Morgan Community Association (MoCA)

Emergency Preparedness - Morgan Junction participated in a recent drill of the West Seattle Communications Hubs.  Cindi Barker and Deb Barker staffed the Morgan location, Paul Sureddin stopped in to observed, and we also had two observers from Queen Anne/Magnolia.  Due to our proximity to the radio repeater that supports the Hub system, we had good to excellent communication with all the other hub locations from Alki to Fauntleroy.  See Debs picture at http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=20811. 

Neighborhood Plan Update process – we expect the results of both the Neighborhood Planning Status Check Open House and the on-line survey to be posted by early October.  Thank you to the 210 people who took the time to give their opinion about Morgan Junction!

As noted in the Calendar, there will be a Neighborhood Plan Status Workshop to see how people think the implementation of the Morgan Junction Neighborhood Plan is going.  The background information prepared by the city has now been posted at http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Neighborhood_Planning/StatusReports/default.asp#status

(scroll down until you find Morgan Junction).  The information in the prepared material is data that is easy for the city to generate from various sources (census, departmental information, etc), but what they don’t have is the opinion of people about things that are harder to measure.  Examples of that are  things you feel affect your quality of life, how you view sustainability in our neighborhood, changes that are having a positive or negative impact on your mobility around the neighborhood, and so on.  That’s why, even if you don’t know anything about the neighborhood plan, you come let the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee and the Seattle Planning Commission know what you’re thinking. 

However, if you cannot attend, you can go on-line and fill out a survey at http://www.cityofseattle.net/planningcommission/

The basic questions being asked at the workshop are:

• Most of the neighborhoods have changed since the plans were adopted 10 years ago.  How has your neighborhood changed in the last decade since the plan was adopted, (or since you’ve been there)?
• What changes or aspects of your neighborhood are you most pleased about? Most dissatisfied about?
• How well are your Neighborhood Plan vision and key strategies being achieved?  Are they still the priority?
• The city is completing neighborhood plan status reports focusing on demographics, development patterns, housing affordability, public amenities and transportation networks.  What should there be more focus on (or less focus on) as the neighborhood status reports are completed in the coming months.  Are there any important gaps in the draft status report

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