*This item was removed from the agenda after RBCA board members requesting/leading the conversation indicated that they are unable to attend the meeting/requested that it be removed.
6:45: Natalie Quick – Plan for new apartments next to Burke-Gilman
7:15: Roosevelt Urban Village
7:30: Executive Committee Reports
Secretary’s Report: Minutes, Board member contact info
Treasurer’s Report
President’s Report
6-month workplan check-in
Summer meetings: July date/place, August break
CM Johnson D4 meeting
7:40: Committee Reports
Land Use Committee
June 22 Public Meeting re: University Village
Cell Phone Tower Update
Transportation Committee
NE 65th Street Vision Zero Project
NE 50th Street Sidewalk Project
Membership Committee
Board member “introductions”
8:10: Conflict of interest clause
Disclosure of Interests – Disclosure of interests and affiliations of Board Members will help mitigate the appearance of a conflict of interest. Board Members will disclose any interest or affiliation that creates conflict or may cause an appearance of conflict.
Conflict of Interest and Recusal- Board Members will disclose any actual conflicts of interest. A member who has recused himself or herself from a matter before the Board due to a conflict of interest will refrain from participation in Board discussions or votes on the matter, if any.
8:20: Reports from associated groups
All RBCA board meetings are open to the public and all neighbors are encouraged to participate!
A year ago, the RBCA board of directors adopted a vision statement: Ravenna-Bryant is a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. This statement of shared values now guides the work we do. When the RBCA board considers actions, we ask ourselves if what is being considered will contribute to our vision. Our neighborhood is growing, with many changes coming in the next few years. It’s important that no matter how each of us feels about these changes, we look for the common ground of our shared vision.
2016 Accomplishments
Annual meeting: In the spring, RBCA hosts an annual membership meeting. (Anyone who lives or works in the Ravenna and Bryant neighborhoods is a member.) In May, RBCA’s annual meeting focused on the Mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, known as HALA. Other organizations, including the Seattle Department of Transportation, the University of Washington, and Seattle Parks and Recreation, were on hand to provide information and answer questions. The main presentation was about HALA’s Mandatory Housing Affordability policy and most of the concerns expressed by our neighbors were about maintaining and establishing affordable housing in Ravenna-Bryant.
Support for housing levy: Listening to what we heard from community members who participated in the annual meeting, the RBCA board voted to endorse the renewal and expansion of the Seattle Housing Levy. RBCA was the first neighborhood association in Seattle to publicly support the levy.
Mobility survey: During most community meetings about changes to our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, conversations often include issues about parking, motor vehicle traffic, and pedestrian and biker safety. To develop a plan for addressing the most pressing mobility-related issues in Ravenna-Bryant, the RBCA board conducted an online survey to supplement comments collected during meetings and informal conversations with neighbors.
Results were used to develop a Mobility Safety Action Plan. While many mobility safety issues impact all of us, with limited resources RBCA chose those which are of most concern to people. Pedestrian safety, especially along NE 65th Street, was the most commonly identified problem. Speeding motor vehicles on all of our arterial roads was a common complaint expressed by neighbors who drive, bike, and walk.
#Fix65th: In partnership with the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association (RNA) and NE Seattle Greenways, RBCA formed the #Fix65th Coalition and organized a walk and rally in June to raise awareness about unsafe conditions for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists on NE 65th Street. The following month, RBCA and RNA launched an advocacy campaign with a letter to the Seattle Department of Transportation requesting that they study design solutions to make the road safer.
Throughout the rest of the year, the #Fix65th coalition advocated for funding for a study through Twitter, testimony before the City Council’s Transportation Committee, and meetings with District 4 Councilmember Rob Johnson. In December, CM Johnson announced that our message was heard and funding for a study of NE 65th Street is included in the 2017 city budget!
Re-activated Emergency Preparedness Committee: After several years on hiatus, a new RBCA board member re-activated the RBCA’s committee focusing on emergency preparedness. The committee is sending out “A Task A Month” emails to community members through the RBCA email list encouraging everyone to be ready for a natural disaster.
Advocacy for NE 50th Street sidewalks: Considering the street provides a connection between Ravenna-Bryant and University Village, no sidewalks along NE 50th Street south of the cemetery makes it dangerous for pedestrians. A long-standing RBCA project, advocacy efforts paid off when U-Village asked SDOT to earmark mitigation dollars (associated with building the new space for Restoration Hardware) to go toward sidewalks on NE 50th Street. However, SDOT estimated that the funds would only cover half of the costs for putting in a sidewalk between 30th and 35th Avenues NE.
To secure funding for the other half, RBCA submitted a Neighborhood Street Fund proposal in 2016. Since it was ranked among the top five NE Seattle proposals, SDOT completed a brief study of the project, including an estimated cost. SDOT also completed a brief study of a project proposed by NE 85th Street neighbors, which RBCA also supported. In the end, another project was chosen for funding in NE Seattle.
University Village design review comments: University Village released expansion plans which include a large parking garage on 25th Avenue NE. RBCA board members attended the December design review board meeting and asked that the building include outward-facing (toward 25th Avenue) retail to create a more pedestrian-friendly and engaging environment. With the University of Washington planning more student housing north of U-Village and developing the parking lots south of U-Village, and with light rail a mile from the mall, people walking through the area will increase in the near future. This will especially be true as motor vehicle traffic on Montlake becomes increasingly congested.
RBCA board membership: In 2016, we added 3 neighbors to the RBCA board. Our board membership is now at 14, just shy of the 15 spots available.
2017 Workplan
The RBCA board is looking forward to another year filled with activities to make our vision a reality.
More opportunities to become prepared for an emergency: The Emergency Preparedness Committee is currently planning to host community meetings the third Tuesday of January, February, and March about preparing a block, many blocks, and our region for a natural disaster. On April 18, the RBCA annual meeting will focus on emergency preparedness.
Continued implementation of the Mobility Safety Action Plan: RBCA will continue to partner with RNA and NE Seattle Greenways to educate community members about safety improvements and advocate for road design changes proven to reduce collisions that hurt drivers, bikers, and walkers. We will continue to advocate for sidewalks where there are none.
Improved RBCA operations: Two task forces were formed in December to review and update bylaws and to develop a formal community outreach plan. Both task forces have an overarching goal of increasing contributions of people who bring diverse points of view to discussions and actions.
Continued forum for land use changes: As land use policies change in Seattle, RBCA will continue to monitor and educate neighbors about the ones affecting Ravenna-Bryant. We will continue to provide public comment about projects that impact our community.
A note about changes to the Department of Neighborhoods outreach activities: This past year was a somewhat tumultuous one for some neighborhood-based groups. The Mayor issued an executive order changing financial and staffing support that used to only support district councils, including the NE District Council. While RBCA is a member of the NE District Council, we are not losing funding (we did not receive any) and we will continue to reach out to and work with City staff, when needed, as we always have.
An open invitation to all Ravenna-Bryant community members: RBCA activities reflect individual board member’s interests. For example, in 2016 the Emergency Preparedness Committee came out of hiatus because a new board member is interested in the topic. Another board member is passionate about making NE 65th Street a safer place for everyone and, therefore, we partnered with other organizations to form the #Fix65th Coalition. RBCA is always looking for people who are passionate about making a positive impact. If you want to work toward the realization of the RBCA vision, please consider participating in an upcoming board meeting and working with others who want to, as well! We meet the first Tuesday of every month except August, 6:30 p.m., at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center. Please join us!
RBCA board meetings are open to everyone. The next meeting will take place Tuesday, November 1, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center.
AGENDA
Welcome & Introductions
Board Reports
Secretary’s Report: Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Land Use Committee Report
Transportation Committee Report
Emergency Preparedness Committee Report
E-vote re: homeless encampment ordinance letter
E-vote re: Green Lake-Roosevelt urban village workshop notice
Green Lake-Roosevelt urban village workshop de-briefing
University of Washington Seattle Campus Master Plan
RBCA board meetings are open to everyone. The next meeting will take place Tuesday, October 4, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center.
The RBCA board of directors meets Tuesday, July 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center playground. (The community center building will be closed. In case of rain, we will meet at Harissa.) The board does not meet in August.
Board meetings are open to the public. Everyone is welcome!
AGENDA
6:30 Welcome & Introductions
6:35 Board Reports
Secretary’s Report: Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Land Use Committee Report
Transportation Committee
In Motion event
#Fix65th Safety Walk
Mobility Assessment
7:05 Sameer Ranade, candidate State Rep for 43rd District
7:10 Learning more about proposed land use changes
Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA)
ADU/DADU
Updates
Policies for discussion during future board meetings
All neighbors are welcome to join us tomorrow, Tuesday, for our monthly RBCA Board Meeting. Although we typically meet indoors at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, it’s going to be a beautiful evening so bring a chair or blanket and meet us outside behind the playground.
It’s also the second (but not last) time the Board will be discussing getting down on paper an RBCA vision, so it’s a great chance to hear from Board members on their thinking about the future of our neighborhood.
And, if you want to learn how to contribute to the memorial walk for Andres Hulsander, biker killed on 65th by a DUI driver on June 27th, we’ll be sharing that information as well.
Here is tomorrow’s complete agenda:
AGENDA
7:00 Welcome & Introductions
7:05 Introduction: Lauren McGuire, School Board candidate
7:10 Board Reports
Secretary’s Report: June Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Land Use Committee Report
Transportation Committee Report
7:45 The Future of Our Community: RBCA Vision
7:55 Letter re: Proposed Changes to Metro Services
8:10 Seattle Parks Supplemental Use Guidelines & Ravenna Park
65th and 35th is a busy place these days with the construction at Bryant Heights and the Theodora, right across the street. RBCA has always known that change was coming to our neighborhood and was involved in the Future of 35th Ave NE Project. On Wednesday June 24th from 6-7:30 at Congregation Beth Shalom, the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will ask for feedback from the community about the potential up zoning along 35th Ave from NE 65th to NE 95th that was endorsed by the 35th Ave Committee, RBCA, and the Wedgwood Community Council. Goodman Real Estate has provided the following information to RBCA about their project on 35th Ave NE, just south of the NE Library.
“Construction and staging activity at the Theodora is underway as the project prepares for interior renovations to the existing Theodora units and common spaces, exterior cleaning and painting, refreshed landscaping, and the addition of new units in the existing south parking lot.
In addition, activity through the summer and fall will include:
Cleaning the building exterior and repainting all wood to match the existing color
Installation of new entries at the north and the east sides of the building to help open up the building to better pedestrian access
Excavation at the south parking lot for a new below grade parking garage
Construction of new apartment units over the new parking garage
As construction begins to ramp up, we will also ensure regular communication with Polygon and their NE 65th St. project.
A month or so ago, the Volunteers of America (previous site owner) and Goodman Real Estate (current owner) finalized the transition of all previous Theodora residents to new permanent housing. Residents worked closely with a relocation specialist to help determine their new housing needs – one of the positive results of this work was that 73 percent of residents were able to stay in Seattle.
All residents who received Section 8 subsidized rent were able to retain their reduced-rent vouchers and use them in their new homes. In addition, 12 residents who were not currently receiving Section 8 subsidized housing vouchers were qualified through the relocation process and now receive federal rent subsidies.
Assuming we have approval from the Landmarks Board, we plan to discuss these updates and provide detailed information about parking, traffic planning, overall design and plans for the south building, as well as our onsite tree and shrub plan when we attend the Ravenna Bryant Community Association July 7th board meeting.
In the meantime, questions about construction or timelines should be directed to Rita Burden at rburden@goodmanre.com.
Your Ravenna-Bryant Community Association will hold its regular monthly meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, 7-9pm at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center. The board will be discussing two critical topics and your input is needed.
First, new board President Inga Manskopf (read a recap of our annual meeting including new board list here) will lead a discussion on the board’s collective vision for the RBCA and our broader Ravenna-Bryant community. Some of the issues to be discussed include: what is our role in how best to gracefully grow our fantastic neighborhoods; what can be done to encourage more member participation; in what ways can we work for safer and more walkable neighborhoods; on which projects in our area should we lead?
Following this, Vice President Jorgen Bader will engage the attendees on a conversation around significant proposed changes to Metro’s bus routes in our area, including new routes to the Husky Stadium light rail station and the dissolution of route #71. For more on this topic, visit Metro’s website here.
Here’s the full draft agenda for tomorrow evening:
7:00 Introductions
7:05 Board Reports
Secretary’s Report: Minutes for April and May
Treasurer’s Report
Land Use Committee Report
Transportation Committee Report
7:20 The Future of Our Community: RBCA Vision
7:35 Proposed Changes to Metro Services
8:00 NEDC Candidate Forum, June 17, 7pm, University Heights Center
We had a great turnout on Tuesday evening at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center’s gymnasium, as more than 50 people gathered to talk about community, safety and more in Ravenna Bryant. Below is a summary of the meeting’s highlights for those who could not attend.
Guest Speakers from the Seattle Police Department
Assistant Police Chief Wilske spoke with the audience about his tenure in the department (more than 30 years,) SPD’s new emphasis on micro community policing, and touched on the work underway related to the use of excessive force findings by federal investigators. Wilske then addressed community concerns about whether SPD staffing is sufficient, saying that a third-party consultant is currently evaluating the department’s needs and will have an assessment and recommendations in the near future. He spoke highly of Mr. Greg Russell – Amazon transplant – who is using technology to create efficiencies, greater transparency and improved communications between the police and the public. By way of example, Wilske pointed to forthcoming improvements to the SeaStat website, which will soon offer hyper-local crime statistics to users in real-time.
Wilske moved on to audience questions/comments, captured below:
Please increase ticketing and enforcement for cars neglecting to yield to pedestrians along 65th
Check that bicycles are stopping at designated signs at Burke Gilman Trail crossings
Drivers aren’t slowing sufficiently in school zones
Will the city fully fund the Crime Prevent Coordinator team?
Praise for May Day squad
Please enforce illegal red light running taking place on Sand Point near Magnuson Park
Can SPD help evaluate my home for theft/burglary/break-in potential?
Captain Sean O’Donnell, just three weeks into this new position as North Precinct Commander, gave brief welcoming remarks to the crowd.
Next, Lieutenant George Bray from SPD’s 911 call center led an in-depth discussion about the whens, whys, and hows of calling 911. Lt. Bray’s rule of thumb? Call 911 for any reason YOU believe deserves expedited police service. For all the specifics on how 911 calls are prioritized and handled, check out Board Chair Inga Manskopf’s recent post dedicated to this very topic.
The Seattle Police Department also has a twitter feed for each police ‘beat’ that you can follow to see what crimes have been reported. Follow our beat at @SeattlePD Union3. Please note that the Twitter feeds aren’t manned by personnel, and in the case of an emergency, never report via Twitter; always dial 911.
Business Meeting of the RBCA Board of Directors
The Annual Meeting is also a time when Board elections are held. Outgoing President Tony Provine read the names of all nominated members on the ballot. The new executive board and at-large members were voted in unanimously. Your 2015-2016 RBCA Board Members are:
President: Inga Manskopf
Vice-President: Jorgen Bader
Treasurer: Sarah Swanberg
Secretary: David Katz
At Large:
Barb Edquist
Chris Fiori
Brett Frosaker
Virginia Gunby
Katherine Fountain Mackinnon
Josephine Pompey
Tony Provine
Sarah Rathbone
David Ward
Congratulations to the Board! And to ensure your voice is represented to the city and elsewhere by your RBCA, please attend our monthly meetings which occur the first Tuesday of each month, 7p.m. at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center. For more on our work plan, please see board member Chris Fiori’s fantastic draft work plan (WorkplanDraft_May 2015), and contact us with more ideas or to become involved!
The meeting adjourned shortly before 8:30p.m.
For more coverage of the annual meeting, check out Ravenna Blog’s post on the evening.
Folks, it is time again to gather in the Teen room at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center at 7 pm to discuss topics near and dear to our community. Per Johnson from the Wedgwood Community Council will be joining us to talk about the proposed sale of the Children’s Home Society of Washington property. Albert Shen, who is running for City Council will be visiting us as well. We expect a lot of discussion around transportation and pedestrian issues in and around Children’s Hospital and NE 75th.
We’re also looking for some great people to join the Board and run for office!
The Agenda as it stands (subject to change)
Agenda
May 7, 2013 7-9 PM
Ravenna Bryant Community Association
Board of Directors Meeting
Ravenna Eckstein Community Association
7:00 Introductions (Jorgen)
7:05 Board Business (Various)
• President’s report – SNAP
• Nominations for President (Jorgen)
• Treasurer’s report/Minutes (none for April Community Meeting)
• NEDC update (Tony)
• April Community Meeting Debrief
7:20 WCC/35th Ave NE Neighborhood Planning District conversation with CHSW (Per)
7:35 Discussion on our next steps, including meeting with CHSW in a smaller group (All)
7:50 Albert Shen – Candidate for Seattle City Council (Albert Shen/Jorgen)
8:05 Updates from Jenny and the City (Jenny)
8:15 Transportation updates (various)
• Improvements at NE 75th and further plans for improving pedestrian safety
• Upcoming/Potential improvements at Blakeley (potential charrette with CBE)
8:30 Pedestrian Issues – (various)
• 40th Ave NE and B-G trail (Josephine)
• Sidewalk encroachment (Jorgen)
• NE 55th and 39th NE (Jorgen)
8:45 Old Business (All)
8:55 Adjourn
Next meeting – June 4, 2013
Normally our board meetings are the first Tuesday of each month, in the “Teen Room” at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center. Due to the election last Tuesday, however, we moved the board meeting to the following Tuesday.
It’s possible that the Mayor will come to our neighborhood for a tour and a town hall style meeting at Ravenna-Eckstein. Ravenna-Bryant is a large community association (the largest in the city, geographically speaking), so where might someone take the Mayor on said tour? Take a look at our map here. You can see that RBCA actually encompasses 5 business districts.
That discussion will happen tonight at our board meeting, as well an update on SR520 and the parallel Montlake Bridge, and upcoming Greenwaysin our neighborhood. A representative from NEST (Northeast Seattle Together)will also be on hand to discuss what they have in the works.
Everyone is always welcome to the RBCA board meetings. Hope to see you there.