Newcastle Library Update

According to the KCLS website (click the meeting agenda for Sept. 25) the board is being presented with a proposal and recommendation from the KC Library staff. The recommendation is as follows:

Based on the current plans and cost projections, it is recommended that KCLS partner with Lorig Associates to develop and build a mixed-use structure that includes the new Newcastle Library. The quality of the development and the ability to deliver a library of the size and quality KCLS’ intended sets a positive tone for the successful completion of a community-oriented building. Mithun’s preliminary plans show a civic presence for the library that sets it apart from the apartments; ensuring that the community of users will feel welcome in this building as a gathering place

This is great news for Newcastle and the Library. The board is expected to make a decision on which plan to more forward with at tomorrows board meeting. Please send your comments to the library board through their website. Or better, you can attend tomorrows meeting at 5pm in the Library Administration Building on Newport Way in Issaquah to voice your opinion (and hopefully support) on this project to move forward.

You can view the full report and recommendation here. It is a very large PDF file that can be downloaded.

Thoughts on Public Involvement

At last nights candidate forum a recurring theme centered around public involvement in city business. Several candidates have taken the position that the city council has been lax in encouraging public involvement. On the surface I might find it easy to agree with their position since most city council meetings are only attended by a group of 5-10 regulars. These regulars are occasionally referred to as "season ticket holders", because much like like dedicated sports fans, they are very vocal about who or what they are rooting for and don't like to miss an inning. And just like die-hard football fans, the season ticket holders don't understand why you don't want to come watch the game. But ahh, they are missing one key thing. I believe you are watching the game, and just like with football, it's usually better viewed from the comfort of your own home.

I am continually impressed with my interactions with residents, whether at the store, the park, or on a walk with my kids. Not surprisingly most people I talk to rarely, if ever, attend council meetings. Yet most folks always seem to be generally informed about what is happening around city hall. If the public were truly disengaged or if the city were completely dropping the ball this wouldn't be the case. The networks most people have for information gathering are as diverse and complex as the city itself. The newspaper, email, the internet and neighbors talking to neighbors are all very common and effective ways information travels through the population.

It is through these channels that occasionally an issue circulates resulting in a meeting with phenomenal turnout, sometimes with 50-100 people crammed into city hall. The city advertises these meetings no differently than the ones with only the season ticket holders in the audience. So if the level information provided by the city is the same what causes such a large turnout. I believe it is because most people, while generally informed about the issues, need to have an understanding of how an issue relates to them before they feel empowered to voice an opinion. For example, when i was on the planning commission we were considering changes to the city parking ordinance. We had more than 100 people show up to a meeting to give their opinion on the issue. Not because we communicated the issue any differently to the public but because most people can relate to their cars and understand how changes to those rules might impact their daily lives.

In conclusion, public involvement at times can seem bleak, especially if you are one of 5 same people at every council meeting. It is a good part of why I have chosen to keep up this website. It is my effort to find a way of making more than just parking relateable to the general population.

Windtree Park Update

The path to begin Windtree Park is still ahead of us. I, as many of you have, were expecting to see some progress this summer. The current status is that the city staff is prepared to put the project to bid after delays this summer due to our public works department being focused on preparing for work on Coal Creek Parkway.

But at Tuesday Sept 18th's council meeting, Councilman Bill Erxleben raised 2 issues regarding the park. First he expressed concern that the money approved for the park in 2006 was not properly accounted for in the 2007 budget. This is mostly an issue of procedure and the city staff is tracking the paper trail. This unfortunately will delay the project for a few more weeks until the procedural matter can be resolved.

Secondly, and more concerning, is that Mr. Erxleben advocated removing money from the park project and questioned the expense as extravagant. Additionally he called into question the public process leading up to the decision to move forward with the park. I personally take exception to his diatribe as I personally witnessed a very active public process. These are my neighbors he is talking about and for him to claim that all of the hard work and involvement by the more than 30 residents of Windtree was insufficient is frankly a slap in the face. Possibly he should have attended more meetings himself ? Members of the Parks commission have commented to me that the involvement in the Windtree Park process should be a model for community input in the future.

I encourage everyone interested in seeing Windtree Park completed to attend the Oct 2nd Council Meeting to express your displeasure with the current delays.

I would also like to point out that I attended the City Council candidate forum this evening. It should be noted that council candidate Russ Segner publicly advocated removing funding from Windtree Park and to use the money instead for changes to the intersection where the Valley Medical Center is currently located.