[cid:image002.png@01DA966E.B6E59880] View Newsletter, April 2024 In this issue: * May Vuecrest Board meeting info * Safety Matters * Vuecrest Easter Egg hunt summary * 2024 Monthly Board Meeting Dates * How to update your contact information * Volunteers needed Vuecrest May Board meeting Hello - Vuecrest President, Rob DeRider is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Monthly Vuecrest Board Meeting (Remote) on Thursday, May 2nd, at 6:00P See you there! Rob Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5687915826?pwd=b1c5L0phbEx2TXV3Z1EvMm1PSnlQZz09&omn=88370447568 Meeting ID: 568 791 5826 Passcode: 962269 Safety Matters [cid:image003.png@01DA9671.8739E480] Safety and security matters to us all. It is a basic and fundamental tenet of an organized society. Personal and property safety and security are components that contribute to our quality of life. So, we intend to frequently discuss safety and security matters in this column of the Vuecrest View. Given the recent spate of mailbox break-ins and mail theft, the issue of security in our community has risen to one of the top priorities of the Vuecrest Board and Safety Committee. The first round of mailbox break-ins occurred within a week of my volunteering to serve on the Safety Committee, but prior to that the committee focus was whether or not we could successfully "gate off" the community, by establishing barriers to entry at the Belfair Lane (NE 10th & 100th) site and at Sunset Lane (92nd Ave NE). Our research into the matter of establishing a gated community indicates this option would be difficult at best. First off, the original plat of Vuecrest granted public access to all roadways within the original plat. To restrict or remove this access would seem to require an amendment to the original plat approved by King County and recorded on December 21, 1946. Secondly, the rights of way within the plat for sewers, surface water drainage, utilities, etc. are owned by the City of Bellevue and would need to be privatized at some unknown cost. While we will continue to investigate the possibilities around improving community security and safety through restricted access to our streets, this option seems to be one that is over the horizon for now. Meanwhile, we do plan to seek out legal counsel for an opinion on its feasibility. As to the recent spate of mailbox breakage and mail theft, the board is exploring the option of standardizing mailbox clusters with a USPS approved, fully locking mailbox cluster, one without the ability to open the mail slot, and that would require a key for both the postal delivery person and the mail recipient. More to come on that. Meanwhile, there have been several email communications regarding methods of protecting your mail, including assuring daily retrieval, replacing existing boxes with more robust locking boxes (your author likes the Mail Boss model 7106), and by signing up for Informed Delivery with the USPS, so you know what to expect in your box each day. Knowing and trusting your neighbors could even lead to mutual support in retrieving mail for one another while out of town for short periods of time, and there is always the option to put deliveries on hold during periods of travel. Reminder - Lochleven Police & Street Safety Update Meeting - Wed April 24th at 7 PM Driving speeds in the neighborhood is another issue on our radar (pun intended). I was recently informed of a zoom call planned for April 24 in the Lochleven neighborhood, just south of Vuecrest to discuss an initiative in Bellevue to reduce neighborhood speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph. The call is being sponsored by the Lochleven Neighborhood BeSafe group (aka Neighborhood Watch Group). Last month this proposal was presented to City Council and the city is now soliciting community input. John Murphy, Senior Planner for the Transportation Department / Neighborhood Traffic Safety Services will be presenting an overview and take your questions. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this project and provide input, and my understanding is that while the call is being hosted by the Lochleven group, members of Vuecrest are welcome to participate. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84756331089?pwd=RHB0OUJ2RVNqVjlybjQ5R0kzZ3duZz09 Meeting ID: 847 5633 1089 Passcode: safe There is more to come on all these issues, and we encourage you to bring to the board's attention any matters of concern when it comes to safety and security in the neighborhood. Mike Wittman, Safety Committee Lead Vuecrest Easter Egg Hunt The annual Vuecrest Easter Egg hunt was a giant success this year! There were 30+ kids who quickly found all the eggs and had a donut to cap off the social event. Thank you to all the new volunteers who came out to help set up (in the rain) and keep our community event on track and bringing smiles to faces young and old. [cid:image001.png@01DA966E.1BE2FA80] PLAN AHEAD - Upcoming 2024 Monthly Meetings * June 6th 6-7pm PT virtual * July - tbd * August 1st 6-7pm PT virtual * September 5th 6-7pm PT virtual * October 3rd 6-7pm PT virtual * November 7th 6-7pm PT virtual * November 12th 6-7pm PT virtual Vuecrest Community Annual Meeting * December 5th 6-7pm PT virtual Keep your Vuecrest Contact Information UP-TO-DATE Please make sure that your homeowner contact information, tenant information, and/or property management information is always up to date. Your information is not shared or distributed to any third party and is only used for your informational and safety benefit. Here's how to update your information...Go to http://www.vuecrest.net/communicate/update-us, Input your information, and click Submit. Volunteers Needed We are always looking for volunteers to help the gears of Vuecrest go around. Right now we are looking for a Vuecrest Secretary, Compliance Committee lead and more social committee volunteers. Please contact the Vuecrest Board of Directors at directors@vuecrest.net<mailto:directors@vuecrest.net> if you are interested.