Board Members present: Jim Blackwood, Mark Bartlett, Don Jacobson, Heidi Kohne, John Laursen, Paul Leistner, Bunny Marechal, Gayle Marechal, John McLaren, Nancy Norby, and Bing Wong.

Board members absent: Cascade Anderson Geller, Nadine Fiedler, Cathy Kuehnl, Justin Leonard, and Bruce Treat.

Others present: Susan Kelly, Sgt, Reed Hunt, Sgt. Scott Westerman, Whitney Dorer, Jon Makler, Jill Tucker, Randy Tucker, Laurie Rubin, Neal Naigis, Jane Cohen, and Howard Seigel.

Bing Wong called the meeting to order and led introductions. Minutes from the May meeting were previously distributed via email and several copies were brought to this meeting. The minutes were adopted upon motion by Gayle Marechal and seconded by Nancy Norby. Minutes approved by voice vote. Bing Wong presented the treasurer’s report and reported that the proceeds from the May neighborhood clean-up have been donated to Tabor Commons.

Announcements

Gayle Marechal reported that a New Seasons Market is to be built at the site of the former Daily Grind, SE 40th and Hawthorne. The new store is expected to open in 2009.

New Business

Sergeants Reed Hunt and Scott Westerman passed out hang tags for vehicles to indicate to potential thieves that vehicles are empty of valuables. Sgt. Westerman indicated that car prowls are the major problem for police. He suggested that a driver should put items in the trunk before reaching the destination so that potential thieves will not know items are in the trunk. Catalytic converter thefts are on the increase, and Portland hopes to adopt a program such as Vancouver has in which vehicle owners can have ID numbers etched on to converters. Officer Gary Manougian will not be moved from the Mt. Tabor neighborhood although his area of responsibility has been expanded. The police redistricting plan was implemented to deal with the increased volume of calls and to allow for a higher police visibility on 82nd Avenue to help combat the prostitution problem.

Howard Seigel spoke on his frustration over the effects of the Water Bureau’s work on 60th. The problem is the noise and other issues related to increased traffic on streets just west of 60th between Division and Hawthorne. Howard stated that vehicles drive too fast and play radios too loudly and that this has radically changed the neighborhood. Other neighbors expressed similar concerns and felt they had gotten the “run around” from the city. Susan Kelly from the Water Bureau responded that the street closures and resulting detours are intermittent and that residents of the areas affected are notified so that they can prepare for the changes. Jim Blackwood stated that he felt the Water Bureau has done a good job of communicating with residents and that all such projects are time limited and ultimately benefit the area. Jim further stated that the Water Bureau and other city bureaus should be thanked for the good work they have done. Paul Leistner added asked what could be done to relieve the problem and suggested working towards a solution. Don Jacobson suggested redistributing the detours, assigning city personnel to encourage vehicles to slow down and to take license numbers of speeders. Susan Kelly responded that routes are pre-determined and can’t be changed. Someone suggested police radar, but Sgt. Hunt responded that radar was ineffective on the streets involved.

Randy Tucker reported on a problem with the traffic signals at 50th and Hawthorne. According to Randy, the walk signals are on at the same time as the green light for traffic going west on Hawthorne. He has contacted PDOT and was told that nothing more will be done. John Laursen has not noticed the problem from his office location near the intersection. Randy will draft a letter expressing concern and the letter will be presented at the July MTNA meeting for approval.

Committee Reports

Mt. Tabor Park Central Yard

Jon Makler, who was hired for one year to develop a plan for the use of the yard, reported on the progress so far. He referred to the time from February 2008 to present as the “homework phase,” a time to investigate options. Maintenance Design Group has been selected to come up with a design for the yard, and Jon wants to be able to go to City Council with a plan by September 2008. There will be a major planning event in July to narrow design options to three and then to one option by September. The parks bureau hopes to fund the project with a bond measure. During the homework phase three groups of activities within the 13 acres of the yard were identified: the city nursery, maintenance, and community gardening. What goes on now will continue with a decreased emphasis on horticulture. Three buildings within the yard have historic designation what to do with them is an issue. It will not be necessary to extend 64th into the park, but there is a possible need to have some sort of access at Division and 64th for pedestrians and cyclists. Bing Wong indicated that MTNA would like to preserve the traditional use of the yard.


Southeast Uplift (SEUL)

Paul Leistner reported on the underground paint clean-up at Tabor Commons. The next phase of work on the site will be getting crushed rock in front of the building and to a new roof. There is an opportunity to get a grant to paint a mural on the building, and Paul asked for MTNA’s support of the mural. Don Jacobson made a motion that MTNA support the mural project and Jim Blackwood seconded them motion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Paul drafted a letter indicating this support, and Gayle Marechal, acting secretary, signed the letter on behalf of MTNA. Paul also acknowledged Randy Leonard’s help in waiving certain fees for Tabor Commons.

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park

Nancy Norby passed out flyers for the summer concert series in Mt. Tabor Park. Concerts will be each Tuesday in July after July 4. Friends of Mt. Tabor Park will hold its annual neighborhood picnic on August 12.

Entryway Project

John Laursen reported that he and Don Jacobson weeded the landscaping. There is no contract yet to repair the entryway monument, but John will follow up to see when a contract will be issued.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30

The next MTNA meeting will be Wednesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church as SE 54th /Belmont.

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