Everett Council of Neighborhoods

Council of Neighborhoods Meeting Minutes March 28, 2016 The meeting was called to order at 4pm. Agenda and minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Attendance: Carol Johnson, Roger Hoot, Michael Trujillo, Kari Griffith, Steve Bugge, Carol Gogarty, Kari Griffith,Tom Norcott, Colleen Kain, Jackie Minchew, GeorgaDee MacLeod, JT Dray, James Prissel, Gary James, Andrea Tucker, Victor Harris, Mary Alexander, Dennis Dudder, Jim Greico, Ethel McNeal, George Lockeman, Teresa Schultz Excused: Elly Smith, Shelley Weyer, Art Olson, Karen McAllister, Vanessa Randall Citizen Comments:  Tammy Caldwell: Has been attending Port Gardner NH meetings, wanting to move to Everett. She wanted to encourage the council and thank them for their service. Asks that they welcome newcomers at their meetings.  Jackie Minchew from Lowell wanted to let the council know that in May there is a global effort to impress upon fuel companies to leave coal and oil in the ground. Left cards for those interested to fill out if they want to get involved. Mayor Stephanson: Mayor was unable to attend due to a schedule conflict City Council Liaison: Council President Scott Murphy  Announced that the Council has updated their expense procedures after 17 years since last change and feels good about their new format.  Murphy has a goal of making it to all neighborhood meetings and recently attended the Delta and Northwest meetings.  Murphy was asked about the annual audit (Washington State Auditors) and stated that they will in Everett next month.  Asked about progress from the retreat on environmental and transit issues. Murphy reported that the Council has contracted a company to address environmental issues. Regarding Transit, he will express to the Council the request for them to ask for citizen input before they make changes.  One rep expressed disappointment on maintenance for prime areas, i.e. burned out street lamps in front of Xfinity and other key locations. Murphy will bring it up with Public Works.  City and Community Reports: 1. Everett Emergency Management Director Brent Stainer o Brett Stainer introduced himself and discussed the value of CERT and other programs that help citizens prepare for disaster. He announced that they will continue to have informational meetings in the community. Several praised the efforts of his department and commented that Lynn Sterbenz has been very helpful and visible. 2. Everett School District representative, City Council Member Jeff Moore o Moore noted that there were many public outreach meetings to make sure that they got everyone’s input before putting together the bond and replacement levy that will be on the ballot on April 26th. Information was presented regarding the differences between a levy and a bond. A Levy is a shorter term loan while a Bond is longer term and used for construction or land purchase. o The School District is asking for a Levy for infrastructure upgrades (safety, technology) and bond to accommodate the anticipated growth…a new elementary school #18 and purchasing land for a 19th elementary school. o One Council rep requested that the School District use local contractors for these improvements whenever possible, as well as women owned and minority owned businesses. o Moore was asked what is happening with Longfellow school. He replied that there is an rfp to see if someone can evaluate the building and make it usable again, ready for sale. Not cost effective for the school district to renovate and currently does not have any parking. o One Council Member asked what will happen if the bond and levy are not passed. He replied that the School District would need to take in more staff for maintenance. o To get more information or to get involved go to imvotingyes.com 3. Discussion regarding how the neighborhood associations can get a better connection with the schools and students o Dr. Joyce Stewart mentioned that neighborhood groups can assist by helping them out with the school libraries in the summer. The goal is to keep kids reading during the summer. They need volunteers to help check out books or read to kids. She mentioned that the program is based on incentives-- $25 gift cards are given out and citizens can donate. They also partner with the Everett Herald to feature the winners in the newspaper. Stewart offered to be the liaison for neighborhoods and those interested should get in touch with her for more information. Stewart stated that she will work with the Office of Neighborhoods to get student volunteers to come and report what their school is going at the relevant Neighborhood Association meeting. She mentioned that the council meetings are a great way to stay in touch with the community and that she would be happy to come every 2 months.  o She stated that it is also important to form a good relationship with the principal by meeting regularly starting in the summer. o One Council Member stated that connecting with schools is also a goal of the Diversity Advisory Board. It’s important to figure out the role of the diversity board versus the neighborhood associations for this relationship. o One rep stated that they hold their meetings at a school but have never had the principal or school staff in attendance, which they should consider. 4. Everett Public Library – Events update o Eileen Simmons, library director, announced that best-selling author Mary Roach will be speaking at the next "Ways to Read" Event on April 9th at 7:30 p.m. at the Everett Performing Arts Center. o Simmons was asked whether or not The Everett Public Library has a reciprocal relationship with other libraries and provides free passes to local museums like the Seattle program. She answered yes, this does not include the museum passes but will be looking into Everett Children’s Museum. Teamwork: 1. School partnerships/Diversity Outreach: o Neighborhood Council Members continued the discussion started earlier and expressed the importance of supporting kids and schools as part of their duty. Several have reached out in the past but have not had success getting the attention of their local school staff for neighborhood meetings. One member mentioned that there is a watch dog program at a couple of schools that seems to be effective, perhaps council members could participate. o The point was made that Council Members need to reach out to those less represented and encourage diversity of involvement. The hope is that once someone gets involved they will get more involved with the city and possibly move on to be part of the city’s boards, commissions and council. o Teresa Schultz asked Dr. Stewart why the 4th of July parade does not feature any of the Everett School bands. Dr. Steward said she was not aware of the reasoning but invited Teresa the representative and work with her to get local bands for the next parade. o A suggestion was made to talk to schools about getting students credit for volunteer hours by attending a neighborhood event. 2. Nominations Committee – CON officers Chair Andrea Tucker explained responsibilities of the different open positions. Several asked if they could have Wendy send out the bylaws that discuss responsibilities in more detail.  Current nominations include: o Roger Hoot, Vice Chair o Victor Harris for Chair o Still need nominations for Secretary o Need to check the bylaws to see if the alternates would qualify o Officers asked that the Council Members make more nominations. Next month nominees will put out their bios and voting will happen in May. 3. Monte Cristo Committee Chair Tucker expressed the need to form a committee to work on the Monte Cristo awards for all tasks including nomination committee, awards night in October, etc. A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteers. There is also the need for all Council Members to submit nominations for homes in their neighborhood. It was suggested that they distribute brochure holders at places like nurseries, Lowe’s, etc. to get the word out. Nominations are due by June 1st. 4. Mini grant plans- No real discussion was considered necessary at this time Neighborhood Reports: With time running short, all agreed to a quick report on Easter events and key activities versus a full report from each neighborhood.  Harborview-Seahurst-Glenhaven had about 75, less than last year. Next meeting 4/19—will have CEMEX or the Clean Air Agency.  Bayside had around 500 at their Easter event at Clark Park. There was a lot of engagement, face painters and other volunteers. Everett schools will come to the next Bayside meeting.  View Ridge Madison had about 5000 eggs, 300 participants. Had games, hot dogs, popcorn, 700 prizes. Had ROTC Volunteers as well. Very diverse participation. Announcements:  5 North-end Neighborhoods Public Safety meeting April 13 at EPAC at 6:30pm. Representatives will be there from City of Everett Police Department, Everett Code Enforcement, the Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, Everett Parks Rangers, and SNOPAC911. Everyone is invited. There has been a lot of mis- information on the Next Door site that need to be clarified. Note: Please send everyone the flier.  Sign-In sheets – send in to Wendy after meetings with new names for her mailing lists.  There have been issues with delivering postcards on time. There are new deadlines for the neighborhoods.  Photos and photo release forms. Several asked for the form again.  Lowell residents are doing a run on 6/11 Hippierun2k16 to raise money Top 5 Items to report: 1. Brett Stainer is the new director for Everett Emergency Management, with over 25 years’ experience as a firefighter. 2. CERT will have another course in fall of 2016. In the meantime, remember that personal protection comes first. Volunteers are needed for the 4th of July Parade. 3. Everett School District bond and levy requested for growth, maintenance, safety and technology improvements in the schools. Will be on the April 26th ballot. 4. Everett Public Library presents author Mary Roach on April 9th 5. Time to get ready for the Monte Cristo Awards—get your applications in and sign up for volunteer duties. Meeting adjourned at 6:07pm. Next meeting on April 25, 2016 Minutes prepared by Lisa Harrison