The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on March 20, 2023 at SOI Thai Restaurant & Bar.
President Amy Mutal called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
President Amy Mutal led us in the pledge.
Attending were David Aubry, Bob Auslander, Scott Becker, Gary Cohn*, David DeBois, Donald Dicks, Margie Glenn, Brandon Honcoop*, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Joanne Primavera, Steve Shinstrom, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter. *Attended via Zoom.
Guests:
Our guests were the student of the month and his parents.
Greeter:
Jim Meniketti manned the front table and greeted attendees.
Student of the Month:
Student of the Month Vernon Lumpkin from Lake Washington High School attended with father Jeff and mother Ruohshin. Vernon gave a very lucid outline of some of his school and personal activities, along with information about his fascinating personal history. He was born in Singapore and grew up in Germany. He has experienced many different approaches to life and to problem-solving. He is currently very interested in robotics, and how robotics can serve in the non-profit arena. He would like to see more girls and women in the field. Much of his work in robotics is involved in competition with other teams to solve problems and in expanding the knowledge boundaries of robotics.
He also interns with the city of Kirkland, assisting with sustainability and climate action initiatives. He personally works in helping promote heat pumps and school sustainability.
Announcements, Club Business, Committee Reports:
Prior to tonight’s meeting, a number of Rotarians helped to clean out and reorganize the club’s storage area in the basement of the Shinstrom-Norman building. Some of us then adjourned to Q-20 for a beer or glass of wine before moving on to SOI for tonight’s meeting.
President Amy will keep us informed about club meeting location and events going forward. Steve Shinstrom thanked the participants who helped clean and straighten the storage area [see above].
Dave Aubry announced that he is working on organizing a ribbon-cutting for our latest project, the Rotary Pavilion on the Cross Kirkland Corridor. COVID-19 made it nearly impossible to do anything like that right after the project was completed. This will probably occur sometime after Labor Day.
Dave DeBois reported that we are waiting for a commitment from Juanita High School as to a date for our new rummage sale fundraiser.
Don Dicks subbed for Rich Bergdahl in presenting a Paul Harris times-two-award to Jim Meniketti for his support of the Rotary International Foundation. Congratulations to Mr. Meniketti. Mr. Dicks did a great job while at the same time reminding us of the wonderful things the Foundation does in the world.
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks collected during this meeting.
Program:
President Amy and Scott Becker reported on what’s going on in the city of Kirkland as it affects the business community and the residents. We are encouraged to send input to the city.
President Amy then described the city’s pilot program to track very noisy vehicles and to try to reduce the number of such vehicles. These are mostly vehicles that have been modified to have very noisy exhaust systems at such times as the driver desires. The city also has a school-zone speed camera system installed near a number of local schools. At this point, warnings are being issued, but after April 1, expensive tickets will go out to speeding drivers. Pay attention to warning signs and flashing beacons near schools in order to stay in compliance with speed requirements. The city has also begun a grant program to assist “high-risk” tenants find and keep rental housing. The money goes directly to landlords.
President Amy also gave us a brief outline of efforts to address catalytic converter thefts, especially at auto dealers. Apparently, the old cannery building is for sale – the city may purchase it. The goal is to either keep it as a community cannery, or as a mini-convention center. The city has partnered with surrounding communities to establish a regional crisis center in the Totem Lake area. Patrons would be limited to a 2-3 night stay. The Boys and Girls Club organization will take over the now-shuttered Teen Union Building this summer. They are looking to provide some mental health resources for youth in need.
The NE 85th Street project is still a go. There may be big changes at the Houghton Park and Ride – the site is being considered for a potential aquatic center.
The Kirkland Performance Center has been gifted the site of a current veterinary hospital at approximately 7th Ave. and 8th Street. The idea is to use the site as a music/theater education facility.
Scott Becker announced that there are changes under way at the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce – Samantha St. John is leaving. Scott also discussed the city’s efforts to close Park Lane to automobiles, against the wishes of the businesses on the street. The city would get grant money to make this type of change under a “Main Street” program.
There will be a number of Town Halls to gather community input on the proposed development of the city-owned site (site of the old PCC) on NE 68th Street. A five-story building is being considered.
President Amy thanked the Shinstroms for hosting the evening social event at their house last week.
There will be no meeting next week.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Aubry, Acting Scribe