by Kirby Lindsay Laney, 31 May 2016
The Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) held its most recent, monthly, open Board Meeting on May 23rd at Doric Temple #92. The meeting had a smaller turnout than they’ve seen lately, but still drew in a crowd considering the agenda held three items not considered particularly sexy or inspiring.
For those who couldn’t, or wouldn’t, attend, here is a quick glimpse of what got discussed, and some directions to more information…
Prop 1: Seattle Housing Levy
This August, Seattle voters face a tough decision – “replacing” the “expiring” Housing Levy, with a new one, doubled in size, financially, and nearly as big in its promises. Maureen Kostyack, a volunteer with the ‘Yes For Homes’ campaign, spoke at this meeting on the need for this new levy. Kostyack also distributed an informational flyer, assembled by the City of Seattle, outlining programs and goals for the $290 million this levy would raise.
According to Kostyack, the core focus of the 2016 Housing Levy is to build, acquire, and preserve affordable housing. Funds will also be given to subsidizing housing, and stability services for those in danger of losing their home. Money will also go to foreclosure prevention, mortgage help and homelessness prevention for those below median income levels.
Concern raised among at this meeting was about locating affordable housing, and the need to spread development and preservation programs equitably across the city. Also, a question was asked about whether the City will own affordable housing buildings, and Kostyack stated that housing is primarily built and managed by non-profits, with liens that restrict residency to those below median income. Another person asked whether the City will leverage these funds with other programs and partnerships, and they will.
The cost, of $122 a year (on a property assessed at $480,000) also came up. Kostyack pointed out that the last Housing Levy also increased in amount, by 60 – 70% she guessed, from the one previous. She acknowledged that rising prices for land and construction requires more money. The handout explained that since 1981, Seattle voters have approved five different Housing Levies. What did not get addressed was the pressure each levy, including recently increased Transportation and Education Levies, have put on median income home owners and renters.
Unfortunately, the FNC didn’t have anyone speak against this proposition – perhaps because there is not, currently, an organized effort against this ballot measure. Yet, the FNC Board chose not to officially take a position on this campaign, although they may vote at the next (June 27th) meeting.
More information on the Housing Levy can be found on the City Of Seattle website, as well as at ‘Yes For Homes.’ In addition, The Seattle Channel featured a more balanced debate, with both sides of the issue, available for viewing on-line. Also, Joel Connelly, on SeattlePI.com, gave an overview of the Levy plan in March 2016.
An Introduction To The Draft Seattle Freight Master Plan
The newest FNC Board Member, Pete Hornyack, gave an overview on the draft of the Seattle Freight Master Plan, just released that day. The FNC had asked for a City of Seattle Transportation Department representative to present it, but no one had responded as yet.
Hornyack shared print-outs of maps, available for viewing on the City of Seattle website, that show roadways identified as truck routes, and now some minor truck routes. The Plan identified two main manufacturing centers in the City, one in South Seattle and the other being the Ballard-Interbay area that includes Fremont.
The Freight Plan will, hopefully, allow for better planning – when used with the accepted and existing Bicycle, Pedestrian, Transit and Transportation Plans. “We want them to co-exist peacefully,” observed Stephanie Pure, FNC Board President. Hornyack didn’t know of any plans to make changes based on the draft Freight Plan. This is the first-ever Seattle Freight Plan, and it is to be hoped that simply identifying the truck routes, alongside the other routes (including Greenways,) will help with coordinating (particularly in places where truck traffic had previously been underreported,) better, multi-modal solutions.
This discussion actually raised strong concerns about collisions, and potential collisions, between two other modes: pedestrians and cyclists. A Fremont resident asked about addressing what she called the “crisis on the Burke-Gilman Trail.” Others mentioned problems on Fremont Bridge sidewalks, where some pedestrians fail to yield to bike bells (sometimes due to hearing difficulties,) and some cyclists ride too fast.
The FNC Board was asked to review the draft Freight Plan in preparation for a future meeting, and questioning, of a Seattle Department of Transportation representative.
Fremont Project Ideas
The assembled members of the FNC were then asked about ideas for potential neighborhood projects in 2016-17. Some ideas voiced were:
- partner with the B.F. Day Elementary School P.T.S.A.
- find a project for the $60,000 settlement money from the North Seattle Transfer Station (before the money disappears – three years after occupancy of the newly remodeled Station)
- partner with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce on a bike/pedestrian plan for the Fremont Bridge, and Burke-Gilman Trail
- advocate for a bus to run on Fremont Avenue, to take riders up and down this steep street, between downtown and Upper Fremont
- repair, and re-dedicate, the Helen Tapp Memorial Bench (a local resident has been collecting pieces of tile as they fall from – or get pulled off – the art piece)
- advocate for sidewalk maintenance, particularly on N 36th Street
- establish an FNC grant program
- research better lighting for Fremont Avenue at B.F. Day
- become ambassadors/advocates for street trees and tree maintenance
- put survey information on the FNC website, and Facebook page, to gather input from more FNC members
- prioritize selecting a new public safety committee chair, and dispense information about car prowls and break-ins
- lobby for a pharmacy for Fremont
- discuss supporting/helping/joining the Fremont Arts Council, and the effort to build their annual Solstice Parade
- find out more about the Fremont Neighborhood Funds, and how they can be put to use for improving our community
In addition, the FNC Board discussed the mailing of a flyer about the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) proposals. Fremont residents may have already received this mailer, which gives a one-page overview of some of the most concerning of these proposals. The flyer encourages residents to get engaged and involved.
One of the easiest ways is to join the FNC, and attend their monthly meetings like this one. The meetings take place on the fourth Monday of each month (except December) at the Doric Temple #92 starting at 7p. Find out more details, including the agenda, on the FNC website or Facebook page.
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©2016 Kirby Laney. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.