicate hundreds of deaths and extensive property damage. There have been 4 such explosions in North America in 2015. Train Watch group had asked the Office of Emergency Management in the Everett Fire Dept to participate but they declined. Very small turn out for evacuation drill. At evacuation point, residents discussed what they should do in event of a spill. City could work with navy to use the announcement capacity at the navy and involve CERTs in training on evacuation. City recommended people get radios. No one Dean spoke with have such radios. Consider tsunami type warning systems. Consider using mini grant for practice evacuations. Comment: Dennis is expecting more trains – coal trains do go to Canada, but Dean commented that exporting oil is not legal at this time. Comment that City of Seattle is imposing insurance requirements. State legislature is considering legislation on fees for rail cars. Mayor Stephanson: Unable to attend City Council Liaison: Unable to attend City Reports: Everett Transit – Matt Coomes – He spoke regarding service change proposal for August. Comment period closes April 30. There is still time to comment on proposal. Service change this time are increase to route 7, restoring holiday service so year round, some trips are being eliminated where there are less than 7 riders per trip. Limited resources need to be allocated most effectively. Question about more parking at Everett Station. Station area rapidly filling up, there is still parking on east side of building across tracks which fills last. Service changes brochures available. Code Enforcement – Kevin Fagerstrom – Update on some significant successes Kevin reviewed updates at 3515 Hoyt – nursing home transformation quite dramatic, will benefit neighborhood. 84 apt units. Sufficient parking is included in project. 600 block of East Casino, blighted home being redeveloped and flipped. 3515 Norton is being redone, contractor restoring home. 112th and 1st SE – Code is seeing a big improvement on a blighted property with an auto hoarder who was operating a wrecking yard over several years. Landlord evicted from property, now cleared, constructing new houses. 3900 block of Rucker, burned out houses, torn down, marketing as development site. 37th & Colby, new tenants moving in, flipping houses and improving as he goes. Broadway Casino on Everett Ave, owner obtained permits, the repairs are completed, facility restored. Foreclosures are past peak of wave, down to hundreds. Vacant and abandoned houses and squatting still occurs. Any info on school district property? Would need to be re-zoned, no offers on table right now, could end up being a SF. Andrea commented that the YMCA is interested and has made an offer. 1101 E Marine View Dr – in foreclosure now, early July before action with bank will occur. House will probably be demolished for new construction. Lombard/Pacific – four houses, warning letter issued to apply for demolition permits. Owners have taken no action so far. Considering restoration, but city not willing to tolerate current conditions, will file suit if necessary to demolish if owners don’t respond. What is timeline to restore? Owners would have to apply for permits, with plans reviewed and approved, 180 days to start construction. 23rd “Styrofoam house” in Riverside – under construction by owner now, and owner is asking for inspections, so permit gets extended. Very slow progress. Complaints prompt staff inspection to assess property and hearing examiner orders action. Valley View question about property on slopes –Kevin responded that they are tagged but can be entered during the daytime only, but not overnight. Status of graffiti in city is on the rise and a lot is gang related especially in south end. Started up again about 8-9 months ago. Kevin suggested use of graffiti hotline to report graffiti. 257 –URIT Single Family residents can get assistance for clean up by paid contractor. Can call code or hotline to get assistance. 3430 Broadway across from Pacific – a home needs attention. Kevin will inspect. Everett Public Library - Kate Larsen, assistant director. Kate presented an idea under consideration at library involving Friends of Library. It is a 501©3 that fundraises for library. Kate is thinking about hosting a series of community conversations in October – to capitalize on civic engagement, designed to open community conversations about issues in Everett. She is considering session on homelessness, drugs, positive development in Everett, considering candidate debate. Six candidates for city council election. Interest in panel of neighborhood leaders, or conversation about bridging gap between north and south Everett. Tom – described candidate night opportunity for collaboration. Victor – interested in new subjects, not ignoring old ones, time to go forward. Theresa – concerned about crime on W Casino Road and would like to see city step up to work on that area. Community Reports: None Teamwork: Diversity Board partnership ideas – As part of their 2 year plan, the Diversity board wants to partner with neighborhoods to link schools and neighborhoods to promote greater inclusion and participation by diverse communities. Suggestion from Teresa to hold cultural celebration event with multiple cultures represented, maybe have food and dances. One area that might be common concern is safety – families need to know that school safety procedures are being put in place. Wendy reviewed the proposed schools and partner neighborhoods. Colleen clarified whether neighborhoods with schools that weren’t on the pilot list could still move forward. Wendy indicated this is up to each neighborhood if they have interest and volunteers to do so. Nominations – Steve Bugge and Colleen Kain worked on finding candidates. Candidates who have expressed interest at this time are as follows: Chair – Andrea Tucker Vice Chair – Dennis Dudder Secretary – Victor Harris – Victor withdrew his name due to conflicts with another board he serves on. Monte Cristo Nominations for 2015 are due June 1. Suggestion was made that each council rep find and nominate at least two homes for nominations. Neighborhood Reports: Bayside – no meeting, May Port of Everett Boulevard Bluffs – no meeting, no report Cascade View – 7 in attendance, new patrol Sgt Matt Mekelburg stayed for whole meeting. WashDOT toll lanes was topic of meeting. Bruskrud Road park draft park plan – meeting with neighbors. 5 attended meeting. Walking trails will be in park. Wetland area in site. Good presentation by parks dept. Delta – police report, Ryan Sass gave presentation on Broadway Bridge, time lapse photography. Wiggums Hollow Park has homeless dispersed from underpass Evergreen – no meeting, no report Glacier View – 19 attended, Code Enforcement and Allen Giffen, spoke about school district property. There was no police report. Harborview-Seahurst-Glenhaven – had annual egg parade and scramble, about 100 people attended. Successful event. Preparing for May 19 mtg and Birds Unlimited is guest speaker. Annual Yard sale on May 16. Northwest – 60 people attended. Guest speakers included WSU Dean Paul Pitre and Chancellor Bob Drewel – talking about new WSU college campus plans for development. Pinehurst – had 14 in attendance. No police report. Speaker about Green Recycle-Ecycle program. Held a trail clean up on Saturday – 20 people attended got a lot done. Coordinated with Boys and Girls Club. Free pizza and tacos donated by new restaurant for meeting. Port Gardner – had 14 people and police report by Eddie Golden. Chris Adams and Sylvia Anderson guest speakers who talked about the Community Streets Initiative. Riverside – 20 attended, police report from Sgt. Braley. Deb Loughrey-Johnson gave presentation about Everett Senior Center. Riverside will be delivering door hangers on crime. Looking for newsletter editor volunteer. South Forest Park – has 8 in attendance. Had beat officer report. Marla Carter - City of Everett recycling program presentation. Rubatino combines paper bin now, does own sorting. Carwash kits available from Public Works. Recycling containers available from Public Works. Valley View-Sylvan Crest-Larimer Ridge – 15 people. Have gotten re-organized and are meeting again. Held nice meeting in April, planning staff gave rundown on development on Broadway, fee simple units, 82 units. Planning for Yard Sale 2nd Saturday in July. Meetings are held on 3rd Tuesday. The group will meet in May. View Ridge – 7 attended, no police for 2nd month. No guest speaker. New comprehensive plan. April 4 Easter Egg Hunt - 3,000 eggs, 500 people. Was in Herald so lots of non-neighbor visitors. Announcements:  City of Everett Historical Commission has Brown Awards ceremony this Sat – 10am – 11:15am at Weyerhaeuser room, Transit Center. Two types of awards for historic preservation  JT attended the Delta neighborhood meeting – discussed idea of north sector meeting with north end neighborhoods. Delta and NW neighborhoods are also site for new college and may have meetings together with college. Another option is NNO at 4 corners – Delta says it is acceptable idea. NW also discussed idea. Idea of adding in cultural element would work.  Emergency Management is setting up meetings to help with July 4 parade. Volunteers are needed. CERT will help with parade marshalling again. Dave DeHaan is lead. Top 5 Items to report:  Train Watch results – Bakken oil and coal flowing through Everett  July 4 CERT parade volunteers needed – Call Sean Kelly at Emergency Management 257-7979  July 4 Neighborhoods booth volunteers needed – Call Alexa Ramos 257- 7195  Social Practical June 1 at library – all about social media for neighborhoods  Partnership with Diversity Board on outreach between schools and residents for inclusive neighborhoods Meeting adjourned at 6:25pm. Next meeting on Minutes prepared by Wendy McClure