Minutes for March 2015 Meeting

Open Items

• CKC Committee (Kari) to get back to CHNA on the possibility of putting H signs or a banner along the CKC for upcoming meetings.
  

(brian - the city got back to us on this and they are thinking of putting a kiosk in the corridor at the Waddell crossing for the Central Houghton, Lakeview, Moss Bay, and Everest Neighborhood Associations to post information about meetings and goings on.)

• CKC Committee (Kari)  to consider if there will be a Steward for CKC

1)      Kurt Tripplet came to the meeting to discuss the Waddell Property purchase. This is the property that is to the west of Houghton Center (Met Market). See the attached document for exact location – it is the blue outlined area on the second page of the “Waddell purchase” document.  

• The purchase of the property was solely to support the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC). Page 70 of the CKC master plan mentions the intent.
  
• As background, the City made decision not to accept CARs (Citizen Amendment Requests) to this property. City is going to work with the neighborhoods in 2016 to understand the Comprehensive plan for this area. The property owner, Doug Waddell, “gave up”  on waiting for the updated Comprehensive Plan and decided he needed to sell his property. Mr. Waddell knew the City was interested in the property and approached the City.
  
• Using the capital purchase process, the City asked (and answered) the same questions they expected the citizens to ask.
  
• The City kept the process quiet in order to avoid a bidding war for the property.
  
• The decision to buy the property was not a commitment to use the property, the expectation is to wait the 3 years (until the Comprehensive Plan update are complete) before doing anything with the property.
  
• The City sees this purchase as a low risk, high upside opportunity. By using an inter-fund loan, the city could buy and hold on to a property that provides great access from the CKC to the Houghton Neighborhood Business Center (HNBC).  
  
• The intent is to put in a path “immediately” providing an at grade path between the CKC and the HBBC. See the yellow line on the second page of the Waddell purchase document.
  
• The appraisal of the property came in at $4.1M. With the market expected to rise at 1.5% per month, the asking price of $4.76M.
  
• When a purchase is being made over the appraised value, by law a list of possible public uses needs to be included. Transit center, affordable housing and access to CKC where added as possibilities uses.
  

To state again, the city has no plans to change the current functionality of the property other than add in the path. They are holding it.

• It is expected the property will have a positive cash flow even after paying interest on loan and support for maintenance. See the Waddle Property document to see the Inter-fund Loan Worksheet.
• The property was a great opportunity to enhance the CKC and gives the neighborhoods time to have conversations on what should be done with the property.
• Ownership of the property does not happen until April 24th.
• Waddell was looking to add 11 new homes on this property with 5 homes along the CKC, cutting off any possible access to the CKC. The apartments currently on this property are considered affordable housing.
• Mr. Waddell will continue to own the property outlined in yellow on the second page of the Waddell purchase document. He has first right of refusal if the city puts this property back on the market over the next 3 years.
• Moss Bay asked to add in a stairway to the CKC. This stairway is independent of this purchase.

2)      Katie Cava discussed the Green Kirkland Partnership. Here are the key points

• The program has been around since 2005. At the core it is about doing restoration; pulling invasive plants and add back in native plants.
• In 2014; there was 2365 volunteers and 8900 volunteer hours
• Since 2005, there has been 15, 751 volunteers and 60, 080 volunteer hours
• Stewards are the heart and soul of a park and lead the volunteer efforts.
• In 2014, 10 new area had a 1st time cleaning.
• 290 trees and 4800 new plants have been added to the parks
• On Tuesday, March 24th, will be the Green Kirkland Partnership Open House. Contribute your ideas and experience in the parks to help guide the Restoration Plan for the next 20 years.
Heritage Hall – 203 Market St – 6-6:30 Community Social – 6:30-8pm Program & Public Input. Refreshments and healthy snacks provided. For more information go to greenkirkland.org or contact Kim Frappier at 206-905-6919 or kfrappier@forterra.org

• On May 9th – there will be a new Steward orientation from 10am-2pm. Watershed and Everest are looking for Stewarts – what a great opportunity – contact – Katie or Kim.
• Other ideas discussed were to consider doing soil restoration. Continue to make partnerships with schools. Although there is work that can be done on school property, the focus of this program is the parks.
Join us for some of the upcoming 2015 Featured Events

• In April will be weekly events at Carillon Parks
• Juanita Bay Park – Sat, April 18th – Earth Day
• Everest Park – Sat, May 16th
• Juanita Heights Park – Sat, June 6th
• Watershed Park – Fri, June 19th
• Cotton Hill Park – Sat, July 25th
• Kiwanis Park – Sat, Aug 22nd
• Watershed Park – Sat, Oct 17th – Arbor Day
• Crestwood Parks – Sat, Nov 1st – Green Kirkland Day
• All events are from 10am-2pm
3)      In other park updates, March 11th a recommendation was made on ARC location at the Park Board Meeting
4)      Comprehensive Plan Discussions – CHNA would like to get Moss Bay, Everest, Lakeview and CHNA together to start discussions on the Houghton-Everest Neighborhood Business Center. Lisa McConnell had a conversation with Angela last month to let her know of our intentions. Angela was in support of our plans.

• By the end of 2015, we hope the 4 neighborhoods can come to a consensus on how to start the conversation with the city. Can we come up with a common vision. We need to have discussions on traffic, retail, housing, zoning and so on  Please join in the process and discussion.
  
5)      CERT has a new forum. The NW University will have an emergency generator, making it an ideal “ground zero”.
6)      How do we do a better job of connecting with our neighbors and what is the vision of CHNA.

• Brian Staples put together a document to outline the vision and mission of CHNA. What are your thoughts on CHNA? Please send feedback!
• Other ideas to get more neighbors involved
• Some neighborhoods have set up NextDoor to keep connected with your neighbors.
• Hang a banner over 108th  or 68th bridge for CHNA meetings. Put up sandwich boards on 108th
• Put together a “welcome kit” to new neighbors that says who we are. 

 7)     Looks like the Houghtdown Picnic will continue to be on Labor Day in 2016!

8)   Next meeting – April 1st – join us for discussions on the Houghton-Everest Neighborhood Business Center

 Thanks and check out what is going on in the neighborhood at:
On the web at http://www.houghtonlives.com
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1376693919236398/