The below letter from the Queen Anne Community Council expresses
our displeasure at the way Metro Transit is handling the proposed bus
stop closures for routes 3 and 4 on Queen Anne.
QUEEN ANNE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
1818 1ST AVENUE W
SEATTLE, WA 98119
June 5, 2010
Hon. Larry Phillips, King County Council
Hon Tom Rasmussen, Seattle City Council
Hon. Tim Burgess, Seattle City Council
Kevin Desmond, Metro Transit General Manager
Re: Bus Stops on Routes 3-4
Gentlemen:
It came to our attention on June 1st that Metro plans to close several stops along Routes 3 and 4 on Queen Anne and open a few others as consolidations. These changes are to take effect on June 26, and comments are due on June 11, according to a Metro notification, which appeared in the Queen Anne View blog on June 1st.
We believe this notification is unduly brief and insufficient in scope. We ask that the proposed actions be postponed until adequate notice and opportunity for comment are provided.
Adequate notice would include notice at the stops to be impacted, notice to businesses along the routes, and notice to riders on the buses themselves. It appears that none of this has been attempted, at all. Visual inspection of the stops gives no clue of their impending demise. Business owners are ignorant of the proposed closure of stops adjacent to or across the street from their locations. Patrons seem to be utterly unaware of pending changes.
Additionally, some of the stops are also served by Routes 13 and/or 45. Will the stops be closed to those routes as well? This matter is not addressed in the blog posting.
We recognize that sometimes bus stop closures and consolidations may benefit transit operations by improving timeliness, and that some additional parking may be created by these actions in neighborhoods where that is needed. But such decisions are very important to many individuals and businesses that are intimately familiar with the detailed impacts of such proposals. Until then, the proposal is premature.
Thank you.
Ellen Monrad
Chair
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
QACC May Minutes
QUEEN ANNE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes for May 5, 2010
I. 7:30 Approval of Agenda, Minutes, etc.
A. Agenda for May 5, 2010: Approved
B. Minutes for Prior QACC Meeting (April 7): Approved
C. Treasurer's Report (April 30, 2010):
Beginning Balance $2,107.56
Income:
Interest Income
.47
Expenses:
PPQA
Misc. Fees
219.00
10.00
Ending Balance $1879.03
QACC Funds $429.83
PPQA Funds 1,449.20
Total Funds
$1,879.03
II. 7:30 Presentations
A. Greg Phipps, Wash. Dept. of Transportation
1. Update on construction of a suicide prevention barrier for Aurora Bridge.
III. 7:40 New & Ongoing Business
A. Don Harper, Rules of Order for Meetings that include Public Testimony
1. Motion to approve amended Rules of Order to accommodate running QACC meetings that include public testimony passed by acclamation.
2. Motion to amend Rules of Order to allow for community input during QACC meetings passed by acclamation.
B. Ellen Monrad, 15th Avenue W. Transportation Coalition
1. Motion to approve letter to SDOT recommending mitigations for traffic increases stemming from reconstruction of Viaduct passed 15 for, 2 against.
C. Ellen Monrad, Traffic Impact of Viaduct reconstruction on Nickerson
1. Update on meeting with Seattle mayor McGinn about mitigation of traffic impacts on Nickerson from Viaduct reconstruction
IV. 8:40 Committee Reports
A. Land Use & Planning Committee: Kirk Robbins
1. Update on status of various projects proposed by Joe Geivitt.
2. Discuss of City efforts to re-evaluate and modify current design review process, with a heavy emphasis on sustainability at the expense of fundamental design.
B. Transportation: John Coney
1. John Coney announced his resignation as chair of QACC transportation committee.
C. Parks: Don Harper
1. Discussion of budget crisis within the Seattle Parks Department.
2. Letter to Seattle City Council asking them to continue funding maintenance of existing parks and construction of park improvements already in process passed by acclamation.
D. Queen Anne Magnolia District Council: Mike Warren
1. Update on efforts to fund Folk Park and a new Hill Top Farmers Market.
2. Update on petition for neighborhood improvement funds for Queen Anne Blvd (QA Crown).
E. Michael Lapin: Communications Committee
1. Review of policies for posting content to QACC blog.
F. Social Issues: Allan Panitch
1. Nothing to report
G. NAC: Kirk Robbins
1. Nothing to report
V. Attendance
A. Members in Attendance
1. Ellen Monrad
2. Kirk Robbins
3. Laura Kleisle
4. Marty Kaplan
5. Chris Grekoff
6. Mike Warren
7. Glen Avery
8. Jim Smith
9. Sharon LeVine
10. Jeff Parker
11. Margaret Okamoto
12. Don Harper
13. Michael Lapin
14. Tim Prouty
15. Deb Finken
16. John Coney
17. Peter Lawrence
18. Scot Baker
B. Members Absent
1. Scott Smith
2. Hiatt Kemp
3. George Counts
4. Craig Hanway
5. Allan Panitch
VI. 9:30 Adjournment
Minutes for May 5, 2010
I. 7:30 Approval of Agenda, Minutes, etc.
A. Agenda for May 5, 2010: Approved
B. Minutes for Prior QACC Meeting (April 7): Approved
C. Treasurer's Report (April 30, 2010):
Beginning Balance $2,107.56
Income:
Interest Income
.47
Expenses:
PPQA
Misc. Fees
219.00
10.00
Ending Balance $1879.03
QACC Funds $429.83
PPQA Funds 1,449.20
Total Funds
$1,879.03
II. 7:30 Presentations
A. Greg Phipps, Wash. Dept. of Transportation
1. Update on construction of a suicide prevention barrier for Aurora Bridge.
III. 7:40 New & Ongoing Business
A. Don Harper, Rules of Order for Meetings that include Public Testimony
1. Motion to approve amended Rules of Order to accommodate running QACC meetings that include public testimony passed by acclamation.
2. Motion to amend Rules of Order to allow for community input during QACC meetings passed by acclamation.
B. Ellen Monrad, 15th Avenue W. Transportation Coalition
1. Motion to approve letter to SDOT recommending mitigations for traffic increases stemming from reconstruction of Viaduct passed 15 for, 2 against.
C. Ellen Monrad, Traffic Impact of Viaduct reconstruction on Nickerson
1. Update on meeting with Seattle mayor McGinn about mitigation of traffic impacts on Nickerson from Viaduct reconstruction
IV. 8:40 Committee Reports
A. Land Use & Planning Committee: Kirk Robbins
1. Update on status of various projects proposed by Joe Geivitt.
2. Discuss of City efforts to re-evaluate and modify current design review process, with a heavy emphasis on sustainability at the expense of fundamental design.
B. Transportation: John Coney
1. John Coney announced his resignation as chair of QACC transportation committee.
C. Parks: Don Harper
1. Discussion of budget crisis within the Seattle Parks Department.
2. Letter to Seattle City Council asking them to continue funding maintenance of existing parks and construction of park improvements already in process passed by acclamation.
D. Queen Anne Magnolia District Council: Mike Warren
1. Update on efforts to fund Folk Park and a new Hill Top Farmers Market.
2. Update on petition for neighborhood improvement funds for Queen Anne Blvd (QA Crown).
E. Michael Lapin: Communications Committee
1. Review of policies for posting content to QACC blog.
F. Social Issues: Allan Panitch
1. Nothing to report
G. NAC: Kirk Robbins
1. Nothing to report
V. Attendance
A. Members in Attendance
1. Ellen Monrad
2. Kirk Robbins
3. Laura Kleisle
4. Marty Kaplan
5. Chris Grekoff
6. Mike Warren
7. Glen Avery
8. Jim Smith
9. Sharon LeVine
10. Jeff Parker
11. Margaret Okamoto
12. Don Harper
13. Michael Lapin
14. Tim Prouty
15. Deb Finken
16. John Coney
17. Peter Lawrence
18. Scot Baker
B. Members Absent
1. Scott Smith
2. Hiatt Kemp
3. George Counts
4. Craig Hanway
5. Allan Panitch
VI. 9:30 Adjournment
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
QACC - June Agenda
QUEEN ANNE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
June 2, 2010
McClure Middle School
7:30pm
7:30-Adoption of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
7:35: Open Forum – Comments
7:45: McClure Middle School update- John Loacker, Greg Bjarko
8:00: Denny Triangle Report-Craig Hanway
8:30: Committee Reports
Parks Don Harper
LURC/Planning Craig Hanway
Communication Michael Lapin
NAC Kirk Robbins, Jim Smith, Ron Mason, Don Harper
District Council Mike Warren
Transportation
Social Issues Kirk Robbins
Police & Crime Allen Panich
9:15- New Business
9:25-Adjournment
Meeting Notices
QACC: July 7 7:00 Queen Anne Community Center
Parks Committee: June 8, QACC, 7:30
LURC/Planning: June 21, QACC, 7:00
Transportation: TBA
NAC: June 16, Port Headquarters
District Council: June 14, 7pm, QA/Mag Neighborhood Service Center
AGENDA
June 2, 2010
McClure Middle School
7:30pm
7:30-Adoption of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
7:35: Open Forum – Comments
7:45: McClure Middle School update- John Loacker, Greg Bjarko
8:00: Denny Triangle Report-Craig Hanway
8:30: Committee Reports
Parks Don Harper
LURC/Planning Craig Hanway
Communication Michael Lapin
NAC Kirk Robbins, Jim Smith, Ron Mason, Don Harper
District Council Mike Warren
Transportation
Social Issues Kirk Robbins
Police & Crime Allen Panich
9:15- New Business
9:25-Adjournment
Meeting Notices
QACC: July 7 7:00 Queen Anne Community Center
Parks Committee: June 8, QACC, 7:30
LURC/Planning: June 21, QACC, 7:00
Transportation: TBA
NAC: June 16, Port Headquarters
District Council: June 14, 7pm, QA/Mag Neighborhood Service Center
Thursday, May 27, 2010
City Light Underground Cables
Beginning this June, Seattle City Light will begin a 10-week underground cable injection project on Queen Anne that will increase reliability of electrical service and add 25 years of life to aging underground cables. City Light is working with a company called Novinium to inject the aging underground cables with silicone. The process fills cracks that have developed in the cable insulation that can lead to power failures. The project is planned to begin in mid-June and is estimated to last about 10 weeks. On a typical day, crews will work between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cables determined to be beyond repair will have to be replaced and customers will be notified at least one week in advance of any planned outages which may be necessary to replace the cable.
The silicone injection process is a great alternative to digging up and replacing old cables because it will cost less and be less disruptive to the neighborhood while extending the life of the existing cables. The process has been successfully applied to projects in Leschi, View Ridge, Laurelhurst and Arroyo Beach. When we can employ methods that enhance reliability, cost less and minimize disruption to customers, it is a step in the right direction.
The silicone injection process is a great alternative to digging up and replacing old cables because it will cost less and be less disruptive to the neighborhood while extending the life of the existing cables. The process has been successfully applied to projects in Leschi, View Ridge, Laurelhurst and Arroyo Beach. When we can employ methods that enhance reliability, cost less and minimize disruption to customers, it is a step in the right direction.
Big Howe
The play area at West Queen Anne Playfield will be closed from June 1-June 4 while the rubber safety surface is repaired for warranty issues. The entire play area must be fenced for safety reasons. The play area will open back up on Friday, June 4th in the afternoon. Rain may modify this schedule. Signs will go up today. The fence will go up first thing Tuesday morning.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Parks notice
The Queen Anne Community Council Parks Committee will meet at 7:30 PM Tuesday, June 8th. On the agenda will be discussion for an Off Leash Area at the 3rd Ave W Street End at the Ship Canal and release of Parks Levy funds for the OLA. The meeting will be at the Queen Anne Community Center located at 1901 First Ave W. Don Harper #281-9018
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Parks Levy Meeting
Sorry - this was news in April. Still important, so...from Don Harper:
If you are interested please find attached the notes I took from the presentation at the April 26th meeting of the 2008 Parks & Green Spaces Levy. The main presentation was by Carol Everson, Director of Finance & Admin Services for the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation and was on the economic state of the Parks Department. I did the best I could on taking accurate notes and any mistakes in the numbers are mine.
What the presentation says is with out real economic support the drastic cuts being required will significantly change the Parks you know today and how you use them or if they will be there.
Thank you.
If you are interested please find attached the notes I took from the presentation at the April 26th meeting of the 2008 Parks & Green Spaces Levy. The main presentation was by Carol Everson, Director of Finance & Admin Services for the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation and was on the economic state of the Parks Department. I did the best I could on taking accurate notes and any mistakes in the numbers are mine.
What the presentation says is with out real economic support the drastic cuts being required will significantly change the Parks you know today and how you use them or if they will be there.
Thank you.
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