Laurelhurst Community Club Collecting Dues And What The Funds Go Towards

The Laurelhurst Community Club is currently collecting annual dues which go towards supporting a variety of neighborhood projects and issues.

LCC invites neighbors to its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month at 7pm at the Laurelhurst Community Center Fireside Room. 

This information was recently published in a recent LCC newsletter:

Dues Time + A Look at LCC’s Stewardship

Neighbors recently received LCC’s 2019 membership brochure and dues statement in the mail. Your $65 dues payment supports proactive efforts on land-use matters, environmental and traffic issues, crime prevention, neighborhood improvements, community forums, earthquake/emergency preparedness, newsletters, email updates, website hosting, and more. 

An extra $20 contribution pays for landscape maintenance on the Mary Gates Way / NE 41st Street planted median. Additional contributions are always welcome to support special neighborhood projects. Your neighbors on LCC’s all-volunteer Board of Trustees contribute hundreds of hours each year on your behalf to maintain the livability and vitality of our community and stretch the membership dues.  

Highlights of LCC’s 2018-19 goals and accomplishments: 

• LCC advocates for a context-sensitive solution for development on the  17+ acre Talaris site. LCC dues pay for legal counsel and expert consultants on historic preservation as well as on hydrology and soils.
• LCC representatives attend the Seattle Landmark Board deliberations and its Architectural Review Committee meetings in reference to Talaris and other local landmark preservation issues. 
• LCC works with SPD on public safety and increasing coverage. 
• LCC works closely with the LEAP (Laurelhurst Earthquake Action Preparedness) team and supports its efforts. In 2018, LEAP secured funding and began preparations for the neighborhood HUB. LEAP helps create and organize local clusters for emergency response and participated in UW’s resilience research project for local communities. 
• LCC works with the UW, Sound Transit, and Metro to improve the  neighborhood’s needs for transit connections and pedestrian safety. n  LCC funds maintenance for public median strips along NE 41st Street and replaces dead plants and maintains the irrigation system. 
• LCC advocates for more City of Seattle budget support to restore Laurelhurst Community Center operating hours and programs. 
• LCC works with City Council as it develops a new tree ordinance to provide improved urban habitat and enhance its tree canopy. 
• LCC is working with the car share providers to create more access at the Montlake Light Rail station. 
• LCC participates in SR520 construction and design meetings to ensure continuous access from the northern approach to the Montlake Interchange.

Pay dues on LCC’s secure website (preferred – laurelhurstcc.com, or by mail to:

Laurelhurst Community Club

PMB #373

4616 25th Ave. NE

Seattle, WA 98105

For more information go here. 

Important Public Hearing Tonight On Future of Community Centers and Programs Offered



Bill Keller, with the Associated Recreation Council (ARC),  a committee that advises Parks and Recreation on a variety off issues, would like to let the community know about tonight's important City Council public hearing regarding the possibility of establishing a $54M Parks District aimed at restoring programs and community center hours, as well as attending to the $270M major maintenance backlog. 

 

Currently, Community centers are currently open at 50% of their capacity and Parks faces a $270 million parks maintenance backlog.

 

The Laurelhurst Community Center became a "limited use" center in 2011 with total hours cut back to just 25, open from 9-2pm on weekdays and running with a staff of four.

 

Several NE Seattle residents told us that they oppose the "Park District" idea as homeowners in NE Seattle could see their taxes go up by four times if the resolution passes tonight.

 

NEDC  and the Seattle Community Council Federation  voted to support continued parks levies and to oppose the Park Districts as will be proposed tonight. The same  resolution was also passed by a 90% vote of the 46th Legislative District in favor of a parks levy but opposing an MPD.

 

Here is the resolution passed by the 46th District Democrats for some of these reasons:

• A Parks Legacy Committee has been convened and has met for the past eight months to consider funding mechanisms for ongoing support of Seattle parks when the current levy expires, including a short-term levy, a mid-term levy, a permanent levy, and a Metropolitan Parks District; and
• The latter two funding options represent permanent taxes which would never again come before the voters for approval, review, or input; and
• Periodic public review of taxing authority is an essential part of the democratic process; no other mechanism insures this degree of accountability.
• We express our support for a short- or longer term parks levy (but not a permanent levy) and express opposition to a Metropolitan Parks District, as currently proposed. 

 

Bill said that creating a Parks District "will provide stable, predictable funding for Seattle Parks and Recreation." Currently there are 17 other cities that have Park Districts including Tacoma. Many have been implemented in the last several years and have been highly successful, Bill added.

 

The meeting takes place at 6pm at Council Chambers, City Hall (600 Fourth Avenue). 

 

 

Abigial, who works for the campaign told us that:

A Parks District is a proven way to deliver stable, sustainable funding for our Seattle parks, ballfields and community centers. If approved at the ballot this August, Seattle voters would establish a separate taxing district, with its own dedicated funding, that would be spent on supporting the maintenance, upkeep and operations of our more than 6,000 acres of City parklands spread over more than 450 separate parks, our 26 community centers, 185 athletic fields and more than 120 playgrounds. 

The District would be administered by the members of the City Council acting as Parks District Commissioners, with strict oversight and accountability measures included to ensure that the funds raised are spent wisely and with substantial citizen input. Seventeen other cities in Washington State, including Tacoma, as well as major cities around the country, have already created successful and thriving Parks Districts. It is time for Seattle to do the same. 

Funding raised through the Parks District will address critical park and community center operations and programs all across Seattle, as well as major maintenance projects alike leaky roofs, ageing boilers, and critical electrical upgrades. Funding will restore staffing, hours, and programs at community centers for kids and seniors; provide cleaner restrooms and trash pickup; acquire new parks and open space; and protect habitat to meet demands of a growing and increasingly diverse city. In addition, the funds raised through the parks district will provide funding for major maintenance at the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium.

City Council needs to hear that the community wants to restore equal access to recreation opportunities.We need everyone who cares about restoring access and opportunity to Seattle Parks and Recreation programs and facilities to attend tonight. Your voice needs to be heard now and will shape Parks and Recreation opportunities for the future.  Get involved.  Let the City Council know.  Now is the time.

 

 

For more details about the recommendations, go here and here.

Don't Miss the Special Community Center Meeting Thursday Night To Give Input On The Fate Of The Community Center

Seattle Parks and Recreation is holding a special outreach meeting at the Laurelhurst Community Center regarding the future of the Community Center on Thursday at 7pm. Neighbors are strongly encouraged to attend.

We recently posted about the Mayor's proposal to further drastically reduce hours at the Laurelhurst and Magnuson Community Centers as well as many other community centers starting in January.

 "The meeting this week is important because it’s an opportunity for neighbors to tell Parks what classes and activities they want most to keep," Jeannie Hale, Laurelhurst Community Club President told us.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation flier for the meeting on Thursday evening says:

Northeast Geographical Region Advisory Council Community Nights 

Everyone is invited!

Be heard. Be Seen.

We want to know how best to serve you.

In a World Café format, you will have the opportunity to:

• Explore community priorities:What should we prioritize?What should we keep doing?What should we stop doing?What can you do?
• Talk with Parks and Recreation staff and neighbors about your ideas to build community relationships 
• Share your voice and personal vision/ideas with others 

Baby sitting provided. Children must be potty trained, thru age 10.  

Light snacks provided. 

Can’t attend this meeting? Send your comments to Dave Gilbertson at dave.gilbertson@seattle.gov

Other upcoming meetings:
Magnuson October 19, 6:30 PM 206-684-7026
Meadowbrook November 9, 7 PM 206-684-7522
Northgate November 8, 7 PM 206-386-4283
Ravenna-EcksteinNovember 9, 7 PM

Kathleen with the Laurelhurst Community Center Advisory Council told us that they are also actively seeking new advisory council members to help bring quality programming to the Community Center.

Fate Of Laurelhurst Community Center Once Again In Danger

We recently posted about the Mayor's proposal to further drastically reduce hours at the Laurelhurst and Magnuson Community Centers as well as many other community centers starting in January.

Both Laurelhurst and Magnuson have been classified as "Tier 2b" level of service, which translates to hours being additionally reduced from 35 to 25 hours per week.  The proposal not only classifies each Community Center's level of service and ranking against each other, but also divides all the city Community Centers into five geographically based service areas, each staffed with a team, led by a Senior Recreation Coordinator.

With the proposed reducton in hours, it is unclear if the Magnuson staff, who has been managing the Laurelhurst Community Center classes, programs and administrative duties will be able to continue to oversee the classes (such as nerf soccer, pottery, adult softball, adult fitness, and some other programming) and the popular special events, such as the Egg Hunt and Salmon Bake, they were able to continue for the neighborhood this year. 

"And it is unclear if anyone familiar with our programming and community will be assigned to Laurelhurst," Kathleen  with the Laurelhurst Community Center Advisory Council told us.

The City Council has not yet approved the proposed 2012 budget so there is still time for the community to speak up about the fate of the Community Centers.

You can send email to City Council members. Here is a list of Council Members and their contact information. Kathleen  said that the Council has heard from very few citizens thus far.

When writing to Council members, Kathleen encourages people to to tell their stories of what the community center means to them, what they are already missing and will miss with further cuts,  what they want/expect from their community center, how the limited use in 2011 and the further reductions/changes has affected/will affect them.

Kathleen told us:

The way for the community center (and the gym after school hours) to be available for more programs and more community use is to have more hours and more professional programming staff at the center. FYI, even though we have had some sort of a joint use agreement with the school district for 40-50 years at Laurelhurst Gym (see inscription near the street-side entrance,) our community center was counted as having "no gym" in the allocation to the tiered system. The fact that the gym is off premises (and highly used) increases the advisory council's programming expenses due to the need for a building monitor, etc.

Please help us keep programs at Laurelhurst! We need to let the city council know that we want and need our community center to be the heart of our community. If we want to sustain programs at our community center, we, as a community, need to tell the members of city council before they pass the mayor's proposed budget.

We need more professional staff hours in order to manage programs and provide professional service to members of the community. We need more open hours that fit with the community's use of the center. And we also need community members to help us create, build and maintain programming that will thrive in the Laurelhurst Community Center.

In future years, it appears that community centers' budget allocations will continue to be based on usage, so if we don't use the community center, and if we don't work together as a community to help rebuild sustainable programming at our community center, I think the city will assume we don't want the few hours and professional staff we've been given, and allocate them somewhere else. 

There is a Public Hearing today at 5pm and also on October 26th starting at 5:30pm at City Hall (600 4th Avenue.)

Kathleen also told us that a community meeting is also in the works to be held at the Laurelhurst Community Center, during the time of the standing Laurelhurst Community Center Advisory Council Meetings (third Thursdays) on October 20th, probably at 7pm, though that time is not yet confirmed from the City 

For more information:

Press Release 
2012 Budget Overview
Community Center Operations 2012 Budget and Analysis

Laurelhurst Community Center Hours May Be Further Reduced

Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilwoman Sally Bagshaw have released a proposal for the 2012 City Budget laying out more changes to the City's Community Centers, including further reduction in hours at the Laurelhurst Community Center.

The proposal states:

In response to the continuing for budget reductions and direction from the City Council, Parks staff conducted an inclusive, data-driven analyis and process to examine alternative models for staffing and operating the centers. 

The proposal saves $1.23M, of which $784,000 is achieved through budget reductions and $446,000 comes to Parks from its nonprofit partner ARC (Associated Recreation Council) that would partially cover Community Center expenses.

Staff reductions would total 13.63 full time positions and reduce the hours of 75 people.  The preferred operating model preserves services by the greatest extent possible by keeping the centers open with varying levels of service.

Jeannie Hale, Laurelhurst Community Club President, commented: "The mayor’s proposal would further cut hours at the Laurelhurst Community center from 35 to 25 hours per week.   Any reduction in hours should be equitably distributed throughout the city.  Despite the considerable effort to explore other operation models, the proposed solution unfairly targets smaller, yet very vibrant centers—like Laurelhurst.“

The proposal would divide the Community Centers into five geographically based service areas, each with five Community Centers staffed with a team, led by a Senior Recreation Coordinator.

Laurelhurst is grouped with Magnuson, Ravenna-Eckstein, Meadowbrook and Northgate Community Centers.

The proposal says: "The staff would work with people in the community to establish operating hours and decide on programming, and will try to avoid duplication of programs within the service area."

A level of service would be assigned to each Community Center with Laurelhurst being a 2b community center open for 25 hours a week.  Magnuson would also be 2b.  Ravenna Eckstein would be a 2a facility and open 45 hours a week.

The level of serive is determined by condition of the building, cost of maintaining it,  past use of the building for drop-in use, paid use, rentals and number of patrons served by scholarships. Each community center was rated against all the others based on its performance relative to the other twenty-four Centers.

If the proposal is accepted by the Seattle City Council, the changes would take effect January 1st of next year. The City Council will vote on the proposal before Thanksgiving.

The public can send comments to sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov.  For a schedule go to Councilwoman Bagshaw's website. 

Information about the proposal is available here.

All Seattle Public Library Branches Closed Next Week Due To Budget Cuts

The Seattle Public Library, including the NE Library Branch (6801 35th Avenue NE), will be closed starting on Monday through Sunday, September 4th due to citywide budget cuts. All libraries will be closed for the Labor Day holiday Monday, September 5th.  All libraries will re-open for regular operations on Tuesday, September. 6th.

The information says:

All city departments are implementing cuts to address a $67 million gap in the 2011 city budget. The Library is funded from the city general fund.The week-long closure will help the Library achieve its $3.7 million budget reduction target for 2011. The closure will save approximately $650,000. The closure will mean salary reductions for nearly 640 employees who will not be paid during that week and who are taking cuts in their cost of living adjustments.

In addition, the book budget has been reduced, positions have been eliminated and 2010 cuts to branch hours have continued this year. Fifteen branches are only open 35 hours a week. 

August. 29th through September 4th was the week selected for the closure because general Library use at that time is not as high as other times during the year, school is not in session and there are fewer Library programs scheduled.

Library Interim Chief Executive Officer Lin Schnell said she understands how difficult the closure will be for patrons who depend on and need Library services, particularly during this prolonged recession.“Unfortunately the Library has limited options when dealing with cuts of this magnitude. Without the closure, we would have had to cut more operating hours or further reduce the book budget, she said.” 

Schnell explained the majority of the Library’s $50 million budget pays for direct public service – Library personnel to run the libraries. The remainder of the budget pays for books and materials, and fixed costs, such as telecommunication and Internet services and utilities.

Some services that will be unavailable: (Here is a complete list.)

• No materials will be due and no fines will be charged.
• No book drops will be open. 
• Limited access to the online catalog. Patrons will be able to search the catalog and check their Library record but will not be able to place holds on items. No staff will be working to process the thousands of books and materials that customers normally put on hold. 
• Limited access to the website (http://www.spl.org/). The online calendar, databases, downloadable books and media, digital special collections, podcasts, SPL Mobile app and blogs will be available, but other online information and features will not be available. No staff members will be working to maintain the site or troubleshoot problems. 
• Patrons will not be able to reserve a computer for the week the Library system is closed.
• No access to Wi-Fi. 
• No programsor events in Library meeting rooms.
• No parking in Library garages.

For more information go here.

Help Shape The Future Of Seattle Parks At Budget Meeting Tonight

In preparation for the 2012 budget process, Councilmember Jean Godden is hosting a "Community Conversation" on the Seattle Parks budget meeting tonight from 6:30-8pm at Meadowbrook Community Center (10517 35th Ave NE). 

This meeting will give the public an opportunity to provide input on priorities for the Park and to respond to the Superintendent’s proposed response to the City Council’s Statement of Legislative intent.

In anticipation of state and federal budget cuts, Community Center Advisory Teams, Recreation Council and other decision makers are starting the 2012 budget planning process early. 

The public is enouraged to attend this meeting to help in shaping the future of Seattle Parks and Recreation. The input received from the community at last year’s budget hearings made a signficant  difference in the decision-making process. 

"This is your chance to show the Mayor and City Council that Seattle’s citizens rely on Parks now more than ever," the invitation says.

For more information on the budget process, go here.  The draft working matrix of potential options of the community center advisory team can be found on Sally Bagshaw's website here. 

Two more Parks meetings will be held on June 15th and June 16th at Bitter Lake Community Center and Jefferson Community Center respectively.

Stop By Laurelhurst Community Center Today And Be Counted

Starting this week, Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, is asking customers at all city community centers, including Laurelhurst Community Center, to sign in with their time of arrival and their age group.

This is part of a pilot project lasting two weeks, which will help the Parks Department respond to a City Council directive to reconsider how community centers are operated as a result of the severe budget shortages facing the community centers, in which the operational costs far exceed the revenue brought in by their programs.

"Because of the current difficult budget situation, Parks is exploring alternatives that would offer continued services for the public while reducing costs, including new methods of management, staffing, fundraising and partnerships," the press release says.



After two weeks the data collected (average age groups, frequency of visits, and numbers of people visiting community centers each day) will be evaluated and then decided upon whether the project should continue for ten more weeks.

The process, also includes public meetings, one held last month, to discuss with the community ideas for how centers can be run differently.Another one is in the works for the Spring to get further input on developing options.  The City is exploring a variety of alternatives in how to more efficienlty run the Community Centers.


A Community Center Advisory Team has also been set up made up of community members, representatives from the Board of Park Commissioners, representatives of employee unions, employees, the Associated Recreation Council, and City Council and City Budget Office staff.


Laurelhurst Community Center operations have been severely affected by the City Counil 2011-2012 Budget.

It is now a "limited use center" with operating hours reduced to 35 hours per week. The hours are Monday through Thursday 9:30-12:30pm and 2:30-6:15pm and Friday 9:30-12:30pm, according to a recent flier posted on the Parks website.

Dena and her staff are no longer there, having been replaced wtih a temporary staff. And the staff at Magnuson Community Center overseeing the operations remotely.

And most community and family events will no longer happen, including the Easter Egg Hunt that was so popular and well attended.

So stop by the Laurelhurst Community Center today and be counted.

Update from Council President Conlin on Laurelhurst Community Center

One of our readers received the following email message yesterday from Council President Richard Conlin, in response to sending in feedback on the Laurelhurst Community Center.

There is still time to send in more feedback by email this week directly to budget@seattle.gov  as the Council will not adopt the budget until next Monday, November 22nd.

Here is Council Member Conlin's email:

Thank you for your message about the Laurelhurst Community Center. I am pleased to be able to tell you that the Council has added funds to restore an additional 15 hours of drop in time at the Laurelhurst Community Center in the 2011 budget. Because of the difficult budget situation, we were unable to provide additional funding to fully restore services at Laurelhurst.



The Mayor’s proposed budget cut 38 drop in hours at Laurelhurst. The Mayor also proposed changing this community center to a limited service facility, with no plans for future restoration of services. The Council does not accept this limited service model, and we are embarking on a full review of community center operations in 2011, with the goal of finding ways to provide appropriate levels of service to all of our neighborhoods. The Parks Department has agreed to work with us on this, and we also have commitments from employees and their unions to work with us to find efficiencies that may allow services to be restored even with reduced funding.


We regret that we were not able to do more for Laurelhurst in this budget, but we were able to provide some assistance, and hope that this future work will result in a revitalized community center in the future.

The email also lists some of the most significant changes that the Council made in the Mayor's proposed budget which can all be found here.

Here is a partial list:

COMMUNITIES:


Ø Doubled the number of drop-in hours at the five Community Centers the Mayor proposed to cut, restoring each of them to 30 hours of drop-in availability for the community.

Ø Restored $300,000 to the City’s Neighborhood Matching Fund for community projects.

Ø Provided funding to restore three of the six neighborhood district coordinators that would have been terminated under the Mayor’s budget, retain a position in the Historic Preservation program, and keep the West Seattle payment center open.

For more information on budget actions go here.

Update on Status of Community Center Closure From Latest City Council Budget Meeting

A neighbor sent us an update from last Thursday’s City Council Budget Committee, reporting back that some progress was made about restoring funding for community centers—but not Laurelhurst. Council staff recommended restoring some hours to Greenlake, Queen Anne and Ballard—from 15 to 30, but not for Laurelhurst or Alki. The City Council seemed to be on board with this recommendation.


We are told that one of the reasons that hours were not restored to Laurelhurst was because of what they consider low drop-in hours. The problem is that the Parks Department and individual community centers don’t really have a standard way of keeping track of hours. For example, when a mom and baby bringing a toddler to tot play, at Laurelhurst, the mom and baby are not counted as drop-ins. Similarly, when there are gaps in group activity at the gym, those kids and grown-ups are not counted.

Before making drastic cuts to any community center, good data is necessary. And they don’t have good data.

One of the other issues is converting the Laurelhurst Community Center to office space. Because the staff briefing paper (known as the “green sheet”) did not address this issue, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen brought this up at the meeting. He is very opposed to this type of move.

Under the Mayor’s proposed budget, the second floor of the Greenlake Center and the lower activities room at Laurelhurst could be converted to office space. It has even been suggested that the fireside room be converted to office space.

Councilmember Rasmussen needs to build support with other councilmembers on this issue. Councilmembers O’Brien, Licata, Burgess and Godden seem to be on board. Councilmember Conlin wants a proposal that would be budget neutral (if office space is provided elsewhere), but council staff did not think that would be possible.

The neighbor said that when you contact councilmembers, please urge them not to convert our center to office space. And there are many other good reasons to restore the funding cuts to the Laurelhurst Community Center.

Final decisions about the 2011 City Budget are now in the hands of City Council until November 22nd when the budget will be adopted.

Until then emails and phone calls to councilmembers are still urgently needed and can still make a difference for Laurelhurst Community Center.

The November 4th Budget Meeting can be viewed here, courtesy of the Seattle Channel. The discussion on Community Centers starts at about 84 minutes in to the meeting.


 

City Council Making Community Center Decisions This Week and a Few Updates

The City Council will begin making final decisions and taking votes on the 2011 Budget at meetings on Tuesday  and Wednesay and Friday of this week. The final budget is expected to be adopted by November 22nd. 

There is still time to submit comments to budget@seattle.gov and/or to individual city councilmembers, including Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair, Budget Committee, at jean.godden@seattle.gov. 

Dena, Recreation Coordinator at the Laurelhurst Community Center said she has not received any new information recently on the status of the Community Center. She does encourage  neighbors to still share their ideas and feedback to City Council through this month..

She did forward to us a message from Kathleen Turner, Laurelhurst Advisory Council President that does include some specfics on the Laurelhurst Community Center cuts and moving forward:


In case you were unaware of the effects of the Mayor’s proposed budget for 2011, the Laurelhurst Community Center is among several facilities that are impacted including four other community centers. The mayor’s budget proposes minimal impact to the 21 other community centers throughout the city. Laurelhurst and the four others were singled out, despite the fact that Laurelhurst Community Center received intensive remodeling and reopened just three years ago in 2007.

If the proposal is approved through City Council, our Community Center and Gym’s hours of operation will be drastically reduced as of January 4, 2011. The City Council will be deliberating and final decisions will be made and announced on November 22. As part of the plan, the Laurelhurst Community Center and Gym would be operated with very limited hours for regular programming under the supervision of one of the nearby sites.

Some programs will be re-located to Magnuson and Ravenna-Eckstein, while others including most special events (Salmon Bake, Egg Hunt, etc.) will likely be cancelled due to the absence of supervisory Parks Department staff. In addition, Senior Adult Recreation and Specialized Programs staff will move offices into some of the program space in the Center. The community center would be used to provide some additional programs to senior adults and specialized populations, but the question of access for these populations has been raised. Currently these programs take place at a variety of community centers throughout the city.

It is unclear what the full impact will be however we will be very limited in the number of programs serving adults, kids and families. Without significant volunteer effort, special events would no longer take place here. We would have some ability to offer basketball and Nerf soccer in the Gym, a few exercise classes and some pottery classes. Again, these classes would be supervised by neighboring community center staff in addition to their own programs. The community center staff positions here will be abrogated except for 15 hours of recreation attendant time. Based on each employee’s level of seniority they would either be transferred to another location or be laid off beginning January 4th.

Give Input Today on 2011 Budget at City Hall Meeting

Today at 5pm, the City Neighborhood Council's Budget Committee, is holding its regular meeting, and it's open to the public to give input. It will take place in City Hall Room 370 (601 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor).

Chris Leman, who serves on the Budget Committee for CNC, sent us this information:

Hear the latest on discussions within the City Council, and between the Mayor and City Council, regarding where to make the needed severe budget cuts. City Councilmember Jean Godden (chair of the Council's budget committee) attended our Oct. 18 meeting, so please come today, as you never know if another Councimember may drop in!

Decisions in the next two weeks on Seattle’s two-year budget may be the most important for City government in a generation. Be a part of the process!

Go here to see the budget letter that the City Neighborhood Council sent on Friday to the City Council, after unanimously authorizing it this past Monday. The letter follows up on the July 2 budget letter that CNC sent to the Mayor and City Council. 

The City Neighborhood Council and the district councils serve as official advisory bodies rewiewing and making recommendations regarding City budget issues, including the general fund, capital and block grant budgets, and the Neighborhood Matching Fund.. City Council considers the recommendations of the City Neighborhood Council and the comments of neighborhood organizations and District Councils in its review and actions on the City budget.

Whether or not you can attend the CNC budget committee, you can let the City Councilmembers know your views by seding them email messages.

Brief public comment is also allowed at at the morning opening of the City Council's all-day Budget Committee meetings.

To see the Mayor's budget proposals, go here, and for more information on the City Council process and meeting agendas go here.

Tonight: Discuss City Budget Crisis With Councilmember Jean Godden and Central Staff Director

We recieved this notice from Seattle Community Council Federation Treasurer, Chris Leman:

The Seattle Community Council Federation invites you to attend its monthly meeting tonightfrom 7-9pm at NOAA's Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union, 1801 Fairview Avenue East. Guest speakers will be during the first hour.

Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair of the City Council Budget Committee, and Dr. Ben Noble, Director of the City Council Central Staff, will update you about the city budget process and answer questions.

How will the City Council close the $67+ million budget shortfall? Will the Council agree with the Mayor's proposed tax and fee increases and cuts to essential services? Is there logic to the Mayor's proposed budget? Will the City lose neighborhood service centers and their District Coordinators? How can the City's neighborhood policing program function with the loss of crime prevention coordinators? Is it fair to target five of the City's 26 community centers for major cuts and closure? Are the cuts to the highly cost-effective Neighborhood Matching Fund reasonable? Will planned sidewalks go on the chopping block?

The budget that the City Council will adopt in November may be the most important for City government in a generation. Several statewide ballot measures on the November ballot could further reduce the available revenues, so City Council decisions are not yet solidified and YOU can make a difference.

Find out the latest and bring your issues and questions. Help decide what recommendations should go into the Federation's budget letter. See our blog for latest developments.

NOTE: As a federal facility on high security alert, NOAA requires that all attendees be on a list that we provide them beforehand Attendees must enter by the security gate (near the corner of Fairview Ave. E. and E. Blaine Street). Please also bring a photo ID. If you haven't attended a recent Federation meeting, please send your name, contact information, and address to rickbarrett@gmail.com to be added to the entry list. No e-mail? Call 206-365-1267. The building is ADA compliant, with ample parking in front.

The Seattle Community Council Federation is one of the nation's most active coalitions of neighborhood groups. Yearly dues for member groups are $50. SCCF welcomes new member groups, and encourages early renewal by existing member groups. Individual donations are also welcome and tax deductible, and go very far, as SCCF is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization. Mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310. For questions, contact SCCF Treasurer Chris Leman, (206) 322-5463, cleman@oo.net.

Final Public Hearing Today to Give Input on Closure of Laurelhurst Community Center

Just another reminder that today at 5:30pm is the last Public Hearing on the proposed 2011 Budget.

This is the final face to face opportunity to let City Council know your thoughts on the proposal to close the Laurelhurst Community Center the first week of January.


The Hearing starts at 5:30pm with sign in to speak at 5pm. It will take place at Seattle City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd floor at 600 Fourth Avenue.
 
 
If you can't go here are ways to submit comments:

• City Council website 
• Ideascale website
• City Council email addresses: budget@seattle.gov, sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov, tim.burgess@seattle.gov, sally.clark@seattle.gov, richard.conlin@seattle.gov, jean.godden@seattle.gov, bruce.harrell@seattle.gov, nick.licata@seattle.gov, mike.obrien@seattle.gov, tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov, budget@seattle.gov   

 
Here are posts we have done, outlining proposed changes to the Community Center, letters from Laurelhurst residents, specific information on changes from Dena, Recreation Center Coordinator, and much more.

Last Chance to Speak at Final Public Hearing Tomorrow on Proposed Closure of Community Center

The final Public Hearing to comment on the 2011 Budget and specfically the proposal to close the Laurelhurst Community Center is tomorrow at 5:30pm at Seattle City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd floor at 600 Fourth Avenue.

The Hearing starts at 5:30pm with sign-in to speak at 5 pm.

Tracy, with the Save the Laurelhurst Commmunity Center group, says about the last Public Hearing, "....the key message is for as many people to attend as possible.   I know Jeannie (Hale - LCC President) is planning to arrive early to sign in so we won't be so far down on the list this time.  

"People don't necessarily need to speak to attend - just being there makes a difference. But the more folks who are willing to speak up and tell their story the better.

"I would emphasize that this is the last opportunity to let the council know face to face that we value LCC and urge them to re-work the budget to save this important resource in our community."

If you can't go, here are ways to send in your input.

Senior and Past Laurelhurst Community Club President's Letter To City Council

Tracy, with the Save the Laurelhurst Community Center group, forwarded to us a letter that an elderly neighbor and past Laurelhurst Community Club President, wrote to City Council about the impact of the budget cuts on the Community Center.

The community is encouraged to submit comments here and they will automatically go to all City Council Members.

Tracy writes "I wanted to share this letter I received from a senior with a long family history in our neighborhood and who is advocating that LCC continue to offer programs for families. It is nice to know who we should thank for helping to create the community center we all enjoy so much today."

Here is the letter:

Dear Mr. Conlin.

Apparently under the proposed Mayor's budget the use of this facility will be limited to us seniors (I never use it anymore) and special interests (whomever they are).

My father, Edward W. Allen who died in 1976), was one of the early residents and I have lived here since 1922.

As I understand the background the early residents banded together and bought the land and gave it to the City for the park and playfield. Then a field house was built and remodeled with funds from the recent park bonds. Growing up we played a lot of sandlot ball and I think a Roy Armstrong was the supervisor.

When I was President of the Laurelhurst Community Club we worked with the Parks Department with a plan to level the play field, add parking and add kids facilities. You know eventually this all got done.

When I was Chairman of the Parks Board we added a path around the fields and improved the tennis courts but this was not due to any of my efforts! My generation is pretty well gone but the many new neighbors and children deserve the facilities we planned for them.

Thomas E. Allen

Letter from Long-time Laurelhurst Family To City Council To Save Laurelhurst Community Center

A reader forwarded us a letter sent in to City Council giving input on saving the Community Center slated to close the first week of January due to dramatic budget cuts for 2011.

Everyone is encouraged to submit comments here and they will automatically go to all City Council Members.

Here is the letter from a family in Laurelhurst:

Dear Seattle City council,


I read with interest the proposal to virtually eliminate community services and options at the Laurelhurst Community Center starting in 2011. I understand there is a budget crisis and we all must make sacrifices. However, I believe this proposal needs to be reconsidered. The idea of closing the community center as we know it seems ill-advised and even uninformed.

My family has lived in Laurelhurst for 80 years. My father first moved here in 1930 at the age of 2. One of my earliest childhood memories is tumbling class at the community center. The Laurelhurst community center and playfield are community assets that helped form my decision to live here as an adult and raise my family here. My kids take cooking, art/crafts, and music classes at the community center. We have used the community center to celebrate marriages and say good bye to friends and neighbors.

The community center serves as a hub for very popular annual community events such as Easter egg hunts, salmon bakes, summer concerts, soccer sign-ups, and community meetings. I even grew up voting at the community center and would take my daughter to vote with me still if we hadn’t been forced to vote by mail. Clearly my interest in this matter is self-serving, but also based on a very long and rich history with the community center.

I do not mean point out the obvious to you, but remember that the city has voted at least twice in the past 10 years, last in 2008, to tax ourselves to keep our parks opened and maintained. An article in the Seattle PI just today pointed out that the city’s general fund revenue increased 67% in the same time period. Surely the money voters approved for parks, $146 million from 2009 to 2014, can spare some money to keep services available at Laurelhurst Community Center? I know that many of the classes and athletic activities my kids participate in are typically full. I suspect revenue from these classes must go a long way to offset the costs of operating this and other community centers.

If my "A History of Laurelhurst" book is correct, did you know that the playfield and community center were actually purchased and developed by the community, not originally by the city? No argument the city has maintained and updated the site in my lifetime, but the incredible value of the land and facilities should not be discounted.

Effectively closing the community center to the Laurelhurst community almost seems like a plea from the city to the Laurelhurst community to take the park and fieldhouse back. I do not think that is what you want. Laurelhurst park is a jewel of the Seattle Parks, even a historic landmark. Please do the right thing and keep Laurelhurst Community Center open and useful to the community in which it resides.

Thank you,
Laurelhurst family

Special Parks and Rec Budget Meeting Tomorrow - Public Invited to Speak

Are you passionate about Seattle Parks and Recreation? We all know the great services the community centers offer and all the wonderful parks in our city.

Well tomorrow night at 5:30pm at North Seattle Community College is your chanceto tell the City Council and the Mayor why Seattle Parks and Recreation is an essential and integral part of our neighborhoods at the 2011 Public Buget Hearings.

Some facilities and programs may be on the chopping block starting this summer.

This is your chance to speak about what Seattle Parks and Recreation programs should be kept.

Speakers will have 2-3 minutes to share how Parks and Recreation helps you.

An email from the Laurelhurst Community Center says:

Share positive stories about how you benefit from Parks and Recreation programs and why they shouldn’t cut those programs. Tell City leaders what would happen if Parks no longer offered low-cost health and fitness programs. Tell them what would happen if Parks no longer had pools where youth learned to swim or adults could exercise. Tell them about other programs, such as toddlers programs or rowing and sailing programs and how important they are to you. Make sure you talk about PROGRAMS and FACILITIES and what they mean to you.

Based on preliminary projections, the City of Seattle faces a $50 million general fund deficit for 2011, as a result of continued economic turmoil. In addition, revenues for 2010, are expected to be $10 million less than anticipated. In the face of these shortfalls, the City of Seattle faces some very difficult budget decisions in the coming months. Residents are invited to make their voice heard.


Balancing our city’s budget in tough times requires a great deal of direction, constructive input from citizens and the careful ordering of priorities.


Your personal story is more important than anything, so be honest, be positive, and encourage them to keep Parks and Recreation open for you!

Details:

North Seattle Community College cafeteria
9600 College Way North, Seattle, 98103


May 4, 2010
5 p.m. Sign-in

5:30 p.m. Public hearing


Full Council Press Release here

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Webcast live on the City Council’s website.
Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available here.  Follow the Council on Twitter at twitter.com and on Facebook at Seattle City Council.

City Looks to Citizens for Budget Input

A reader sent this to us....

This Sunday in the Center House at Seattle Center, the Mayor will be holding a Citizens Budget Conference from 12-5pm.

It’s sponsored by Seattle’s City Neighborhood Council and Seattle Center, in cooperation with the Mayor, the City Council, the budget Office and Department of Neighborhoods.

"Get in at the beginning as the city kicks off its budget process. At noon, staffed tables give you one on one contact with the departments. The Mayor and the City Council Finance chair give their visions for this budget and how citizens can get involved. City agencies large and small then present and respond to your questions. The concluding panel is of City Council members on budget issues and how to get results," the flyer says.

For further information: http://seattle.gov/neighborhoodcouncil or Chris Leman at 206-322-5463, cleman@oo.net.

Help Keep Our Libraries Open

Last month Mayor Nickels announced his proposed 2010 capital budget plan for the City of Seattle. This budget would drop Seattle Public Libraries funding by 37 percent from the 2009 budget of $1,646,000 to $1,031,000.

Under the plan, 21 branch libraries would reduce operating hours to seven hours per day, five days a week, closing Friday and Sunday. Friends of Seattle Public Library is petitioning against the proposed Sunday and Friday closures at neighborhood libraries.


The Northeast Library branch and the University Branch are included in the list of libraries that could potentially be closed both Sunday and Friday and have reduced operating hours if the proposed budget is adopted by Seattle City Council in November.

According to The Seattle Public Library, “Early estimates show the reduced hours may result in the loss of approximately 27 positions, or the equivalent of 18.8 regular full-time employees. Expected earnings of each Library employee will be cut approximately 1.9 percent due to the one-week closure.”

The reduction in hours would cut $1.2 million for the library’s budget. SPL has also proposed a week-long furlough. Mayor Nickels asked the library to identify approximately 5 percent in cuts — about $2.6 million.

The proposed budget would impact many communities and neighbors who rely on the city libraries for computer access, job search resources, adult and kids programs, gathering spaces for all ages, and much more.

Friends of SPL is asking community members to send a letter or email to the Mayor and City Council as it is the easiest and has the biggest impact. Here is contact information. The Friends of SPL blog also has extensive contact information.

Other ways to get involved immediately are:

*Saturday, October 24 1-3pm meet the Friends of SPL at NE Library as they gather signatures and pass out information on the potential consequences of the proposed 2010 budget Monday

*October 25 5:30 p.m. special hearing at City Council Chambers (600 4th Avenue). Library supporters can make brief remarks in support of prioritizing library funding petition.

*Sign the Friends of the Library petition

*Join Facebook Friends of the Library Cause group

*Join the Friends mailing list

*Take the Friends of the Library survey

Sarel Rowe, advocacy chair of The Friends of the Seattle Public Library says, “We need people who will stand up and speak for two minutes in support of the library. One night at a hearing is a small investment if one considers that the risk is closures and reduced hours of our neighborhood branches. E-mails help alot but we must also have support at the hearings if we have any hope of blunting or avoiding these service cuts.

We need your e-mail help and attendance at the public budget hearings now!"