By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

In the fourth of this week’s four community-coalition meetings in West Seattle – the Alki Community Council‘s meeting last night – the biggest news came from an attendee, toward the end.

(WSB photo, December)

Harbor Avenue resident Steve Pumphrey, a leader of the neighborhood group that’s been advocating for safety improvements and other changes in east Alki, told ACC leaders and attendees that SDOT has told him work on one will start soon – removing the Duwamish Head angled-parking zone (above). District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka got $175,000 for the change included in this year’s budget. Pumphrey read from email sent by SDOT staffer Bill LaBorde, saying design is under way, to be followed by outreach and “work-order writing,” and construction (which SDOT says “includes grinding angled parking stalls, installing barrier, updated channelization and signs”) likely in May/June: “We will do our best to implement the conversion as soon as possible but there are several variables, including weather and emergencies that can impact crew schedules between now spring; design variables include time to construct, sign production and procurement of materials. However, the project is definitely underway and appears to be straightforward enough that it should be relatively fast to design and deliver.” Pumphrey explained to attendees that the angled parking is “like bleachers” for spectators when racing and other driving stunts are happening on the street. He also advised that to get city leaders to respond and take action, “you have to stay on them.”

Here’s what else happened at the meeting facilitated by ACC president Charlotte Starck, with more than two dozen attendees in-person at Alki UCC and online.

POLICE/CRIME/SAFETY: Officer German Barreto and crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite were in attendance online. Barreto noted that the precinct has two new officers (as noted at two other community meetings this week), working third watch (late night). Will that enable patroling Alki as needed? Starck wondered. “If there’s a hot spot there, they’ll send officers to patrol,” he said. A representative from an area building lauded Satterwhite for “being amazing” and “responsive” in two visits to the building. Satterwhite also brought stats – first the precinct as a whole ended the year with an 8 percent decrease in crime: “That’s 300 fewer incidents of crime.” Motor-vehicle thefts were down 30 percent – after a historically higher 2023. What do you attribute that to? asked Starck. A big 2024 emphasis in trying to prevent auto theft is probably at least partly to thank. Alki stats: For the year, 21 percent crime decrease – 1 homicide, compared to 2 in 2023 – auto theft was down (38 percent decrease – 52 incidents, compared to 84 in 2023).

2025 OVERVIEW: Starck said, “We’re super excited about the momentum we have with more and more people coming into the Alki Community Council,” especially because of events such as Alki Trick or Treat and Alki Holiday Lights. “The goal is to keep our momentum going – we’re seeing a lot of interest in young families” among others. How much time can you give? What skillset can you contribute? She mentioned the ACC’s long-running Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza maintenance acountabilities – not the bricks but cleaning the benches, ensuring the statue’s light stays lit, etc. Starck mentioned David Hutchinson‘s “unsung hero” contributions. Safety is ACC’s first priority, then connecting people, with the recent natural disasters around the country reminding Starck of the importance. “We’re in this place where I think social connection is valuable and needed.”

BOARD: Springboarding off the volunteering discussion, Starck talked about roles they’d like to have people fill, such as a safety chair – a role Starck has been bridging, talking with city officials, precinct police, etc. “This is an amazing neighborhood. it’s worth fighting for,” she said, and that includes communication between neighbors. While acknowsledging “the president is the spokesperson for the organization,” Starck said, “I just need help. … We just need the voice in front of city leadership,” in addition to individual neighborhood and building reps who’ve been advocating too.” A volunteer to take over the business committee also spoke up, as well as a potential volunteer to take over from longtime treasurer Kathy Olson. Starck hopes the board will expand so that it increases sustainability.

EXPENSES: So what does money have to be spent on, to run and grow the ACC? One example Starck detailed – efforts to raise the ACC’s profile, with big standup banners, featuring a QR code, which has helped increase their newsletter subscriptions, among other things, about 350, up from 80. They’re paying for web hosting. There’s a budget for “special events” too. Where does the money come from? asked one attendee. Paid memberships (which start at $10) and donations, said Starck – noting that other local neighborhood groups are also trying to figure out how to cover rising expenses (they add up – even at seemingly low rates for a do-it-yourself website, a meeting room, etc.). Volunteering is of major value, added operations chair Kevin Kramer. A discussion ensued, with various attendees speaking up about skills they might lend to the effort.

BYLAWS: They’re being revised after almost 20 years – Kramer noted they even mention “things that are no longer in the neighborhood.” The ACC will vote on new proposed bylaws once they’re drafted.

ALKI HOLIDAY LIGHTS: The eventt aligned with the Christmas Ship’s Alki visit was organized at the last minute but “it was great!” enthused Starck. Wyatt Carlock, who organized it, gave a recap with Kramer, who assisted: They brought lights, Christmas gear, swag to give away; businesses were excited about all the customers it brought in – the Log House Museum had hundreds of visitors, Fire Tacos ran out of 15 gallons of hot chocolate, Argosy Cruises gave ACC a shoutout, people were asking about opening up the Bathhouse in future years (but that might take away from the businesses, Kramer observed). So for next December – more lights, more publicity, more everything, said Carlock. How about putting Christmas lights on the business sponsors’ buildings? suggested one attendees. “Wherever there is a roof, fence, something with a line, I see an opportunity for lights!” he enthused.

Before the meeting ended, more from attendees:

(June photo by Don Brubeck)

ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET: An Alki Point resident spoke about the Healthy Street and the recently released SDOT survey results. “The report was much the way we as neighbors expected it to be, reinforced our observations that the street has experienced an increase by walkers, bike riders, and car drivers, and there’s plenty of parking at all times. He cited that 71 percent of users felt safe in the “new lane,” and that more than half the respondents said it makes them more likely to use Alki Point. He mentioned the new plans for safety improvements at the 63rd/Beach Drive crossing, and the reason for the city’s delay in extending the walking/biking/rolling lane in the last block, because of the forthcoming work on the pump station at the south end, which will include a trench to be dug 63rd to 64th, this summer, George said. He says they believe the work will start this spring.

ANOTHER TROUBLE SPOT: An attendee said there’s been so much racing on 63rd, he wants the city to put in speed cushions, and needs to know how to advocate for them. Pumphrey offered to provide advice.

NEXT MEETING: The ACC meets third Thursdays most months, 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) and online, so next month that’ll be February 20.

”

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Admiral neighbors met on Tuesday night for a general gathering of the Admiral Neighborhood Association to hear from special guests, discuss community issues and get a preview of events for 2025. The meeting was facilitated by president Joanie Jacobs, at Admiral Church. 

After approval of meeting minutes and opening business, the agenda kicked off with an update from SPD Officer German Barreto, representing the Southwest Precinct: 

Barreto shared some crime trends for Admiral, for the prior calendar year: Decreases in motor vehicle theft, sexual crime offenses, and robberies, and increases in aggravated assaults, burglaries and theft. Barreto said that he didn’t have isolated data available for just the past month (which he often does have), but that SW Precinct staff are working hard on the key areas of concern. He then took questions from attendees:

•  Q: What about the issue of copper wire theft? While doing neighborhood cleanups under the West Seattle Bridge, it’s clear that thieves are doing wire-stripping in that area to prepare the wire for sale, and it’s frustrating because they wouldn’t bother doing this if there wasn’t financial incentive (namely, being able to take it to West Seattle Recycling).  A, from Barreto: Others have also mentioned that, including neighbors from Pigeon Point. But the reality is that for us to be able to do anything about it, we have to catch them in the act. We are short-staffed, and usually by the time we’re able to respond, the thief is gone. Follow-up Q: Isn’t there more that can be done when the theft causes local utilities (such as internet service) to go down? A: It would be up to the company (such as Comcast, or other provider) to call it in as a 911 theft call, but yes, that would potentially be a way to handle it. 
• Q: For unhoused people living outside – what can we do? If people are somewhere they aren’t supposed to be, sometimes they will move if asked, but is it appropriate for that to be a 911 call? A from Barreto: Yes, if there is a crime occurring such as open drug use.  If you feel like you’re not getting the response that you want when you use 911 services, ask to speak to a supervisor, and (Barreto put major emphasis on this) be sure to make note of the case number (aka event number) that you’re given during the call. You can also follow up afterward via e-mail to care_info@seattle.gov or directly to him at german.barreto@seattle.gov, and provide the case number, and they’ll try to look more deeply into the issue.  Barreto added that when you call 911, you also have the option of having an officer call you back.

Next on the agenda was Joe Everett, board president of West Seattle Food Bank, which was also accepting donations onsite on the night of the meeting: 

Everett is a native of the Pacific Northwest and has lived in West Seattle with his family since 2013, and had been vice president of the board for West Seattle Helpline when it merged with the Food Bank in 2020.  

He said that the food bank’s goal is to “meet people where they’re at” and to be a positive force for neighbors helping each other. “We run off of community support,” he said, with a holistic approach that involves food, clothing and financial assistance. 

Everett provided some statistics, but emphasized that “behind all of these numbers are real people that we’re helping:”

• Food: Last year the food bank provided more than 2 million pounds of food to 25,000 individuals, and was able to help target issues with “food deserts” in areas like High Point and Delridge.  Everett said they try to innovate and provide access to everyone, with 8 mobile-food-bank sites, 400 households that receive home delivery, and assistance for the homeless and disabled.  The group also partnered with 13 schools to provide 9,000 “weekend packs” of food for families who need extra support when school isn’t in session. He said the group takes donations at their main site at 3419 SW Morgan St. on Monday-Friday from 9 am-3 pm (until 7 pm on Wednesdays) or by appointment, and donors can also find a list of non-perishable donation sites (such as grocery stores) on the food bank’s website. 
• Clothing: The group distributed 84,000 clothing items last year, including about 500 items per day when the Clothesline facility is open. The goal is to not only provide clothes to help people stay dry and warm, but also to provide quality clothes to support things like job interviews.  The Clothesline is located at 4425 41^st Ave SW and is open Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am-1 pm, or people can drop items off at the main food bank location. Everett said that during winter, unsurprisingly, gathering warm coats is a big priority. 
• Rent and utility assistance: This is part of the WS Helpline effort, providing $1 million annually to help provide help and stability for families in the form of rent, utilities and preventing eviciions. Everett said that statistics show that preventing homelessness is much more efficient than trying to help people reverse course after they’re already homeless.

Everett said the group is seeing an increase in need, in recent years, such as a 65% increase in demand for food, and that state statistics show that 1 in 4 households rely on food assistance.  How can the community help, and do the most good? Everett said that in the new year, their primary goal is to get financial donations (typically via their website or via mail), but that of course they’ll accept physical food donations as well. 

The group’s annual gala and primary fundraiser (called “Nourish and Flourish,” formerly “Instruments of Change”) will be May 3rd, and Everett said they need sponsors and auction donations. He encouraged ANA and other neighborhood groups to consider sponsoring tables and challenging each other to make donations. 

Everett then took questions from attendees:

• Q: Do you take donations of household goods?  A from Everett: We mostly take food, clothing and financial donations. We do have a pet corner, for pet food and supplies. If you have items that you think families may really need, you can bring them in to see if we can take them, or give us a call.  Follow-up question: What about children’s books?  A: Generally speaking, items for kids and pets could be of interest, particularly at the Clothesline facility.
• Q: Do you get assistance from grocery stores? A: Absolutely, we have great relationships with the grocery stores in West Seattle, and with community partners like Nucor. We are so lucky to live in such a generous community. Even during the pandemic, we were pleased and astonished which how much donations increased. 
• Q: Is it true that giving you money is most helpful because you can purchase in bulk and get discounts? A: Yes, definitely, this has been carried over from our longtime executive director Fran Yeatts, who did strategic food pricing and helped stretch every dollar.  We still welcome physical donations, of course. For finanical gifts, there are ways to sign up for recurring donations to us, and we really like those because it helps us with planning.
• Q: What can a small business do to support the food bank? I don’t have space for a big food bin, at my business, but a small container for cash and sign on my counter could help. Everett said that business can feel free to collect donations however they’d like, but encouraged them to reach out to development director Robbin Peterson, who helps lots of businesses with doing that.

Next on the agenda was ANA business such as the treasurer’s report, followed by introductions of the group’s leaders for 2025:

• President: Joanie Jacobs
• Vice President: Cheryl Lea
• Secretary: Meagan Loftin
• Treasurer: Bridgett Markille
• At Large: Phil Frick
• ​Communications: Dan Jacobs
• Placemaking: Ryan Crompton
• Fundraising and Programming: Mike Adams

Jacobs offered special thanks to the community for its support during the year. This was followed by an overview of ANA’s 2025 calendar of events (and brief remarks about each event), which includes:

• Saturday, May 17th: Adopt-A-Street Cleanup, same day as One Seattle Day of Service cleanup.  
• Friday, July 4th Kids Parade in North Admiral. The group is still looking for a volunteer coordinator for this popular annual event. Please reach out to ANA if you’re interested!
• AMP concert series. These will be held on three consecutive Thursday evenings in July. They were a big hit last year, and although the format of “rotating locations” as opposed to having all of the concerts at Hiawatha was initially a concern, the group said it turned out to be “a blessing in disguise” because it helped raise visibility for area park like Belvedere and California Place that many neighbors weren’t familiar with.  
  • July 17th: Belvedere Park
  • July 24th: California Place Park
  • July 31st: Hamilton Viewpoint Park 
• Saturday, August 23rd: Admiral Block Party.  Was bigger last year than the year before, and keeps growing.
• Friday, October 24th: Admiral Business Trick or Treating.  The addition of having crossing guards was very popular last year.
• Saturday, December 13th: Winter Wonderland  Very successful last year, with plans to keep growing.

Dan Jacobs then discussed ANA’s efforts to increase membership, which are described on their Become a Member web page. There are various tiers of membership for households and for businesses, and Jacobs encouraged attendees to promote the benefits of membership to neighbors they meet.  Because all ANA leaders are volunteers, every dollar of membership fees goes toward funding ANA’s activities. 

Joanie Jacobs then reminded attendees that ANA will bestow a 2025 neighborhood service award in honor of WSB co-founder Patrick Sand. She said that the criteria for choosing the winner is still being finalized, and that the group is looking for help with identifying great candidates: If you’d like to help, please contact info@connecttoadmiral.org.  Jacobs said that the winner will likely be announced and presented at one of the AMP concerts or at the Admiral Block Party. 

Then, attendee Cindi Barker, known for her work with West Seattle’s emergency communication hubs, gave a plug for that organization’s work in helping neighbors prepare for a natural disaster response in the region. She volunteered to speak with the ANA group at a future meeting regarding how Admiral neighbors can get involved.  

The group closed the meeting with a raffle, and thanked attendees for coming. 

The next general gathering of the Admiral Neighborhood Association will be held Tuesday, February March 11, at 7 pm at Admiral Church. The group can be contacted at connecttoadmiral.org.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Another neighborhood organization launched for the new year last night – this time the Morgan Community Association, with its first quarterly hybrid meeting of 2025, held at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Gatewood and online, facilitated by MoCA president Deb Barker.

CRIME/SAFETY: The meeting began with crime/police information. Southwest Precinct Officer German Barreto, attending online, brought year-end data for the Morgan Junction area: Sexual assaults were up (3 last year, 1 the year before), gunfire unchanged (3 each year), aggravated assaults were down (14 last year from 19 in 2023), robberies were unchanged (10 each year), burglaries were down (62 in 2023, 52 in 2024), motor vehicle thefts were down (185 in 2023 to 120 in 2024). Officer Barreto noted that they’re not able to access “last 30 days” stats any more, just “year to year.” One attendee asked about the recent 35th and Barton gunfire (though outside the Morgan Junction boundaries) – how can people keep the community safer? “Stay vigilant,” advised Officer Barreto. “I will look at people to be sure they see me,” in other words, don’t be oblivious to your surroundings, glued to your phone, etc. Side note, he added that if you have trouble with 911 – or a good experience for that matter – let CARE_info@seattle.gov know, he added. And please do file online reports of even seemingly minor crimes like car break-ins with nothing taken. Question: Have they made any arrests for drug use? He mentioned the operation that targeted the former RV encampment by Westwood Village, with more than half a dozen arrests. Another question: Any progress in solving the High Point shooting death of Sudaysi Ida and preventing more violence? “We are monitoring the area,” and Gun Violence Reduction Unit detectives are too, Barreto said.

A first-time attendee wondered about the point of the briefing. He said that some of the stats were such low rates, it would be interesting to compare to other neighborhoods. (You can do that via SPD’s online dashboard.)

The owner of the Zeeks Pizza/Whisky West building at Fauntleroy/Californis said he’d done a walk with crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite to identify ways to increase safety – and among other things, a streetlight is now working. Meantime, Barreto also mentioned what Satterwhite had told the Fauntleroy Community Association the previous evening (WSB coverage here) – that there are two new officers at the Southwest Precinct.

(WSB file photo)

VEHICLE CHARGING LOT: The project at 42nd/Morgan/Fauntleroy is still a work in progress. Barker said City Light will send a rep to the April meeting for a detailed update, and then read aloud what SCL had told her via email: “Our goal is to be energized by 4th quarter of 2025, The project has faced various challenges” – one supplier went out of business, others had yearlong lead times, contracting delays … but they’re finalizing the plan after some “design changes” and it’s about to go out to bid – find updates online here.

MORGAN JUNCTION PARK ADDITION PROJECT: The excavation hole for the contaminated soil was bigger than originally planned and that required more permit review – a situation which hasn’t changed in 3 months, Barker said, adding that a new planner has been assigned to the project by Parks. Meantime, SDOT has not issued the permit for filling its part of the hole. MoCA board member Michael Brunner observed the project is nearing its 10th anniversary.

MOCA FUND: MoCA attendees voted to approve the group’s request to use $8,000 of $13,750 that it has left over from a $25,000 gift of sorts (explained here) a decade ago. The money would be used to cover the organization’s operational costs, which include Zoom, web hosting, city/state fees, insurance, about $1,400/year total; they also have some expenses for running the Morgan Community Festival each summer. The grant application was approved unanimously.

MORGAN COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Picking a date for this cozy little festival was the subject of another vote. June 14, 2025, was chosen as the date for the next edition of this one-day festival at Morgan Junction Park and behind the adjacent commercial building (whose owner was in attendance).

SCHOOL FUNDING AND ‘BILLION-DOLLAR BAKE SALE’: Megan from the Gatewood Elementary PTA talked about a statewide advocacy campany they started called the Billion Dollar Bake Sale, with a big advocacy day two weeks from tomorrow. The amount of Seattle Public Schools‘ budget deficit is equal to the amount by which the state is underfunding its special ed – so that might account for the entirety of the local deficit, she noted. Legislators were pollled and ranked education 8th or lower on their priority list – despite “paramount duty” being written into the state Constitution. “We’re trying to get as many bodies down to Olympia as possible on January 30,” gathering at the Tivoli Fountain. They’re already expecting more than 500 people, including students on field trips (Gatewood 5th graders are going, Megan said). She was there earlier in the day for planning. Then there’s “Wealth Tax Wednesday,” trying to put more pressure on Gov. Bob Ferguson to find ways to raise money to fund education, despite his stated disinterest in a wealth tax for that purpose. They’re hoping to get baked goods donated for a real bake-sale component, in-kind donations for stickers and buttons. Slogans like “no more half-baked solutions,” “students deserve a bigger piece of the pie,” etc. Get everybody involved, she urged, “we need tons of people to rally for public education.” Next Thursday Gatewood will have a bake sale during Literacy Night. Megan also talked about the January 28 parental event on social media and “playborhoods,” noted here last night.

‘ONE SEATTLE PLAN’ MEETING AND WHAT’S NEXT: Back on December 12, more than 50 people crowded into the High Point Library meeting room to for MoCA’s unofficial informational meeting about the city’s proposed rezoning/Comprehensive Plan updates. Morgan then sent a letter to the city (see it here) with suggestions and concerns. No responses from city reps yet. Two attendees reminded all that the council is having public meetings (including one earlier Wednesday) and an official public-hearing-only meeting February 5. They noted the city had not reached out to all residents to let them know about this – supposedly the city said it didn’t have money for that but “there’s a 20-year plan they’re making, and they don’t have the money to let everybody know?” Barker said she had organized the informational meeting – as she’s done with other matters – just to help people learn (the meeting was, as we showed in this report, largely Q&A amid a room ringed by posted city maps).

SPINOFF TOPIC – EMERGENCY HUBS: A musing about the California fires and density led to a mention of Seattle’s biggest disaster threat – earthquake – and a reminder about the Emergency Communication Hubs. That’s where you’ll go for info about what’s going on in the aftermath of catastrophe. Know where yours is, at the very least!

(See the map fullscreen here.) Morgan’s hub is at Morgan Junction Park.

REMEMBERING WSB CO-FOUNDER: Barker noted WSB co-founder Patrick Sand‘s arrival at the previous MoCA meeting on what turned out to be the last night of his life, October 16 (arriving a bit early to pick up your editor for the short ride home). She recalled Patrick’s insistence every year that WSB get dibs on sponsoring a Morgan Community Festival act, and his willing to jump into meeting discussion with information if somebody got stumped. In closing, she recalled a memory from the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s group photo before demolition of their fire-ravaged building last summer; from across SW Holden, between cars, he shouted at the participants, “Get closer! Get closer!” That’s what he did, Barker concluded – “brought us closer.”

NEXT MEETING: Third Wednesday in April – so that’s April 16.