Officer Mc Guire
Officer Brendan McGuire spoke to some concerns: an alleged rape in the park, police procedures for loud parties, and an alleged drug house. Eric Bosler asked people to send names of families in need to the Sunshine Division, 503-823-2102.

SEUL priorities
Steve Hoyt and Paul Leistner distributed and discussed the voting on neighborhood agenda goals. John Wish wanted to add some language to the land use goal, and the group passed a motion to vote for “A” as modified.

Off leash area
The Mt. Tabor Park off leash area is now open all hours when the park is open. The park bureau’s draft recommendations were passed out, with additional input from Nancy Norby and Sharie Dietz. The neighbors of the area are unhappy, and Paul L. said we should take the lead and talk to them. A summary of what others said: John W. wanted to add that the area should not be expanded to the east, but Nancy says that’s the only flat area. Paul L. said there’s room for compromise and we should not decide for the neighbors. Cascade Geller suggested an old trail on the east side and we should respect the old hardwood grove and do something visually pleasing. Sharie D. said the area is too scary at night and wants to move it to the east slightly. Nancy N. said that the area is out of the public pathway and not of ecological value. Paul L. wanted to know how the historic designation would affect this, and he and others suggested a committee, or at least a good process with the neighbors. Sharie suggested that the whole park be off leash at times, and John W. said he’d fight that to the death. Diane R. discussed the barking problem and the need to communicate with the parks people. There were no major objections to the bureau’s other recommendations. A motion was made: Because of MTNA’s ongoing commitment to working on an off leash area, we are not taking a position but will do process with the neighbors and find out what they want, and bring that back to the parks bureau. The motion passed unanimously. John Laursen moved that there should be no new signs in the park without review by the neighborhood association so we can see if they make sense. This was seconded and passed.

Response to water bureau presentation
John Wish drafted a request for public input before the water bureau (WB) makes decisions, and for the public to have a say in expenses and increases. This was in response to an October WB presentation of decisions made without public process. John moved that the draft be accepted in sense, to be recrafted later. Bill Cornette says the draft doesn’t indicate that the WB serves more than MTNA. John Donovan of the WB said that the presentation was about only the planning phase of the project adopted by city council, that the decisions are not final, and that there had been plenty of public process. Paul L. said that the bureau is trying to listen and that we shold be specific in our complaints, not general. The motion passed with one abstention. Diane R. will work with John W., Mary Ann Wish, and Paul L. on recrafting the document.

Drive-Thru Wake-Up Deli
Paul L. reported on a meeting with 70 people, including MTNA, South Tabor, and the PTA. The meeting focused on proposals and goals for the site. People want a community meeting space, more green area, and a flexible space.

Committee Reports

Environment
Don Jacobson announced a meeting on December 7. He said that many people are interested in planting trees, and there may be someone there from Friends of Trees. The naturescaping program will continue.

—Submitted by Nadine Fiedler