Attendees: Betty Lou Crampton, Debbie Turner, Jean Hodgson, Jeff Trager, Kaylee Nilan, Kevin Miller, Linda Jones, Margaret Carnegie, Mike Stults, Sharon Clark, Stu Hall

Agenda:

1. Presentation from Gina Hortillosa, Project Engineer from the City Of Kirkland Public Works Dept. on the 85^th St Action Team specifically related to Street Improvements, Sidewalks, Medians and Art.
2. Committee Reports
1. Kaylee Nilan on the Sidewalk Park Bond Exploratory Committee
3. Report on the North Rose Hill Neighborhood Survey by Debbie Turner
4. Open Discussion on the Future of the North Hill Neighborhood Association
5. Action Items

1. 85^th Street Action Team

Gina introduced the history of the NE 85^th St Sub Area Plan and the current status

She described the goal of the project is to improve visual attractiveness of the area between 132^nd Ave NE and I-405, pedestrian and vehicular safety, and economic viability of the NE 85^th Street Corridor. Basically, the City of Kirkland in collaboration with Sound Transit, WSDOT and King County Metro are moving forward to implement the following improvements. It is important to note that most of these improvements are at the preliminary design stage (30% design complete). According to the City of Kirkland the design is to be completed in 2004 and construction will begin in 2006. We will see new sidewalks on both sides of NE 85^th Street, installation of landscape strips with trees, pedestrian lighting and street lightning on both sides of NE 85^th, potential incorporation of landscape medians at various locations along the corridor and consolidate and modify

driveways where possible to meet standards.

Linda Jones suggested that the city work to build meandering sidewalks on NE 85^th between 126^th and 128^th specially where the tall trees are in front of the Stone House books complex. Linda also suggested that the trees planted be ones that were mix of both deciduous and conifers. Jean Hodgson said that the choice and placement of trees should be corridor wide. Gina said the City Arborist would make these decisions but our input would be passed on to the city. It was also suggested that Sound Transit install bus shelters, someone said that there were inexpensive bus shelters available if the city would arrange for trash pickup????

The newly formed Rose Hill Action Team now called the 85^th Street Action Team (85^th A Team) will meet throughout 2004 and 2005 to review art, zoning code amendments, designs. The team is composed of Neighborhood and Business Representatives, City Staff and representatives from city boards and commissions and other public agencies.

2. Sidewalk Bond Exploratory Committee by Kaylee Nilan

The committee is composed of a broad section of stakeholders to identify where sidewalks are needed throughout the city and to determine if there is enough interest for a Bond Measure to fund the construction of sidewalks. The key to success is to include projects in all the neighborhoods. The group recently went on a bus tour on the 20^th of October around the city. They hope to prioritize where sidewalks are needed with an emphasis within ¼ mile of schools. The cost to build new sidewalks is approximately $1.5M/Mile. Alternatives to the traditional sidewalks are being considered where appropriate.

3. Neighborhood Survey Update: Debbie Turner

Debbie reported that the survey was sent to 1500 households and 182 were returned. This was an approximate a 12.1 % rate of return. In past surveys it was noted that we have had 11% rate of return. In the 2004 we included postage in prior years we did not. It seems that providing postage did not significantly increase the number of surveys returned.

We discussed ways to analyze the data and publish the information. Suggestions were put forth to post the survey results to the web site, in the NRH News, in the neighborhood column in the Kirkland Courier and at the next neighborhood meeting. It was noted there were many individual comments that we should take time to explain in some way to hopefully educate those who wrote these comments. For example one person wrote that Debbie Turner should not advertise in the NRH News. It is important to note that "The North Rose Hill News referenced by this person is an independent newsletter written and distributed by Debbie Turner. She is not compensated by the NRHNA or any other sponsor."

4. Open Discussion on the Future of the North Hill Neighborhood Association

We discussed how we should be running meetings and what the format should be. Agreed that the meetings needed to address social and educational issues in addition to regular business. Basically, the tone was that we should be more relaxed & user friendly at our meetings and we should allow more time for items from the audience. We should encourage more participation from everyone so they feel included and not left out. "One comment" from the survey was that people did not feel empowered to participate and the same clique of people monopolized the meetings. We took this seriously because we are concerned more might feel this way. Also, we asked those in attendance if they felt this way when they were new, those who commented said "no," Sharon Clark said "yes, before I joined I thought that." Which may mean it is a perception for some folks that we can overcome rather than a reality.

We agreed that a typical meeting should include: Items from the audience, Old Business, New Business, Committee Reports. In the past we were event or crisis driven. Maybe now we should be more social or educational. We decided to launch this new initiative and use the next scheduled board meeting in Dec as a date to have a dessert holiday potluck at Mark Twain Elem School. This way we can offer childcare and can do a holiday food drive as well. We decided we would do this Dec 13^th at 7:00PM in the library at Mark Twain Elem School. We decided to advertise this by placing flyers around the neighborhood, in the Kirkland Courier, Mark Twain School Newsletter, NRH News, kiosks, Channel 21 and word of mouth. We would offer a door prize to improve attendance. We should invite past neighborhood leaders such as Ray Hansen, MAB and others.

5. Action Items

1. Develop meeting agenda for Nov 15^th general meeting at Mark Twain Elementary School
1. Review Survey Results: Debbie Turner
2. Discuss membership building activities: Debbie Turner
3. Have Gina deliver the large map of the 85^th Street Corridor that we could post in the library.
4. Invite Gina back to present to the entire group
5. Invite Jerry McMahon to discuss Lake and Central Project
2. Schedule Dec board meeting to be open to all and hold it at Mark Twain Elementary School on Dec 13^th. The meeting will be a social dessert potluck with childcare available. Purpose is to have more fun and still conduct business. Need to come up with slate of officers for 2005
3. Select a neighborhood representative to the Art Selection Committee for the NE 85^th St Corridor. There is $60K available to spend. Time commitment may be 3-6 meetings over the course of 6-12 months. The committee will include representatives from the City Council, North and South Rose Hill Neighborhood Associations, Business, City Staff, Sound Transit and reps from the Cultural Council.

Meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.