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August 2007 meeting minutes
Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association
Regular meeting minutes
August 15, 2007
Board members present: Mark Bartlett, Nadine Fiedler, Dave Hilts, Don Jacobson, John Laursen, Justin Leonard, Bunny Marechal, Gayle Marechal, John McLaren, Bruce Treat and Bing Wong
Board members absent: Cascade Anderson Geller, Clifford Carlson, Cathy Kuehnl, Paul Leistner, Nancy Norby and Stan Terpstra
Others present: Tom Armstrong of the Bureau of Planning, Sharlene Blaise, Frances Caramella, Rhetta Drennan of BES, Oscar Griffin, Barbara Grimala, Joan Janin, Joann Kingston, Heidi Kohne, Tim Kurtz of BES, Nancy LaPaglia, Gay Monteverde, Michael Newman, Catherine Shrall, Jeremy Shrall, Steve Slusarski, Greg Snider, Katy Steding, Will Stevens of PDOT
Bing Wong led introductions. Following a tradition started by previous MTNA President Justin Leonard to foster community spirit at August meetings, introductions also
included what people had done for fun this summer. Some activities included travel to Alaska and bicycling long distances. Motion by Justin Leonard and seconded by Gayle Marechal that the July meeting minutes be approved as amended. Motion passed. Bing Wong presented the treasurer’s report.
Announcements
Heidi Kohne announced that on Saturday, September 22nd there would be a yard clean up at the Presbyterian Church at 8 a.m. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Heidi and also bring tools and energy.
Katy Steding announced that Warner Pacific was holding WarnerPalooza, its second annual music festival to benefit My Father’s House, a shelter in Gresham. The festival is on Saturday, September 8th from 2-6 p.m.
Bruce Treat passed along a message from Paul Leistner that the Tabor Commons donation envelopes for insertion in the next MTNA newsletter are ready to be printed and Medical Printing will be doing the printing at cost which about half of what it would be otherwise. Responding to a question from the audience, Bruce was not sure what cost was.
Presentations
Portland Dept. of Transportation (DOT)/Bureau of Environmental Services(BES)
Will Stevens of PDOT and Tim Kurtz of BES spoke about the new traffic calming bioswale being installed at the NE corner of 55th/Belmont. The bioswale will dilute runoff water traveling west on Belmont. The bioswale extends the curb and it is hoped that this will slow westbound traffic on Belmont. A marked crosswalk and pedestrian island should also make crossing this busy street a safer venture. Construction should start in September and it is anticipated that it will take three weeks to a month to complete. Will credited Sharlane Blaise with bringing the problem of traffic and water runoff to BES and PDOT’s attention. Heidi Kohne also mentioned that the bioswale should help alleviate some flooding problems at the church.
Portland Bureau of Planning
Tom Armstrong of the Bureau of Planning is visiting various neighborhoods to try and get a feel from them about development concerning neighbors. Tom mentioned that there have been concerns about tree canopies and infill. Dave Hilts relayed that there are concerns about new infill projects maximizing on how far up and how close to the property line new projects go. Dave also invited Tom to the next MTNA Land Use Committee meeting that will probably be in September.
Committee Reports
Land Use
Responding to previous concerns from surrounding neighbors about tree cutting and potential development at 6371 Yamhill, Dave Hilts invited the owners of the property to attend our meeting. One, Oscar Griffin, was able to attend. Oscar plans to divide his portion of the land (a vacant lot) into two lots. Oscar said that his business partner, Mrs. Lattimer, was going to divide her portion of the property into three lots one of which contains the lot where the house is now and that Oscar is leasing the house with plans to move in before the school year starts. Other than that, Oscar doesn’t know what Mrs. Lattimer is doing with her property. Some of the attendees again expressed concern about the cutting down of trees on the property without permits. Oscar said that if he wanted to, he would cut down the trees but wasn’t sure what his plans were as yet.
Oscar did say that at least some of the trees on the property would have to be cut in order to address slope issues and that from now on, he and Mrs. Lattimer would follow the code including that regarding slopes but that permit and code requirements varied depending on lots sizes.
Mt. Tabor Park Task Force/Public Policy Proposal
John Laursen relayed that the last meeting was held on August 13. The combined MTNA/STNA committee along with representatives from Portland Parks and Parks staff will go before City Council on September 26 at 9:30 a.m. seeking approval to pursue a public involvement process to update the Mt. Tabor Master Plan to determine whether to enhance or determine other uses for the maintenance yard and nursery at the park.
Old Business
Hawthorne Entryway Project
John Laursen provided news of the upcoming dedication of the bronze plaque at 50th/Hawthorne that will occur on August 18th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a 1 p.m. dedication. John has been working on this project for over eight years. Raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for the plaque and the prize will be a print by local artist Molly Hilts. The drawing will be at the MTNA meeting on September 19. The print will be on display at the Sapphire Hotel until August 18 and then at Bread & Ink after that until September 19.
WW I Memorial
John Laursen relayed news that a subcommittee will be formed to come up with an idea for the memorial, likely a small memorial and that subcommittee will get back to the larger committee with recommendations.
The next MTNA meeting will be Wednesday, September 19 at 7 p.m. at the
Presbyterian Church.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45
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