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September 2006 meeting minutes
Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association
Regular meeting minutes
September 20, 2006
I. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
II. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Warner Pacific College’s Interest in Mount Tabor Maintenance Yard.
Presentation of Proposed Plan & Overview of Process to Date.
Guest speakers: Jay Barber, Jr., PhD, President Warner Pacific College; Andrea Cook, PhD, Vice President for Institutional Advancement; and Katy Steding, Director of Marketing and Women’s Basketball Coach.
President of Warner Pacific, Jay Barber, advised that the college had been located on Division for 70 years, and that he would like to keep the college an urban campus. He stated that college had approached Portland Parks and Recreation regarding the possibility of purchasing the Mt Tabor Maintenance Yard which is located at 6437 SE Division St. and adjoins the Warner Pacific campus. The school has asked Parks that, if it were to sell, it consider first a sale to Warner Pacific. He denied any option arrangement.
Barber advised that the institution wants to obtain the land for recreation fields and a gym. Currently the college utilizes the sport facilities other schools, traveling to offsite fields. He advised that lack of sports facilities has limited recruitment, which for the institution to remain viable must be increased. He stated that any sport facilities developed would be shared with the public. Barber related that the board would likely consider a move to other properties if purchase and development could not be completed.
Darlene Bebe of Portland Parks and Recreation commented that Parks had no plans to sell the yard when the inquiry was submitted and that consideration of the sale has not been weighed, but advised that the yard is antiquated and in desperate need of upgrading. She advised that Parks is abandoning the “zone concept” (centralized yards serving many Parks) and wants to move maintenance operations closer to the parks (not just Mt Tabor) served. Ms. Bebe expressed the view that the sharing of sports facilities might provide a community benefit. She stated that any sale were to take place it would need the approval of not just Parks but also would have to go through a public zoning review.
Board member Paul Liestner reminded those present that the land is public. Several individuals question why a lease of the land could not be considered. Andrea Cook, Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Warner Pacific, stated that difficult to fund raise and obtain financing on leased property. She added that the college was interested in around 7.5 to 9 acres and was not interested in the nursery area. In response to audience questioning she explained that enrollment at the Division St. Campus is estimated to increase from the current 389 to approximately 1200 students (maybe 1800 with part-time adult students, who attend a different campus). She stressed that concrete plans had not been completed and that the development would not only depend on the consent of Parks and Recreation but also an open Land Use Hearing. She denied that the college had any plans to purchase any properties on the south side of Division St.
MTNA Vice President, Nancy Norby stated that the College’s announcement seemed like a threat, i.e., that the MTNA should give in or the College would leave. President Barber denied this, stressing that he wanted all parties affected to have input into the process. He stated that this was why the college had invited participation in an earlier meeting at the college.
Darlene Carlson, assistant to Parks Director Santner, stressed that Parks and Recreation receives numerous requests for purchase and development, and that the vast majority are simply rejected outright. She advised that a decision was far from being made. She did concede that recreation facilities are most expensive to develop Warner Pacific’s building and sharing of such facilities could be viewed as an enticement.
III. MTNA CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the August 2006 reviewed and approved.
2. Treasurer, Bill Wong submitted the treasury report (attached).
3. Announcements:
MTNA President, Justin Leonard encouraged people to attend at the Portland Traffic and Transportation Course for Neighborhood Activists from Sept. 27 - Dec. 6, 2006 on Weds. from 6:40 - 8:40 p.m. at PSU;
Justin Leonard also encouraged those who had concerns regarding Traffic and Bike Safety Concerns on Lincoln St. to add their name, address, phone, and email to the signup list or email your info to justin.leonard@mttaborpdx.org
Justine Leonard announced that those interested could join the Mt. Tabor Parents Group by contacting Lynn Treat at 503.232.0892 or lynntreat@msn.com;
In addition he announced that Friends of Trees will be planting in Mt. Tabor. Interested parties should contact the Mt Tabor neighborhood coordinator, Dan Hannon at 503.282.5288 or hannond@comcast.net. Subsidized tress will be available typically at $25-75. Planting will take place on March 10,
2007, but trees should be ordered by December 8, 2006.
IV. MTNA BUSINESS and ISSUES
1. Cascade Anderson-Geller introduced a discussion
regarding when and how MTNA Board member has the authority to represent the MTNA board when invited to attend a function at an outside organization. She inquired about the meetings at Warner Pacific to which members of the MTNA Board had been invited. She questioned whether the presence of Board Members didn’t suggest an active participation of the MTNA in decision making. In addition, she suggested that views, even if qualified as an individual’s own might be taken as standing for the MTNA as a whole. She suggested an amendment to the bylaws to preclude participation by MTNA board members in any forums in which the sale of public land might be discussed without first receiving approval from the MTNA board. This modification will be submitted as an agenda item for a later meeting. Motion Deferred
President Justin Leonard advised those present that any opinions expressed at the Warner Pacific meetings were solely his own and that Warner Pacific had acknowledged what he explicitly stated when he met with them, that he was unable to speak on behalf of the board without board action but was acting as an active and concerned community member.
A letter from Dave Hillman, of Friends of Mt. Tabor Park and a former MTNA Board member, regarding his attendance at meetings with Warner Pacific was read with his permission as he was unable to attend:
Over the past several months, Warner-Pacific College has conducted an extensive
strategic plan to define themselves and their future. They held an
exhaustive number of interviews with individuals and groups, and I was
invited to participate in one of the groups as a representative of the
Friends of Mt Tabor Park. I am not a member of the religious denomination
represented by Warner-Pacific, and have no affiliation with them other than
being a neighbor. I have found the staff, faculty and students from WP to
be very open, honest, trustworthy and people that I would like to keep as
neighbors, not only as a neighbor close to where I live but also as a
neighbor to the park. As part of their long term strategic plan, they have
decided that they wish to remain an urban college but they also need to
grow a bit to remain competitive. In one of the follow up discussions with
neighbors and neighborhood groups, they raised the issue to a possible
purchase of the parks Mt Tabor Yard, if it should ever become available. It
certainly seemed to me, as well as others, to be one of several possible
options. It must be noted that in the parks long range plans, they would
like to relocate the yard, but there is no definite time table or plan set
to accomplish that task. It seems to me that it is a wise decision for the
WP administration to make their thoughts known to the park/city managers so
that they know at least one organization with a history of being a good
neighbor is interested in the property. WP administrators have stated to me
and others, that if they were ever able to purchase the property, that part
of the long range plan would be to insure the neighborhood that it would not
be offened by traffic, noise, or any other action deemed problematic. They
would also open planned athletic facilities to the public for their use. As
a neighbor, I would like to see the college remain and for them to have an
opportunity to grow physically as well as in their support of the park and
Mt Tabor nighborhood. This would certainly be a win-win for all, and far
preferable than having another huge condo development or other purpose that
would not enhance our nighborhood. In conclusion, I would state that there
is no conspiracy, no "done deals", no final decisions, no sale or back room
agreements. The only thing that has taken place is a written memo that
states that if and when the city would ever take action to sell the Mt Tabor
Yard, that WP would like to have an opportunity to make an offer.
[cut and pasted from email sent from Dave Hillman to Mr. Leonard on Sept. 16, 2006]
Board Member Stan Terpstra advised that prior to being elected to the MTNA board, he and at least one of his neighbors had also been invited, as neighborhood residents, to a meeting a Warner Pacific.
Justin Leonard added that he had been advised by Warner Pacific that the college had invited a number of other individuals known to be active in the community, including board member Paul Leistner, as well as those in the community who had volunteered to participate in Warner Pacific’s earlier marketing research studies. As explained in the announcements, the meeting was intended to discuss the fact that Warner Pacific College had approached the City of Portland about its interest in the Mt. Tabor Yard property and to discuss with the community how best to proceed with a public involvement process.
Board member and then President Diane Redd, who one of the community members who attended the first meeting, noted that Warner Pacific had a huge amount of food at the first meeting and apparently had expected a much greater turnout from the community.
2. Cascade Anderson-Geller deferred presentation of the MTNA
Environment Committee Report.
3. Stan Terpstra, Friends of Mt. Tabor Park liaison to the MTNA,
was unable due to time constraints, to provide a full update,
but advised those present that the FMTP annual picnic was a
success, and thanked those present for the $500.00
contribution towards the Kiosk.
4. A brief explanation of the 2006 Natural Areas, Parks and
Streams Bond Measure 26-80 was provided by President
Justin Leonard (publications provided). Justin Leonard asked
for MTNA support of the Measure. Vice President
Nancy Norby expressed opposition to support as dogs would
not be permitted on purchased property.
MOTION: Resolution in Support of Bond Measure, John Laursen Moved, Paul Liestner second; Approved.
5. Board Member Diane Redd announced that the support of the
MTNA had been requested regarding a study of the feasibility
of Sullivan’s Gulch-Gateway Project (to include4-miles of bike
and walking trail along I-84 from Gateway to the Esplanade).
MOTION: Cascade Anderson-Geller moved, Bill Wong Second; approved unanimously.
6. Justin Leonard called for volunteers for the MTNA Website and
for MTNA Newsletter Editors Designers.
7. John Laursen provided an update re Mt. Tabor Gateway
Design/Development & Fundraising reiterated matching
contribution offered by Jan Caplener of Realty Trust.
8. Paul Leistner provided a Southeast Uplift (SEUL) Board
Update. Advised that the organization is seeking better way to
engage and serve community and schools. Public Meeting to be
held at Atkinson School on 10/16 cafeteria from 7 to 9pm.
9. Paul Leistner provided an update on Atkinson/Tabor
Community Commons Project. Oregon Trade Women and other
groups are providing assistance with repairs.
10.Steve Hoyt, Mt Tabor Neighborhood liaison for SEUL
announced the Neighborhood Small Grants Project. A total of
$41,000.00 has been made available for community grants of
$500.00 to $5000.00. Grants to encourage on collaborative
efforts with other organizations. Application deadline is
December 1, 2006.
He encouraged participation in the Community Connect Program Survey at www.portlandonline.com.
11.Justin Leonard suggested exploration of how the
Neighborhood Small Grant Projects might fund MTNA
projects such as Mt. Tabor Entryway. Board Member,
Gayle Marechal will attend the SEUL Grant workshop:
Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 pm
12. Heidi Kohne, liaison from the Mt Tabor Presbyterian Church,
announced a fund raising Gourmet Chinese Dinner to be held
on 10/25/06. Motion: Diane Redd moved that the MTNA
purchase 2 tickets at $50.00 each and raffle them off to
interested members. Gayle Marechal Second; approved
unanimously.
V. Meeting Adjourned. Next General Meeting: Wednesday,
10/18/06, 7:00 PM at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church.
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