Montavilla Neighborhood Association

Sept 2001 Meeting Minutes

General Meeting

On September 10th the Montavilla Neighborhood Association met at their new location in the Montavilla Community Center, located at 82nd and NE Glisan.

Neighbors had an opportunity to meet the principals of three of our local schools; John Hinds from Binnesmead Middle School, Deb Bradway from Wilcox Elementary and Marilyn Seger from Bridger Elementary. It was an opportunity for each principal to give an account of what’s going on at their schools—the achievements and accomplishments as well as a call for community volunteers to help with different programs in the schools. In Montavilla we have five schools, four elementary and one middle school. It was good to hear about the awards, social improvements and ecology concerns being addressed and that music has been added to their curriculum once again.

October is Crime Prevention Month and Rhetta Drennan, Crime Prevention Specialist, was present at the meeting to talk about problem solving within the community. Drennan works all over the southeast area addressing local concerns of crime—she is the liaison person to the police.

Trouble with Club Rio, located at 82nd and Hawthorne, has brought neighbors, owners and mediators back to the table. Incidences still happening (such as loud noise until 3 am, public urinating, turfwars, beer bottles littering yards, and other disruptive behavior) are making surrounding neighbors uncomfortable with the dance club at this location. A Good Neighbor Agreement was signed with the club owners but it seems they must be made to stand behind this agreement.

A couple from 79th and Glisan were present to talk about their quest to help raise money for the Canine Unit at the Southeast Police Precinct. There are around 14 dogs at the station, with only a couple of bullet-proof vests. They are on a campaign to raise money for this cause. The MCA gave $100. They cost anywhere from $600 – $1000.

There will be a maintenance party at our very own BerryDale Community Garden, hosted by Hands on Portland (a local volunteer organization on Saturday, November 3 from 9 am – 12 pm. The garden is located next to Clark Elementary at approximately 92nd and Hawthorne. Contact Andrew Bodien at 503/281-7469 to sign up.

The following committees still need neighborhood participation: outreach; block party; newsletter and crime prevention.

The new Vista Volunteer, Jenny Leis, was at the meeting and will be helping out on these committees. She brings a lot of enthusiasm to the task.

Nike volunteers will be in Montavilla on Wednesday, November 6. The MCA is in the process of choosing six homes for them to help with yard clean-up and other small tasks. We are looking for people to help be the liaison between these people and the volunteers as they may be elderly or disabled. For more information contact Kimberly Mc Clain at 503/262-0831 or kmbrly101@hotmail.com!