Goal: To organize neighbors into project groups and inform neighbors of neighborhood news and events.

Present: Theresa Tripp, Susan Adams, Mary Anne Stuckart, Polly Gilbert, Carol Lavoie, Iain Davidson, Mary Strickland, Julie Mauermann, Andrew Connor, Margaret Lyons, Alex Ramel, Hugh Conroy, Hank Bledowski, Judith Green, Ericka Christenson, Natali Chapin, Dennis Murphy, Patrick McKee, Mart Stewart, Lan Ly, Jon Dillon, Kristin Denham, Dan Pittsenbarger.

1. Welcome, introductions, reading of June meeting minutes
Susan Adams welcomed everyone. She thanked Polly and Carol for ordering and purchasing the 7 signs to put up when we are having a meeting. Margaret Lyons will store the signs in her garage.

2. Green Power – Alex Ramel Ramel works for the City of Bellingham Environmental Resources which is part of the Public Works Dept. Ramel’s role is to implement climate protection practices in Bham that will reduce emissions that cause global warming. The most effective way to reduce emissions is to participate in the Green Power Program that Puget Sound Energy offers. There is a partnership between PSE and Bham’s Green Power where any customer can dedicate $2.00 or more of their monthly PSE bill to green energy sources. Alex said that WWU students voted to pay extra tuition in order to have green power. Bham City said that by 2007, all city energy would be from renewable sources.

Green Power Neighborhood Challenge. The City of Bham is offering a thousand dollar grant to the neighborhood with the most participation in the Green Power Program. SNA can promote this program by having SNA neighbors participate. Other things SNA can do to promote the program is to promote Green Power in the SNA’s newsletters, email list servers, and advertise our next meeting using door hangers that also promote Green Power. If Bham City achieves its goal of 1000 new residences and 50 businesses by 2007, PSE will fund a renewable energy demonstration project in Bham. $4.00 a month will buy 200 kilowatts a month and $2 will buy 100 kilowatts a month. Hugh Conroy asked if the Green Power renewable energy sources could meet the power demand as we increase participation. Ramel said they could. Andrew C. said he signed up for 100% and he has a fixed premium every month.
.
3. Presentation of proposed committees
Andrew reported that the SNA Board met and decided they want to empower the SL residents to work on issues but not to assume the SNA speaks for all the residents.
1. The SNA board will help with simple issues like traffic, implementing items in SNA plan and help people organize on major policy changes. The SNA will not speak for the neighborhood or give a stamp of approval for the entire neighborhood on major issues or projects.

The large group separated into small groups to discuss specifics and reported out with these goals.

Parks Committee:
• Expand Memorial Playground-Propose a project to Neighborhood Initiatives Program
• Developing North end of Memorial Park
• DOT

Industrial Zone and Street Trees Committee
• This group wanted to know if Kentucky and Virginia Streets will continue to be a border between residential and the industrial zones. Andrew and Patrick are going to contact the city regarding their intentions for the industrial zone.

Traffic, Street Standards, Public Transportation and Bicycles Facilities Committee
• Explore the abandoned railroad right of way traversing the neighborhood from SW to NE to provide a connection.
• Check on current condition of Sunnyland Neighborhood streets
• Explore feasibility for more crosswalks on James Street.
• Look into creating an “Urban Village” on James Street by making it pedestrian friendly.

Hugh said they were going to check on safe school routes, WTA plans, city plans and attend a traffic-calming workshop. Then the group would present a way to improve pedestrian issues in neighborhood.

Community Building Committee
• Community Garden
• Ask the city to erect a sign for SL park
• Create a neighborhood welcome sign
• SL neighborhood garage sale
• SL haunted house
• Create welcome packages for new neighbors
• Organize alley clean ups
Margaret and Mary reported that Mark will check into city sponsorship of a community garden and available land for it. The group is also interested in neighborhood welcome signs, welcome packages, resource sharing such as used lumber.

4. Treasurer Report - Hugh
Traded cash for assets-
Paid for new signs organized by Susan, Polly and Carol.
P.O. Box fees paid
SNA’s current bank balance is $25.00.
Hugh filed incorporation paperwork with Secretary of State
Hugh would like to open a checking acct. with GP.
Andrew C. asked if we need fund raising activity.
Hugh suggested collecting dues and solicit dues from businesses and/or sell
ads for the newsletter
Elizabeth Jennings will attend Bellingham Planning Academy for Neighborhoods. If a member attends this Academy, SNA will receive $2500 to assist in the preparation of proposed amendments for 2007 Neighborhood Plan and pay for associated costs. Thank you Elizabeth.

5. Announcements
• Neighborhood Relations Pilot Project
• If you are ticketed for parking the wrong direction on the street, call and say you did not receive a warning. The city will rescind the ticket.
• Public Hearing on subdivision variance application known as Devo Lot Line at 403 E. Illinois St. Wed, Oct. 11th, 2006 6pm City Hall Comments and questions to Kathy Bell at kbell@cob.org or directly to applicant Clark Williams cell: 920-4488. Patrick McKee spoke to the type of required hearings for variances.
• Whatcom Creek Trail Project
• BPD Citizen’s Academy
• North Bellingham Trail & Greenway Group Meeting
September 20, Wednesday 7 - 9pm in the Palm Room of the Birchwood Presbyterian Church.
• David Donohue is giving input on a survey requested by the city about neighborhood involvement.
• Public Meeting regarding RESOLUTION TO URGE US
CONGRESS TO END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ & BRING OUR
TROOPS SAFELY HOME. This meeting is September 25, at
7:00pm in Council Chambers.

Neighbors expressed the following concerns of residents who attended the meeting:
• Neighbor concerned about the DOT empty lot on Illinois. It is has a new owner and isn’t being mowed.
• 403 E. Illinois, short plat
• Empty Red Apple
• Air quality and traffic concerns.
• Theresa Tripp concerned about traffic.
• Military helicopters circling neighborhood.
• Pipestem Driveways is a concern of Judith Green. She is going to check on how a neighborhood can prevent pipestem driveways.
• Carol asked about a notice posted by Lee’s Drive In for some future activity.

6) Proposed next meeting is another General Meeting on October 17th at 6:30pm (third Tuesday) at Sunnyland Elementary.