Everett Council of Neighborhoods

Council of Neighborhoods Meeting Minutes Feb 27, 2017 Meeting was called to order at 4pm. Agenda and minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Attendance: Karen McAllister. Carol Jensen, Roger Hoot, Jeff Parfitt, Dee Anderson, Michael Trujillo, Kari Griffith, Steve Bugge, Ashley Wigren, Elly Smith, GeorgaDee MacLeod, Shelley Weyer, Jim Prissel, Gary James, Andrea Tucker, Victor Harris, Mary Alexander, Dennis Dudder, Jim Grieco, Ethel McNeal, George Lockeman, Vanessa Randall Excused: Teresa Schultz, Tom Norcott, Carol Gogarty, Colleen Kain Citizen Comments: Jackie Minchew, spoke about an organization 350.org which focuses on addressing climate change. There will be a march on April 29 about climate change. There is a Facebook site. Dean Smith, Jenny Lindberg, and Marilyn Boyd are leading the effort. He mentioned a book called Oil and Bees, by Bill McKibben. The name of the group derives from the parts per million of carbon level in the atmosphere, that is needed to sustain current earth conditions. Terry Hill, View Ridge Madison resident, spoke about his desire to be more involved in community and civic work. His family has many elected officials. He wants to get involved. Mayor Stephanson: Unable to attend due to a death in the family. City Council Liaison: Council President Judy Tuohy Council member Tuohy attended a great meeting with Valley View recently. She described work on the city council public safety committee, about Uber and Taxi service, and for hire vehicle safety features. The council is trying to level the playing field with these services. On March 8 at 5:30pm, the committee will discuss and public is welcome to observe. Comment from Steve Bugge about not turning the safety checks into an economic restriction. Council member Tuohy is also working on a council retreat at end of April or May. 3-4 topics from 8 – 12noon. One item will be looking at community liaison model and how that’s going. Council members are going to National League of Cities, so there is no city council mtg on March 15. City and Community Reports: Eileen Simmons – Library director – Eileen gave an update on plans for expansion of the Evergreen branch of the library. City Council has approved the funding of design phase. Existing building will have an additional 4500 sq feet approximately, which is a substantial addition. The duplex on south edge of property will be removed and more parking is to be added. Eileen would like to encourage neighbors to provide feedback via on line survey or the paper survey copies at library. The library is asking for input about what would make the branch a better place for you, and what specific areas are needed? Library staff are available to speak at meetings. There will be open houses with Dykman Architects at a stage of that would allow input. Question - Is there a vertical expansion? No, due to expense of including an elevator. Comment - Compliments on the library collection and availability to borrow videos. Eileen indicated that contrary to some earlier perceptions, people use both locations of the library, north and south residents use either branch. Apryl Hynes – Everett Public Works Apryl reviewed the key features and criteria (what to look for) when considering possible nominees for new the Monte Cristo category: the Green Gardening Award. These criteria include the goal of reducing stormwater runoff. Various techniques would indicate reduction of stormwater runoff, including downspout water controls, rain gardens, a rain chain to dissipate water from downspouts and use of rain barrels to collect water. Diversity of plants is another category – this includes layering and selection of plants to make the yard hospitable for wildlife and may include edibles in the landscape. Mulch beds – smart watering techniques reduce water run off protect soil and keep moisture available to plants. No pesticide use. Other clues to green gardens are habitat signs or water for birds. Another consideration - Impervious surface – grass lawns don’t necessarily allow rain to penetrate. Apryl also reminded the council of several special efforts related to storm water reduction: Rain garden rebates – up to $2500 for rebates. Rain barrel sales April May. Rain Garden tour in May. These sites are very appealing and could be Monte Cristo Green Garden nominees. Teamwork: School partnership – neighborhood groups reported on their connections and progress working with local schools. Bayside now meeting at Everett High School. Karen McAllister will attend reception with school district. Integrating Jr ROTC and inviting them to help with Easter Egg Hunt. Port Gardner – Easter Egg Hunt coming up, lots of partnerships with Jackson and Sequoia. Principals are going out of their way, attending meetings and making connections. Cascade View/Twin Creeks is working with Cascade High on unity project with police. Lowell working with Lowell day event centered on kids with school events. Probably will hold a special event in August. Mini grants – Jaimee Hudson gave updates – thanks for sending in apps, not all in yet. Please send in ASAP. She has reviewed and sent applications to departments to get comments. She reminded people to hold off on any spending until you receive an award approval letter. Monte Cristo – Jaimee passed around a planning committee sign-up sheet for volunteers. Jaimee will be setting a meeting date and time and will let volunteers know when the meeting will occur. She urged people to start sending in nomination forms, and to include Monte Cristo info on meeting notice postcards. Role of Council reps – Wendy described the role of the Council reps as liaisons between council and neighborhood groups, to report back and forth between meetings. She indicated that in past years, people were expected to serve on two committees but we don’t have as many committees at this time. Two annual committees are Monte Cristo to help carry out the event, and the Nominations Committee to identify candidates for officers for CON. Officer Nominations – CON officer elections are coming up, and a few volunteers are needed for the nominations committee. Committee members contact each CON rep to ask about interest in serving as an officer and bring forward the slate of candidates for May election. Being an officer involves more meetings, sharing info, and to some extent taking time to learn about needs of other neighborhoods. Goals and Projects for 2017 – delayed discussion until next meeting. Neighborhood Reports: View Ridge Madison – held two meetings this month - League of Women Voters, 17 people. Also Mayor visited in February, had 26 people, police report, adjusted March meeting to April No councilmember attended. Valley View – 9 attended, police report. Councilmember Judy Touhy was guest speaker. Discussed Valley View Commons and mini grant plans for this year. South Forest Park - no meeting this year. Will meet in March. Riverside – had two officers, 15 people attended. Held their annual auction with proceeds to benefit Everett Animal Shelter, raised just under $300. Councilmember Scott Bader attended as a neighbor. No council liaison. Port Gardner – 28 people had police officer, Judy Tuohy, Scott Murphy and Paul Roberts Ed Peterson Housing Hope spoke about Broadway project Pinehurst - had 15 people, officer, who spoke on graffiti. Guest speaker from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Planning Boys and Girls Club night out for parents on Dec 8 Council liaison had emergency that evening. Northwest – 35-40 people in attendance. Mayor was guest speaker, police report, Paul Roberts attended as a neighbor, not the liaison. Lowell – 11 people, no police report. Scott Murphy liaison attended, discussed mini grants, disaster preparedness and Lowell Day, may not HSG - no police report, had park ranger, Project Harvest, no councilmember liaison Evergreen – a meeting is planned for first Thursday of March, group getting re- organized. Delta – 10 people attended School was closed so had to move meeting to at Baker Heights, Councilmember Scott Murphy was speaker. Group discussed closure of Baker Heights, lots of questions about housing. Discussed mini grants and plans. Cascade View/Twin Creeks – 13 attended, police report, Scott Bader Council liaison attended. Guest speaker was Chrys Bertolotto, WSU Salish Sea presentation. Very good presenter. Bayside – 15 attended, had 3 officers, Alex Lark was speaker from Planning Commission regarding detached housing units. Cassie Franklin is liaison but she will attend on April 19 meeting when there is not a council meeting, Ramping up block watch. Announcements: March 4 – Community Engagement and Inclusion event with Jim Diers. Volunteers needed – sign-up sheet passed around. At Evergreen Middle School, all welcome.  Housing supplies needed – the Safe Streets/COET team is working to place people into housing. Basic household goods and some furniture items are needed for residents moving off the street and into housing. Wendy share a list of needed items. Several people indicated they have items to donate. Top 5 Items to report:  Public Safety Committee working to level the field for vehicles for hire finishing up requirements on March 8 at committee meeting  Evergreen Branch library is expanding - take survey to give input  Rain Gardens resources and rebate available through Public Works  Monte Cristo – Green Gardening award, get people energized.  Jim Diers – this weekend on March 4. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm. Next meeting on March 27, 2017 Minutes prepared by Wendy McClure