Edgemoor Neighborhood Association

Monthly Meeting

April 14, 2005

The Monthly Meeting of Edgemoor Neighborhood Association was called to order at 7:05pm on April 14, 2005 at the Fairhaven Park Pavilion. Niall Hackett opened the meeting and presided as Meeting Facilitator. Interim Co-Secretary, Laurie Renne recorded the minutes. A quorum was present.

A motion was introduced by Veronica Douglas to approve the minutes of the ENA March Monthly Meeting as recorded. The motion was seconded by Pam Went and passed by unanimous vote.

Report of Officers

Interim Treasurer, Lois Miles was unable to attend the meeting, but provided a financial report which was read by Laurie Renne.

Committee Reports

The Bylaws Committee report was presented by Chair, Brien Thane. A draft of the bylaws has now been completed and is “fairly final”. Copies of this draft were made available to all meeting attendees. The committee hopes to have the bylaws formally adopted at the May ENA Monthly Meeting. Anyone was encouraged to send email to Brien with comments and suggestions before April 28^th. The Bylaws Committee will meet again before the May ENA Monthly Meeting to incorporate any changes.

Brien then highlighted a change in the proposed bylaws which describe the content of ENA monthly meetings. The Bylaws Committee felt that the purpose of the ENA was best served by two distinct types of meetings: a monthly board meeting which would include the seven member board and would “take care of business with the direction of the membership”, and a neighborhood meeting which would meet every third month and “focus on the issues we’re facing as a neighborhood”. All meetings would be open and advertised to all and at any time the president can call a special board or neighborhood meeting as needs arise.

Discussion on the bylaws was then delayed until after the committee reports.

The Communication Committee report was presented by Chair, Kathy Kaiser. She reported that several of the ENA distribution boxes were missing and the committee has ordered more boxes. The committee is exploring a more permanent meeting announcement sign. The Communication Committee decided that ENA business information will continue to be included on the edgemoorneighbohrood.com website. Kathy requested that anyone who wants to build a separate ENA website should submit a proposal to the Communications Committee, who will discuss it and make a recommendation to the ENA.

The Hospitality Committee report was presented by Chair, Laurie Renne. She reported that the First Annual ENA Summer Picnic would take place at Fairhaven Park on July 17, from 4:30 to 7:30. Meg Metzger will be organizing the games. Laurie Renne will be organizing the book swap.

Refreshments were provided for the meeting by the hospitality committee. There was coffee and hot water for tea and hot chocolate. Also, a selection of cheese, cookies and fresh vegetables were available.

The Hospitality Committee will also be organizing a Friday morning neighborhood walk. This will be an informal walk, and details are still being decided. Anyone with suggestions should contact Laurie Renne at lmrenne AT yahoo DOT com.

To cover the costs associated with renting the Fairhaven Park Picnic Shelter, and to help with purchasing the refreshments for the ENA monthly meetings, Laurie Renne introduced a motion to provide the Hospitality Committee with a $100.00 annual budget. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote.

The Membership Committee report was presented by Chair, Sandie Koplowitz. She provided an updated membership list to be given to the Treasurer, Lois Miles. She reported that ENA membership continues to grow.

The Neighborhood Safety Committee report was presented by Donna Grasdock and Veronica Douglas. The committee is working to begin a “Block Watch” program in the area covered by the ENA. There is still a need for more “captains” throughout the neighborhood and at this time not even a quarter of Edgemoor is covered. She asked that members consider volunteering for this important position.

They have requested more traffic speed monitoring on Fieldston Road. There will soon be an automated speed detector placed on that street, and a motorcycle police officer will be stationed there after the automated speed detector is removed.

To encourage drivers to slow down, the committee is investigating a program called “Keep kids alive, drive 25”. The ENA will purchase signs with this message to be placed around the neighborhood. In addition, neighbors will also be able to purchase yard signs and bumper stickers.

Veronica introduced a motion to increase the Neighborhood Safety Committee annual budget from $45.00 to $100.00. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote.

The committee is also further investigating the cost of extending the sidewalk on the eastern edge of Fieldston Road from the entrance to Lairmont Manor to the corner of Fieldston and Willow Road. A discussion followed regarding the estimated cost of $12.00 to $15.00 per foot. It was agreed that this cost was per linear foot. Veronica mentioned that there was a need to determine more precisely how many feet of sidewalk would be needed and she will work with a surveyor and report later.

In response to a question about recent burglaries in the neighborhood, Veronica reported that they occurred on a Saturday, that was very windy. There was suspicion that the wind would cause more homeowners to turn their home alarms off. Although the Bellingham police would not provide specific times, they did mention that the crimes were committed between 2PM and 10 PM. Also, about this time, a suspicious pickup was noticed in the area with a lawnmower in the truck bed. This could have been someone posing as a landscaper.

The Growth and Land Use Committee report was presented by Brad Rose. Brad opened a discussion about how members wished information regarding growth and land use to be distributed. Various methods were proposed, but it was decided that using the ENA membership email list would be most effective. Brien introduced a motion to allow Brad to use the ENA membership email list to communicate with members regarding growth and land use issues. The motion was seconded by Pam Went and passed by unanimous vote. Brad briefly reported on some of the issues which are being debated regarding Fairhaven development and development plans along Chuckanut Drive.

Brad also mentioned that there are plans to build two more very large homes in the Edgemoor neighborhood. Owners have applied for permission to build an 8800 sq. ft. home at 334 Bayside Drive. There are also plans to build a 9600 sq. ft. home on lot 5 of Madrona Pointe West, but no application has yet been made.

The Southside Coalition has drafted a letter regarding Fairhaven Development and has asked the President of the ENA to sign the letter in support. Discussion was delayed until the ENA new business was discussed.

Issues and Concerns

Niall Hackett then thanked all committee people and then opened the meeting to discuss new business.

Niall introduced a motion to accept the bylaws and amendments as they stand. The motion was seconded by John Stephens. After a discussion, the motion passed by unanimous vote.

Brad Rose then read the full text of the letter drafted by the Southside Coalition. Chris Reedy submitted a motion to accept the letter and authorize the ENA President to endorse the letter with his signature. The motion was seconded by David Carlsen. After a discussion, the motion passed by unanimous vote. Brad will write an article for the website summarizing information he has regarding plans by local groups to address area development.

Closing

The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 5, 7:00-9:00 PM at the Fairhaven Park Pavilion. Included in that meeting will be a general discussion about ENA directions and a vote on the bylaws.

Meeting adjourned by general consent at 9:15.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurie Renne