President Michael Chiavario called the meeting to order at 7: 35 pm with a quorum present. He introduced Mark Gill and Chad Krysteli from the Crime Prevention Division of the Bellingham Police Department, who spoke about services available to the neighborhood through the crime prevention division. Specifics included the Neighborhood Block Watch, and keeping up properties to develop a sense of cared-for "territoriality", which deters criminals. There was a question and answer period, during which residents discussed specific problems including suspected drug houses and houses which are the site of repeated loud parties. One officer suggested the possibility of using the "permitting a public nuisance" statute to reach the landlords of party houses, as well as the possibility of a YNA civil lawsuit.
Donna Grasdock, a neighborhood resident, spoke about the YNA grant application for new equipment and other improvements to Franklin Park. She asked residents to write letters endorsing the grant application, and gathered commitments of money and labor towards satisfying YNA's 25% share of the project.
Michael Chiavario informed the membership that we were hoping for release of the grant money for improvements to Rock Hill in the near future, and that we would need to put work parties together this summer to perform the necessary labor. A number of volunteers were gathered to work, and Peg Kunzmann, 1500 James, volunteered to help make lunch for the work party.
It was unanimously voted to cancel the June and July general meetings. A newsletter will go out some time during the summer to keep neighborhood interest up.
Donna Grasdock informed the membership that the proposed traffic revision to Humboldt south of Lakeway is on the City council agenda on Monday June 4, and that it was important that a significant number of us attend the meeting to make sure they block off both Humboldt and Grant.
Mr. Kunzmann asked that owners of the new street trees rake leaves out of the gutters in the fall to prevent the storm drains from backing up. It was agreed that the request would go out in the summer newsletter. There was also discussion of efforts to replace some of the recently-planted Thundercloud Plum trees which do not appear to be making it.
The last item on the agenda was the phone tree system. Volunteers were gathered to try and complete the project. The meeting was then adjourned.