Author: elaine

1. October minutes reviewed

Spelling of Jeni’s name corrected. Minutes accepted with corrections.

2. Board elections (Feb 2009)

we need 3 new board members to get to 10-member quorum, plus we need almost all new officers. Jeni Jenni will be continuing as Treasurer. Elaine volunteered to take on secretary. Ann would be willing to stay on for the numbers. Sam and Tim are still definitely on board, and we’re assuming that Jessie is still on.

We all need to do some inviting — in person, on the site, in the newsletter. Luke will reuse last year’s article for recruitment.

Chad suggested only 5 people required on the board? General discussion is that the neighborhood is too big, and with only 5 people it’s hard to assume everyone will be there. Nathan said that maybe we can get people for perspective, are there past people we can ask to do? It’s just hard to get to the meetings sometimes, just commit to a couple of board meetings and be active by email.

3. New bank account

We have a new account at same institution (WSECU), since many prior signatories are no longer available.

We discussed who to put on the account. According to Jeni Jenni, we just need to put into the meeting minutes who is a signatory. Agreed that the signatories will be President (Luke) and Treasurer (Jeni Jenni).

Chad talked about using the info to do donations.

We talked about BBQ for future picnics, Chad asked about buying one, could be tricky. Luke suggested renting one next year.

4. newsletter

Don is no longer a reliable printing source, we had it printed at d’oops for $170. We have 2 reams of the large size paper remaining, which is enough for the February newsletter.

After February, we agreed to go to a smaller size (probably legal) with additional information on the web. We may be able to use the city copier with that size, which we can’t do now. Also, the paper costs half as much for legal vs 11×17.

articles:

• general meeting agenda: open mic, elections, and *something*
• elections
• Jessie’s meet your neighbor
• garden tour follow-up, Chad will write together with Tim
• pesticide-free project (if follow-up is available)
• walk and roll program?
• “we’ll promote your club” article, Elaine will write

ads

• Swantown Inn
• Olympia Coffee?
• Chad will approach Einmalens, Bike Stand, Bike Tech, Gravity Bar
• Reneta (sp?) Wilson, insurance agent
• Luke has info for Brooks Plumbing, Compass Rose

We can fit maximum four ads (if too many, Nathan will give up their ad). We discussed web advertising for future.

Luke mentioned the new OPD Google Map of crime incidents. Some discussion of auto theft issues, some tree-related vandalism, empty houses, issues at Lions Park followed.

Chad asked about doing newsletter routes on Google Map. Elaine & Luke said it’d be arduous.

Denise Halloran has been working with the city — Boundary St to get speed reduction measures in 2012, traffic study done “neighborhood traffic management” between 10th & Legion. What she did: wrote formal letters, they did a traffic study, person who applies has to find someone to staff the speed trailer.

1. discussion of minutes and Google Groups lists. may look into setting up an open discussion group, with someone other than Luke moderating. Approved.
2. Isthmus rezone. Luke has been receiving emails from various groups around town: some asking us to share info, some asking for an ENA position. in particular, one from several former planning commission members, sending a letter, wanting our endorsement. (anti the rezone) discussion of particular impacts, including fountain park, images available from the city. does the ENA want to take a position? discussion of whether it’s outside of our group’s scope. Sam suggested maybe having an article in the newsletter. for that venue, will be too late for any decision-making. consensus: “it’s not letterhead material.”
3. garden project. Stuart: not anything to report, still hasn’t heard back from David Hanna after making some calls, sending some letters; still trying to figure out what the city’s POV is. Stuart will send copies of the letters to Luke (whole board?) and Luke will follow up. Stuart will not have the same time availability, has not been able to get ahold of anyone at GRUB. also, the developer has no plans to develop the 13th Ave property in the near future, so that group doesn’t have the urgency that they did a year ago. Chad said that Michael Kelly at Terra Commons is interested in helping. Nathan thinks that the next step should be to talk to GRUB about their park project, and get the 13th Ave group going, otherwise: no point in doing it? Chad thought there was enough interest, put up a fence & sign, and Terra Commons really wants a project. Difference between enough people who would use it and enough people to make it happen. Tim knows Blue (?) at GRUB, thinks that this is an important need for the community. Stuart talked a bit with someone at GRUB about the Sunrise garden, but didn’t talk about the aspects addressed in the letter from the city. Tim will talk to Blue about the history & process. Chad will talk to Michael, feel out what they want, experience working with the city. Some discussion of relationship with the city, that they want our willingness to participate in the formal planning process.
4. picnic. August 9. Will New Bridge be involved to the same extent? Haven’t heard as much from them. Last year we bought beverages, burgers, dogs & buns. Eddie had inflatable toy; Carol’s son did activities. People broughts sides & desserts. Had too much food, couldn’t give it all away. We’re doing well financially, can do the same again. Higher quality meat? Cost is a serious factor. Quality salads? How many people? 40 or 50 would be a reasonable number. Tim would be willing to help with games & activities, if he doesn’t have his kid by then. Fire department will show up with fun stuff for kids. Luke has been talking to the police; apparently we have a neighborhood beat cop, will see if we can have someone come to the picnic or a general meeting. Sam can bring iced coffee & iced tea. Stuart would like to sign up for prep for making our own food. Can we go more sustainable or better quality? Chad will check whether Stewart’s Meats does premade patties. Will do same as last year, but look for better sources. Stuart will make the gardenburgers, about 2 dozen, will get reimbursed. Whitney will look into other meat options. Tim will ask SF Bakery people about buns (5-6 dozen). Will be asking for either donations or reduced cost.
5. traffic. Luke has been talking to Randy W. about the crosswalk at Madison. Trying to find out what’s going on. Will bring back in July.
6. sandwich board signs. southwest neighborhood got grant from city for something like that, but not reusable. nice professional sign about $300 ea. Luke is working on a homemade sign prototype, with a space for a notice under plexiglass.  Sam has a vinyl-cutter at work, might be able to score a couple of things of our logo, probably cheap or free. Luke can send him a copy of the logo (Illustrator) and approximate size. Luke showed the image prototype. Elaine & Chad may have some hinges to help. Oly Salvage always has good inexpensive plywood, (other store) has cheap paint. May be organizing a work party in the future.
7. we got STEPS grant again, Christine Watts is running it again. Probably continuing prior year projects. City is also talking about organizing “walking bus” with new employee coordinating pedestrian/bike transportation issues.
8. newsletter. articles due July 7. picnic, meet your neighbor, Kerry at the city wants to write. ads: the usual, plus Elaine will see about TwinStar, possibly picnic donors. ithusmus article? no, blog post. how to sign up for the Google Group, make a big deal about it. Elaine mentioned typo. Focus on ads, Elaine will put info on the website about newsletter ads. Luke will write a “president’s column.” Chad asked about inviting cartoonists.
9. Stuart brought up the PSE sale, utility commission recommended not selling, will there be local electric PUD?
10. Tim mentioned a google group on local organic gardening, “help my broccoli is looking like this what do I do?” as a resource for the neighborhood, people going to each other gardens. Will write article? Random discussion of the city composting program.
11. Luke: city police now have daily activity summary on their website. They also do vacation checks, come by to see if your house is okay.
12. Tim: some local sources for hoses/nozzles are now safe, but many contain lead, for safer vegetable gardening.

Next meeting, July 17, Swantown Inn, 7 pm.

Thursday April 17^th 2008    Luke and Whitney’s house       the meeting was called to order by Elaine at 7:05

Members present    Nathan Allen                           Elaine Nelson

Ann Mataczynski                     Jessica Archer

Carol Wilson                           Whitney Bowerman

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

Elaine let us know that there is about $1,300.00 in the treasury

Ann brought the distribution lists and routes for the newsletter.

Whitney was concerned that the newsletter was low on content. She feels like she filled it in pretty well

Nathan shared a report about the progress of the Garden committee.  The members of the committee are Stuart Reed, Tim McLeod, Ann Mataczynski, Casey Allen, and Nathan Allen.  They have contacted GRUB, the 13^th avenue group and the city and are planning a formal response to the grant. The location in question is part of the Madison Scenic Park area.  The next meeting will be on Sunday April 27^th at 12:00 at the Swantown Inn.  They will have a better delegation of responsibilities at this time and it was agreed that Stuart do take the lead since this is his project for his classes at Evergreen.

The newsletter will go out for distribution this weekend. Whitney wanted to remind people that she needs to get the information on time to get the newsletter out on time. Please be sure to get articles to her in a more timely manner.

Whitney also reminded us that the bylaws say that the agenda for meeting should be published in advance. Elaine said she will try harder to do that.

Sam will look into obtaining signs to put in yards letting people know about the general meetings and any upcoming events.

The open mic was a success at the last board meeting. It was thought to move it to the end of the meeting next time instead of the beginning.

The next general meeting is Thursday May 8^th.  It was discussed that we get someone from the city to let us know the process for getting traffic controls in our neighborhood.   Specifically speed bumps.  What exactly do we need to do to get something done about our traffic concerns.

Elaine will look into meeting at the United Methodist Church.

Nathan and Jessica will write a note to St Mike’s Church about our concerns about the parking situation.

It was also discussed about putting together a welcome to the neighborhood kit. It could include information on the neighborhood, some coffee, a Thriftway card, a welcome letter. Carol would be responsible for putting them together and Whitney will look into how to get the list of the new people in the neighborhood. Ann  said she would be happy to deliver them to their homes.

It was decided that the picnic will be on Sat August 9^th this year.

The next board meeting is on Thursday May 15^th at 7:00 at the Swantown Inn.

Respectfully submitted    Carol Wilson Secretary