The Rotary Club of Kirkland held an in-person meeting on October 2, 2023 at the Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community in Kirkland’s Totem Lake. Members gathered beforehand to socialize and enjoy refreshments. Some members attended via Zoom.
John Storbeck greeted members and collected money for the meal.
President Gary Cohn, called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m.
Jim Meniketti led us in the pledge.
Attending were David Aubry, Bob Auslander*, Scott Becker, Michelle Cazeau*, Gary Cohn, David DeBois, Don Dicks*, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Margie Glenn*, Isabelle Kalisa*, Kate Koslowski, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, Peter Peaquin, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter. *Attended via Zoom.
Guests:
The club’s guest was the speaker, Sheila Cloney, a consultant and former city of Kirkland employee, introduced by Scott Becker.
Announcements:
President Gary presented Dave DeBois with a Rotary Certificate of Distinguished Service, to be framed later, and a $500 gift card at Gregg’s Cycle on Kirkland Ave., in recognition and gratitutde for his outstanding efforts to get the new rummage sale fundraiser going.
David Aubry reminded us that the Kirkland Rotary Foundation Auction & Gala will be October 9 at 5:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland, on State Street. We need items to auction, both silent and live. Dinner with wine or beer is $15 per person! He also announced that the city of Kirkland will finally cut the ribbon on our club’s latest Legacy Project, the Kirkland Rotary Central Station at Kirkland Ave. and Railroad Ave. This COVID-delayed event will occur between noon and 12:50 p.m. on October 6 at the station’s Pavilion.
President Gary thanked the past presidents who will substitute for him when he flees the wet and cold northwest for the sunny skies of Arizona in November, leaving his fellow Rotarians to drown or freeze or both. He also reminded everyone that District Conference is approaching, and will be held at the magnificent Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C.
Service Committees:
Youth Services is moving ahead with student of the month applications which are now available online; International Service has chosen some projects, and the members are looking at a couple more. Community Service members met with the counselor at John Muir Elementary and are moving ahead with warm coats, Thanksgiving baskets, and holiday gift shopping and wrapping.
Doug Evanson, chair of Club Service, is working with Amy Mutal on the organization of another Rotary Sweethearts Valentine’s Day Dinner, on Valentine’s Day, and the possibility of a very nice dinner at Heritage Hall in Kirkland. Members discussed how to make the event “singles-friendly” so everyone feels more included.
Gary reminded everyone that the Program Committee is in need of a additional members to participate with the committee. Without adequate support for the committee, the quality of programs declines.
Happy Bucks:
Rick Walter conducted a round of Happy Bucks. A number of Rotarians were happy and generous.
Program:
Our speaker, Sheila Cloney, talked to us about the ongoing saga of Park Lane and the desire of the businesses there to keep it open to vehicle traffic, and the apparent desire of the city government to close the street and convert it to a pedestrian-only area and, essentially, a small park.
The city has experimented with Sunday closures during summer. A survey of Park Lane merchants revealed unanimous support for leaving the area as is, plus 2,000 people signed a position against closure. The city backed off on the proposal, but said the issue was not dead and will be revisited. An local improvement district (LID) is being explored by the city. Apparently, during the previous experiment with Sunday closure, parents would take up a lot of the restaurants’ outside tables while their kids played, and would order just a glass of wine or a beer. This meant a diminution of revenue for the café or restaurant. Many of the business and property owners have personally guaranteed their business leases and loans, so if the business fails, they are still indebted.
Ms. Cloney recounted the different experiences of Edmonds, where the city closed Main Street, claiming a survey showed support for the closure, and Bothell. The Edmonds merchants revolted and demanded a new survey, which resulted in reopening of the street. Bothell businesses supported the closure due to heavy bus traffic, AND the shops’ ability to have entrances in the backs of their buildings that provided access to ample parking.
There were a number of questions and comments: the presence of cars parked catalyzes additional auto and foot traffic; the age and size of the current buildings mitigates against economic viability; studies have shown that street closures do not work as far as business survival is concerned.
President Gary announced that our speakers Oct. 16 will talk about Kirkland’s Prop. 1 ballot measure.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Aubry, Acting Scribe