You can make a real difference to needy elementary school children and their families this holiday season. Kirkland Nourishing Network is working to help feed some of the "neediest of the needy" in Kirkland elementary schools over the long, December holiday school break. They are working with existing gaps that have been identified by those that see the needs of these children every day. The teachers and school counselor identify these kids and their families while maintaining confidentiality.

Based on the community's generosity at Thanksgiving, they have expanded their program to include needy students in all
Kirkland elementary schools where they can identify valid, unmet need.  This is asking more than they ever have, but
Kirkland has have met the need on every occasion, so far.

Those that pitch in ARE the network. The community's response, over the past two years, motivated much broader
participation. The City is stepping up to increase support to needy elementary school families that corresponds with
where the Kirkland Nourishing Network has been helping. Pantry Packs and HopeLink have partnered to strengthen the
weekend backpack program.

This holiday break Kirkland Nourishing Network needs 280 food boxes to meet the expanded need. That's 330 donors helping those in our community that don't have enough to eat.  

1. Please take a look at the web site to see if you can help bring a box of food: http://www.mysignup.com/decemberholidaybreak


2. Please pass this request along to any of your friends and neighbors who aren't already supporting food insecurity in our community.

Kirkland has a reputation of stepping up to help its own. The expansion of our efforts to help in more elementary
schools is a step toward helping in all Kirkland schools. Your caring is what will make that possible. This is real
need in our community, right now. You can make an immediate difference in the lives of these children and
their families.

Thanks for considering these 2 requests. The holiday break food delivery date is Thursday, Dec. 18, and you may
choose a drop-off location in the north or south part of the city.

Minutes to the CHNA meeting on Dec 3, 2014
1) Neighborhood Matching Grant
Overview
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program provides Kirkland neighborhoods the opportunity to apply for City funds to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. Neighborhood matching grant funds have resulted in many physical improvements in the neighborhoods as well as community building activities. In the past, Central Houghton has used its grants primarily for the HoughtDown and neighborhood communications (website, newsletter, mailings, etc.).

Grant application needs to be filled out and submitted by Jan 31.

Ideas discussed
-       Top of the list will be the hosting of website and Houghtdown Picnic and Parade
-        “H” signs to announce meeting
-       CERT sign – what can we do? What would be best? Something to look into this coming year.
-       Communication – work with Lakeview PTSA to let them know about the Houghtdown for incoming families
-       Potentially use mailers for recruitment and start conversation on Hought-Everest Center -  Kari has cost of distribution list
-       Ads in Kirkland Courier

Next Steps
-       Lisa to find out cost of H signs
-       Lisa to send previous grant applications to Brian
-       Lisa look for email on grant amounts and send to Brian
-       Erika send amount to Brian on HoughtDown costs
-       Brian to bring application to next meeting to review

For more information on Kirkland’s Matching Grant Programs see - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/Matching_Grants.htm 

2) Neighborhood Safety Program
Overview
The City Council authorized the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) in June 2014. The purpose of the Program is to reenergize Neighborhood Associations by empowering them to work collaboratively to identify, prioritize and address pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in Kirkland neighborhoods.

Several folks went thru all the projects. The top suggestions were reviewed in the meeting. Many of the suggestions were improvements up by ICS.

Top recommendations that came out of the meeting:
-       Improve 60th street entrance to Cross Kirkland Corridor. Clear out ivy and trees. Make it more open, improve the lighting. Look at drainage.
-       Improve lighting on 112th – east along 112th, north of ICS.
-       Improve 60th street entrance to bridge crossing over 405. Not sure if this is for DOT or the city.

Next Steps
-       Lisa find about requesting DOT paint the ped bridge over 405
-       Erika to look at 60th street to 405 bridge again to see if city or DOT.
-       Erika to make sure to 112th improvement includes the details from our meeting

For more information on the Neighborhood Safety Program see - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/NSP.htm

3) Kirkland Parkplace Update
Overview
Bill Pollard of Talon Private Capital presented Talon’s new plans for Kirkland Parkplace, at the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) meeting in November. Talon Private Capital, a Seattle-based privately-held real estate investment firm, is hoping to revive the Kirkland Parkplace project. Talon has offered to meet with the CHNA in the February timeframe to discuss it’s plans for Parkplace.

-       Group had a general discussion in prep for Bill coming to Feb meeting. No matter what is included in mixed use, the design is everything! This was zoned for offices and now moving to residential. QFC appears to be having a large influence on the requirements and restrictions of the development. Urban planning is hot. Kirkland needs more employment opportunities.

4) Houghton-Everest Center
We all know the city will not start discussing this area until Jan 2016. In preparation for this, we think we should start talking to Everest and Lakeview to see if the neighborhoods want to move in the same direction. Suggestion made to start conversations in March.

5) Other updates
Market Neighborhood recently experienced a rash of car break ins. They were mainly opportunistic as car doors were unlocked. Many residents had not initially called KPD to report it as small valuables were taken and they thought that it was an isolated event. As a reminder, lock your doors, including homes and remove valuables from cars. Please report any car break ins so the police department can get a better understanding of the crime at hand.

Our next meeting will be Jan 7th at 7pm.

Until then, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

Stay in touch!!

Join our group on Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1376693919236398/

Check the website www.houghtonlives.com

Lisa McConnell and I attended the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods meeting last night. While the majority of the meeting concerned the proposed Aquatic Recreation Community (ARC) center, Eric Shields from the Planning Department gave an overview of the marijuana zoning ordinances. Because Initiative 502 prohibits marijuana sales (as well as processing and production) within 1000 feet of school grounds, playgrounds, recreation centers and facilities, state licensed child care centers, public parks, libraries, or any game arcades for persons aged twenty-one years or older, the number of elible locations for retail sale of marijuana here in Kirkland is limited. The full sized .pdf of the map of these locations can be found here here.

Agenda for Central Houghton Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm
Houghton Fire Station 22
6602 108th Avenue NE


1) Neighborhood Matching Grant
Overview
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program provides Kirkland neighborhoods the opportunity to apply for City funds to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. Neighborhood matching grant funds have resulted in many physical improvements in the neighborhoods as well as community building activities. In the past, Central Houghton has used its grants primarily for the HoughtDown and neighborhood communications (website, newsletter, mailings, etc.). We will be discussing how we’ll want to use the next two-year cycle of grants. Historical Listing of Grants (PDF-23 kb)

Eligible projects fall into five categories:

• Community Building Events: Neighborhood picnic, July 4 parade entry, holiday events, outdoor health/recreation (walking, biking, running) events, and emergency preparedness fairs.
  
• Communications and Operations: Neighborhood website, mailings, newsletters, meeting space, and administrative costs.
  
• Physical Improvement Projects: Landscape beautification, playground and minor park improvements, tree planting, and clean-up.
  
• Neighborhood Identity Projects: Signage and neighborhood entrance beautification, banners, and public art.
  
• Leadership Training and Education: Sponsorship of board members or residents to the Leadership Institute, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), or other training opportunities. 
  

For more information on Kirkland’s Matching Grant Programs see - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/Matching_Grants.htm 


2) Neighborhood Safety Program
Overview
The City Council authorized the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) in June 2014. The purpose of the Program is to reenergize Neighborhood Associations by empowering them to work collaboratively to identify, prioritize and address pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in Kirkland neighborhoods.
The Program is funded by the voter approved 2012 Streets Levy. Each year there is a total of $150,000 available for projects citywide under $50,000. Projects fall into the following categories:

• Bicycle facility: Bike lanes or trails. 
  
• Crosswalks: New crosswalks, improved crosswalk ramps (ADA), crosswalk islands, and rapid flashing beacons.
  
• Intersection Improvement: Signage, parking, and pedestrian “bump outs.” 
  
• Traffic Calming: Traffic islands, speed cushions, pedestrian “bump outs,” signage, and radar signs.
  
• Walkway/Sidewalk and Trail: gravel trail, steps, curb, traffic delineators, and sidewalk.
  
• Street Light: on existing utility pole or installing a light new pole. 
  

Improvements are restricted to City property including streets, parks, community facilities, and the Cross Kirkland Corridor.
Important Dates
Project idea due: December 15, 2014
NSP Workshop: January 22, 2015
Applications Available: January 22, 2015
Applications Due: No later than February 9, 2015
Panel review: March 11, 2015
Panel decision: March 25, 2015
City Council decision: April 21, 2015
Projects announced: By end of April, 2015
Projects End: June 1, 2016

For more information on the Neighborhood Safety Program see - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/NSP.htm


3) Kirkland Parkplace Update
Overview
Bill Pollard of Talon Private Capital presented Talon’s new plans for Kirkland Parkplace, at the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) meeting in November. Talon Private Capital, a Seattle-based privately-held real estate investment firm, is hoping to revive the Kirkland Parkplace project. Talon has offered to meet with the CHNA in the February timeframe to discuss it’s plans for Parkplace. In preparation for that meeting be aware of the following information (Talon will not be at our December meeting and we will not be discussing Parkplace, this is informational only).

• City page for Parkplace plan information - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Development_Info/projects/Parkplace.htm
  
• Talon’s Amendment Request for Parkplace - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/102114/11a_NewBusiness.pdf
  
• Talon’s News page - http://www.talonprivate.com/news.html

Stay in touch!!
Join our group on Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1376693919236398/
Check the website www.houghtonlives.com
Thanks. Hope to see you there!
Brian Staples
Interim CHNA Chair