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Showing posts sorted by date for query ronald bog. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Single-Use Plastics Ban goes into effect in Lake Forest Park January 23, 2019

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Bag Monster
Photo courtesy Ronald Bog Blog
On January 23, 2019, the city of Lake Forest Park will join its neighbors in banning plastic bags.

In 2009, the city of Edmonds, under the championship of councilmember Strom Peterson, was the first city in the state to ban plastic bags. Peterson, who is now in the state legislature, will introduce a bill in January to make the ban statewide.

Other cities banning plastic bags: Shoreline 2014; Seattle 2012; Kenmore's ban will also go into effect January 2019. The Everett City Council just approved a ban to go fully in effect September 2019. Mukilteo 2013. Kirkland 2016. Mountlake Terrace does not have a ban but they are being lobbied by an 8 year old Brownie (see article).

Over the past several years, the Lake Forest Park City Council has received requests from the community to implement a ban on plastic bags in the City. 

In May 2018, the Lake Forest Park City Council began discussing the possibility of a ban on single-use plastics. 

On September 13, 2018, following additional Council discussion, a public hearing, and feedback from the community, the City Council approved Ordinance 1181:

Restricting the Use and Sale of Single-Use Plastic Bags and Non-Compostable Food Service Containers, Straws, Lids, and Utensils in the City of Lake Forest Park

The ban goes into effect on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. To assist affected businesses (retail establishments within the city limits that provide single-use plastic bags and/or non-compostable food service containers, straws, lids, and utensils) comply with the new regulations, the City mailed information packets to businesses and a public outreach effort is currently underway.

Read a summary of the changes here. In addition to the summary, affected businesses are encouraged to read the full text of Ordinance 1181. Please review the definitions and descriptions of what is allowed and prohibited under the new legislation.

The City wants to work with business to mitigate the possibility of a hardship, and the City Council included an extension provision in the ordinance:

5.34.100 Extensions.
The Mayor, or his or her designee, may extend the deadline for a Retail Establishment to comply with the requirements of this chapter for a period of up to one year after the operative date of this chapter, upon sufficient showing by the applicant that the provisions of this chapter would cause undue hardship. This request must be submitted in writing to the City within 30 days of the effective date of this chapter.

Requests for extension need to be submitted to the City in writing by Friday, February 22, 2019.

City of Lake Forest Park
Attention: Single-Use Plastics Ban Extension Request
17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

In addition to an extension provision, the ordinance also allows for the following exceptions:
  • Non-compostable food service containers for foods prepared and packaged entirely outside of the City but sold within the City.
  • Disposable flexible plastic drinking straws when needed by customers due to medical or physical conditions and for whom flexible compostable paper straws are unsuitable. Otherwise, straws must be compostable or designed to be reusable.

If you have questions about implementation, contact JoAnne Trudel, Deputy City Clerk, 206-368-5440 or email.

Lake Forest Park residents are invited to stop by City Hall for a reusable bag (limit 2 per LFP household), while supply lasts.

More Resources:

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Meridian Park PTA is donating beans to the food drive

Friday, December 7, 2018

Attention Meridian Park neighbors! 

The Meridian Park PTA is donating canned and packaged beans to the PTA Council Holiday Food Drive.

If you would like to support them, drop off canned or packaged beans at the school office before 3pm.

The food drive ends Friday, December 14, 2018.

Meridian Park Elementary is located at the corner of Meridian Ave N and N 175th St, across from Ronald Bog.

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Shoreline city council meeting notes from Nov 26

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Shoreline City Hall Council Chamber
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Council Meeting November 26, 2018
By Pam Cross

Mayor Hall called the meeting to order. Councilmember McConnell was excused for personal business.

Report by City Manager, Debbie Tarry

Concept Design for Community and Aquatics Center Open House will be held Wednesday Nov 28, from 6:00-8:00PM at the City Hall Council Chamber

“Under our Skin” Video and Discussion of race and inclusiveness Saturday Dec 1, from 2:00-3:30pm in the Council Chamber. The focus will be on politically correct terminology, color blindness, and safe space.

Public Hearing regarding Sound Transit’s critical areas special use permit to develop a wetland mitigation site at Ronald Bog. Tuesday, Nov 27, 6:00-8:00 in the Council Chamber

The Planning Commission will meet on Thursday Nov 29 at 7:00PM in the Council Chamber. This public meeting will cover the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.

Mayor Hall and Logan Bahr, Government Relations Advocate from the Association of Washington Cities presented Cindy Ryu, Representative of the 32nd District which includes Shoreline, the AWC City Champion Award.This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of our representatives championing critical city issues. Rep. Ryu has been instrumental in the development and preservation of the Public Works Trust Fund.

There were no public comments.

Agenda
Councilmember Scully moved that *Item 7(b) be moved to an Action item. Approved.
Amended agenda approved. The Consent calendar was also approved.

*New Action Item 8(a) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Interlocal Agreement with the King County Office of Public Defense for Indigency Screening Services for 2019-2020.

Approved unanimously.

Noted by the Mayor: this was moved to an Action Item in order to correct an error in the statement of the title.

Study Items

9(a) Discussing Resolution No. 432 - Repealing Res. No. 423 in its Entirety and Adopting a New Recreation Program Refund Policy and Procedures

Staff report by Mary Reidy, Recreation Superintendent

Staff has decided to amend rather than repeal/replace the Refund Policy. Now that they have been working with the current refund policies for a year, they propose amending changes to camp registration management, allow for situational concession permit refunds, and clean up some of the definitions.

Council questions:

Councilmember Chang thinks cancellation for full refund (June 1) is awfully generous.

Response: Last year we changed from no deadline to the June deadline for Camp Shoreline. This year we are adding all the other camps. This was a big change from 3 days before the start of camp. Staff is working on payment plans and deposits and looking at moving the date to April or May.

Councilmember Roberts questions the use of June through August as the definition of a summer camp when most of the camps are weeklong. Although the intent is a camp occurring sometime between those months, the language needs to be more specific to avoid confusion.

Staff will amend and bring back on the 10th for consent.

Councilmember Scully pointed out questionable language under 8a 11, “cited as.” It would be more accurate to use “replace with a diagnosis of.” Staff will fix and bring back on the 10th for consent.

Councilmember McGlashan questioned application of prorated refunds. Per day? per class? Response: Depends on whether it is a weeklong camp (per day refund), or a class meeting once per week for a month (per class refund). . McGlashan was satisfied with the response and did not suggest any changes.

Item 9(b) Discussing 2019 State Legislative Priorities

Staff report by Jim Hammond, Intergovernmental/CMO Program Manager

Hammond has been in this position for less than a year and is pleased to be working with an excellent team of lobbyists in Olympia. They have successfully retained Kathleen Collins of Capital Strategies Consulting and her new partner Debora Munguia, both experienced lobbyists.

The role of legislative priorities is to provide clear direction to City representatives, consistent information about city priorities, and policy guidance in the dynamic legislative environment. It also allows us to identify and work with other cities that have the same issues.

The session coming up is the 105 day “long “ session where they will be setting the biennial budgets for operating, capital, and transportation. Recent elections expanded the majority, which may reduce the risk of stalemate, but we can still expect debate and deliberation that should be carefully monitored.

We can expect the Governor’s budget/policy platform in early December. There are demands that will exceed state operating revenue and different revenue options are being weighed.

State legislative priorities continue to be local government financial sustainability and flexibility, and State investments in support of affordable housing, behavioral health, and homelessness.

Condominium liability laws should be modified to allow the market to function in a better way, while still protecting the consumer. Economic development relies on maintaining a robust infrastructure plan and we need to keep the State focused on this. Culverts could be a significant issue since the State is liable for maintenance of culverts it controls. Since they are not all state controlled, we will need a collaborative effort to address the complex system of jurisdictions.

Three main projects that will be watched in order to maintain visibility for possible State funding in the capital budget are N 145th St and I-5 corridor, N 148th St bicycle/pedestrian bridge, and Fircrest surplus property development.

Council questions:

Councilmember Scully hopes condominium liability will be a top priority. Shoreline has up zoned to make buying a first home more of a possibility and thereby spur the domino effect of house buying.

He urges caution when addressing culverts. He would like to see money from the State to help Shoreline fix its culverts. However, we need to identify the most important culverts. There are organizations that have studied this and it should be addressed in the most scientific way. The State has to work with cities - not just give money to a city to fix them. The priorities need to be set statewide.

As respects Fircrest, he asks that no particular agenda be put forward, and the city not be committed to any particular type of project until Council can discuss it.

Deputy Mayor Salomon agrees with Scully’s comments regarding condo liability.

Regarding the culverts, this came about from the U.S. Supreme Court decision that part of the tribal right to fishing requires fish. As a result, we need to reverse some of the blockages because the culverts are too small for fish to return to spawn. Did the court decision require cities be a part of this solution or just the state?

Answer: it is the state. However, the State is willing to work with the counties and cities - rather than just delegate this to them, and it needs to be addressed as a whole and not piecemeal.

Councilmember Roberts agrees the State needs to develop a system wide approach to culverts. That’s the key part. Funding for the cities to fix their culverts is the second part.

Roberts shares Scully’s concern about Fircrest. He wants clarification of what written material will be provided to legislators as policy direction.

Councilmember Chang wants the 145th and I-5 intersection to be done by the State. Scully agrees. This is the State intersection. We need to push this hard. Next 148th and Fircrest is still a discussion issue.

Roberts would like to set a priority for exempting hygiene, and non-prescription medications from sales tax. Prescription medications are already exempt. This is very regressive. Scully comments that this is more of a State issue than a City issue. He agrees but feels we’re getting too broad in our list of priorities.

Mayor Hall is not sure it’s a priority as a city. We are facing the salmon issue, orcas, storm water, trees, but nothing about the environment. Should we be asking Olympia to be looking at the environment? Climate change?

Salomon stated he will work on these issue when he’s in his new job as a legislator and thinks it’s important for the city to express their concerns.

Chang asks how long of a list is too long? We need action on these items. Roberts says you want to stop at one page.

Councilmember McGlashan agrees with the condo liability issue. It should be noted that people downsize in addition to purchasing new homes. There is no place other than condos to downsize in Shoreline. This is an important issue. Is there some way to bring this closer to the top - not as a standalone, but to highlight its importance to Shoreline? Mayor Hall agrees but feels it is being emphasized on a different page.

McGlashan supports environmental and climate change directives. He also agrees with a hygiene and non-prescription medications tax exemption, but that doesn’t seem like a city issue to him. It does seem odd to him that there isn’t anything in our priorities about the environment except culverts. Something should be added.

The Mayor proposed that Staff be tasked with coming up with some proposals for environmental priorities.

This Item will be returned as an Action item, rather than Consent, for review of what Staff comes up with.

Meeting adjourned



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Ronald Bog wetland mitigation

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Motorists have been puzzling over signs near N 175th and Meridian, one across from Meridian Park Elementary and the other in Ronald Bog park along N 175th.

The signs are related to the wetland mitigation project that will be constructed by Sound Transit next year to mitigate for their proposed impacts to wetlands on the east side of I-5 that will be impacted by the Light Rail project.

Here is the link to the Critical Areas Special Use Permit Notice of Application that is posted on the signs at the park and near the impacted wetlands.

The background of the project is outlined in the Council Staff Report from the June 25, 2018, meeting when the Conservation Easement was authorized for this project. (If you get a blank page when you open this link, scroll right and left to find the document. The page is the width of the very large drawings.)

Sound Transit’s display board from the June 27 open house that includes the Ronald Bog wetland mitigation project.

Basically, City staff in multiple departments worked with Sound Transit to identify and develop a mitigation project that would meet the City’s requirement for off-site mitigation to occur within the impacted sub-basin and would meet state and federal requirements as well. Trail improvements and educational signs will also be installed with the project.



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Photo: Thanksgiving otter

Friday, November 23, 2018

Thanksgiving otter
Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Bog Watcher Martin DeGrazia spent part of Thanksgiving with one of the bog otters. The otters are so used to Martin that they swim toward him, instead of away. He had time for a brief photo session.

Freshwater river otters live in every significant body of water in the area - Ronald Bog, Twin Ponds, Echo Lake, McAleer Creek. They have been known to travel over dry land and have been seen in Kruckeberg Gardens which has no body of water nearby.

They are normally elusive, hunt in the dawn hours, and build their burrows with an underwater entrance.

DKH


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Edwin Pratt Early Learning Center construction close to completion

Tuesday, October 23, 2018


Photos by Steven H. Robinson

The Edwin Pratt Early Learning Center will soon be home to 450 of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park's youngest learners.

The 55,000 square foot facility will house the District's tuition-based preschool, Head Start and Early Childhood Education programs.



It is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date of December 2018. The architect for this project is Mahlum Architects and contractor is BNBuilders. The total estimated project cost is $35,800,000. 



The Children's Center Preschool, Head Start and Early Childhood Education programs are currently located in temporary quarters at the Shoreline Center and will move into the new Early Learning Center this winter.

The Edwin Pratt Early Learning Center is located on the site of the old Children's Center, just south of Meridian Park Elementary, across Meridian from Ronald Bog and just south of the N 175th and Meridian intersection.

It was named for Seattle civil rights pioneer Edwin Pratt because of the efforts of Shoreline 4th grader Sarah Haycock. (see previous story)

Updated 10-23-2018


 


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Wildlife: Otter at Ronald Bog

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Otter at Ronald Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia

I suspect that Martin was up very very early to get this photo as the best time to see otters is dawn.

This guy is a fresh water otter. We have them in every body of water in Shoreline - and in McAleer Creek as well. They're versatile.

They are also elusive. People who live by the lakes see them (and sadly, people who have koi ponds see them) but the occasional visitor will never know they are there.

Considering how elusive they are, this is really an extraordinary photo. Thanks to Martin for sharing!

DKH


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Shoreline Rotary packs 250 backpacks

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Shoreline Rotary packed 250 backpacks
for the Back to School Event


Members of the Shoreline Rotary Club and some of their family packed 250 backpacks for the Shoreline School District Back to School event. The club also raised funds to purchase needed supplies.

The Shoreline Rotary brings together community leaders who work to improve Shoreline and communities around the world and are only one of the 33,000 clubs around the world. Their motto is "Service Above Self".

Besides Back to School support, other projects include Students of the Month from King's and Shorewood High School, scholarships for graduating seniors, the arboretum at Ronald Bog Park, Shoreline Historical Museum, Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council, The Dale Turner YMCA as well as international projects for clean water, health concerns, sanitation and school construction.

The Shoreline Rotary are always looking for new members. The Shoreline Rotary meets every Wednesday morning starting at 7am at the student union building of Shoreline Community College. For more information please check out their website.



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Op-Ed: Shoreline City Council should represent the citizens, not developers

Monday, July 30, 2018

Cedar, Madrone, Fir, Hemlock, Spruce, Big-Leaf Maple, Birch
Will we care when they are gone?


Cynthia Knox is an artist, a neighborhood leader, and the creator and organizer of the SummerSet Arts Festival which ran for five years at Ronald Bog.

By Cynthia Knox

This Monday, at July 30th's Shoreline Council Meeting there is an agenda item regarding tree retention policy for developers in the MUR70 zones. As a resident of this city and one of your constituents, I request that Shoreline City Council Members represent me, a Shoreline citizen, and my future and my descendent's futures over developer's wishes/demands.

Trees are being cut down at a rapid rate all over Shoreline and the current replacement policies/fines are insufficient to keep this city a "Tree City" and retain our valuable tree canopy.

Do not be fooled by the statistic quoted by city staff regarding what seems like a small impact on the tree canopy with the current amendment. This amendment is a portent of more amendments like this to come.

Every amendment that allows loopholes for trees to be decimated is a downhill slide to making our city look and feel more like other urban centers. Do you notice how much cooler it is up here in Shoreline than Seattle? To keep it that way we must keep the trees.

City Council Members, I ask you to consider the following when representing RESIDENTS of Shoreline.

1. That building density with lack of trees (if builders get to buy their way out of saving trees), will lead to creating HEAT ISLANDS in our city. (Please note that the Aurora Corridor is already one) .

2. The Planning Commission is populated with people in professions that are tangential to, and profit from developers - they are not neutral in their viewpoints.

3. Shoreline does not have to bend over backwards to entice developers to do business here. We are the next city up from Seattle. If Seattle area is expanding, the expansion is definitely coming up here. Now is the time to set the standards for how we want this city to be for the near and far future. Do we want to be "green" in name only? OR in practice as well?

4. Would the fees paid for each tree (for fee-in-lieu) be commensurate with what a tree is really worth? My guess is that the price is too low if a developer doesn't think twice about paying the fee. I ask that Council Members and City Staff do more research into how much a 25/50/100 year old tree is worth when it comes to the value it provides to humans and animals - not how much one can purchase one for at a nursery. Clean air is priceless for people like myself who have asthma. FYI, the numbers of people in the USA suffering from asthma are going up rapidly each year!

5. As a way of mitigating the problem of heat islands and lack of air purification from lack of trees/plants, I request that ordinances/laws be put in effect to make developers, and then the building owners plant AND maintain greenery on the sides (actual walls) and tops of the large buildings. This will require new requirements for architectural plans, and large fines for building owners who do not comply . Now is our chance to keep Shoreline green. If we do not stand up for this now, we cannot get it back.

6. The notion of "affordable" housing in Shoreline is a joke. Many college graduates are making $15 an hour which makes paying even a $750/month rent a stretch. Please look around and see what $750 buys in rent in Shoreline? To pay a higher rent means they then start having to choose between paying their student loans OR rent. There is no way either non-educated or educated people can get ahead in this housing market. If developers are selling the Council the idea that they can cut down trees and not plant any TRULY equivalent trees/plants while experiencing no significant consequences as a way of being able to create "affordable housing" next to the Light Link Rail Transit Center, please do your research as to how true that actually is? Perhaps the City can give developers other environmental incentives - like how the rain garden program works for residents?

7. Our air and the health of our underground natural infrastructure (soil, roots, fungi, ground water/streams, etc.) is dependent on how well we preserve and care for our trees and plants. Please do not lose sight of this?!

Shoreline Council and City Staff, thanks for considering. You are our representatives. Please act in our interests.


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Shoreline Walks on Saturday - Meridian Park and Ronald Bog Arboretum

Friday, July 27, 2018

Ronald Bog
Photo by Frank Kleyn

Shoreline Walk this Saturday: Meridian Park / Conifer Arboretum Walk

Join walk leader Dan this Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10:00am for a morning walk through the Meridian Park Neighborhood including the Pacific Northwest Conifer Arboretum at Ronald Bog. See the upper reaches of Thornton Creek and the "Retyred" artwork at the Transfer Station.

Walk starts at the Meridian Park baseball fields parking lot located at 16766 Wallingford Ave N, Shoreline. Walk is about 2.7 miles and 1.5hrs long and is rated Moderate.

The free group walk is part of the City of Shoreline’s “Shoreline Walks” community walking program helping Shoreline adults stay active, meet new people (or connect with old friends) and feel safer and more confident exploring our city by foot.

No need to sign up, just show up with your walking shoes! For more information on Shoreline Walks, visit the website or call Recreation Specialist Marianne Johnson at 206-801-2638.



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Parks / Tree board to tour environmental restoration areas - public welcome

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Shelter at Ronald Bog
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services/Tree Board Special Meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2018, 6-9pm starting and ending at Shoreline City Hall Room 104, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline, 98133 for an Annual Tour of Parks and Facilities.

The Board will convene in room 104 of City Hall for a brief business meeting followed by a tour of environmental restoration areas in Shoreline.

The public is welcome. Please RSVP for the tour at 206-801-2602.

Agenda Items
  • Public Art Portable Works Collection approval of purchase 
  • Tree Canopy Assessment report 
  • Tour of environmental restoration areas in Shoreline 
Contact Us at Parkboard@shorelinewa.gov

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services/Tree Board, or PRCS/Tree Board, advises the City Council and City staff on a variety of parks and recreation issues including plans and policies, park operation and design, recreation program activities, public art, property acquisition, development of rules and regulations and public tree maintenance including trees in parks and public rights-of-way.

Learn more about public and private tree regulations in Shoreline

The PRCS/Tree Board meets the 4th Thursday of every month, January through October, and the first Thursday in December. Public comment is received at the beginning of each meeting.

Agenda: July 26, 2018 Agenda Packet



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6th Annual State of the City highlights year's accomplishments

Monday, June 25, 2018

Attendees gather in the lobby for conversation
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

On June 7, 2018 the City of Shoreline held its annual State of the City Breakfast at City Hall.

Hosted by Mayor Will Hall, the program reviewed accomplishments and looked to the future. Police Chief Shawn Ledford discussed public safety and the new police station. Dan Eernissee, on his last day with the City before going to Everett, reviewed the major economic developments.

Mayor Will Hall addresses the gathering
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Past year's accomplishments touted by the City:

Economic Base:
  • Implemented the 10 Year Financial Sustainability Strategy by engaging businesses, resulting in adoption of a Business and Occupation tax.
  • Issued over 2,000 permits with $120 million in construction valuation and investments.
  • Completed an interlocal agreement to accelerate review, issuance, and inspection of the Shoreline School District's new and updated school facilities.
Word Cloud exercise: What do you love about Shoreline?
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Infrastructure:
  • Received $412,859 in grant funding for utility, transportation, and environmental infrastructure improvements,
  • Adopted the 1072-2022 Parks Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan including an Aquatics and Community Center Feasibility Study.
  • Appointed a Sidewalk Citizen Advisory Committee who completed a year-long process to review and submit a prioritized sidewalk plan and funding recommendations to Council.
  • Repaired and replaced over 750 feet of failing surface water pipes and 34 failing catch basins.
  • Adopted Deep Green Building incentive regulations.
  • Completed capital projects including turf replacement at Twin Ponds, regional trail and wayfinding signage, Echo Lake Safe Routes to School, and installation of 4.2 miles of bike lanes.
Word Cloud exercise: what do you think will be the most important
issue in the near future for Shoreline?
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Mass Transit:
  • Partnered with Sound Transit to conduct the 60% Design Open House for Lynnwood Link light rail.
  • Negotiated with Sound Transit for a high quality wetland mitigation project at Ronald Bog Park.
  • Completed the 148th Street Non-Motorized Bridge and Trail Along the Rail feasibility studies.
Inclusion:
  • All City staff attended a racial equity foundational training.
  • Sponsored several Culture Share events and supported the Bosniak community with a mosque open house and iftar.
  • Held an immigration information forum in Spanish.
  • Sponsored a refugee resettlement panel event.
Safe Community:
  • Held 76 crime prevention and community safety neighborhood meetings.
  • Completed a Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) review of Darnell Park in response to resident concerns.
  • Supported over 75 National Night Out block parties; the most ever registered in Shoreline.
  • Conducted four civilian response to active shooter events trainings.
Police calls have increased steadily
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Chief Shawn Ledford showed how the service calls for police have increased every year. He showed slides of the new police station and the K9 officer and dog who will soon be on duty.

A member of the sidewalk advisory committee discussed their work and findings.



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Photo: Bog Beaver

Friday, June 15, 2018

Photo by Martin De Grazia


This is a very good shot of a North American Beaver who lives at Ronald Bog. They are primarily nocturnal, which is why it is challenging to get photos of them. There have been beavers at Ronald Bog and Twin Ponds for decades.

Generally they live peacefully with their human neighbors. Because their teeth never stop growing, they have a constant need to gnaw on wood, whether they need to build a dam or not.

That has created problems with the native plant gardeners who have worked long hours on cleaning up the vegetation around Ronald Bog. The beavers chewed down all the new saplings.

Finally the volunteers and parks staff built fences around the trees.


DKH



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Photo: Geese at Ronald Bog

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Geese at Ronald Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia

It's that time of year. Cuteness abounds at every body of water in the area. Soak it up - good for your blood pressure.

DKH



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Meridian Park Neighborhood Association seeks additional board members

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Ronald Bog

Meridian Park residents, are you curious about your neighborhood?

Did you know:
  • Your neighborhood is the newest in Shoreline? It was not designated as an official neighborhood until 1995 when Shoreline became a city. The boundaries are Highway 99 to I-5, and N 160th St to N185th St.
  • Your neighborhood is steeped in history? But how could that be, given the first fact? The significance of the area goes back before settlers arrived when wetlands between Cromwell Park and Ronald Bog provided cranberries for native Duwamish families to harvest.
  • Your neighborhood has more parks within its boundaries than any other neighborhood in Shoreline? There are 5, ranging in size from Ronald Bog at 13.6 acres to Darnell Park at less than an acre.
  • You have an active Neighborhood Association? Meridian Park Neighborhood Association hosts monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of the month at Shoreline City Hall (in your neighborhood, too). Meetings are informative and engaging, a great way to find out what is happening in Meridian Park, and in the City. This is also an opportunity to get to know your neighbors.
In addition, if you have great ideas to implement with the MPNA team, and/or generally want to be of service in Meridian Park Neighborhood, visit this webpage and apply to become a candidate for the Board of Directors.

All are welcome. Applications are due by May 10, and elections will be held at the May 15th meeting. If you have questions regarding the application or Board responsibilities, please contact us by calling Cynthia Knox at 206-218-3302 or emailing us.

We can tell you that getting involved in our neighborhood is both rewarding and fun! Meridian Park Neighborhood Association does not discriminate based on age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic origin, religious beliefs, marital status, size, or physical ability.

Upcoming meetings:

Hear from Shoreline City Staff on May 15 about the future of Meridian Park; residential and business construction/development, traffic, parks, schools, the 185th St. project, and more.

Learn laws and tips on June 18 on how to get your neighbors together, close off your block to traffic and have a memorable party on National Night Out this summer.

To see archived videos of past MPNA meetings, visit our website. We hope you will join us at an upcoming meeting so you can get to know us. We look forward to getting to know you!



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Shoreline Parks / Tree board to discuss Ronald Bog easement

Sunday, April 22, 2018


Regular meeting Thursday, April 26, 2018, 7:00 - 9:00pm
City Hall Room 303


The Parks Board will discuss the Ronald Bog Park Wetland Easement and the Park Concept Design Study at their meeting on Thursday.

Wetland easement background - documents here
In February and April of 2017 the PRCS/Tree Board provided input and concurred with the staff recommendation to allow Sound Transit proposal to the create new wetland and wetland buffer in Ronald Bog Park as mitigation for unavoidable wetland impacts within the same Thornton Creek sub-basin for construction of the Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension (LLE) Project

Park Concept Design background - documents here, start with p. 18
Shoreline’s 2017-2023 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan lays the groundwork for parks, recreation and cultural services for many years to come.

PROS Plan Strategic Action Initiative #3: Expand Recreation Facility Opportunities establishes a goal of providing new park amenities by 2023. In addition, the six-year Capital Improvement Plan (PROS Plan Table 6.5) prioritizes a list of parks for improvements by 2023.

The Parks Concept Design Project is intended to engage the community in creating a more detailed design for selected parks in order to facilitate developing a funding plan for implementation of park improvement.



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Insurance Commissioner: Flood insurance

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park 2011
From the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Homeowner and commercial insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage.

If your property is located in a flood-prone area (a "Special Flood Hazard Area"), your lender will likely require you to have flood insurance.

Even if you live in a minimal or moderate flood hazard area, you may still want to buy flood insurance.

Flood insurance is widely available through FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 

You can check your flood risk by contacting your local insurance agent.

There are, however, limits to federal flood insurance. For commercial structures, for example, the NFIP maximum is $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for the contents. Even small businesses may need supplemental coverage.

National Flood Insurance Program policies go into effect 30 days after the policy is written, unless the policy is required to qualify for a mortgage.

Surplus line policies typically don't have a waiting period.

Ronald Bog about to overflow its banks
Photo by Janet Way
If you have a flood:
  • Don't attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
  • Check for structural damage before re-entering your home or business. Flood-damaged buildings can collapse. Be cautious about gas leaks or energized wiring in flooded basements.
  • If you have damage, call your insurer or agent.
  • Take photos or video. Make a list of lost or damaged items.
  • Even if you didn't have flood insurance, you may qualify for some federal emergency grants or loans.
  • Talk to your insurer before making permanent repairs or disposing of damaged property.
  • Save receipts from any mitigation efforts (sandbags, pumps, etc.) for possible insurer reimbursement.
  • If you have to move, make sure your insurer or agent has a way to reach you.
  • Save receipts for temporary repairs, temporary housing, food, etc.

Other information:



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Bog Dweller: Goslings on the Bog

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

It's just a little too early for goslings - this family is from last year. But spring is coming and new babies with it.

Bog Dweller Martin De Grazia captured this charming photo of a family of Canadian Geese escorting their goslings around Ronald Bog in central Shoreline (N 175th and Meridian).



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Photo: Denizens of Ronald Bog

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

This moment of cuteness is brought to you by Bog dweller Martin DeGrazia, who knows all the denizens of Ronald Bog on a first name basis. I think this little one is flirting with him - note the saucy angle of the head.
DKH



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Photo: Blue Heron at The Bog

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Blue heron at The Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia

Martin De Grazia takes wonderful wildlife photos at The Ronald Bog - I need to publish more of them. this is one he took in 2012 of a Blue Heron in the shallow waters.

DKH


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