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November 2007 meeting minutes
Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association
Regular meeting minutes
November 21, 2007
Board Members present: Dave Hilts, Don Jacobson, John Laursen, Justin Leonard, Bunny Marechal, Gayle Marechal, John McLaren, Nancy Norby, Bruce Treat and Bing Wong
Board members absent: Cascade Anderson Geller, Mark Bartlett, Clifford Carlson, Nadine Fiedler, Cathy Kuehnl and Paul Leistner
Others present: Gary Berger, Jim Blackwood, Kay Dillner, Oliver Dillner, Barbara Grimala, Steve Haus, Ed Hershey, Lois Heying, Don Holden, Floy Jones, Pamela Kile, Joseph Krezdinger, Nancy Laney, Deborah Medel, Ceanne Melkerson, Steve Melkerson, Bob Naylor, Karen Naylor, Tim O’Neal, Joanna Roork, Dawn Smallman, Greg Snider, Al Staehli, Tom Schwartz, Bruce Vergeer, Carol Vergeer, Scott Yelton
Bing Wong led introductions. Minutes from the October meeting were previously distributed via email and several copies were brought to this meeting. With no changes, they were adopted upon motion by Dave Hilts and seconded by Nancy Norby. Bing Wong presented the treasurer’s report.
Announcements
A message was passed on from Heidi Kohne that the church’s November fundraiser at Wong King Seafood restaurant raised over $10,000 net.
The Think Outside the Bottle campaign wants people to cut down on use of plastic water bottles due to litter issues.
Justin Leonard said that Sharlane Blaise should be given a round of applause for her efforts in getting the street calming divider at 55th/Belmont. Don Jacobson said that he would be sure that Sharlane got the message.
Officer Pickett of the Neighborhood Response Team passed out maps to crime in the neighborhood. Car prowls are still the most prominent crime. The best thing you can do to not attract criminal interest is to leave your car “show room clean.”
Old Business
Traffic Safety
Michael Neuman has a survey package from PDOT to poll Thorburn residents on truck traffic on that street. Ed Hershey thinks that Thorburn is an accident waiting to happen.
Community Policing Forum
Jim Blackwood said that, in addition to calling the graffiti hotline at 503-823-4TAG (4724) for graffiti problems, that you should also contact the police’s non-emergency number at 503-823-3333.
EPA v. Portland Water Case
Floy Jones reported that the City lost in the federal Court of Appeals in Washington, DC in its dispute with the EPA over the EPA’s rule that open reservoirs be covered, buried or the water be treated at inlet and outlet. Commissioner Leonard, the Commissioner in charge of the Water Bureau, has pledged to not cover the reservoirs. Floy, on behalf of Friends of the Reservoir, along with other stakeholders sent a letter to Commissioner Leonard urging him and City Council to pursue the variance option of not having Portland’s water treated as well as pursuing all regulatory and legislative options in an effort to illuminate the fact that Cryptosporidium does not pose a public health risk on the Bull Run water supply. Floy asked for MTNA to sign on to and adopt the letter. John Laursen made a motion and Nancy Norby seconded adoption of the letter. Motion passed unanimously. Floy also said that we could expect our water bills to double or go even higher if EPA’s rule was allowed to take effect.
Committee Reports
Land Use
Dave Hilts has looked into a request to build a two story garage/home office at 5645 SE Morrison St. According to Dave, the property is on a through lot and the structure, to be placed on the Alder side of this address, exceeds lot coverage standards and setback standards. Dave is also concerned about lack of tree canopy. Dave invited the owners, Steve and Ceanne Melkerson, as well as several affected neighbors to the meeting to hopefully open a dialogue. Mr. Melkerson said that he is trying to build to fit into the neighborhood and is glad for this opportunity to start a discussion with his neighbors. Several of the neighbors are concerned about lack of off street parking and privacy as well as water drainage issues. The time allotted and extended wasn’t enough and Dave is going to try and get the central parties together at another date to discuss their concerns.
SEUL
Paul Leistner was away and Gary Berger of SEUL visited. Gary covered a few administrative things and mentioned that he could be reached at HYPERLINK "mailto:Gary@southeastuplift.org" Gary@southeastuplift.org or 503-232-0010, ext. 314 if someone had concerns about issues in the Southeast in general. Gary also introduced Tim O’Neal who is an Americorps volunteer working on environmental and sustainability issues.
WWI Ramsey Memorial
John Laursen reported that there was no news but that the committee would be meeting again soon.
Friends of Mt. Tabor Park
Nancy Norby reported that Friends is seeking both more foot patrol members as well as Board members as two people recently left the Board. Note cards and t-shirts are for sale to raise money. Nancy also announced that the group will be involved in the 100th anniversary of Mt. Tabor Park in 2009 and that ideas are being solicited on ways to celebrate the event.
Mt. Tabor Park Master Plan Update
John Laursen reported that a steering committee would be formed in early December but that otherwise there was no new news since the last MTNA meeting. Someone else mentioned that Cascade Anderson Geller had attended a Parks Budget Committee meeting and that this committee was aware of the importance of the master plan update and that funding would be given a high priority.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45
The next MTNA meeting will be Wednesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church as SE 54th /Belmont..
Previous Minutes can always be found at www.mttaborpdx.org/about
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