SEUL
Galina Boyechko, the new SEUL crime prevention program coordinator, discussed common crimes in southeast Portland and how to avoid car prowls. She suggests leaving cars empty and recommends foot patrols. SEUL is offering training for block captains for neighborhood watches. The site portlandonline.com/oni has info on community watches.
Steve Hoyt, the SEUL liaison, invited everyone to the neighborhood agendas campaign BBQ on September 19; each neighborhood association should bring two or three goals with them, and he'd like two representatives from each NA.

Neighbor concerns and problems

Anti-pesticide program
Don Jacobsen discussed the program to make Portland parks free of pesticides. Petitions and meetings are under way, led by NCAP. They meet on August 31 with park staff members. They are looking for five parks to be in the pilot program, and Mt. Tabor could be one. Nancy Norby mentioned that there are lots of invasive species in the park and inadequate people power to eliminate them.

Park and reservoirs
Barbara Grimala reported that the Friends of the Reservoirs are putting together a celebration and thanks to volunteers on October 10, 3–5 p.m. at the park's picnic area, featuring free root beer floats. Cascade Anderson Geller is looking into the cost and feasibility of a National Register plaque for the park.

Committee Reports

Crime
Eric Bosler will be the official MTNA liaison to the police department. He said that methamphetamine use has skyrocketed, and that 80 percent of crimes that include burglary, car prowls, car theft, and identity theft are linked to meth. The DA is looking for neighbors to help collect information on problem houses; if they collect enough good data that can be sufficient to make a bust happen. Paul Leistner asked if we can get the rules for tracking those problems.

Newsletter
Nadine Fiedler said that the next newsletter deadline is October 10.

Land use
Dave Hilts reported that Roy Asbahr has submitted his final plat for Asbahr Heights and that he was able to get the plan he wanted. There will be new sidewalks and streetlights. Two recent applications were recently submitted: for 1323 SE 51st (for a deck on a carport) and 1632 SE 72nd (for fewer windows than required). Paul L. said that the gateway on 50th & Hawthorne will be going out for bid; he suggests that we talk to Michael Harrison in Francesconi's office to suggest that we can have input into the design.

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park
Dave Hillman said that the new director of security for the water bureau had no idea that there is a foot patrol. The next park service day is August 28. He hopes that they can eventually put up Forest Service-type barricades on places where foot traffic has eroded cut-throughs.

Off leash area
Nancy Norby said that the committee meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. They have begun devising a plan for the present off leash area; it may be 24-7, with a fence along the playground side. They are looking for input, and the parks department has placed an off leash survey on their website.

Drive-Thru Wake-Up Deli
Paul L. says that a consultant is checking whether the seized property can be sold to the community. The city has funds to clean up the old underground tanks. If the plan goes through, neighbors will have to raise at least $200,000 more. The Portland Community Land Trust is helping neighbors figure out how to make it work.

—Submitted by Nadine Fiedler