November 20, 2006

Heritage Hall

Moss Bay Co-Chair Mark Eliasen called the meeting to order. 
Mario Morales, CEO of the new Kirkland Business Association (www.kirklandbusiness.org) was our first guest. Mario was formerly associated with the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce. The new KBA is focused on smaller businesses that are located in Kirkland or do business in Kirkland. Larger businesses like Costco can join KBA as "mentors". Mario mentioned that KBA meetings tend to informal  events and the group will start a regular networking breakfast meeting early in 2007.  KBA wants to do charity work for local causes such as supporting the Kids at Risk program. Membership has been growing rapidly and should soon be up to 100 members. Their next event will be Dec 17 at the Kirkland Windermere office. KBA also has plans to publish a Kirkland Buyers Guide.
Announcements -- Margo Mitchell, of the Eastside Domestic Violence Program,  is raising money to reduce domestic abuse through a bowl-a-thon which will be held March 3. 2007.
Ken Dueker, MBNA's representative to the Downtown Action Team and the Parking Advisory Board, reported on those organizations. The DAT is undertaking a strategic planning process.  At the November 9 meeting (minutes), they brainstormed the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of downtown.   The PAB is beginning a public process to that may lead to extending pay parking to all of the Lake and Central parking lot, and change the hours from 9 AM - 6PM to 11 AM - 9 PM.
Carolyn Hayek reported on a group that is sponsoring a wedding program for Valentines Day. Couples are encouraged to take advantage of the program to get married or renew their vows at the Heritage Hall in Kirkland. For more information visit www.kirklandweddings.com
Kirkland Police Sergeant Bryan McNaghten was on hand to give an overview of  Moss Bay from the Police Dept's perspective. Kirkland is overall a safe community, however, the downtown area has 2 distinct crowds -- the evening crowd of diners and local residents and the night crowd of bar patrons. Sometimes the bar patron group gets unruly. This issue is being addressed by the bars themselves along with the State Liquor Control Board and the Kirkland Police and Fire Departments. The bars are responsible for providing their own security, but even the best security is unable to control a large crowd. The Kirkland Police tends to send all officers on duty to the downtown area at closing time.
Bob Sternoff, Kirkland City Council, was present and gave an interesting report on issues facing the Council. Bob is the Chair of the Annexation committee, which is taking time to do a thorough review of that issue. It is important to make the right decision because it will have long term impacts on the city. For more info on the annexation issue, visit the city's web site: http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/CMO/Annexation_Information.htm 
Moss Bay's next meeting will be held January 15, 2007.