Rainier Beach Community Club

Attendance:  Keegan O’Connor Alan Ross Danielle McClure

Anne Nolan Brett Boyton Gerd Prewett Joan Krueger Kathie Weibel

1. Assessment of online membership meeting on May 12 and presentation by Larry and Cathie Wilmore of FAST.

• wish we had bigger turn out for the wonderful presentation
• we need to keep watch for trees being planted in grass strip on Waters

2. RBCC got the grant from the City to replace RBCC clubhouse gutters.  Many thanks to Kathie!! Volunteer event scheduled for June 5 at 9:30 am.  We need volunteers to work 2-3 hours on neighborhood weeding.  

• any hours since grant was submitted need to be recorded
• all documents submitted
• parks department has approved dates
• Kathie has all the necessary sign-up sheets and flyer
• Friends Hutchinson Park facebook page has 70 people who follow them and may be wiling to help
• Jennie will get necessary bags, gloves, and shovels
• Alan recommends that people bring their own equipment
• We should be prepared to pick up litter as well as weed
• Kathie is waiting to hear from the scouts
• Gerd will get snacks, water, and coffee for participants
• Meeting at club is at 9:30
• Alan has sign in sheets and will be at the VFW hall so we get credit for the match for volunteer hours

3. Garden Tour is scheduled for June12 (13 gardens – wow!!).

• Keegan will update website with Garden tour flyer
• Anne will send email with Garden Tour and B2B to all RBCC members
• Danielle will send Keegan facebook link

4. Member meeting included open discussion on when we would be ready to return to F2F meetings at the clubhouse and when we might resume renting.

• June board meeting will be in person at the VFW hall
• We will wait for direction for King County for direction for meeting in person and renting
• Keegan will research what we need to do to consider in person club meeting in July with ice cream 7/14
• We’re going to send postcards to announce first in person/ice cream social to specific mail routes 

•         Alan will ask Dorothy for info about mailing, what size it was, etc
•         Danielle will explore spec sheet and see what is offered
•         Keegan will design it

5. Future speakers for June and beyond

• June: Tilth Alliance 
• July: waiting for blurb from 
• August: Sally Li Be’er Sheva Park
• Future possible speaker
•   Brett will reach out to Principal of Emerson, Erin Rasmussen
• The school is supplying food for over 100 families
• Kathie will explore the possibility of having candidates come

6. Agenda items for June member meeting 

• garden tour 6/12
• announce ice cream social 7/14

Future Guest Speakers:

• June – Daniella Nicholas, Tilth Alliance; possibly David Reyes, Friends of Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands; possibly Juan Peña, Tilth Alliance Need blurb.
• July – Cody Nelson, the SPU Project Manager for Taylor Creek.
• August – Sally Li – Co-chair of RB Link2Lake improvements at Be’er Sheva will provide update on construction timelines, milestones and funding.

Board Members in Attendance:

Keegan O’Connor Dorothy Driver Kathie Weibel

Gerd Prewett Danielle McClure Anne Nolan

Joan Krueger Brett Boyton Alan Ross

Agenda

1. Assessment of online membership meeting on April 14 and presentations by Liz Covey

• well presented
• would have been helpful earlier
• glad to see new person attended
• meeting time may be a challenge for getting young families to attend

2. Kathie – City said that weeding Hutchinson Park, VFW and Cooper Steps would qualify for volunteer match for grant to fund new roof.  Need to establish a date and advertise on Next door.  No more than 10 volunteers per site, with social distancing.

• Kathie typed grant is waiting for response from VFW for gutters
• she expects to get that info shortly
• Gerd said the VFW meeting approved $500 match for May 5
• Hopefully will be approved by end of May
• Max 10 people at a time. Can be different days or different groups in the morning or afternoon.  
• There are several smaller projects and small teams can work on separately
• Kathie will organize materials
• Alan volunteered to organize a scheduled and people can sign up and keep track of hours
• waste management will pick up at end of project 
• space behind building to leave bags and waste management will pick it up

Alan brought up irrigation issues.  VFW picked up irrigation system and all the plants died.  

Gerd will ask Richard what the VFW wants. Would drought tolerant plants be a compromise?

We may need to be careful about not causing confrontation.  Kathie is willing to ask neighbors to sign letter asking VFW to fix up the area.  Alan doesn’t want to clean up if we’re going to let the plants die back. We can review this after we get letters

3.  Joan and Danielle – Garden tour update.  Do you have 6+ participants? 

• 8 or 9 houses
• Alan asked about check in concern
• Safety waiver concern
• Alan expressed concern about not having maps publicly available

3. Kathie reports that Kubota Garden x-walk on Renton Ave. appears to have stalled but we may be able to file a grant under the Dept. of Neighborhood’s “Your Voice, Your Choice” program.

• SDOT said it would cost $100,000
• We can look at future budget
• Department of Neighborhoods Your voice/your choice may be able in future budget there may be money for this project.  They are not taking ideas for any new projects for 2021
• Putting a cross walk is on the list

4. Alan – Update on the 51st  & Renton intersection.  Seems as though they are ready to start construction this year with the main change being an added 4-way stop (which seems terrible, in his opinion) – https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/neighborhood-street-fund/current-projects/51st-ave-s-and-renton-ave-s-traffic-safety-enhancements.

• 4 way stop will be installed at Roxbury and 51st and one at 51 and Renton
• Traffic light is not going to be installed

5. Anne – RBCC was approached by Bryan Mickelson, the lawyer representing survivors of 2 victims of shootings in the Safeway parking lots.  He is looking to file a wrongful death suit against Safeway, its triple net lease company that “owns” the lot and possibly the liquor store.  He has said that the police provided them a “binder of incidents and video” and urged them to improve lighting, add monitored surveillance video cams and hire off-duty cops or private security to patrol, especially near the fuel pumps. He seeks our input of ideas to fix the problem.

• Mr. Mickelson is trying to determine what people know about the shooting
• He is indicating that Safeway has more responsibility than they let on
• The police have asked for monitored cameras and off duty officers to patrol specifically near gas pumps
• He’s asking of the board has any suggestions about how to proceed
• As community members we are concerned about safety in our neighborhood but do not feel that we need to take sides in this issue

6. Anne – SPD suggested maybe Mark Solomon could speak about the recent shootings at the Safeway and in the neighborhood.

• were going to pass on having Mark Solomon speak at meeting

7. Future speakers for May and beyond

• Danielle will reach out to groups involved with Safeway
• Anne needs “blurbs” for May meeting speaker.  Keegan will reach out again
• The work on Taylor Creek hasn’t begun but is due to.  Cody Nelson will update us on more relevant info than the last speaker
• Kathie would like to get speaker about 

8. Agenda items for May member meeting 

• update on grant
• garden tour update
• outdoor member meeting in person with food truck

Future Guest Speakers:

• May – Larry and Cathie Wilmore, FAST (Fathers and Sons Together). Need blurb
• June – Daniella Nicholas, Tilth Alliance; possibly David Reyes, Friends of Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands; possibly Juan Peña, Tilth Alliance Need blurb.
• July – Cody Nelson, the SPU Project Manager for Taylor Creek (tentative).
• August – Sally Li – Co-chair of RB Link2Lake improvements at Be’er Sheva will provide update on construction timelines, milestones and funding.

Board Members in Attendance;

Keegan O’Connor Alan Ross Anne Nolan

Gerd Prewett Kathie Weibel Brett Boyton

Joan Krueger Danielle McClure

Agenda

1. Assessment of online membership meeting on March 10 and presentations by Gary Olson of Seattle Watershed Alliance and Ellen Phillips-Angeles of Kubota Garden Foundation

• Gary Olson was a bit of a disappointment because his presentation on Taylor Creek was not
  •   in the future we should tell the person more info about our membership to help them gear presentation to audience
  • he does not represent Taylor Creek project and members knew more about it than he did
  • Alan can reach out to Sally Li to see if there is an update about Prichard Beach for July speaker
  • Ellen Phillips-Angeles reported updates on Mapes Creek
  • There were some new members at the meeting

2. Assessment of recent wine social and future social events

• Fun but small turn out
• people are zoomed out so attendance may be impacted
• we discussed options for future events and perhaps waiting a month or two to schedule events
• Brett may invite us to a ukulele event

3. Assessment of 2021 budget proposed to members. 

• no feed back

  4.  Grant ideas discussed with members are listed below.  Question to be answered is how will we accrue volunteer hours without Bridge to Beach event. 

•   VFW has expressed interest in helping with our $ match.    
•   We need 18 people to volunteer 3 hours to match funds. That         number will be reduced if VFW matches funds

1. New gutters (est. $2,700)
2. ADA-standard access ramps study assessment
3. Form 990 EZ  for 2020 has been filed by Gerd with the IRS
4. Kathie will file for the grant
5. We need estimate for drain

Other grant discussion:

1. Su got estimate for ADA ramp. 
2. We discussed issue of getting ramp

Other community project:

1. Get pedestrian crossing at Kubota gardens for next year
   • we need letters from other community groups 
   • Kathie will write letter as sample for community groups to support

5.   Update on taxes (Gerd) filed taxes. She used H&R Block 

6.   Holidays that land on membership meeting days 

• we discussed how we want to acknowledge holidays when they conflict with meetings
• we will discuss further at future meetings

7.   Garden Tour

• June 12
• we’re aiming for 6 gardens
• simple 2021 covid conscious
• time TBD

8.   Future speakers for April and beyond 

• See below
• Seattle Police Department (?) 
  • do they have a community person for us to reach out to?

9.   Agenda items for April member meeting 

• garden tour
• moving forward to grant for the gutters we may need volunteers

Future Guest Speakers:

 April – Liz Covey is a private practice therapist, mental health consultant, and parent coach located in South Seattle. Liz is also a freelance writer, and has a monthly column in the South Seattle Emerald called “Ask A Therapist”. She is a former Rainier Beach resident, and was a recipient of the goodwill of RBCC through her work with the Rainier Beach Girl Scouts troop.

May – Larry and Cathie Wilmore, FAST (Fathers and Sons Together). Need blurb  Keegan will follow-up follow-up to get blurb

June – Daniella Nicholas, Tilth Alliance; possibly David Reyes, Friends of Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands; possibly Juan Peña, Tilth Alliance Need blurb  Keegan will follow-up to get blurb

Attendance:  Keegan O’Connor Alan Ross Danielle McClure

Kathie Weibel Anne Nolan Brett Boyton Joan Krueger Gerd Prewett

 Agenda Topics:

1. Assessment of online membership meeting on Feb. 10 and presentations by Ryan Calkins of the Port of Seattle and Michael Gordon (shootings near Safeway).

• both speakers were very good
• there was a great deal of helpful information
• 2 speakers worked well. Speakers were aware that there was a time limit.
• We have 2 speakers scheduled for March

2. According to the bylaws, the Finance Committee (Kathie as chair, Gerd as Treasurer, and another Executive Board Member) shall propose a budget to the Board, and then at the Member Meeting for approval.  Also,  form 990 filing.

• budget projection should reflect “worse cast scenario”
• Kathie suggested we wait for formal budget when we can start to generate income
• $5,798 lost this year. Gerd included this info in last month’s
• Finance committee will present high level overview will be presented to members

Tax Filing Update:

• Gerd has meeting with accountant who does not for profit taxes in Renton to do taxes
• Gerd will provide information for the IRS.  We do not pay taxes

3. Gerd reports that there are 2 potential VFW projects this year:

• Kathie reports that the first filing deadline for Neighborhood Grants is in April. 

Project ideas:

• The gutter on the Pilgrim side needs replacing/fixing. This has been an issue for several years. Richard said that VWF might be able to provide a match if needed.
• There are two steps going down to the basement from the Pilgrim side. If these steps could be replaced by a ramp the downstairs would be wheel chair accessible. The downstairs bathroom is accessible and the doors from the outside and to the bathroom are wide enough.
• Su knows someone who would be able to provide estimates for projects.
• RBCC would match with labor. VFW might be able to provide funds.
• Anne will add this to general meeting agenda to get input from membership. The board won’t meet again before the grant deadline. 
• Kathie suggested that we identify a project that would appeal to a larger section of the neighborhood 

4. Future speakers for April and beyond

• March Anne will confirm that Gary Olson is available and inform him that we will ask him to plan to plan for 30 minute presentation including Q&A
• April Liz Covey available for April  general presentation related to mental health during pandemic.  She will present short powerpoint presentation and allow for questions
• May Cathy and Larry WIlmore May  FAST (fathers and sons together).  They have used VFW hall to supply 

Ideas for future speakers:

• Great “Washington Shake Out” for the September or October
• HUB
• Host of Rainier Radio (Danielle)
• Tilth (Keegan will talk to Tom)

Other items for discussion:

• USPS mailing to 2 zip codes and include info about community meetings and events
• When it’s safe plan a large community event and follow up with postcard

5. Agenda items for March member meeting besides the March 20 Vernal Equinox Wine event.

March Guest Speakers:

1. March  – Gary Olson of Seattle Watershed Alliance (SWA).  SWA is working to bring folks from the various watersheds together to learn about, protect and improve the many watersheds in Seattle.  Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has improvement plans for the Taylor Creek watershed in the near future.  As this is a good time for us to learn about and have a voice in this effort, it is also an opportune time to learn about the SWA, who’s involved, its mission and how it is organized.  Gary will review the SPU project on Taylor Creek and Dead Horse Canyon.
2. March – Ellen Phillips Angeles (or someone else from Kubota Garden Foundation) will provide a 10-15 minute update on the Mapes Creek project.

In Attendance

Keegan O’Connor Alan Ross Su Harambe

Anne Nolan Dorothy Driver Danielle McClure

Gerd Prewett Brett Boynton Joan Krueger

Agenda Topics

1. Assessment of online membership meeting on Jan. 13 and presentation by Jamie Ptachek of Futurewise

• good presentation
• things happening quickly after meeting

2. Future speakers for April and beyond

• Kathy joining board next month and may have ideas
• Liz Covey mental health expert was scheduled..Su will follow up
• Keegan is going to research one person to bring up one name 
• Keegan will reach out to Tilth
• South Seattle Arts
• Anne will reach out to Mark Solomon crime convention coordinator for info about neighborhood security
• FAST (fathers and sons together) Su will reach out
• Danielle will reach out to Ethiopian center 

3.  Discussion of ways to reach out to new families and families with children

• refer people to facebook page
• postcards
• how to look at family acquisition
• Dorothy can look into “every door direct” 
• Danielle mentioned that Joe is production person and he can help source paper products to help

4. Agenda items for February member meeting besides 213 social event “I (heart) RBCC”

• board introduction
• committee announcements
• ask for ideas for speakers or do survey for topics people might be interested in hearing about?

5.  Other discussions

• review of committees
• finance (gerd) we’ve lost money this year. glad to have reserves
• future social events “food truck rodeo”(?)

Future Guest Speakers:

1. February – Ryan Calkins, Commissioner, Port of Seattle – Ryan works as a nonprofit professional at Ventures, a charitable organization that supports low-income entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses in the Puget Sound area. For more than a decade, Ryan ran an import and distribution company in Seattle that was recognized for its industry-leading sustainability initiatives. In 2007, he formed Seattle Microfinance Organization (SeaMo) a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs with limited economic resources.
2. March  – Gary Olson of Seattle Watershed Alliance (SWA).  SWA is working to bring folks from the various watersheds together to learn about, protect and improve the many watersheds in Seattle.  Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has improvement plans for the Taylor Creek watershed in the near future.  As this is a good time for us to learn about and have a voice in this effort, it is also an opportune time to learn about the SWA, who’s involved, its mission and how it is organized.  Gary will review the SPU project on Taylor Creek and Dead Horse Can