Trees, Sound Transit in the CID
Meeting Notes from June 3, 2025
Zoom Council meeting - 20 attendees on zoom, 6 in room
Presentation by Bria Blitch, of Trees for Neighborhoods
Neighbors whose property abuts the Chief Sealth Trails can apply for up to 3 trees for free June 2 -30. Other Neighbors can apply July 1 - 30. They need to attend a planting seminar, but will be given help and support, including appropriate tree selection for their space, mulching, watering and pruning help
For information: treesforneighborhoods@seattle.gov , for general tree questions, treesforseattle@seattle.gov
Presentation by Rachta Danh of Puget Sound Sage regarding of siting of light rail station in CID
There are 3 different options for light rail station in the CID:
4th Avenue
5th Avenue
North and South stations
He discussed these options and is willing to give anyone a tour who might be interested. At this point, community is backing the North South option and they are requesting support.
Board Meeting began 7:25
Present: Maria Batayola, Amy Kaminishi, Kalia Carter, Adam Vance, Whit Bouton, Joseph Ruiz, Scott Haddelsey, Gerry Chambers
Discussion of Creating working groups and trying to streamline communications
Discussion of ways to work with the police that we are all comfortable with. The decision was to have the police come to the meetings quarterly, and limit their time.
Simon noted that a group of activists on North Beacon Hill are doing bystander training for ICE
Discussion about how much we will interact with the police. Agreed with quarterly meetings, with Scott, Amy and Gerry attending SPAC meetings. Majority pass, 1 abstention -
Diversity - stay in place initiative, housing - Maria, Adam and Kalia
Healthy - Aviation asking for King County to develop a plan. Have formed a group with Duwamish River Community Coalition, Climate Solutions, Defenders of Highline Forest - Scott volunteers
Clean Home Energy - We have a technical assistance grant have for a year, looking at the impact of trees on the cost of housing, gentrification, and how trees cool the area. The contractor said they are not supposed to do climate related activities, so they are looking at the effect of trees on the price of houses. They are trying to focus on outreach with emphasis on Asians. Application for heat pumps is 100 pages long, so need help to facilitate that.
Cooling centers - there are 12 cooling centers on Beacon Hill, including Jefferson Park Community Center, Beacon Hill Library, Bethany United Church of Christ, Holly Park
Outreach - Beacon Arts Fair June 14. There was a motion from Adam for $100 for budget for Pride event at Beacon Arts Fair. Seconded by Whit, approved unanimously. Gerry will be there from 10:30 to at least 4 PM, others are welcome. Scott volunteered to try to create a table runner and Whit and Adam will help with setup.
June 2025 Bank Balance: $7,285.97
Meeting adjourned 8:50 PM