photo credit: bitmask

From the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT):

The Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is accepting applications for new members to help make walking in Seattle safer and easier. The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1993, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and City Council, participates in planning and project development, evaluates policies and makes recommendations to all city departments including the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Board members serve a two‐year term, with an opportunity to serve a second term. They are frequent walkers of a variety of ages, levels of mobility, and walks of life, and from areas throughout the city. Members must be Seattle residents, and may not be city employees. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall on Fifth Avenue between James and Cherry.

According to Jon Morgan, chair of the Pedestrian Advisory Board “”Everyone is a pedestrian, and serving on the Pedestrian Advisory Board is a great way to make a difference in Seattle’s walkability. Members have a chance to learn a lot about walking and what’s going on in the city, and to apply that knowledge working with other smart, dedicated, interesting pedestrian advocates.”

Mayor McGinn and City Council are committed to promoting diversity in the City’s boards and

commissions. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, and persons of color are encouraged to apply. Interested persons should submit a resume and cover letter explaining their interest via email by January 20, 2012 to Brian Dougherty at brian.dougherty [at] seattle.gov.

For more information, call Brian Dougherty at (206) 684‐5124, or send e‐mail to the address above.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics, volunteer, walking

Frockt will represent Washington State’s 46th District. The district covers much of north Seattle, including north Green Lake.

From our news partner seattlepi.com:

County Council confirms Frockt to Senate
By Joel Connelly
Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 

The King County Council, following Democrats’ recommendation, on Monday named State Rep. David Frockt to fill the Washington State Senate seat of the late Scott White.

The appointment will allow Frockt to be in the Legislature’s upper chamber in time for the special session that begins Nov. 28.

Frockt, a Seattle attorney, has been serving his rookie term in Olympia, but moved legislation limiting use of coal tar sealant on state roads.

“His accomplishments protecting victims of domestic violence and ensuring environmental safeguards demonstrate his capacity and dedication,” King County Council President Bob Ferguson said in a statement.

The Frockt appointment creates a sure-to-be-fought over legislative vacancy in the 46th District.  The district’s big, contentious Democratic organization will make its recommendation.  The King County Democratic Party will then send up three names to the King County Council, which makes the final appointment.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics

There was a general election yesterday (Tuesday, November 8, 2011).

Washington State results are being updated on the Washington State Secretary of State website.

In King County, 279744 mail ballots, representing 26% of the county’s registered voters, were counted yesterday. Results from those ballots were posted on the King County Elections website shortly after 8 p.m. last night.

We’ve pulled out some highlights of the current results of measures and races put before voters in the Green Lake neighborhood:

Washington State

I-1125, concerning state expenditures on transportation.
This measure would prohibit the use of motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue for non-transportation purposes, and require that road and bridge tolls be set by the legislature and be project-specific. Should this measure be enacted into law?

Yes: 49%
No: 51%

I-1163, concerning long-term care workers and services for elderly and disabled people.
This measure would reinstate background checks, training, and other requirements for long-term care workers and providers, if amended in 2011; and address financial accountability and administrative expenses of the long-term in-home care program. Should this measure be enacted into law? 

Yes: 67%
No:  33%

I-1183, concerning liquor: beer, wine, and spirits (hard liquor).
This measure would close state liquor stores and sell their assets; license private parties to sell and distribute spirits; set license fees based on sales; regulate licensees; and change regulation of wine distribution. Should this measure be enacted into law? 

Yes: 60%
No: 40%

Senate Joint Resolution 8205, concerning the length of time a voter must reside in Washington to vote for president and vice president.

Approved: 71%
Rejected: 29%

Senate Joint Resolution 8206 Concerning the budget stabilization account maintained in the state treasury. 

Approved: 67%
Rejected: 33%

King County

Seattle City Council Position No. 1
Jean Godden 54%
Bobby Forch 46%

Seattle City Council Position No. 3
Brad Meacham 38%
Bruce Harrell 62%

Seattle City Council Position No. 5
Dale L. Pusey 26%
Tom Rasmussen 73%

Seattle City Council Position No. 7
David Schraer 19%
Tim Burgess 81%

Seattle City Council Position No. 9
Sally J. Clark 65%
Dian Ferguson 34%

Seattle School District No. 1, Director District No. 2
Sherry Carr 55%
Kate Martin 45%

City of Seattle Proposition No. 1, Regular Tax Levy Including Families and Education, concerning renewing and enhancing Education-Support Services to improve academic achievement.
Yes 59%
No 41%

Seattle Transportation Benefit District Proposition No. 1, Increased Vehicle License Fee, concerning an increased Vehicle License Fee for transportation improvements.
Yes 40%
No 60%

The King County Elections results schedule can be seen here and the Washington Secretary of State schedule is available here.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics

Sen. White represented Washington State’s 46th District. The district covers much of north Seattle, including north Green Lake.

Sen. White died on October 21 after a heart attack. He was 41 years old.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Wedgwood Elementary PTSA, EarthCorps or the Scott White Memorial Fund, an education fund for his two children.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics, memorial

Last Thursday (October 27, 2011), the King County Districting Committee released a Districting Master’s Plan. The plan proposes a major change in districting for the Green Lake neighborhood.

Under the proposed redistricting, the boundary between District 4 and District 2 would shift from Aurora Ave N to I-5.

The boundary change would mean that east and south Green Lake would no longer be in District 2 (currently served by Councilmember Larry Gossett), and north Green Lake would no longer be in District 1 (currently served by Councilmember Bob Ferguson).

The entire Green Lake neighborhood would instead be in District 4, currently served by Councilmember Larry Phillips.

A full map of the existing and proposed districts can be viewed here. A zoomed-in view of District 4, show below, illustrates the existing District 4 boundary in green and the proposed District 4 boundary in brown.

Click to view full map.

Redistricting can be controversial. According to a recent report [pdf] issued by the Municipal League of King County, “the [national] history of redistricting has a sorry reputation for corruption, partisan favoritism, incumbent protection and gerrymandering to exclude racial and ethnic minorities.”

However, the Municipal League of King County found “no overt partisanship and no evidence of improper considerations in the drawing of the new Council district boundaries. While individual Districting Committee members may have had access to data on voting patterns, none were overtly used or part of the official process.”

In this clip from Comcast Newsmakers, Dean Foster of the Washington State Redistricting Commission explains why the redistricting process can be controversial and how the public can be involved in the 2011 redistricting process:

The King County Districting Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the plan for Tuesday, November 1, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the King County Council Chambers, on the 10th floor of the King County Courthouse (516 Third Ave).

Public feedback can also be submitted by November 1 via an online form.

The Committee will consider the adoption of the districting plan, with or without amendment, on Wednesday, November 9.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics

Senator Scott White, March 2011. Photo credit: CarlB104

A public memorial service for Democratic State Senator Scott White has been scheduled for Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 1 p.m.

Sen. White represented Washington State’s 46th District. The district covers much of north Seattle, including north Green Lake.

The service will be in the Meany Hall Theater on the University of Washington Campus.

Free parking will be available in the Central Plaza Underground Garage. The garage is located beneath Meany Hall and can be entered is at the intersection of 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St. Attendees are urged to carpool.

Sen. White died last Friday (October 21) after a heart attack. He was 41 years old.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Wedgwood Elementary PTSA, EarthCorps or the Scott White Memorial Fund, an education fund for his two children.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics, memorial

On September 21, 2011, Mayor Mike McGinn announced that his 2012 Proposed Budget would include funding for a new roof at the Green Lake Bathhouse (7312 West Green Lake Dr N), a historic building that the city leases to the Seattle Public Theater (SPT).

Earlier this month, SPT unveiled new seats which were the product of a fundraising campaign put on by the theater.

The theater is now hopeful that the mayor’s proposal for funding for a new roof will be adopted by the Seattle City Council, along with additional funding for a new HVAC (Heat Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) system.

“This past summer the AC gave up the ghost, challenging our young actors to perform despite the heat and humidity, and every year we pray the furnace makes it through the winter without breaking down (we’ve supplemented with space heaters for the last several years, at great cost and less-than-sufficient heat),” an email from the Seattle Public Theater explains.

The Seattle City Council is currently reviewing the mayor’s proposed budget. A final city budget will be adopted by Friday, December 2.

Information about contacting the Seattle City Council can be found here.

The Seattle Public Theater is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: advertiser, construction, local politics, parks and rec, theater

The Northwest District of the Design Review Program covers the area of the city north of NW/N 80th St and and west of Aurora Ave N.

There are also openings on the Southeast Design Review Board, the Southwest Design Review Board and the East (Capitol Hill/First Hill/Central District) Design Review Board.

According to a press release sent by the mayor’s office today (Monday, October 24, 2011), the Design Review Program was established in 1994 to provide an alternative to prescriptive zoning requirements and foster new development that better responds to the character of its surroundings. Boards evaluate the design of development projects based on citywide and neighborhood-specific design guidelines.  The boards review mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and commercial projects above a certain size threshold.

The volunteer positions on the Design Review Board will be available Wednesday, April 4, 2012 when retiring board members’ terms expire. 

Applications [PDF] are due Friday, December 9, 2011.

Board members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council and serve two-year terms.  Members serve on one of seven boards that review projects in the city’s major geographic districts. Each board is composed of five members who represent:

• Design professions
• Development interests
• General community interests
• Local business interests
• Local residential interests

Applicants should have:

• Knowledge of, or interest in, architecture, urban design and the development process;
• The ability to evaluate projects based on the city’s design guidelines;
• The ability to listen and communicate effectively at public meetings;
• A passion for design and community development; and
• The ability to work well with others under pressure.
• Prior experience with community or neighborhood groups is a plus.

Board members must live in the city of Seattle. The local residential interests representative must act as an ambassador to at least one community group or association (e.g. a community council) that operates within the board district.

Acting as an ambassador may be easier for the board member if he or she lives or works within the district they are serving, but residency in a district is not a requirement to serve as a local representative.

Board members should expect to work 12-14 hours a month attending and preparing for board meetings, which are held twice a month in the evenings. Board members are expected to attend at least 90 percent of the meetings.

For more information, contact Shelley Bolser, Design Review Program Lead, at shelley.bolser [at] seattle.gov.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: architecture, local politics, volunteer

Photo courtesy Washington State Senate Democrats

Democratic State Senator Scott White died earlier today (Friday, October 21, 2011). He was 41 years old.

White represented Washington State’s 46th District. The district covers much of north Seattle, including north Green Lake. [pdf map]

According to an AP story posted on seattlepi.com, authorities say there is no evidence of foul play in Sen. White’s death.

“Today Seattle lost one of its promising leaders,” Mayor Mike McGinn said in a statement earlier this evening. “A man of intelligence, humor and compassion, State Senator Scott White was a devoted public servant, father and husband. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Alison and his two young children. Seattle, King County and Washington are a better place as a result of Scott’s service and he will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and constituents.”

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics

Seattle Parks and Recreation held a community meeting last night (Tuesday, October 18, 2011) at the Green Lake Community Center (7201 E Green Lake Dr N).

The event was part of a series of public meetings that the Parks Department is holding across the city with the goal of hearing from communities about what activities and hours they would like to see at their nearest community centers.

At last night’s meeting, Parks Department North Recreation Manager Katie Gray explained that these meetings are not a venue for general discussion about the city budget. Instead, they are an opportunity for brainstorming about how best to move forward if a set of recommendations proposed by Mayor Mike McGinn in September is adopted.

The mayor’s proposed changes to community center operations would save the city $1.23 million. All community centers in Seattle would remain open, but with varying levels of service. Service levels would be determined by potential economic justice impacts as well as a set of criteria that include: the condition of the building and the costs of maintaining it, past use of the building for drop-in use, paid use and rentals, and the number of patrons served by scholarships.

If the mayor’s proposal is adopted, there will be five geographically-based service areas in Seattle, each with five community centers.

The Green Lake Community Center will be grouped with the Bitter Lake, Loyal Heights, Ballard and Magnolia Community Centers. Green Lake will be a “Service Level 2a” facility, meaning it will be staffed by one full-time Coordinator, a .75 FTE Recreation Leader, a .75 FTE Recreation Attendant and a full-time Laborer.

Under the mayor’s proposal, there would be an increase in drop-in hours at the Green Lake Community Center to 45 hours a week. Currently, there are 30 drop-in hours every week at Green Lake.

The meeting last night took the form of a “world café.” Katie Gray explained the process as “a communication and dialog between neighbors about questions that [the Parks Department] feels will help us get to what the community thinks is important for programs and facility hours.”

Meeting attendees formed into two groups. Scribes took notes while each group discussed three questions:

What should we prioritize?

What should we keep doing?

What should we stop doing?

One of several pages of notes taken by scribes at last night's meeting.

Information collected by the scribes at meetings across the city will be collected by Parks staff and posted on the Parks website.

Parks staff will use the information to help identify future directions for the Seattle’s community centers. “We’re not making promises,” Katie Gray said, “but this information will help guide our discussions.”

Final details about future community center operations will be announced when Seattle City Council adopts a 2012 city budget on Monday, November 21.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: local politics, parks and rec