Fremont Neighborhood Council Board Meeting – October 26, 2015
Board members present: Stephanie Pure, Elfriede Noble, Norma Jones, Jim Engelhardt, Toby Thaler, Linda Clifton, Shawn Mulanix, Judie Clarridge.
Stephanie opened the meeting and invited everyone to introduce themselves and share any announcements:
- November 3rd is Election Day.
- There will be a Fremont Greenways meeting on November 4th from 6:30 – 8 pm at the Stone Way Café, 3510 Stone Way. Lisa Enns will lead the meeting. Focus on 2016 priorities: crosswalks, greenways, etc.
- October 31st from 3 pm to 6 pm will be Trick or Treat in Fremont. Over 150 businesses will be participating. Treats will be given to children in costume who are accompanied by an adult.
- Fremont Festivus will be a weekend of activities: Friday, December 4th: Lenin Lighting at 5 pm with Santa, live music and First Friday Art Walk from 6 – 9 pm. Saturday: pop-up entertainment and the Rocket Re-Launch at 5 pm. Sunday: Fremont Holiday Market from 10 am to 5 pm with buskers and other surprises.
- Kevin Beder reported on the Bite of Fremont held at the Fremont Abbey on September 26th as a fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Food was donated by 10 local eateries.
- Due to the upcoming construction of an office building on the site of Jessica Vets’ current office, she will be relocating her office to space above the LTD Bar and Grill, 309 N. 36th. The Chamber is working on projects: banners for the Fremont Bridge and lights on trees in Fremont. Adopt a tree to light for $200.
- Karen Ko reported that Kirby Lindsay Laney and Jessica Vets did a great job earlier today welcoming Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce visitors on a tour of Fremont. It was part of a 3 day intercity leadership visit.
- Michael Schwab reported on the North Precinct Advisory Council meeting. He plans to attend meetings often. Robbery and assault have increased in the area. Robbery tends not to be stranger-on-stranger but may be people getting drunk and stealing from someone they know.
Troll’s Knoll Park – Jay Rood, Capital Projects Coordinator, Seattle Parks and Recreation
Jay gave background information and an update on construction. The hillsides on either side of the north end of the Aurora Bridge on N. 36th St. belong to the Seattle Department of Transportation. The land under the bridge, where the Troll statue is located, belongs to Washington State Department of Transportation but is being maintained by the Fremont Arts Council.
Seattle Parks and Recreation is entering into an agreement with SDOT which will give SPR responsibility for maintaining the land west of the bridge (lawn mowing, maintaining trash containers). Construction of the park began in August and should be completed by the end of the year. SPR was surprised to find utilities (water lines, storm sewer lines) on the site that were not identified in surveys. The contractor had to deal with the utilities. The north part of the park will be the site of a P Patch; the southern part will include a walkway uphill to a meadow. There is a Neighborhood Matching Funds grant for the construction of a tool shed for the P Patch.
Jay noted that pedestrians currently use the alley to the west of the park throughout the day as a route to the bus stop on Bridge Way but the walkway through the park could prove to be a more useful access for pedestrians than the alley. There was parking along the alley before the construction of the park. The construction of a wall along the northwest park of the park will reduce space for parking. Waste Management uses the alley for garbage pickup.
Sue Byers and Julius Rwamashongye, representatives from SDOT, were also in attendance at the meeting. SDOT is responsible for the alley. Neighbors shared concerns about the erosion of the gravel in parts of the alley that are not paved because of run-off from the paving. The upper, northern end of the alley was improved with about 50’ of asphalt. About 7 years ago, a condominium project was built at the south end. That part of the alley was improved to allow for access to parking off the alley. The alley has become a 2-way thoroughfare. There were also concerns about the lack of parking in the area and the amount of traffic around the Troll. There was discussion about the need for signage regarding parking, etc. It was also noted that there are encampments on the east side of the bridge near Winslow Place N. Sue and Julius will relay concerns to SDOT.
A question was raised about the soil for the P Patch. Jay responded that soil in the park has been tested and there were no contaminants. New soil is being brought in and they will continue to monitor it. A question was raised about bike parking at the park. Jay said he would check on it.
Jay also updated that SPR will begin the planning and design of the land-banked property on N. 35th St. in 2016. This is property west of Ernst Park by the Fremont Public Library. It was acquired as a result of the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy but has not been developed.
FNC Website:
There have been security issues with the website. Jim said that plug ins would correct the issue.
MOTION: Linda moved that Jim be authorized to spend up to $200 to remedy this problem. The motion was seconded and approved.
Other SDOT issues:
The FNC appreciated having Sue and Julius at the meeting. Residents took this opportunity to raise other issues:
- It has been noted that cars are running the red light at the intersection of 38th and Bridge Way (in front of the bus stop).
- Pedestrian safety at the crosswalk at N. 41st and Stone Way has been an ongoing concern of the FNC. Students use the crosswalk because it lines up with the N. 41st Street overpass over Aurora Avenue. It is used by students walking from Fremont to Hamilton Middle School and by students walking from east Fremont/Wallingford to B.F. Day. Flashing beacons have been installed. Would appreciate update on plans for curb bulbs.
- Concerns about the reconfiguration in conjunction with the installation of a bike track on N. 34th, west of Fremont Ave. The street has many truck deliveries.
Minutes:
MOTION: Judie moved to approve the July minutes as presented. Shawn seconded and the motion passed.
Because more information is needed to complete the minutes for the September Board meeting, they will be voted on next month.
Treasurer’s Report:
Jim reported that the $156 bill for the FNC mailbox at UPS was paid. The following are the current balances in the FNC’s accounts:
Verity Checking: $ 407.11
Verity Money Market: 56,977.08
PayPal 157.63
46th Street Mural: $471.39
The meeting was adjourned. The next FNC Board meeting will be Monday, November 23, 2015.