The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on February 28, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
Past-president Brandon Honcoop rang the bell at 6:25 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Mike Hunter led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Monica Fratita*, Shellie Gehring*, Brandon Honcoop, Michael Hunter, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, John Storbeck, and Brian Tucker. *Attended the meeting online.
Mr. Honcoop revived a tradition of Inspirational Minutes by asking for input from attendees. There were several comments from members, including your Scribe’s remark that the sun was shining and it was 70 degrees in Northern California. Members did not sound inspired as rain came down at a record rate of 3.25 inches for the day.
Guests:
Joel Pfundt of Kirkland’s Public Works Department, our speaker this evening, ewas a guest. Doug Evanson, introduced by Dave Aubry, is a former Tukwila Rotarian checking out our Club. Upon being introduced, Mr. Evanson noted that he is in real estate, and that Monday is his favorite day of the week. He grew up on a farm in South Dakota and stated that life on a farm was an inspiration. Also present was Student of the Month Riva Gore, and her father, Mr. Gore.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Jim Meniketti, who manned the front desk.
Announcements & Club Business:
Brandon called for a few more volunteers to interview candidates for our scholarship program. Interviews will go from April into early May, with scholarship night scheduled for June 6.
Remember that Bunco at the Shinstroms is April 9. [Rotarians may register through ClubRunner.]
Monica Fratita suggested that we do a social event right after March 12, when mask mandates will be relaxed. We are looking at a beer and pizza night.
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks this evening.
Student of the Month:
Mike Hunter introduced Ms. Riva Gore, a senior at Juanita High School. In addition to being a Rotary Student of the Month, Riva is also president of her DECAS Club, where she has been able to give back to the community. At high school, she founded a club to address the stigma of menstruation, increase awareness, and to provide feminine hygiene products to female students. The state legislature is passing a bill to make such products available free to high school and junior high/middle school students. See the latest issue of The Rotarian magazine for information on this type of campaign in Uganda.
Program:
Brandon introduced our speaker for the evening, Joel Pfundt, who has been with the city of Kirkland as Transportation Division Manager since 2016. He is a graduate of Western Washington University with a degree in planning.
He gave us a detailed, informative tour of the city’s capital projects and stated that planning involves ensuring that projects fit together, both internally in Kirkland, and also mesh with projects in adjacent cities, King County, Sound Transit, and the state. More detailed information about the projects being planned or that are underway can be found on the City’s website.
A number of specific projects were discussed, including the transit project at NE 85th Street and I-405 and various other projects adjacent to I-405. He also discussed the project to carry the Cross Kirkland Corridor across the intersection at Totem Lake. This project is on hold due to the concrete truck drivers’ strike. A project to improve Juanita Drive, including the addition of bike and pedestrian accommodations, is under way.
A quick outline of Sound Transit projects that pass through Kirkland was described, including the completion by 2027 of a Bus Rapid Transit connection between Lynnwood and Burien.
Another subject discussed is the recent fashion for traffic circles or round-abouts at certain intersections. Considering that drivers are mostly unfamiliar with them, there were member concerns about traffic circle safety. Mr. Pfundt noted that there have been a number of collisions, but no fatalities. He ascribed the lack of fatalities to the fact that the traffic circles force drivers to slow down, and that traffic does not intersect at right angles as at a traditional intersection.
Due to continuing staffing issues, the Neighborhood Safety Program is on hold, and thus projects advocated by this program are also on hold.
The talk was very informative and held everyone’s interest. There were a number of questions from Rotarians, including the effectiveness of walking/biking projects. Mr. Pfundt noted that providing facilities for these activities tends to generate more of the activity.
Joker Pool:
There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
Adjournment:
Past-president Brandon rang the bell at 7:50 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry – Acting Scribe