Attendance: Kathy Bambeck, Glenn Bridger, Anton Vetterlein, Will Fuller, Jill Gaddis, Dorothy Gage, David Gens, John Gibbon, Nancy Hand, Marcia Leslie, Bill Lucht, Ester McGinnis, Brian Russell, Jan Weston, Ken Love, Kirky Doblie, Carolyn Raz, Tom Schaper.
Staff: Sylvia Bogert
Press: Lee Perlman, Multnomah Post.
Guests: Launa Rae Mathews, OSHU Nursing School.
Pres. Bridger convened the meeting at 7:03 pm. The June agenda was approved as were the minutes of the May meeting with two corrections (Jill Gaddis was not in attendance at the May meeting) and under the executive director’s report it was noted that SWNI would be hiring a part time outreach coordinator with onetime funding from ONI.
Executive Committee Business:
Pres. Bridger announced that the Volunteer Recognition Party was a success. He showed the board a new SWNI branded canvas bag that will be given to recognized volunteers as a special gift in about 3 weeks. Others will be sold as a fundraiser for the organization. The idea is to get our name out into the community.
Treasurer Tom Schaper reported that our funding through our contract with the City is on target for the fiscal year. As of the end of May, the board has a balance of $3,302.91. We should be in the black to start the new fiscal year in July.
Executive Director’s Report: Sylvia Bogert.
Liability insurance coverage for all member neighborhoods and the coalition has been renewed. In addition, each neighborhood association has directors and officers coverage.
The Fanno Tryon Watershed Open House on June 11th was very successful and we received positive comments from the Bureau of Environmental Services for our role in getting the public to the event.
The impromptu Town Hall hosted by Commissioner Adams on June 19th generated about 120 interested residents. A follow-up town hall has been scheduled for Monday, September 17th in the Multnomah Center Auditorium.
Follow-up from the Communications Retreat includes a new look at the SWNI website, contact with all NAs to see if they need help with websites AND a newspaper writing class to be held on Monday, August 20th (Rick Seifert has agreed to be our instructor).
Lots of summer events (picnics, concerts, historic walks, bike rides) are being hosted by our neighborhoods this summer. Check out the July Southwest Neighborhood News.
Parks: Kirky Doblie
Next committee meeting will be in Woods Park
Construction of the Holly Farm Park playground equipment has started
Summer Parks programs are being held in three Southwest parks this year (Markham site includes a free lunch program).
Track at Duniway Park will be refinished this summer
Dickinson Park improvements made it into the City budget.
Teen programs at SW Community Center include “Skills for Success.”
**Summer concerts will be held July 25 and Aug 1 at Willamette Park. Free (parking, too). 6:30-8:30 pm. Hot dogs for sale.
Trails: Don Baack (excused)
o Trails agenda is packed this summer. Please read the full-page spread in the July newsletter for a complete update: Bike rides, bridge over Stephen’s Creek, trail walks, and work parties.
Land Use Committee. John Gibbon.
No meeting was held this month. John did attend a Courtyard Housing Design competition, which was informative. He also announce he attended the Citywide Land Use meeting where representatives from Southwest Hills Residential League (SWHRL) gave a wonderful presentation regarding their Type III hearing before the Hearings Officer. The representatives have been attending the SWNI Land Use meetings in order to gain insight on their issues and tips for effective testimony. Instead of hiring Geo Techs, the neighborhood association use past reports that surrounding neighbors had purchased from Geo Techs. It was an extremely effective and cost saving idea, which countered the developer’s official Geo Tech report.
Next month, an update on the Tree Policy, which various bureaus have been working to develop based on SWNI’s draft.
Crime Prevention, Public Safety, and Problem Solving: Nancy Hand
Guest speaker this month was from the Graffiti Abatement Program. Nancy distributed a brochure, which outlined steps to remove graffiti and how to report incidents. The committee has taken action to write a letter to large companies that are not addressing graffiti problems on their buildings. The letter will include pictures and stress the importance of prompt attention to the problem.
Crime Prevention Specialist Michael Boyer has been working with a PSU intern, HAP, NRT officers, and others to address problems at Slavin Court and Hillsdale Terrace. A number of special events are being planned to engage families at these facilities this summer.
Schools: Will Fuller
The committee will not meet in July.
Will Fuller will attend the Far Southwest Neighborhood Meeting to inform residents about the Schools Committee and recruit an interested individual to join the schools committee.
The committee has submitted a letter to PPS expressing desired qualities in our next school superintendent.
Motion: SWNI opposes the proposed cuts in funding to the Jackson Middle School Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program. Will distributed an information sheet with the background of this issue and a list of points in favor and points against the motion. After discussion the motion passed unanimously. It was suggested to include what impact the proposed $20,000 cut would have on the program in the letter sent to Commissioner Saltzman.
Transportation:
The Town Hall hosted by Commissioner Adams was held in place of the regular SWNI Transportation Meeting. Despite the short notice and large crowd in a small space, most folks that attended felt the information was good and had a greater understanding of the budget shortfall in Portland’s Department of Transportation.
Unfinished business:
Appointment of SWNI Secretary was postponed. Glenn encourage folks to call him with candidates and or suggestions.
New business.
The following appointments for Committee Chairs were approved:
- Don Baack – Trails
- Nancy Hand – Crime Prevention Public Safety
- Will Fuller – Schools
- Kirky Doblie – Parks and Community Centers
- John Gibbons – Land Use
- Communications – To be confirmed next month
- Personnel Committee appointments will be confirmed next month.
**The SWNI Board Potluck Picnic will be held on Thursday, July 19th at 6 pm at Patty Lee’s home. An invitation will be sent to all board members, neighborhood chairs and significant others.
**In light of the fact that the first South Portland Concert on the Willamette is scheduled the same night as our next board meeting (July 25th) Glenn suggested we cancel the July board meeting and conduct any necessary business at a quick business meeting at the Picnic. No objections were voiced.
Announcements.
Arnold Creek is working on a Sustainable Community project. If any other neighborhood associations are interested, please see Nancy Hand.
National Night Out is August 7th. Sylvia reminded folks they need to register their parties.
Sellwood Bridge Committee has not met this summer.
Adjourned: 9:02 pm
Submitted by: Sylvia Bogert
** Bring these items to the attention of your NA and its Board at their next meetings.