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Kirkland Library Meeting Room
Laura Lee Pritt called the meeting to order and provided agendas and copies of the minutes from our last meeting. Karen Lightfeld, from Kirkland Downtown on the Lake, an organization that represents residents, property owners, and business owners in the downtown area, was our first guest. Karen briefed us on KDA's schedule for their "Kirkland Home for the Holidays" event, which includes several "nights of shopping", sales, and the annual Christmas Ship bonfire on Dec 22, 7:10 - 7:40 at Marina Park. Jeff Blake, Kirkland's Fire Chief, and Janelle McMillan, the police department's Community Resource Officer were the next speakers. Jeff spoke about the need for emergency preparation in our community. Having a personal plan of action in the case of an emergency is very important, including supplies and a contact point away from the local area that can be called to avoid local congestion on the phone system. In our neighborhood, the Senior Center would be a location used to treat injured and house those needing help. Janelle mentioned that she was a good contact when information was needed from the police department concerning their activities in our neighborhoods. Ellen McMahon answered questions concerning the downtown strategic plan, which she has been working on as a representative from our neighborhood. A new transit center is to be built in Kirkland and a location will need to be decided on. Three possible spots have been proposed -- two along 3rd Street close to the existing center, and one at the corner of Kirkland Avenue and State Street, roughly in the area of the present 75 State Street building (most recently "License Online"). Westwater Development owns this property and is proposing to build a retail/residential complex. Keith Maehlum of Westwater Real Estate Services described this plan for us at our August meeting. If this property were chosen to be the transit center, the complex would not be built. Dave Asher, city council member, and future councilman Jim Lauinger were on hand at the meeting to help with the discussion of the transit center. Don Winters will be heading up the Moss Bay Neighborhood's Traffic Task Force. We will be in contact with Tracy Burrows, Kirkland's Neighborhood Traffic Control Coordinator, to help devise and implement a traffic plan for our area, similar to the process used to create the Norkirk Plan. The meeting was adjourned and the next meeting will be Thursday, Feb 7, 7PM at the Kirkland Library meeting room. Kirkland Library Meeting Room
John Alberti called the meeting to order and provided agendas and copies of the minutes from our last meeting. John mentioned that our Sept. 16 picnic was a fun outing and thanked Jim Lauinger, who was attending the meeting, for donating paper goods. Leslie Keller gave the treasurer's report. We have $1200 in our account, which we have to match with expenses for last year. Any money not spent would have to be returned to the city. Mary Alyce Burleigh mentioned the City Council candidates forum that the North Rose Hill Neighborhood Association is putting on Oct. 15, 7:30 PM, at the Rose Hill Fire House. All are welcome and questions can be submitted to the candidates on pre-filled out 3 X 5 inch index cards. Mary also mentioned that since a couple of current Planning Commission members are running for city council, that there probably will be vacancies on the commission, and that this would be an excellent opportunity for someone interested in city government. John Alberti asked for suggestions for matching grant items for next year. Our picnic, leadership training, and communications are the three areas that we feel are good projects for us to be pursuing. Jim Lauinger and Mary Alyce Burleigh both had leadership programs that they recommended -- the Neighborhood Usage program and the Leadership Institute. Communications items can include web site expenses, information packets for newcomers and for prospective NA members, or a neighborhood kiosk. Some ideas for welcome packets included neighborhood association brochures, bus schedules, voter registration information. Ellen McMahon noted that several downtown businesses might be willing to donate coupons for a packet. Ellen and Marcia Alberti volunteered to work on putting together a packet for MBNA. Another project was suggested by Ellen -- having emergency stores available, possibly in cooperation with a similar plan under way at Lakeview Elementary. Kari Page suggested having someone from the Fire Department come to our next meeting to advise on how best to proceed with this. Kari Page -- Kirkland's Neighborhood Services Coordinator -- updated us on the new right turn lane to be installed on NE 68th St. The land for the lane is in the process of being acquired and construction should start next summer. Our neighborhood sign is planned for this corner and should be installed along with the turn lane. We may also be able to put a kiosk on this spot and should have a plan in mind. Kari suggested we take a "kiosk tour" to familiarize ourselves with the various designs possible. Ellen McMahon, Kirkland's neighborhood traffic person, filled us in on the traffic study that the city has planned for the Moss Bay Neighborhood, similar to the Norkirk Plan that was worked out this year. Ellen mentioned that our association needs to gear up and get people involved in this study. The city will not do the study unless there is a lot of interest on our part and a lot of people willing to get involved, come to meetings and make proposals. One issue that Ellen mentioned that we should address is the possibility that the retiming of the traffic lights on Central Way (as part of the narrowing of that street) may impact our neighborhood by causing increased backups on Lake St. (Lk. Wash. Blvd.) and more cut throughs on our local streets. John suggested and we decided to change the bi-monthly meeting to Thurs. from Wed. The meeting will be held on the first Thursday of even numbered months. Our December meeting may feature an update on the downtown strategic plan, as well as some info on the proposed transit center. We may also get the fire dept. to brief us on emergency preparedness. John updated us on the continuing saga of the Pace Building. John had lunch with Max Gurvich on Sept. 11 and apparently all the excitement over proposed traffic revisions, closed loading docks, and server farms was so much dreaming and Mr. Gurvich intends to rent out the building, as is, to the first tenant who will pay the rent. The north loading dock will remain in operation. John mentioned that since the building has not been in use for several years, that a new tenant will be bound by the newest noise ordinances and that we may be able to address complaints in that way. Ellen McMahon mentioned that the city will install signs at 5th Pl S / 6th Street S and also at the foot of 7th Ave S to direct traffic, hopefully keeping trucks off of 7th Ave S, should a tenant occupy the building who does trucking. Ellen also mentioned that 7th Ave S and 3rd Pl S will be overlayed (paved) in the near future. Moss Bay Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes August 8, 2001 Kirkland Library Meeting Room Laura Lee Pritt called the meeting to order. Our first speaker was Keith Maehlum of West Water Real Estate Services. Keith presented a preliminary proposal from West Water to develop their property at the corner of State Street and Kirkland Avenue. The property is currently occupied by a former car dealership building at 75 State and a bicycle shop on Kirkland Ave. Part of this property is also on a list of possible sites for the new Metro Transit Center. West Water's proposal is for a 5 story retail / apartment project. Keith also mentioned that the turn lane may be closed that cuts behind the triangle where the "Mountain Comrades" sculpture is located, as well as 1rst Ave. S. adjacent to the West Water property. West Water would like to see a committee formed of representatives of the Moss Bay Neighborhood Association, Portsmith Condominiums, St. John's Episcopal Church and West Water to help guide the project. Erin Leonhart, Water Conservation specialist for the Kirkland Public Works department was the next to speak. Erin suggested ways of saving water in our homes, including timers and dye to detect leaking toilets. Erin mentioned that the water already voluntarily saved has helped and that we shouldn't have any shortages unless conditions are extremely dry in Aug and September. A program to conserve water would help our city in that we wouldn't have to buy as much water from the city of Seattle. A source of water for Eastside cities is being investigated with a possibility being Lake Tapps. John Gilday, who is working with Max Gurvich, the owner of the former Pace Chemical Building, was next. John is working to clean up the property and get it ready to lease out to a new tenant. Our association has been working with him to help mitigate negative impacts the reopening of this building could have on our neighborhood. John has suggested a number of steps to try to help. First, he is suggesting the placement of a wall and posts in front of the north loading dock that would prevent large trucks from entering the dock from 7th Ave S, while the opening up and possibly improving loading docks on the east side of the building. He is also investigating the possible installation of the traffic diversion lanes, curbing and signage as proposed in a previous proposal for the development of the property. A detail drawing of this diversion plan can be seen on our Pace Page. In addition, a sign may be placed at State Street and 7th Ave S warning "No right turn for trucks and no warehouse district". John is looking into changing the address of the building from 7th Ave S to 5th Place S. Finally, the parking may be reconfigured so that is is accessed from 5th Pl S, rather than 7th Ave S. The building has now been secured and surveillance cameras set up. There are three possible tenants being considered for the building. John has a web site set up dealing with the Pace Building that can be seen at http://www.waterfund.org/Pace.htm. Our Co-Chair, Laura Lee Pritt, reported on several issues. The crosswalk and speed hump on the eastern part of 7th Ave S has been installed. Laura Lee mentioned that the Kirkland Arts Center will be presenting the Kirkland Neighborhoods Exhibit starting October 12 and running through November 15 -- open to any and all aspiring and practicing artists working in any medium and living in Kirkland. Show your work in the Kirkland Arts Center Skylight Room!! Neighborhood groups are welcome to nominate artists from their groups, or to notify individuals. Our neighborhood picnic is planned for Sunday, September 16 at Peter Kirk Park, adjacent to the new Teen Center. There will be entertainment and we will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers this year. Laura Lee contacted Michael Cogle of the Kirkland Parks Dept concerning the possibility of installing a rest room at Brink Park. Michael told her that it is unlikely this will happen due to the expense and problems associated with installing these. The city has been cutting back on plans to build rest rooms in parks. Laura Lee also enquired into placement of a garbage can on the dock at Brink Park, as a lot of litter has been seen there during hot summer days. It might be a good idea for our association to "adopt" Brink Park with the idea of keeping it clean and free of litter. The Moss Bay Neighborhood will be the focus of a traffic study done by the city. This appears to be at least one year away, but we should be ready get involved in order to have some input into future plans for our neighborhood streets. The proposed narrowing of Central Way will be planned for the stretch between Market Street and 3rd Street, with the eastbound side also narrowed as far as the entrance to Park Place. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 11, 7-8:45 at the Kirkland Library Meeting Room. Moss Bay Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes June 14, 2001 Kirkland Library John Alberti called the meeting to order. Our first guest was Robin Paster, Community Education and Information specialist for the Kirkland Fire Department. Robin briefed us on the 4th of July and what we might do to keep things under control. Two years ago the city adopted a ban on fireworks, which has resulted in a decrease in injuries reported in town. The Fire Dept. will be placing posters in high schools showing where the city limits are, so that young people will know where it's illegal to possess or set off fireworks. The former Pace Chemical site was mentioned as a place where fireworks have been set off in the past and Robin suggested placing readerboard type signs there with notices detailing the illegality of doing so. Both the new traffic circle, west of State St., and a new raised crosswalk, east of State, will be installed this summer on 7th Ave. S. Also, the curb at the intersection of 7th and State has been painted to deter parking near the corner. Kari Page gave her report on the recent KAN meeting. She also mentioned that the organizers of the 4th of July celebration need volunteers to help with various tasks. Contact Penny Sweet of the 4th of July Committee if you can help. Her email address is [email protected]. Jim Lauinger, a member of the Kirkland Planning Commission, mentioned an upcoming meeting on how to develop the city economically. It will be a community wide economic summit led by both the Chamber and the City. The date is Monday, June 25th, 6-8 p.m. at the Senior Center. Trudy Goldkamp spoke about the new right-turn lane planned for NE 68th St. and State. She attended a community meeting at the Houghton Fire Station concerning the lane and found that many were opposed to the idea. The safety of school children trying to cross 68th with an additional lane is a concern. Trudy also mentioned that free right turns should be prohibited at the intersection for the safety of school kids and crossing guards. The issue of the lane will be addressed at an upcoming city council meeting. Recent developments have come to light concerning the former Pace Chemical site on 7th Ave S. Max Gurvich, the owner of the site, apparently has allowed his building permit to lapse and now there is a possibility of a new business similar to the old Pace operation renting the building. This would mean more truck traffic in the neighborhood. What we can do to minimize negative impacts and to buffer the area from residences will be investigated by John Alberti. Contacting the Kirkland Planning Department will be our first step and John will report back on the status of this issue. Our Moss Bay Neighborhood picnic will be held again this summer and needs to be organized. Laura Lee Pritt suggested we have it at Peter Kirk Park again this year and possibly coordinate with the new teen center to put it on. We discussed the possibility of having a banner made to identify us and possibly to display on a city street beforehand. Volunteers signed up for various tasks. State Street has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the City's "skinny streets program" . We briefly discussed this, with most in favor of the idea. Dave Asher, Kirkland City councilperson, was on hand to suggest that we have a contact person to deal with the city in trying to advance this idea. Don Winters volunteered to be this person and to contact Ray Steiger -- Kirkland's Public Works Capital Facilities manager. Trudy Goldkamp suggested that a rest room be provided at Brink Park. Kari Page said she would check on the feasibility of this, and Dave Asher suggested that Trudy write a letter to the City Council. Moss Bay Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes April 11, 2001 Houghton Fire Station Laura Lee Pritt called the meeting to order. Our fist speaker was Mike Magee, Project Engineer for the City of Kirkland. Mike's topic was the improvement project planned for the intersection of State Street and NE 68th Street. A right turn lane will be created on NE 68th for turning onto State Street. Concerns that have been expressed by other neighborhoods and Lakeview School groups include pedestrian safety, now that there will be an extra lane to cross, possible increased speed due to the improved flow, and access for busses leaving Lakeview. On the positive side is the fact that without the lane, traffic soon is projected to back up 600 feet to the east of the intersection, or about to the entrance to Houghton Shopping Center. The project is expected to cost approximately one million dollars, 85 percent of which will be federal money. A nice feature of the project for the Moss Bay neighborhood will be a landscaped spot for our neighborhood sign. Any questions concerning this project should be directed to Mike Magee at Kirkland City Hall -- [email protected] Don Winters, our secretary and webmaster, talked about the www.mossbay.org web site. Don mentioned that there was a lot of info on the site already, and that any material members might want to see posted should be forwarded to him at [email protected] Next on our agenda was a presentation by Jessie Culbert and Sonia Luthra, two young ladies from the Kirkland Youth Council. They talked about a program created by the Search Institute called Asset Building -- a way of turning negative influences into positive ones for our youth. Assets are like ingredients and the more we have the less likely we are to have youth with drug, alcohol, violence and scholastic problems. Jessie and Sonia discussed various ways for us to help build assets for our young people. For more information on this program in Kirkland, call Regi Schubiger at (425) 803-2830. John Aberti talked briefly about traffic circles. One circle has already been installed at 7th Ave. S. and 2nd St. S. Now a raised crosswalk, similar to a speed hump, will be installed on 7th at the school crossing east of State Street. John also mentioned that he had talked to Jeremy McMahon about the Pace Project. Max Gurvich, from ULTRA Corporation, has obtained a building permit and will start construction soon on a scaled down version of the project, which will be a remodel of the existing building and a reconfiguration of the parking. John found that the agreement we had reached with the city in regard to the number of cars allowed to use 7th Ave. S. and the traffic restrictions needed to prevent exiting cars from turning left onto 7th, seem to be reasonably addressed by the plans. See our Vista Plaza Page for an update and drawing detail from the building plans showing the left turn retrictions. Laura Lee Pritt mentioned the I-405 traffic corridor program Several options are being discussed. Joan McBride, a Kirkland City Councilperson was on hand and mentioned her opposition to four new traffic lanes being built on 405 in Kirkland. She feels the increased noise and the swath this would cut through town would be unacceptable. She favors improvements to the road without the massive size increase. Joan also mentioned that the city council is looking into acquiring the Burlington Northern right of way through town for use as a possible busway or other transportation corridor. Laura Lee also asked for ideas to improve attendance at Moss Bay Neighborhood Association meetings. Mary Alyce Burleigh, from the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association, thought that a phone tree was the most effective way of notifying members and getting them to turn out. Moss Bay Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes February 7, 2001 Rose Hill Fire Station Laura Lee Pritt called the meeting to order. The first to speak was City Manager Dave Ramsay. Dave had a number of issues he addressed, including:
Dave answered a number of questions from the the audience and was off to another meeting! Laura Lee Pritt, our cochair, spoke on a number of topics. The new name for our association, Moss Bay Neighborhood Association, has been approved by the City of Kirkland and that will now be our official name. The sidewalk along the east side of Lake Street north of 7th Ave S, is being paved in asphalt. At least we will be able to walk down that side of the street now! Laura Lee mentioned that a number of City Board positions are open and the public is invited to apply. The city web site has information on how to do this. Mary Alyce Burleigh from the North Rose Hill association, mentioned how interesting it was to serve on these boards. Ellen McMahon updated us on the new traffic circles that are being installed on 7th. Ave. S. The design of the circles and how many are to be installed was discussed. City councilmember Joyce Buchanon was on hand to help with the discussion, as speed humps have been recently installed on 10th Ave. S., where she lived before recently moving to the Norkirk area. Ellen also thought it would be good idea for our association to create a welcome wagon committee to greet new residents in our neighborhood. Jim Lauinger, of the Planning Commission, and also owner of Lakeshore Pharmacy, brought us up to date on the Park Place renovation--drawing a layout of the new building on the blackboard and mentioning that the theaters may be going. Leslie Keller gave the treasurers report, we have about $1700 in our account. Leslie also volunteered to do the paperwork necessary to change our association's name with the relevant state agency. Don Winters gave the web report. The web site will need a new domain name now that our neighborhood association has changed names. Mossbay.org was suggested and met with approval of those present. Don said he would apply for that name. The meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be April 11, 2001. |
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