Everett Council of Neighborhoods

Council of Neighborhoods Meeting Minutes Sept 25, 2017 Meeting was called to order at 4:05pm. Agenda and minutes of the two previous meetings were approved as prepared. Attendance: Carol Jensen, Michael Trujillo, Greg Campbell, Mary Fosse, Tina Hokanson, Colleen Kain, Elly Smith, GeorgaDee MacLeod, Stephanie Prothero, Art Olsen, Jim Prissel, Victor Harris, Linden Kimbrough, Rodney Shimogawa, Dennis Dudder, Jim Grieco, Ethel McNeal, George Lockeman, Vanessa Randall Citizen Comments: None Mayor Stephanson: Mayor spoke about Eileen Simmons, library director, who is retiring. The Library Board selected Abby Cooley, who will be coming in November. She is from Baltimore County Public Library. He also reported that Evergreen branch expansion is coming soon, adding about 5,500 more sq ft. with more technology access and children’s reading space, and more. Finalizing construction drawing and permits at this time. New addition scheduled to open in late 2018. Mayor attended Purdue court hearing last week with council member Tuohy and others. Judge was asked to throw out the case, but judge may rule to approve it moving forward. Strong and compelling case about illegal market for OxyContin. This evening Everett Essentials kicks off at the library, beginning Everett’s first ever civic academy. Course is 9 weeks long, 10 sessions learning about ins and outs of government. Hope to see graduating participants become future leaders of boards and commissions, and potential elected leaders for city and county government. Boards and commissions recruitment is now open through Oct 27. Please encourage other community members to take advantage of opportunity to be active in local government. WSU opened its Everett campus building in August. Funko also opened in August and held open house at their California and Wetmore location. Victor asked about library hiring and going out of state and out of city. Will this bring a shift of library focus? Mayor responded that the board of directors (which is nominated by Mayor), is responsible to conduct the process - they interview and make selections. He sees value in recruiting for employee pool with qualified outside candidates. Mayor responded to a question about police vacancies – under 20 now, hired almost 60 officers in last two years. He explained that some people put off retiring in the economic downturn and now a lot of police vacancies are happening as they retire. City Council approved hiring bonuses for officers who are laterals from another agency. Hard to hire even though we have the budget to fund the openings. Michael thanked Mayor for his service, wished him well, all present applauded. George commented that he is glad city is not lowering quality to hire for vacant police officer positions. Mayor hopes that high standards don’t change after new mayor comes in. Expending a lot of police overtime to cover vacant police positions. Downtown walking beat making a difference. Mayor reported on a new emerging need to find cold weather shelter for those on the street. May have a gap in sheltering spaces this winter. Everett also needs a drop in day center as recommended in Safe Streets initiative. Mayor is not in support of tent cities for temporary housing. Carol asked about potential for a second methadone clinic. Mayor responded that another party has purchased the Trask Building, so this will not be methadone clinic. Mayor reviewed current services, sees the need is in north Everett and Marysville. Zoning in Marysville allows a methadone clinic, but need to see cooperation from City of Marysville and support to establish it there. Victor asked whether there is any potential to reduce state’s 3-mile limitation for separation of services for treatment center? He would support clinic in Port Gardner neighborhood, but it is already heavy supporter for services. Finding compatible space at affordable rate is an issue. City Council Liaison: President Tuohy Next general government committee meeting will look at the public works building because of its vulnerability to earthquakes. On Oct 11, Public Safety Committee will meet to look at opioid facilities. On Sat, Oct 21 from 8am to noon, city council retreat will cover two topics: 1) Envision Everett priorities and Council will prioritize what they want city staff to work on, and 2) they will focus on Everett housing needs, planned population growth and how to fill those needs in next 10 years. President Tuohy expressed thanks to Council of Neighborhoods, Library and Office of Neighborhoods staff for their work on the candidate forums in September. On Oct 27, the Mayor will give his annual Mayors message. The recent barista ordinance enforcement is on hold while matter is in court. City Council liaisons have been reminded that their purpose is to share information at neighborhood meetings, assist neighbors with city information, not campaign. Council reps introduced themselves and welcomed three new members: Mary Fosse and (returning) Greg Campbell for Delta, and Tina Hokanson, returning for newly re- activated Evergreen neighborhood. City and Community Reports: Council chair Jim Grieco – reminded the group about upcoming Forterra - Green Everett event – at Forest Park this year, Oct 28 from 9am to noon, plant, weed remove invasive plants, tools provided, wear long sleeves, and long pants. All are welcome to attend. Forterra is managing 5 sites, about 10 stewards working on this effort with Forterra. George pointed out you can contribute to Forterra and specify Green Everett to receive the donation. Candidate Forum follow-up – Vanessa commented that it ran smoothly, had great crowd. She thought it was inappropriate for clipboard with petition to be circulated among audience during the meeting. Candidate forums tonight and tomorrow night Also Oct 16 local candidate forum at Cascade View/Twin Creeks. School partnerships Michael Trujillo and Jim Grieco went to new student orientation at Emerson Elementary. Colleen Kain went to orientation at Evergreen, spoke to PTSA, Dennis and Colleen are going to Evergreen PTSA meeting soon. From Northwest Neighborhood, a few folks went to Whittier PTA and now have a liaison. Monte Cristo Update – Jaimee Hudson updated everyone. Awards event will be at Snohomish County PUD auditorium this year due to renovation at EPAC. She asked people to take a stack of invitations, find 4 families to invite. She reviewed volunteer needs: 3-4 volunteers for check in greeting area, 5 for set up reception area, 2-3 hosts to refill food, 4 ushers inside. Jim and Ethel will be volunteer leads, “captains”, Doors open at 6:30pm to guests. Sign up for tasks. Parking lot north lot is open to us, but south lot is not. The street parking and north lot should be sufficient. Carpooling and bus are recommended. Michael reiterated importance of volunteering and spreading the word to invite lots of people to attend. Call Jaimee at 425 257-7195 to volunteer. Mini grants – start talking about projects for next year, think about projects you want to do and be prepared to apply for neighborhood matching funds for 2018. Applications will be due end of January 2018. Deadline for Community Sparks is Oct 2 but Jaimee is flexible. Sparks money still available in 2018 as well. Needle cleanup kits available at Snohomish Health District and at Office of Neighborhoods, as result of partnership between Health District and City of Everett. Free kits available to help making picking up needles safer. Full containers can be brought back to the Snohomish Health District for free. Kit includes gloves, hand sanitizer, sharps container, instructions and tongs. Teamwork: Candidate Forums – good team work, effective forums, bravo to volunteers! Monte Cristo Update – task lists – Monte Cristo Selection committee met, have 52 award recipients Awards event will be held on October 12 – 2nd Thursday in October at PUD Auditorium. Announcements: Needle cleanup kits available at Snohomish Health District and Office of Neighborhoods, in partnership with the City of Everett. Free kits available to help making picking up needles safer. Full containers can be brought back to the Snohomish Health District for free. Kit includes gloves, hand sanitizer, sharps container, instructions and tongs. Tom, Art & Roger – “1414” radio program– 14th day of month at 1400hours, on channel 14, radio network system drills. Important that neighborhoods build radio communication networks for emergency/disaster preparedness communication. Helps pass proper information to FD & PD about state of neighborhood after a disaster. FRS, GMRS radios do not require licenses. Tabling the idea of forming a disaster communications committee. Everett Channel – “Neighborhood Brag” – Pipa Escalante is asking individuals to share a few minutes of video about what they like about their neighborhood. If you want to brag about your neighborhood and what makes it great, and why you love living there, contact Pipa at pescalante@everettwa.gov. Neighborhood Reports: Bayside – 24 people, School District representatives present, speaker was Port of Everett (PR person), Everett Parks & Rec, police report, no council liaison. Cascade View – 10 people, police report, council liaison present, Miles Williams on Active Shooter trainings and community safety (recommended), NNO recap. Delta – 21 people, discussed reorganizing and formed committees, council liaison present, police report. Evergreen – 2 people, council liaison present, Everett Parks staff gave presentation on Madison Morgan Park, had police report. HSG – Went to candidates’ night in lieu of meeting. Lowell - absent Northwest – 28 people, Police report, Live in Everett spoke (recommended), Historical House tour on Saturday, chili cook-off project. Pinehurst – NNO was a success in August. Meeting late this month. Port Gardner – No meeting in September. Attended to candidates forum in lieu of meeting. Riverside – over 30 present, 12 were brand new! Apryl Hynes from Public Works to discuss the tree planting program. Police report, council liaison present. Now meeting at Garfield Elementary. South Forest Park – Forterra spoke about summer programs. 6 people, police report, council liaison present Twin Creeks – meets with Cascade View. Valley View – 8 people, Jed Holmes from Pilchuck Audubon Society (recommended), police report, no council liaison. View Ridge Madison – Forterra spoke, council liaison present, no police report, 16 people. Top 5 Items to report: 1. Federal court case against Purdue had a hearing. 2. Everett Essentials starts today! 3. WSU now open 4. Funko now open 5. Monte Cristo awards is October 12! Volunteers needed. Meeting adjourned at 6:25pm. Next meeting on Oct 23, 2017 Minutes prepared by Wendy McClure and Jaimee Hudson