Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association (MTNA) Regular
Meeting Minutes for February 17, 2010

Board Members Present: Nancy Norby, Heidi Kohne, Bing Wong, Paul Leistner, Mark Bartlett, Tom Dolan, Nadine Fiedler, John Laursen, John McLaren, Mike Shaver, Dawn Smallman, Stephanie Stewart

Board Members Absent:  Bruce Treat (injury), Cascade Anderson-Geller, Jim Blackwood

Others Present: Officer Gary Manougian, Mary Westfall, Katherine Anderson (Portland Crime Prevention), Mary Kinnick (Friends of Mt. Tabor Park), Kevin Bryant (Warner Pacific College), Holly Howell, Barb Gamelgard, David Peroff, Jean Bamvier, Nancy Nasil (sp?), Brian Brumley, Allison Ronse

The meeting opened with introductions led by Vice-President Norby. The minutes from the January meeting were then approved as amended on a motion by Bing Wong, seconded by John Laursen.

The financial report was presented by Treasurer Wong.

: Catherine Anderson said that there will be city budget forum Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00pm at Mt. Scott Community Center. Also the meeting of Upper Hawthorne Good Neighbor Agreement partners will meet April 6 at 6:00pm at Police Traffic Division on E Burnside.

Friends of Trees tree planting will be Saturday, March 6, beginning at 8:00am. The event will be headquartered at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church. Volunteers are still needed.

Bryan Brumley of the Sustainability Committee stated that there will be a meeting with Tim Smith (an architect) about the Tabor to the River project. It will be held March 3 at 6:30pm at Southeast Uplift.

Neighborhood Crime: Officer Manougian gave a report about the state of safety in the area. There was a rape that was reported at Stark & 55th, but it’s not known if that’s where the actual incident occured. Definitions were given for the difference between robbery and larceny (larceny is just a theft, while robbery involves breaking in to someplace to steal something). Manougian also said that people can call into the police bureau to get response times for officer deployments. He also said that people can see and hear all of the investigations regarding the shooting on NE Sandy; go to www.katu.com, click on Scanner newspaper link, halfway down click on link, and peruse at your leisure.

Neighborhood Issues and Concerns

Neighborhood Cleanup: Deb Scott reported on the neighborhood cleanup on May 22. She went to the SEUL cleanup session and reported to them that it is uncertain if we will hold this event as no one has stepped forward to be in charge. Candice from North Tabor also said the same thing. She did agree to be in charge of a joint neighborhood cleanup, and she was going to present that at North Tabor’s meeting last night; it is not known what their vote was if they want to do a joint cleanup. The location is still up in the air. Metro will not pay for transport or dumping of any yard debris or other green material, so if we decided to still collect this, then MTNA will have to pay all of these costs. A motion was made to do a joint cleanup with North Tabor NA by John Laursen, seconded by Bing Wong, approved.

It was brought to our attention that there is a grant for recycling and other sustainability, and this could be used in conjunction with the cleanup.

Public Schools: Tom Dolan reported on a letter that he is writing to PPS Superintendent Smith on behalf of MTNA regarding a proposal that may close Franklin High School. He passed around a draft of the letter. It was moved by Paul Leistner to authorize Tom to send the letter to Portland Public Schools, seconded by Nadine Fiedler, and approved.

Mt. Tabor Theater: David of the Mt. Tabor Theater gave us a report on the status of the theater, which has been open for about 6 months. There have been a few fights around the place, but no alcohol issues. He came to this MTNA meeting to get feedback from neighbors. Discussion ensued about David wanting to have a fundraising concert in the park’s amphitheatre for the park. He also extended an invitation for anyone to come by at any time and get a tour (best to call first). Their website is www.taborpdx.com.

Park Bureau: Eileen Argentina & Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong of the Park Bureau gave a presentation on the state of the parks. A PowerPoint presentation was shown. The parks are used at least once a year by 95% of Portland’s residents. Parks’ facilities are heavily used and are getting used even more as time progresses. There are many mechanical problems that need to be repaired, and there isn’t the money to do the work, but not doing the work is even more expensive. A list has been compiled of what projects citywide need the most attention, including fixing restrooms, replacing old playground equipment, and repairing grass fields. They are considering doing a bond measure to help pay for these needs. It’s looking like April when Parks Department will know if and how much said bond measure would be. There will be four more public meetings between now and late March before a proposal goes before City Council. A number of questions and answers ensued.

Paul Leistner updated us on the Tabor Commons building. April 10 is the date being planned for for the grand opening of the Tabor Commons. Please contact Paul if you are interested in serving on a committee

Laurelhurst neighborhood is dealing with a potential gentlemen’s club near NE Sandy and 33rd Avenue. The NA has dug up a lot of information about the man who’s wanting to open this business and has found a lot of negative stuff from past businesses.

SEUL has a new receptionist, who seems to be working out really well.

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park:

Mary Kinnick announced the annual meeting March 18 at 6:30pm at Western Seminary, which will include speaker Laura O. Foster and the presentation of special awards. The event is free and open to the public.

Land Use