Here are my notes. Please keep in mind that these are my notes for myself, so missing info or subjective info is just part of the deal. We could use a good meeting secretary — someone who can take notes more quickly and thoroughly than me. Even if you can only do it for one meeting — any help would be appreciated!
15 People Attended (this is more than normal). There were 2 guest speakers: Martin Westerman and James Wojciechowski.
Martin Westerman came as a representative of the Seattle Green Spaces Coalition. He spoke regarding the “surplus” Seattle City Light properties that Seattle is trying to quickly sell to developers. Pigeon Point has such a property at the corner of 21st and Andover. Seattle Green Spaces and their supports are trying to keep these properties as public property, and hopefully as green property. He’s looking for support from neighbors who wish to keep that property from being sold. ALL the people in the room raised their hand in support of of keeping the above mentioned Andover property as a public space.
Some info provided by Mr. Westerman: “Here are the two items I promised to send about the city council briefing:
- full-Council briefing by economist Dave Batker: http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilBriefings?videoid=x58860).
- Batker is exec. director of Earth Economics (http://www.eartheconomics.org/), and an expert on integrating ecosystem service values into government asset management strategies.”
James Wojciechoswki spoke as a representative of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition. He is working hard to garner support for an Environmental Impact Statement to be created by the Port of Seattle, regarding the extensive changes that are coming to Port 5 — the port at the bottom of the hill that is currently closed, and slated to be active again in 2019. At that time, there will be 3x more [larger] ships, trains, and diesel trucks. The last environmental impact was done 14(?) years ago, and was not done with these changes, the current population and the current environmental concerns in mind.
The project will cause more noise, air and light pollution. There will be more traffic on the bridge. The ships will be idling at the port sometimes for 3 days, with their diesel engines running. The work at the port is 24/7. So the pollution and noise x3 will be constant.
With an environmental impact statement, some of this can be mitigated. The idling can be stopped by power sources for the ships to hook into. The noises can be lessened by planting and building barriers, and by restricting hours on the loudest activities.
He requests that more commenting be sent to prc@seattle.gov and reference project number 3019071 with specific comments addressing the environmental impacts you are worried about. He says that the port will have to look at the comments until the final permit has been set.
To be more involved in this, search Facebook for “Terminal 5 Impacts Coming”, or use this link: https://www.facebook.com/terminal5impactscoming/
Other Subjects of Conversation:
Vandalism: In light of the recent car break-ins on 19th and Andover, and the playground and tree destruction at Pathfinder K8, 20th is planning on upping their blockwatch presence. We talked about the possibility of mounting a hunter’s game camera on the school in order to take pictures of night activity at the playground. We spoke of doing walking and driving inspections of the school as part of ones commute, or ones exercise plan, in order to make it is a less desirable place for nefarious activities. Potential future visitors re:vandalism: Karen and Deb from Blockwatch network. Mark Solomon from the police department. Tuesdays are a recurring open meeting about neighborhood crime at the Delridge police department. For info about resources at the Southwest Precinct (our Delridge Police Station): http://www.seattle.gov/Police/precincts/Southwest/default.htm
23rd & Andover parking & speeding & lack of sidewalk: A neighbor reached out for advice concerning a long standing parking issue in which people park too close (w/in 30 ft) to the corner, which makes entering and exiting the narrow street very difficult. 23rd is also having problems with dangerously fast drivers on this road. The sidewalks do not continue all the way down this road, making it necessary for pedestrians to walk in the street, and the inconsiderate drivers are making it very unsafe, especially considering the young families that live and walk here. Speed bumps were discussed, as well as the Seattle phone application, “Find It Fix It“, which can be used to report broken sidewalks, parking enforcement, and more.
Drains: Leaves are falling, rain is falling. Leaves in the drains are bad for the Puget Sound and all its creatures. They, and the street gunk they take with them, mess up the liquid environment that sustains this region. Please clean up your leaves and your drains, and your neighbors drains. It is very satisfying to unclog a drain. The Adopt A Drain program is still going: http://www.seattle.gov/util/environmentconservation/ourcity/adoptadrain/.
Becoming a part of that program will help in these ways:
- Prevent flooding in your neighborhood by keeping drains free of debris.
- Prevent pollutants from entering streams, creeks and Puget Sound, which protects fish and other wildlife.
- Help the city maintain our infrastructure, especially during fall months when rain increases and falling leaves block drains.
- If you adopt a drain, SPU may contact you to notify you of anticipated storms and flood events.
- Your neighbors will see your volunteer service to their neighborhood, become inspired, and start caring about your neighborhood more.
Street Mural: Due to traffic and construction, the 21st and Genesee mural is quite worn now. Next summer, if there is interest, we’ll try to refresh it.
Newsletter Printing: A new person to our neighborhood has volunteered to print and help pass out the newsletters. Thank you to Sue Wallace! You are a gem.
NEXT MEETING date was set: December 14th. It will be a potluck, like last years’ December meeting was. Location (Pathfinder Cafeteria) and date are being requested–so the info isn’t firm yet.
