Attending: Margaret Lyons, Carol Lavoie, Mickey McDiarmid, Mary Anne Stuckart, Hugh Conroy, Erin Macri, Liz Jennings, Greg Hinton, Patrick McKee, Polly Gilbert, Dave Edelstein, Ellen Grybeck, Patti Basart, Diane Buechele, Kristine Veale, Theresa Tripp, Laurie Werbner, Sharon Stevens, Chris Hammond

1. Approval of July 2007 Minutes: minutes not available so no approval.

2. John McGarrity is in charge of the city committee about liability insurance: CoB will probably pay premiums for all neighborhoods so we can meet anywhere we like (Sunnyland or Assumption). CoB will send neighborhoods a copy of policy, which they will hold. Greg suggested that Directors and Officers should be insured, as well. Patrick thinks policy may cover the Board; someone will follow up. Hugh moved to approve that SNA accepts CoB policy, Patrick seconded.

3. Neighborhood Planning Workgroup review by Liz: this subcommittee was formed in Oct. ‘06 with members interested in reviewing Neighborhood Plan and recommending changes. Plan is on CoB website so anyone can review it. Next mtg is on 8/27 at WCOG (314 E Champion St). Only one amendment will be submitted as this time, for Zone 8 rezone. On Monday’s mtg, we’ll look at possible designs for ‘DOT’ site. Neighbors will have chance to give opinions on plans at picnic. Greg: Reviewed mtg with Planning Dep’t from CoB. Issues: 1. How large an area does CoB want to involve in rezone? 2. East-West alleyway that CoB had recommended; not desired. 3. Property vs lot line; decided that entire property will be included in Zone 8 for rezone. CoB told us about rules and regs allowable for rezone and design. Greg said about 20 items were discussed with the designer, such as “no cut-through”, and other ideas from neighbors.

4. Patrick’s MNAC report: “Dep’t of Mayor” created monthly meetings with all 23 neighbors. Each month, neighborhood reps sits with Mayor to discuss neighbor issues, problems, involvement, etc. All plan changes are reviewed by MNAC, approved/disapproved by Council.

• WWU outreach wants students to participate in Ass’ns. Some NAs are appointing students. Board would like students to participate if they want to, but no special preference for students.

• May ‘08 are next Board elections.

• Kathryn Hannowell has asked if By-Laws are finished. Hugh has a draft. Patrick will get deadline date; Erin suggested Board has vote at picnic.

• City funding ($700): use it or lose it. Erin said Kathryn said funding must be used for “greater good for Bellingham”. Liz said that part of $2500 was available for a conflict resolution workshop; all Bham would be invited so $700 could be used. Patti suggested manuals for Block Watch could come from that funding, too; Kristine interested in it. Patrick just found out the money needs to be used by end of year.

• Presentation: Old Town will house 500-1500 new units. It was part of Lettered Streets’ rezone; they traded downzone to single-family in most areas but, in accordance with Comp Plan, agreed to upzone Old Town, all with neighborhood consensus. Design is very important to city (bldg scale, views, parking, parks, etc). Hugh asked if mention of timeline for traffic calming studies; Patrick said not yet.

• Crosswalks on James St. (pedestrian bumpout, ped activated): one at Kentucky (cycle route, as well), one at Carolina. These cannot be built this year because contractors couldn’t rebid or add the time, but Raven from City said CoB committed to this project for early spring.

5. Patrick’s Traffic Subcommittee report: asked for before-count relative to Trader Joe’s, and for school-year Assumption traffic. Neither has been done. Theresa will email Kathryn and inform Ass’n.

6. Treasurer’s Report by Hugh: dues account is $717, City grant is $519, $2422 from Planning grant, $2000 from Street Tree Grant. Dues are $5/ind, $10/household/business; not required but recommended; additional donations gladly accepted. We are not 501(c)(3), so donations not tax-deductible. Send to: SNA POBox 2515 98227.

7. Theresa asked if we wanted to have 1-800-GOT-JUNK to do presentation at Sept’s meeting. Carol and Patrick said ReSources has a free non-prof one; Carol will research when Patrick forwards email to her. We don’t want a solicitation, so no. Liz reminded us that we do want presentations sometimes, so what kind? Carol mentioned Block Watch as being of great interest.

8. Erin and Theresa would like administrative assistance for SNA: to do quarterly newsletter, handbook for new Board members, set up Google, complete infrastructure, membership. Discussion: could be paid from CoB’s $700 for database mgmt, administration, etc. Liz suggested it be an intern position, with stipend. Hugh noted interns come and go, and usually need hand-holding. Liz suggested that a volunteer organizer could get volunteer system in place to carry it on. Liz suggested stipend per task. Laurie may be interested in it. Patrick wants to see detailed expenses in order to even consider it. Said that $700 could also be used as match for Street Trees. Discussion will continue by email.

9. Neighborhood Block Watch by Patti: initiated by Ron and Theresa Parker. Officer Tara Fleetwood attended with information, common sense (eg get group together, app’t Captain and Co-Captain to begin Block Watch). Patti felt it could be part of NA. City sells “Block Watch” signs for $20 and will post them strategically. Tara passed out magnets with various phone #s. Recommended that neighbors call different dep’ts. Ellen would like monthly or quarterly presentations, such as Block Watches, Emergency Preparedness, because Board mtgs are rather dull, not good for building meetings. Tara Fleetwood: 676-6924 (tfleetwood@cob.org). Patrick asked if it could be linked to Emergency Preparedness; Patti said no but that’s what they’d like to. Sharon pointed out that it would be good to get Night Out organized; Liz and Erin reminded us that someone needs to do these things. Theresa said we can’t do everything; neighbors welcome and encouraged to start their pet projects. Erin said we need to do outreach if there’s any point in having presentations, to bring in meetings. Hugh said we can use email list of all previous participants. Ellen asked if we could have school distribute announcements. Liz said this is perfect for an Outreach Committee. Sign-up sheet passed around again. Chris said he knows people involved in outreach and will be involved, too. Patti asked if we have list of all property owners; yes, but not renters’s names. Theresa said CoB police dep’t is awesome, responds well. Picnic is not good forum for presentation, but an info table would be good. Hugh suggested we add website to signs; Polly will get quote on it.

10. Potluck Picnic report by Erin: ‘booths’ will be set up (e.g. Block Watch, etc). Picnic is on Sunday, Sept. 9, noon to 3:30pm, at Memorial Park on James and Maryland. Erin passed around help sign-up sheet. Erin and Patti asked some businesses to donate items (GaPac will again donate beverages). Will put flyers around. Mary Anne will talk with Lisa McKay about helping that weekend, putting up tables, etc. Margaret might be able to bring a couple from work. Next planning meeting is next Wednesday, 8/29, 6:30pm at Erin’s house, 2715 Grant St.

11. Street Tree Report by Patrick: now we need to know who will have trees at their house. CoB-approved trees have been chosen 5 types of trees to chose from. This is a matching grant so SNA will be asking for donations. $30.00 will get you one small tree and $50.00 for a large tree and SNA will plant it for you. The trees can be planted in the middle of their lawns as long as they are in the city right away. T. Tripp likes trees near streets to calm traffic. Patrick said it is time to order the tree and we can use city’s wholesaler. The city will pick up the trees and hopefully deliver them to the sites. Patrick said people can pick the kind of tree they want. Patrick is not sure how this tree planting will go since we are asking for donations. Patrick said he will have sign-up at the picnic and will put them on the website. Erin asked if SNA will mulch the trees - either the city or mulchers. We will do it right! Sign-up sheet passed around; info will be on website. Specific trees will be gotten by lottery. A business has been hired by CoB to identify underground utilities. Planting needs lots of organization. CoB recommended we place order ASAP. Would we agree to let Patrick and David pick out the trees to get order in fast? Yes!

12. Theresa announced: Picnic on 9/9; Wed. 9/12 Public hearing on 6 cell towers on Lincoln Square behind GO.

13. Carol went to identity theft workshop; has free materials.

14. Next meeting: at Sunnyland Elem. School from now on.

Meeting adjourned 8:30pm.
Respectfully submitted by Margaret Lyons