Board Members Present: Bruce Treat, Heidi Kohne, Bing Wong, Mark Bartlett, Jim Blackwood, John McLaren, Mike Shaver, Dawn Smallman/Greg Snider, Stephanie Stewart

Board Members Absent: Nancy Norby, Paul Leistner, Cascade Anderson-Geller, Nadine Fiedler, John Laursen

Others Present: Janet Fisher-Welsh (Master Recyclers), Tom Leiner, Mary Kinnick (Friends of Mt. Tabor Park), Kelly Sweeney (Citizens Noise Advisory Committee), Lynn Moen, Isabella Pham, Steven Topp (Land Use Consultant), Scott Rice, Amanda Nelson, Wayne Deets, Robert Kozcuum, Dylan Magierek, Deb Scott, Dave Peroff

The meeting opened with introductions, enhanced with brief descriptions of our non-MTNA activities, led by President Treat. The corrected minutes from the July meeting were then approved on a motion by Bing Wong, seconded by Dawn Smallman.

The financial report was presented by Treasurer Wong. We have over $13,000 in the bank. We finally received the payment from SEUL for the spring cleanup. We also received the annual communications payment from SEUL, which we use for our neighborhood newsletters. Bing brought up a past idea of having an official MTNA sandwich board to help increase meeting attendance; Dawn Smallman will look into if a permit is needed for the boards.

Neighborhood Issues and Concerns:

Kelly Sweeney reported on the Portland Airport’s runway construction project. The project is one year into the construction, with two years left to go. Because of the reduced number of runways being used, there seems to be more traffic, and more noise.

Dawn Smallman reported on the Parks Department maintenance yard. Parks is looking to put in $50-55 million to rennovate the yard, with higher priority going toward funding the buildings that house maintainance workers and equipment rather than the administrative buildings.  They are looking for what can be done for that price, as it was originally a bit more than that for all of the construction wanted.  Funding sources for this have not been determined yet.  They are also looking for a place/way for those who currently work on the premises to stay there, but a small number of employees/operations may need to move offsite.  They are also trying to keep all employees to stay there, but that may change.  Parks is currently leasing another piece of land, and they may leave that location to purchase a different piece of land in the Springwater area for a couple of different Parks offices.

Jim Blackwood reported on the dedication of the park bench. He said that there were 3 generations of the Ramsey family, many member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a number of other veterans and neighbors present. It is located on the NW corner of Reservoir 6.

Metro Recycling: Janet Fisher-Wells of Master Recycling refreshed our memories on what can and cannot be recycled. Remember: No styrofoam, metal is good, no caps or lids, labels on plastic and cans can stay, no flexible plastic, no rigid tubs less than 6 oz, nothing with glitter or grease, staples and windows can stay on paper. It turns out that the blue bins have increased recycling, but there is more contamination with non-recyclables.

AT&T/Cingular: Steven Topp reported that AT&T is proposing to swap out a telephone pole at 61st & Division (on the property of Courtyard Plaza) with a new pole that is 13 feet higher than the existing pole (total of about 95 feet) and outfitted with cellular towers. Mark Barlett brought up that the pole would likely be located in a park-protected property, which may mean that it couldn’t go up. The cellular towers would be located lower than the power lines, which would be raised from their current location to allow the attennaes more room.

Good Neighbor Agreements: Dawn reported on the current status on the Hawthorne Good Neighbor Agreement. She talked with Jenny of Portland Police Crime Prevention about the frequency of police calls to the upper Hawthorne businesses, and it was determined that a revisit of the unfinished Good Neighbor Agreement would be in order. There will be a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6-8pm at Police Traffic Commission Room at the old southeast precinct office at 47th & Burnside. The police department is doing all publicity and work for this.

David said that the reopened Mt. Tabor Theater is working with some of the neighbors on doing a new good neighbor agreement. The theater dates from 1913 and is made up of two rooms, one that holds 100 people and one with 400 people. People are welcome to stop by the theater and visit anytime while the staff is doing light construction. Events are starting to be booked there, with a variety of shows and bands coming to the theater. Their website is www.taborpdx.com.

Graffiti Abatement Program: Marcia Dennis informed us that posters and fliers CANNOT be put on telephone poles, period, as they are private property owned by the telephone or electric companies. Graffiti should be reported to the Portland Police Graffiti Hotline (at 503-823-4824), taken a picture of, and then removed. The sooner it can be removed, the better. Most graffiti in this area of the city is more tag or political graffiti, rather than gang graffiti. She passed out papers that have information on how to report and remove graffiti.

Committee Reports

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park:

Mary Kinnick reported on the park’s centennial party and its success. She said that Dave Hillman will be writing a report for the Examiner. She mentioned that an idea has been floating around of having an annual event that showcases the park, which could include a service project. Mary also said that there is talk of purchasing bike racks to be placed at specific places where events are held.

Mary also announced the annual meeting and presentation, was held March 18 at Western Seminary.

Mary also said that Friends had purchased the light pole brackets for the park’s centennial. Therefore, if anyone needs to borrow or rent brackets for their own banners, talk with the Friends of Mt. Tabor Park.

Land Use Committee:

Stephanie reported on the solarize project. It’s looking like our neighborhood will qualify for a bulk energy block, which will save money for installation per household. If you wish to have a system installed, please sign up now, as the deadline is approaching.

Stephanie wants MTNA to formally send a letter to the Water Bureau to give us plans regarding reservoir treatment and covering regarding LT2. She said that it looks like the city will not be pursuing legislative venues for water treatment, but there are legislative hopes for reservoir coverings. It was moved by Jim Blackwood, seconded by Mark Barlett, to write a letter requesting documents from the Parks Bureau; motion passed.

Stephanie also was at the July 29 city council meeting. One of the things from that meeting was that Leonard has said that he will amend the city’s charter to not allow any privatization on any protected Bull Run land to keep the water system clean. It was moved by Dawn Smallman, seconded by Greg Snider, to write a letter to Leonard affirming his promise made in council chambers to protect the city’s water rights; motion passed.The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 7:00pm at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, located at SE 54th and Belmont.

For more information, please go to www.mttaborpdx.org.