Sustainable Crown Hill Minutes
March 2, 2008

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Guests: Eden Trenor, Department of Neighborhoods
Gail Savina, Community Fruit Harvest
EdenTrenor: briefly described in the role and services of her department. Examples of services her department: has provided matching funds for are an extension of fruit tree harvest, a street fair in Capitol Hill, a community learning how to make biodiesel fuels, pea patches and community gardens. The activities that are funded must be community building activities and engage the broader community.
It was stated that King County still does not have a citywide food policy committee, this is not under government oversight, while other cities in the Northwest do have a food policy committee.
Size of grants granted are small and simple which are up to $15,000, up to four times a year; large grants of up of $100,000 or granted once a year.
Seattle Climate Action Now (? ) Can be citywide, not just neighborhood, All other funding are neighborhood-based.
Dennis would like a place to drop off fluorescent bulbs versus having to drive a distance. It was stated that there is a monthly clean and Green Project, which are rotated through the neighborhoods once a month. At these projects, they pick up litter, get rid of graffiti, and dispose of hazardous waste.

• Danielle, Jan, and Dennis: planning a potluck scavenger hunt that happens to be on Easter Sunday, April 23, 2008. It will involve low sugar snacks and will also involve beautifying the west side of the school. They are looking for a couple of assistants to help set up.

• 9076 Holman Rd.
Carol Kennedy announced that there will be a meeting of the few members of the Crown Hill Business Association and Crown Hill Neighborhood Association on March 18 with to meet with the developer Matt Driscoll.

Areas of new development were discussed. It was discussed that across from the cemetery it is zoned for multifamily housing.

General concerns of other development was discussed. Tuesday night at Loyal Heights, the mayor will be there; concerns to be discussed pro-growth density without attention to parks and transportation.

Decided to form a development subcommittee which will be comprised of Dennis, Carol K. , Ed and Jen.

• the Mayor’s Pedestrian Safety Master Plan:
Carol K. reported that they are developing a walking tool for the neighborhoods and that they will send it on to us once it is ready.

• Crown Hill Neighborhood Association: Dennis reported for Kit:
1. Groundswell potluck March 11 at 7 p.m..
2. Sally Clark will be coming to 15th at 80th for a walk about as part of the Envision 15th effort, on March 8.
3. Kit has acquired the signatures needed for traffic circles at 13th Ave and 12th Ave on 95th St. We still need a fourth volunteer to maintain the traffic circle designated for 12 the 95th. Bert, Carol, and Doug, all volunteer to maintain that circle.
4. Announcement that on April 18 or 19th there will be a fund raiser for Crown Hill School Project involving wine and music. It’ll be a semi-dress-up affair.
5. Crown Hill Project has received a small and simple grant for two charrette meetings in March; this will be going over the preliminary designs for converting the school into a community center. On April 3 there will be an unveiling, and we need a strong show of support for this. Tim Gallagher from Seattle Parks is coming.
6. The annual general meeting for the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association will be in May
7. Barn Building: this project is open for someone to lead, which will involve tool and skills sharing. Volunteers at this meeting were Jen Smith, Jason and Lanae Rhoads.
8. Wiser and Garden ????? = Urban Farmers

• Gail Savina from Community Fruit Harvest spoke:
Gail is responsible for receiving and distributing items to the local food banks. Last year she distributed 11,000 pounds of fruit. Gail’s goal is to have the distribution rooted in the neighborhoods. Gail would like Crown Hill to take on their own fruit tree harvest distribution. Bert offered to take this on. It was discussed that soon the volume will over run the capacity of the food banks. It was discussed the possibility of setting up a processing capacity such as canning, drying, and pressing the excess fruit. Dennis questioned the ability to obtain fruit pruning ladders and hosting a food processing center. Eden Trenor said that there are $250 small spark grants available for the purchase of the items such as pruning ladders.

Bert continued with the above discussion suggesting that we advocate for fruit and nut trees in public right of ways. He said that it’s always been a maintenance issue. Since Crown Hill has been growing he, proposes that we now have volunteer capacity to maintain these trees. He suggests growing of food on parking strips.
It was suggested that we think of other food groups other than food banks that would benefit.

Eden Trenor said that people e-mail her that there could be advocacy for the installation of fruit and nut trees in public areas.

Bert wrote down the following talking points for advocating for these trees:
1. We have an established community capacity to maintain and harvest fruit and donate it to area food banks.
2. This would assist in meeting the food needs for 12 to 20% of the population needing food.
3. Organic food sources.
4. It would decrease fossil fuel use from food transportation.
5. Community building through collective food systems
6. Long firm food security.
7. Transition to a healthy diet and food service programs.

Bert offered to lead a fruit guild. Other volunteers include Lenae, Carol Barber, and Mike Huber.
It was also discussed the possibility of obtaining a cider press.

II. WALKABLE CROWN HILL
Bert stated that we have been granted a small and simple grant a $15,000 for traffic calming in the Crown Hill neighborhoods. The planning process will be in the spring and early summer with the report delivered in six months. The next step is to get the contract signed with the city, get an RFP to consulting firm, and select a consulting firm. It was discussed that we could initiate a survey of determining current traffic patterns and established the needs and concerns. Discussion about obtaining speed guns. Be sure to engage our neighbors to participate in the charrettes which will be held in May and June.

Funding for traffic circles on 12 the 95th are coming up in a new cycle, if we need more traffic circles we can apply for them. (?)

III. FARMER’S MARKET/ CSA DROP OFF
Lake City, Capitol Hill, and Columbia city are losing their Farmer’s markets. CSA = community supported agriculture: you pay into a farm and you pick up weekly groceries. Danielle is interested in having a CSA drop off point at the Crown Hill school/community center.

Carol Barber is interested in organizing biking to the Ballard Farmer’s market.

Next meeting: Sunday, April 6th.
Jen Smith’s house
9547 13th Ave. NW
206 – 898 -0191

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