Minutes of the Center Neighborhood Semi-Annual General Meeting
October 18, 2005 7pm
Shogren House
Board Members Present: Barry Bradie, Sean Besso, John Rusoff, Martha Westgate, Nana Nash, Don McElmurry, Shirley Nacoste, Robert Jordan
Other Attendees: 30 other neighbors
Introductions 7:00pm
Overview of CNA and plea for board members – Robert
Committee / project leads give brief overviews of their group
Martha: Connections; Providence Standing Committee meets 3rd Thursdays, 9:30am
Barry: Land Use committee meets as needed; RACC public art announcement
Robert: newsletter and distribution
Shirley: SEUL board and diversity committee
John: neighborhood cleanup
Nana: Friends of Trees; Somali Women’s Association and Business Liaison
Galina via Bridgette: concerning issues at Freddie’s, Galina thinks we need a GNA
Barry Manning, Bureau of Planning 7:30
Barry speaks about the Eastside MAX Planning Study, a part of which will focus on the 60th Ave MAX Station Area. The project won’t really get started until probably April 2006 and must end by June 30, 2007. An underlying goal is to make our transportation assets more useful. Economic development will be realized by removing obstacles to development.
Recommendations would go through the Planning Commission, then on to City Council.
Neighbors are eager to discuss problems concerning bike/pedestrian connections to the station; Glisan’s state of being underdeveloped; street parking around the station.
Alan Anderchuk, Neighborhood Emergency Team 8:10
Alan talks about the importance of the 72-hour kit and being self-reliant in the event of a large-scale disaster. Describes the program and training. Be prepared!
Discussion of proposed changes to the bylaws governing our NA 8:20
The board has been discussing a possible new name for our neighborhood and this was publicized in our recent newsletter. Robert has also transcribed our bylaws into a digital form and has made some changes to what appear to be unintentional errors in the current bylaws. This item is brought forward now to make people aware of it. The intention is to vote at the next General Meeting in Spring 2006.
Action: Motion/2nd to consider a new name to be voted on in the spring.
By consent there’s very little discussion. The motion is then tabled.
Call for new board members
Judy Kennedy and Cameron Clemens are elected as new board members. Judy’s term runs through next spring, and Cameron’s until spring 2007.
Break
Board Meeting 8:50
The September minutes are approved.
Treasury report – Robert: roughly $460 in checking; $7070 money market
Land Use – Barry: mentioned the 3 currently active cases: 8-plex at 53rd & Couch denied over trees; 60th & Willow reviewing revised plan; Petco at Freddie’s revised plan was approved.
Neighbors of Freddie’s discuss issues w/ back staircase. There’s an ongoing problem with loitering and criminal activity. The neighbors will draft a letter to Fred Meyer’s and present to the board for consideration. Neighbors should work with Galina to figure out the best way to deal with these problems. Does the store face any legal exposure by allowing this activity to occur on their property?
SEUL Board – Shirley:
- Community update to Eastside Big Pipe Project
- SEUL Fundraising: recv’d $10K for computer equipment
- Bureau of Housing and Community Development has contributed $50k to the City-County Ten Year Plan to end homelessness
- Diversity and Representation Committee: revising and updating skills to create an inclusive, welcoming and safe environment and prepare to do trainings in the NA system. Next DRC meeting October 25.
SEUL staff and board retreat November 12, 19 to conduct 3-year planning
Portland Transportation Options is conducting surveys as follow-up to summer Eastside Hub program to determine change in people’s habits.
Adjourned 9:10
Next meeting 11/15/2005