Attendance: Glenn Bridger, Jayne Cronlund, Ester McGinnis, Dennis Hays, Nancy Hand, Dorothy Gage, Kathy Bambeck, Darien Reece, Andy Rocker, Keturah Pennington, Brad Baugher, Jan Weston, Jack Klinker, Kirky Doblie, Don Baack Lillie Fitzpatrick. Staff: Sylvia Bogert.
Guests: Lee Perlman, freelance writer Multnomah Village Post.
Pres. Bridger convened the meeting at 7:00 pm. The agenda and December minutes were approved.
President’s Report: Glenn Bridger
- Glenn reported that the Bureau of Environmental Services is revising its vision and goals for the Watershed Resource Center and at this time have terminated our contract to staff the Watershed Resource Center. A special SWNI Personnel Committee meeting took place agreed to accept this action. Betty McArdle will concentrate coordinating the citywide Naturescaping Program. BES expresses full confidence in SWNI and has stated a desire to renegotiate the contract to staff the WRC next fiscal year.
Treasurer’s Report: Dennis Hays.
- December donations equaled $670 with another $375 in restricted donations designated for staff bonuses and training. BES also reimbursed us for our Fall Yard Debris expenses of $2,025.
Board expenses were high in December due to costs associated with the Unity Rally of $2,099 and the necessity of replacing our Administrative Assistance computer ($998) and updating software programs ($455). We do have donations pledged to cover all the Unity Rally expenses.
Bureau Advisory Committee Report: Dennis Hays
- The Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) has been asked to submit a 225,000-budget cut for FY 2005-2006. To date, budget cut options include restructuring the Graffiti Abatement Service Model. Program services would be shifted to Multnomah County through an intergovernmental agreement. Other proposals included reducing or eliminating the Mediation contract and/or reducing or eliminating the Elders in Action Contract.
The Mayor’s Budget forums are scheduled to take place in February, but specific dates and locations for the forums are not available yet.
Sylvia announced the Multnomah Art Center/Multnomah Center has been asked to take a $287,000 budget cut. That is basically their entire general fund dollar allocation. SWNI’s rent could double next year.
Executive Director Report: Sylvia Bogert
- Friends of Woods Park have received a two-year Oregon Watershed enhancement Board Grant for $9,975 for a Woods Creek Sediment Reduction Project. As fiscal agent SWNI will receive 9% or $825.
Mayor Tom Potter has asked to reschedule his February visit due to the budget forums
ONI is sponsoring two training opportunities in February: How to be a Neighborhood Organization Chairperson and Grant Writing and Resource Development.
SWNI is hosting a Lead Poisoning Prevention Workshop on Wednesday, February 2nd at 6:30 at the Multnomah Center.
Southwest Trails Committee Report: Don Baack
- Don announced that language for a proposed easement for a walking trail on the Presbyterian Church property is now complete and ready for signatures.
The SW Trails Committee wishes to host a Pedestrian Summit (tentative date is September 10th) at the Multnomah Center. The board was emailed a draft proposal. Don stated the Trails committee would ask PDOT for $3000 to $5000, the exact budget to be determined by the program committee. We need a commitment at this early date to reserve space in the Multnomah Center and to make other arrangements requiring a long lead-time. If a funding commitment is not forthcoming, we will not plan to hold this event. The SWNI Transportation Committee voted to endorse the Trail’s committee proposal and asked the board to take action on the following motion: That SWNI support and hold a Pedestrian Summit in September 2005, led by the SW Trails. Motion passed unanimously.
Don also announced that the Rieke School site is back on the list for consideration of a skate park.
Parks & Community Centers Committee: Kirky Doblie
- Homestead NA has designated Lois Miller as its representative to the SWNI Parks Committee
The Southwest Community Connection is going to publish an article in its February issue highlighting the volunteer efforts in Southwest to support and maintain our parks.
There was an open house for the Holly Farm park site on January 20th to explain 3 plan options to the public and gather community input. Amanda Fritz did a great job of taking critical comments and getting volunteers to commit to working on finding solutions.
Portland Parks and Recreation hosted a meeting on January 6, the same day and time as the SWNI Parks Committee meeting, to ask neighborhood association and parks advocates for feedback on park priorities during the budget process. The meeting was help with little notice and when asked to change the time of the meeting, PP&R refused. Leonard, Sylvia, and Don Baack attended and reported back to the parks committee.
SWNI and East Portland Neighbors have organized a Citywide Parks Team meeting for February 17 to bring all neighborhood volunteers together to discuss, network, and strategize ways to promote enjoyment of Portland parks.
Ways & Means Committee: Jayne Cronlund
- Given the number of folks willing to volunteer to help organize the SWNI Walk on April 30th, the walk will be 3-miles; start and end at the Multnomah Center; and include a chili-feed. Our goal is still 375 walkers. Adult ticket price is $20. Board members encourage the committee to offer a family rate or reduced fees for teens. Someone also suggested giving one ticket to each person for a door prize drawing (people could also buy additional tickets).
Jayne expressed the need for SWNI to craft 3 strong organizational messages to use as outreach tools both at the neighborhood level and at the coalition level. Glenn thought this could be placed on our agenda for our annual retreat.
Crime Prevention Committee: Nancy Hand
- ONI’s Liquor Licensing Specialist Kimberly Mark-Villela was the guest speaker at the January committee meeting. Kimberly gave a very informative presentation on the process to acquire a liquor license in Portland and also effective ways neighborhood associations and residents can give input. Information regarding the Time, Place and Manner Ordinance was also reviewed.
Stephanie Reynolds has completed a draft of the “Crime Prevention Problem-Solving Resource Guide.” Nancy asked board members and neighborhoods to review the document and give Stephanie feedback on three questions: Have they accurately captured various crime prevention subject areas? Are there others they have missed? Is the list of partners and/or referral resources accurate (did they miss anyone)? Are the CP roles as a lead resource person clearly defined?
Land Use Committee: Jack Klinker
- After a presentation from Greg Schifsky and Rich Adelmann from Bridlemile NA, the committee decided to host a meeting to begin addressing the issue of the loss of the tree canopy in SW Portland with the intent of delivering a presentation to City Council
The committee is moving forward to plan a community forum/workshop in April. The purpose is to assess community needs and identify some high priority issues that Bureau of Planning neighborhood liaison Ellen Ryker and Troy Doss could work on. Ellen has expressed interest in tackling the Barbur envelope that was left out of the SW Community Plan. The committee hopes every SWNI neighborhood and business association will get involved. All NAs should put this on their meeting agendas in February and March to discuss issues, needs, and problems, whether specific to one area or to the broader community. We hope each NA and BA can bring the results of their discussion to the April event.
At the next Land Use Committee meeting Hannah Kuhn of Mayor Potter's office will be our guest speaker. Hannah is the city's program manager for Measure 37. She's leading the effort to create the procedures for processing claims and to establish the city's policies. This meeting will be open to all individuals interested in what the city is doing re Measure 37.
Transportation Committee: Lillie Fitzpatrick
- The committee voted to send a letter commending PDOT’s Bureau of Maintenance for their improved response to this year’s ice storm. They were ready this time.
The committee discussed Senate Bill 295, which will take between $2.5 million and $5 million designated for traffic safety projects and programs and divert it to a State School Fund for driver education and a Police Standards and Training Account. In light of new information from Mark Lear with PDOT, Lillie pulled the motion to oppose the Senate Bill. It looks like the bill will be buried.
Lillie stated that transportation needs are often tied to land use issues and committee members want transportation issues to also be addressed at the Land Use Community Forum in April. The board agreed.
Guidelines Review Committee: Kathy Bambeck
- Kathy reported the committee is back in session to review all the public comments regarding the draft Guidelines document.
Unity Rally: Glenn Bridger
- Glenn praised the success of the Unity Rally and thanked SWNI staff for their hard work. Over 1,000 people attended the event and we want to think of other ways to partner with the 28 different organizations that helped us sponsor the event. Lillie reported at over 400 kids participated in arts and craft activities she and her Girl Scout troop coordinated.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm