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Mar
05
2008
| Febuary 6, 2008 |
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| Written by Philippe Kreiter | |
| Wednesday, 05 March 2008 | |
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HILLSDALE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES I. The meeting was called to order at 7:00. A. Greeting B. Introductions C. Approximately 21 present. II. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved. III. Review of Jan 2008 Meeting Minutes--see Hillsdale web site (http://www.hna-pdx.com). The minutes were approved. IV. Jayne Cronlund of West Willamette Coalition of which we are a member will give a report on our progress in removing invasive plants from Himes Park, including ivy, clematis, holly, Norway Maple. Invasive plants impede native plants from growing and take over a habitat. The animals that rely on the native plants are thus impacted and will no longer be in the area. Three Rivers Land Conservancy is restoring 300 acres in the Terwilliger area –especially in Himes park. Three Rivers owns 100 acres, and can clean out its own area. So they created a partnership: West Willamette Restoration Partnership project, which combines efforts with local land owners in the area who are working to preserve their land. Thus the whole 300 acres between Council Crest Park, OHSU and Himes Park were included in the purview of the habitat restoration project. The goal is to remove all tree ivy, and so far 150 acres have been cleared. There is a grant from Metro Regional govt. to clear up to 80% of the project. It is thought that 60 acres and Council Crest will be completely ivy clear. 4500 volunteer hours have been contributed half-way through the program. Workdays are every Saturday, and these offer the opportunity to help restore natural habitat, alternating between the four worksites. There are signs that show where the work is being done on site. There are also hundreds of individual land owners with properties that back up to the areas being cleared. To give incentive to landowners to remove invasive weeds from their years, a program was created where a land owner can have their property certified as a “Certified Backyard Habitat.” (Certification lasts three years and must then be renewed.) There are levels of certification based on removal of invasive weeds, and more benefits based on percentage of native plants that are planted. Volunteers can expect to perform fairly strenuous work, including bending over to pull ivy out of the ground. Sam Adams has supported the program and encouraged funding for the project. A. It is suggested that the city and Metro be involved in supporting the program. Also, it is suggested to partner with Multnomah County ACS (they already are partners) and also to investigate the use of goats for plant control. Metro has had success with the use of goats, as has Lake Oswego. V. Dr. Gregg Coodley, manager of Fanno Creek Clinic will present information on a Portland Ballot Measure for children’s health. It is a ballot measure to provide insurance for all children attending public schools. The question is how to do this in a fashion that is affordable enough to be passed by the voters. Most of the children in Portland still go to public schools, though enrollment is dropping as private school and suburban school attendance is rising. It is thought that families might opt for more expensive housing in the city in order to obtain the health insurance for their children. It is a city of Portland measure. It does not have a tax attached so that it may get passed. The cost would be between 3 to 4 million dollars. The city of Portland is expecting a surplus that would cover this cost. Also, for every student the district attracts, it gets an extra $6500 to 7000; the cost of this insurance would be $300 per student. The hope is that once the benefit would be seen, funding would be found to continue the program. The insurance would be put out to bid with private insurers, and kids could be seen anywhere –school based clinics, local doctors, etc. There is a co-pay with a high deductible to keep costs down. The program would cover 9000 students now who are currently uninsured. If the federal government or state government became involved, the program would cost even less. It is making a statement that as a city, we think it is important to insure kids. There is a waiting period to avoid people dropping their current insurance if they have it. Primary care is covered, but there is a high deductible, and is thus inferior to most commercial plans; thus, it is thought that few people would drop insurance they currently have. There is a website: www.whynotportland.org. It is moved to support the effort of Dr. Coodley’s initiative to provide health care for Portland public school students and to support that it be put on the ballot. The motion was seconded and passed by consensus. VI. Patti Waitman-Ingebretsen talking about the Multnomah August Celebration and SW History. The organization is dedicated to preserving the history of all southwest neighborhoods. Multnomah is about to be 100 years old, and a celebration is being planned. Patti has been trying to connect with other neighborhood groups to plan activities that will coincide with the 10 days from August 8 (activities kick off with art show and wine and cheese in the Multnomah Center) to August 17. Capitol Highway Bridge was built in 1927. The two roads on either side are the old Capitol Highway. A plaque will be installed at the bridge commemorating the centennial at the bridge. There are still days open during the week. Friday 15, there will be an all Multnomah school reunion. Saturday 16 is the grand parade. Sunday the 17th will tie in with the farmers’ market. There will be other shows with historic photographs, and there is the hope that churches will commemorate the history in their services. There is also a survey of homes and buildings that were built before 1945, and interest in all historic buildings and historic trees. In addition, all historic plaques will be catalogued. There is interest in lighting the bridge. Patti’s vision was to run the parade from Hillsdale to Multnomah, but it may be too complicated to realize this goal. It is, however, still being considered. Key Bank and other community organizations are interested in supporting the effort. Hillsdale is encouraged to think about activities that we might like to do to be involved to commemorate history. VII. 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 about her work. She works with neighborhood associations to draw in neighbors who are not active or represented at neighborhood association meetings. She tries to foster improved communication with and among neighbors. On the website for SWNI, there will be ideas to foster neighbor outreach and communication. VIII. Issues Hillsdale wants to have addressed as we proceed with planning in the town center. Don Baack A. We are suggesting that we form a four person advisory committee: a person from the school community (parent), the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association, the farmers’ market, and the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association. It is suggested that there also be a metro liaison. Mr. Sheehan would work address this group in the planning process. It is asked that we be involved in the choosing of the architect/planning. It seems that he hasn’t connected well with the community and is making plans without taking into account the local community and those who have already been involved in planning. It is moved to respond proposing the four person advisory committee that would direct the effort, that we have a hand in selecting the architect/designer, and that there be a metro liaison. The motion was seconded and passed by consensus. B. It is suggested that signage be addressed, as well as under-grounding. IX. Enterprise project: Martin Soloway. There is a motion to apply for the grant to do a streetscape charette. The motion seconded and passed by consensus. X. Iowa Structure status report-- Letter sent from SWNI requesting ODOT to meet with SW citizens to understand the issues and to organize our request for mitigation if the trail is closed to pedestrian use for an extended period. PDOT is looking at designs and seems set to support our position. Don Baack. XI. Halo LID progress update and Safe and Sound Streets proposal. Wes Risher. The city is looking at new ways of funding street improvements. In our case, it involves installing sidewalks on SW Hamilton, from SW Dosch out west, on SW 35th, and SW Vermont from the Hoot Own corner to 35th. The new funding model is to avoid putting the whole cost on the properties that front to project, and to spread it to properties that are in a ½ mile radius of the project, and who would also benefit from the project. Most of this project is in adjacent neighborhoods to Hillsdale. A. Sam Adams proposal for funding street improvements (Safe, Sound, and Green Streets) was not passed by city council because of a lobbyist from Oregon Petroleum and the Convenience Store Association. Now, the funding for street improvements will go on the ballot in November. It would cost about $54.00 per year per household, and more for businesses. Funding for the Halo LID was contingent on Safe, Sound, and Green Streets). B. The same lobbyist responsible for the failure of funding street improvements was responsible for the failure of Measure 50. XII. Update on park planning on the Oregon State Parks planning effort on the Hillsdale to Lake Oswego Trail. The Boones Ferry Bridge at Arnold over Tryon Creek is the key to getting the trail soon. Possible funding. There will be a meeting in March. XIII. HBPA and Alliance Report - Richard Garfinkle and/or Rick Seifert. Status of our fundraising efforts for Light Up Hillsdale. We are $4000.00 short of our goal. There is a bank loan solution in the works. We received a grant to help pay for the lighting. XIV. SWNI Report XV. Update of “The Watershed” Project -- Martin Soloway announces his new job. Martin will leave his job and work at “Central City Concerns.” 38 of the 50 apartments are rented, and all should be rented at the end of February. The drinking fountain should have been installed already –or will be in the next couple of days. The top light cylinder was shipped last week will soon be installed. The sign company will replace the wires running down the center of the sign, and a ‘raceway’ will be installed to hide them and be more attractive. The city is pushing for fixing the concrete around the light poles that are in the middle of the sidewalk; now is the time to push the city to move the poles out of the sidewalk and to put them in an easement on the embankment. A. It is suggested to install a fence and other landscaping that will impede pedestrian traffic from walking down the embankment by the watershed to jay walk across Bertha. B. It was also suggested to wait so that the jay walkers can be used as a further incentive to lower the speed limit on Bertha. C. It is moved and seconded to make Martin Soloway a legacy member of the HNA. The motion passed. D. The May HNA meeting will be in the Watershed. XVI. Speed limit was approved to be reduced on Capitol Hwy. The crosswalk will soon be painted at SW Sunset and SW Martha. XVII. Update on progress of evaluation of Stephen Creek Community Gardens. Land use aspects will now be tackled, and are in progress. XVIII. No Report on the ditches to swales (trails) committee. Don Baack XIX. Our position on funding for the Sun School in Robert Gray Middle School. There is a shortfall in the funding, but there is not enough information to act yet. XX. Report on four T’s: train, tram, trolley, trail. Arnie Panitch. 50 people participated in the walk. It was written up in the Southwest Connections and SWNI papers. XXI. Army Recruiters put signs on telephone poles in the Hillsdale Town Center. Arnie Panitch. Arnie took the signs down and contacted the head recruiter who said that the rules about signage in Hillsdale would be respected. XXII. A note from the neighborhood cart czar: Arnie Panich. To report stray shopping carts, the number to call is 1-888-55carts. The cart will be picked up within 72 hours. XXIII. ADA trails in Stephens Park: It is moved to ask parks to finish the ADA trail in Stephens Creek park. The motion was seconded and passed by consensus. If there is news: XXIV. Status of fence complaint at Hessler on Northwood, Other Hillsdale Land Use Issues. Duane Hunting. XXV. It is moved and seconded to send a letter to Parks and Commissioner Salzman to budget for replacement of the Rieke soccer field and a second letter that the north entrance to the Wilson pool be built. A. The soccer field is past its 10 year life span and it is becoming a very hard surface for play. B. The north entrance to the Wilson pool that was proposed has never been built. XXVI. Mr. and Mrs. Raz are planning on selling the bus garage on Bertha for development. They are planning to hold an informational meeting for the community to gather our input about how the property should be developed. XXVII. On future agendas, it is asked that a report from Wilson be included. XXVIII. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:06. Respectfully submitted Philippe Kreiter P.S. Apologies for the delay in posting. Computer problems impeded my access to this document. |
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