President John called January 26, 2015 Kirkland Rotary meeting to order at 6:30 PM. 
 
Bob Cohon led us in the Pledge of Allegiance .
 
Rick Walter had some thoughts on inspiration that involved Victoria, a Great Bar, a sticky wickett.  I got lost about  there.
 
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS  George Anderson is a visiting Rotarian from Texas who has recently moved to Merrill Gardens.  Hadyra Stinebuck is a Rotarian from Aurora, Colorado and has just moved to Kirkland.  She is visiting clubs in the area.  Casey Harder, our Student of the Month from Juanita High School is here for her last visit with her twin sister, McKenia, and parents Scott and Jackie
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Dan Bartel announced we will have a special Sweethearts Night to recognize Valentines Day on Monday, February 9.
  • Jim Nevers announced there will be a special "Wine Evening" at Lake Washington Institute of Technology put on by the food service students at the Chef's City Grill at the school.The date is June 5. This annual event is outstanding.He recommends we sign up early because there is limited space.
     
    STUDENT OF MONTH TALK   Casey gave an excellent summary of her amazing number of activities in school and has been in the Cambridge System program with advanced subjects.  She enjoyed her time with us and knows we would love to have her visit us again.  Elizabeth Ruznak presented her student of the month certificate and a little ducky memento.
     
    LEGACY PROJECT  President John and Patti Smith reviewed a proposed project at Waverly Park to be a picnic pavilion. The park has a lovely beach, scenery, and children's playground but no shelter for picnics and other activities.  Consideration was given to a Juanita Park project; however a project there would several years in the future.  The Board discussed options in depth at their last meeting and endorses this project.  A motion was made by Dan Bartel to approve this project with a maximum of $50,000 support.  The membership was unanimous in approving the motion.
 
PROGRAM  Our speaker was Bill Pollard who is leading plans for the new development at Park Place.  Briefly the project is planned in detail with many excellent visuals and is about to be presented to the Planning Commission this Thursday.  The project has a total of  1.8 million square feet, which is significantly smaller than the previous design.  The current plan has 1.2 M. sq. ft in office space, 250,000 sq. ft. of retail, and 300 apartments.  It has a large open common area, 6 restaurants,  and 3100 parking stalls.  The QFC will be twice the size of the current market.  The height of the project is 7-8 floors
      The plan goes to the city council after a couple other approvals this spring.  With these approvals architect plans will be developed over 4-5 month period.  Hopefully construction will start in Spring 2016 and be completed in 2 years.
 
 
JOKER POOL Our speaker, Bill Pollard had the lucky ticket.  His associate Kara drew the ticket then went for the Joker.  HAPPILY the game continues.  We are now down to 15 cards left
 
President John thanked our guests and speaker. The meeting was adjourned about 7:35.
 
 Respectfully submitted         Bob Webb