Morgan Community Association (MoCA)

Minutes from the Morgan Community Association Meeting, April 16, 2008

Written by Cindi Barker
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
Minutes from the Morgan Community Association Meeting, April 16, 2008 - The Kenney Presiding: Steve Sindiong Recording: Eldon Olson Participants: 14 Introductions, Announcements, Updates CRF (Seattle Cumulative Reserve Fund) project prioritization - of 15-20 projects in W. Seattle (for which ca. $95,000 is available to SW District Council area), three prioritized projects are within MoCA area - nominated among top 5: 1. Pedestrian access to Orchard St. Rav. - connecting 38th Ave to the cul de sac. 2. Sidewalk improvements to Morgan Junction Park 3. Pedestrian connection on 44th Ave SW., from Frontenac to Solstice Park Council Budget Forum - May 22 (5:30 pm) High Point Community Center (6920 34th Ave SW). Call 684-8807 for more information. Neighborhood Planning Workshop Program - April 19 (8:30 - 12:00) Bertha Knight Landes Room, City Hall, for more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Puget Sound Lock & Key Fundraiser - Insurance did not fully cover recent arson damages, Fundraiser May 4 at W. Seattle Bowl. Wells Fargo has a designated account for donations (acct. #5358011681). For more information, contact Megan Allen 579-1553. Spring clean-up - April 5 to May 31. For any site that needs to be cleared, the City will supply tools and disposal, phone 233-7187 Murray Pump Project - Electrical and mechanical control project has been completed. There may be revisions to the original design - project now on hold. Combined Sewage Overflow Project Update - Every 10 years, a certification process is mandated for EPA Permit renewal. Current processes are being designed for certification for 2010-2020. Opportunities for community involvement will take place in September. Of concern in W. Seattle area are toxic discharge sites on the Duwamish and flow problems on Longfellow Creek. For further information, contact Charles Redmond, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Morgan Festival - We may have leadership for a neighborhood festival for 2008. Of special concern is where to locate the festival. For comments, contact Steve Sindiong at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Cindy Barker at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it West Seattle Trails - MoCA officers have endorsed "Dells and Ridges Trail System" appeal for a Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project grant to establish information kiosks along major trail routes in W. Seattle. This proposal is consistent with MoCA neighborhood plan. Kiosks may contain space for neighborhood history and community bulletin boards. For more information, note web-site at westseattlewalks.org. Maps of the 88 miles of W. Seattle trails will be available within 4 weeks. Neighborhood Entry Signage - MoCA signs could be placed at up to 5 locations on major entry points to neighborhood. Volunteers are sought for artistic layouts. Each sign would cost ca. $300. Myrtle Reservoir Park / Skateboard facility - Virginia Hassinger, Project Planner Schematic design for the park facilities around the lidded reservoir, including a pathway around park, public gathering space and entrance at NE corner, and an rea designated for future development of a skatepark. Although there is no current money or design for the skatepark feature, the area is being set aside for eventual development. After considerable discussion, the MoCA board will send a letter to the Parks & Recreation Dept., taking issue with the process that led to the establishment of a skateboard facility at Myrtle Reservoir. Additional public review of the Myrtle Reservoir Park plan will take place May 1 (7:00 to 8:30), at the High Point Community Center. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 233-7936. Next meeting: Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 pm at The Kenney
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )

Bulletin

Written by Cindi Barker
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
Seattle Walks Day Well, we're a little late with the word on this one, but what Steve Sindiong says is that if the below idea interests you, he's willing to bring a group together, even if it wouldn't be on May 10th. The possibilities of what can be done range from just learning about the Morgan Junction neighborhood, to identify potential improvements to existing green spaces or city owned spaces, looking at possible improvements for in front of the new Morgan Park, or just test driving some of the proposed WS Trails in the Morgan area. Read below for more details and contact Steve at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested. (City press release) May 10th, is Seattle Walks Day! As a part of the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan, hundreds of Seattle residents will meet at 10 a.m. with neighbors, friends and families to walk their favorite routes in their communities! Participants will complete surveys that will be used to make Seattle the MOST WALKABLE CITY in the NATION! Because you have applied for Neighborhood Street Fund, we know that you care about the safety and health of your community. We also know that you could be excited about the opportunity to encourage your neighbors to increase walking by organizing a neighborhood walk as a part of Seattle Walks Day! Organizing a walk is EASY! Select a meeting location, invite your neighbors, determine a route, WALK and then complete the survey. Completed surveys can be mailed to the Seattle Department of Transportation or can be dropped off at any Seattle Parks and Recreation Community Center, Neighborhood Service Center or Library. For more information about Seattle Walks Day! and the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan, please visit www.seattle.gov/mostwalkablecity. On the site you will find useful information and tools to help you plan your walk including, a link to Google Maps and a flyer that you can modify and distribute to your neighbors. You can also order the surveys that you will need for your walk. NEWS from the Orchard Street Ravine Carol Schultz writes "As I mentioned last time - We have our own tools on site now, thanks to grant from Parks and Cascade Conservancy, Kay Thode also donated her garden tools when she and Bob moved to The Kenny Home. In addition Paul & Sharron/Prentice Design have purchased 9 additional hand mattocks (our favorite tool) to add to our collection! Thanks Paul & Sharron! If you missed the last work party we got a Huge amount done. Tony Martin brought down his trailer and we took loads of bark up to the steep upper slopes where Tony has been eradicating the clematis and ivy that were smothering the madronas, other trees and creating huge future seed sources! Izzy, Henry and Ce Hossner let us park it in their yard and pitched in to help us with the barking. It was fun to have some new faces and neighbors joining us. Paul gets big kudos for getting Parks to deliver some new crushed rock to help revitalize our trails! Speaking of Trail news - Joseph Neiford, Senior Landscape Architect, Project Manager is the new manager for the trail to 38th Ave SW. He's planning to come out this week and look at a snag covered with clematis near the trail site. "I will be taking over the project from Jon and will try to get up to speed ASAP. I am in the final stages of designing the new stairs so we should be doing that work very soon. I will meet our tree people out there soon to look at the tree. We definitely want those invasives out of there.? Thanks for your patience." Joseph Barbara Banks has been great about forwarding us info on native plant sources and nurseries. Going native or even mixing them into your yard helps provide more habitat and cuts your water consumption. They're hardy, beautiful and easier to care for than many plants! If you have time look around the ravine and you'll see dogwood, buttercups, ribes, wild cherry and probably other natives in bloom. We Need Your Help To Get the Weeds Out -- so they don't smoother our new plants and take their precious water. Think Sun ;>) See you Saturday the 10th! Email Paul Prentice This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for questions

West Seattle Community Garage Sale

Written by Cindi Barker
Sunday, 04 May 2008
4th Annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is Saturday, May 10, 9 am-3 pm. 140+ sales, large and small, are registered all over West Seattle! Maps will be available May 8-9-10, online at westseattlegaragesale.com, or at Admiral (West Seattle Branch) Library, Delridge Library, Southwest Library, Alki Community Center, Senior Center of West Seattle, Fauntleroy YMCA, West Seattle Family YMCA, Hotwire Coffee, Capers, Cafe Rozella.

letter sent to Seattle Parks regarding Skatepark site at Myrtle Reservoir

Written by Steve Sindiong
Monday, 21 April 2008
The following letter was recently sent by MOCA to Mr. Kevin Stoops of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department regarding the siting of a future skatepark at the Myrtle Street Reservoir site. The reason for the letter is in response to a presentation at the April 16 MOCA meeting by Virginia Hassenger, project manager of the Myrtle Reservoir project, that it was her understanding that a decision had been made by the Parks Department that the future skatepark site for West Seattle will be at the Myrte site if funding becomes available. MoCA The MorganCommunity Association EldonOlson, Secretary April 17, 2008 Mr. Kevin Stoops Seattle Parks and Recreation 100 Dexter Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109-5199 Dear Mr. Stoops, The development of the Myrtle Street Reservoir park project is now taking place within the neighborhood of the Morgan Community Association(MoCA). We are aware that construction is already under way to enclose the reservoir itself, and that plans have been developed to create peripheral public park space surrounding that reservoir. We are grateful to your department in the development of those plans. It is our understanding that a decision has been made by theParks and Recreation department to locate a future skateboard facility (if funding becomes available) at the Myrtle Park site. It had been our understanding that a public process would be used to make a final decision onthe site. While we are not necessarily opposed to a facility at the Myrtle location, we are concerned that a public process for evaluating the merits ofthe Myrtle reservoir site, and the High Point Community Center site has not been conducted. Please inform us if, in fact, a final decision has been made between these options. If so, who made the decision, and what were the factors that led to the decision to locate the skateboard facility at the Myrtle Street location? If not, what process will your office follow in making that determination. Thank you for your time in this matter. Sincerely, Steve Sindiong, MoCA Chair Eldon Olson, Secretary
Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 April 2008 )

Morgan Community Association Quarterly Meeting - Feb 7, 2008

Written by Cindi Barker
Sunday, 06 April 2008
Morgan Community Association Quarterly Meeting, February 7, 2008 (7:00 pm) at The Kenney Steve Sindiong, Presiding Attending: 5 guests (Mark Knoll, Virginia Hassinger, Jack Latteman, Christine Alar, Beth Gappert), 5 MoCA Council members (Sindiong, Redmond, Olson, Fansler, Barker), 4 from neighborhood Announcements, Updates o SW District Council notes: The Alaska Way Viaduct Open House will be Feb. 12 (5:30 gathering, 6:30 meeting) at Cooper School (on Delridge) re. construction, interim arrangements, etc. Seattle Department of Transportation will be conducting studies of 6 selected neighborhoods per year re. parking concerns, commercial zone parking, neighborhood long-range planning needs. W. Seattle Junction study will tale place this year, Morgan Junction neighborhood in 2010. o Transportation Projects from the Seattle Cumulative Reserve Fund which have been approved for Morgan neighborhood for 2007 are: Electronic Speed Display signage for Fauntleroy Ave (2 units) Improvements to Solstice Park - lighting, access, picnic tables, safety Applications are now being taken for 2008 projects. Previously requested items include: 1. Pedestrian improvements for Morgan Park, 2. Pedestrian improvements for access to Orchard St. Ravine Park, 3. Sidewalk on West side of 44th Ave SW, South of Othello, 4. Improvements of bicycle lane from Morgan Junction to Beach Drive. Other suggestions will be welcomed by members of neighborhood council; contact Steve Sindiong: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Cindi Barker: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it o For comments, information re. SW Precinct , public safety, contact Beth Gappert ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Seattle precinct Liaison Program. o The Gatewood School Centennial Festival in May. Alumni are encouraged to contact Celia Townsend ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Plans will feature an Open House for the School. o Plans are under way for a 2008 Morgan Community Carnival/Festival next Summer. Funds are available to persons who might coordinate planning and programs. Contact MoCA Council. Live Work Units: Mark Knoll of Knoll Development, presented plans for 14 Live/Work units being developed nr. Graham & California (6021 California SW). These units are constructed under newly created city codes that call for combined business and residential use. Initially designed for artists' studios, small ground-floor business units have commercial standards (access, sprinklers, bathrooms, etc.) with upstairs residences. Parking needs depend on the nature of the business. Construction will begin in Fall, 2008. Other similar developments will also be taking place at nearby location. Morgan Junction Park: Virginia Hassinger (Seattle Park Dept.) presented the single design proposal that has been developed from initial community meetings. Although the design calls for improvements that are currently beyond the budget allocation, there may be additional funds available to complete construction as planned. The plan calls for a plaza area, surrounding green space, perhaps a neighborhood kiosk, with an 8 ft. trellis/arbor along West side. Full plan will be presented at a March 12 public meeting (7:00 pm at The Kenney). Members of the community are encouraged to write the Parks Department with support of full funding for the project. Question: Will there be space for 'public art'? Yes - to be discussed at 3/12/08 meeting. Rapid Ride Project: Jack Lattemann ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), transportation Planner for KC Metro presented plans for Rapid Ride services to be developed along current route of #54. This will be one of 5 Rapid Ride routes implemented within Seattle within 3-5 years. W. Seattle Rapid Ride will begin Sept. 2011.Features will be: fibre-optic cable for communication at all stops, more frequent service (every 10 minutes at rush hours, every 15 minutes during daytime and evening), fewer stops, traffic management (signal light coordination), 3-door buses (using pre-paid smart-card system), more security personnel. Unresolved issues: whether the Southern terminus will be at the Ferry dock or at Westwood Village; route through Alaska Junction and Avalon junction areas. West Seattle Rapid Ride Public Meeting, Southwest Library (9010 - 35th SW), Feb. 19 (6:00 to 7:30) Question: re. traffic flow and designated bus lanes? The routes will follow "most expeditious' patterns, changing with phases of the Alaska Viaduct construction project. For further traffic information, contact Seattle Dept. of Transportation, Christine Alar: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it West Seattle Trails Project: Charles Redmond presented plans for a 'draft edition' of an 18X24 folding map of W. Seattle area (trails, routes, bus connections, etc.) with listing of local community organizations. Suggestions will be welcomed for construction of the final edition. There will be public review meetings before the final edition is published. Suggestion: Need to bring community together for greater planning on trails, walkways, issues of safety and convenience. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Next Meeting: April 16, 7:00 The Kenney
Last Updated ( Sunday, 06 April 2008 )

Myrtle Reservoir Park - Concepts

Written by Cindi Barker
Thursday, 24 January 2008
From the 2nd Myrtle Reservoir Park design meeting held Jan 22, 2008. Here are the two conceptual drawings of the proposed park design for the Myrtle Reservoir Park. The main difference is that one has a rain garden feature in the northeast corner, and the other shows space reserved for a future skatepark (funding is not available at this time to construct the skatepark). We will sent out the link to the meeting minutes when posted by the Parks Dept and to any other sets of minutes that are published (people from the WS Blog and MoCA were also taking notes). Cindi Virginia Hassinger, Project Manager Seattle Parks and Recreation 800 Maynard Ave S. 3rd floor Seattle, WA 98134-1336 206-233-7936 Cindi Barker's Meeting Minutes #2, 01/22/2008 Myrtle Reservoir Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Cindi Barker (47.61 kB) Parks Meeting Minutes #2, 01/22/2008 Myrtle Reservoir Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Parks (49.62 kB) Nakano Meeting Minutes #2, 01/22/2008 Myrtle Reservoir Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Nakano (69.9 kB) PDFs: Myrtle Reservoir - Concept A (714.08 kB) Myrtle Reservoir - Concept B (1.84 MB)
Last Updated ( Monday, 04 February 2008 )

Morgan Substation Concepts

Written by Cindi Barker
Thursday, 17 January 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Virginia Hassinger, Project Planner 800 Maynard Ave. S., 3rd Floor Seattle, WA 98134 206-233-7936 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Cindi Barker's - Meeting Minutes #2, 01/15/2008 Morgan Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Cindi Barker (35.5 kB) HBB - Meeting Minutes #2, 01/15/2008 Morgan Park Meeting Minutes #2 - HBB (74.29 kB) PDF: Morgan Park - Concepts (707.98 kB) AFFODANTE PIANOFORTE TERRAZZE
Last Updated ( Monday, 04 February 2008 )

Public comments from Morgan Junction Park Public meeting

Written by Cindi Barker

Sunday, 13 January 2008

3/14/07 Public Meeting notes for the Morgan Junction Park (AKA Monorail station location, Beveridge Pl. location and the Morgan Alternative Site)

As posted on City of Seattle's Pro-Parks Levy Projects webpage

This is an opportunity to create a people-space, and an activity space.o Eyes on park is goodo Need to buffer parking loto Park should encourage all users• Give something for people to do. Chess, tables.• I like how the Alaska Junction Plaza plan uses the design to create different layers/levels.• Establish a buffer at Eddy to contain the park so it doesn’t flow out into the ugly street and alley.• Park will be used for eating – install trash, benches, and water feature for noise.• Concern about smokers – make it a no smoking park• Space is small, maybe a local public art piece.• Seattle underwater art feature that was on reservoir was great, but quickly vandalized. If there is art it has to be vandal-resistant, easily maintained.• Character like a piazza – paved, flexible space. Need a mid-block crosswalk to connect to senior housing.• Plaza, maybe a design other than Italian-inspired.• Terrace down from street. Create an art-piece (arbor?) above act as rain shelter.• Place to sit, fountain to break noise. Use colorful vegetation. It is a mistake to put park next to tavern. Too much smoking/drinking – wrong message for children. The alley is cruddy, maybe there is a way to soften that edge.?• This would be a great location for a skate park. This site should be hard landscape with tables and chairs with shade. Sink a portion of the site. Do screen from street and parking.• Need some kind of rain break, and a kiosk for posting neighborhood information.• Beveridge Place pub can adopt the park to keep it clean. The pub will have outdoor seating overlooking the park. They will screen off parking.• Don’t build parking. Restrict parking on Eddy. Like idea of gathering space. Recognize senior center across the street.• Less hard surfaces. More trees, and garden to make it quiet and cool. Gathering space is nice.• Could a strip club be located be located next to the park.• I like the piazza idea with green to soften. I’m concerned about security. Don’t build anything dark and covered.• Shade does not have to be trees. It could be an arch or arbor.• Plant a natural fence along California Ave.

• Since there is wildlife in ravine, need to keep park free of food waste.

__________________________________________________

[ed. note: In addition, the City also posted notes taken by Cindi Barker, as supplemental info, since she wasn't having to lead the meeting and write on flip charts at the same time.]

Notes from Myrtle & Morgan Park Public Meeting #1 on 3/14/07

This is considered an early design-guidance meeting. All options are on the table and nothing is removed at this meeting. Parks Dept brochure was distributed…

Genesis in NH Plan – Green Crescent strategy. Reservoir was originally soft lid, now hard lid.

Substation – monorail – brokered a deal with current owner.

Notified about ¼ mile area around each. Media, PI, Herald, sign at site, MoCA

Will go to Park Board, and will go to Seattle Design Commission because they are capital projects.

Q What is the voting process and how do you decide?

A I’ll write everything down and then organize into themes to give to the designer. We do not just count votes and make it look like a decision is made because so many comments come by phone and email.

Q Should we email you to influence the decisions?

A It is my job to take in all and synthesize all comments

Morgan site has already been environmentally cleaned up. Cited the monorail guiding principals.

Myrtle has more baggage – topography and what can be allowed at the site. The topography

influences pedestrian access. Water towers will be fenced and maybe the cell tower.

Road access will probably be necessary for maintenance. But if there is reason to change from a paved road that meets maintenance needs, and the budget is there, they may be open to discussion

MORGAN PARK

David said he wants to ask BPP to put in a window looking into the park.

Steve – use this opportunity to build community character, also encourage eyes on site, want screening from parking area, encourage all users, singles and families.

Chas – chess tables, checkers tables and things that encourage people to come. Sat in Alaska plaza, liked the layered seating approach there. Want unobtrusive buffer along Eddy edge preventing people from abusing alley space.

I (speaker) think park will be used for eating – have trash containers, tables, you should have water feature that softens traffic noise.

And citizen is concerned about smokers and drinkers.

Small space – public art feature of SW Seattle – nature

Seattle Under Water art feature at Myrtle – was defaced pretty quickly. Whatever we put in should stand up to that and be as easily maintained as possible.

Small NH piazza in Italy, uniquely paved, small tables, a small water feature, and steps to sit on.

Mid-block crossing.

Liked piazza but also maybe Asian. Terrace down from street, with art above serving as a rain break.

Place to sit with coffee, fountain to break noise, mix in color of trees. But think park next to tavern is a mistake. Alley is cruddy.

Skate park ha! Liked piazza with hard landscape and shade and sunken.

Cindi – Kiosk, piazza, rainbreak.

Gary – BPP wants to adopt the park to help with garbage policing. We don’t want to see a vandalized park. Will be outdoor seating overlooking the park. Parking will try not to point headlight into park.

Is ESR open space? A = Yes open for open use until the SROW reverts back to ownership.

Gary said the site currently slopes about four feet from curb to back of lot. Like to acknowledge need of seniors.

Q. Alley access? A= we want to stay out of improving the ROW.

See less hard surfaces, more trees and native bushes, like NH gathering space, think trees would make it cooler in summer.

Park / Tavern – any rules about strip clubs? Discussed what would have to be in zoning.

Love open piazza but would like to soften. We live just north and overlook. Our (speaker) big concern would be security – that alley is very dark and our building’s parking has had problems – do not leave it dark. Like having pub overlook.

My (speaker) shade idea was not trees, more an archway or feature that provides rain protection.

Natural fence along California Ave that would keep kids safe.

Not sure about mid block crossing because cars are backing up so far.

ESR home to two coyote families and wildlife, so if we encourage eating there, food trash disposal needs to be regularly maintained. Critter abatement.

Q. Is there a similar park that does not have security issues? Want to see successful examples.

A Not so many urban plazas. Three in Ballard, history of congregation. We can request information

Best discouragement for illegal activity is to encourage active use. PBB is an active partner and also the seniors across the street.

SUMMARY OF BEVERIDGE

1. Mostly hardscape – piazza idea with a little bit of green. Impervious surface may be considered – some softening.

2. Gathering space, food, seating

3. Screening from parking – natural edges, layered seating

4. Explore balance of light and shade

Talked about gathering comments first, instead of presenting the big design for acceptance.

People said they appreciate of this type of process.

Will post notes on web and send to MoCA. We’ll give this plus the cookbook to the design team

to engage consultants.

Then two more meetings to show concepts, another if needed.

Bulletin Sept 12, 2007

Written by Cindi Barker
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Parks/Open Space at Beveridge Place and Myrtle Reservoir: A brief update from Kevin Bergsrud, the project manager for both of these Morgan Junction projects informs us that "We are still waiting on final cost proposals from each of the firms. Realistically due to Parks notification guidelines, we're looking at the week of Oct 22 at the earliest for a meeting." Friends of Orchard Street Ravine August update: There's lots of good news to report! First the ravine is looking great thanks to all those who have been watering! We need to especially thank Leslie Sundquist for all her efforts - she's way a head of the rest of us in watering efforts but and Barbara Banks is running a close second. However, we still have the last few weeks which are traditionally the hottest and driest part of the summer to go. I know there are others who promised to water ---- So let's keep watering -- it's looking great! We know have trees we planted last fall that are taller than any of us :>) Second I (Carol Schultz) completed the bid process for the $11,000 Small and Simple Grant. Restoration Logistics will be the contractor on this phase which follows the vegetative management plan created by Karen Galt and an outside consultant. Parks will administer the project and funding. Remember this funding is for steep slopes where we are not allowed to work. 1. The first priority is further removal of invasive trees such as holly, laurel, knotweed, cherry, clematis and ivy. 2. The work will be done on the upper Eastern Slopes and the Northern slopes. The work will be limited to steep areas where Parks does not allow volunteers to work. 3. During the process of tree removal areas with the potential for further clearing to create "islands" should become available. These will receive further clearing and replanting to natives. Creating new natural habitat areas for wildlife on the upper slopes. 4. Remember the plan is staged so we can protect wildlife habitat while new natives are growing in. That's why there is not an emphasis on blackberry removal in this phase except where they are trying to reclaim cleared areas. Restoration Logistics plans to start their work in September if not sooner. Third We've had a number of reports of both coyote sightings and singing from both above and lower in the ravine. (Good idea to keep pets in at night). Fourth The trail plans are nearly complete. Jon Jainga, Parks Project Manager for this phase said they have completed the SEPA review and there are a few final steps to completing the SDOT review. He has hired Mid Mountain to do the trail installation which he expects to take 2 weeks. We ask that he get the trail location flagged as soon as possible to prevent overlap in the 2 projects or destruction of new native plantings. He'll try and get that done soon. Fifth We have qualified as one of a number of potential projects to be considered to receive $3000 worth of tools and a tool box to be kept on site. This would be terrific so of course we applied cross your fingers! If any of you have offices that do community service days or other connections that we could put together an additional fall work party or two it would be great!! We could also use donated crushed path gravel to refurbish the paths if anyone has a connection of that sort. (submitted by Carol Schultz) Citizen Involvement: While we have people who are active and involved at the local community level there many of you out there with broader interests. The City of Seattle has established several boards and commissions designed to give citizens a voice in their government. Serving on a board or commission is a great opportunity to provide input to Seattle’s leaders on a vast array of issues. Over 400 of the positions on nearly 50 boards are appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels. Board members and commissioners receive no financial compensation, but membership can provide you with a great opportunity to meet other people with similar interests and to help shape the future or your community! If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please submit a letter of interest and resume to Michael Gilmore, Boards & Commissions Administrator for Mayor Nickels. Michael can be reached by phone at 206-615-0048, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . In most cases, applicants must either reside or work in Seattle. For a complete list of boards and commissions, please visit the following website: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/boards.htm The following boards and commissions have openings as of Sept. 10, 2007: ● Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program Board of Directors ● Citizens’ Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board ● Fire Code Advisory Board ● Landmarks Preservation Board ● Mayor’s Council on African American Elders ● Museum Development Authority ● Pike Place Market Historical Commission ● Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board ● Seattle Center Advisory Commission Excerpts from the Southwest Police Precinct Aug 9 Newsletter Double Duty for Auto Alarm System Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will go set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. It is a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist will not stick around, because after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminals do not want that to happen. And, remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way anywhere. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or prevent a sexual crime. Burglaries Most Burglaries occur during daytime and a second burglary often takes place in the next few days or weeks within one block of the previous burglary. Immediately report anything suspicious person to 911, such as would be prowlers in a neighbor’s yard, loitering, going door-to-door, the sound of breaking glass, or any appearance of a suspected break-in. Ideas To Prevent Burglary Make sure your trusted neighbors watch your home in your absence. Keep your doors and windows locked at all times. Do not open your door to strangers, no matter what they say. Each and every time that you go out lock, all windows and doors. Don't just pull them shut - lock them. Do this even if you are leaving your home only for a few minutes to talk with a close neighbor. It does not take a burglar long to go in and out of your home. Do this also if you are working in your garden. While you are engrossed in pulling up weeds at the rear of your house, you do not want a thief entering by a carelessly left open door at the front. Keep your garage door closed and locked. Neighbors please check the welfare of the seniors on your block and review these safety precautions with them. Tips to make your home look and sound occupied: use timers on inside lamps, use motion sensors or keep front and back porch lights on all night and place a radio near door/window tuned to a talk show. Police Blotter, Megan Sheppard, West Seattle Herald http://www.westseattleherald.com/news/police%20blotter/ This web page is update every week on Wednesday. Seattle Police Department main web page http://www.seattle.gov/police/ Southwest Precinct Web-page http://www.seattle.gov/police/Precincts/Southwest/default.htm Seattle Police Crime Statistics http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/crime/stats/pur170/200612y.htm For More Information Call: Benjamin Kinlow, Crime Prevention Coordinator, (206) 684-7724 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Last Updated ( Monday, 17 September 2007 )

Bulletin for Aug. 7, 2007

Written by Cindi Barker

Tuesday, 07 August 2007

Morgan Junction Design Guidelines: At long last, the Design Guidelines for Morgan Junction have been approved by the City Council, effective July 25. Many, many thanks to those who researched and created this document, and those of you who gave comments at multiple MoCA meetings. In particular, thanks go to Ken Olsen, (chair), Steve Sindiong, Ramin Achak, Shahnaz Chahim, Chris Beza, Terry Williams, and Michael Kimelberg and John Skelton from the City who gave us process and technical assistance. These Design Guidelines are intended to help guide developers in the design of larger projects which trigger design guidelines reviews in the Morgan Junction neighborhood.

The guidelines can be viewed at

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Design_Review_Program/Applicant_s_Toolbox/Design_Guidelines/DPD_001604.asp , (and the "proposed" status should drop off any day now.)

A Letter from our Fauntleroy Neighbors:

Dear neighbors,

Are you being awakened every morning by noisy motorcycles racing along Fauntleroy Way, 45^th, Brace Point Way, Barton, and other streets in our neighborhood? To many of us this has become untenable when summer weather means more riders and open windows.

The source of all this irritation is the way ferries unload at Fauntleroy dock. Washington State Ferries (WSF) loads motorcycles before other vehicles and when they unload here at Fauntleroy the race is on.

Most of the riders are courteous and observe speed and noise regulations, but some of them don’t and they need to be stopped.

The Fauntleroy Community Association (FCA), and the Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee (FFCA), two community groups with volunteer participation, are working with WSF and Seattle Police Department to help mitigate this problem. But we need your help to add more voices of concern.

You can start by calling SPD’s Traffic Unit, 206-684-8762. Enough calls reporting motorcycle speeding and excessive noise will result in traffic patrol officers monitoring the area for violators on a more frequent basis.

Calls to Washington State Ferries Customer Information Manager, Susan Harris, 206-515-3460, can be helpful to WSF for purposes of pursuing sequential loading of motorcycles.

If you would like more information about the Fauntleroy Community Association or the Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee, contact us.

Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee

A volunteer citizen committee representing communities served by WSF.

Each point of ferry service has representatives that meet regularly to provide citizen input to WSF regarding service and impacts on the communities and helps keep the public informed.

Fauntleroy FAC Chair is Gary Dawson. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 206-937-7163

A letter to the Morgan Junction Community from the Seattle Department of Transportation (local street project notice/information)

July 19, 2007

Dear Mr. Sindiong,

This spring, Mayor Greg Nickels announced the release of Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan, which will significantly expand Seattle’s network of bike facilities. These facilities will make it easier and safer to ride throughout the city, while reducing greenhouse gases. The plan aims to make Seattle the best and the safest city in the nation for bicycling. Over the next two years, the city will add approximately 136 miles of bike lanes and signed bike routes. Overall, the plan calls for developing 452 miles of marked or separated bicycle routes over the next 10 years.

As part of this plan, SDOT will be installing bicycle facilities on Beach Drive from 63^rd Ave SW to 48^th Ave SW, extending up Lincoln Park Way SW to the intersection of 47^th Ave SW and Fauntleroy SW, within the next two to four weeks. Residents will notice new features in Seattle’s growing bicycle network such as shared lane pavement markings or "sharrows". Sharrows, as indicated in the enclosed image, are bicycle symbols that are placed in the roadway lane indicating that motorists should expect to see and share the lane with bicycles.

Both motorists and bicyclists should continue to follow the rules of the road when sharrows are on the roadway. Motorists should continue to give bicyclists three feet of space when passing, while bicyclists should use the sharrow to guide where they ride within the lane and remember not to ride too close to parked cars.

While there will be no permanent changes to parking on this street, SDOT will need to temporarily restrict parking in some areas to implement these improvements. No Parking signs will be posted at least 72 hours prior to the start of work. Vehicles that remain parked during the restricted times will be towed.

SDOT will also provide notification to residences and businesses along this stretch informing them about the upcoming installation, but we would appreciate your assistance in spreading the word in your community. For the safety of our crews who must work in traffic, and to reduce the impact on mobility in the area, this work may take place in the early morning hours or on weekends.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping us provide a safe, connected, and attractive bicycle network in your neighborhood and throughout the city. Together we will make Seattle an even better place to ride.

Shared Lane Pavement Markings (Sharrows) (note from Cindi: illustration wouldn't work in Outlook Express, please go to this link to see the SDOT illustration http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster.htm Appendix F, page 120, illustration I-1 for Beach Drive-like configuration)

If you would like additional information, please call (206) 684-ROAD, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or refer to the SDOT Bicycle Program webpage at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikeprogram.htm.

Sincerely,

Wayne M. Wentz

Director of Traffic Management

Minutes from the July 18, 2007 meeting of the Morgan Community Association

Morgan Community Association

July 18, 2007

The Kenney – 10 persons attending

Steve Sindiong, Presiding

Announcements, Updates:

Myrtle St. Reservoir/Morgan Park Planning: A new project manager has been appointed, Kevin Bergsrud. A landscape architect is being selected. A public hearing on the combined project will take place in August. Check www.seattle.gov/parks.
Orchard Street Ravine: Friends of Orchard Street Ravine have been granted a $11,000 matching-funds grant to complete the restoration project. Work on the trails will take place this summer. Check www.seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/orchardstravine.htm.
Morgan Junction Design Guidelines: revised standards for quality, design, and landscaping are going to the City Council July 25. Passage expected.
I-5 renovation project: During August, north-bound lanes of I-5 through the downtown corridor will be limited to one lane.
The MoCA Summer Festival will not take place this year. Plans are under way to combine a 2008 Summer Festival with the 100^th anniversary celebration of Gatewood Elementary school.
Emergency Preparedness Event: Over 100 persons from W. Seattle attended an emergency planning/preparedness event at West Seattle High School June 23. This has become the priority concern of the SW District Council for 2007. MoCA will focus our Oct. 17 meeting on emergency preparedness concerns.
Gathering of Neighbors event is being planned by Megawatt for the first Saturday of November.
Seattle’s Night Out Against Crime: Block watch parties, gatherings are being planned for August 7, with a focus on emergency preparedness. Register your block by going to www.seattle.gov/police/nightout or contacting SW Precinct coordinator Benjamin Kinlow 684-7724, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
7204 California Ave development: Regarding the article in the July 19 issue of the Stranger (p. 15 "Townhome Invasion"), citizen concerns re. process have resulted in some revisions of construction.
CRF Project Prioritization: 23 projects have been submitted to the SW District Council – they have prioritized 5, including 2 from Morgan Community area (improvements of lighting, benches, etc. at Solstice Park and speed-limit display signs for Fauntleroy Ave.)

Seattle School Board Candidate Steve Sundquist, District 6 position, election Aug. 21. His goal is to restore a greater level of public confidence in the Seattle School Board, with a focus on 1.) more leadership at Board level, 2.) focus on academic achievement, and 3.) neighborhood-based and standardized curriculum. For more information, contact

www.sundquist4schools.com or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Steve is from the Fauntleroy area of W. Seattle.Washington State Ferry Planning – Gary Dawson (Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee). The Long-range plan which is now in place dictates that Fauntleroy Ferry Dock will not be made larger. The current maximum usage is 3 vessels per hour. Proposals are being made that the Southworth ferries would go directly to Coleman Dock downtown. The city doesn’t want more downtown traffic. A state study program is now under way, esp. re financing of future ferry program developments. The Fauntleroy Committee advocated the move of Southworth ferries to downtown, thus reducing about 30% of current traffic. For further information, contact www.fauntleroy.net or the Washington State Ferry website.

Concern expressed re. motorcycle traffic noise in early morning hours – call Seattle police department.

Murray Pump Station – Martha Tuttle, Project Manager, King Co. Wastewater Treatment Division (206 684-1207 or