Birchwood Neighborhood Association Meeting

Birchwood Elementary School  January 26, 2010, 6:30-8:00pm

Board Members in attendance:

Adrienne Battis, Pres., Barbara Campbell, Sec. , Linda Long, Treas., Sue DenAdel, Rebecca Schlotterback, Stephanie Twiford, Dan Welch, Cameron Garcia, John Coleman                       

Welcome: Adrienne Battis, BNA President 

Announcements:  Adrienne Battis reminded people to fill out a membership form.  The donation is $15.  She also noted that BNA newsletters and announcements would be sent via e-mail.  Adrienne introduced Linda Stewart, City of Bellingham Neighborhood Services Coordinator.

Board Member Elections: Becky Schlotterback reviewed the requirements to be a Birchwood Neighborhood Association Board Member.   A person must live, have property, or have a business in the Birchwood neighborhood.   The term for a Board Member is 3 years.   At the time of the meeting, there were seven Board positions open.  Six nominees; Barb Campbell, John Coleman, Sue DenAdel, Rebecca Schlotterback, Stephanie Twiford, and Andrew Davis gave personal background information concerning their interest in the Neighborhood and Board.  Barb Campbell read an e-mail from the seventh nominee, Cari Duffy, since she was not able to attend the meeting due to illness.  It was moved, seconded, and passed that we accept the slate of seven nominees as new Board Members.  Officers for vacant positions will be elected at the next Board meeting on Feb. 22nd

Louise Bjornson Recognition:  Stephanie Twiford introduced our recently retired City Council person, Louise Bjornson.  Louise gave a quick review of her history working on the City Council for Bellingham.  She told us about the special things in Birchwood Neighborhood.  The City’s recycling program was started in our Neighborhood.  Louise was instrumental in preserving the 25mph speed limits on our neighborhood streets.  Louise brought a map showing the coalmine tunnels under Birchwood Neighborhood.  The mines closed in 1956.  Due the existence of the mine tunnels, the area just west of Northwest Ave. might need engineering investigation before heavy development.   Birchwood has been known for its good soil.  The big lots allowed for Victory Gardens during World War II. It is important that the Neighborhood work to conserve this good soil.  In earlier years, the Birchwood Neighborhood was known as a low crime area.  Over time there have been changes in the housing density in Birchwood.  In 1980, the apartment area zoning density increased.  Louise encouraged us to protect against major increases in the density of the Neighborhood.   She noted the recent development of parks in Birchwood.  The first park was on Maplewood Ave. by Shuksan Middle School.  Now we have parks on Cedarwood Ave. and Squalicum Parkway.  New parks are planned along Little Squalicum Creek and at the intersection of McLeod and Maplewood.  Louise noted that Birchwood still needs more parks and open space for the number of people in our neighborhood.  She asked that we watch as parks are developed to be sure they meet the neighborhood needs.  She said, “Great neighborhoods do not happen by accident”.

Councilman Jack Weiss  Jack thanked Louise Bjornson for her years of Council service.  Jack informed us about planned bus service reductions that would affect our Neighborhood.  The current plan calls for Routes 3 and 4 to be eliminated.  There will be no changes to the Green Go line.  There will be no Sunday bus service in the city.  There will be a ballot measure in April to increase the sales taxes by .2% to retain the current level of bus service. In answer to a question about the plans for the airport expansion, Jack said the City has little control over the airport.  The Port of Bellingham controls airport decisions. 

Social Time: People in attendance were given time to chat with Louise Bjornson, Jack Weiss, Board Members, and each other.  They were invited to enjoy cake and coffee in celebration of Louise Bjornson’s service to our Neighborhood and City. 

A special thanks to Little Caesars Pizza on Northwest for providing pizza for our meeting!

Approximate attendance: 35