DRAFT

Minutes of Center Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

SE Precinct Community Room, 4735 E. Burnside, Portland, Oregon

Board Members Present: Marsha Hahn, Shirley Nacoste, Sean Besso, Jessica Holliday, John Rusoff, April Burris, Robert Jordan, Judy Kennedy, Theresa Benton, Don McElmurry

Neighbors & Guests: Martha Westgate, Officer Robert Pickett, Emi Pimentel, Jeme Sutton, Lisa Gorlin, Lee Perlman, Diane Wells, Gerda Allen, John Westgate, Richard Glenn, Mary Jean Mosbauer (?), Rey Ko, David Kinnari, Jill Fransen, Mike Delman, Kerri Hill De Cantero

Officer Robert Pickett discussed crime issues and police activity in the Center neighborhood. It was noted that the back stairs from Fred Meyer Glisan store to NE Oregon have been removed; hopefully this will help deter illegal activity in the area.

Emi Pimentel, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, introduced herself and distributed a printout of Center Neighborhood Demographics as of the 2000 census. Ms. Pimentel is a resource and is able to help with volunteers for neighborhood projects. There will be a meeting October 24, 6:30 p.m., at SE Uplift – the focus will be outreach in our neighborhood.

Jeme Sutton, Friends of Trees representative, gave information to the group concerning the sign up process for street or yard trees. Friends of Trees is trying to streamline the process. Call 503-522-5729 or go to friendsoftrees.org. to sign up. Trees range in price from $35 to $75; some money is available to help low income residents with purchase price. January 3, 2008, is the deadline for signing up.

September 2007 minutes were approved by the board as presented.

April Burris discussed the upcoming October 27^th Rosemont Bluff work party to be held from 9 a.m. to noon.

Topics for upcoming Center NA meetings are needed. PDOT will be unable to come to the November meeting. PDOT is holding a series of meetings throughout the city to gather citizen input.

Because the next CNA meeting was scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving, it was moved, seconded and approved to move the November meeting of the Center Neighborhood Association to Tuesday, November 27^th. Robert will ask Dylynn to contact SE Precinct to reschedule the community room for that evening.

John Rusoff presented the treasurer’s report. Business saving account shows $3,799.76; checking account shows $2,341.01.

Sean Besso gave a brief overview of land use issues: CNA opposed a proposed height adjustment for a duplex at 63^rd and NE Oregon. The project at NE 47^th and Burnside is up in the air – the land division is not completed – developer is working through the bureaucracy.

Lisa Gorlin gave a brief update on the communications committee – still working on the neighborhood association website.

Shirley Nacoste gave the group the number for road repair issues – 503-823-BUMP. Small neighborhood grants deadline is November 1. She suggested a book be compiled to highlight work our neighborhood has done to include Center Commons residents in Center NA. Connections meeting is at SE Uplift October 24, 6:30 p.m.

Martha Westgate explained the Transportation work group; attempting to reactivate and have businesses be part of that group. Martha, Sean Besso, and Judy Kennedy are continuing as members of the Providence Standing Committee; a meeting will be scheduled in the near future.

Jessica Holliday discussed attempts to develop a business association in the area.

Sean Besso discussed a Portland Tribune article showing emission levels exceeded along I-84; he encouraged those present to contact members of congress regarding the development of additional safeguards.

Meeting was adjourned at ? p.m.

Notes submitted by Judy Kennedy