Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday February 19, 2008
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sunnyland Elementary School
Welcome to the Sunnyland Neighborhood Association Meeting!
Input from neighbors is most important and always valued so please speak up and let your voices be heard. However, anything that needs to be voted on is done so by the board members with all consideration to what the neighborhood wants and needs.
Website: Sunnylandneighbors.org
Address: P.0. Box 2515, Bellingham,WA 98227
SNA Board:
Chair: Theresa Tripp Co-Chair: Erin Macri
Treasurer: Hugh Conroy Co-secretaries: Mary Anne Stuckart and Margaret Lyons MNAC: Patrick McKee Area one Rep: Mickey McDiarmid
Area Two Rep: Polly Gilbert Area Three Rep: open
Introductions:
Hugh Grant, Mike Rostrum, Bob Hitchcock, Carol Lavoie, Liz Jennings, Pat McKee, Jessica Parrish, Polly Gilbert, Mickey McDiarmid, Theresa Tripp, Mary Anne Stuckart, David Donahue, Linda Stewart, Jean Brechan (Happy Valley), Robert Wilson (Roosevelt), Clayton and Linda Snider
New Business:
1. Motion: Minutes approved from 1/15/08 meeting.
2. Elections
There was time given for additional nominations and speeches by candidates.
Nominations were:
MNAC-Patrick McKee
At Large Two Rep.-Polly Gilbert
At Large Three Rep-Mike Rostron, Robert Hitchcock
Co-Secretary-Mary Anne Stuckart
Co-Chair-Erin Macri
Partrick McKee, Polly Gilbert, Mary Anne Stuckart, and Erin Macri were re-elected to their positions and Mike Rostron was elected to the At Large Three Representative position.
3. LInda Stewart-Neighborhood Services Coordinator- Ms. Stewart writes the City Neighborhood News Letter and will include neighborhood association news. She will assist SNA on writing their neighborhood plan.
4.Neighborhood Planning Committee – Elizabeth Jennings/Patrick McKee
Patrick reported that the city decided SNA will be one of four plans that they will assist in updating their plan. The City Planning Department received a rezoning plan from the SNA and the DOT landowners.
The City Planning Director will work with both proposals at the same time and wants a Planned Development Contract. Patrick expressed concern about a planned development contract. The planning director proposed a design charrette for the site. Mickey reported that in a charrette people break down into groups and explore different options. LIz asked Patrick to find out the procedure and process from Tim Stewart.
Mickey pointed out the property owners did not respond to SNA’s questions as we planned neighborhood meetings.
6. Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission- Patrick McKee
The city is having a 2nd Planning Academy and is creating a Task Force who will determine What needs to go into the Planning Academy curriculum to help neighborhoods plan for and accept neighborhood infill. Creative infill strategies will be the focus of the Planning Academy. The focus of the Planning AcademyTask force will be new techniques for “neighborhood infill”. Patrick reported that the Mayor said they are going to have infill and preserve the character of the neighborhood. Patrick does not know how Bellingham can do both.
L. Stewart said that at the Neighborhood Planning Academy will create a list of ways to have infill.
Liz pointed out that each neighborhood will be able to send two representatives to the planning academy.
The police department will assign officers to each neighborhood for a community outreach program. If neighbors see something unusual, they will have a police officer’s number to call who is familiar with the neighborhood.
7. Treasurer’s Report- Hugh Conroy Same report.
Hugh asked for approval to open a Paypal account. He thought it would cost $50.00 to set up an account. Theresa moved, Mary Anne Second. Motion Approved. David Donahue said he would help and a paypal account is free with a debit card attached to the account.
Old Business:
1. COB Small and Simple Grant Update (submitted February 15)- Patrick McKee/Hugh Conroy
Patrick McKee applied for a small and simple grant for more trees for the neighborhood. Hugh applied for a grant for soccer goals for Sunnyland play field.
2. Top priorities for the 6-year transportation plan. Due March 1
Traffic Committee to present priorities to the board for approval- Hugh Conroy
Hugh said we need to put forth a single proposal from SNA for a traffic priority. Hugh said that one or more crosswalks on Alabama was a priority with a vote of 26 neighbors at a meeting last year. SNA could enter into a discussion with the city for the placement of the crosswalks on Alabama. Two crosswalks on James Street will be in place this spring.
Motion: Mary Anne moved that the SNA’s priority for the 6 yr. TIP is one or more pedestrian activated crosswalks on Alabama between Cornwall and James Street.
Mickey seconded. Motion Passed
3. Top priorities for traffic safety. Due April 1- Traffic Committee to bring list of priorities to the March board meeting for approval.
4. Point person/committee on Sunnyland area air quality.
SNA needs a Point person for the Bellingham pollution-LIz suggested one person who is the source for correct information regarding the pollution. Mike suggested we need a strategy. Mike was appointed as the SNA committee chair for the pollution smell. He will contact other neighborhood associations. Liz reported there were 90 complaints in January and 150 complaints in December called into NW Clean Air.
Mickey McDirmiard attended a City Parks Workshop.
Jean Breckan-3 hour DVD on the Central Banking System will be shown on Saturday, March 15. This movie encourages banking without interest.
Mary Anne Stuckart-Bellingham School District will have a Levy Election
Announcements:
Next SNA Meeting: March 18, 2008