Draft Board Meeting Minutes for December 11, 2012

Sullivan’s Gulch Neighborhood Association

Board Meeting Minutes December 11, 2012 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Board Members Present - 15 Board Members, 10 present, quorum reached

Chair: Board position vacant, Meeting Called to Order and conducted through Agenda Item No. 7 by Shoshana Cohen, Acting director of NECN. From Item 7 to the end of the meeting, the meeting was chaired by Craig Nyschens, newly elected Vice Chair of the Board. Vice Chair: B. Brewer, Excused Absence, not present

Secretary: Jackleen de La Harpe, Excused Absence, not present. Notes taken by Director-at-Large Brenn Simonen Treasurer: Kari LaForge, present; Directors-at-Large Present: Andy Alvis, Dave Brook, Melissa Cannon, Steve Chase, Carol Gossett, Dan Lerch- Walters, Chris Lopez, Craig Nyschens, Brenn Simonen -Directors-at-Large not present: Pat Coughlin, Linda McDowell, Lew Curtis

1. Welcome, Introductions - meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

2. Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from General Meeting of November 13, 2012 Minutes unanimously approved.

3. Elections of Board Officers — Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer Britt Brewer was nominated to Chair by Dave. Kari self-nominated herself to continue as Treasurer, Kari nominated Jackleen to continue as Secretary. Dave Brooks motioned to put forth the above slate, Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary for vote. Dan Lerch-Walters seconded. All passed with unanimous approval. Vice Chair: Self Nomination: Craig Nyschens. Chris nominated Andrew Alvis. Both nominees spoke for a minute as to why they were interested in the Vice-Chair position. Chris moved the nominations to a vote, and Craig won the majority vote for Vice Chair. Voting was made by written ballots. The ballots are being held by Kari LaForge, in the absence of the Secretary, and will be held for ninty (90) days.

4. Election of Directors at Large

A discussion on how to elect Directors-at-Large was held. There was a question from Chris, Steven, and Dave regarding whether or not Directors-at-Large are voted upon when Officers are voted on. According to our Bylaws: Article IV- Board of Directors, Section 1 Composition of Board of Directors & Section 2 Duties of Board Members, they are voted on at the same time. Shoshana wrote all current Board Members - not already Officers - names on the board and a motion was made to vote. All present, with one exception, Chris Lopez who abstained, voted to elect Board members not holding Officer positions as Directors-at-Large. 

The Directors at Large are: Andrew Alvis, Dave Brook, Melissa Cannon, Pat Coughlin, Stephen Chase, Lew Curtis, Carol Gossett, Dan Lerch-Walters, Chris Lopez, Linda McDowell and Brenn Simonen.

5. Police Report Police Officer was not present.

Board Meeting Minutes; December 2012; Issued January 1, 2013; Page 1 of 3

Sullivan’s Gulch Neighborhood Association, c/o Holladay Park Plaza, 1300 NE 16th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97232

http://www.sgnablog.blogspot.com

6. NECN Announcements/Notices Chris Lopez gave an update for NECN: 

A. December 15th from 3-5pm everyone is invited to join NECN for an Ice Cream Social to learn about Clean Energy at Salt & Straw. 

B. Also on December 15th the SALT Committee of NECN is having a “weeding party” at 10:30am at their headquarters. 

C. Neighborhood Grant requests are in and the recipients will be announced in mid January, 2013. 

D. Orientation meetings for new neighborhood association Board members will be coming up in January, 2013 to learn the “ends and out” of neighborhood organizations. Watch NECN’s website for details. 

E. Chris Lopez excused himself from the meeting at the end of his report from NECN.

7. Transfer of Meeting Authority - the Meeting Chair position was transferred from Shoshana Cohen to newly elected Vice Chair, Craig Nyschens.

8. CallforAdditionstoAgenda A. NECN Board position - SGNA 2nd position, Nomination of Carol Gossett as candidate, discussion and vote.

Carol Gossett was nominated to serve as 1 of the 2 (Chris Lopez currently being the other) Sullivan’s Gulch representatives to the NECN Board. The election was unanimous.

9. Review and Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, October 9, 2012 The minutes were approved unanimously.

10. 2013 Board Retreat Discussion Date and Time - Saturday, February 2, 2013, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Agenda Requests/Process - to be determined. Craig made a motion on a budget of $100, based on last year’s expense report, Kari seconded, and it passed unanimously.

11. Leaf Removal Parking Sites - announcement, details Leaf Removal update given by Dave Brook - Removal for the neighborhood is Friday morning the 14th. Grace Memorial has opened their parking lot from 7pm to 7am and Fred Meyer will allow parking with a permit from 8PM, Thursday, 12.13 to 7pm, Friday, December 14. Details have been posted on the SGNA Blog, website, Facebook page, to Soup-night subscribers.

12. Committee Reports A.Treasurer Report - Current balance: Six thousand one hundred thirty one dollars ($6131.00).

1. Invoice, Grant Proposal Services - Grant Proposal Services Invoice of $300 was submitted by Jackleen de La Harpe for her preparation of the grant documentation for NECN. Discussion of whether or not taking an invoice for a duty done from a volunteer position is something that should be paid for. A motion was made that the invoice be paid, and passed with 2 opposed, Brenn Simonen and Dave Brook. A motion was made that the “reimbursement of expenses for and/or professional services provided for SGNA, including how contractors are chosen” be discussed at the retreat. The motion was seconded, all agreed.

• 2. Dave Brook - Proposal to make year-end donations, Janus & Grace Church - Year-end Donations from SGNA - Janus and Grace Church have been recipients in the past. 
• A discussion was held as to how beneficiaries are chosen and what amount should be given. Motion made by Dave for $250, per charity to be made to Janus and Grace Church. Vote taken - In favor, three (3) - Dave Brook, Dan Lerch-Walters, Steven Chase; Opposed, four (4) - Brenn Simonen, Kari LaForge, Craig Nyschens, Carol Gossett ; Abstentions - two (2); Melissa Cannon, Andy Alvis.
• B. Communications Committee/Secretary/Image design 1. Logo/Collateral/Web/Gazette/Image Design Services
• Jackleen de La Harpe, Guy Burwell
• a. the logo presentation will be postponed until the January meeting. 2. Gazette/ListServe/Blog comments/discussion as required
• a. Brenn will produce the minutes from the last Communications Committee meeting, held November 28, to the Board members this week that will address the listed items. The Gazette brought in an additional $345 on the December 1 issue. 
• b.A request was made by Dave Brooks to discuss how to determine Committee Chairs at the Board Retreat, February, 2013.
• C. Lifestyles Committee 1. Steve's Successor? - discussion; a. Steve will continue in his duties as Chair until another takes the position, and will gladly help train them in what is currently being done as well as introduce them to those in the community they can work and go to for assistance.
• 2. Craig joined the committee.
• D. Land Use Transportation Committee (LUTC) Multnomah Street changes, SGNA-LUTC items 1. Update on the construction of the Grant Village per Lauren. The Gulch trail will need $36 million to complete project, and work is being done to seek out private funding, including from Fred Meyer. 2. Murray Koodish, from NEBBA-Northeast Broadway Business Association will attend the February Board meeting to discuss how the business owners feel about possibilities for improvements. 3. January 2013 Board meeting will host PDOT and Lloyd TMA to discuss the new changes to Multnomah St, regarding parking, driving, and bike lanes. 4. Melissa spoke on steps being taken to look at Sullivan’s Gulch’s role in being an older adult friendly neighborhood, what that means, and what that entails. 5. Discussions with the City are opening up on what will be happening regarding the Banfield Expressway and Carol will be attending and reporting.

13. Gulch Garden Report - Linda McDowell - report not given. 14. Concluding Remarks - Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM

Notes from the SGNA Board Retreat - February 11, 2012

(Editor's note: The annual SGNA Board Retreat replaced the normal Board meeting in February.  No business was transacted at the retreat so these notes simply reflect what emerged as priorities for  those attending the meeting for 2012.  Thanks to Shoshana Cohen and Katy Asher of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) for their able assistance during the retreat. - Dave Brook)

SGNA Retreat February 11, 2012 - Notes

Words/Phrases to Describe SGNA if it were wildly successful

• Truly representative
• Inclusive
• Economically-sustainable community
• Energizing and exciting
• Realistic
• Leader in community involvement
• Powerful two-way communication
• Celebrate diversity

Committee Activities and Ideas

Listed in order of priority/number of people interested in helping

P = number of priority dots, H = number of dots from people interested in helping

(Listed in general order of priority)

Land Use and Transportation

• Broadway/Weidler Corridor – 4 P, 7 H
• Safety crossing at 28^th – 4 H
• N/NE Quadrant SAC – 3 P, 1 H
• Sullivan’s Gulch Trail – 3 P, 1 H
• NECN Land Use and Transportation Committee  – 1 P, 1 H
• NECN Community Economic Development Committee – 1 P, 1 H
• Tree removal and zoning adjustment reviews
• Parking study
• Cross committee work with emergency preparedness
• Holladay Park

Lifestyles

• Support to local businesses (coupons, etc.) – 4 P, 2 H
• Gulch-O-Rama – 2 P, 3 H
• Mulch in the Gulch – 2 P, 3 H
• Neighborhood Night Out, 3 H
• Clean-Ups – 1 P, 2 H
• Gulch garage sale, 1 H
• Neighborhood upkeep such as the overgrown sidewalk on NE 24^th – 1 H
• Leaf collection – 1 H

Garden Committee

• Gulch garden/community garden – 3 P, 1 H
• Community beds to share food
• Beds for food programs
• Collect food for NE Community food pantry
• Room for gardeners $50 month for returning gardeners and $80/month for new gardeners
• Chickens (need chicken keeper) - 1 H

Communications

• Quarterly newsletter – 2 P, 2 H
• Celly – 1 P, 3 H
• Direct mailing of a calendar year of events – 2 P, 2 H
• Outreach to people at Holladay Park Plaza – 2 P
• Lew announcements
• More newsletters to Holladay Park Plaza
• Post agenda
• Flyers in apartment buildings and businesses – 1 P, 1 H
• Yard signs for events/issues – 1 P, 1 H
• Synch activities and events – always the same time/date to make it easier to communicate – 1 P, 1 H
• Canvassing – 1 P
• Website – 1 year old, 5 members – want more members
• Get content of meetings in advance for outgoing meeting announcements
• Online bulletin boards
• Local bulletin boards

Safety/Preparedness

• Mock emergency – 2 P, 4 H
• Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET) – outreach and management challenge – trying to get people to “get it” to do the basics – 2 P, 1 H
• Preparations for other emergencies – 1 P, 2 H
• Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM)/Fire and rescue/NET Training – 1 P, 1 H
• Create blocks of neighbors working together – 2 H
• NET Forums – Feb. 22 and 26 – 1 H
• Monthly NET classes – attracting people -  1 H
• Lloyd District Public Safety meetings – 1 H
• More committee members – 1 H
• NECN Safety and Livability Team (SALT)
• Holladay Park

Board Administrative Work

• Revise bylaws – 4 P, 1 H
• SGNA board recruitment – 3 P, 3 H
• Address board attendance – 3 P, 2 H
• Consider the role of Holladay Park – 3 H, 1 P
• Address term lengths – 2 H
• Committee structure – 1 P, 1 H
• General meeting times/recurrence 

SGNA Board Meeting — January 10, 2012

Present:

Board:  Britt, Lew, Jackleen, Dan, Stephan, Kari, Carol, Chris, Brenn

Others:  Lee, Shoshana, Teresa (new to Gulch), Marcelo, Officers Anderson and McCalister, PDX Police Dept.

-Officers update:  Theft not up from last year.  Cars getting stolen at theatre and dumped in the Gulch. A couple of pedestrian robberies by Safeway.  Transients have seemingly been pushed downtown and are not being seen so much in our area.  Albina fuel property is being patrolled and when they are arrested, they are released in 4 hours and right back.

-Approved Minutes from last month. 

-66 people were cited and 44 cars were towed (tow pick up is $165 if within 1 hour and $250 after that).  Debate about why the vote was to tow rather than give warnings.  Resident,  Marcelo was here, upset about being towed, even though his car was not working at the time and he has no trees on his property.  Question from him is "Will the Board write a letter of support for him at the court date?"  Chris motioned that a letter from the Board will be written, Carol seconds the letter, Kari asks "therefore we are to write letters for the other 43 residents?"  Britt agrees, yet states non of the others' have come forward.  Letter, to ask the Judge to forgive all or part of the towing fine due to his financial hardship.  5 in favor, 1 opposed, 4 sustaining.

-Treasurer's Report:  $5,005.98 current balance  
Britt appreciates Kari prudence in applying dollars during last meeting and how valuable her thoughts and statements are to the board.

-Safety:  Brenn stated that the next emergency preparedness meeting will be January 19th, 6:30-8 at Brenn's Blend Studio in the Lloyd Center.

-Communications:  Chris would like someone to volunteer to take over the newsletter

-Lifestyles:  Stephan says nothing much going on until spring and summer.
Dan asked about Stephan amping up the soup nights and making them more often.  Stephan reminded everyone of the Soup night coordinator asking that the SGNA remain separate from the soupnight gatherings last year.

-Trail News:  Senior Center from 6-8pm January 11th.  Maps, presentations, and more.  Dan said that Brad Perkins, representing the Trail Committee, would like a letter from our board (and Irvington N.A. as well) supporting the trail and also a letter to PDC to assign any available funding to the process of the trail in their District.  Kari suggests that the letter be from Dan's perspective and his agenda, rather than Brad's.  Dan will write a letter and submit to our Board for acceptance regarding said issues.

-Land Use:  Fred Meyer remodel and Wasco/28th crossing.  We don't have a slam dunk from PDOT to have them impose the upgrading of crossing on Fred Meyer, but do have enough information to go to Fred Meyer and continue the request.  Federal Consumer Safety standards will be met on the playground upgrades being done by Fred Meyer on their playground.

N-NE Quadrant, talking with NEBBA and NECN about setting up a meeting with the neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the area regarding setting perimeters and discussing the vision for the corridor and the future of the area and what the possibilities are.

KAL Properties still overseas the Albina property.  Britt suggests its simply lying dormant until the time that its ready for use.  TriMet using it for a MAX stop will be costly for them due to the need for multi level building and elevators.

Parking Permit district information.  3 different alternatives for the parking permit district.  A study must be done to examine the necessity for and the boundary possibilities.  Once a boundary is approved, 50% of the residents would have to sign on and say they want it, then the application goes to the city/PDOT and they make final decision to move forward o not.  If the TriMet fare less square goes away there is no need for the parking permits aren't needed.  The 3 Options, 41-48-52 block faces for the parking boundaries will be emailed to the Board.  There is concern that a study was done in the neighborhood to survey the impact of those parking in our neighborhoods then riding MAX in the free zone.  Chris gave Britt Will Elder's number to contact him and find out where that study is. Britt asked that the Board support he and Carol is sending the information forward to Murray and NEBBA to get their feedback on the possibilities.  All agreed.

-NECN:  Solar panels for homes will be bought in bulk and the information will be available on the NECN website.  January 19th committee meeting.  Economic Development Forums are coming up February 1 is on High Level Development.  April 3 is on small organizations and economic development.  May 1is a workshop style event to discuss what is going on in individual communities.  Candidate Forums coming up, and dates are posted on NECN website.   www.necoalition.org  Shoshana requested that board members email her with any questions, suggestions, or personal experiences regarding Solarize or the above.  

New Seasons on Fremont, part of the old Wonder Bread site, will have their pre-application conference in a week.  It will take sometime before they can break ground.

-Board Member Retreat:  February 11th, 2-6pm, 15-16 people, Stephan has accepted responsibility to plan and coordinate location and food, Linda has volunteered to assist.  Lew will check on possible rooms at Holladay.  Shoshana will provide discussion questions and meeting planning to Britt.                                                                                                                                   

-Brenn asked if anyone had any ideas for the Secretarial position.  No one had an answer.  A motion was made to elect Brenn to Secretary, second, and third, she declined.                                         

Comments and corrections to these minutes should be addressed within 24 hours of this email.  Otherwise, the content stands until approved or amended at the next official meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:13pm.