Meeting Notes - October 11, 2001

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.