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Association Meeting Minutes
OLD EVERGREEN HIGHWAY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
February 22, 2007
Amy Asivido called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m at the Clark Public Utility conference room, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington.
Board of Directors present were:
Amy Asivido Co-Chairperson
Dode Jackson Co-Chairperson
Joanne Hall Secretary
Amy asked the people present to review the brief summary of the meeting’s agenda and the minutes of the previous meeting held March 7, 2006, which were handed out at the door.
Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.
A written report by Linda Heglin, Treasurer, showed a balance of $659.65 in the neighborhood association’s bank account.
Committee Report:
Safety. Amy Asivido and Dode Jackson, Co-Chairperson, gave a summary of the growth and development of the area. Discussion ensued about developing the riverfront development to our area. Thayer Rorabaugh, City of Vancouver Transportation Services Manager, will give tonight’s presentation on the topic of the neighborhood improvements.
Old business. There was no old business to discuss.
Unfinished business. Amy asked for people to e-mail her if they are interested in being the Newsletter Editor. She also asked people to give their email addresses to receive online updates and meeting schedules.
New business.
EVERGREEN HIGHWAY RENAISSANCE TRAIL PETITION (Sidewalks).
First Speaker. Thayer Rorabaugh, City of Vancouver Transportation Services Manager, gave a presentation and a map showing the projected improvements already approved. He explained that the walking path is difficult to build due to the topography and land ownership along the Columbia River which is estimated to cost approximately $5,000,000 for a 2˝ mile trail. He also explained that there are both federal and state funding available and the deadline to apply is tomorrow, February 23, 2007. They have applied and hope to receive funding assistance. There is also revenue from gas tax which approximately two-thirds goes to maintenance such as signals, etc., and grant money is also received. All these funds must cover the entire city limits and in particular the areas north which are experiencing major growth. Business owners are also being taxed for these transportation improvements. Roadways are considered more important than trails, and the funding is spent on reducing the gridlock which has occurred due to the growth within the City of Vancouver. $40,000,000 in bonds were designated by the City Commissioners to the City’s transportation department. Costs of steel and cement has taken a major toll on the rising costs of improvements.
The new bridge being built over Highway 14 to connect the Lewis and Clark trail along the waterway on the Columbia River is not being funded by the City. The money is from private donations and other fundraising. It will connect between the river to the historic national park service area at Fort Vancouver which will be open to pedestrians only.
Open question and answer period:
The major question raised was about the problem of speeding along our highway for people walking. Walkers consider this as great a hazard as any other highway hazard and should be given equal consideration.
Status of the sidewalk project? (Yes, it is in the works.) Road improvements associated with the sidewalk project? (There are no plans to widen the road, but the City is looking at surface improvements. A major issue is that the original date stamps need to be preserved.) Status of the river path? (The Parks Department would like to see a trail along the waterfront – but unlikely because they would have to condemn private property to accomplish this. Therefore, the proposed trail is more viable.)
LID (local improvement district) – $2.5 million estimated cost and the City could assess homeowners one-half of the improvements. Good faith would get the council’s attention if the homeowners showed a willingness to fund one-half of the project. To date, only one LID has been done, and it was for a one-owner project. Before LID is formed, the homeowner would know what their assessment would be. This is an option to be considered.
Open grated asphalt would be the material used on this project which is environmentally conducive (similar to what was used at the Columbia Water Resources project).
DEVELOPMENT/INFILL PROGRAMS.
Second Speaker. Azam Babar, Planner with Development Review Services, gave an overview of development/infill programs. He provided an infill fact sheet as a hand out which is attached to these minutes. Infill is residential development or redevelopment with reduced dimensional requirements on vacant, underutilized and/or challenged parcels. A question and answer period was held. It was noted that Councilman Larry Smith has shown an interest for homeowner association members to come address infill programs before the City Council.
Notice of the next meeting will be sent once the meeting date is set. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Joanne W. Hall, Secretary
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