April 1, 2015's meeting will be a joint meeting with the Everest, Lakeview, and Moss Bay Neighborhoods about the Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center. It is the first of three meetings we are planning in preparation for next year when the city will look at the center in light of the update to the City's Comprehensive Plan. The next meetings are currently planned for June 2015 and October of 2015. The goal of the three meetings in 2015 is to make sure the neighborhoods have an informed awareness of the center and the issues around developing a plan for the center in 2016. Everyone is welcome.

Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center
7:00 – 7:05 Introduction and overview – Brian Staples
7:05 – 7:10 Brief History – Lisa McConnell
7:10 – 7:25 Zoning Code and what that means – Lisa McConnell
7:25 – 7:45 Major Topics – input and prioritize – Cathy Whiteside
7:45 – 7:50 Wrap up and next steps – Brian Staples

Central Houghton Business
7:50 – 8:00 Neighborhood Update
Waddell property – Kari Page, Neighborhood Service Coordinator
Neighborhood Safety Program – Lisa McConnell, NSP representative for Houghton

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/

Starting in 2016, Sound Transit's University Link light rail extension will connect the University District with Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle, Rainier Valley, and Sea-Tac Airport. Metro and Sound Transit are thinking about ways to connect the new light rail service with buses to make an efficient network of service. The Link extension will add two stations: one on Capitol Hill, at Broadway and E John Street, and one at the University of Washington's Husky Stadium. Light rail will offer an eight-minute trip between the University of Washington and downtown Seattle.

Metro and Sound Transit have developed two alternative concepts for how bus service could be integrated with light rail. These concepts include new and improved connections and changes to make bus service more efficient, reliable, and easy to use and will affect many Eastside commuter routes.

Summary of Changes for 255 Riders

• Alternative 1 - Revise to serve the University District and Children’s Hospital to reduce duplication and provide new connections across Lake Washington. Delete service north of Totem Lake Transit Center. New Route 256 will provide two-way service between downtown Seattle, the South Kirkland Park-and-Ride, and downtown Kirkland. North of Totem Lake, riders use routes 235 or 236. To downtown Seattle, use Route 256 during peak periods or transfer to Link light rail at University of Washington Station. Create new Route 256 to provide two-way service between downtown Seattle, South Kirkland Park-and-Ride, and downtown Kirkland during peak periods. 
  
• Alternative 2 - No change
  

For more information check out Link connections webpage.
Changes to route 255 can be found here.
The proposed 256 route details can be found here.
Overall changes can be explored easily on an interactive map found here.
And finally, Metro would love to hear from you by attending a meeting or taking their survey found here.
One more link to the Seattle Transit Blog article discussing the proposed changes to the Eastside commuter routes.

Katie Cava from the city's Green Kirkland Partnership stopped by the meeting last night and spoke about the city's effort to keep Kirkland green. 

The Green Kirkland Partnership is an alliance between the City of Kirkland, nonprofit partners, businesses and the community to restore more than 400 acres of natural areas in the City. The majority of the restoration efforts are accomplished by our dedicated volunteers. These volunteers may join us just one time or volunteer over and over again. It takes everyone to restore our natural areas!

The Partnership seeks to remove invasive plants from city parks and plant native species. This ambitious goal cannot be achieved without the help of volunteers. Their Mission is to conserve and sustain natural areas for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Achieving this involves training and supporting volunteers in restoration activities. 

Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett will be in attendance at tonight's meeting. He'll be discussing the recent Waddell property purchase as well as other recent Kirkland happenings. Bring your questions!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 7:00pm
Houghton Fire Station 22
6602 108th Avenue NE


1) Items from the Audience
2) Green Kirkland Partnership - Katie Cava discusses the Partnership’s work across the city
3) Discussion of City's purchase of Waddell Properties  next steps (with City Manager Kurt Triplett)
4) Lisa’s meeting with Angela Ruggeri
5) CHNA Meeting Signs
6) CHNA vision and mission statements
7) Update on HoughtDown Picnic 


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/ 

I addressed the City Council at Tuesday's 3/3/15 meeting. These are my comments:

Let me begin by saying I appreciate all the hours of hard work and the professionalism you put into your jobs as city council members. As many of you are aware, I’m a big fan of the work you’ve done on the Cross Kirkland Corridor. The interim trail is incredible. The Master Plan is thorough and well thought out.

I am also a big fan of the outreach you’ve done to the neighborhoods, including ours, Central Houghton. After the council visited our neighborhood association meeting in November, I was convinced to take over as chair, because I heard a commitment from City Council, that you would listen to what my neighbors were saying and would act with their interests in mind.

That brings us to the Waddell property purchase. In the name of expediency, the City seems be taking steps that bypass the type of public discussion and process that should be associated with this type of purchase. It is unclear exactly what the City gains by not being more transparent in this transaction, especially given the contentious history of these properties.

As chair of the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association people are asking me whether the Association thinks this purchase is a good thing or not. I have difficulty saying one-way or the other because the criteria by which the property was selected for purchase has not been clearly defined. The City should only enter the real estate public marketplace when it is in the clear interest of the City and it follows a very clearly defined public process. This is not the case with the Waddell property.

The memorandum recommending the purchase of this property does not have objective evidence to support the purchase at a premium over a value arrived at by the City’s own appraisal team.

There has been no public process to determine whether the City should purchase the property. How can the public understand what the costs should be or what the benefits are going to be, without any transparency and openness to this purchase?

Another reason I have difficulty supporting the purchase at this time is because there has been no effort to see where it ranks with regards to the City’s other goals. Last week, I sat in on the State of the City Address sponsored by KAN. The two most discussed items from the audience were the ARC and the status of the North Kirkland Fire Station. Without even being part of those neighborhoods, I’m aware of the hard work done by the City and the neighborhoods in vetting those projects as they wind their way through a very robust public process. I also heard Finn Hill ask about the expansion of their parks and where the money might come from for that. The City Manager and the Mayor gave thoughtful, well-reasoned responses regarding these projects, exactly because of the public discussion that’s gone on around them. Where is that public discussion for the Waddell purchase?

So, I’m urging the City to postpone this action until a sharper picture of how this purchase affects our neighborhood; and how this purchase, as well as future purchases along the CKC, will be publicly vetted.