Board Members present: Jim Blackwood, Don Jacobson, Heidi Kohne, John Laursen, Bunny Marechal, Gayle Marechal, John McLaren, and Bing Wong.

Board members absent: Cascade Anderson Geller, Mark Bartlett, Nadine Fiedler, Cathy Kuehnl, Paul Leister, Justin Leonard, Nancy Norby, and Bruce Treat.

Others present: Susan Kelly, Officer Tom Rhodes, Barbara Grimala, Greg Snider, Dawn Smallman, Shannon Loch, Wayne Dietz, Michele Haunley, Micah Haunley, Floy Jones, Liz Sullivan, and Jimmy Brown.

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 not approved due to the fact that a quorum of the board was not present. Bing Wong presented the treasurer’s report.

Announcements

Heidi Kohne announced the annual rummage sale at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church would continue Friday and Saturday.

New Business

Neighborhood Crime Issues-Officer Rhodes passed out copies of the neighborhood crime statistics and mentioned the sting operation that was being conducted on 82nd Ave. Someone asked why the prostitution-free zone had expired, and Officer Rhodes responded that Mayor Potter felt it was not necessary. Liz Sullivan then made a lengthy presentation on the prostitution problem on 82nd and the effects of the problem on the nearby neighborhoods. According to Sullivan no study was done on what the effects of removing the prostitution-free zone would be. She went on the say that crime was increasing and cited the recent killing of a pimp by a prostitute. Sullivan also stated that there is an increase in used condoms and needles, and that this is a “livability issue.” Sullivan passed out petitions asking that the prostitution-free zone be reinstated, but Officer Rhodes said it is unlikely to be reinstated. Sullivan indicated that candidate Amanda Fritz is in favor of reinstating the zone. Don Jacobson asked if police foot patrols would help, and Officer Rhodes responded that staff is not available for this. Dawn Smallman asked if there was any information on the rape and robbery shown on the crime statistics sheet. Officer Rhodes stated that she would have to check with the SE Precinct. Officer Rhodes urged people not to leave valuables in cars and to write down bicycle serial numbers and use U-locks.

Update: Pedestrian traffic signal at 50th and Hawthorne-John Laursen did not have anything to report on the traffic signal at 50th and Hawthorne, but he stated that he has not witnessed any of the problems that have been reported at the June meeting. It was suggested that MTNA invite traffic department representatives to an MTNA meeting to discuss the problem. Many at the meeting indicated that they find the intersection “unusual.”

Traffic and noise from Water Bureau Project-Susan Kelly passed out local access only information that went to the areas affected by the detours and other traffic issues. Someone reported continuing problems including speeding and non-residents using streets marked “Local Access Only” as through streets. Kelly passed out photos of the work to show progress and indicated that major excavation will be filled in soon and this should relieve some of the problems. Kelly further indicated that there had been lots of vandalism of signs and many signs had been stolen. She further reported that the thefts are unprecedented. John Laursen said it would help traffic flow to lengthen the left turn light at 50th and Division. Shannon Loch stated that more signs are needed to indicate which streets are closed.

Rising water rates slated to increase-Floy Jones-The EPA will not consider any variance on open reservoirs. The Water Bureau will proceed with sampling water and forward results to the EPA. In April 2009 the Water Bureau will sign an agreement with the EPA outlining what the Bureau will do regarding reservoirs. Wayne Dietz asked what the EPA can do if the Water Bureau doesn’t comply with EPA mandates. Floy responded that the EPA can fine the city.


Committee Reports

Mt. Tabor Park Central Yard

John Laursen began the report by indicating that there are three preliminary plans for the yard and these are being revised and will be presented to the study group on 8/28. There will be no decision on design at that meeting. A decision on design will be made on 9/3. Laursen went on to report that the primary problem with any design is that all the functions the city wants to have within the Central Yard cannot fit into the space. The highest capacity would be 80% of the functions. The real problem for the study group is to determine which functions to leave at the yard and which ones to remove. Don Jacobson offered that the plans use up existing open space and asked what the design would look like if only the original functions of the Yard were kept. Dawn Smallman commented that the real issue is what the community thinks is important versus what Parks Dept. wants to do. Smallman feels we will be forced to vote on the design before questions about park ownership are answered. Shannon Loch stated that the Water Bureau claims to own all of Mt. Tabor Park and the Water Bureau may cut off access to areas of the park. Loch wants a resolution to maintain present park boundaries. Greg Snider and John Laursen both stated that the mechanism already exists for the Water Bureau to build access roads within the park without public input. Laursen went on to state that the study group must look at the question of whether or not the Park Dept. can do its job within the Yard’s new design. The public interest must be served while making the Yard a better facility.

Southeast Uplift (SEUL)

No Report

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park

No report

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

The next MTNA meeting will be Wednesday, September 17 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church as SE 54th /Belmont.

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