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Minutes of Community Meeting, February 18, 2009, Directors Present: Liz Kearns, Jerry Owens, Kay Mesirow, Tom Meyer, and Ellen Beck. Board Representatives Present: Ken Thompson (Liaison to North Precinct) and Kathleen Braden (List Serve). Visitors: Beth Pflug (Neighborhood District Coordinator, Department of Neighborhoods), Bruce Kieser (Facilities and Plant Operations Director for North Seattle Community College), Jean Wirch, and Carlos Sanabria. Discussion about the Aurora Revitalization Workshop began first thing. Beth Pflug offered to send Liz Kearns links to information. Beth said that there was lots more discussion to come on this topic. Board member Liz Kearns called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and we had introductions around the table. There was a lot of activity going on outside the door to the Green Room and we hesitated to close the door. In a compromise, it was left slightly open and happily Carlos Sanabria joined us. Bruce Kieser said that we could ask Jeff Caldwell to set up sandwich boards announcing and giving directions to our meeting. We can also make a sign that can be scotch-taped to the glass surface out front. Minutes: The January 21, 2009 minutes were approved as presented. Kathleen was thanked for doing a great job! Treasurer’s Report: Debra Willendorf was not able to be with us, but had sent the Treasurer’s Report for the period January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 to Ellen, so copies were made available. A discussion of the Treasurer’s Report followed. Although there is some fluctuation, dues and donations have been declining to a low of $255.00 for dues and $160.00 for donations in 2008. Liz explained the history of the funds in the SCCF account. The plan is to leave those funds in their present location until LSCC has 501(c)(3) status. There was a discussion on what LSCC could use funds for. Liz commented that she had spoken to Ellen about this just recently. At the top of a proposed list would be obtaining more copies of our History Booklet. It would also be good to update and reprint the brochure we have entitled You Live Near a Wetland, Licton Springs. NEW BUSINESS: Paper Newsletter. Liz explained the need for doing a paper Newsletter. As shown on the Treasurer’s Report, LSCC has a balance of approximately 6500 copies at the UPS Store. We need to take advantage of those copies. If the ownership of that store changes, we run the risk of losing our copy credits. A second reason to put out a paper Newsletter is that LSCC receives donations and memberships after paper Newsletters. Liz suggested that we could produce a paper Newsletter generic enough in content that we can do outreach with it over a six month period. There are areas in our neighborhood that don’t get a lot of outreach and distributing a paper Newsletter would be an excellent form of outreach. Liz asked Ken Thompson to write an article about the North Precinct Advisory Council in a general way. He could also mention when the North Precinct Picnic is taking place. Ken thought that the date had already been selected and agreed to write an article. Kathleen Braden mentioned that a census will be happening next year. She stressed how important it is for everyone to be counted. She agreed to write an article about the upcoming census. It was suggested that we could have an article about the Community Council and what it has done and how it would benefit a person to be attend our meetings. There could also be an article about the parks in our neighborhood. Bruce Kieser mentioned Home Waters and the ongoing study of the College of the natural reclaiming of an urban environment happening on the grounds of NSCC. He said it was a natural laboratory. Michael Brocaw, the Grounds Supervisor, has been interested in ecology and the history of the land for over 30 years. The study of the wetlands is being done by the Grounds personnel, the Science Department, and the Biology Department at NSCC. Another suggestion was an article on Pilling’s Pond. Liz said that she would contact Wanda Fullner and see if Wanda would write an article for us. Beth Pflug said that we could get funding help from the Department of Neighborhoods through an Outreach Grant. She said she would check on possible translating assistance. Carlos said he could translate several languages and perhaps could find other volunteers. E-Newsletter. It was suggested that if we had a way for people to pay online, we could receive membership dues and donations from our E-Newsletter. Online payment options, such as Pay Pal were discussed. Pay Pal charges two percent for funds it collects. It was decided that online payment options should be investigated. Update on 501(c)(3). Ellen gave an update on 501(c)(3) status for LSCC. She began the filling out the paperwork, and when she needed some assistance, Jan Brucker offered to help. Jan is an attorney and has also gone through the process before! Unfortunately after agreeing to assist Ellen, Jan had an operation to remove a brain tumor. In addition, Jan had moved her mother to Seattle from Gig Harbor and had there were difficulties with her mom’s health, and other things she had to attend to. Ellen had recently asked Jan if the paperwork for 501(c)(3) could get submitted this year. Jan is sure it can be done in the coming months. Times We Are Living In. Carlos explained how he came to our meeting. He said that he lived near Kathleen and had gone to the Night Out function several years ago. Because of that event, he had given his e-mail address to Kathleen and had been put on the List Serve. Carlos has been reading the E-Currents ever since and had been meaning to come to a meeting for some time. Carlos said that we live in scary times and it is important to get to know your neighbors. We all agreed! Summer Potluck Picnic. The Licton Springs fall picnics were discussed. We were fortunate for many years to have Larry’s Market in our neighborhood and they provided the food, and cooked the food for our community picnic. We don’t have Larry’s anymore, but perhaps we could scale back our picnic and hold a summer potluck picnic. This would be a nice way for the neighborhood to come together. Education Opportunity. Kathleen mentioned that LSCC should be educating children about ecology since we have the springs, a pond, and peat. Discussion followed. Coming to Licton Springs is a magnet school trip for north end kids. Olympic View has done outreach at the wetlands for years. They have 5th and 6th graders studying ecology. Bruce added the work of Home Waters. He said they can be checked out on the web at http://www.HomeWaters.org. Grants Available. Beth reminded us and provided handouts on grants available. She said there are four opportunities each year. There are Neighborhood Matching Funds, Small and Simple Project Funds, Outreach Grants and Small Sparks. Small Sparks are grants of $250.00 and you don’t have to match, just have a project. There is also the Neighborhood Street Fund. Liz said that the Street Fund is where funds were obtained to do the sidewalks that have been done on North 100th. The design and plan have already been done and to get additional sidewalks on North 100th, someone needs to step up and head the project. Liz said that Shawna Walgren is a great help when a project is initiated. OLD BUSINESS: Website. Liz explained the history of the LSCC website, which the College hosts. She said we were lucky that Amy Markishtum volunteers her time to assist us. Update on North Seattle Community College. Bruce had great, great news: The College obtained their enrollment goal, and stopped the slide. This shows that they are still viable! Shoreline Community College and others are struggling. On top of the cuts already made at NSCC, the College will have to make 6 ½ percent cuts in 2010. He said that they would need to cut custodial care, unfortunately, and planned to look at individual programs “surgically” in order to reach the necessary goal. Bruce reported the Work Source Program was doing well. He said the signage was understated on purpose. The new building won’t go out to bid until they receive additional needed funding. He said the program was a new concept for job seekers involving orientation, retraining and personal growth. DSHS would participate in the program. The program would report directly to the Legislature! Bruce mentioned that NSCC has an excellent Health Science Nursing Program, where the students’ training includes working at Northwest Hospital. Bruce also reminded us that in 2018-19 transit and light rail will both be in place at the Northgate Transit Center. The light rail station will be elevated. It is crucial for pedestrians to have access to the west side of I-5 and for the College and community to have pedestrian access to the Transit Center. He said LSCC needs to be involved in promoting this. The College will play a part, but they can’t head this since they are a government entity. The overpass would accommodate bicyclists. Shredding Project. Beth said she would investigate what other organizations have done in order to afford neighborhood shredding events. Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 18, 2009. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted,
Ellen M. Beck, Secretary
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