Board Members present:  Cascade Anderson Geller, Mark Bartlett, Nadine Fiedler, John Laursen, Paul Leistner, Bunny Marechal, Gayle Marechal, John McLaren, Nancy Norby, Bruce Treat and Bing Wong 

Board members absent:  Clifford Carlson, Dave Hilts, Don Jacobson, Cathy Kuehnl and Justin Leonard 

Others present:  Bruce Barclay, Jim Blackwood, Kerry Halligan, Kevin Hedahl, Don Holden, Heidi Kohne, Noah Miller, Jerry Shrall, Katie Shrall, Greg Snider 

Bing Wong led introductions.  Minutes from the November meeting were previously distributed via email and several copies were brought to this meeting.  Cascade had several corrections.  After corrections incorporated, they were adopted upon motion by Nadine Fiedler and seconded by Gayle Marechal.  Bing Wong presented the treasurer’s report. 

Announcements 

Bunny Marechal said that Portland would be hosting the International Toward Carfree Cities Conference from June 16 through the 20th.  There will be six miles of streets in North Portland that will be carfree on June 22^nd and that they are seeking volunteers for that day.  This carfree day is modeled after similar days in Bogotá, Colombia.  More details are available at www.carfreeportland.org. 

Heidi Kohne mentioned that the church will be having Easter morning services and invited everyone to them. 

Gayle Marechal reminded everyone that the annual clean up will be Saturday, May 10 at Mt. Tabor Middle School.  Gayle handed around a volunteer sign up sheet and told everyone how fun it is. 

Cascade Anderson Geller said that the City’s budget forum meetings are coming up on February 20^th at Alder Elementary and February 27th at 2033 NW Glisan.  She says that these are important meetings to attend to give input about how the City is spending our money. 

Cascade along with Al Staehli and Kim Lakin have met with the Water Bureau regarding refurbishments of the 1894 reservoirs.  She hopes to report more in the future. 

Mark Bartlett also mentioned that surveyors are in the neighborhood looking at bioswales. 

Kevin Hedahl, who lives in Montavilla, visited to tell us about the Portland State University Cycling Club hosting a series of collegiate only bicycle races in Mt. Tabor Park on April 6^th.  The races will be from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. and will involve approximately 275 racers from various colleges.  The colleges encourage racer carpooling to cut down on traffic.  Amplified announcements and music will start at 9:30 a.m. at the earliest.  Kevin also said that the race organizers are very strict about littering and that that shouldn’t be a problem in the park.  With approval of the audience, Bruce Treat signed paperwork saying that MTNA approved of the race.  Cascade asked Kevin to spread the word to fellow cyclists about how existing park trails are being eroded by off road cycling as well as new trails were being created by off road cyclists too. 

Mark Bartlett is hosting a gathering at his house to meet city council candidates.  Interested people should contact him at mark.bartlett@mttaborpdx.org.  

Bruce Treat handed out mail received by MTNA from various entities involving watershed issues, the annual report of the Tax Supervising & Conservation Commission, the city’s Community Connect volunteer report and a community meeting on March 4^th at Warner Pacific College regarding curb extensions on 59^th between Hawthorne and Lincoln. 

Old Business 

Mark Bartlett said that the City’s response to MTNA’s writing a letter complaining about a wall at 6401 SE Taylor Ct. that is ten feet into the right of way for pedestrians on the sidewalk was in effect, “we made a mistake.”  Mark didn’t seem to think that the City would take further action. 

Committee Reports
 

Land Use

Jerry Shrall, speaking for the recuperating Dave Hilts, reported that the MTNA and some neighbors have sent letters opposing the development at 6371 SE Yamhill.  Jerry also said that the developer put the deadline on hold in order to gather information after missing some deadlines. 

WWI/Ramsey Memorial 

John Laursen gave a background update on the history of the project.  He said that the family of Howard Ramsey has decided that they don’t want his name on any memorial and would prefer that the project be dropped.  John said that with this news, it was his understanding from Commissioner Leonard’s office that the project was over.  Longtime Mt. Tabor resident Don Holden expressed concern that some type of WWI memorial be constructed.  He suggested a simple practical bench between reservoirs five and six that would honor not just Howard Ramsey but rather any WWI veterans who lived in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood in the past.  Nancy Norby is going to find out the bench policy from either the Parks or Water Bureaus and report back to MTNA. 

Southeast Uplift (SEUL) 

Paul Leistner passed around a letter from SEUL to Mayor Potter expressing concern about lack of true citizen oversight to review and guide the development of the Portland Plan.  Citizen oversight for the Plan currently consists of the Planning Commission.  SEUL strongly recommends that the City implement a Portland Plan Community Advisory Committee inclusive of more neighborhoods, businesses, cultural, ethnic and community based organizations as well as youth, elders and special interest groups to make up that citizens’ oversight.  Nancy Norby made a motion, seconded by Mark Bartlett that MTNA write a letter in support of the SEUL letter.  Motion passed.  Members of the audience were also encouraged to write similar letters if they were concerned about the lack of true citizen involvement.  Paul went on to say that overall organization in SEUL has improved with the hiring of new financial manager Tammy Sibley.  SEUL is updating its website to be more inclusive to neighborhoods and also supports City Commissioner Sam Adams’ Safe and Green Streets program. 
 

Entryway Project 

John Laursen said that the City needed to up its claim against the insurance company of the driver who damaged the entryway sign on December 26^th and that they would be doing so soon.  The hope is that the same stonemasons who built the base will replace it and a replanting party will be held once the stonemasons finish their work.  John also noted that the City has added reflective paint and raised reflective dots to the eastern curb surrounding the sign on Hawthorne. 

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park 

Nancy Norby reminded everyone that their winter meeting will be March 18 at the Western Seminary at 7 p.m.  Henry Kunowski will speak on the history of Portland’s park system at the meeting and John Laursen will give an update on the master plan process at the Mt. Tabor maintenance yard.  Nancy also said that she recently attended a City-sponsored get together with other Portland parks Friends groups and that it was very beneficial.  Nancy closed with news that the City has told her that the fence at reservoir one will be repaired.  Bunny Marechal chimed in that the stairs between the playground and the upper road are only temporarily closed and will be repaired soon. 

Mt. Tabor Park Master Plan Update 

John Laursen reported that the next meeting of the group of 33 people involved in the master plan update would be Monday, February 25^th at the same church where MTNA meetings are held and that meetings would start occurring every other week shortly thereafter.  John reminded everyone that these meetings are open to the public. 

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 

The next MTNA meeting will be Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church as SE 54^th /Belmont.

Previous Minutes can always be found at www.mttaborpdx.org/about