Rotary Meeting Minutes September 18, 2017
The meeting was called to order by President Steve Shinstrom at 6:30PM. 
Your Humble Scribe, David Aubry, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Steve thanked Patty Doherty for manning the front desk and Greeting.
Visitors and Introductions:
No introductions were done, as this is the Kirkland City Council’s Candidates’ Forum, co-sponsored with the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and we had many outside guests in attendance.
Announcements:

Dave Mutal and Terry Cole reminded us about the Christmas ‘Shopping Party’ December 16, for low-income families.  Sign-up sheets were circulated for folks to wrap, cook breakfast, decorate, and be ‘personal shoppers’ with the kids.  More volunteers are needed.
Bunco in November at the Shinstroms.
Kirkland Rotary Foundation Auction October 14 at the Kirkland City Women’s Club.

Patti Smith Announced our program, with Council Candidates able to tell a bit about themselves, ask each other questions, and take questions developed at each table in the audience.
Candidates participating included:
Position 7 – Jon Pascal [Inc] & Uzma Butte
Position 5 – Amy Walen [Inc] – opponent did not attend
Position 3 – Penny Sweet [Inc] - unopposed
Position 1 – Jay Arnold [Inc] & Martin Morgan
Interesting facts that arose include the fact that almost 6000 housing units are currently in the permitting pipeline.  The challenge will be to provide infrastructure and services to all these new residents.
From the tables in the audience, questions to the candidates included:
  • What is the future of the Houghton Transfer Station – supposed to have closed by now.  Will close ‘some day’, no one knows when.
  • How to solve the ending of the sales tax rebate from the state, phasing out in 2020, that helps to make up the tax shortfall resulting from the annexation of Finn Hill, Juanita, etc. in 2010.  The gap is currently estimated at $3.4 million.
  • What about the increasing of density in the Neighborhoods and the Citizens’ resistance to same.  Current Council members seem to favor increased density in our Neighborhoods.
  • How do we balance lower-income housing and the need for more school capacity with Neighborhood needs.
  • How do we balance increased development and density with the number of cars that will bring?  Very little actual ideas from any current council member.  “We’ll have to figure it out.”  Martin Morgan was the only candidate to suggest ideas – bike-oriented development, can the City provide a shuttle service in parts of the City.  Uzma Butte suggested timing local car trips to non-peak hours.
  • What about parking?  The City has increased technology to better manage parking.  A lot has been built just south of City Hall.  Considering a parking lot under Peter Kirk Park. What about Lake & Central?  Studies show that up to 20% of downtown traffic is people looking for parking.  A system to assist drivers find empty spots would help.
    Patti Smith wound up the forum at 7:50PM by thanking all our participants.
    Rick Ostrander introduced Yukie Tokugawa, a former Club exchange student from Tokyo who stayed with the Ostranders and Tuckers.
    The meeting was adjourned at 7:57PM
Respectfully Submitted
Acting Scribe - David Aubry