The meeting began at 7:00 pm and was a virtual meeting on Zoom. There were 32 attendees at the meeting. The meeting was managed by ENA Secretary, Sandie Koplowitz.
Speaker Ted Carlson, with Sanitary Service, was introduced by Barbara Ryan. Ted provided the following information:
Sanitary Service Company (SSC) provides residential garbage and recycling services under a contract with the City of Bellingham. The contract requires them to evaluate recycling and see if there are ways to find efficiencies in the collection method as well as reduce truck-driven miles as it relates to labor and emissions. SSC is planning to test “single-stream” recycling in Edgemoor, starting in April, for a six-month period. An informational mailing from SSC will be sent to residents of Edgemoor. 90-gallon recycling toters will be delivered around the 23-24th of April. The last pick up with the 3-bins will be Friday, April 22. The first pick up using the single stream 90-gallon toter will be Friday, May 6. Glass, cans, plastic, cardboard, and paper will go into this single toter. Recycle collection will be on every other Friday. Residents will keep their three separate recycle bins until the test period is complete.
An application has been submitted to the City to develop 38 lots off Viewcrest Rd on a 38-acre parcel owned by the Jones family.. If people want to participate in the conversation, they can join the Jones Edgemoor subdivision group on Nextdoor. There is a Steering Committee that has been meeting every Tuesday evening and working with experts to review the technical reports in the 800-page application. They have raised $3,000 so far but will probably look to the larger community for donations to cover expenses for legal and technical assistance. Concerns about the development include the steep cliffs, the impact of deforestation, stormwater impacts, and traffic through Edgemoor neighborhood. During the discussion when asked what residents can do, it was mentioned that sending letters to the City by mail listing concerns and asking for an environmental impact statement is the best way to get their attention. Send letters and or emails to Kurt Nabbefeld (knabbefeld@cob.org), Kathy Bell kbell@cob.org), Steve Sundin (ssundin@cob.org), Mayor Seth Fleetwood (mayorsoffice@cob.org), and City Council (ccmail@cob.org). The mailing address is: City of Bellingham, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.
The minutes from the last annual meeting were approved.
Bob McCarthy gave the treasurer’s Report. Currently, there is $1580.26 in our bank account. These funds are left over from previously collected dues. Since the City of Bellingham now provides up to $500 per year for organizational expenses, we no longer collect dues. However, ENA is a 501-C-3 Non-Profit, so donations are tax-deductible.
There was a $150 expense for website hosting and a $10 fee for our Annual Corporations Report to the State of Washington.
Communications Report: Sandie Koplowitz takes care of the website at www.edgemoorneighborhood.com and is the Lead (moderator) for Nextdoor Edgemoor. She can use help monitoring posts on Nextdoor, so if anyone would like to be a Lead, please send us an email to enaboard@edgemoorneighborhood.com.
Other topics of discussion:
There was concern about blind corners and speeding traffic through the neighborhood. See the report from the meeting with City Planner, Eric Johnson at https://edgemoorneighborhood.com/meeting-with-eric-johnson-city-planner-on-7-7-21/
Concern was voiced about the hotel proposed on Donovan and 12th which will have 75 rooms, 8 residential units on the top floor, a Conference Center, and underground parking. It was suggested to contact Fairhaven Neighbors at https://www.fairhavenneighbors.org/ to join a committee looking into the project.
The current Board of Directors were elected for another year’s term. Terry Montonye offered to be replaced on the Board if needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Meeting minutes submitted by ENA Secretary, Sandie Koplowitz
Meeting attendees:
ENA Board Members: Sandie Koplowitz, Barbara Ryan, Larry Horowitz, Bill Wright, Terry Montonye, Bill Beer, Bob McCarthy, and Paul Scott.
Barbara Craigie, Cassandra Carr, Cheryl, Collander, Fred Rhodes, Gary Ranz, Gretchen, Jan Wisner, Kate Grinde, Keith, Lori, Mike Ryan, Paul Brock, Ross Craigie, Susan, Susie, Thom Prichard, Vania, Bruce, Lydia Tillman, Marjorie Varner