Edgemoor Neighborhood Association
Monthly Board Meeting
January 7, 2010
Minutes
The
ENA monthly meeting was called to order at approximately 7:05pm on Thursday,
December 3rd by President Brad Rose.
Lauri Grove recorded the minutes.
A quorum of the Board was present.
Minutes from
the December meeting were approved as submitted.
Reports of Officers
President's Report (Brad
Rose):
Brad began the evening by
introducing the two guest attendees, Michael Lilliquist (City Council Ward 6) and
Richard Maneval (AOBN President). For
the record, Michael Lilliquist offered his cell phone #920-1583 and e-mail
address mlilliquist@comcast.org.
Brad offered notification that 6000
linear ft. of sewer pipe replacement was planned for two locations in
Edgemoor. Service in specific areas
would temporarily be interrupted, but not overnight. There might be some odor. For more
information about this project and applicable road restrictions go to the Public
Works Department on the COB website.
Linda Stewart sent notice seeking
16 neighborhood representatives for an upcoming community forum to examine and
discuss “"Perceptions and Views of the Relationship between
Activists, Law Enforcement, and the Community at Large". This prompted a general discussion
questioning the forum’s mission.
The Block Watcher newsletter
would be circulated to keep community informed and educated.
MNAC Report (John
Erickson):
Therese Kelliher, former member of
the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and newly appointed to the
Transportation Commission, talked about the role BPAC played and projects they
had started before the merge. BPAC
provided reports to see projects for each neighborhood, observed use of space
and identified barriers to mobility. A
project list was submitted to Public Works for inclusion in the next comp plan
and the Transportation Commission would take over that work in some way. None of the projects listed were in
Edgemoor. However, it was agreed that a
continuation of the loop of sidewalk down Fieldston from Lairmont Manor to
Willow would be a good requested for inclusion in the plan.
Kym Fedale (Environmental Educator)
gave a storm water program overview presenting Project DX for Bellingham. Project DX is a web-based, one-stop resource
providing property specific information that will enable residents to analyze
and implement sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impacts on their
property. What type of incentives would
motivate you? (Lylene offered that many residents in Bellingham have water
sitting underneath or around their homes).
Kym has literature and is willing to present at neighborhood meetings.
2010 Census forms will be mailed in
March.
It’s very important to
respond because the count has a direct impact on federal dollars that come back
to the community. There are only 10
questions needing your response. Kiosks
will go up around town to answer any questions. FYI - homeless need to be included in the
count as do undocumented workers. Census
is not to determine whether someone is citizen.
The city approved a 50% cut in
funds allocated to neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods will receive approximately $500 for 2010 and the city will
continue to pay insurance at least through August 2011. There will be no ‘Small and Simple Grant’
program for 2010, but $10,000 from that program will be redirected to support
community garden efforts. Details are
still in development and more information will be provided when available.
Questions were brought up
concerning how to encourage a vibrant neighborhood association and to share
ideas for increased participation, funding and outreach - any ideas?
A motion was made and approved to continue
reviewing comp plan amendments via a subcommittee and to use the same screening
criteria used in 2009. John Erickson
signed up for the review subcommittee.
Treasurer's Report:
No report
Committees
Communication (Sandie Koplowitz)
Sandie questioned how to handle stuff
from John and keep everything up-to-date
Representatives Reports
AOBN:
Richard Maneval (President of AOBN) is
also on the board of the Whatcom Co. Law and Justice Council. He comes this evening to talk about a
Neighborhood Crime Summit planned on February 2nd at Bloedel Donovan Park field
house. He mentioned that shootings
happen more often than we know and would like to get a group together for an
opportunity to discuss firsthand what is going on in the community. There will be no new jail in the near future.
The money that was supposed to be designated for that proposed project was
being used to keep the existing jail operating.
He would be happy to come to a neighborhood meeting to talk, inform and
educate the community about this problem.
CSN:
No meeting. Brad suggested a motion be introduced to
request the city move forward with their review of the Fairhaven Neighbors
updated plan. Fairhaven is the ‘city
center’ of our urban village. It is
important to get the plan adopted to preserve and protect our community
interests. Many feel that introducing 10
story buildings to the area will ruin the character and nature of
Fairhaven. This area developed naturally
as a good, working model for an urban village.
It is not just a retail center, but an integrated space used to work,
live, walk, and enjoy.
A motion
was made by Lylene Johnson
for approval to start the process to signify ENA’s support for the City to
proceed with their consideration of the Fairhaven Neighbors updated
neighborhood plan.
The motion was seconded and passed
unanimously.
RD Now:
No report
New Business
We talked about the annual meeting scheduled in
March. Lauri offered to contact Lairmont
Manor to reserve the date. The positions
of Vice-President and Treasurer would be up for nomination and election. Brad said he would talk with Whatcom Land
Trust to arrange a possible speaker.
Brad also updated us on some Horizon Bank/Fairhaven Highland activity.
Closing
The meeting was adjourned at
8:40 pm.
The next Edgemoor
Neighborhood Monthly Board Meeting will be held on February
4th from 7-9pm at the Fairhaven Park Pavilion. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lauri Grove
Minutes are subject to approval