Birchwood Neighborhood Association General Meeting Minutes

Shuksan Middle School Cafeteria      November 29, 2011    6:30-8:00 pm

Welcome:  John Coleman, BNA President, welcomed neighbors to the meeting and reviewed the agenda. 

North Sound Baykeepers: The team from North Sound Baykeepers gave a presentation on the pollution problem in Puget Sound caused by runoff of oil, fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste and soil trash. Motor oil is the single largest source of pollution. Polluted runoff causes 30% of the pollution in the Sound.  Some ways to help decrease this pollution include: 

• cleaning up pet waste in your yard every couple of days and picking up waste on walks
• washing your car at a car wash facility and not in your driveway 
• using rain gardens and rain barrels to allow slow infiltration of rain water  

The North Sound Baykeepers team plans to conduct a walking tour of Birchwood to show examples of runoff control in our neighborhood.  If you know someone who might be interested in being part of the tour, please contact Lindsay Taylor, Project Coordinator for North Sound Baykeepers Team at LindsayT@re-sources.org.  You are also invited to a watershed walk in the Lettered Streets, starting at 1301 J Street on Sat. Dec 3^rd at 10am.  The North Sound Baykeepers’ website gives more information on their mission and projects. (http://www.re-sources.org/programs/baykeeper)

HKP Architects: Julie Blazek gave a presentation on the firm’s history and its work as Campus Architects on Bellingham Technical College's campus for the past 15 years. The new Campus Center, which will be completed soon, has many environmentally friendly features such as a green roof, solar panels, day lighting, and rain gardens for runoff.  Several other projects at BTC are currently underway:  additional offices for the Campus Services building, 2 large labs and 2 classrooms for the Des McArdle Center, additional parking, and Whatcom Creek Fish Hatchery improvements.  There is a pressing need for an expanded Health Sciences facility due to huge waiting list for the Nursing program.  Eve Magyar and David Jungkunst from BTC answered a question about the possibility of instituting paid parking on campus.  They stated that students have had to absorb increased tuition costs and paid parking would be an additional burden.  Also, if paid parking was adopted, it could push parking into the neighborhood rather than keeping it confined to the BTC campus. 

Portable toilet funding for Birchwood Park: This year, the Birchwood Neighborhood Association paid for a portable toilet in Birchwood Park for 5 months.  It was financed by a generous grant from Whatcom Educational Credit Union and Birchwood neighbors’ donations.  We would like to provide this facility again next year.  A small portable toilet costs $95/month and an ADA portable toilet costs $150/month.  We will approach WECU again for a grant and solicit donations from neighbors and others who use the Park.  Steven Trinkaus, owner of Bellingham’s Everyday Public Market on Cornwall Ave., has offered to match donations up to $250. If you would like to donate to this project, please send the donation, payable to BNA, to Becky Schlotterback, 2611 Lafayette, Bellingham, WA. 98225.

Opportunities to serve on BNA Board:  An election for open Birchwood Neighborhood Board positions will be held at the January 17^th BNA meeting.  Becky Schlotterback, BNA Treasurer, explained that anyone who has lived in Bellingham for a year and is a resident of Birchwood Neighborhood or owns a business in the Neighborhood is eligible to run for a Board position.  A Board member’s term of office is three years.  The Board meets once a month.  Please contact Becky Schlotterback, rebecca.schlotterback@comcast.net  if you are interested or have questions.

Questions and Answer Time with Jack:  Our councilman, Jack Weiss, shared information and answered questions from the neighbors concerning City and neighborhood issues:

Our next Birchwood Neighborhood Meeting will be Tues. Jan. 17^th   The Bellingham School District Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent will discuss plans for the Birchwood Elementary remodel.   

Birchwood Neighborhood Association General Meeting Minutes

Shuksan Middle School Cafeteria                      September 20, 2011            6:30-8:00 pm      

Welcome:  Becky Schlotterback welcomed neighbors and informed them about the Bellingham Bay Marathon that will be using some trails and streets in our Neighborhood on Sept. 25^th.  She also reminded people to sign in, encouraged membership donations, and pointed out the 3x5 cards that could be used for submitting meeting ideas and comments. 

House 2 Home presentation:  Abby Lund, from the House 2 Home Network Virtual Furniture Bank at Whatcom Volunteer Center, explained how the organization helps people who were recently homeless and acquired housing through housing case management.  Her organization has volunteers pick up furniture items from donors and deliver them to clients’ new homes. They have the greatest need for bookcases, dressers and dining sets.  They also need volunteers to help pick up and deliver furniture.  You may contact her at:  abbyl@whatcomvolunteer.org

Squalicum Park, Phase III plans:  Jonathan Schilk, a landscape architect for the Bellingham Parks Department, gave the development history of Squalicum Park to date.  The project started in 2004, with Phase I completed in 2008. This included site preparation with demolition and removal of concrete, building a baseball field, putting in parking and a restroom.  Phase II of the Park, day-lighting a salmon-enhancement stream, was completed this year. 

Phase III will start this year with a site survey and site sculpting.  The majority of the work will start in 2014.  This will included a softball field, a fenced “bark-park”, picnic area, multi-use field, underground wiring, an internal trail loop, volleyball and basketball courts, extended parking, an office area and restroom. 

Several neighbors expressed their wish to keep the hill in the Park.  This hill was created with soil moved in to develop a second baseball field.  The hill is considered the best amenity of the Park by many of the Park users.  The funds used to purchase Squalicum Park were designated to provide a community athletic area.  Significant community input was used in designing the Master Plan for this Park.  In order to change the Master Plan in order to keep the hill, there would need to be a public discussion of the issue, a conclusion supporting a Master Plan amendment, submission of the amendment to the Parks Advisory Board, and final consideration by the City Council. For further information and opportunity to comment, there will be a public meeting on October 6^th, from 7-8:30pm, in Building G at Bellingham Technical College.

Questions and Answer Time with Jack Weiss:  Jack Weiss, our City Councilman, shared information that would affect us and our City.  He also took questions from the neighbors concerning City and neighborhood issues. 

The clean-up of Little Squalicum Creek Park is nearing completion and the Park should be opened very soon.  There was more toxic waste in the Park than initially thought.  Many trees had to be removed leaving the Park with larger fields than planned.  There will be a total of 11,000 plants put in along the creek.  The fields have been seeded with grass.  At this time the City does not have funds to replant the entire Park.  It was suggested that the Neighborhood Association investigate ways of helping to replant the Park. 

The State is mandating that Bellingham have water meters installed on houses by 2017.  Bellingham and Everett are the only large cities in the State that are not on water meters.  Households may request the installation of water meters sooner than 2017.  Many people find they are paying less if they have their water metered.  To request a meter or estimate your water consumption, go to: www.cob.org/utilities  and select Voluntary Water Metering Program

Maplewood Avenue is in need of resurfacing.  It is in very poor condition and has unpaved parking strips.  It creates a hazard for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.  One neighbor said it is an embarrassment as a main entry into the Neighborhood.  Jack Weiss will check with Transportation to see what could be done.  Starting next year, there will be funds available for pedestrian and bicycle improvements.  Neighborhood will decide the 3 most important improvements needed and will submit them for consideration to the City.  Maplewood Ave. could be included on this list. 

The Chuckanut Ridge purchase was discussed.  The main issue now concerns financing the loan the City made to itself from one of the Greenway accounts.  One idea was selling off a portion of the land to pay off the loan. 

Kulshan Community Land Trust will be building a total of four houses with 2 ADUs on their four lots at the end of Indiana St. They don’t need and are not requesting special zoning for the project. 

Welcome:  John Coleman welcomed neighbors and reviewed the meeting agenda.

BTC Surge Space update: Dave Jungkuntz and Eve Magyar presented the site plan for Bellingham Technical College.  They explained the Surge Space construction that will continue to the end of the year.  They will be adding classrooms and electronics labs.  More space will be added to the Campus Center.  Additional parking spaces will be created, as well as rain gardens to manage water runoff.  BTC has a webcam that will provide viewing of the construction on certain sections of the campus.  To access BTC construction updates, go to www.bet.ctc.edu and use the QUICKLINKS pull down menu in the upper right corner.   Updates are posted every other week. 

Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance:  Brooks Anderson handed out information about the problems caused by single-use plastic bags.  She outlined the benefits of reusable bags, including less litter on the land and ocean and  reduced land fill waste and cost.  Bellingham uses 22 million plastic bags a year.  The “Bag It Bellingham” group is proposing a ban on plastic carryout bags as well as a 5 cent charge on recycled paper carryout bags.  The fee will encourage the switch to reusable bags.  The fee will stay with the retailer to cover costs of the paper bags.  To express your support of this ordinance, contact City councilmembers.   More information is available at:  www.bagitbellingham.com or www.facebook.com/bagitbellingham

Earthquake Preparedness:  Flip Breskin described the “Map Your Neighborhood” program that explains how to prepare your home and neighborhood for disasters.  In a disaster, first responders may not be able to help you.  Your neighbors will be your resource for help.  When you meet with your neighbors to “Map Your Neighborhood”, you will make 3 lists:  who has what skills, who has what supplies, and who lives where.  The “Map Your Neighborhood” booklet tells you what to do first.  One thing that everyone should do is have a bag under the bed with sturdy shoes, a flash light, and hardhat or helmet.  “Map Your Neighborhood” takes only one person on any block to start it.  That person invites the block neighbors to a meeting to go over the “Map Your Neighborhood” information.  Flip Breskin would be willing to present at such meetings.  If she is not available, there is a “Map Your Neighborhood” DVD.  The presentation takes 90 minutes.  Contact Flip Breskin at:  flip@breskin.com   You may also ask to join the email list for Flip’s Columbia Neighborhood newsletter that has great information for all neighborhoods.  If you wish to be on her email list, include your name, address, phone number, and email address in your message to Flip.

Sheriff Department Presentation:  Sheriff Bill Elfo and Corrections Deputy, Wendy Jones gave a presentation outlining the many responsibilities of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department.  The Department patrols 2000 sq. miles, and serves 201,000 residents.  It works with all other law enforcement agencies and public safety agencies.  There has been a significant drop in crime over 5 years, but there has been a rise in crime in the last year.  A major concern of the Sheriff’s Department is the increase in gangs in Whatcom County.  There are 18 active gangs with over 400 members.  The white supremacist gangs are the most prevalent in Whatcom County.  The Sheriff’s Department has assigned a team of deputies to focus on the gang problems.  Another pressing issue for the Sheriff’s Department is the out-dated, over-crowded jail.  The jail was built to house 148 prisoners and currently averages 290.  The Sheriff’s department would like to see a jail built close to I-5 that would meet current needs and be able to expand, as needed, over time.  You can contact the Sheriff’s Department at: www.whatcomcountysheriff.org

Announcements:

Birchwood Park Port-a-potty:  The Birchwood Neighborhood Association is renting a Port-a-potty for the Birchwood Park from May through September, the highest park use period.  The Bellingham Parks Department budget was not able to pay for the facility.  The BNA felt this was a sanitation and safety issue and decided to pay for it through BNA dues and donations.  The cost to cover this time period is $520.  At this point BNA has collected $300 in donations to support the portable toilet.  Donations may be sent to:  BNA, c/o Becky Schlotterback, 2611 Lafayette St., Bellingham, WA 98225

New Neighborhood Church:  Nate Walker told us about Christ’s Church that has newly located in the church building next to Birchwood Elementary.  The church is planning to be of service to the Neighborhood residents.  Nate encouraged neighbors to contact them or attend the Church services.

Cozy Corner Book Store: The bookstore has moved to the Northwest Shopping Center across from Yeagers. They have a larger space and serve espresso drinks.  Several cards giving free espresso drinks were given out. 

Annual Birchwood Neighborhood Picnic:  The annual picnic will be held on Sunday, August 7^th, from 3:00-5:00pm.  Hot dogs, veggie burgers, and watermelon will be provided.  Potluck dishes are welcome. More information will be coming later in the summer. 

Birchwood Elementary Cafeteria  March 14^th, 2011     6:30-8:00 pm    

Welcome:  Barb Campbell welcomed the neighbors to the meeting and reviewed the agenda.

Graffiti Action and Prevention—Rick Flug introduced Shuksan principal, Andy Mark, and teacher, Theo Milne who spoke about the efforts Shuksan Middle School has made to eliminate graffiti around the School.  A group of Theo Milne’s students painted out graffiti on the Masonic Lodge.  Andy Mark encouraged neighbors to take a photo of the graffiti and call the police to report graffiti whenever they see it.  If the graffiti is not painted over quickly, other graffiti is likely to occur.  Rick Flug, who has been active in solving some of the neighborhood graffiti problems, shared what he has learned about discouraging graffiti in our Neighborhood.  He noted that we want to prevent the “Broken Window Syndrome” where areas with damage will attract more damage.  Most of the graffiti in Birchwood is not gang related but is general tagging.  If graffiti is removed within 24-48 hours, less graffiti will recur. 

Birchwood School Garden:  Birchwood teacher, Kelly Morgan and Birchwood parent, Matt Conour shared the plans for the School Garden after the students are relocated to Cordata Elementary during the remodel of Birchwood.  The garden will be maintained and improved during this time.   Matt Conour has built several gates and fences, a large composting box, installed water lines and will soon be building a 10’x10’ shed for the property.  An Eagle Scout is building a potting table.  This spring, the Birchwood students will plant the garden.  The Whatcom Garden Collective is starting a Youth Garden Corps that will care for the garden during the school remodel period.  Shuksan students will also be involved with the garden.  On April 23^rd, there will be a garage sale with all proceeds going to support the garden.  There will also be a work party at the garden after Spring Vacation.  Kelly Morgan asked the neighbors to keep an eye on the garden and provide a presence by walking through it occasionally.   A question was asked about access to the play equipment as well as the garden during the remodel.  The Neighborhood Association will contact Superintendent Baker about maintaining access to both areas, if possible.

Shore Stewards:  Chery Lovato-Niles presented information about creating a healthy shoreline and marine environment.  A short movie, “Shifting Baselines” pointed out many negative changes over the last 100 years in the marine environment.  Even if we are not on the water, we can negatively affect the marine environment from a distance.   Shore Stewards is a program that addresses the issues of creating and maintaining a healthy marine environment.  Cheryl provided materials, including guide books, signs and DVDs for interested neighbors. 

Birchwood Port-a-Potty:  Barb Campbell told the neighbors about the removal of the portable toilet from Birchwood Park. The Parks Department is not able to provide one at this time due to budget constraints.  The BNA Board would like to fund a port-a-potty in the Park for the summer months through membership dues and donations.  The cost is $95/month with a one-time $45 delivery fee.  The number of months we are able to fund will depend on the amount of donations and dues that can be collected.  A parent will be talking to Birchwood PTA about helping in this project.  One neighbor said she had seen a blog comment from a parent who was hoping to organize people to fund a port-a-potty.  She will follow up on that blog comment and let the person know the BNA is involved in the gathering funds for it. 

Board Members present:  Barb Campbell, Dan Welch, Rick Flug, Stephanie Twiford, Jon Raney, Scott Rockwell

Board Member absent:  Sue DenAdel, Becky Schlotterback, Cari Duffy, John Coleman

Birchwood Elementary School       January 25^th, 2011       6:30-8:30 pm

Welcome:  John Coleman, acting president, welcomed neighbors to the meeting and reviewed the meeting agenda.  All Board members were present. 

Northwest Avenue Bike Lanes

 Councilman Jack Weiss reported on the status of the Bike Lane proposal.  The City Council voted 7-0 in favor of having a stakeholders meeting about the NW bike lanes.  The lanes will be on Northwest Ave, Elm Street and Dupont.  Public Works will investigate the route to decide how the bike lanes will be set up.  The stakeholders meeting should be in March or April.  After the meeting, the plan will go to the City Council.

            Perry Eskridge noted that many students and adults are jaywalking near his Whatcom Realtors Association office on Northwest.  He feels that more pedestrian crosswalks are needed to remedy this dangerous situation.  Jack Weiss said the Speed Camera that will be installed on Northwest at Shuksan should provide more safety for pedestrians by enforcing speed limits. 

Margaret Rudy from DeWild’s Nursery expressed her concern for the safety of jaywalking students from Shuksan School.  She suggested that a crosswalk  placed next to the bus stops would improve the situation.  Jack Weiss said that was a possibility.  There are plans to move the bus stops by Albertson’s and Rite Aid closer to the lit crosswalk to discourage jaywalking in that area. 

An audience member asked about the cost of putting in the proposed bike lanes.  Jack Weiss estimated it would cost around $50,000.  There was a discussion about the benefit and cost of regular crosswalks compared to lit crosswalks. 

Louise Bjornson brought up the need for sidewalks on McLeod and Maplewood.  She noted that this project has been needed since the 1980s.  Jack Weiss said that the Transportation Commission is reviewing projects that haven’t been done.  If you have questions for the commission, email transportation@cob.org

Neighborhood and Special Projects Coordinator

            Linda Stewart, the Mayor’s Neighborhood and Special Projects Coordinator, explained her responsibilities to the neighborhood associations of Bellingham.  At this time, there are 25 neighborhoods associations.  The City of Bellingham is providing $500 to each association to use for outreach and association costs.  A question was asked about the possibility of the Alderwood area forming a neighborhood association even though it is outside of the City limits.  Linda Stewart said she would be available to give advice and guidance to any group that wished to organize an association.

            In response to a question about the progress of the Waterfront Development project, Linda Stewart said the Master Plan Draft should be completed in the first quarter of 2011 and be sent to the Planning Department for review.  

Rental Licensing Program

            Dan Welch, Birchwood’s Mayor’s Advisory Commission representative, informed us about a rental licensing program that is being considered for the City of Bellingham.  Dan will forward information to the Neighborhood as it comes to him.  There are two parts to the proposal.  One is to license the people who rent property, and the other is an inspection program.  The City Council has a policy analyst gathering information to determine how they will proceed.   The website, www.zonemaven.blogspot.com is promoting the adoption of the program.  Perry Eskridge of the Whatcom Realtors Association, perrye@wcar.net , is available to present information against adopting the program.  Right now there is a “complaint-basis” system to address rental problems. 

Kulshan Community Land Trust - Lafayette Affordable Housing Project

            Paul Schissler and Dean Fearing of the Kulshan Community Land Trust gave an update on the progress of the Lafayette project.  The property is approximately 2 acres and has 22 buildable lots.  Paul and Dean then took questions from the audience.  They explained that the financial difficulties they encountered with the Ferndale KCLT project.  The Lafayette project is a separate project and has access to funds through the City of Bellingham.  At this point, there is not an architect hired for the project but there should be one by this summer.  The many audience members expressed serious concern about the density of housing, the style of housing, the impact on traffic and parking.  A lengthy discussion of the issues was held.  Paul noted that KCLT housing is not rental property.  It will be owner occupied.  It is also affordable housing, not low income housing.  The trail system will be improved.  He recognized that traffic and parking issues must be addressed.  They will be meeting with Madrona homeowners at Don Anderson’s home in February to continue gathering input on the project. There will also be public meetings for Neighborhood input as planning continues on the project. The BNA will email information to the Neighborhood as it is received from KCLT.  Information about KCLT is available on their website:  www.kulshanclt.org. You may contact Paul Schissler (paulschissler@kulshanclt.org  at KCLT with further questions. 

Election of New Board Members

            Becky Schlotterback went over the requirements for serving on the BNA Board.  She introduced the seven current Board members:  John Coleman, Stephanie Twiford, Barbara Campbell, Sue Denadel, Cari Duffy, Becky Schlotterback, and Dan Welch.  There were four vacancies on the Board that could be filled.  Three people volunteered to serve on the Board:  Jon Raney, Scott Rockwell, and Rick Flug.  Each person introduced himself and told why he is interested in serving on the Board.  Since there were four Board vacancies and three people willing to serve, a vote was not needed and the three volunteers were approved as BNA Board members.

Next BNA general meeting will be March 22^nd.

Attendance:  approx.40