Hawthorne Hills Community Council

Draft Minutes of the September 17, 2008 Trustees Meeting

First Floor Conference Room, Building 30, Warren G. Magnuson Park

 

Members Present:  Bonnie Miller,  Arden Forray, Marsha Donaldson, Kirk Davis, Kent Isgrig, George Holzapfel, Aaron Leland, Gail Chiarello, Carolyn Chapman, Shelley Hartnett, Saundra Aker . 

Members Absent:  Greg Schell, Margaret Thouless, Mary Savage, Ryan Rockwell, Joan Oates, Barbara Sauntry, Magdel Tobe, Jan Ames. 

Guests:  Ruth Benfield, Desiree Leigh, Paulo Nunes-Ueno, Justin Passey – representing Seattle Childrens (SC); Peter Steinbruer, Consultant for Community Relations at Seattle Childrens.

 

Bonnie Miller, Trustee, (presiding in President Ryan Rockwell’s absence) called the meeting to order at 7:30PM.

 

The agenda for the evening was approved by voice vote.

 

The minutes of the June 18th meeting were approved.  Shelley Hartnett recommended that the June minutes and Newsletter be revised to delete personal information noted in the car prowl newsletter article prior to posting the newsletter on the HHCC website (posting by Kent Isgrig).  The recommendation was approved by the Board.  

 

Seattle Children’s Master Plan Report: 

Ruth Benfield, Director Facilities, SC, discussed the master plan for hospital expansion.  Current growth reflects an 88% bed occupancy and the need to add an additional 180 inpatient beds within 5 years for a total of 500-600 beds within 20 years.  The hospital requires single bed occupancy due to infection risk.  Source of patient numbers: 55% from King County, 95% from Washington State, 5% from Alaska, Montana and Idaho.  A telemedicine program is in process.  Childrens prefer a building growth on the Laurelon Terrace site to reduce the impact on Laurelhurst and Ravenna/Bryant neighborhoods (height and total size issues).  Children’s may or may not develop the Hartman site (if develop it would use for faculty offices, outpatient clinics and clinical labs with 255 parking stalls).  If developed by a commercial firm other than Children’s, community may not have input into its design or use.    

 

Paulo Nunes-Ueno, Manager Transportation Policy and Planning, SC, discussed that planning projections indicate a reduction in staff auto use by 30% (currently give $$ bonus, bus passes, and  buy bicycles for staff to not use personal autos for commuting to work).  He projects a total reduction in total vehicle use by 40% given increased access to SC buses by patients/families (project 500 trips/month).  He noted that patient/family traffic primarily occurs during off-hours.  Children’s is proposing an intelligent transportation system, improved bike safety, transportation improvements, and out of area and off-site parking plan.

 

Questions raised by the Board were empty shuttle buses, increased use of 40th NE due to new fire station (Bonnie Miller, and issue of replacement housing for Lorelon residents (Carolyn Chapman).

 

Ruth Benfield noted that the Laurelon Board will vote in October as to whether the Laurelon development as a whole will accept Children’s purchase offer.  Children’s has purchased 9 homes adjacent to the hospital and are currently leasing them to staff as indicated.  Following question from Bonnie Miller about whether CH could build additional beds elsewhere.  Ruth noted that due to critical care facility requirements as well as clinical staff expertise and shortage, it not economically feasible to build a 2nd hospital.  George Holzapfel asked question regarding projected growth beyond 20 years; Ruth noted difficulty even projecting growth out 5 years.  Once the Children’s Hospital Advisory Committee approves the Master Plan it is then sent to the Seattle City Council for approval; the State Certificate of Need as approved by the Washington State Health and Human Resources is project specific as applies to inpatient beds only and occurs after the building permits are obtained. 

   

Treasurer’s Report:  Carolyn Chapman gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached) reflecting a total of $7995.81 in the treasury.

 

Other Matters (Bonnie Miller):

(1)   King County Aquatic Habitat Grants ($100,000) are available.  Bonnie is planning to apply for one to further develop the Ravenna habitat area adjacent to the Metropolitan Market and Ronald McDonald house. 

(2)   Jim Corson has a schedule available for proposed Fall work on the Burke Gilman Trail.

(3)   Neighbors have been working on the University Circle Park grounds.

(4)   The University Village has applied for a permit to expand.  A motion was raised by Bonnie to write a letter to the Seattle Department of Planning addressing height, bulk and scale issues, U Village employees parking on neighborhood streets and the needs for sidewalks on NE 50th.  Carolyn Chapman moved to approve a letter be sent and Gail Chiarello seconded the motion.  Board voiced approval.  Bonnie will write the letter. 

(5)   Issue raised concerning proposed legislation amending the Ethics Code and request for letter to come from Board.  Carolyn Chapman moved to approve a letter be sent and Gail Chiarello seconded the motion.  Board voiced approval.

(6)   October 26th due date for submission of new park names to City.

(7)   Dorothy Neville, who sits on the Burke Gilman Housing PDA Board, requested that the board write a letter to the PDA Board and the Director of the Ronald McDonald house concerning the installation of generators for electrical outages.  Concern is that they are loud, visual and tested monthly and need thought as to where they are located so as to reduce these issues.  Carolyn Chapman moved to write a letter and Aaron Leland seconded the motion.  Board voiced approval.    

 

Website (Kent Isgrig):

Kent will be updating the HHCC Website by adding the Spring Newsletter and the SR520 options.

 

North Precinct Advisory Committee (George Holzapfel): 

(1)   A new contract for the Police Department has been approved which increases police officer wages.

(2)   New technology:  reader cards installed in police cars that read license plates and report stolen cars.

(3)   Save the Streets proposed by Tim Burgess.  Increases mental health resources (2.0FTE staff added to the courts and 1FTE officer added for graffiti crimes).  Also the program to return police officers to schools has been approved.

 

The Hawthorne Holler (Gail Chiarello): 

The Holler is being prepared for an October publication.  Articles are needed. 

 

520 Bridge Replacement (Arden Forray): 

Arden provided a hand-out (attached to minutes) describing options for the bridge replacement (update will also be post on the HHCC Website).  Arden is waiting for the Roosevelt, View Ridge and Wedgewood communities to sign the recent letter sent to them in support of the Transit Friendly/Affordable Option.  The other communities have already signed the letter. 

 

Seattle Library System (Marsha Donaldson):

 A new Library Passport is available at all libraries.  Marsha was instrumental in proposing the development and availability of these passports.

 

The next board meeting will be held January 21, 2009 (3rd Wednesday).

 

With all business concluded, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Saundra Aker

Secretary Pro Tem