TOPICS DISCUSSED:

GENERAL MEETING of the North Rose Hill Neighborhood Association

ITEM I. 
MIKE COGLE from the Kirkland Parks & Community Services Dept. gave the NRHNA an update regarding the planned WOODLANDS PARK Bond Improvements. Our Park is scheduled to receive $900,000 funding for Phase I Development of the park area. Permitting for the improvements will occur over the next 12-18 months. Boardwalk trails construction is scheduled to occur through the Summer of 2004. A Picnic Shelter with a concrete slab floor is included in the plan, location under discussion currently. Considering either in the open grassy area of the current park or a bit west near the intersecting paths area of the park. This shelter may be the nicest one in Kirkland when completed, with a proposed 40' diameter, gazebo look, 22 ft high. No power or water is planned for the shelter at this time. Propane BBQs are now allowed in Kirkland Parks, so this could provide an area that would allow their use. The shelter development is estimated to consume $100,000 of the bond moneys.

ITEM II.
DAVE RAMSEY, Kirkland City Manager presented a "Spin around the City" annual update:
1. The North Rose Hill Neighborhood Plan would be presented to the City Council at the March 18 meeting.
2. Northern Business District development looks progressive.
3. Innovative Housing - the City received 5 proposals and selected 2, both of which are located in NRH. These proposals are designed for a standard population, they will not be inexpensive, but rather a different neighborhood styling.
a. Cam-West property at 9555 132nd Ave NE extending west to 130th Ave NE. It is using the 2B Planning Process, requiring Nhd review, then thru the city departments. The Nhd can participate in hearings. There is a 4-6 month planning process. Homes are planned to be 1000-1500 sq ft, with an estimated cost starting around $350,000 each.
b. The Danielson property located at 10510 - 128th Ave NE will be the second Innovative Housing development. 
4. NE 85th - BAT Lanes - The addition of these "bus lanes" has become a less attractive option. Instead, plans are to improve the intersections at 124th Ave NE and 132nd Ave NE. There will be a meeting on March 26 for the Transportation Commission to discuss NE 85th Street improvements. Sidewalks are planned to extend up and down NE 85th Street. Planted medians on NE 85th may not survive the Transportation Commission review. 
5. A traffic signal will be added at the NE 85th Street and 128th Ave NE intersection in 2004.
6. The City will be reviewing building designs for any new businesses along NE 85th to improve parking and accessibility.
7. Kirkland Honda submitted a Comp Plan Change Request for expansion of their auto dealership one property to the north to allow for increased facility space. The City Council will decide by November/December whether to allow this zoning change from residential to business.
8. Downtown Kirkland - A New Transit Center is planned to be built at the old Hardware Store site. Quadrant wants to put a building on top of the transit center providing multiple use for the property to possibly include a hotel. Transit services should be expanding with the availability of this new space.
9. Old Safeway lot - An Extended Stay Motel has indicated interest in developing this property.
10. Big White Ship along the Kirkland waterfront will be here for awhile longer.
11. A Traffic Median for calming is being installed at NE 97th on 124th Ave NE. (It was confirmed after our Nhd Mtg that there will be no planting on this median.)
12. Safe School Walk Routes improvements: A sidewalk will be added along the south side of NE 95th Street between 124th Ave NE and 126th Ave NE during the summer of 2003.
13. Traffic Calming - Inquiry from one of the neighbors regarding Slater Ave - A neighborhood vote for options did not receive a required 70% approval from the Slater Ave neighbors, so no changes were made. Dave suggested that perhaps Tracy Burroughs of the Traffic Dept. could come to one of our meetings to discuss some neighbors concerns regarding speeding on NE 100th.
14. Juanita Beach - Maintenance has been greatly improved since Kirkland took ownership. They will develop a Masterplan process for the park soon. 
15. The city has hired a New Urban Forrester - Elizabeth…..She may be a good speaker for one of our meetings.
16. BUDGET shortfalls of $3 million are forecast. The City has already planned for $1 million in reductions. Additionally, increases have occurred in Property and Utility Taxes.

ITEM III
DAVE ASHER gave a brief update regarding Sound Transit.. In NRH, Route 540 has had a 40% increase in ridership over the last year. There are 3-4 more buses on 124th Ave NE and 132nd Ave NE than in the last few years. One of our neighbors asked if it was anticipated that ridership increase further with the increased gasoline costs? Dave also made mention of the fact that Kirkland residents have a greater rate of unemployment than in the rest of the Puget Sound area.

ITEM IV
KAREN TENNYSON gave an update regarding the last Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods meeting:
1. Natural Resources Management Plan Meeting will be held on 3/26, 7:30 pm at City Hall
2. Tree Policy - Homeowners can remove 2 significant trees per year.. See the City website for more details..
3. April 12 - Clean up day at Juanita Beach Park. Need volunteers
4. April 26 - Mark Twain Elementary Parks and Grounds cleanup sponsored by the NRHNA. It should be starting around 9-10:00 am. Volunteers welcomed.
5. Friends of Juanita Woodlands is trying to preserve that area of woods.. You may find out more at the Denny Creek Nhd Alliance.
6. April 29 - There will be an Environmental Yard Care Class at City Hall
7. May 26 - 7 Hills of Kirkland Bike Ride
8. NEIGHBORHOOD U will be held (check with city for dates). They will be emphasizing traffic & transportation . 

ITEM V.
NRHNA BY-LAWS 
An updated print-out of the NRHNA By-laws was presented to the General Meeting Attendees for review and approval . Aside from some typos, the By-laws were approved as offered. In total, there were only some grammatical corrections and an adjustment of the Neighborhood boundary lines to be referred to the Comp Plan for clarification. Those in attendance approved the By-Laws.

Meeting adjourned: 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by, 

Nancy Stephens
Secretary
03/23/03