Meeting at SFPL Thursday Aug 13 7:30

MeetingSFPL

You’re invited to join us tomorrow night for our regular monthly meeting at the SF Public library, Ingleside Branch:

Date: Thursday, August 13
Time: 7-8:30pm
Location: SF Public Library, Ocean @ Plymouth

 

 

***Meeting Minutes (added 8.19.15)***

Present: 

Neighbors: Patricia Riis; Scott and Levi Kauffman; Mary Beth D’Alonzo; Moneka Urbanske; Robert Muehlbauer: Vanessa Wallace: Warren Longmire Lynn Yuan
SF Parks Alliance: Julia Brashares;  DPW: Rodney Hampton;  AAU: Nahal Sohbah and Eric Arneson
 
1 .Approval of July minutes
 
2. Presentation of new drawings: Nahal and Eric
– Nahal handed out copies of her drawings and had a larger version to show the group.  Changes include: gabion seating (with a gap between pairs to prevent lying down); removal of edging along the concrete pathway; 3′ tall solar powered bollard lighting which goes on at darkness at a low setting and gets brighter when motion is sensed. The design also shows trees and other landscaping features; an expanded “foyer” entrance with a trash can at either end, and a dog waste bag dispenser on one end; lunabrite lighting between the concrete sections (but not outlining the path edges) and a Ridge Lane info/welcome sign at Howth.
 
– There was a breakdown of all the suggested plants and trees -4 arbutus marina (strawberry trees). Plants chosen for sculptural and/or butterfly habitat qualities. Costs estimated to be around $3-4,000 for the flora – soil amendments and our labor extra. The expanded planting area at the Howth/Josiah entrance would encroach on private property, so permission would need to be obtained.
 
– The work should be done in this order:
grading; planting the trees; hardscaping; irrigation system; landscaping.
 
– Nahal has electronic versions of the drawings which she will make available to MaryBeth for our PR materials.  Can these also go up on our website?
 
3. Discussion of the plans: group
– Does the City have regulations about how far from the curb the trashcans can be placed in order to be serviced?  Do we need one at each end, or will one suffice?  Need DPW to answer the first question.  Consensus was it would be good to have two if they both would be serviced.
 
– Do we want to consider crushed granite gravel for the path instead of concrete?  Not recommended by designers for this purpose – it is subject to erosion and pooling water; edged beds would need to be constructed; not easy for wheeled things to traverse.
 
– Do we want to have trees?  The shade they provide may also cut into the sunny environment desired by butterflies. Do they make the lane less safe at night?  People find trees inviting. We will need buy-in from the neighbors whose yards abut the lane where the trees will be planted. The tree variety selected does not have too invasive a root system, is hardy and attractive and common in SF.
Note:  This tree does produce a fair amount of flower and fruit litter, and although it was stated that they have narrow trunks and only grow to about 15′ tall, when I looked them up to get an idea of what they look like- I found this -, “The listing for the tree as the largest measured Arbutus ‘Marina’ in California is based on measurements taken by Randy Baldwin of San Marcos Growers and Jorge Aguilera of Arbor Services on July 24 2013 of 44 feet 10 inches tall with an average crown spread of 53 feet 5 inches wide (60 ft.10 in. at its widest) and a trunk circumference (measured between the basal burl and the branch collars) of 108 inches.”  Generally it was stated repeatedly that they can grow to 50′ in height.  Are we getting a different kind of Arbutus Marina?
– The vote was to have 4 trees as shown in the design plan.
 
– The group also voted to accept Nahal’s plans as presented, and to have her continue to work on the other segments of Ridge Lane. Thank you Nahal!
 
4. SF Parks Alliance: Julia
– We signed a check request for the $800 payment to Nahal.
– We are awaiting approval of the MOU from AAU.
 
– Julia urged us to apply for an OMI Community Action Grant.    Marissa is the liaison for this in the SFPA office.  We can ask for up to $5000 for an event or for beautification.  The application deadline is August 31.
Moneka volunteered to work on this and Barbara offered to help, if needed.  For more info: http://www.sfparksalliance.org/OMI
 
– Julia is continuing to work on getting our City money transferred to our SFPA account.  In the meantime, SFPA will float the $800 needed to pay Nahal.
 
– Julia will feature us in the SF Street Parks Newsletter.  Photos were taken.
 
5. PUC Water Grant
We have the grant, but additional information is needed, which Patricia will take care of.
 
6. DPW Trash and Blight
– A list of problem areas has been sent to Rodney.
– We may want to meet with other OMI groups about the neighborhood as a whole, but for now our focus should be on the Ridge Lane project.
– It was suggested we each call in (311) the issues that really bother us as they arise.
 
7. Next meeting is Thursday, September 10 at the Ingleside Library, at which time the planning of the community event to introduce the Ridge Lane First Phase will take place.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara VanderBorght

Join us for a walk Saturday Morning! July 18 – 9am – 57 Majestic

RL Satellite

Please join us on Saturday July 18th at 9am for a fun neighborhood walk, concentrating

on the stretch of San José Avenue to Alemany Blvd, Summit Avenue, and other places you have identified

as needing attention due to blight and garbage. We’re meeting at 57 Majestic, the home of Robert and Monika.

The weather should be beautiful for this, hope to see you!

Ridge Lane Neighbors Meeting Thursday July 9th, 7-8pm

MeetingPhoto

You are welcomed to attend this month’s meeting of Ridge Lane Neighbors!

Location: Intersection of Josiah, Howth, & Ridge Lane

Thursday July 9th, 7 – 8:30pm

****

MINUTES: Ridge Lane neighbors Monthly Meeting

July 9, 2015

In attendance:

Scott Kaufman and son, Levi

Julia Brashares, SF Parks Alliance (SF Parks)

Lin Yeun

Rob Elliot

Heather Clendenin, Director of the School of Landscape Architecture, Academy of Arts University (AAU)

Robert Muehlbauer

Rodney Hampton, Public Information Officer, Department of Public Works (DPW)

Moneka Urbanske

Patricia Ris

Mary Beth D’Alonzo (scribe)

  1. June Minutes were approved

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to the first phase of our project was discussed

RLN, SF Parks, AAU are signatories

The MOU describes the terms of Nahal’s design work spelling out the responsibilities of all parties.

Heather drafted the MOU and RLNs provided review and comment. Heather said that the current version (PDF attached) reflects our edits. Julia has reviewed but would like a day or two to fully review and will respond to Heather.

SF Parks has a contract template to use for Nahal’s work. Julia will provide this to Heather.

Next steps: Julia will send a redline of the MOU and the SF Parks contract to Heather.

Heather will create the final MOU to be agreed upon by Julia and the RLD Steering Committee.

  1. Budget and Timeline of the first phase of our project was discussed.

Staff with the Community Challenge Grant (CCG) requested a budget and timeline in order to approve the transfer of our funds from DPW to SF Parks.

Robert, Julia, and Patricia created a budget document that includes a timeline. Heather reviewed and provided some revisions. Patricia accepted Heather’s edits and will send to Sandra (current version attached).

SF Parks sent the budget to CCG and will need to rend the revision. Julia does not anticipate any problems with the timing of moving the money in terms of the end of FY15. We are supposed to spend down the funds by June 30, 2016.

Note: The Ribbon Cutting is now set for April 16, 2016.

  1. News

DPW – Rodney had no news to report but expressed interest in requests for enforcement of neighborhood cleanliness issues. He took note of the Lakeview house we have discussed a number of times (and walked with Patricia to see the house after our meeting).

We discussed suggestions for ways we could effect change:

  1. Create a standing task force to bring other departments into the conversation.
  2. Contact Caltrans which is responsible for the chain link fences along Hwy 280 and the land along the highway.
  3. SF Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) could be invited to our meetings.
  4. The installation of lights and cameras has helped in some neighborhoods.
  5. Request resumption of weekly street sweeping – write a short narrative explaining the need and include photos.
  6. Compile a list of addresses, description of problems, photos, etc. of problem areas and send to him at Rodney.hampton@sfdpw.org.
  7. Email him directly with individual requests.
  8. A neighborhood inspection walk with Rodney is scheduled for Saturday July 18 at 9 AM. Meet at Moneka and Robert’s house at 57 Majestic. Come prepared to show-off your favorite hotspots.

Note: Property owners/occupants can face up to $1,000 in fines if they fail to maintain sidewalks fronting or abutting their property. See attached DPW Sidewalk Cleanliness Standards flyer provided by Rodney.

Moneka mentioned that Supervisor Avalos (in another meeting) directed residents to forms available to online to request traffic calming devises.

SF Parks – Julia will be able to provide a status update by mid next week (ie around July 15) on the transfer of our funds from DPW to SF Parks and when they will be available to be spent.

She will finalize the MOU and standard contract (see agenda item 2 for full discussion).

Announcement: SF Parks is co-presenting a workshop where parks groups can network.

Saturday July 11 from 9:30 to 2.

Lanita Henriquez from CCG will be in attendance. This would be a good opportunity to meet her and become familiar with CCG and its requirements for funding projects like ours. The workshop will include a tour of street parks including the Jungle Stairs in Noe Valley and Surrey Stairs off Penny Lane in Glen Park. A Bay Natives representative will speak on appropriate plants for various areas.

Patricia will attend the workshop. Please RSVP to Julia’s email if you will attend.

Note: the SF Parks Manual is now available on their Street Parks page online.

Patricia – A request has been submitted to SF Public Utilities Department for a water meter grant ($10,000) and a backflow meter ($1,275). Only one meter grant is available per project.

  1. Our August Meeting is scheduled for the second Thursday from 7 to 8:30PM at the southern end of Ridge Lane. At this meeting, we expect to know when to we will receive Nahal’s drawings. This will allow us to plan our next neighborhood clean-up date (expect September) and to start work on the RLN flyer.

Meeting at Ingleside Library Thursday, June 11, 7-8:30pm

MeetingPhoto

You’re invited to the Ridge Lane Neighbors monthly meeting, Thursday June 11th, 7-8:30pm at the Public Library on Ocean Avenue at Plymouth.

We’ll have Jill Cannon, Deputy City Attorney. as our guest. She can answer your questions about a number of issues, particularly code violations, including:

– Pedestrian safety and traffic calming
– Drug dealing on Lakeview Avenue
– Encroachment issues on Ridge Lane
– Dumping/Cleanliness, SF Recology service schedule
– Garage conversions without permits
– Single family home conversions without permits
– Sidewalk parking and parking congestion (due to illegal residential conversions and overcrowding)
– Fire hydrants without red zones (Howth/Josiah)

MINUTES FROM MEETING JUNE 11

Attending:  Neighbors: Warren Longmire; Dana Elliott (by proxy); Patricia Ris; Eric Maier: Hazel Madawaki: Annette Etcheverry: Bob and Mary Gavin; MaryBeth D’Alonzo; Barbara VanderBorght

Jill Cannon ,City Attorney’s Office; Sandra Zuniga, DPW; Heather Clendenin and Nahal Sohbati, AAU

Patricia made the agenda and chaired the meeting

Announcement

San Francisco Symphony’s All SF Concert for community organizations will be held this year on Thursday, August 20. It will feature piano virtuoso Yuja Wang, along with the symphony orchestra. Tickets are $10 each.  Barbara has sent in a request for 10 tickets. If you are interested in going, please contact her at barvan@sbcglobal.net.  First come, first served until they are gone.  Final word might not go out until late July.

Deputy City Attorney Jill Cannon

Jill outlined what her Resident and Neighborhood Safety Division (aka Code Enforcement) of the City Attorney’s Office handles.  Primarily they work on property based public nuisances, often in conjunction with other city departments.  They can issue orders of abatement, seek injunctions and file lawsuits.

Our primary concern is the abandoned, rather blighted property at 1 Majestic, which poses health (leaking of toxic fluids)  and safety (criminal activity) problems and has become a dumping ground as well as being a neighborhood eyesore.

There have been actions taken by the city, to which there has been little or no response from the owner. There are currently 5 outstanding citations from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI).

There will  be a Director’s Hearing at DBI to determine whether they will issue an Order of Abatement.  If they do, the owner will have 20 – 30 days to address the problems.  If the owner does not do this, the DBI can refer to the City Attorney’s Office.

We can find out about how the process is progressing by calling Jill at 415 554 3820 or calling the City Attorney’s  HOTLINE 415 554 3977.  This is also where such property complaints can be made.

Questions were also raised about 77 Caine and 201 Lakeview.

77 Caine:  Although the dilapidated vacant house was torn down, there has been no further activity and the lot has become a dumping ground and trash site. Apparently, the City Attorney’s Office had gotten involved in this, the property was sold to another owner, who has building plans for two house on the lot.  It is unknown what the building delay is, but the owner is responsible for keeping the lot clean.  Reports of dumping and trash should go to Rodney Hampton at DPW.

201 Lakeview: Drug dealing and other criminal activity are known to be based here.  Observation of any criminal activity should be called into the police.  If the police find evidence, and it is clear that drugs are being made, stored or dealt there, then the City Attorney’s Office can be called in to sue the owner under Drug Abatement Act.

Encroachment issues are not addressed by the City Attorney’s Office, but with Carla Short from DPW.

Generally, complaints about dumping should be made by calling 311.

AAU – Heather and Nahal

Heather has drawn up an MOU to outline how Phase II of the design plan for Parcel 1 will progress.  Phase II covers the work Nahal will do to execute the design development drawings based on the decisions made by the Steering Committee in March.  Some revisions were made to the draft document to fill in missing info and clarify that Nahal’s fees should not exceed $1000 (at a rate of $25 per hour). Heather will send the revised MOU to Eric.  He will send it out to the Steering Committee, who will send comments and vote on approval by Monday, June 15 (providing the MOU goes out tomorrow).  Lack of response will be considered approval.  The drawing of the designs should be completed in 2 weeks.

Funds Transfer

Aspects of the MOU will be essential to completing the paperwork necessary to have our money transferred from DPW to Parks Alliance. Patricia and Julia will be working on this on Monday, June 22 at 9am at the SFPA offices.  Those who can also attend then are encouraged to do so.

Publicity/Outreach/Information Flyer

Once we receive Nahal’s drawings, MaryBeth can use them to have her source begin work.

Agenda items on Committees, Mission Statement and Outreach will be moved to the agenda for the next meeting, which will be July 9.

I hope I got all the information straight.  If corrections or clarifications are needed, please make them.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara

BALBOA PARK STATION CAC Meeting, Tuesday, May 26 2015, 6:00-7:30pm

SFMTA

In light of recent tragic events on the light rail tracks on San Jose Avenue, neighbors might be interested in attending the next meeting of the Balboa Park Station Citizen’s Advisory Committee where SFMTA will present on “Vision Zero”, their plan to eliminate deaths by traffic collision on San Francisco streets.

Tuesday, May 26 2015, 6:00-7:30pm

Lick-Wilmerding High School (755 Ocean Avenue), Main Building on first floor, Room C.

You can download the agenda at this link:

May 26 2015 BPSCAC Draft Agenda_v2

Meeting Tonight: 7pm @ Howth/Josiah/Ridge Lane (May 14)

MeetingPhoto

You are welcomed to attend tonight’s meeting of Ridge Lane Neighbors!

Location: Intersection of Josiah, Howth, & Ridge Lane

Time: 7 – 8:30pm

 

MINUTES MAY 14

Minutes RLN meeting

Date: Thursday May 14 2015

Time: 7-8:30pm

Location: Ridge Lane at Howth

Attendees: Warren Longmire, Robert Rodriguez, Scott Kauffman, Mary Beth d’Alonzo, Patricia Ris (minutes)

Regrets: Robert Muehlbauer and Moneka Urbanske

1/ The conversation begins with a review of the tragic accident that occurred on May 12th at the intersection of Lakeview and San José Avenues.

Moneka Urbanske, one of our loyal and committed steering group members and wife of Robert Muehlbauer was severely hurt by a hit and run

at that very same intersection and is recovering at home from broken bones and severe bruises. Our thoughts and well wishes go out to her and

her family, as well as the family of 12 year old Andrew Wu, our Ingleside Heights neighbor who lost his life.

2/ We are waiting for information from Heather Clendenin and Nahal Sohbati of SFAAU about the next rounds of drawings for the first stretch of

Ridge Lane. See updates below.

3/ Mary Beth and Patricia attended the excellent workshop of the SF Parks Alliance ‘Organizing Your Community Group’.

Here are some highlights (thanks MB).

We had a discussion about the following topics:

–  The importance and reasons for having a mission statement and by-laws.

– Best practices around group communication and meeting facilitation, including the importance of having an agenda,

establish meeting norms and roles.

– A panel discussion about the following topics: How to keep volunteers (us), how to prevent burnout.

– Organizational models: hierarchical v. egalitarian

4/ Patricia and Mary Beth attended the SFAAU Spring Show and the prominent placement of the drawings of Ridge Lane by Nahal Sohbati.

Congrats Nahal!

5/ The brochure design is on hold until we have the latest, more detailed version of the drawings for section 1 of Ridge Lane (Howth to Margaret).

6/ Our clean up/community mixer is on hold so it can be timed to occur along with the next step for landscape design and timeline. Most likely

it will happen in July (our ‘sunny’ month).

7/ Deputy Attorney Jill Cannon, will attend our next meeting.

We would like to talk about the following issues:

– Pedestrian safety and traffic calming, not just at the fatal intersection (speed bumps for Ridge Lane crossings?)

– Drug dealing on Lakeview Avenue

– Encroachment issues on Ridge Lane

– Dumping/Cleanliness, SF Recology service schedule

– Garage conversions without permits

– Single family home conversions without permits

– Sidewalk parking and parking congestion (due to illegal residential conversions and overcrowding)

– Fire hydrants without red zones (Howth/Josiah)

For your convenience here are the issues we can address with her, as quoted by SFBS legislative Aide Frances Hsieh:

*Substandard housing and building code violations – dilapidated conditions, unsafe or illegal construction, plumbing/electrical/mechanical problems

*Fire Hazards – lack of working sprinklers, blocked exits, overcrowding

*Criminal activity – drug houses, prostitution, illegal businesses, gang activity, nuisances from liquor stores or entertainment venues, excessive noise, gambling houses

*Health code violations – insect or rodent infestations, excessive trash, abandoned cars

*Land use issues – unauthorized property uses, commercial auto repair in residential zones, illegal signs, destruction of San Francisco historical landmarks

*Public works violations – illegal dumping, blight, broken sidewalks.

Next meeting: Thursday June 11th, 7-8:30pm at the Public Library on Ocean Avenue at Plymouth.

Respectfully submitted by Patricia Ris/with notes from Mary Beth d’Alonzo (thank you!)

Meeting Tonight! Different location: Corner of Josiah and Howth Avenues, 7-8:30pm (April 9)

Meeting3

Our monthly meeting is tonight 7-8:30pm, planned to be held on the corner of Josiah and Howth Avenues right on Ridge Lane!
If weather takes a turn for the worse we’ll move to the home of Patricia Ris nearby at 24 Josiah.

MINUTES FROM MEETING APRIL 9

Attending: Sandra Zuniga (DPW), Robert Muehlbauer, Moneka Urbanske, Warren Longmire, Fayaz Rajani,

Mary Beth d’Alonzo, Scott Kauffman, John and Debora Cornejo and son, Patricia Ris

1/ Sandra reports from DPW:

– Mohammed recommends transferring our $100,000 to SFPA, before it becomes unavailable to RLN.

– He also stated that this will be sufficient for the first two segments of our improvement plans.

– Sandra recommends holding back $3,000-$10,000 for the drafting of the construction plans

(Patricia will contact Sandra and Julia to proceed with this transfer).

– She will get an estimate from DPW’s Kathleen O’Day for the technical plans, drafted from Nahal’s design. These will be used for the bids.

– The recommendation is to get three estimates for the construction/landscaping phase.

One company that has been used in the past on two SFPA parks is Bauman Landscape Architecture, which is a company that works well DPW draftings and has

done the works on the Athens/Avalon street parks. We could check in with Pamela Axelson from Avalon Street Park for more information.

– Sandra shares a photo of a sign, which is one of the things we requested at our last meeting, and is intended as an explanation of RLN beautification project,

to be posted on Ridge Lane. There are two possible options: one temporary sign explaining the work being done (city agencies/departments involved) followed by one

permanent sign about the area, the neighbors, Columbia Heights, San Miguel, etc.

2/ Timeline (thank you Scott for asking this question!)

In order to proceed with the construction drawings (possibly to be done by DPW’s Kathleen O’Day), we will need the updated drawings from Nahal/Heather.

These drawings will include the requests and suggestions we made during our last steering committee meeting.

Patricia will send an e-mail to Heather at SFAAU to find out when to expect these.

Once the drawings are back to us, we will regroup and make the final decisions (trees/no trees, expenses/choices, etc) for the final design.

Then it will go through the next (technical/cost analysis) drafting phase and after that’s completed we can send it our for bids.

We hope to break ground in September, depending in the time it takes to complete the phases described above.

3/ Plans for a flyer for our neighbors in the adjacent homes and streets of Ridge Lane

We decided to create 500 flyers to distribute in the neighborhood, and include an insert with a meeting or clean up announcement.

Mary Beth has a colleague who’s a graphic designer who can help with the design of this flyer. She will contact Eric Maier for photos and other items

to be included on the flyer. We will also need the final designs from Nahal to include details of our plans, which are not ready yet.

Warren’s narrative about Ridge Lane contains a blurb/language that can also be used. (Most of this material is available on our website).

Questions arose about inclusion of logos of supporting city agencies (DWP, SFPA, SFAAU), which will make it look more official.

All printed, ‘official’, promotional material has to be presented to our FS!

Sandra Zuniga has offered to print the flyer at DPW. Once the final design phase is completed, we can proceed with this plan.

The tentative plan is to have a neighborhood meeting/presentation/clean up on Saturday May 23 at 10:30am, depending on the progress with

the plans.

4/ Moving forward

– Patricia will email Heather Clendenin and find out when Nahal’s second drafts are ready. Answer: no reply for Nahal to date (4/25/15).

– Patricia will inquire if a logo from SFAAU is desired on the flyer. Answer: logo cannot be used without sending the prototype to Heather/SFAAU for

approval (HC).

5/ Patricia will prepare the application for the Community Garden Irrigation Meter Grant, with the estimate of

approximately 400 square feet of irrigated land of the first stretch of Ridge Lane. Included in the grant application

will be answers about plants and estimated water usage, which will become available after Nahal and Alex’s

drawings are approved by us.

(See also my previous notes on this:

– Grants are available for this year (we already knew this, but there was some confusion about the language used).

– The water meter will be installed on the sidewalk, not on someone’s property

– The meter will be read monthly and billed to our nonprofit/ fiscal sponsor

– The cost is between $8,000 and $10,000 and will be covered by the grant, excluding the back flow (approx. $1,275)

– It’s not likely we’ll be able to receive grants for all stretches of Ridge Lane (but we can raise funds for this ourselves

and have other meters installed by PUC)

–  We need to build the infrastructure/pipes/irrigation system from the meter

–  We need to supply the square footage of the parcel in question, the needed annual water budget, the irrigation management system

and the planting methods in order to submit the application.)

6/ Next meeting: Thursday May 14, same place and time.

Patricia

Meeting Minutes from 1/31/15

ridgelnsign.jpg

In attendance: Neighbors Warren, Robert R., Moneka, Robert M. (and daughter), Patricia; Lynn, MaryBeth, Barbara,  and Heather from AAU

There were print copies of Nahal’s complete design for each of us.
Warren very ably led the discussion with a large pad, easel and markers. He suggested we voice what we would like to see for the overall design for the whole Lane, and then specifics for Parcel 1 (Josiah to Margaret).
What follows are the suggestions that were written down, I have grouped related items, and added commentary from later in the meeting where relevant.
OVERALL
Esthetics/General Design
Lighting low to the ground
Slight meander to path for interest, but that doesn’t impede straight forward navigation
Native, drought tolerant plants, friendly to native butterflies and bees
Organic esthetic – “invisible design” that doesn’t feel imposed – restorative
Preserve natural features (like rock outcroppings) where feasible
Any structures must be accepted by the City (ie meeting codes and standards)
Low maintenance- applying to the organic and inorganic
Maintain good sight lines
Trees – consider very specific species on stretches where appropriate
Sizeable bushes can serve as soft barriers to walls and fences to prevent graffiti  (but as mentioned later, this may cause present other issues – if right up against a wall or fence, they could trap moisture, if there is a space, they good serve as a hiding place)
Indication where each Ridge Lane segment begins and ends, with street names in ground (see design by Nahal)
Trash cans which are serviced
Water – what, how and where still to be determined (Patricia has been trying to get the Urban Farmer guy out to our site for a consultation, with no luck thus far)
Erosion control; good drainage; water permeable surfaces
Safety and Accessibility
Steps, where needed, with handrail
Steps not too steep, and where possible wide enough to accommodate someone with a personal shopping cart
Bike rail
Good lighting
Non-slick surfaces
Seating will not be conducive to sleeping (or too much long term “relaxation”)
ADA compliant as possible
Police patrolled (foot or car) – good sight lines
Need lane connectors across streets – ie crosswalks, speed bumps (was agreed crosswalks might be the better bet)
Dog bag dispenser on post (perhaps with small trash receptacle attached
Signage
Create and erect a sign that has info about the Ridge Lane improvement project – to inform and generate interest
Next we identified the main themes and prioritized some of the individual elements
I. SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY
1.Highest Priority:
Steps and handrails (as described above)
Non-slick surfaces
Lighting
2. Secondary Priority:
Sight lines and easy accessibility by police
Seating
3. Tertiary Priority:
Bike rails
Cart accessibility
II EROSION CONTROL
Using plantings, good drainage and permeable surfaces
III. ESTHETICS
Natural organic flow with slight meander, with a focus on native flora and fauna and natural features already in place (see above)
Needing more info/research and/or input from other sources:
Plantings
Water, including cachement
Trash (and its collection)
ADA considerations
Cross walks and/or speed bumps
PARCEL 1 (Josiah to Margaret)
Elements we’d like to see:
Meandering path allowing straight through passage as well
Some seating
Senior friendly
Solar lighting – combination of motion sensitive and continuous lighting
Consider trees for this stretch
Permeable concrete that can be stained and textured as path material
Use of gabion (wire structure that is filled with rocks, stones on site) for seating.  These can also be used for retaining walls, although not needed in this section.
Indication of where path ends, street starts (as mentioned above and shown in Nahal’s design)
Consider an archway at entrance (on Josiah?)
Barriers to prevent vehicle access (would have to check if this would present a fire safety issue – Ridge Lane might be considered a Fire Lane)
Overall, people liked Nahal’s design for this stretch
There was some discussion about how far we should go in determining elements we want for Parcel 4 (Caine to San Miguel) before meeting with Mohammed.  It was decided that there were too many issues about which we needed more info before we could get too specific, such as encroachments (the fence, parking on San Miguel that infringe on access to entrance of the Lane, parking/driveway at the top of Caine), the water pipes, etc), but that we could think about what design elements we like (drawing from agreed upon criteria and student designs).
OTHER
Communications:  Warren brought up the need for someone to be in charge of communications – with the neighborhood and generally to get the word out and kept current about who we are and what we are doing.  We also touched upon the need to canvas the neighborhood – those who would be likely to use Ridge Lane.  Informational flyers and/or door to door canvassing to get people involved….also we should form a comprehensive e-mail list.
This requires further conversation at a future meeting.
Safety:  Activity (drug?) has been popping up on Lakeview again.  How to proceed?  Involvement with OMI?  Good organizing issue (as it was in the past)?
Next Monthly Meeting:  Thursday, Feb, 12 at Ingleside Library, 7pm
Topics:
Schedule next neighborhood clean-up
Propose possible dates to meet with Mohammed
Discuss general ideas for Parcel 4
Any other design elements for Parcel 1 people would like to add
Discuss communications – who, what, how, when
I hope this accurately represents this very productive meeting.  Let us know if there are corrections or additions.
Barbara