Thursday, January 31, 2013

SGNA Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 7, 2013


Sullivan’s Gulch Neighborhood Association (SGNA)
Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, 7 January 2013
31 January 2013 Revision 1 (per C Gossett)

Members Present:
A Alvis; D Brook; S Chase; P Coughlin; L Curtis; C Gossett; D Lerch-Walters; C Lopez; L McDowell; B Simenon; B Brewer, Chair; C Nyschens, Vice Chair; J de La Harpe, Secretary; K LaForge;
Members Absent: Melissa Cannon (excused)
Guests: Lindsay Walker, Lloyd TMA; Ross Swanson, PBOT; Jiang Lang, Reed College; Lauren Jones, Capstone; Doug Bluhm; Nancy Sullivan; John Frewing; Lynne Coward; Lauren Huizar; Lee Perlman

1. Welcome, Introductions
B Brewer, SGNA Chair, chaired the meeting, the February meeting will be chaired by Vice Chair, C Nyschens

2. Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 11 December 2012
D Lerch-Walters requested a correction to the minutes specifying that SGNA donations be made to 1. Janus Youth Services IN SULLIVAN’S GULCH and to 2. Grace Church FOR THE FEEDING PROGRAM.  
C Lopez made a motion to approve the minutes with this amendment; C Gossett seconded the motion; the motion was passed unanimously.
3. Police Report
Alex Martinivc, Portland Police, came to the meeting to observe as part of his training. He will fill out a report about attending the meeting. He did not provide a safety report but addressed the issue of car prowls by reminding people not to leave valuables in their cars—remember to keep your cars uninviting, he said. To look at crime statistics, check portlandmaps.com

4. NECN Announcements
C Lopez, NECN Chair, announced several meetings including:
6:30 pm, Tues, 1.29.13 NECN is hosting a neighborhood association board orientation to provide basic skills training for neighborhood association boards. There is a search committee underway for NECN—if anyone wants to serve on that committee, contact C Lopez (lopez257@cocast.net)
6:30 pm, Tues, 1.22.13 Community Economic Development Council
6:30 pm, Wed, 1.23.13 LUTC
6:30 pm, Thurs, 1.24.13 School Committees
6:30 pm, 1.28.13 Safety + Livability Committee meets and will discuss several funding opportunities

5. Speakers
Ross Swanson, PBOT, and Lindsay Walker, LTMA, discussed the changes to the east-west corridor of Multnomah Street. The pilot project narrowed a five-lane cross section to a three-lane cross section and was part of the N/NE Quadrant planning process. This is a pilot project to revitalize retail stores along Multnomah and make Multnomah more street friendly for stores; provide a low-cost solution for bike riders; and a correction to an overbuilt street. There was discussion of how things were and were not working on the newly redesigned Multnomah Street including lack of visibility for bikers, a question about planters/wands/candlesticks, communication about the project before it began, and visual clutter. When a new project goes in, said Swanson, a three-month period is standard to wait to see how the project is working before changes are made. The speakers said they want feedback and requested that comments be formally posted online to Multnomah Street Improvements

6. 2013 Board Retreat
B Brewer asked that this be moved down the agenda and go through committee reports first.
A Alvis made the motion; C Nyschens seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.

7. Committee Reports
A. Treasurers Report: K LaForge announced that there is $5,680 in the treasury.
1. J de La Harpe announced a gift from Dove Vivi Restaurant to SGNA of $197.

B. Communications Committee
1. D Brooks talked about working with a designer to create new art for SGNA’s logo. The Communications Committee did not endorse this idea; the designer has agreed to continue working on the art to bring new ideas to the table. B Brewer provided a list of collateral for SGNA that a designer would provide and suggested asking the designer, G Burwell, to provide a proposal for SGNA including how much pro bono work he would provide and what would begin to cost money. Other members at the meeting discussed the expense that it might entail, SGNA’s role in providing funding for a designer, considering other proposals or bids from other designers.

B Simenon made a motion to request a proposal from G Burwell. _____ who seconded the motion.
Approve – 11 board members
Oppose – 2 J de La Harpe, D Brook
Abstain – 2 (P Coughlin left early)

2. B Simenon proposed mailing the next newsletter to effectively deliver the newsletter to all residents in SG, sending it out in March by direct mail.  She proposed expanding it by four pages in order to get peoples’ attention about the neighborhood.  This would use the entire NECN communications funding  ($1000) and generating the increased revenue from direct mail ad rates. Direct mail costs and expanded newsletter would total $1528.22, which would be covered by revenue and NECN contributions leaving a $120 difference. Discussion followed about whether or not this could be adequately discussed so close to the end of the meeting; the efficiency of a neighborhood-wide mailing; and stricter rules by NECN that the communications contribution had to be spent by the end of the fiscal year (June 2013).

B Brewer, in the interest of time, suggested that the meeting be extended by 15 minutes until 8:45 pm.
C Lopez made a motion; A Alvis seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

Discussion continued on the newsletter. D Brook made a motion to mail the newsletter in its expanded format; A Alvis seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

B Brewer asked if Feb 16 or 23 was available for most people to attend a board retreat. After an informal tally, C Lopez made a motion that the retreat be moved from Feb 2 to Feb 23; C Nyschens seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

3. Lifestyles: S Chase will continue to look for his replacement as chair of the Lifestyles Committee; it was noted that there is a subcommittee.

4. LUTC Committee
C Gossett reported that Lauren from Capstone Projects thanked SGNA for its support (she had to leave early along with a Reed student who is working with her). Gossett reported that (Revision 1) “the recommendations of Grant Park Village by the Portland Design Commission” were not voted on (Capstone’s plan) at the December meeting because of disagreement about the substance of exterior walls but will discuss the Capstone Project will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting in January. LUTC plans to provide a letter of support to the City on behalf of Capstone.

In 2013, the walkabouts will continue and the speaker series will continue. In February, a PSU professor will discuss aging and urban planning and in March, there will be a NEBBA update. Gossett asked for other ideas.

LUTC said with the $700 NECN grant, they will raise funds to put on the event: Plot+Scheme: A Neighborhood Charrette, either with funds or in-kind support. D Lerch-Walters requested that SGNA accept the funds from NECN and accept the risk to make up the difference. Gossett mentioned that LUTC has a subcommittee that will schedule the event, organize the food for the charrette.

A motion was made that the board agree that we will proceed with the planning charrette.
C Gossett made the motion; A Alvis seconded the motion.
13 board members approved the motion; 0 opposed; and 1, B Simenon, abstained.

8. Gulch Garden Report
L McDowell said her information about the garden in the newsletter resulted in five new gardeners.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm
Minutes recorded by J de La Harpe, SGNA Secretary

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