The West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting was brought to order by President Melby at 6:30 PM at the Ustick Library, on April 13, 2023. Attendance was taken and a quorum established to conduct the meeting. Officer and Board introductions were made to new attendees. Treasurer’s Report made by Joan Wallace thru the date of March 31, 2023. The ending bank balance posted is $665.06 post expenditures/purchases made in the first quarter of this year. A brief review of the Easter Egg Hunt at Fairmont Park was discussed. The hunt was rescheduled due to the weather conditions from April 1st to April 8th in addition the start time for the event was moved to 1:00 pm. An approximate number of 220 attendees was a combination of children and adults. A meeting to debrief and document the event with final notes is to be scheduled. The Summer ACT Mini-Grant Applications are due May 1st. The WBNA will request funds that will apply to the Fall Festival to be held September 2023. A brief discussion was made regarding capital expenditures plus the actual dollar amount that could be allowed. A motion was made and then approved to request up to $1,000.00 from the City of Boise. The budget meeting to decide what is to be specifically requested and which category it falls within is to be held on April 18th at 5:00 PM at Ustick Library. The Boise City Zoning Rewrite is underway, offering a 611-page draft – 2022-02-27. The Planning and Zoning Commission is to hold public hearings between the dates of April 24-27th. The public at this time will be given the opportunity to present concerns and sentiments for the proposed zoning changes. The City Council hearings will be held June 2023 and the City Council Reading to be July/August 2023. At this time a possible vote could be taken. The WBNA Public Agency will prepare a draft-statement regarding the proposed zoning revision. Individual citizens are free to testify personally at these hearings. The WBNA to adopt a position as an organization; the bylaws of the WBNA are to be followed requiring a majority vote of members. Due to the timeline of April Planning and Zoning hearings, the WBNA will not have sufficient time to establish and adopt a position however, it is likely that the WBNA membership could choose to adopt a position ahead of the city council hearings to be held June 2023. The Morrison Center will organize a free-to-all music concert at Mountain View Park to be held on July 26th. Local bands will be a featured at this event. The WBNA has been asked to promote and participate in this event. A vendor booth will be provided to the WBNA and discussion for an opportunity to create a fundraiser is likely in future meetings. The meeting adjourned.
Easter Egg Hunt
Traffic Safety Committee Year End Progress Report
The West Bench Neighborhood Association committee focusing on traffic safety had a busy year. Some of our activities included:
- Worked with our ACHD rep, Alexis Pickering to reduce the speed limit on Mountain View Dr to 25 MPH west of Cole. She is also working on additional long-term changes to encourage safety on neighborhood streets.
- Created awareness of the speed limit by posting signs in the spring and again in the fall up and down Mountain View Dr urging drivers to slow down. Fifty signs were posted in front of resident’s homes (with homeowner permission). ? Held a neighborhood meet and greet when the signs first went up and dropped off notices so neighbors would understand the scope and timeframes for the sign project.
- Met with our police department community officer and ACHD to encourage patrols on the street. They conducted a traffic study and scheduled patrols. We plan to continue our efforts promoting safe streets and sidewalks for walkers, cyclists, and cars.
If you have suggestions for the committee, please write us at mtnviewdrtraffic@gmail.com.
WBNA BOARD Meeting Minutes JANUARY2023
The West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting was brought to order
by President Jonathan Melby at 6:30 at Ustick Library. Attendance taken.
Treasurer Report presented by Joan Wallace.
An addition of $199.90 which is an ACT Mini Grant reimbursement brought the
December 31st, 2022, ending balance to $859.78.
The next ACT mini-Grant submission is due January 15, 2023. Submission will be
for the following: $500.00 for the Spring Easter Egg event plus a WBNA-branded
tablecloth and a WBNA-designed banner, the total request for submission of
these two items is $425.00. A motion was made, and all agreed to submit the
event banner and tablecloth.
The Public Agency Committee was discussed; interest and involvement were
requested. The Committee will explore and investigate opportunities to learn
more about what can enhance and bring businesses to the West Bench
community. Additional committee structuring could include the following:
establishing HOAs, identifying the West Bench neighborhood as a historical
neighborhood, meeting with developers, rezoning within the neighborhood, and
what this means to the West Bench neighborhood.
A motion was made to request $400.00 to establish this Committee with the use
of social media and communication support. All agreed and this will be
submitted to the Spring ACT- Mini-Grant.
The Master Plan for the Goddard Linear Park is to be presented at Boise City
Hall, on January 19th at 4:00 pm. A motion was made and passed that the
WBNA is to represent the West Bench neighborhood and accept the Master
Plan as it is currently presented. Ronnie Marler is selected to speak to City
Representatives on behalf of those in attendance from the West Bench
Neighborhood.
The WBNA will meet at the Ustick Library thru March 2023 at the same time.
Discussion for a different location and time to be investigated as there is a
scheduling conflict with another weekly event. President Melby is to
investigate this item.
The meeting adjourned.
Dear West Bench Neighbor,
We are pleased to announce the FIRST ANNUAL West Bench Harvest Festival to be held at Mountain View Park on September 24th from 1:00-4:00 pm. Although modest, we look forward to bringing the West Bench neighbors together to say farewell to summer and enjoy the harvest this neighborhood is known for, this side of town. To bring this event to its neighbors, we are looking for funding either as a financial contribution or an in-kind donation that would be a prize for contests held at the event. The ‘signature’ Zucc Zoom Race is to be held annually, who would have thought?
Additional activities to look forward to:
Live Music ~ Bake Sale ~ Starter Plant Sale ~ Coloring Table ~ Cookie Decorating ~ Yard Games ~ Fall Photo Booth featuring the West Bench Scarecrow ~
A donation of any amount to the WBNABoise.org site would be so appreciated. All proceeds are to be used to sponsor this event plus additional events held by the WBNA. The site is prepared to accept funds from either PayPal or credit card, checks are also accepted. In addition, a donated toy or game to be given as a prize for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years of age is also requested. For questions regarding these options, please contact Annie Fuller at 208-860-5577 or Jeannette Marler at 208-376-0606. *Toys and prizes can be picked up by the WBNA Team.
Company names of donors will be mentioned during the event, in addition, recognition will be on the WBNABoise.org site post the event. Sponsorships are also available.
With Our Thanks,
Annie Fuller and the West Bench Team
INAUGURAL ZOOK FEST
ZOOK FEST fundraising event Saturday, September 24th 1-4 PM Mountain View Park
(walk, bike or park at Mountain View Elementary School)
Let’s come together and have some fun to close out summer. This family friendly Volunteer organized fund raising event is hosted by WBNA for our neighbors.
WBNA
Bring your wallet and let’s have some fun!
Activities:
- Zucc Zoom (Zucchini car race) *
- Live Music
- Bake sale
- Starter plant sale
- Coloring **
- Cookie decoration
- Fall Photo Booth
- Yard games
- More family fun activities!
*build & decorate your own zucchini car (some wheels and decorations will be available on a first come basis).
**Mom and Dad, Download and print coloring pages for the kids. Here and Here don’t worry we’ll have crayons and printouts at the event too!
EGG HUNT
Meeting January 13th
Interested members got together to learn website tools. It was a lot of fun learning how to edit in WordPress.
We learned how to log in
Work with WordPress editor
How to update information on the website.
Taking turns making edits turned it into a team effort!
Meeting Minutes Archive
Meeting Minutes Archive are now availible on the WBNADocuments Tab.
http://wbnaboise.org/?page_id=3706
April Board Meeting
West Bench Neighborhood Association Officer and Board meeting was held April 29th
.
This meeting was conducted via ZOOM and brought to order by President, Ronnie Marler.
This meeting was held with the primary purpose to review edits previously requested for the By Law
revisions currently taking place; this ahead of the cumulative vote to be presented to all WBNA
residents. The City of Boise will make the final review and acceptance of the By Laws once the final
vote has taken place.
Discussion for topics at the next meeting to be held May, were presented:
*Community Garden at Cabarton Park
*Follow up to Traffic Meeting
*Settlers Canal update – Energize Boise Project/Linear Park.
*Monthly Park Cleanup schedule and Park location
*Future activities to bring the WBNA together during the 2021 year.
Brief discussion for ACHD involvement to assist with areas in the Mountain View neighborhood in
addition, Christine Street which brings concern for congestion plus vehicle access, this based on
proposed multiple housing that is currently being considered. Rochelle Schaetten to coordinate a
ZOOM Meeting for attendees to be held Thursday May 6 at 7:00 PM. Follow up to this meeting to be
presented at the May Board Meeting.
The meeting concluded.