Minutes of the Center Neighborhood Monthly Board Meeting
July 19, 2005 7pm
Shogren House
Board Members Present: Barry Bradie, John Rusoff, Martha Westgate, Robert Jordan, Don McElmurry, Nana Nash, Jon Laufenberg, Cathy Riddell, Helen McCann
Other Attendees: Amanda Fritz (LWV), Bridgette Fahnbulleh (SEUL), Lee Perlman (press)
Officer Chris Gilbert
Senior Officer Brendan McGuire is now on day shifts and we probably won’t be seeing him much. Officer Gilbert will try to come as time allows.
Introductions 7:05
Darby Cave, OregonLive.com
This website, which hosts the classified ads and some other stuff from the The Oregonian, would like to beef up a neighborhood section. They’re hoping to get people to blog about news and events on a neighborhood basis. Bloggers need not be part of the neighborhood association.
Committees
Action: The June minutes are approved with a correction to the source of the plea for sewing machines for the Somali Women’s Project.
Treasury
Robert – current balance roughly $7516, plus $673 in checking.
Connections
Martha – About 13 people met at Center Commons: a rep from the condos, seniors, and Somalis. They’re planning a Center Commons-wide event (bar-b-q?) with mgmt help. The group next meets August 2nd, 6:30 at Center Commons.
Transportation Working Group
Martha – The Getting Around Portland program is underway w/ guided walks and rides. (Robert is a walk leader.)
There have been concerns related to Providence construction about traffic, bike parking. What will get people out of their cars (and get used to it) before the new giant parking deck opens and driving becomes more attractive because it’ll be easier to park? Next mtg July 28th, 9AM.
The Providence Standing Committee meets this Friday morning(?) Helen received a meeting notice but for the “Steering” committee. Wrong meeting? She’ll check it out.
Land Use
Barry – no word yet on whether the 60th Ave Station Area Plan grant was funded.
The owner of 6305 NE Oregon submitted an application for a land division into 5 lots.
SEUL news
Bridgette – the new ONI guidelines have been adopted. Steve at SEUL will produce a condensed version then NA’s will review their bylaws for compliance. Brian Hoop is on paternity leave until October.
Providence Leaders Meeting
John Rusoff attended as the president of CNA. Attendees included big-wigs like the head of Tri-Met, head of Providence Medical Center, county commissioners. Prov shared their long-term vision, the future of health care and health care funding. They’ve considered moving to have more space.
Update on Somali Women’s Project
Bridgette provided an article for our next newsletter. They’re still looking for space to conduct mentoring sessions. Helen says the space Providence leases for their Montessori school isn’t available in off-hours. Center Commons says the community center is for seniors. We talk about possible locations (churches, etc). Bridgette will bring us a statement of need for how much space, tables/chairs, etc.
Incorporation and/or name change: Should we?
We’re recognized by the city as a Neighborhood Association, we believe we have liability coverage through SEUL. Brian Hoop says it protects board members from personal lawsuits.
We decide to solicit ideas for neighborhood names in the upcoming newsletter. We’ll run an article w/ pros and cons of a name change, the history behind the name.
A change requires a vote of the general membership, so we’ll discuss this fall and vote next spring.
There’s also a suggestion to designate every meeting a General Meeting. If this were the case, we could vote on changes to bylaws any month. This has the major drawback of allowing changes to be railroaded through.
Action: Don moves to postpone incorporation until we get broader feedback. Nana 2nd. Passes unanimously.
Action: John moves that we discuss making changes Re: every month is a general meeting at the next General Meeting Nana 2nd. Passes unanimously
Newsletter
Nana will draft some guidelines to give to potential advertisers. We tentatively set a price of $50 for a simple 1/8 page (bus. card size) ad. Nana will distribute to us for review by the end of the month after learning how Mt. Tabor does it.
David Delk has agreed to again publish the newsletter. His deadline for receiving all submissions will be September 1.
Article/contents ideas:
– name change discuss, solicit suggestions Robert
– 60th Ave Station Area plan (if grant is funded) Barry
– blog for OregonLive.com ???
– ads
– cleanup short article John R
– committees, groups, contacts each chair submit a line or two
– Prov construction update Helen will contact Paula Gunnis
– footer to say ‘3rd Tuesday of month @ historic shogren house’
– board roster Barry
Adjourned 8:35
Next meeting 8/16/2005