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2008
| January 2, 2008 |
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| Written by Philippe Kreiter | |
| Tuesday, 29 January 2008 | |
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HILLSDALE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES 2 JANUARY 2008 I. The meeting was called to order at 7:01. A. Greeting B. Introductions C. Approximately 19 present. II. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved. III. Review of Dec 2007 Meeting Minutes--see Hillsdale web site (http://www.hna-pdx.com). IV. Citation to honor Pam and Joe Vanderveer for their Spirit of Portland Award for organizing efforts on behalf of the disabled. For HNA, Robert Hamilton presented an original poem in honor of their work “To Joe and Pam”. He also conferred the title “Permanent Hillsdale Resident” regardless of where they might live. Documents with the poem and recognition of their work were presented to the Vanderveers. V. Glenn Bridger will introduce Ruthann Bedenkop, SWNI Outreach Coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 503 823-4592. Ruth will speak briefly. (Tabled to next mont). VI. Work is progressing on removal of invasive plant species and the restoration of native species. A big focus now is Norwegian Maple that is very invasive and not native to our area. The trees in Himes with orange ribbons on them are Norway Maples. Grants have been successfully obtained from NW Natural, PGE, and Metro, the city is helping with the fixed costs. Third Saturday of the month (19 January), work will take place at Himes park at 9:00. Volunteers are encouraged to show up. VII. Status of fence complaint at Hessler on Northwood, Other Hillsdale Land Use Issues Duane Hunting. According to the city, the fence is not in the right of way. Also, at 2241 Vermont, a four unit development has been approved. Also, 6605 SW Capitol Highway where Idaho joins the street –The back side and the front edge of the building will expand to reduce the setback from 10 feet to about 4 feet from the property line –the house was built before compliance rules. The permit for the remodel reducing the set back has been granted. VIII. Iowa Structure status report-- Motion requesting SWNI to organize meeting to understand the issues and to organize our request for mitigation if the trail is closed to pedestrian use for an extended period. Glenn Bridger and Don Baack. The Newberry structure on Barbur (bridge) is in decent shape, but it has narrow sidewalks and no bicycle lane. It is being studied for improvement, but it does not seem likely that resources will be dedicated to improving a structure that is in good shape. The Iowa structure (bridge) is being replaced on I-5 for $45,000,000. A three lane bridge will be put between the Iowa structure and the Newberry structure till the current I-5 bridges are rebuilt. Then the new bridge will be torn down afterward. Don suggests that as mitigation for not being able to use the pedestrian trail in that gulley (for about two years) (which many in the neighborhood have worked hard to develop and maintain –and use regularly), the Newberry structure be adapted or replaced to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. According to Glen Bridger, the neighborhood and SWNI were never approached about any of this work and its impact on the region. There are a number of issues including traffic diversions that will affect the area. A. Motion by Glenn Bridger: “The Oregon DOT is moving forward with a $45 million project that will focus upon reconstruction of the Iowa Street structure on I-5. This project has the potential to divert traffic from I-5 onto our primary streets including Barbur, to cause noise impacts to the areas near the construction, and to shut down or impede transportation and recreational trails. Because of the potential significant impact of this project, we ask SWNI to facilitate meetings with ODOT and interested neighborhoods and residents to identify project impacts upon the SWNI communities as well as mitigation solutions for these impacts.” B. The motion was read and seconded. C. Discussion ensued including the mention that the Oregonian will run a story soon on the project. D. The motion was passed by consensus. IX. Halo LID (Halo LID means that people within a wider area than just properties bordering on the project, will contribute to the costs of street and sidewalk improvements) progress[PK1][PK2][PK3],: (Presented by Holly) In late November and early December, walks took place along Vermont where Halo LID work is to be done. Jan 14 at 10:00, at Multnomah center, a meeting will present where potential sidewalks might be --especially between 30th and Gabriel Park. X. Update of “The Watershed” Project -- Martin Soloway announces open house! The Watershed is open, and the street has been cleaned! There are now 18 people living there, some formerly homeless (living with family or relatives). At least two have children living in the neighborhood; they came from out of town, uniting families. The sign is in and complete. It has been lit for testing, but is not fully functional yet. On the 28th of January, the top light will be installed –about a two day project. The name of the site manager is Vonnie Hyatt, and she lives on site. She is there and available during business hours. In event of problems or to apply to live there, she should be contacted. The official grand opening is the 9th from 3 to 5:30. Don will contact Vonnie Hyatt to see if the May meeting can happen at the Watershed community room since our usual site is not available. The contractor will be on site for two more months. Contributions for “Light up Hillsdale” are sought. Checks can be sent to Southwest Neighborhoods Incorporated. On the memo light, write “Light up Hillsdale.” 7688 Capitol Highway. · A letter from the board was sent to commend CPAH for its cooperation with the Hillsdale community –in particular Martin Soloway. Martin was presented with a copy of the letter. XI. Update on park planning on the Or St Parks planning effort on the Hillsdale to Lake Oswego Trail. The Boones Ferry Bridge at Arnold over Tryon Creek is the key to completing the Hillsdale to Lake Oswego trail soon. Neighborhood Position Motion. by Glenn Bridger. The Hillsdale to Lake Oswego trail needs to go under Boones Ferry, so the bridge needs to be enlarged and raised to make the trail safe and a reality. A. Motion: “The Hillsdale Neighborhood Association supports the completion of the Hillsdale to Lake Oswego Trail and wishes to inform all interested parties that the construction of the Boones ferry Road bridge to accommodate the trail next to Tryon Creek near Arnold Street is a significant capital investment that needs to be made in order to make this trail a reality. B. The motion was read and seconded. C. Discussion. D. The motion passed by consensus. XII. HBPA and Alliance Report - Richard Garfinkle and/or Rick Seifert. Status of our fundraising efforts –nothing to report. XIII. SWNI Report Carolyn Raz. A guest speaker –Jim Thayer, SWRL present—spoke of the four T trails program (Trail, Tram, Trolley, and Train). Carolyn was asked to be on the grant committee, with $21,300 to grant to neighborhoods –maximum $2000 per grant. $1470 was granted to Hillsdale for lighting the sign on the Watershed. There is a large Somali neighborhood in Southwest. A grant was given for sewing machines for Somali women and instruction on services available to them (protection from abuse, etc.). XIV. No Report on the ditches to swales (trails) committee. Don Baack XV. Update on the results of the Burchfield PDOT meeting on crosswalks and speed limits. We now have a marked crosswalk at SW Chestnut Drive and SW Bertha. The city has requested speed limit reductions on 3 streets. We have requested information from the traffic speed and counts that have been taken in the neighborhood but have not yet received them. We have not heard about the other crosswalks. XVI. Four T trail walk: 12 January, 9:00 –meet at the Hillsdale Oak at the intersection of Sunset and Capitol Highway –behind the dance studio. Bring two bus tickets or enough to buy two bus tickets. Plan 3 to 4 hours. The walk will be about 4 ½ miles, 400 feet elevation, about 800 feet downhill. If there is news: XVII. Update on progress of evaluation of Stephen Creek Community Gardens. Now new news. There was a push to finish by the end of 2007 XVIII. Old Business XIX. New Business A. Arnie Panich reported that he met Joe Fitzgibbons –Oregonian reporter—who spoke of knowing Don Baach and saying that we have the best and most active neighborhood in the city. B. Meeting on Jan 16, 7:00 at Wilson about school buildings. 1. It is suggested that the theater be designed for the community to be able to use it year round, not just the school. This would require a small practice theatre, as well as the larger theatre. 2. It is suggested that the lockers at the pool have expanded availability to the public so that the Wilson Pool can be open earlier in June and stay open through September for public access times. 3. There are potential plans for a three story building at Rieke with offices related to education. C. There will be much change in the city council so we will have to be proactive in bringing replacements up to speed. D. Is there a way to introduce new people to these meetings? If there are issues that we are overlooking, please invite people to bring these issues to our attention. Also, if you have ideas of how to draw new people and talent in, please let us know. Might a change of meeting location help (schools, for instance to include parents)? We used to meet in Wilson, but the school system changed their policy for scheduling meetings. A new system was instituted that required each use be applied for per use rather than scheduling regular meetings. Also, a cost for custodial care that would be there was instituted. Thus, all neighborhood associations were forced out of the schools and moved to churches and other institutions. However, the policies have changed again, and some neighborhood associations are moving back to schools. E. The improvement to the Capitol Highway pedestrian crosswalk –all five lanes with a signal—is due to be completed in April. Don is to write a letter confirming this. F. On SW Altadena, there was an incident of a break in. People went door to door making inquiries about a particular person being sought –mainly as a pretext to find unoccupied houses. There was a breaking, and when the owner came home to find the people in her home, her coat reportedly was caught in the care door of the escaping intruders, and she was dragged a ways down Altadena. We need to be informed, and careful. G. With Eric Sten’s resignation, there are three or four seats open on city council. The best time to talk to candidates is when they are candidates. Take advantage of this time. Host an activity, get involved, and take the time to get you and your friends to talk to candidates. Some will be elected and successful, and it is helpful to get to know them, and get them to know your objectives. H. Bertha to BH Highway –trail will berepaired. About 60 steps will need to be involved. I. Increasing attendance: 1. Signage (like Maplewood NA) 2. Electronic notification to parents from schools. 3. More central location. 4. Could some be turned off by meetings being at a church. 5. Raffle from some business in the community. 6. Social outlet –cookies one time, social time another, go to Baskin Robbins another. XX. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:36. Respectfully submitted Philippe Kreiter |
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