Northeast District Council Announcements

June 5, 2003

1. Goose Kill: In less than two weeks, the City of Seattle plans to resume its inhumane, expensive, and unnecessary gassing of our Canada geese. During their molting season, Canada geese lose their flight feathers and are unable to fly. For the last three years during the molting season, federal agents—hired by the Seattle Parks Department—fit “gas chambers” onto the backs of trucks, lure the geese—including newborns—and then load them into these chambers to be gassed to death. Despite evidence that killing geese is both an ineffective and expensive method of controlling the population of Canada geese in Seattle parks, and despite the offer of assistance from sixty trained volunteers to implement effective non-lethal solutions, City officials are again proceeding with plans to round up and kill thousands of birds this summer.

To comment on the City’s Goose Kill, call or email Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds at 206-684-8022 or ken.bounds@seattle.gov and Mayor Greg Nickels at 206-684-4000 or click on this link to email the Mayor: www.cityofseattle.net/mayor/citizen_response.htm. For further information, contact Jennifer Hillman, Progressive Animal Welfare Society, at 425-742-4009 x259 or Jenniferh@paws.org or Katherine Bragdon at kbragdon@seanet.com.

2. UW Lease Lid: In a divided report on June 4, the Council Finance, Budget and Land Use Committee and the Land Use Committee voted out a proposal to eliminate the UW lease lid. The vote was 4-2 with Drago, Nicastro, Steinbrueck and Wills voting yes and McIver and Licata voting no. Under the proposal, the lease lid would be permanent eliminated. Reestablishment would require affirmative action by the City and the University—a virtual impossibility. Discussion in part centered around whether the UW would be subject to local land use rules. The UW said it would, despite a provision in the City-University Agreement that was not amended that says that the UW does not waive or concede its legal position that the City has neither zoning or SEPA jurisdiction over the UW.

Councilmembers Drago and Nicastro had earlier introduced a compromise proposal to restrict leasing to the urban center area of the University District, but both caved to the wishes of the UW. Councilmember Licata introduced a compromise proposal that would increase the lease lid to 750,000 square feet (from its current 550,000 square feet), exempt leases not on the ground floor in currently vacant structures, exempt leases in new projects with 30% of the floor area in residential use and prohibit leases that result in demolition or conversion of housing unless there is comparable replacement. Councilmember Licata’s compromise proposal failed to garner sufficient support at the joint committee meeting.

The Council is scheduled to vote on the lease lid proposal on June 16. One other item that will be considered before the full council is a proposed amendment by Councilmembers Pageler and Licata regarding implementation of a Housing Quality Assurance Program.

3. CNC May Report: Dori Coster from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) requested citizen comments on proposed street improvement projects. All proposed projects are listed on SDOT’s web site at www.seattle.gov/transportation/grantprojects.htm. SDOT would like comments on whether projects should be ranked high or low in terms of the goals and criteria of grant sources. Environmental scoping comments are also requested. Cost/benefit scoring will be used and SDOT will balance the project costs with project elements that do not raise the score. Projects submitted for funding will be identified in June. The CNC voted to participate in the Cross Town Coalition Community Summit. The CNC decided to host a city council candidate forum after the September primary. The CNC voted to appoint Susie Burke as rep and Lisa Merki as alternative to the Seattle Public Utility’s rates and budget advisory committee.

4. Community Summit: Neighborhood Planning Community Summit: Integrity, Engagement and Collaboration in Demanding Times—A Summit to Unite Neighborhood Activists and Volunteers—Protecting and enhancing the integrity of neighborhood planning under the Nickels Administration. Over 140 people attended this highly successful event, sponsored by the Cross Town Coalition and the Seattle Community Council Federation with the participation of the City Neighborhood Council, on May 31st. Community groups and individuals interested in receiving updates on activities of the Cross Town Coalition, providing future direction or receiving a copy of the final report on the Summit should contact Jeannie Hale at 206-525-5135 or jeannieh@serv.net or Lisa Merki at 206-982-9775 or lmerki@earthlink.net.

5. UW Commencement—Traffic Advisory: On June 14, over 45,000 people will attend this year’s graduation ceremony at Husky Stadium. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are advised to avoid Husky Stadium between noon and 6 p.m. At approximately 3:30 p.m., Seattle Police will begin to set up traffic controls which will close Montlake Boulevard between NE Pacific Street and NE 45th Street to through traffic to help move cars parked in the stadium lots away from the area after the ceremony. Traffic approaching the closure will be detoured around the area. This restriction, which is similar to traffic routing for Husky football games, will be in effect until approximately 5:00 p.m. Transportation information can be found at http://depts.washington.edu/commence/general.html#Parking. For further information, contact Lisa Quinn at lquinn@u.washington.edu or 206-616-2051.

6. Proposed Bus Stop Revision on 65th and 35th: Metro is proposing to:

· Relocate some stops to signalized intersections (crosswalks);

· Relocate stops to reduce signal-related delays, support future transit signal priority projects and comply with SDOT traffic management guidelines;

· Close one bus stop on 35th Avenue NE, and consolidate and relocate 10 bus stops on NE 65th Street;

· Add three new passenger shelters/benches/litter receptacles, two awnings/benches, eight new stand-alone benches, 12 new landing pads, and some improved lighting; and

· Refurbish existing shelters to Teal color, and add wave pattern sandblasted glass to reduce graffiti in some shelters.

Metro says it's making these changes to reduce trip times, free up parking spaces, reduce walking distance at transfer points, improve traffic flow, and provide greater amenities (shelters, benches, etc.) by concentrating riders at fewer stops. The proposed changes will be posted on area bus stops for a 3-week comment period from May 19-June 6. If accepted, these changes will go into effect in Fall 2003. Details on how to comment are posted on affected bus stops.

The Ravenna-Bryant Community Association has asked that the comment period be extended to June 13. Concerns have been raised about consolidation of bus stops on 30th and 28th into one stop on 29th and impacts upon the Ravenna business district.

7. Host an Exchange Student: The STS Foundation is a 501c3 not for profit student exchange program that is dedicated to providing quality exchange programs for exchange students, families, and schools. STS is looking for volunteer families who could host high school aged exchange students in their local areas. Host families are not compensated but they can receive a $50 per month tax deduction from their income taxes. Students bring their own spending money for things like personal items, clothing, medical expenses, school supplies, sporting equipment, etc. Students also have their own health insurance. STS Foundation takes care of all school acceptance. Additionally, families have a local representative who will contact them at least once per month to make sure everything is going well throughout the exchange. Families can host students from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, France, China and other countries around the world. For further information, go to www.stsfoundation.org or contact Makenzie Collie at 1-800-522-4678 or kenziecollie@yahoo.com.

8. University District Farmers Market: Saturdays, May 24-November 22 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at University Heights Center. Parking tokens available for one-hour parking.

9. Sail Sand Point: The season for sailing is here! Sail Sand Point now has new boats, storage lockers, expanded boat access and storage areas, and new programs.

· Volunteer: Sail Sand Point provides opportunities for volunteers. Volunteer hours = free sailing time! If you're in High School, volunteer and get your required hours the fun way! For info go to http://www.sailsandpoint.org/index.php?pg_id=71.

· Classes: If you haven't registered for sail camps or classes; visit the Sail Sand Point’s website soon, as classes are filling fast. The address is http://www.sailsandpoint.org/index.php?pg_id=2 and you can register online. Classes are offered for children and adults.

· Boat Storage: The Boat Access/Storage areas have been expanded. If you have been waiting to store your boat in the East Storage area (next to the seaplane ramp), now is the time. There is plenty of room, yet folks are asked to be considerate of the larger/heavier boats for this area. The west area also has space available. Visit the web site to get a contract for 2003 at http://www.sailsandpoint.org/index.php?pg_id=25.

· Lockers: Indoor storage lockers are now available for your sails, blades and other boating gear. These lockers are available on a first come, first serve basis. Don't wait; they'll be gone before you know it! http://www.sailsandpoint.org/index.php?pg_id=25

· For further information: Contact Deb Sullivan at deb@sailsandpoint.org or call 206-525-8782.

10. Ravenna Park Trails Program: Work parties for trail restoration and maintenance scheduled: June, 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Open to the public and teen/school service learning credit is available. Meet at Ravenna Park near 20th Avenue East entrance playground and look for signs to the project. For further information or to RSVP, contact Ron Mirabueno, Service-learning Coordinator, at 206-233-3979 or Jacobo Jimenez at 206-684-0598 or email trails@seattle.gov.

11. Magnuson Park Community Garden Work Parties: Work parties for planting in the native gardens and garden construction on June 7 and 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet at the Community Garden, east of the old Brig, Building 406, next to the Off-Leash Dog Area. For further information, contact Vhajra Allen at 206-615-0510 or email magnusongarden@hotmail.com or go to www.cityofseattle.net/magnusongarden/.

12. Ravenna Park Ravine Work Parties: Join Friends of Ravenna Park on June 12 and 26 from 10 a.m.-noon to help remove invasive plant species, plant, IvyOut, maintenance and restoration. For further information, contact Alice Cummings at 206-527-2109 or jhr@nwlink.com.

13. Promontory Point Habitat Enhancement Work Parties: Volunteer with the Magnuson Environmental Stewardship Alliance on June 8 and 19 (second Sunday and 3rd Thursday each month) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for invasive removal, mulching and cleanup. Meet at the Education Pavilion (enter at NE 65th Street, drive east to boat launch parking lot, and look for yellow “VOLUNTEER” banner). For further information or to RSVP, contact Bonnie Miller, volunteer site manager, at 206-524-8713 or bmiller@serv.net.

14. 4th Annual Run for Children’s Run/Walk: June 14 at 9 a.m. at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE. This event features a 10K run, 5K fun run/walk, a children's dash, and family entertainment. Proceeds benefit Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center uncompensated care fund. Registration fee: $20. Register online at http://www.runforchildrens.org by noon, June 12 or register at Fiorini Sports at University Village. For further information go to the website or contact the Laura Brigman Guild at 206-528-2777.

15. Summer Solstice Plant Sale: The Arboretum Foundation is sponsoring its annual Summer Solstice Plant Sale on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Graham Visitors Center in the Washington Park Arboretum. A stupendous selection for summer gardens, including drought-tolerant plants, plants for container gardens and more. A special treat: complete container gardens created by area gardening celebrities and others. Celebrity designers and others will be on-hand to answer your questions about drought-tolerant gardening and container gardens! For further information, contact the Arboretum Foundation at 206-325-4510 or gvc@arboretumfoundation.org or go to www.orgsites.com/wa/arboretumfoundation/.

16. Canine Festival: Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15 at Magnuson Park. A weekend festival of conformation all breed, speciality and obedience atches, four National Canine Association shows, performance, education, seminars, clinics, hobby booths, demonstrations, canine good citizen, AKC CAR innovative canine ‘pet jac’ (microchipping) to bring together all-breed and specialty clubs, pet owners, future pet owners, legislators, city officials and dogs representing over 100 breeds. Adult admission $5; children under 16 FREE. The exhibitions portion of the festival is free. This weekend is a nonstop festival of a splendid variety of breeds and the myriad ways in which canines enrich our lives. For further information, call Elaine Young at 206-324-6327 or Pat O’Hanley at 425-333-5100.

17. Seattle Celebration of Kites: Come to Kite Hill on June 15 and see many kinds of kites take to the sky. A perfect way to spend Father’s Day too! Enter from NE 65th Street, continue 1/2 mile east to boat launch, and continue to Kite Hill. This free event is sponsored by the Washington Kitefliers Association.

18. Friendship Tour Concert: The Garfield High School Orchestra invites you to its Friendship Tour Concert on Monday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Meany Hall at the UW. The performance includes Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and selections from Garfield Orchestra’s 2003 Japan Tour. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door and $6 for students. To purchase tickets, call Gitte Folz at 206-547-4585.

19. Seattle Audubon Introduces BirdWeb: Would you like to know more about the birds you observe in your yard or throughout Washington? Log on to BirdWeb at http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/, Seattle Audubon's online resource guide to the birds of Washington. BirdWeb is an all-inclusive, online database of the some 350 species of birds that occur regularly in the Evergreen State, plus notes on more than 100 rarities. For each bird species, users will find color photographs, range maps, and information about the bird’s habitat, behavior, diet, breeding, distribution and conservation status.

20. Seattle Peace Concert: Noon on June 29—First of three summer concerts at Magnuson Park. Enter park at NE 65th Street entrance, continue to the swim beach. Free. Sound by "Fudd" and Motorbark - Naked Elbo, Harvey Swanson, Rockin Teenage Combo, Dub Championz. For further information, contact Seattle Peace Concerts at 206-729-5232 or seapeace@seapeace.org or go to http://www.seapeace.org.