The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on October 17, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Amy Mutal, having recovered from COVID, rang the bell at 6:25 p.m., calling the club meeting to order a bit late due to connectivity problems with the computer.
Doug Evanson led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Rich Bergdahl, Gary Cohn, David DeBois, Doug Evanson, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, and John Storbeck.
Guests:
This evening’s guests were the presenters, James Lopez and Ray Steiger from the city of Kirkland.
Greeters:
Jim Meniketti manned the front desk.
Announcements, Club Business, Committee Reports:
Dave Aubry again reminded everyone that the Kirkland Rotary Foundation Social and Auction is coming up, October 22, 5:30 p.m., at St. John’s Church at 105 State St. in Kirkland. [PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS SATURDAY, NOT SUNDAY AS ERRONEOUSLY INIDCATED AT ONE POINT.] There will be three [3] choices for entrée – Shepherds’ Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, or a vegetarian option, spinach ravioli. Dinner and wine or beer or soft drinks are only $10 per person plus one item to auction! This is a great deal and always lots of fun, plus we will make a few thousand for a good cause. As an added attraction, attendees will choose among three options for the destination of the funds raised that evening.
Dave, and also Joanne Primavera, have investigated the possibility of a work party in January at Hopelink in Kirkland. This would be similar to our pre-COVID work parties at Northwest Harvest in Kent. Stay tuned.
Dave DeBois discussed a possible new meeting venue and suggested that everyone do some investigative work. President Amy stated that the Courtyard says that we cannot lock-in Monday nights in 2023, and we will be subject to a two-week cancellation. We could, however, be provided a lock-in Thursdays. We are also looking at other formats, such as one formal meeting per month, a social event once a month, and one meeting per month at a member’s home (a potluck), all on a rotating basis. Several members have offered their homes as an option. We would then not meet one Monday per month, which we often do now due to holidays, etc. Cost is a consideration for most members. Amy reminded the membership we need to stay focused on Rotary’s motto: “Service above Self”, as we work through this transition.
District 5030 is promoting the idea of a “Hunger Strike” bowling event, perhaps with the morning club. The idea would be for members to get pledges from various sponsors to raise money for Harvest Against Hunger. It might be a good event to bring in friends, potential new members, etc. Amy is considering postponing the Nov. 21 speaker in order for our club to participate in this state-wide event.
Rich Bergdahl, as Rotary International Foundation liaison for the club, gave us a brief explanation of the Rotary International Foundation and the Paul Harris Society, outlining some of the vital work it is doing, such as the polio and malaria campaigns. He called our attention to the fact that the Gates Foundation has just committed another $1.2 billion dollars to the polio campaign that Rotary pioneered years ago. He then called Steve Shinstrom to the front of the group and presented him with his Paul Harris + 11 award. Quite an achievement!
President Amy reminded us that October 24 is World Polio Day. There will be a public event at the Gates Foundation in Seattle. Over the next three years, the Rotary International Foundation is committing $50 million per year to polio eradication. The Gates foundation will match that at two to one!
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks this evening.
Program:
We had two representatives here from the city of Kirkland to explain how the city is exploring a Transportation Benefit District, proposed to be financed by an annual $20 fee on car tabs, to accelerate the completion of the “Safer Routes to Schools” and other projects. This work would include both walk routes and bike routes. With only existing funding sources, these projects would be completed in 20-30 years. Should the city council approve the TBD and the proposed car tab fee, that horizon could be shortened to six years. The money would also pay for a dedicated two-person crew to maintain trees and landscaped medians.
Kirkland Deputy City Manager For External Affairs Jim Lopez gave a brief outline of the car tab fee and introduced long-time city employee Ray Steiger who gave a detailed presentation. The Safer Routes to School project started in 2019, but was interrupted by COVID. By last year, all safety project priorities in the neighborhoods had been identified. Meetings and events have been held to gather input from residents and other stakeholders.
Funds raised for a Transportation Benefit District can only be used for the previously identified projects. The goal is to make available an extra $1.34 million per year from the sale of city bonds that would be paid off by the $20 car tab fee. One million dollars would be dedicated to the accelerated Safer Routes project and $340,000 would go to the crew to work on trees and medians.
There will be two public hearings in November on the upcoming city budget process.
Ray also answered many questions from Rotarians. One piece of information he shared was that 2012’s streets maintenance levy has increased the “grade” of the condition of the city’s streets from 67 to 76.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry, Acting Scribe