Morgan Community Association (MoCA)

Morgan Community Association Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2013

7:00 pm at The Kenney

President Deb Barker began the meeting.  MoCA officers Chas Redmond, and Sean Gamble were also present. Cindi Barker, who does community information work for MoCA, was also present.

Bicycle Master Plan Update

Sara Zora with SDOT updated everyone on the Bicycle Master Plan Update.  Here is the background: In 2007, Seattle City Council adopted the Bicycle Master Plan.  The focus is on making the city better and safer for bicycling.  Part of the Plan is to designate bicycle lanes.  Now we are shifting the way we look at bicycles in order to encourage more people of all ages to ride their bicycles, commute to work, and enjoy their neighborhoods.  We can use neighborhood streets and residential greenways to encourage these goals.

SDOT accepted a lot of feedback from bicyclists and also reached out to a variety of demographic groups.  More bicycling also supports the Climate Action Plan.  You can find the Phase 1 Report online here: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/bmp/919Public%20Engagement%20Summary%20Report2.pdf

Many bicyclists expressed their concerns with the lanes and the rules of the road not being well understood by some motorists.  SDOT would like to do a better job of educating our roadway users in how to safely use our roads and lanes.

You can also find SDOT’s bicycle and environmental report online, which includes a five-year update on the Bicycle Master Plan. http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/bmp/StateofSeattleReport_Final_Oct24.pdf

SDOT wants to incorporate best international practices in creating a bicycle-friendly city.  This involves increasing safety, connectivity, equity, livability, and bicycle ridership.  Copenhagen offers a great model for bicycle practices that Seattle can consider.  The update should have a good vision and implementation process.  SDOT wants to do a better job in lower income areas.  SDOT would like to receive comments on its draft network map of bicycle lanes.

We are in public engagement, Phase 2, right now.  SDOT will be seeking grants and state and federal funds to develop these goals.  SDOT is developing a data-driven strategy that involves creating Neighborhood Greenways, which are non-arterial enhanced streets, and upgrading streets with bicycle lanes, buffered bicycle lanes, and creating off-street multi-use trails.  SDOT is creating a connected network throughout the city.

Sara presented a large map of the draft bicycle network for SW Seattle.  You can see the SW Seattle Bicycle Map here:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/bmp/nov12/sw.pdf

Sara received comments about SW and Morgan Junction plans.  There was discussion about potential bicycle lanes or a cycle track along Morgan.

There are places for additional information and for making comments about possible bicycle plans on the SDOT website here: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster_materials.htm

Announcements & Updates

New Morgan Junction Park: Chip Nevins with Seattle Parks informed MoCA that Parks is still working on getting estimates on the possible clean up costs of the property north of Morgan Junction Park (“Short Stop” property).  Acquiring and cleaning up the property would expand the existing green space in the heart of Morgan Junction.  The possible clean up costs would affect the purchase price.  Parks should be on track to have progress on this Parks project by the second half of the year.

Workshops for Neighborhood Matching Fund: The workshop is this Thursday, January 17.  The city puts on workshops for teaching folks how to apply to funding sources for grants.

“Gathering of Neighbors”: At the new Chief Sealth Galleria on Saturday, May 4, from 9 to noon, there will be a leadership council in a town hall meeting format for discussing what communities can do with community members with mental issues to help them, to work with agencies, and so forth, to explore what can be done at the grassroots level.  From noon to 3 will be the community festival with booths and entertainment.

Status of Funding Applications

Cindi spoke on the NPF $12,000 grant, which will combine with trees from another fund.  The grant will provide sidewalk benches and bicycle racks.  We will talk with neighborhood business owners to learn what will make Morgan Junction better.  The grant is roughly along California and crosses the Junction.  This is the idea phase now.  Please let us know any ideas you have.

Chas Redmond spoke on the Festival Grant of $1,200.  MoCA successfully applied for a grant that funds neighborhood festivals.  This grant will help to pay for the talent at the festival.  Remember that our festival is on June 22 this year.

Deb Barker spoke on the Bridging the Gap NSF grants.  MoCA submitted two applications for NSF last month, although neither was recommended for approval.  One application, named “California Avenue Corridor Conditions,” sought road improvements for California Avenue potholes between Graham and Holly.  Another application sought road-crossing safety improvements at these intersections: SW Graham from California Ave SW to Fauntleroy Way SW; SW Morgan from 42nd Ave SW to 35th Ave SW; and SW Holden from California Ave SW to 25th Ave SW.  MoCA plans to resubmit portions of these applications to the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund (NPSF). The deadline is February 4.  MoCA proposes to focus on the most pressing issues in the new round of applications.

There was one Morgan Junction-area application that was recommended for approval by the SW District Counsel: an alley improvement by Morgan Junction Park.  Another West Seattle project recommended for approval is a sidewalk improvement by Arbor Heights by 100 and 106.  And a third was the Admiral road crossing improvements (a pedestrian-activated signal and a sidewalk installation).

Murray / Lowman Beach CSO

Doug Marsano updated everyone on the CSO project.  King County manages tap water and sewage and storm overflow water.  The same set of pipes is used for both storm water and sewage water. Usually, this is not a problem.  But several days per year this is a problem during heavy rain, when the system is stressed beyond capacity and can cause environmental damage in the form of run-off into the Puget Sound.  The improvements are designed to protect the Puget Sound environment.

The improvements, which include many design considerations, are also meant to reflect the values of the community.  The CSO will include a hidden million-gallon storage tank.  The site plan will have trees and look like a park.  A main concern of the community was to reduce any industrial feel of the site.  Another concern was to improve and incorporate view taking of the scenery.  A third concern was to calm nearby traffic patterns.  And fourth, the plan should create continuity between the CSO and the neighborhood.  The site will be an open-use space for the community.  Eventually, the trees around the CSO will grow up and cover the structures.  The wall design has been broken up to reduce any slab-like feel.  The green roof will have an alpine meadow-like appearance.  There will also be a pedestrian throughway.  The walls along the walkways are designed by an artist and will involve very durable rammed-earth construction.  The artist designed ecological continuity throughout the site.  The public space will have a rain garden that will use storm water.  Trees will be set back from the sidewalk.

Now the focus is on obtaining permits and then deconstructing the buildings, which involves saving and reusing many old building materials.  Deconstruction should be started within the next few months.  It will be expensive to remove the known asbestos from the buildings.  Salvaging will also be involved.  The artist will coordinate the salvaging process.  This should be finished by the end of April.  The bid process for the construction will involve several steps and may require until the third or fourth quarter to be completed with construction beginning at that time.  The construction may be finished in mid to late 2016.

The community input was invaluable to this process.  Doug thanked MoCA and the West Seattle Blog for all the help.  The design process went through several reiterations and improvements.  Doug will be back in April to update the community.  Here is a link that gives additional information:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Construction/Seattle/MurrayCSOStorage.aspx

MoCA Festival

June 22 is the date for the Festival this year.  MoCA has started doing the planning and will be meeting monthly.  There are groups for planning music, kids events, food.  You can suggest local musicians who can play at the Festival.  2012’s festival had bad luck with weather.  We also needed more volunteers.  Please volunteer.  We are hoping that this year will be much better than last year’s festival, which didn’t have enough volunteers and also had unlucky weather.  This year, we very much need volunteers to help set up in the morning and then take down in the evening. This is really important and will be much appreciated.  This year will shape up to be a great MoCA Festival.

Tree Ambassador Projects

Sean Gamble spoke on the end-of-the-year Tree Ambassador projects in Morgan Junction.  Deb did a lot great pruning at the tree triangle by the Juneau-Fauntleroy bus stop.  We also had a lot of volunteers to help the tree triangle by the Morgan-Fauntleroy bus stop by Thriftway.  We cleaned the site, pruned, spread mulch, and planted new cherry trees.  The cherry trees should look great when they blossom in the springtime.  The Seaview area has gotten a lot of new street trees along Juneau, Raymond, Graham, and other streets, thanks to Tree Ambassador efforts.  Everyone is encouraged to think of new tree planting projects for Morgan Junction.  Please submit your ideas for tree-planting projects.  We can help neighbors plant trees on their own property.  We can also help with planting new street trees along tree planting strips.  We can also potentially work on clearing public areas of invasive species.  The Tree Ambassadors can get free trees, tools, and mulch for tree-planting projects.  Please bring your ideas to Deb or Sean for collaboration.

Volunteers Sought

Police Advisor Committee: Please volunteer and get in touch with Eldon if you are interested in participating in the SW Police Advisory Board.  A new member is needed to represent the Morgan Neighborhood.

Pothole Patrols: Please call in the potholes and report their existence so they can get fixed.  (206) 684-ROAD is the phone number to call and report potholes.  It may be best to call in the daytime and talk with a live person.

CNC Committees: These committees meet monthly and are looking for volunteers: Education; Transportation; Budget; Neighborhood Matching Fund; and the Neighborhood Planning Committees.  Anybody who is a member of a neighborhood association can join one of these committees.  Please contact Chas for more information if you are interested in volunteering.   The Transportation Committee is currently grappling with density issues and an up-zoning issue.  The next meeting is at Room 370 at City Hall at 7 PM on January 28.

MoCA Festival 2013: Please volunteer for our festival this summer on June 22.

MoCA 2013 Election

The officers will be up for election at the next meeting in April.  A proposed slate of officers for 2013 is as follows: Deb Barker, President; Chas Redmond, Vice President; Sean Gamble, Secretary; and Eldon Olson, Treasurer.  Anyone in attendance is entitled to vote and run for office.  Please attend and vote!

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at The Kenney at 7 PM on April 17, 2013.  The address is 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Room 2.

**Save the Date**

June 22, 2013 is the Morgan Junction Community Festival!

Here is an additional announcement to the Morgan Junction Community:

A PASSIONATE MISSION
Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers donate thousands of hours year-round responding to reports of live and dead marine mammals, establishing perimeters and protecting resting harbor seal pups, educating the public about our fragile marine ecosystem and visiting classrooms, doing health assessment of animals and delivering animals for necropsy.

Learn more about the organization, seals and sea lions, and NOAA’s NW stranding networks on Seal Sitters’ website at www.sealsitters.org. For what’s happening on the beach, please visit www.blubberblog.org.

If you see a seal pup on the beach, stay back, keep dogs leashed and away at all times and call your local stranding network.

Seal Sitters always needs dedicated volunteers and holds several trainings a year. If you're interested in joining, please check the website (www.sealsitters.org/news/events_and_training.html) for information or to be placed on a contact list for upcoming trainings.

The Morgan Community Association

January 16, 2013 - Meeting Agenda

7:00                 Welcome & Introductions                                                                  Deb Barker

7:02                 Bicycle Master Plan Update                                                   Sara Zora, SDOT

7:25                 Announcements & Updates                                                    MoCA Board

• New Morgan Junction Park
• Workshops for Neighborhood Matching Fund
• “Gathering of Neighbors”

7:30                 Status of Funding Applications

• NPF - $12,000                                                                                                John Vandersluis, SDOT
• Festival Grant - $1,200                                                           Chas Redmond
• Bridging the Gap NSF                                                            Deb Barker

7:45                 Murray/Lowman Beach CSO                                                 Doug Marsano, King County

7:55                 MoCA Festival                                                                                               MoCA Board

8:05                 Tree Ambassador Projects                                                      Sean Gamble

8:25                 Volunteers Sought for:                                                                       MoCA Board

• Police Advisory Committee
• Pothole Patrol
• CNC committees

Next MoCA meeting on April 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM

The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW

Room #2

Save the Date:

June 22, 2013 is the Morgan Junction Community Festival!

MoCA Meeting Minutes

October 17, 2012

7 PM at The Kenney

President Deb Barker began the meeting.  The officers introduced themselves to the attendees.

MoCA Festival 2013

The first big announcement is that the MoCA Festival is set for Saturday, June 22, 2013.  We hope the weather will be good!  Please add this date to your calendars.  Please also consider volunteering for the MoCA Festival to contribute to the fun and success.

Sustainable West Seattle Transportation Forum Update

Chas spoke about the Sustainable West Seattle Transportation forum update.  A variety of leaders were at the last forum update.  A main issue involved whether to alter service from Arbor Heights or Alki.  The software link issue between the Rapid Rides and the One Bus Away app is being worked on.  There are still infrastructure issues to be worked out.  West Seattle is generally in better shape than other neighborhoods.  Metro is looking at adjusting the Route 22 run-times.  Constantine is concerned about the impact of upcoming transit products and how West Seattle can benefit from them.  The issue of traffic congestion at the junctions caused by bus lanes and Rapid Ride stops was not explored.  SDOT is working to improve the timing of signal patterns and queue jumps.

Murray CSO Project Status

Lauren Stensland with Enviroissues was present to speak for Doug Marsano on the Murray CSO Project.  A lot has happened since July.  Lauren is a consultant to King County.  As everyone is aware, the County is building this project to control storm water overflow and improve environmental protection for the Sound.  The big panels on the fences around the project have been painted with designs and look good.  The County has been working on getting final permits and finalizing designs.  A couple things have changed in the design.  It will be possible to walk through the site alongside or near the green roof with all its micro-environments.  The County determined that fences will not be necessary, although there will be good lighting for security and good sightlines for views.  It would be a good idea to have the local police participate in the community safety aspects of the design.  There will not be an open pond, but rather green space for the vegetation tiers to capture rainwater runoff.  Odor control stacks will be tucked back against the embankment and should be subtle.  There will be better and more odor controls than in the initial designs.  The Lowman Beach odor control stack will be improved by removing that feature and incorporating it into the Murray CSO Project.  The final surface features of some exposed walls, whether they will be pattern-scored or have ivy-fences, is still being worked out.  Chas explained how the Murray CSO water control project is part of a larger system within West Seattle and greater Seattle.

Morgan Junction Park Expansion Status

The City Parks department has been negotiating with the properties just north of the current park area.  Chip Nevins recently updated MoCA with the status and those minutes have been posted.  It is important to remember that the current process is focused on land acquisition.  In the future, funds would have to be found to develop the project.  The update is that Parks continues to negotiate on the price and continues to work on testing the soil.  City Council has recently empowered Parks to have eminent domain to acquire the property.  This process may help the negotiations continue and may offer the seller certain tax advantages.  The results of the soil tests will be a key factor in the final price the parties agree to.  Pacific Groundwater Group is doing the groundwater testing.  The results of the tests are of course public documents available through a public records request.  Following acquisition, Parks would be willing to work with the community on interim uses.  Chip is still working on the questions from the last meeting.  The negotiations are continuous; the test results may be ready by the middle of November.  The minutes from the last meeting are available.  The acquisition would really increase the size of the Morgan Junction Park, although future development would take time.

SW Morgan Street Bike Lane Report

MoCA sent a letter to question the process and apparent lack of notice regarding the elimination of SW Morgan Street parking and implementation of a bike lane.  MoCA asked the City to postpone the project and attend this meeting to answer questions.  The City agreed to postpone the project and reevaluate the project.  The City agreed to reconsider and contact MoCA with updates.  There may be a smarter shift of bicycle routes away from arterials and towards greenways.  Sustainable West Seattle is also working to coordinate on these issues.

Neighborhood Projects Fund (NPF) & Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF) Applications

MoCA has turned in multiple transportation and capital projects.  John Vander Sluis with SDOT manages the Neighborhood Project.  A streetscape project improvement proposal was submitted.  SDOT reviews the proposals for feasibility and cost. In this case, there are three projects that have been proposed for funding to the City Council.  The streetscape improvement project on California between Juneau & Myrtle, the sidewalk improvements on Fauntleroy & 46^th, and the repaving of the tennis courts are the three proposed projects.  This comes to about $123,000 for the SW District.  John shared maps showing where new trees and bicycle racks could be located.  The racks need some clearance area to leave room for pedestrians.  Recent proposals that have not been funded can be resubmitted for new years.  MoCA can expect to hear from John in January. The budget usually comes out in mid- to late-November.  John’s contact information is (206) 684-4617.

2013 Funding Application for MoCA Festival

Chas communicated with the arts office regarding a neighborhood community arts program.  The community grant program has two options, one for non-profits and one for groups without a formal structure.  Chas submitted the application for MoCA last week.  We won’t know the result of the funding application until November or December.

Tree Ambassador Projects on Fauntleroy Way SW at Morgan and at Juneau

The Tree Ambassador Program is an urban forestry collaboration between Seattle City Parks Department, Forterra, and other conservation organizations.  Tree Ambassadors is working with SDOT to bring more trees to the green spaces at Fauntleroy / Morgan (near the Thriftway) and Fauntleroy / Juneau (near the bus stop).  We can plant new Burgundy and Cornelian Cherry trees. We can also remove invasive species and clean up the green spaces.  We are looking for volunteers for the following dates and times:

November 4th at 12 PM: Phase 1 will be the removal of invasive species and a general clean up.

Phase 2 will be further clean up by SDOT, which will also deliver mulch and the trees.

November 11th at 12 PM: Phase 3 will involve spreading mulch and planting the new trees.

Please feel welcome to volunteer at either site on either date.

Finally, MoCA did not have a report on the Police Precinct as listed in the original schedule.

The meeting adjourned at roughly 8:45 PM.

September 13, 2012

President Deb Barker introduced the board to the attendees. Chip Nevins of Seattle Parks is in attendance to explain a proposal by the Parks department related to the Morgan Junction Park site.

Mr. Nevins introduced himself and explained that he works on new parks acquisitions.  He began by talking about the history of the area, specifically the neighborhood plan that has open space goals, including the plan for the Green Crescent.  Morgan Junction was part of the original group of neighborhood plans.  Originally, the Morgan electricity substation was a candidate for new open space.  City Light, however, did not want to sell the substation.  The second plan was to create the Eddy Street / Beveridge Place pocket park by using land not used by the monorail project.  This was developed in the mid-2000s.

The City looks at the amount of parks in different areas of Seattle.  A new Seattle Parks levy enabled this ongoing project of improving park space in the Morgan Junction Urban Village.  Parks found two sites that meet minimum criteria of size, good solar access, good pedestrian access.  One site is the Short Stop drycleaner site.  The other is on the northern edge of the urban village.  The drycleaner site is advantaged by being central and by being adjacent to an existing park, which is too small in the opinion of many locals.  Enhancement of this park may be accomplished by acquiring the drycleaner location.  This would triple the size of the park.  Acquiring the drycleaner property would also potentially reduce crime complaints.  Community involvement can also help to cure the issue of crime.  Budget problems mean that the City has money to acquire parks but not to develop them right now.  When the budget improves, the park can be developed over time.  Initially, this process is known as land banking.  Interim solutions can involve community participation ideas.  There are several examples of this around the city.

A neighbor asked if the city has money to demolition the building.  The acquisition budget does include money to clean up the site, but a decision on this has not been made.

Another neighbor asked for clarification on the proposed location.  The answer is north of Eddy Street.

The city is doing an environmental review of the property.  There may be contamination from its past uses. The history indicates a past gas station and current drycleaner.

What are the criteria for making decisions in interim uses in the land banking process?  The decision-making process includes consideration of tenants, the safety of the building, and perhaps other considerations.  Mr. Nevins will follow up on this.

If the park is developed, would Eddy Street be vacated?  The intent is to combine the properties into one park, but there are several ways of doing that.  Ideally, there would not be a driveway or cul-de-sac in the middle of the park.

One purpose of this meeting is to hear from community members on this Parks proposal.

The City has no plans for the Eddy Ravine itself.

One neighbor expressed how she tries to use the currently small Morgan Junction Park.  The Short Stop property is a menace because of the amount of drug dealing and drug use.  Parks’ instructions are to call 911 to report any incidents like this.  The advantage of the current park being public property encourages a better police response.

Another neighbor complained that she might be expected to call and “police” the drunks herself, which worries her.

For the design process for the new park, will there be community input for an appropriate and safe design process?  Yes, Parks would have the same public design process, including at least three public meetings, inviting ideas and input.

A neighbor complained about three characters who often defecate behind current park bushes.  Parks and MoCA encouraged neighbors to call 911.

Parks has a map that it can share of the proposed property.

Short Stop’s cabling (fencing) has improved some of the drug dealing.

The meeting continued with a tour of the property that Parks proposes purchasing.  Morgan Junction community members could help to advocate for interim lease money going back to Parks to help fund the development.  People discussed potential interim uses of the property, including movie nights on the building wall, video games on the building wall, planting trees to give them a head start in growth, an interim parking lot that could generate some amount of income, rummage sales, a pea patch, raised vegetable beds, or a dog run.  Jefferson Park in Beacon Hill has great spaces now for kids.  Authorization for interim uses can potentially be less bureaucratic than in the past.  Mr. Nevins suggested examples of successful interim uses done without bureaucratic hurdles.  Expedited plans could be facilitated through neighborhood grants.   Lake City, Wedgwood, Greenwood, and Capital Hill have had recent experiences developing new parks.  Matching funds can help with park designs.

Mr. Nevins explained that Parks has purchased other potentially contaminated sites before.  Over the next month, Parks will continue to evaluate the condition of the property through further core soil samples.  Environmental clean up costs still need to be determined.

Deb thanked everyone for coming out to the meeting, asking questions, and offering their ideas and comments.  October 17^th is the next MoCA meeting.

Hi everyone.  Here is a message and invitation from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division:

Join neighbors, park users, local artists and King County staff for a paint party in Lowman Beach Park!

King County Murray CSO Control Facility Fence Art Paint Party

August 18, 2012 at 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Lowman Beach Park, 7071 Beach Drive Southwest

Construction of King County’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Facility begins in 2013, but site preparation gets underway soon. To get ready, King County is erecting a fence prior to the deconstruction of the onsite buildings this fall. 

You are invited to help paint the mural that will cover the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Facility construction site fence for at least the next year.  The Nature Consortium’s teaching artist will be onsite to explain mural design and help painters get started. Materials and templates will be provided, but wear your painting clothes! 

Families and children of all ages are welcome, and there is no obligation to stay for the whole day. You can paint for a while, enjoy a snack and then go enjoy the rest of your Saturday.

We hope to see you there!

King County is building the Murray CSO Control Facility to protect public health and clean up Puget Sound.

Please contact me at this email or via phone: 206-684-1235 for more information.

Thanks,

Doug

Doug Marsano

Water Quality Planner

King County Wastewater Treatment Division

206-684-1235