SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, 7 p.m. at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Avenue South

SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, 7 p.m. at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Avenue South  98144

[This beautiful facility with free parking and a grand view of Lake Washington is just three

blocks east of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S. and one block south of S. Jackson Street]

All are welcome to explore...

Two topics:  (1) Are the Department of Planning and Development and the City Council doing enough to address problems from unregulated micro-housing?  (2) What are the public interest issues in a proposed Metropolitan Park District, and what can be done to ensure they are fully and publicly addressed?  

First on the agenda will be discussion with City officials and neighborhood leaders the current and proposed policies regarding micro-housing that, unregulated, is changing the character of Seattle’s neighborhoods.   The City Council invites comments on the legislation proposed by DPD; to view it, click here or go to http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/changestocode/micros.   

Second discussion topic is a possible Metropolitan Park District (MPD).  A committee appointed by the City Council and Mayor is considering one for Seattle’s parks, community centers, nature centers, and other Park Department facilities.   An MPD would be a new government controlled by the City Councilmembers under its own state charter, answerable to state laws and regulations but not to Seattle’s Charter, ordinances, and regulations.  It would bring additional taxing authority not requiring voter renewal.  For background, click on pro (http://seattleparksfoundation.org/metropolitan-park-district) and con (http://metropolitanparkdistrict.wordpress.com).  For the City Neighborhood Council’s letter on parks funding and a possible MPD, click here or go to http://seattle.gov/neighborhoodcouncil. 

Please join us October 22 for these important topics.  Included also is our monthly Round Robin to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects.  If you have informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net. 

7:00     Introductions / Minutes / Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10     What are the Department of Planning and Development and the City Council doing to address the problems posed by unregulated micro-housing, and is more action needed? 

8:00     What are the governance issues in a proposed Metropolitan Park District, and what can be done to ensure they are fully and publicly addressed?   

8:30     Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

9:00     Adjourn

The Seattle Community Council Federation (http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/) is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community associations.  It was founded in 1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and to help Black veterans coming back from the war.  Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire City.  Its monthly meetings are open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome.  Individual donations are also welcome, and go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer.  Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310.  For questions, contact treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.