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The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Don Baack
number present Approximately 27 - Welcome and introductions
- Approvals:
- Agenda: It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda. The Agenda was approved.
- Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the November minutes. November minutes were approved.
- Planning for the Community Gardens at Stephens Creek Park–Leslie Pohl-Kosbau of Portland Parks. Some plantings have been put into the area that is possibly to be designated as community gardens. These can be moved. Because the area is small, some of the plots would have to be half-plots. It is being suggested to put space for at least one car to pull in on the park side of the street in the interest of safety –the only parking is now across Bertha. Native plants with a fence could be along the street side of the garden. There would also be a walk-through of the gardens and a vista point to complement the kiosk that is already there. The next step for the creation of the gardens to go forward is a feasibility study. Security is an issue because it is dark. However, it is the most visible place in the whole park. Another consideration is that this would build community and become a community focus. Parks needs our feedback for the planning to be started next year. Gardens normally take two years to get going: planning, fundraising for set up and yearly operating costs, administration, etc. ($15,000 to $16,000 for a low end garden, and about $4000 to $6000 per year for operation). The Stephens Creek site will actually be cheaper than others because there is already water access there, saving an addition $16,000.
The site is somewhat marginal for community gardens, but it will benefit Stephen’s Creek park. However, given demand for plots suggest that it would be a good idea.
Is there something else we could do in Stephens Creek? Not really because Stephens Creek is a nature area.
What about a Japanese garden to integrate with the water feature in the park?
Are there plans for raised beds to tie in with the senior housing at the Watershed? It would cost another $1000, but seems like a good idea because the senior housing is another plus in terms of justifying the gardens.
It is moved that the HNA board establish a committee to implement the creation of a community garden at Stephens Creek Nature Park. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Wes, Arnie, and a student from Wilson will participate on the committee. - Tram fares.
It is moved that, consistent with the city’s original commitment in reference to this project, the tram be an integral part of the regional transportation system and that the fare be integral with the Trimet system. The motion passed.
It is moved that Don Baack be authorized to speak and write a letter to the effect of the previous motion. The motion passes. - Consider changing the name of Bertha Court –Rick Seifert
- Music in the Parks and in Hillsdale at the Rieke Bowl –Wes Risher. For a concert series in SW Portland, including Willamette Park and Rieke as potential spaces. Parks viewed SW having four concerts, two at one venue, two at another during the month of July. Saturday or Sunday, or potentially Thursday evenings would be good times. Parks was a bit cool to the idea of Rieke at first, but became open to the idea later. The budget is $10,000 to provide four concerts at two venues. We need corporate pledges for this to occur next summer. It is suggested that we ask that specific criteria be set up for selecting a site, have nominations for a site, and set up a site there-after.
Whereas we find that there is no record of an announcement of a meeting that would result in a decision of a concert location, nor do the Decemeber minutes reflect it, it is moved that the HNA go on record that SWNI establish a site selection criteria, that they describe their selection process, and that they encourage all interested parties in the greater Hillsdale community to participate in the selection process. The motion passed.
It is moved that HNA and other interested neighborhood establish a committee to work with SWNI and Parks bureau and other organizations to establish a concert series on the Rieke/Wilson complex for the summer of 2007. The motion passed. - Update on SWNI Grant applications. Grant requests were submitted. Plaza Planning, Wilson Planning, Web Site.
- Update of “The Watershed” Project –Bill Wilson. Financing is closed, and permits have been obtained. Parking for builders will be at the Bible Church. Construction will start immediately. Under grounding of some of the PGE lines will begin next week. Conduit will be put in for future undergrounding of wires that will remain above ground. Qwest and Comcast are not willing to contribute to the under grounding of their wires.
- Update Hillsdale Transportation and SDC –Don Baack
- Hillsdale Plaza Charrette & Planning with Rieke School remodel
- Hillsdale Triangle Master Planning Proposal–Duane Hunting, John Gould. Brief discussion on the status of the first Land Division Proposal to the City of Portland and the Public Hearing held December 18, 2006. Request to send Letter: Concern over the utility connections for all property owners within the Hillsdale triangle, specifically the sewers from the lower southern properties being a pumped system. Can Lance Johnson’s project utility placement design the sewer locations (may require adjustment with easements on other land parcels) to gravity feed to better coordinate with the adjacent property owners’ requirements? It is moved and seconded that Duane draft a letter to the Hearings Officer regarding the issues discussed at the meeting and related transportation concerns. The motion passed.
- Wilson Pool North Entrance –Duane Hunting
- Other HNA Land Use issues? --Duane Hunting. Tower on Council Crest – The television tower on Council Crest needs to be replaced. It supports emergency communications. The budgeting and authority has been provided to replace the tower, building a new one next to the current tower and removing the current tower at 3405 SW Council Crest Blvd. There was analysis to see if other existing towers could be used, and that is not possible. The Council Crest tower is critical to a planned regional, rather than local, emergency communications system. Construction should start by mid-summer and be completed before rains start in the fall. The north part of the park will be closed off during construction. Part of the Marquam trail would be closed in the park. The drive through loop in the park will be closed during construction. At this point there are no firm dates for the closure of the drive through loop and the north side of the park. The city is in discussion with PCC to obtain land and put a tower that will eliminate police communication dead zones in the southwest. It is also suggested that authentic pictures of what the real tower will look like be provided to neighborhood associations. The KGON tower cannot be used for this purpose because it is a broadcast tower and creates too much noise and static for emergency communications.
It is requested that a detour be created for the part of the trail to be closed.
It is suggested that consideration be given to the acoustics of the tower, especially during high winds when the tower is very loud –it howls.
It is also suggested that authentic pictures of what the real tower will look like be provided to neighborhood associations.
It is requested that a different place be found for the tower to preserve the aesthetics of the park and Council Crest. It is suggested that use of the KGON tower be reinvestigated as an alternative because of promises made to Healey Heights that all new towers would be colocated on the KGON tower.
It is moved that a letter be sent to the mayor expressing concerns of the association –by Wes Risher. The motion was seconded and passed. - HBPA Report –Richard Garfinkle or Rick Seifert.
- SWNI Report –Carolyn Raz or Glenn Bridger.
- #39 Bus: ridership is down and they are considering reducing hours.
- Call city regarding the streetlights that are out on Capitol highway
- Christmas tree recycling at Wilson High School. Funds raised will be used for Wilson campus beautification. Form available on right of www.wilsonhs.com.
- Fulton Community Association Report provided by Marsha Weber:
Fulton Community Association (FCA) Report
1/03/06 Fulton Community Association, a committee of the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association meets the 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at Fulton Park Community Center. Meetings are open to the public. Cheryl Martin, pt-time director of Fulton Park Community Center reported that there have been no major cut packages announced for the 2007-08. Participation and usage at Fulton CC are up. There were 557 registered participants for fall, 2006, resulting in $42,000 as compared to 430 registrations in fall, 2005 resulting in $30,000. Registrations for winter term are exceeding the fall numbers. These numbers are based on registrations only and do not reflect “drop-in” usage which has also increased. Building rentals are “way up,” according to Cheryl, with weekends averaging 3-4 rentals. (e.g. Panai Or Hebrew school twice each month, birthday parties, teen parties, etc.) The small neighborhood Grant Request for the Fulton Front Stoop Project (an emergency preparedness event) was submitted to SWNI prior to the December 1st deadline. To date there has been no news regarding that request. Christine Appleberry, chair of the FCA steering committee, has completed a draft of a handout designed to further promote FCA to those using Fulton CC as well as providing a means for FCA to send information out. Lisa Turpel, PP&R, attended the January 2 meeting of FCA to introduce the steering committee members to Max Behrens (former Recreation Director at SW CC) who has taken a position of “Allicance Coordinator” with PP&R. Max will be working with PP&R Friends groups and with citizens attempting to stabilize funding for “transition sites.” (“Transition sites” are community centers like Fulton CC, arts centers, etc. tagged for phase out by PP&R) Although the preference is not stated directly the push for transition sites to become fund raising entities is evident. The FCA steering committee remains focused on increasing participation at the center and thus, increasing revenue, rather than fund raising. Respectfully Submitted Marsha Weber
It was moved and seconded to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15. Respectfully submitted by Philippe Kreiter
Secretary, Hillsdale Neighborhood Association
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