Our meeting was held Thursday, April 15 at 7pm. We held elections for our Northwest Neighborhood Association leadership.
The results of the elections are as follows:
Chair – Kari Quaas
Vice-Chair – Holly James
Secretary (aka Scribe) – Kari Quaas
Treasurer – Russ Kasselman
Council of Neighborhood Representative – Tim Knopf
Council of Neighborhood Representative – John Sweeney
Council of Neighborhood Alternate – Kari Quaas
Thank you to all of them for their service to Northwest Neighbors!
Kari reported on a successful Easter Egg Hunt at the three parks – Legion, Grand Avenue and Drew Nielsen. We may split it up for future years to keep the crowds down and enjoy our neighborhood.
Paul Roberts provided a city council update in place of Brenda Stonecipher. The work on the budget for 2022 has begun.
Kari shared that Jerry Smith had passed on April 4 (Easter Sunday) and we heard reflections from long time neighbors Holly, Jackie and Tim about Jerry’s influence and care of Joni.
Tim provided an update on the Council of Neighborhoods.
We heard lots of updates on upcoming events and brainstormed ideas for the next two meetings including mental health and an event update from the city. Kari will reach out to speakers.
Misha provided an educational update. Secondary school will be starting up next Monday! High school students will also return for hybrid learning.
Our March meeting was held on Thursday the 18th. We heard an update from Ryan Bisson on Rethink Transit and Commissioner Tom Stiger and Cat Soper from the Port of Everett. We also heard from Paul Roberts, who filled in for our City Council Liaison report, a Council of Neighborhoods update from Tim Knopf, and we went over plans for this spring and summer.
Ryan Bisson : Online Survey: https://rethinket.participate.online/
Meeting: March 25th at 1pm, Director Tom Hinkston, and Roland Behee will be doing a Facebook Livestream about the transit plan.
April 5th is the end of the survey collection.
Red Cross Homes Made Safer info: https://www.redcross.org/local/washington/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign.html
Cat Soper - Port of Everett : Thank you all - my contact info here if you ever have Port questions - catherines@portofeverett.com or 425.388.0680
Patrick Hall : www.downtowneverettwa.org/donate
We voted to donate $250 to the downtown Everett planter program.
We did a straw poll for the Mother of All Garage Sales and people are interested in making it happen for August 7, 2021.
Finally, we will be doing a modified Easter Egg Hunt at all three of our parks – Grand Avenue, The Bluff at Legion and Drew Nielsen. Details here – https://northwesteverett.org/events/
Modified Easter Egg Hunt happening Saturday, April 3rd at 10 am SHARP! Ages 1-10 welcome.
After many months without, we welcomed Lt. Ryan Dalberg to join us for a Everett Police Report. He covered some statistics related to property crimes and theft, which is typical for our part of town. He also answered questions tied to numbers of officers (steady, but many lateral additions in the last 6 months), whether or not social workers are still going out on patrols (yes!), if COVID-19 has affected many officers (yes and no – usually tied to childcare – they can get the vaccine so many have been illness-free). There was kudos for the quick and professional service, too. And, there was an attempt to learn what would happen if people decided to attach locks to the Grand Avenue Park Bridge to settle a marital dispute. You’ll have to watch the video for the full answer (see below), but in short, in could be crime.
There was also a question tied to the insurrection in D.C. and how Everett PD is handling it. The answer from both Lt. Dalberg and Councilmember Paul Roberts was that Everett has been ahead of the training on de-escalation and no tolerance for that kind of behavior. If you have further questions, you could certainly reach out to Lt. Dalberg or Police Chief Dan Templeman.
We then heard from Councilmember Paul Roberts, who was filling in for our official liaison, Councilmember Scott Murphy. He referenced the 6 comprehensive strategies that came out of their council retreat in the first part of February 2021. See image below.
Paul also covered the votes the previous evening at the council meeting regarding the pallet shelter grant and subsequent amendments. You can view the meeting here and view about the project here.
Next, Misha Hann from Whittier PTA gave us an update on who is actually in school. Currently, Kindergarten and First Grade are able to do a hybrid schedule, at the parent’s comfort level, to have them be in school for two days, and then home doing asynchronous work on the other three. There is a plan for Second and Third Graders to go back around March 1 and possible Fourth and Fifth Graders by later in March.
Separately, she covered the fundraiser that Whittier PTA is doing to help all of the Fifth Graders be able to attend camp in the fall. You can buy See’s Candy to help raise money here, or simply connect with Whittier PTA to make a donation. Email them with questions – ptawhittierelementary@gmail.com.
Click to buy candy and support the Whittier PTA goals for 5th Grade Camp.
We also heard from Tim Knopf regarding the refurbishment plan that he and Holly James have worked up for the Information Board at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park.
The east side would reflect more information about Drew Nielsen, his importance, the park itself, the Northwest Neighborhood Association, and the other parks in our neighborhood. The west side would be for announcements from the neighborhood and open to public postings.
Russ Kasselman, our Treasurer, provided a visual update of our finances, which total $5966 in our three accounts.
We closed with other questions, announcement and met a new neighbor. Great stuff.
We’ll began our regular year with a meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2021! Our guests were Bob Leonard and Cory Rettenmier from Everett Parks to speak about the trees on Colby from 10th to 19th, which are scheduled for maintenance and some for removal. Thanks for those who showed up to discuss ideas and learn more about the SYCAMORE trees, of which there are 76 and they were planted in 1972!
There was a robust discussion and perhaps more people happy to see the trees managed or removed due to some known issues. For example, one is Sycamore anthracnose, a fungal disease that can cause leaf drop, twig dieback, cankers and the sudden death of more than 90% of a tree’s new shoot growth.
Parks is looking to replace trees that are removed and will be discussing that at their February 3, 2021 meeting at 4:45pm.
Sycamore Trees in the Colby Median of north Everett
We also heard from Star Nayea who left the notes on your porches if you had holiday lights. She has an inspired idea to support our community with light. Her next steps will be to talk with Laura Zorick from the Snohomish County PUD to acquire LED lights.
Scott Murphy, our neighborhood council liaison, provided a summary of items from the Everett City Council inlcuding the following 8 topics:
Everett Transit
Public Facilities District – Angel of the Winds update
Lastly, we talked about projects for 2021 that will be supported by the City of Everett Matching Grant Program. Likely the list will include the following:
Drew Nielsen Park Cleanup and Planting
Modified Easter Egg Hunt
Fall Bike Ride to Whittier
Holiday Lights at Drew Nielsen – Photo opp, caroling and cocoa!
On June 18, 2020, we utilized our Zoom Meeting space during our typical meeting slot to honor a great person, Wendy McClure. Wendy has left the City of Everett. She was a constant and supportive resource for citizens and neighbors across the city. We will miss her!!
Here’s a report from Councilmember Scott Murphy for June 2020.
Tonight the community of neighbors showed up for Wendy McClure because she has authentically shown up for us. We wish her the absolute best as she takes another step in her journey.Peace, health, good wishes and be well, Wendy!Love your Everett neighbors. <3A Celebration of Wendy McClure
Guest: David Simpson, Port of Everett Commissioner
Additional Commentary: Scott Murphy and Paul Roberts, Everett City Councilmembers
Moderator/Host: Kari Quaas, Chair
Here is the video from our meeting this evening. I apologize for some profanities early on through due to Zoom bombers! I do hope you watch and learn something or feel a bit more connected.My gratitude to David Simpson, Port of Everett Commissioner, Cat Soper with PoE, Scott Murphy and Paul Roberts, City Councilmembers, and our other attendees. It's nice to see smiling faces and cats! Take care and stay safe, all!- Kari Quaas, Chair
Michael Brick from the City was our guest speaker – traffic, parking, speed bumps, narrow streets were discussed and many issues were noted that he will research and get back to those people.
JAMAF – Japanese program at EvCC was presented by Miki Aspree of the Nippon Business Institute
They are still seeking host families for students in July.
C-Vines at Zippy’s on 15th Rucker talked about what’s going, wine tasting, classes and entertainment. Nice venue within our neighborhood.
First off, congratulations and gratitude for our 2019/2020 Neighborhood Leadership Team!
Chair: Kari Quaas Vice Chair: Holly James Secretary: Stephanie Prothero Treasurer: Russ Kasselman Council of Neighborhood Reps: Robin Rigdon and John Sweeney
Thanks for stepping up to lead our awesome neighborhood! And huge thanks to Kristina Perry for her three years of service as Secretary! And, also big thanks to Joni and MaryVee, and Jeff for being the welcoming committee. Our Steering Committee rocks!
Second, we had a bevy of speakers this evening. Thanks to Officer Baumgartner of the 11th Beat. Thanks to Council Members Scott Bader (official liaison) and Paul Roberts for greater city and regional updates. Thanks to Lori Cummings and Bob Leonard from Everett Parks and Community Services for the discussion of our neighborhood parks, particularly Drew Nielsen. Thanks to Megan Dunn from Everett Districts Nowfor more information about the commission to decide Everett’s future district boundaries. And, huge thanks to Tim Knopf for his rousing history of our park namesake and early neighborhood leader, Drew Nielsen.
I’ve attached some photos of tonight’s meeting and will separately post videos of Parks and Tim’s Who’s Drew?
Thanks for an awesome two years so far! I look forward to building more community in the year to come. ♥️
Really great discussion was had around planning what we want our neighborhood/our city to be. Grateful for all of the comments, points of view and conversation around where we live, its accessibility, affordability, and our future. Thanks to our guests David Stalheim (City of Everett, WA – Govt) and Mike Gaffney (Providence).
Jeff, Mike from Providence, MaryVee and JoniDavid Stalheim addressing the group.Our new Officer Baumgardner.Attendees.More Attendees.Our Neighborhood with the description of land use currently.
