Seattle Neighborhood Summit

Mayor Murray has announced a Seattle Neighborhood Summit for April 5.  Here is the announcement and a link to the site.

Seattle’s unique neighborhoods are what make our city great and, together, we can make it even better. I made a pledge that, if elected as Mayor of Seattle, I would hold a Neighborhood Summit within my first 100 days in office and the work has already started.

I believe there is a need for greater transparency and consistency in providing information and soliciting input from community leaders. I see an opportunity to improve how the city works with neighborhood and community leaders on issues from planning to the prioritization of city investments. This is why I am holding a summit, so we can talk — honestly and openly.

My hope is that, together, we can implement positive changes in the city’s relationship to neighborhoods to restore confidence, improve effectiveness, and strengthen purpose.

The Seattle Neighborhood Summit is the first step in an ongoing conversation. So I ask you to join us, and take a seat at the table.

Save the Date: Saturday, April 5th – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Seattle Center, Pavilion Room

Give us Feedback: Fill out our online survey to let us know what you would like to get out of the Seattle Neighborhood Summit and what is important to your neighborhood.

To learn more about the Seattle Neighborhood Summit, check back here regularly. You can also email <a href=”mailto:SNS2014@seattle.gov” data-mce-href=”mailto:SNS2014@seattle.gov”>SNS2014@seattle.gov</a> or call 206.684.8069.<em></em>

– Mayor Ed Murray

Seattle Workforce Housing Forum

The Seattle City Council is sponsoring a forum on workforce housing  It will be on Thursday, February 13,  Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, 1st Floor, Bertha Knight Landes Room.  Below is information about the event.

Join us as we tackle the best ways to meet Seattle’s affordable housing needs!  We’ll hear from national experts about workforce housing production in cities like Seattle, and how we can make the smartest decisions possible going forward.

The forum will include discussions on:

    • Ideas on How to Increase the Affordable Housing Supply
    • Seattle’s Current Housing Programs
    • Innovative New Strategies for Workforce Housing
    • National Best Practices in Incentive and Inclusionary Zoning

Noon – 4:30 p.m. – Expert Panel and Stakeholder Engagement Discussion

4:30 – 6:00pm – Informal Gathering with Panelists

6 pm – 8 p.m. – Public Feedback Session

Visit the City Council’s website (www.seattle.gov/council/issues/affordablehousing/forum.html) for the full agenda and to RSVP.

Broadview Community Council Board Initiates 2014 Planning

The Broadview Community Council (BCC) board at a recent meeting began organizing and planning for 2014.

The first general BCC member meeting for 2014 will be on Tuesday March 18, 6:30 PM, at Luther Memorial Church.  Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will update the community about its proposed options to address sewage overflows and drainage problems in the west side of Broadview. SPU is interested in comments and feedback from the community about the alternatives.

The board elected several new board members on an interim basis to fill vacancies until the annual election is held.  Carolyn Wenzl is the new Secretary.  Wendy Luker continues as Treasurer.  Jim Jensen and Dale Johnson joined the board as members at large.  Katy Dwyer was elected Interim President.

A board meeting is planned for later in February, at which time more detailed planning for 2014 BCC activities will take place.

Free Tax Help Session at Broadview Library on Friday February 7th

The Seattle Public Library, AARP, and the United Way of King County are working together to offer free tax help at 11 Library locations through mid-April. Trained volunteers will be available to answer questions and prepare personal tax returns.

A tax preparation session will be held at the Broadview Branch of the Seattle Public Library on Friday February 7 from 10 AM to 3 PM.  This is a drop in session, no reservation required.

See at this link the items that need to be brought with you in order to do tax preparation.  Click on the “Free Tax Help :  Drop In” calendar item for Feb. 7 to get details.

 

Get Ready for Below Freezing Temps

The National Weather Service has published a weather advisory —

MUCH COLDER WEATHER EXPECTED THROUGH THE WEEK…

A MARKED COOLING TREND IS EXPECTED FROM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OF NEXT WEEK…AS AN AIR MASS WITH ORIGINS IN THE YUKON SPREADS INTO WESTERN WASHINGTON.

THE MORE NOTABLE TEMPERATURE DROP WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEK…WITH THE COLDEST WEATHER EXPECTED AROUND THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. TEMPERATURES BY MID WEEK WILL RUN
ABOUT 15 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL FOR EARLY FEBRUARY. OVER THE LOWLANDS…THIS MEANS THAT MORNING LOWS WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SHOULD RANGE FROM THE LOWER TEENS TO LOWER 20S…WHILE HIGH TEMPERATURES NOT MUCH ABOVE THE FREEZING MARK WILL BE COMMONweather

Celebrate Neighbor Appreciation Day on February 8th

The Department of Neighborhoods again is sponsoring Neighbor Appreciation Day on Saturday February 8.  Here in  Broadview we have lots of nice neighbors to celebrate.

NAD-Banner2014Groups, businesses, and  residents across Seattle come together the week of February 8 to celebrate this  great day!

Here are some ways for you to be  a part of Neighbor Appreciation Day:

Join the hundreds of community members across our city in celebration of what makes Seattle great – our neighbors!

Parks Legacy Meeting Well Attended

Yesterday evening a full house crowd attended the Parks Legacy Meeting at the Bitter Lake Community Center.  Attendees sat at tables and reviewed the proposed prioritization and funding that the Parks Legacy Advisory Committee had come up with.  Then each person got to express their opinion on priorities and funding by attaching a colored dot to the display charts.

Full information about the proposed plan is available here.

More photos are here.IMG_20140130_200429068_HDR

Free Living Room SNAP Classes

On Super Bowl Sunday, people all across town will be hosting neighborhood parties to watch the Seahawks. Football brings people together that way, but in case you miss it, we’d like to offer another opportunity to gather up with friends and neighbors …

 RESERVE YOUR SNAP TIME NOW FOR A FREE PROGRAM IN MARCH, APRIL OR MAY!

The Seattle Office of Emergency Management is taking reservations to have the SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) program presented right in your living room! Invite a dozen or more of your closest neighbors together and reserve your time for an evening or weekend class, beginning in March. We cover all the emergency essentials, from safe actions to coordinating with others. Classes last about an hour and are taught by trained volunteers.

To schedule a program, please email us at: SNAP@seattle.gov. Provide your name, contact info and preferred date and time in March, April or May. Please allow three weeks’ notice, and we’ll make sure you have everything you need to host a successful SNAP party! For more information, email us at SNAP@seattle.gov.

Debbie Goetz

Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Seattle Office of Emergency Management |105 5th Ave South, Seattle, WA  98104 | D: 206-684-0517  | C: 206-255-7327 | P: 206-

“Disaster ready … prepared people, resilient community.”

 

New Emergency Preparedness Classes in 2014

For 2014, the Seattle Office of Emergency Management will offer a series of short, skills-based workshops in partnership with Seattle Public Libraries. Each 30-minute workshop will focus on one aspect of preparedness. The same workshop will be offered geographically throughout the city four times each month – one North, one Central, one South, and one lunch program at the Central Library.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:

Create a Disaster Kit on a Budget

– In this “show-and-tell” style class, you’ll see how everyday household items can be used to economically supplement your disaster and first aid supplies. We’ll share tips on how to put together a kit without breaking the bank (or your budget).

Turn Your Smartphone into a Disaster Tool

– What are the best apps to keep at your fingertips in case of an emergency? With just a few clicks, we’ll share the latest ways to notify loved ones, track power outages, get transit alerts, light your way and more.

Manage Household Utilities Before and After a Disaster

– Every second counts after a disaster. This class will teach you how and when to control household electricity, water and natural gas during an emergency. Gain hands-on practice with real equipment and prioritize your actions so everyone stays safe.

Fire Extinguisher 101 – Knowing how to put out small fires after a disaster is an emergency essential. Learn how to choose the right extinguisher, the do’s and don’ts of fire, and gain hands-on practice using a (demo) extinguisher.

Prepare your Pets for Disaster

– You’ve got a plan, you’ve got a kit, you know who to call during emergencies. How about your four-footed, beaked, furry or feathered friends? We’ll provide tips and resources to make sure your pets stay safe too.

Store Emergency Drinking Water

– Satisfy your thirst on how to secure and maintain this essential element safely and with confidence. We’ll de-mystify the pros and cons of all the ways people store emergency drinking water to help you make smart choices for yourself

2014 Final Schedule - SNAP Shot Workshops and Descriptions2

Pedestrian Zone Mapping Project

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) would like your input on the Pedestrian Zone Mapping Project (pedestrian retail areas). The City Council has asked DPD to study a variety of areas around the city to promote more walkable neighborhood business districts. This would involve adding a pedestrian designation to existing Neighborhood Commercial Zones. We are also considering modifications to the existing regulations that would apply to existing and new pedestrian zones.
 Pedestrian zones are important because they provide locations for businesses that serve neighborhood residents’ daily needs. They play a key role in creating safe neighborhoods where you would want to live, work, and shop. A pedestrian zone designation is intended to protect an existing pedestrian-oriented retail district, or encourage the development of a new district.We have completed our initial analysis and prepared preliminary DPD recommendations to kick-off a discussion with the community. We have posted information and preliminary recommendations on the project website with an accompanying survey. We are attending district council meetings and are also available to talk with residents, businesses and other organizations. After a few months of gathering feedback and attending meetings, we will prepare final recommendations for the Mayor and City Council.

We want to hear from you! Please review the materials posted on the project website, fill out the survey and contact us if you or your organization would like to discuss the project in more detail.

You can also submit comments or direct questions to:  Aly Pennucci, Senior Planner, DPD, 206-386-9132 or aly.pennucci@seattle.gov. We are eager to hear your thoughts and those of your fellow citizens.