McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA)

April, May and June’s MENA board meetings at a glance

Jul 13, 2005

At April?’s board meeting, Rian Troth congratulated the new board members and welcomed back last year?’s board members. Emily Robbins and Polly Sanders were approved to serve as secretary and vice president respectively.
During the treasury report, it was noted that the majority of funds goes to recruiting and maintaining the membership and the newsletter. Rian announced that during the last membership drive, 200 members renewed.
Members Ron Maertz and Nancy Cornelius will be advising MENA on land use issues. Combined, they have over 30 years of experience in land use and will be co-chairs of the land use committee.
Member, Will Green, addressed the board regarding Mercy?’s expansion plans and is disappointed in the board?’s ?“lack of involvement.?” Rian reminded Will that Mercy is a frequent topic in the newsletter and MENA?’s opposition or support is based on a majority vote of the board. Rian noted this as the first time members voiced their concerns about Mercy at a board meeting and welcomes member input in the future.
At the top of May?’s board meeting, Rian introduced Brian Abbanat , associate planner for the city, who discussed the city?’s General Plan. This is a required document for all cities, which must include a plan for open space, noise and safety. Other concerns that Sacramento planners are taking into account are issues regarding economic development, community design and historic preservation. He encouraged the board to attend the city?’s town hall forums. The General Plan has a 25-year scope.
Emilie Kashtan, MENA member, addressed the board about problems with city planning, especially residential building. Emilie?’s group, Save our Streets, is a grass-roots East Sac organization encouraging the city council to adopt form-based zoning in the East Sac region. She feels that many new residential builders are ?“disregarding charm.?” Her group proposes there be criteria based on streetscape, scale and slope heights. Board member, Cecily Hastings, voiced concern regarding being sensitive to how much the community is involved and informed on this issue and was wary of ?“design review.?” Rian made it clear that Emilie is not suggesting design review, but ?“form-based zoning.
Land use committee co-chair, Nancy Cornelius, was voted in as a board member.
MENA member, Howard Schmidt reported on changes to the MENA bylaws, which include minor changes and the extension of board terms from one year to two.
During June?’s board meeting the Stop and Smell the Roses and Neighborhood USA events were heralded as successes, both sponsored by MENA. Member Lisa Schmidt was approved as treasurer. A question was posed to land use committee co-chair, Ron, regarding MENA?’s recent recommendation in the form of a letter to the city to develop a Transportation Management plan for the proposed expansion of Mercy Hospital. He stated this is a standard requirement of any major expansion in the city and it is meant to control employee trips. Later during the meeting Rian asked Public Safety and Neighborhood Impact Committee chair, Joe Chavez, if East Sac police officer Darby Lannom is aware of existing noise ordinance problems at local schools such as Sutter Middle School and Joe said he would address this issue with Lannom.