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September 2005 meeting minutes
Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association
Regular meeting minutes
Septemer 21, 2005
Board members present: Cascade Anderson Geller, Mark Bartlett, Sharlane Blaise, Eric Bosler, Clifford Carlsen, Bill Guthrie, Lois Heying, Dave Hillman, Cathy Kuehnl, John Laursen, Paul Leistner, Justin Leonard, Bunny Marechal, Gayle Marechal, Nancy Norby, Jen Pultz, and Diane Redd
Others present: Steve Hoyt (SEUL Rep.), John Turner, Peter Cowan, Chris Miller, Paul Studer, John Hovey Raup, and Stanley Terpstra
Diane Redd led introductions. The August minutes were approved with one correction by Eric Bosler regarding the executive session; it should read that there is nothing in the MTNA bylaws about executive committee. This correction will be made in the final copy of the August minutes by the secretary. No treasurer’s report was given, due to the absence of Bing Wong. Diane noted and passed around flyers sent to MTNA. She also asked that folks use the northeast door to enter Bueermann Hall because of security concerns at the seminary; other entrances will no longer be accessible.
Neighbor Issues and Concerns
Diane reported that the developer who requested to build on a “flag lot,” (access through driveway to home behind at 56th and Alder), declined to present at our meeting.
Trader Joes is not locating at the Montavilla site; it is too small.
Officer Brendon McGuire answered questions about the Police Bureau’s Offense Report available at the meeting.
A fire in Mt. Tabor Park on the south slope during the first week in Sept. due to kids’ mischief, will result in the loss of one or two trees.
Committee Reports
Environment Committee
Cascade reported on a meeting that the committee had with the City Nature program managers, a part of the newly reorganized Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau. They are to manage natural elements and are creating maps that provide an inventory of plants in different units of the park. The committee is concerned that previous environmental studies, and master plan documents are either disregarded, or not known to exist. Paul Leistner and others called for a letter advocating that the Master Plan and Vision for the Park and the Environmental Zones be utilized for accountability and transparency in discussions. Cascade will draft a letter to present at the October meeting.
Mt. Tabor Off-Leash Area Stewardship
Nancy and Diane commented about planned improvements (availability of potable water, steps into the central area, new plantings), work parties to remove invasive plants (Warner Pacific College students volunteered a day) and scheduling clean-ups third Saturdays 10-11 am. The Off-Leah Area Kick-Off Celebration is planned for Saturday, Sept. 24 from 1-4 pm. Complaints are down 90% from a year ago.
Nancy also invited all to plant Oregon Grape bushes to camouflage the chainlink fences at the dam face, looking west from Reservoir 5. Volunteers will meet on October 29th, 9:00 am at the Mt. Tabor picnic shelter.
Traffic Improvement at 55th and Belmont
Sharlane reported that on August 2, a task group met, representing the Portland Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Environmental Services to discuss ways of calming traffic and construction of a bioswale at this intersection. She was encouraged by the immediate response to draw up a sustainable design solution. Interested parties will be notified of a meeting, scheduled in October.
Deli Site Update
Momentum is building for the Atkinson/Tabor Community Commons at 57th and Division, under the joint forces of the Atkinson PTA, Mt. Tabor and South Tabor Neighborhood Association. Paul reported that the public is stepping forward to raise the initial funds of $45,000 to purchase the property which will be held under the ownership of Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Inc. (SEUL).
Spring Art Fair
Sharlane is seeking support from the MTNA for an open artist studios tour in the area in conjunction with a garden tour benefiting the training of guide dogs for people with visual impairments. Questions related to the level of support needed for the art walk and whether the artists themselves intended to contribute a portion of their earnings to benefit the community. Sharlane will communicate with the artist community.
Mt. Tabor Gateway
The Hawthorne Transportation Plan, a redesign of the intersection of 50th and Hawthorne, is finally coming together, due to John Laursen’s persistence and engagement of political clout. Obstacles were overcome; the property owner decided to decommission the oil tank and Commissioner Randy Leonard is willing to make an exception to locate the gateway sign over water pipes, which will be protected by the flexible membrane covers purchased for the west side reservoirs.
Land Use
Dave Hilts described a major land development proposal for a site above Marquis Care on Yamhill, consisting of a two story office building, eight town houses and a single family dwelling. A traffic study will be certain because access is onto 60th from Yamhill which has a high accident history and 60th is an emergency through street. The developer is requesting a zoning amendment. Dave will attend the meeting on 9/22/05 and express objections to the proposal on behalf of MTNA.
MTNA Organizational Issues
Letter Review Process
Cascade and Eric have not met to draft a proposal; this issue was tabled until the next meeting.
Limiting Acronym Use at MTNA Meetings
Bunny Marechal made a motion to recognize the limiting factors associated with the use of acronyms and modify their use during MTNA business discussions. Cascade seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. It was agreed that people will be reminded by the waving of a small flag.
Grievance Brought by John Turner
A grievance regarding process was filed by John Turner against the MTNA because the officers improperly met in an executive session to determine actions taken, which resulted in his resignation from the board. John requested notes taken at the executive session and Diane responded that no notes were taken, however the letter which was formulated by the group, contained the issues discussed at that meeting. SEUL recommended that mediation would be preferable to a formal grievance. It was moved by Clifford Carlson and seconded by the group that we would try mediation with a professional mediator to eliminate the grievance. The motion passed unanimously with one abstainee; John agreed to engage in mediation. Paul Leistner moved that Gayle Marechal represent the MTNA in mediation. It was seconded and all agreed to this representation.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
-Submitted by Lois M. Heying
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