Approved Minutes Center Neighborhood Association
7 PM June 17th, 2008 at 7 Virtues Coffee Shop
Meeting Adjourned 9:12 PM
Notes Submitted by DyLynn Robertson 6/18/08
1. In Attendance: Board: Marsha Hahn, Robert Jordan, Jessica Holliday, John Rusoff, April Burris, Rey Ko, Sam Fuqua, Mike Blair, Jake Wollner, Joe Recker, DyLynn Robertson, Adrian Russell-Falla; Committee: Lisa Gorlin, Candice Jordan, Cathy Riddell; Neighbors: Eva Fox, Ruth Ball, “Woman by the Door” and Rob Karmin “The Wine Guy”
2. Police Report: No officer available.
3. Nominations for new Board Positions Nominations:
Chairperson: Joe nominated by Lisa (accepted)
Jake nominated by Joe (accepted for co-chair)
Treasurer: John (I can do it again)
Secretary: DyLynn (I can go one more year with Lisa’s help)
4. Vote on new Board Members: All nominations approved (all in favor). Newly elected officers, Jacob Wollner & Joe Recker will be listed on US Bank account as check signers; outgoing officers, Marsha Hahn and Robert Jordan will have their names removed.
5. Appointment of Committee Chairs: Tabled for lengthier discussion at the upcoming 6/29 Board Retreat
Jake proposes reformatting the committees with broader categories; Rey asks about HOW the C.N.A. will decide what projects to work on; in other discussions the point was made about the value of involvement from Board and neighborhood committee members as well as steps to take to ensure everyone is up to date/has current info on projects or proposals – further discussion at retreat.
SEUL Delegate: Shirley (wants to continue); April (would like to join)
Community Connections Committee: Would like to see up and running again
Land Use/Transportation Committee: Sean (would like to continue)
Sustainability /Neighborhood Clean-up Committee: ?
Friends of Trees Liaison: Robert (wants to continue)
Community Garden committee was suggested.
6. Committee & Project Reports
Treasurer – John reports as of May 31 $2660.90 in checking; $2099.95 plus $135 + in ad revenue (ad money is in money market account for newsletter). John and Jake will work on this to get communications fund money from SEUL for newsletter printing.
Clean Up – Sean unable to attend meeting but will have summary for newsletter & next meeting. Land Use – Sean unable to attend meeting.
Outreach/Connections – April reminds people that while this committee has not been active for several months, the Rosemont Bluff project is ongoing project that began in the Outreach Committee. Much of the RBNA SEUL grant was based on community involvement components and an “outreach” component should not be left out of future strategic planning for the Bluff or other projects.
SEUL Liaison – Shirley unable to attend this meeting.
Providence Update – Jake in contact with PPMC’s new communications person, Renee King (past Center resident) regarding newsletter and SEP project. He states she seems to be “community minded” and hopes for a turn in Providence/Center relationship.
Communications Committee – has had one meeting and now uses a Google site as well (www. Newsletter – Submission deadline extended to 6/19 (20?) and hand-delivery plan with Board Members taking on all or part each of 10 areas they live in – and/or solicit help from local neighbors. Particular thanks to Cathy and Candice – a great ad
team. Ads will mostly fund newsletter for the first time! Rey asks about submission guidelines for neighbors to follow. Jake responds that these are available.
Website – Adrian feels a bit behind on the project but the database is being built with geo-coding for businesses, etc., which will help neighbors, locate resources on-line. Menus are in place and all are invited to join www.centerpdx.org to add announcements; archive newsletters & meeting minutes; share articles & photos and historical stuff; etc. Forum will also be in place and DyLynn reports Communications Committee suggests self-moderating; Lisa asks about Internet Explorer bug…Adrian suggests using Firefox browser instead but will look into problem.
Max Study – Robert reports the Max Station “walk about” and workshop at Madison HS were best attended by Center neighbors; Robert has copy of study map with ideas and responses from neighbors; including ideas for: 58th & Glisan off ramp intersection ped crossing; right turn only on Glisan up to 60th which would allow parking all day in front of Biddy’s etc; zoning change to reflect what the buildings are actually being used for along Glisan (commercial); looking at north/south crossing on Glisan from NE Davis on 63rd for bike and pedestrians (maybe a signal); maybe adding round-abouts to slow traffic in neighbors on 63rd Oregon, etc.
Sullivan’s Gulch Update – Robert reports a preliminary engineering study starts in Fall…and that the trail is now showing up on city documents, so it’s on the radar!
Rosemont Bluff – April reports next work party is June 28th with Potluck following (more details from April); the Neighborhood Small Grant goes until July; possible watering day event at July work party. Rey asks for history of bluff activity and who’s involved with decision-making.
7. Meeting Location options: DyLynn reports that SE Precinct is moving to month to month scheduling, making it difficult to ensure this as a “regular” meeting place. Jake mentions the 5 churches in Center as options & that kid friendly space would be good. Some feel church is okay option others would like to keep meeting in secular location. Robert, John, Adrian and Cathy volunteer to seek out new locations and go where no-one has gone before…I mean look for possible meeting sites that have good acoustics; are easily accessible; promote neighborly gatherings like potlucks and social events; etc. and will report back. Mike says we can meet at 7 Virtues again next month…thanks very much!
8. Board Retreat and Agenda: Sunday June 29 1-5 pm potluck lunch; Jessica will reserve a spot at Laurelhurst and let us know when confirmed. Send agenda items to Joe and Jake.
9. Name Change: Generates much discussion but we try to stick with the talking about the “process” such as including write ups in newsletters; poll on website (for info only as can only vote in public meetings). At this time is appears that at the October “General” meeting we must vote on what was approved at the May “General” meeting. If Rosemont doesn’t pass then other names can be voted on at that meeting. Candice asks why we must wait six months for this process; other concerns are about legal/paperwork (SEUL/ONI comments on this process?); and Adrian says if name change isn’t approved…then he will motion to table future discussions for several years in order to focus our efforts on other projects/issues. Others feel this is an important issue of identity and want to continue working toward name change.
11. Mt. Tabor Summer Concert schedule and options: Lisa brings brochures; as sponsors C.N.A. can distribute newsletter, etc…every Tuesday in July; need volunteers with surveys; parking; etc. Connect with Lisa if want to contribute time/distribute flyers. DyLynn volunteers to table at one of the events…other?
12. Supplemental Environmental Project – Jake reports from a DEQ profile there are 600 hazardous waste handlers in Center with various classifications from large to small. Providence has materials coming in from other sites to dispose/transfer and has been out of DEQ compliance; DEQ fined them $17,200 for violations; SEP diverts funds from fines into the communities they are leveraged in; community is eligible for up to 80% of fine…therefore around $13,000 for Center projects; Jake has been working on behalf of Center with Tim at SE Uplift and have drafted a plan to submit the following for funding: (1) HASMAT Symposium for businesses in Center neighborhood to educated and insure compliance with DEQ standards will include reps from such as Metro, First Responders, etc. (2) Green street treatment demonstration project featuring bioswales, extended curbs, community signs, etc. (3) Work with Friends of Trees to subsidize costs for residents and work with Rosemont Bluff projects to buy trees/shrubs for future plantings. Would like to get matching grants for Rosemont Bluff to support future goals or for development of community garden. Board and neighborhood committee volunteers request/remind Jake to get them involved and updated on this project ASAP. The time frame for this to be submitted is unclear as we don’t know when Providence has their first “informal” meeting with DEQ – this meeting will be the time when our intentions to submit an SEP proposal are announced.
13. Community Garden – Jake has been exploring potential sites for community garden including area in front of new 47th and Burnside development and the “dead-end” street across from Providence. Rey mentions the school gardens as possible examples and/or sites; April went to Mt. Tabor Open Yard events and reports that Parks only works with areas larger than available in Center for public gardens and that this is “not a new idea.” Jake suggests forming a committee to continue work on it. DyLynn proposes adding to agenda at retreat.
14. Glencoe Playground – John pitches for funds to help Glencoe School purchase playground structures in their efforts to improve their recess program. School at 52nd and Belmont serves Center children. They are asking for $250. Motion is made to donate said funds and approved. (11 in favor; one abstained; no opposed). April abstained, as she doesn’t believe this is part of what C.N.A. should be doing and felt this should be a PPS issue.
15. New business: – Rey shares info about County Animal Control Services affected by funding shortfalls. Sam reports that she will attend the upcoming public meeting in her volunteer with Animal Services and will report back to us.
16. Meetings minutes from May approved (sort of – as many people were heading out the door, no one seemed opposed and only one person abstained).
ACTIONS TAKEN: see summaries above
I. Approved nominations for C.N.A. Board Officers
II. Approved $250 donation to Glencoe School for playground equipment.
III. Approved May meeting minutes.
Thanks to Michael Blair and 7 Virtues for hosting.
Next monthly meeting will also be held here 7/15/08 7PM.
BOARD RETREAT 6/29 1-5 PM POTLUCK, LOCALE TO BE CONFIRMED.