Minutes of the June 8, 2010 SGNA Board Meeting

Present: Adam Capage, Gretchen Milhaupt, Mike Mutschler, Shoshanna Cohen (NECN), Allen Schroeder, Chris Lopez, Roy Kruger, Mark Troseth, Dan Lerch-Walters, Kari La Forge, Stephan Chase, Ashley Tjaden, Will Elder, Officer Josh Faris and Lee Perlman from Hollywood Star.

After introductions by Adam Capage who Chaired the meeting in Craig Nyschen’s absence, Chris Lopez was welcomed as a new Board Member. The other new (and former) Board Members are Pam Pfiffner and David Brook were absent.

Officer Josh Faris introduced himself as the patrolling officer in SG as part of his regular territory. Officer Amanda McMillan is with a community wide operation. He is on patrol from 3pm to 1am from MLK to Knott to 33rd back to I84. He has been in the North/Northeast area for 9 years. Dan Lerch-Walters said one of our problems is the falling building on NE 21st on the northside of the I84 freeway gulch. The complaint is that there has been no action since last winter. The owner has passed away and his intention was to donate the land/building to a charity, the estate has not been settled.

Another topic was discussed by Officer Faris was the need for property owners to have an existing trespass agreement filed with the police department IF the property owners are having a problem with trespassers the police cannot come onto the property without such an agreement on file. Go to www.portlandpolice.org to find the form.

Office Faris also said that he knows all or most the transients who frequent the SG neighborhood and he estimates there are about 30 such people. He stated that they are not causing problems of a criminal nature.

Shoshana Cohen of NECN spoke next about the N/NE Portland Public Safety Roundtable which will be held on Tuesday June 29th at NECN Headquarters at 4815 NE 7th in the King Community Center. Time is 6 to 8 pm, RSVP is important: admin@necoalition.org . They will serve refreshments.

Also, Shoshana spoke about NECH teaming up with SE Uplift to co-sponsor a public discussion about what to do with abandoned lands/empty buildings within the city limits, this will be announced later. And Good in the Hood is coming up starting June 26, food, music, info available. All this can be checked out on their NEW website: www.necoalition.org .

A short discussion was held regarding the SG Annual Garage Sale. Adam Capage said that Lisa Perlstein said last year she didn’t want to be involved. Gretchen agreed to ask Lisa, Sara Osheroff and Esther Saulle IF they are still willing/interested in organizing the sale. It’s coming up soon, many people agreed we could skip it this year and do it again next year.

Chris Lopez reported for the Communications Committee: he has put up a new blog: www.sgnablog@blogspot.com . This will be our official, formal and informal new communications system. NECN also has basic info about SGNA on their new site. In the near future it is planned to make a printed newsletter to be distributed in 13 different ZONES which Chris has indentified. He needs content and is planning on working with Pam Pfiffner on this committee. Later, he was elected by the Board as Chair of the Communications Committee. Check out the BLOG; the more hits it gets the more people with eventually find it. Chris also advocated for a new set of signs and the Board voted to let him order 50 signs with stakes for $200, and they should be ready well before GULCH O RAMA. Chris also talked about our need to have an email list (like the soupnight list) for sending of a newsletter and general communications. The newsletter should come out about two weeks before GOR.

Chris Lopez has been working double time (very much appreciated) and has re-worked the existing SGNA By Laws. All Board Members were sent a copy of his latest draft and that was what was discussed. Mostly the language is clearer, and the main difference is the TERM for Board Members, he is suggesting a one year renewable term. Once the draft is finished, it will be voted on at the next General Meeting, which will be at GOR or later.

Dan Lerch-Walters discussed his many years on the Board and remarked that his primary contribution is all about the Sullivan’s Gulch Bike Trail. He said that maybe we could give him a separate (non-voting) designation as liaison to other agencies working on the Trail.

Will Elder reported as the Chair of the Land Use Committee on two issues:

Regarding the parking problems west of NE 21st, the interns at Lloyd Transportation Management Association will conduct a survey of parked cars sometime this month. The results will determine if residential parking permits are recommended.

Second, Will is aware of complaints about parking in the gravel lot north of Holladay Park Plaza which is slated for future development.

Ashley Tjaden and Rachelle Allen have resigned from the Board.