Here is a synopsis of what was discussed at your neighborhood association meeting on Nov. 8, 2007. If items below seem interesting to you or you want to get involved come to the next meeting! The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday December 13th 6-8 at Capitol Hill School Library.
OFFICER ELECTIONS: At the neighborhood meeting in October, elections were held for the board members. Please note that there are two positions that have not been filled, the SWNI rep and Friends of Marshall Park. Both of these positions are extremely important and are a great way to get involved with shaping policy for SW Portland. Election results: Co-chairs: Jen Seamans Blatner and Mike Charles. Webmaster: Mike Charles. Trails: Mike Duffield. Historian: Mike Duffield. Parks: Margot Barnett Land Use: Karen Bersack. Secretary: Aimee Polzin. Schools: Aimee Polzin. NET: Bruce Watt. Treasurer/SWNI grant: Bruce Watt. Transportation: Alex Bogartz. Crime and Public Safety: Jan Weston; SWNI Rep: OPEN. Friends of Marshall Park: OPEN
What’s happening with development in our neighborhoods? A developer is proposing a 3 home development at 1452 SW Taylors Ferry Rd. Concerns were raised about which mature trees would be cut down and the plans for the water run-off. A hearing is scheduled for this property and a member of the group will be attending to confirm that these issues have been addressed in the planning of the development. If you are interested in having a say in the future of Portland, Tom Potter is seeking volunteers to lend their opinions. The meeting is on Tuesday Nov. 13th from 9:30-11:30 at 1221 SW 4th Ave Room 340 in the City Hall Chambers.
What’s happening in Marshall Park and other SW parks? By now many of us have come across the condemned bridge in Marshall Park. Last year money was allotted in the parks budget to replace the bridge, however during cuts that line item was removed. Again the report from the parks committee is that money will not be allotted to fix the bridge. One option might be to have a few agencies work together to give funds for the project. At the next parks budget meeting a member of the group will find out if we will have funding through Portland Parks and Rec. If you are interested in attending that meeting it is scheduled for November 13th, 7 pm at 1510 SE 9th Ave., in the Chelsea Ballroom. The question was raised about the usability of the stone bridge that crosses the creek by the playground area. At this point the long-term plan is to maintain the bridge for historic preservation, but not use it for foot traffic. Instead, build another bridge next to it for foot traffic. In other park business, the city of Portland is trying to determine if an increase should occur in the System Development Charges (SDCs). These are one-time fees assessed on new development to cover a portion of the cost of providing specific types of public infrastructure required as a result of this development. Currently the SDCs cover about 20-26% of the total cost of developing parks and acquiring park property in Portland. This is one of the lowest in the metro area. The proposal is to increase that to 66%, as well as other changes to the current structure. For more information, take part in the community meeting on November 16th, noon- 2:00pm at 1120 SW 5th Ave in the Portland Building room C. The parks committee also wanted to alert neighbors to two other public meetings that we are welcome to attend. On December 6th there will be a parks committee meeting to talk about the SDCs. On December 12th, there will be a city council hearing where the choice will be made. If you are interested in attending any of these meetings the times and places will be on the website when they are announced.
Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET): The NET committee took part in the Topoff II event last month. Our local members of NET tested the phone tree as well as organized at the staging areas. Currently Marshall Park down not have a NET team, our NET members all under the umbrella of neighboring teams. The question was raised if we wanted to construct our own NET team. This would require more members of our neighborhood to become NET certified. Another suggestion was made to formally define boundaries for which neighboring NET team would serve. The NET committee will look at all these options and report back at the next next MPNA meeting. Again, if you are interested in becoming a member of the NET, please contact the MPNA at MarshallParkNA@yahoo.com and we will get your name to the appropriate people. Multnomah County is inviting health professionals to become a part of the Multnomah County Health Reserve Corps (HRC). The HRC will be a voluntary unit made up of a wide range of licensed and certified healthcare professionals who will be called upon to assist in the response of a large-scale emergency. If you are interested in getting involved an application can be downloaded at http://www.mchealth.org/hrc or contact Zumana Rios at 503-988-3663 x26115.
WEB NEWS Our webmaster went to the SWNI web group that discusses new improvements to the SWNI website. Improvements will continue to be made on the user friendliness of the site. If you have any pictures that you want posted on the site email them to the MarshallParkNA@yahoo.com.
GRANT: Another grant was submitted to SWNI to help sponsor outreach, park improvements, and the National Night out party in the summer. The requested amount for the 2008 grant is $1,550. If you are interested in seeing a copy of the grant proposal then contact the co-chairs at MarshallParkNA@yahoo.com One line item included in the grant is for planning money to have a kiosk set up in Marshall Park to keep neighbors informed of community events, etc. If you are interested in being apart of the discussions come to the next meeting and get involved!
NATURE WALK: The first MPNA sponsored Nature Walk will take place Sat. November 10th. These are planned to happen once every season, so every 3 months. Keep watching your email for notices on future nature walks. Notices for future nature walks will be posted on the MPNA website.
DRIVE SLOWLY SIGNS: Looking for a way to slow down cars in the neighborhood? SWNI is selling SLOW DOWN signs for $15.00. Contact SWNI if you would like to purchase a sign.
NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY DECEMBER 13TH 6-8 PM AT CAPITOL HILL SCHOOL LIBRARY. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!!