Morgan Community Association (MoCA)

Morgan Community Association Quarterly Meeting

          July 15, 2009 – The Kenney

Deb Barker, Presiding

4 Executive Bd. Members, 21neighborhood residents, representatives from W Seattle Blog, King County , WSDOT, SDOT, Council candidates, Admiral Neighborhood Association reps.

Announcements – Deb Barker

• Fauntleroy Paving Project:  An overview of the project status as provided by Jessica Murphy, SDOT.

• Morgan Junction Festival – Held June 13; Over, 1,000 bite coupons given out. 15 persons signed up for the Friends of Morgan Junction Park.

• Solstice Park – Improvements are mostly complete, including the new trail and furniture. Trees are to be planted in the fall.

• Myrtle Reservoir – Leaks were discovered inn the membrane. SPU is investigating. Damage is not hazardous to water quality.  May need to go back to design commission for more direction.

• Skate Park – Will be built at the NE corner of Delridge Community Center. Funds were redistributed from other projects that had cost savings, and levy funds.

• Kenney Home – Project was given direction to move forward; will retain Seaview building. The Kenney presented to the Seaview Bldg. and Sunrise Bldg. to the Landmarks Board. They accepted the nomination for Seaview. Next step is designation.

• Night Out – To be held on Tuesday, August 4.

Council Candidates

• Rusty Williams – Running for position 8. Growth will happen in White Center and North Highline. Major issues include traffic, need for improved east – west connections; want a cap on the housing levy. Neighborhood plans have been neglected. Neighborhoods should determine their own future.

• Dorsal Plants – Running for position 4. Endorsed by 34^th District Democrats. Only candidate that is a renter, and a veteran of Iraq war. Want improved communication with city, and restored trust. Ned to reformulate neighborhood planning process, and make legal agreement between city and neighborhood leaders. Protection of neighborhood character is important.

• David Ginsberg – running for position 2. Endorsed by 34^th District Democrats. 140,000 people to move to Seattle in next two decades. Need to determine how to accommodate growth while preserving neighborhood character Neighborhood plans provide opportunity to allow zoning to accept density without negatively affecting character. Other important issues include sustainability, including climate change.

Alaskan Way Viaduct – Bob Chandler (SDOT); Matt Preedy (WSDOT)

• Project includes 5 partner agencies, and includes many components. Started construction on the Holgate area including surface improvements. Reroutings will occur through 2010. Mainline improvements to start in 2011.Spokane Street project started construction on the south side for the ramp to fourth Avenue. Will open in 2010. Have vides to build parallel structure on the north side. Construction on north side to start in fall and continue through 2011.  Impacts to transit routing during construction were discussed.

Rapid Ride Project  - Jack Latteman, King County Metro

• Staff are recommending that the Rapid Ride move forward with the C Line (West Seattle route). Design has begun by King County Metro and SDOT. The transit stops are at 30% design, and will be at 60% by the end of 2009. Will construct the capital facilities in 2010. On track to get stops completed by Sept. 2011 service change. KC is proposing to start the C line in 2012, but have SR 99 mitigation dollars to provide additional peak service on existing high ridership routes, such as the route 54.

Lowman Beach / Murray Pump Station Project – Martha Tuttle, King Co.

• The project is  on hold because the County wants to have the project coincide with the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project.  Don’t want to impact neighborhood twice. In addition, the county’s budget issues have stalled the removal of the old murray pump station, emergency generator, and odor control. Will be coming to the neighborhood later this year for a public meeting.

Orchard Street Ravine Pedestrian Safety – Cindi Barker

• Moca received $10,000 in CRF funding for ped safety project. The neighborhood has been working with SDOT.  A meeting was held June 30.  Proposal is to provide a sign indicating dead end, a hiker pedestrian sign, and a kiosk at the ravine with pedestrian safety information.

Neighborhood Plan Update – Cindi Barker

• Three neighborhoods along the LINK Light rail line are moving forward with their planning efforts. The City is starting to talk about the planning process for other neighborhoods. First set of public meetings to be on July 28 at Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, (6-8pm). Will provide status on land use. AN online survey is also available.

West Seattle Trails – Chas Redmond

• Provided an update on the trails project. Work is beginning on signage and kiosks in Fauntleroy neighborhood. Facilities will be built by October. The planning for facilities in Morgan will start in fall 2009.

New Park Opportunity – Frank Taylor

• An opportunity for the use of a 27,000 s.f. lot within a wooded ravine for a future park. Owner is willing to sell to parks dept. The site meets criteria for use of opportunity funds, and meets the Morgan Nhood Plan goals. Currently assessing neighborhood interest. Next step is to get an appraisal, then come back to the MOCA board in October.

Historic Enhancements on California Ave. – Jim Del Ciello, Catherine Barker, Admiral Neighborhood Association

• Want to create a comprehensive plan for historic preservation along California Ave. Plan is to identify cohesive elements, preserve historic buildings, and market development. Working with residents and businesses. Looking at opportunities where old buildings can have adaptive reuse, rather than being torn down.

Bike Smart packets available (from the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation)

We contacted you last fall about our Bike Smart Seattle program that is coming this summer. It’s here! People in your community, SW Seattle, should either receive a doorhanger or a postcard in the mail advertising a Bicycle Info packet. The packet includes a Seattle Bike Map, a Calendar of FREE events, and more bike information. The Bike Smart Seattle program is designed to more people riding more often and doing it safely. I am emailing you because you are a leader in your community and I am hoping you can pass along this information to your members. People can request a Bicycle Info packet at bikesmartseattle.org . If you have any questions feel free to email me. Thank you for your time.

More info:

Serena Lehman, Outreach Coordinator

Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation

206.957.4439

www.cbcef.org, www.cascade.org

Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

June 18, 2009

Dear Community Friends,

Night Out is now ready for online registration at http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/default.htm.

Summertime Security Tips

During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft.  Reasons for this include:

1. Windows at residences left open for ventilation when residents are not home.
2. Unattended open garages while residents are working in the yard or have briefly left the home.
3. Unattended personal belongings while at a park or other recreational venues.
4. Unattended personal belongings visible in our vehicles.

We want to remind you about the potential for an increase in burglary and theft and provide you with concrete steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability.  Please share these tips with your neighbors.

Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened

1. Always close and lock windows whenever away from the home.  If you choose to ventilate your home when you are not home because of the heat, be aware that you are vulnerable and an easy target for the burglar.
2. If you leave windows open enough for ventilation, secure with less than 4” opening with a dowel.  Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which help prevent the window from being opened too far.  However, some of these are not very sturdy and can be opened given the right amount of force.  Augment those stops with a dowel.  For double hung windows, use sash pins to better secure the windows.  

Lock Your Doors

Install good quality dead bolt locks with at least a 1” throw on all exterior doors.

1. Replace the existing screws in the strike plates and two screws per hinge with 3-4 inch screws.  This will secure the doorframe to the 2x4 framing of the house.  This makes it much more difficult for a person to force open a properly locked door.

Working In The Yard

If working in the yard in the front or back of the home:

1. Do not leave your front door open and/or unlocked.  Close and lock garage and storage unit that is out of your line of sight.  Be mindful of what is in plain view to anyone who may walk or drive by. 
2. Secure all tools, including ladders, so they cannot be used to gain entry into your home or that of a neighbor.

Secure Tools and Ladders

Make it appear that your home is occupied. 

1. You can do this by having timers set within the home that will turn lights on and off.  You may want to consider timers for your exterior lights or photocell attachments (which activate when it gets dark and go off when it becomes light) and motion sensors.
2. Ask a friend or trusted neighbor to watch your home and collect your mail and your newspaper.  If they see suspicious activity, they will know to call 911 for you. 
3. Call Police 625-5011 and ask for a “Request to Watch” for your home while on vacation

If Away For An Extended Period Of Time

Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended

Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain positive control over your belongings.  Never leave personal belongings unattended in your vehicle.  Seattle has an incredibly high rate of theft of personal property from vehicles, particularly at public parks.

For More Information Call: Benjamin Kinlow,

Crime Prevention Coordinator, (206) 684-7724 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Check out www.seattle.gov/police/precincts/southwest/prevention.htm

Resources To Keep You Informed

Police Blotter, http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/

Subscribe to SPD: Crime Blotter http://feeds.feedburner.com/SeattlePoliceSouthwestPrecinct

Police Blotter, Megan Sheppard, West Seattle Herald

http://www.westseattleherald.com/news/police%20blotter/

West Seattle Blog, Tracy Record, Editor

http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=4988

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.htm

Thank you to all who responded with your thoughts on prioritztion for the next Neighborhood Street Fund projects.  After compiling the votes, the projects stacked up as follows:

Because no one is sure of what the effect of the Fauntleroy Way restriping project will be, as it also includes pedestrian crossing improvements, we set project items 1 and 2 on hold for this year, until we can make improvement plans that incorporate upcoming changes.  And for item 8, it was limited to only the 48^th Ave SW location, as there is a volunteer effort under discussion at that location.  We were not sure where the other locations were regarding support from nearby neighbors, so we can gather that information during the upcoming year.  Final result was that project proposal sheets were sent in for items 5, 4, 7 and 8. Copies of the proposal sheets are linked below.

Attachments:

2009 CRF Application 48th Ave traffic calming Final .pdf	[ ]	532 Kb
2009 CRF Application_Calif Ave streetscape Final	[ ]	31 Kb
2009 CRF Application_East west streets Final	[ ]	29 Kb
Morgan CRF NSF 2009 Ped improve on California Final	[ ]	33 Kb

New Park naming process

The Parks Department has started the naming process for the new park in Morgan Junction.   The press release reads “The Park Naming Committee is comprised of one representative designated by the Board of Park Commissioners, one by the Chair of the City Council Parks and Seattle Center Committee, and one by the Parks Superintendent. Criteria the committee considers in naming parks include: geographical location, historical or cultural significance, and natural or geological features. A park may be named for a person no longer living (deceased a minimum of three years) who made a significant contribution to parks and/or recreation. The Park Naming Committee will consider all suggestions and make a recommendation to Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher, who makes the final decision.

Please submit suggestions for park names in writing by Monday, April 6, 2009, and include an explanation of how your suggestion matches the naming criteria. Send to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Park Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .”

Please be aware that an effort is underway to propose that the park be named after Tim St Clair, and petitions are being circulated (one is down at the Beveridge Place Pub).  The reason a petition is needed is that Tim passed away in 2008, and would not qualify under the 3 year minimum requirement.

The petition reads: "We the citizens of the peninsula of West Seattle hereby petition the City of Seattle and its Parks Department to take the following action. We request that the new park facility located at California Ave SW and SW Eddy St be named after Tim St. Clair.  Tim St. Clair for over two decades was a veteran reporter for the West Seattle Herald. Tim St. Clair was an influential force in our West Seattle community brining light and scope to every major issue that happened in his years of service to our West Seattle community. Tim St. Clair was always the one you saw in the back of the room at any meeting be it a community council meeting, a public meeting on a transportation issue or on a parks issue. It is fitting that this new park stands on former Monorail property, which he thoroughly covered from transit station concept into a green space for the Morgan Junction neighborhood.  In his lifetime Tim St. Clair had a passion for the outdoors and took every opportunity to explore the world around him.  One of the things he loved was to help improve his environment here in West Seattle.  This included being an advocate for our neighborhood parks.  Those of us signing below respectfully request that the City of Seattle’s Parks department join with us in approving the naming of the park at California Ave SW and SW Eddy St in memory of Tim St. Clair.”

If you would like to sign this petition, contact Cindi Barker This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Pete Spaulding This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a form.  And if you do not wish to sign the petition, please do submit your ideas!