Montavilla Neighborhood Association

MNA General Meeting - Minutes for 8/14/06

Minutes

MONTAVILLA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING

August 14, 2006
MINUTES/SUMMARY
Attendees: Jennifer Tamayo, David Linn, Maria Sworske, Lisa Laurenceau, Victor Flaming, Craig Bach, Sarah Selden, Megan McCoy, Roger Warren, Nelle Waldroff, Alema McCrea, Maylorie Townsend, Officer Brendan McGuire, Katherine Anderson, Angela Southwick, Paul Leistner, Erica Thygesen, Yvonne Garcia, Glenn Rice, Hannah Rice, Selena Rose Headings, Margie Fletcher, Jennifer Fontana, Sarai Garcia, Karen & Jim Robinson, Wanda Adams, Ben Cannon, Susan Bowen, Lisa & Ron Ramsey, Mike Adams. Various Guests from Portland State University and Capstone Class.

1. Jennifer Tamayo, MNA chair called the meeting to order. She asked everyone to introduce themselves. Some notable attendees were Paul Leistner, SEUL Board chair, attending because he is connected with the PSU Asset Mapping Project, Catherine Anderson, Crime Prevention Specialist at Southeast Uplift and the Montavilla Community Center Director.

2. MNA Chair report-Jennifer announced the upcoming concert at Harrison Park and asked for volunteers to table for Montavilla Neighborhood Association at the event. Friends of Trees is asing for donations to puchase trees to place in frontof businesses and also asked for volunteers to participate in the planting. Newsletter committee needs more volunteers to hand deliver the newletter. Some areas are covered, others are not.

3. Maria Sworske, Treasurer, asked for fundraising ideas.


4. Paul Leistner reported on the Portland Public Schools Spanish Immersion Program. There will be a meeting on it at Binsmead School in the library at 6:30 on 8/15.

5. Outreach-Jennifer said the website update is in progress. Outreach committee meeting on 9/11 at 6:30 at Montavilla Community Center.

6. Southeast Uplift Report-Sarah Selden,SEUL Delegate-reported on the SEUL Board elections. Paul Leistner was elected as the chair for this coming year. SEUL is working on forming a policy about PPS school closures issue. Neighborhood Grants program for outreach will run in cycles for applications, one in fall and one in winter.

7. Land-Use- Sarah Selden,Land-Use Delegate-Montavilla Land-Use Committee is planning a Neighborhood Tour with developers and planners and will include the participation of SEUL Neighborhood Planner. Committee is asking for volunteers and ideas for where to go in the neighborhood.

8. Crime Prevention Report- Craig reported that the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Program is making the 82nd Avenue MAX Station safer. 82nd Avenue MAX Station is a crime hotspot. Victor Flaming expanded on it. More lights, surveillance cameras, etc. Craig reported that there is a store in the neighborhood that is selling drug paraphenalia. City seems ignorant, anyway there is no enforcement of the ban on drug paraphenalia.

9. Portland Police Bureau Report-Officer Brendan McGuire, Neighborhood Response Team, reported that crime stats are low for this time of year for Montavilla. Officer McGuire gave an explaination of his job. He responds to complaints of drug houses, houses/businesses where there is suspicious activity, etc. His phone number is 503-827-1274. It’s good to tell your neighbors of suspicious activity, but also notify the police through the non-emergency phone number. If it’s suspicious individuals, they will come out and find out who they are, if they belong in the neighborhood, what they are doing there if not, etc. There are some small changes in the rules governing the Prositutio-Free Zones. Now PPB must charge someone with a crime in order to exclude. All exclusions are now voided for the local Prostitution-Free Zone and PPB must start over because of the rules change. Another change is that all exclusions are automatically appealed. Appeal was always available to those excluded, but now all are automatically reviewed. Question from attendee: How is the Prostitution-Free Zone determined? Answer: By the number of arrests of previously related crime in that area. Question: Are “Johns (customers)” targeted or just Prostitutes? Answer: We arrest both. Law states that it is a crime to both solicit and accept sex for money/drugs etc. It is a constant battle how far PPB is to go. The Drug-Free and Prostitution-Free Zones started in 1994, with many challeges on the constitutionality. Crime stats website: someone asked how often are the stats updated. Crime Prevention Coordinator said the most up-to-date stats are given at crime-prevention meeting.

10. Parks and Recreation Report-Roger Warren, Montavilla Parks and Rec Delegate reported on Children’s Art Activities. He also said he would sell a basketball an donate proceeds to MNA. Info on Children’s Art Activities: 503-254-5529.

11. Land-Use and Transportation Report- Megan said that Montavilla/East Tabor business Association is having a meeting on Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety on 8/25 and 9/5 at 4:00pm. There is a bond measure on the ballot that is about protecting natural areas, bike trails through natural areas and water sheds and includes Johnson Creek. Audobon Society supports this bond measure.This bond measure is very important for conservation.

12. PSU Asset Mapping Project-Montavilla is flourishing neighborhood with a wealth of sevices for residents. This project was partnered by Southeast Uplift and MNA. Part of the purpose was to give SEUL tools to create a business model. Surveys focused on schools and faith-based organizations. For futher information on details: Pamphlets availalable through Southeast Uplift 503-232-0010 (ask for PSU Asset Mapping Pamphlet).

Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Laurenceau
MNA Interim Secretary

Email us
jennifer_montavilla@yahoo.com