City of Bellingham

MAYOR’S NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMISSION

“JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE”—Information of Interest

July 13, 2005

(The “Dog Days of Summer” Issue—see below!)

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS

Sehome, Mt Baker, Cornwall Park & Columbia, and Samish Neighborhoods: We will be constructing 4 new enhanced pedestrian crossings early this fall, very similar to what we just completed at Bill McDonald Pkwy/Ferry St. “Enhanced pedestrian crossings” have actuated overhead flashers, curb extensions, and refuge islands. These are planned for Chestnut St/Indian St, Barkley Blvd/Chandler Pkwy, Meridian St/Victor St and Samish Way at the entrance to Lake Padden near 48th St.

Samish: In addition to the above pedestrian crossing enhancements, Public Works will be improving the shoulders along both sides of Samish Way to achieve better bicycle and pedestrian safety. This summer, Public Works Operations will do several spot shoulder improvements.. This will also include some changes to concrete curb locations and work on associated drainage issues where the concrete curb will be altered or removed and drainage is affected. Although this may sound simple, because of the nature of the work and the volume of Samish Way traffic, the entire project may take a couple years. We’ll let you know about the timelines as our projections firm up.

Edgemoor/South: We continue our work on Chuckanut Road Improvements – curb, gutter and sidewalk on one side from Iris Lane to 12^th Street (side of Fairhaven Park). This also includes a bike lane as well as a crosswalk across Chuckanut at Willow.

Contact: Ravyn Whitewolf, 676-6961 or Ravyn S Whitewolf@cob.org

Old Town/Downtown/Lettered Streets—Neighborhood Meetings on Old Town Zoning and Code Changes

Two more neighborhood meetings are coming up providing opportunities for public discussion and comment regarding proposed changes to the Old Town area zoning and neighborhood plans. All meetings will take place at the Broadway Hall, 1300 Broadway, at 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, July 20th and August 10th. (Over 75 citizens attended the first meeting on June 29th and gave important and valuable input.)

Citizen input has put preservation of neighborhood character, historic resources and public vistas as priorities for the area. Planning staff seek further input to help guide proposed changes to both the Neighborhood Plans and the Land Use Development Code. As Old Town redevelops under the “urban village” concept recommended by the Community Forum on Growth Management, we want to make sure that it does so in a way that is respectful of these valued neighborhood elements. (You can find the report from the Forum at www.cob.org/pcd/planning/growth)

What’s it all about? In order to develop a more integrated plan for the Old Town area, we have proposed expanding the 2003 boundary to include a portion of the Central Business District neighborhood south of Whatcom Creek along Dupont and Bay Streets. Incorporating the Museum and bluff properties, as well as the various Old Town properties along Holly Street, will enable that the district be planned as a whole.

Planning Commission work session and public hearing are currently anticipated in September, with City Council review anticipated in October. Dates will be announced as they are set.

Remember, we welcome your written comments at any time throughout this process. You may send them to the Planning & Community Development Department, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 or email Nicole Oliver at noliver@cob.org or Tara Sundin, tsundin@cob.org, Planning and Community Development Department, at 676-6880.

Mayor Speaks on Fairhaven Highlands

If you wish to read the Mayor’s ideas and position on voter approved acquisition of Fairhaven Highlands, visit the City’s website – www.cob.org.

DOGGONE—MUSEUM BRINGS US LOTS TO BITE/RIDE ON

Some of you may remember the old Northwest Cycle on Dupont and Fred and Gerry Pazaski, They, with Gladys Dawson, an early motorcycle builder and long distance rider, are part of the inspiration for our show, "Motorcycles: The Good, The Bad and the Custom". “Motorcycles” is drawing a lot of national attention especially, of course, from motorcycle enthusiasts. Curated by Patrick Dowling, the exhibition celebrates the extensive history and attraction that motorcycles have had in the Pacific Northwest. (The exhibit’s poster of cool old Harley’s is on sale at the entrance in the Arco Building and at the Museum shop in Old City Hall.)

Speaking of exceptional women (such as Gerry and Gladys), in the 1892 Old City Hall is "An Enduring Legacy: Women Painters of Washington," an exhibit by our art curator, Lisa Vandoren, with guest curator, David F. Martin. This exhibit recognizes a little-known group of women painters that worked in our state from 1930 – the present.

And, for you dog lovers out there, Jeff Jewell, our Photo Researcher at the Museum, has put together “Gone to the Dogs”, a wonderful look at Bellingham’s historic love affair with our best friends,(for whom we now provide special doggie space in our City parks). Jeff’s research work in the Bellingham Herald indicates this affair has been somewhat mercurial over the years. Come see what we mean and bring the kids!

(DOGS AGAIN)--OUR PARKS ARE FOR THE FAMILY, (which includes our dogs)

Humans, of course, have priority, but because so many of us recreate with our dogs, (who need to have fun, too!) we have to find the right balance and rules for doggie participation in our parks and recreation programs. Dick Henrie, our Recreation Manager, is heading up a group that develops policies and plans for doggie use of our parks. Dick is available at 676-6985 or email dhenrie@cob.org. For a list of park areas for dogs, see Hounds for Healthy Watershed information below.

(More dogs!) -- Hounds for healthy watersheds

Speaking of dogs and parks … our Hounds for Healthy Watersheds program uses friendly volunteers to encourage dog owners to properly dispose of pet waste to keep our trails enjoyable and improve the health of our urban streams. Program volunteers hand out dog-waste bags to dog owners, mark waste left behind on trails with educational signs, and reward those who “Scoop the Poop” with coupons from local pet stores and pet service providers.

When it rains, dog waste can be washed into lakes and streams, or into storm drains that flow directly to lakes and streams. Five ounces of dog waste, (the average amount of waste produced by a dog in one day) can harbor up to 3.4 billion fecal coli form bacteria. When these bacteria are found in water samples, they indicate that there may also be disease causing bacteria (pathogens) present. The bacteria can negatively impact wildlife that depend on the lake or stream, as well as posing a health hazard to humans recreating there.

For more information or to volunteer to keep our trails healthy and waterways clean, please contact Kym Fedale, Public Works Environmental Educator, at 676-6961.

(Cat Lovers: We don’t mean to leave you out but kitties clean up, don’t chase, don’t run in packs……….)

DOGS? What about DRAGONS!

Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds

at the Bellingham Children’s Library and

Fairhaven Branch

The library dragon is getting

bigger and bigger.

v KIDS: Pick up your reading calendar, mark everyday you read at least 20 minutes, and add a dragon scale with your name for each of those days.

v Read 15 hours by August 12? Celebrate your reading at our ceremony at the Flag Pavilion outside City Hall.

v Join us for story-times, an American Girls Party, and the 37^th Annual Children’s Craft Fair. All library programs are free.

v For more information about these and other programs for children, go to the Library’s webpage www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org. Select Children’s Library on the menu bar or phone 676-6864.

CRIME DOG Mc GRUFF at CRIME PREVENTION FAIR, July 30th

Remember our Police and County Sheriff’s first annual Crime Prevention Information Fair on July 30^th, to kick off National Night Out Against Crime (see below). The event is from 9:00 A.M until 2:00 P.M. at Boulevard Park Displays from of law enforcement and business organizations will assist families and neighborhood in crime prevention.

Crime Dog McGruff will be on hand with balloons for the kids as he celebrates his 25th anniversary of crime fighting efforts. Contacts are Officer Mark Young, Bellingham Police, 676-6924 and Whatcom County Sheriff Deputy Chad Heinrich, 676-6650.

august 2nd--National Night Out Against Crime—Get involved (and bring your dog—leashed, of course!)

It’s not too late to join neighbors and neighborhoods from all across the country in the “National Night Out Against Crime” on Tuesday, August 2nd.

v Show your support by joining the neighborhoods and residents who lock their doors, turn on outside lights (between 7PM and 9 PM) and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police officers

v Schedule an event in your neighborhoods such as hosting a block party, ice cream social, BBQ to promote police-neighborhood partnership

v To register your planned event and arrange for police participation, contact Officer Mark Young at the Bellingham Police Department 676-6924 or email at myoung@cob.org.