Crossing Belmont Street

From Darvel Lloyd, Chair  S.E. District Senior Advisory Council

Accident on August 11th

As you may know, another major pedestrian accident occurred on August 11th in front of our S.E. Multicultural Service Center, in which an elderly Loaves and Fishes client had just finished lunch and was struck by a car while attempting to cross Belmont St. He ended up in the hospital with a broken leg and other injuries.  This makes three serious accidents in that block in the last year-and-a-half.  We have waited a long time for a pedestrian safety improvement here (at least 8-9 years!!), but FINALLY  it is about to happen, thanks to all of your advocacy efforts (and patience)!

Construction timeline

Both the Mayor’s Office and Kyle Chisek (POBOT Engineer in charge) just told me that our project is “next on the list” and construction will begin within the next two weeks–as soon as a school project is finished.  Kyle said that a number of city transportation projects were delayed because of the cool spring and early summer.

Speed limit reduction on Belmont?

After this latest accident occurred, I e-mailed the Portland Bureau of Transportation, requesting their safety experts to seriously consider lowering the 30 mph speed limit in that 2-3 block stretch of Belmont Street (from 44th Ave. to 47th Ave.) to

July 9, 2010 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order 8:25

1. Approve agenda, minutes – tabled until next meeting

2. Actions on Blair Community Garden? – no actions to take

3. Time management during meetings – ideas – Need to be equitable and fair, particularly to people showing up later in the agenda. Talked about various time-keeping items, chimes, clocks, timekeepers, etc. Just say in the beginning of the meeting, for the sake of equity. Bill made a motion that we start using a timer set for each section, agenda item, based on the pre-written amount and that’s a simple guide to keep us on time. We will check in on time in a few months and guide our progress. We indicate during general announcements. Heather seconded the motion. The only caveat Jane mentioned would be that to be too rigid, would not be good. Need to have some flexibility if emotions are running high and not just cut people off. Tim abstained.

4. Finance subcommittee report does not exist because it has not met. Would like to support the Fresh Exchange, but hesitant to do so without this report. Let’s not discuss this further if we’re not going to do anything with it. One option is contingent is that provided that the committee says we’re OK, the board would like to support this at some level.

5. Sponsorship of Fresh Exchange for One Month. Will table this until the committee comes up with its guidelines. The finance committee will come up with a date before we leave this room to meet.

6. Newsletter articles —

7. Other Business – mason jars – Bill will bring it up to BABA, this land is our land sponsored by SEUL, 7 p.m. Thursday the 29th. WAMA just be aware.SEUL handbook, how to make the meetings are more friendly. If people feel like they can’t come, can’t find a sitter. A volunteer opportunity to participate. Would check that out. Advertised in back-to-school things.

8. Adjourn

July 9, 2010 General Meeting Minutes

Sunnyside Neighborhood Association General Meeting

Thursday, July 9, 2010

Southeast Uplift, 3534 SE Main St. Portland OR 97214 Board Members Present: Tim Brooks, Reuben Deumling, Chuck Lawrence, Bill Stites,

Heather Wilson, Jane Pullman Board Members Absent: Michele Gila, Paul Loney,

Neighbors and Guests: Karen Hery, Spikos Koyanis, Masaye Hoshide, Mike Boeder, Anna Halpin, Bill Wheeler, Martha Wheeler, MaryAnn

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.

1. Welcome / Introductions

2. Approve agenda and minutes: With only four board members present initially, those here agreed to delay this item until later in the evening.

3. Fresh Exchange – Thursday Buckman Market (Anna Halpin) Anna shared organic strawberries. It is a fund that increases low-income access to the Farmer’s Market. It is volunteer-based, in conjunction with SE Uplift. It is dollar for dollar match up to $5 with Buckman Dollars. People on food stamps can swipe their credit cards and say they want $20 to buy. They can buy fresh fruits, vegetables and plant starts. It is neighbors feeding neighbors and feedback has been extremely positive to date. Data for 8 of 10 markets, averaging $188 per market out of fresh exchange. Highest match has been about $275. Anna needs money to sustain the program through the Season (Sept. 23). Asking 4 neighborhood associations around the market if they could sponsor, and the request is for $280. SNA could advertise, wear T-shirts, send out info about upcoming events. We would announce that this particular market is being sponsored by the neighborhood association. The need is great. The next market is July 19. She would like to partner with a neighborhood association and try and obtaingrant funding. Anna is willing to write the grant, which opens in August, and it would be funds for next season. Reuben said it would be a qualified maybe, and we will discuss during our board meeting. We have not yet set our budget, discussed charitable contributions, etc. Will confer with the outgoing chair on how to deal with grants. Reuben asked Anna to write up an article for the newsletter.

4. p:ear – public art/strengthen community/mentor youth (Rodolfo Serna) Rodolfo was not present to discuss this item

5. Belmont Street Fair (John Barker) John Barker was not present to discuss this item. But Tim spoke on his behalf. The date is Sunday, Sept. 12. It is 10 to 5, same general format. The main change physically is more space for kids and areas off of Belmont, like the parking lot off of 34th and expanded coverage down Belmont, possibly going as far as 37th. Bill’s going to do the neighborhood green again. The size was right 24- foot circle. Alternative transportation is going to be human-powered or bike-centric. Jane mentioned she had a conversation with Za Zen owner, and she would like to note that her business was hurt by the booth set up last year. Karen provided a description in the kid’s area modeled after the swapshop. The opening up of the whole parking lot, so the Roost can be recreated as well as the Swap shop space. The Roost is for teens, the SwapShop for toddlers. DoJump also will have a big square space, so kids can come in and experience juggling, and play around with their stuff. The SwapShop will grow into the space.

6. Mural – Two Rivers Aikikai (Masaye Hoshide) Masaye would like a mural painted on the front of the building. We were hoping to put a new one on the front and apply for a grant with SE Uplift that are on the side of the building and add lighting because they get tagged. The grant will help clean them up and put new protectant on the top. They’re hoping to convey a sense of peacefulness and relaxation on that busy intersection. They don’t need financial support, but basically support for the mural itself. Two Rivers Aikikai is a non-profit association, martial arts, dosha (sp?) and has been around more than 20 years. Also have received support from BABA. Have put the word out to neighbors as well. Also working with local artist, Christa Brinn (sp?) Bill commented that he thinks it looks great. They’re trying to leverage financing and reach out to paint supply stores to see if they can donate some of the materials. The

artist itself teaches and rents out our space for yoga a couple of times a week, so she’s going to lower her rates as well. Gina made a motion to support the mural and its intentions. Heather seconded. Reuben read a note of support written by him as SNA president.

7. Update on Blair Community Gardens (Tim Brooks) BCG is located south of Stark St. and just west of 30th. It’s taken 5 years since the land was secured to coordinate. The neighborhood has raised $2000. The community gardens association has raised $2000 and Laurelhurst has raised $2000. Tim says he was hoping for a date, but it might be donated soil, donated hazelnut chips for paths, but as soon as the last piece comes together, a grand opening date will be set. Tim says they’ll publicize it in the SNA newsletter. We have enough money, with the beds, water source and commitment to upgrade the shed, there is no need for phasing. The board wondered how soon will people be contacted that there will be space available for that? Tim says if you were part of the former garden years ago, you’d be contacted first, then if you’re on the general community garden list and local and then others. They are hopeful we might be able to reserve a plot for members of the Laurelhurst Village themselves to keep it inter-generational. Mary Ann is delighted to hear it’s finally coming into play, but how can they do that without talking to parks

8. Committee Reports

Sustainability –Has not met. Reuben says they are shifting the committee’s focus to emergency preparedness for a while and will be reporting back on that in the newsletter and other news.

Land-Use and Transportation—Has not met, but Bill mentioned the meeting on Monday. It is now the second Monday of each month, which is a change. The big item is ClearWire tower, which is equivalent of a 10-story building. Respectpdx.org is the URL of a group that has formed specifically to oppose these towers. Big meeting on July 29 that’s this land is your land. A huge issue because our public land is disappearing, according to Mary Ann. Mary Ann also mentioned people have until Monday July 12, to appeal the Sunnyside Environmental School’s portable classrooms. Bill says as far as he

knows the board doesn’t have a position. Paul wrote a letter registering our interest in the issue but has registered no comment.

Crime Prevention – Chuck reported he has had a lot of trouble at Jay’s market at 48th & Belmont, had to repaint the whole East Wall. People keep hitting it constantly, but he says he is not aware of any crime issues in the neighborhood.

Southeast Uplift – They only had one agenda item today to elect their officers, according to Jane. Brian Agee is their new chair, vice-chair is Jeff West, Secretary was Julie Radcliffe, Treasurer is Pete Jacobsen. Then they went out there and ate ice cream.

9. Approve minutes – Delayed until Michele’s return.

10. Next meeting on Aug. 12

11. Announcements – George — Employment Self help it’s our one-year anniversary. He says they started with six people and now total about 16. He says there is a great need for us to help us out. Mary Ann mentioned SNA has donated tile for the Children’s Club necessitate by an overflow and asbestos abatement and have only been able to raise $2,500. So with our Belmont Street Fair coming up, maybe we could put up Mason Jars up and down the street, possibly SNA helping jumpstart those coffers. Concerts in the park announcement.

12. Adjourn

June 10, 2010 Board Of Directors Minutes

Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

Approved Minutes

June 10, 2010

Board Meeting Called to order at 8:15pm Draft Minutes got passed around

Action Items: Seat elected Board members: Paul Loney, Gina Binole, Heather Wilson, Bill Stites

Select officers, committee chairs.

Street Fair: (John Barker) John reads a proposal to be a co-sponsor of the Street Fair. The NA has done the music. John needs a volunteer coordinator. Booths will only be on Belmont. There will be 134 booths. Street will be blocked at ??? John needs 20 volunteers for 3 hour shifts to handle questions and keep people happy.

Planning meeting for the Street Fair will be 7 at Hoda’s on June 30th.

Reuben moves and Gina seconds to have the SNA be a co-sponsor. Approved unanimously.

Co-sponsor banners: Heidi shows us the new logo. Will have 40 banners from a grant for Belmont from 12th to 60th. Zupan’s pledged $4000 for the banners and BABA put in $4000.

Heather makes a motion that we co-sponsor the banners; heather seconded.

Reuben asks what the 8,000 pays for. Making the banners, hardware, mounting them, insurance.

Sponsorships for Mt. Tabor Concerts. We sponsored last year for $250.

Reuben moves to sponsor $250 for the concert series. Bill asks about the budget that was supposed to have been done. Reuben says we have not developed a budget.

Heather asks if the subcommittee can meet before the next board meeting. Reuben and Jane can meet. Tim is out of town. We will try.

Motion was made and approved to contribute $250. Motion passed with one abstention. Heather abstains.

Reuben is nominated as president. Elected unanimously. Michele nominates Paul Loney as vice. Elected unanimously. Michele nominated as Secretary. Passed unanimously

Jane is elected as Treasurer. Committee Chairs and liaisons.

Heather nominates Bill for BABA liaison. Heidi is Chair of BABA. Bill explains that the liaison represents the neighborhood to BABA meetings, coordinates Belmont St Fair. To raise neighborhood issues with the business district.

Bill is elected to represent at BABA.

Reuben nominates Chuck as the chair of the Crime Prevention Committee. Josh raises issue of his car being broken into and with a homeless person. He needs help to deal with homeless people respectfully. Paul says it would be good to go through Chuck.

Michele seconded the motion. Chuck is voted in.

Reuben nominates Jane and Reuben as co-chairs of the Sustainability Committee. Passed. Reuben explains that the committee has met for 3 years.

Reuben and Jane are unanimously elected.

Paul is nominated and elected as chair of Land Use and Transportation Committee. Bill is not co-chair but he handles the transportation part of it.

SEUL delegate from SN to the SEUL land use and Sustainability Committee. Paul is nominated.

SEUL Board liaison position. They meet the first Monday of the month at 7. Heather is nominated. Reuben seconds. Heather is elected.

Bill asks if there is a position on emergency preparedness. Jane is point on contact for emergency. Jane is voted in. Site council. Reuben nominates Gina for site council. Paul seconds. Both elected unanimously.

Reuben nominates Michele as Communications Coordinator – a go to person to the electronic media. Seconded by Heather. Michele is voted in. She says the the neighborhood can post to our Facebook page.

There’s a yahoo group for the SNA. Michele asks for a committee. Me and Gina volunteer.

As president, Reuben will chair the newsletter committee. Bill wants to discuss newsletter

frequency.

Fundraising for school play equipment ( Heather): On the section of park under the exclusive use permit, there is space for play equipment (in NE corer). Paul suggests getting hold of Jeff Milkes to approve the play equipment. Josh will get information about the equipment behind the SEUL building.

Pre-school and home school kids should have play equipment since the NA paid for the equipment that’s used on school grounds.

Weatherization (Heather): How to weatherize your home in historic houses. Coming Year Planning is tabled for next meeting. Newsletter articles. Bill, Jane,

Approval of March’s minutes. Approved. Gina abstained. April’s Board minutes. Approved. Heather abstained. Gina abstained.

Meeting adjourned at 9:39pm

June 10, 2010 General Meeting Minutes

Sunnyside Neighborhood Association General Meeting

Approved Minutes

June 10, 2010 Southeast Uplift, 3534 SE Main St. Portland OR 97214

Board Members: Paul Loney, Reuben Deumling, Jane Pullman, Michele Gila, Bill Stites, Heather Wilson, and Gina Binole. Absent: Tim Brooks, Chuck Lawrence.

Neighbors and Guests: Karen Hery, Rachel Bloom, Zoe Pedersen, Bill & Martha Wheeler, Matt Wickstrom, Heidi (last name?), Lee Greer, Josh Palmer, Dana Berterman (?), Jeanne Longley, John Barker, Mark Wheeler.

Meeting called to order at 7:03pm

Introductions

Approve agenda / circulate minutes:

Motion to approved modified agenda by Michele Gila; seconded by Reuben Duemling. Modified Agenda approved.

Minutes from March and April’s General Meeting handed out for approval later in the meeting. Election Results: Gina, Reuben, Paul, Heather, elected.

Matt – Portland Plan: Circulated flyer for the 25 year plan for city. Where we are now and where we want to be in 25 years. This is a people oriented plan, such as health, public safety, equity, civic engagement, arts and culture and land use, housing etc. Lot of patrons – Mult Co, tri-met, DEQ and other bureaus and agencies.

Phase 1 at beginning of year. Vision PDX. Phase 2 workshops wrapped up 3 weeks ago about where we are heading. Survey went out to everyone in Portland. Survey came up with a list of Directions based on survey. There is a more detailed list that Matt will send. Also on PDXPlan.com. This puts target number on goals to see if we are meeting goals. They are getting out into the community. Will be at Belmont St. Fair, Gay Pride, Sunday Parkways, etc. District liasons are assigned to groups that are not geographically defined, such as seniors.

Phase 3 will occur in the fall. They are developing strategies now. Intend to come up with 7 different draft strategies. In fall will be at community events and workshops. The plan will direct the City and partner agencies.

Question: When will plan be adopted? The completion would be in 2011 (see brochure).

Question: How does our spending on arts compare with other cities? Seattle and Denver spend about $7. How much success came from the last plan? Light rail was cited. This plan does what Other cities don’t do by including other things aside from transportation and

land use.

Paul says now the plan includes education, environment. They are trying to think creatively. Not a whole lot of money so they are trying to be creative.

Paul says the 20 minute neighborhood – almost everyone talked about green housing and different kinds of housing. The meeting Paul went to expressed that the 20 minutes neighborhood should be diverse.

Matt says also affordability – not just housing but also transportation.

Question: To what extent do the recommendations from the Peak Oil plan are integrated into the Portland plan? The Plan is not just new stuff. It incorporates other plans such as climate action plan, peak oil task-force, etc.

F/U Question: At some point there is the need to negotiate how different plans are arbitrated? Whose priorities get included? The Plan is learning what is important to people.

More living wage jobs Eduction Not aggressive enough on health water sheds and green.

Question: What concerns me in housing is nothing to preserve the historic character of housing. On the schools, it doesn’t’ say how to get to the goal. Does that mean tearing down? Does the plan address that the most sustainable thing is to keep the buildings rather than tearing them down? Matt says its important to provide comments.

Question: Any idea how many people are participating? 8, 000 plus 5000 plus 1800 in workshops and 75 hosted presentations. Matt said participating is been really good.

Matts email is Committee Reports

Reuben – will be meeting on Monday at 6pm. Several members of the board have been talking about incorporating more sustainability focus in our general meetings.

Are you planning of continuing the events? We are taking a break on that. We are going to help other sustainable committees with their events. Also we have presentation worked up that can be shared.

Jeanne says other neighborhoods will be having events. SE-S, neighborhood, Richmond, NW.

We will be bringing the Red Cross in to future meetings.

Question: There was an article in a newsletter about finding out how much water, electricity, gas, etc your neighbors are using. She expressed concern about people’s neighbors knowing – confidentiality. Reuben said we would be showing a graph.

Land Use and Transportation Committee: We meet the second Monday of every month at 7:30. The big issue is the Clearwire pole. They will come to our July 12th meeting at 7:30 at SEUL to show a mock up which they have to do to use a category 4 street. Hope people come because we have to show Commissioner Fritz the level of interest. Its serious because Clearwire plans to put lots of these poles in the neighborhoods. Paul explained this issue. Fritz said only 1 in 4 will be in neighborhoods. Too many!

Mary Ann Schwab is tying to get the location into the portland plan. Paul said Commissioner Fritz is not willing to take a proactive role. Irvington has 2 community groups. Ongoing liquor – Rice Junkies,

Will finalize Good Neighbor Agreement with Hall of Records. – half of what used to be It’s a Beautiful Pizza.

Cognito is going to close the back patio early. Will have live music indoors but have sound proofed. This is the other half of It’s a Beautiful Pizza.

Vegan place will be in Dixie mattress – it’s a collective. Paul said they want to go higher end. They bought the building. Bye and Bye.

Josh asks Does the committee review the cart in the empty lot next to Hoda’s? Sounds like a another cart is planning to move in.

Will Dixie Mattress be 2 places?

Karen asks if the SNA has weighed in on the portables? Paul explains we could not take a position because have not had a meeting about it yet because of timing. We did comment that any land they take up needs to be replaced. The federal grant says it has to remain open space forever. The only way to get around it is to provided the amount of open space elsewhere so the neighborhood will not loose the open space.

Rachel said on May 6th the application was deficient. She talked yesterday about the fence and the district said . . . she did not want to say. Paul said the City said the application is complete and by state law they have to send out notification but because we couldn’t

How do parents know what the status is? Paul said PPS has not been very communicative. The City said more people will be using the site and wants to know what the impact will be when you square footage. Because of a new building, it triggers a transportation study because there is more square footage.

Crime Prevention: No report.

SE UP Committee: No board report because we are in transition so we don’t have a representative. We will appoint a representative at tonight’s board meeting.

Approve Minutes: Feb– Michele moved to approve; second by heather. Minutes approved.

March – any comments? Corrections? Michele makes a motion to approve, Reuben second. Minutes approved.

April – no additions/ Reuben moves to adapt April minutes. Heather seconds. April minutes approved.

Announcements: Karen Hery. This will be the first year that the church will be on the black. We can now look at the boiler, etc. Final tenant is the metro council for the church for the whole city. They own the building so it give us more security. Karen is looking for more involvement in the useful goods exchange and the back to school exchange. Sarah Taylor has asked for them to move. Next option is to move it to the church Karen is looking for greeters. Also, Karen would like a SEUL information table. August 30th from noon to 7pm. Drop of in the morning. Last hour free. Looking for sporting gear, art supplies, binders. Its purposely a week before school starts.

Heather: From cite council. Sarah said the school will have several booths at the street fair and will give us the information for that.

Question: Anyone here on the neighborhood emergency plan?