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Jul
02
2008
| June 4, 2008 |
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| Written by Philippe Kreiter | |
| Wednesday, 02 July 2008 | |
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HILLSDALE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES 4 June 2008 I. The meeting was called to order by Don Baack at 7:05. A. Greeting B. Introductions C. Approximately 19 present. II. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved with the following exceptions: · It was voted to break into groups for part of the meeting to work on topics. III. Review of March 2008 Meeting Minutes--see Hillsdale web site (http://www.hna-pdx.com). The minutes were approved. IV. Presentation by Sandra Walden and others on proposed solar panels along Bertha Court. This proposal originated with us and the City of Portland. Education unit for schools from Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The educational piece of this program will benefit Rieke ES., Gray MS., and Wilson HS. Bonneville will provide a curriculum to each school for use of the installation. An educational specialist will come to each school and a solar champion will be identified at each school to make sure that information is getting out to teachers and students. The program will provide carbon footprint free power to the schools for a price. The web based program will show production of power, potential production given weather, and also what is happening at other installations throughout the nation. Portland public has worked with BES, which is a 501 C3 non-profit. Both organizations have worked closely together over the last few years. The educational component about solar energy is very well developed. A. Facts: 1. 100 kW ground mounted system 2. Located on Bertha south-facing slope 3. Investor/Bonneville Environmental Foundation ownership initially 4. BEF probides Solar Scinence support to HS, MS and Rieke 5. Energy Trust of ODOE 6. Panels will be attached in such a way that they will be very hard to steal. B. BEF: Non profit –see above. C. Site: City of Portland, HNA, and PPS chose the site. D. Design options 1. Wavy Design –This design was chosen as a cost cutting measure in order to save costs by following land contour 2. Racking & design approximately double the cost, or flattening the ground. 3. Division of the panes: adds $60,000 to $120,000. E. Other information: 1. Cost of 100 KW system about $950,000 2. Increased cost requires BEF to find more grand funds. Or, the investor has to take less return on investment reducing investor interest. 3. With expiration of Federal tax credits redesign will delay process and puts project at risk. 4. If project is not installed this year the delay will result in loss of power production and possible reassignment of this pilot project to another school in the district. 5. Contact: Sandra Walden, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 621 SW Alder Suite 300, PDX 97205, cell (503)-709-0820, office (503)-241-5918. F. Discussion – The city will provide a hearing for information about the design and will provide opportunity for feedback from concerned area residents. There will be a charette in July and August, as well as mention in the Tribune and Oregonian. Also, it might be possible to have architects from the neighborhood work on ways to tie design into cues from the Watershed to make more blending. There will be no additional poles or overhead wires in the neighborhood. Two inverters will be at the top of the hill, about the size of a small refrigerator. It is also suggested that we should not rush, but should do it well –concerns regarding Energy Tax Credits don’t seem that relevant since Congress will almost surely renew the program given public priorities. V. Presentation by Bureau of Environmental Services on the capital expenditure proposals. They want our reaction to several proposals on how to spend our sewer fees –Mary Bushman. Wathershed Services is part of BES that tries to look at the whole environmental picture for the city, in particular, protection of endangered species, removal of invasive species, and reduction of pollution in the environment. BES wants to talk to us about Watershed projects, to seek our input on and for programs, and to answer questions that we might have. (South) California (Willamett Park), Carolina-Terwilliger, and Marquam Woods (OHSU area) are three projects names on which they are working (tied to local streets or landmarks with these names). HNA responses: A. The HNA community has priorities that are consonant with those or BES – Watershed Services. B. The community should be involved in prioritizing projects, such as day-lighting streams vs. paving unpaved roads. C. The work of Three Rivers Conservancy, especially regarding their research on invasive species in the area, should be consulted. D. Maps should be created of all drains that connect to streams. There should be internet connections with each. E. Connections with the school districts would be a good idea. VI. South Portland Circulation Study and North Macadam Transportation Planning efforts. Our requests: two lanes in the direction of highest traffic volume according to time of day traffic patterns, parking along side of street without high volume, direct access to Ross Island Bridge. Art, Clay Veka, Portland Dept. of Transportation. A. Problems: 1. High cost 2. No net transportation benefit 3. Dissenting voices. B. New linkages: 1. Tram 2. Gibbs Street Bridge 3. North Macadam Transportation Development Strategy. a. Project objective – Long range plan for a safe and efficient multimodal transportation system to serve the needs of the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area. Identity Short-term transportation needs/projects, Long-term of the same, Project phasing/priorities, Funding Strategies b. North Macadam Transportation Development Strategy: Complete internal district circulation, Improve local and arterial street network, improve connections to regional system, and remove regional traffic from neighborhood streets. c. Transit solutions: new ideas and re-iteration of what exists. Bus routs, Extension of Streetcar line to Lake Oswego, Light Rail Transit to Milwaukie, Addition E-W transit connections, Transit infrastructure improvements. C. Next Open House: Sept. 19, Gibbs Pedestrian Bridge – Sept 25. VII. The steps at Himes trail will be replaced by the city, up to code. Also, some right of way for the red electric will be purchased. Land will be purchased on the East side of Himes Parks so that the trail. There is some land in private holding south, east, and north of the Charthouse. These are potential purchases to make a wildlife corridor from Highway 26 through Marquam Gulch. VIII. Hillsdale Working Group: Brian. Redevelopment of Rieke campus will be a big topic for planning for plaza, possible housing, etc. Also, the solar energy project. What is the neighborhoods opinion of this project? Is it supported? HNA feels that it is worthwhile to move the project forward, but the community also feels that it needs to be done right and needs further discussion and planning to resolve neighborhood and PTA concerns and ensure active neighborhood and PTA involvement. IX. Election – Given the number of people willing to serve, it is asked that the board consider revising the bylaws to increase the size of the board. A. VP – Duane Hunting B. Treasurer – Chris Burkhart C. Board – Fred Faveluke, , Sheila Greenlaw-Fink. D. Results: 1. Duane Hunting – Vice President 2. Chris Burkhart - Treasurer 3. Sheila Greenlaw-Fink - Board X. Announcements and new business adjourn. A. 3rd Saturday every month at Himes Park, 9:00 –work party to remove invasive B. The Transportation issue is moving and needs our involvement C. Important, too, is following the progress of the solar array project. XI. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:30. Respectfully submitted Philippe Kreiter HNA Secretary |
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