MULTNOMAH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING, APRIL 14, 2014
MULTNOMAH ARTS CENTER
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 by Chair, carol McCarthy. Board members, vice-chair Beth
Omansky and secretary, Ellen Gentry were present. There were approximately 30 people in attendance, most of them Multnomah neighborhood residents, so a quorum of voting residents was present.
Dave Manville of SW Trails came to the meeting to talk about the mission of SW Trails, which includes pedestrian improvements and maintaining trails. He is also hoping to establish monthly trail walks.
Trails numbers 4 ,6, 7 and 3 are in the Multnomah neighborhood. Dave would like to have a liaison from each southwest neighborhood to work with SW Trails, and asked that anyone willing to volunteer to contact Carol McCarthy.
Two police officers came to the meeting. They reported that funding cuts have resulted in changes, and that officers will now cover wider areas. The change could result in longer response times to calls.
Liz Sofran, the Multnomah neighborhood representative to the Tryon/Stephens Creek Headwater
Community Working Group, gave an update on progress made so far. She explained that the project is a collaboration between The Portland Bureau Transportation (PBOT) and The Bureau of Environmental
Services (BES); efforts are being made to coordinate with other potential sources of investment. The group deals with connectivity and storm water issues to develop a tailored strategy to improve local and street connectivity and access to important neighborhood destinations. A focus at this time is identifying which places are not fully accessible to pedestrians and cyclists due to storm water management issues and the lack of sidewalks and bike paths. The group solicits input from neighborhood residents, and will sponsor another Open House on May 7. To evaluate and comment on the project’s implications for your street, please review the materials posted on the Multnomah
Neighborhood page of the SWNI website. (www.SWNI.org).
Committee Reports
Treasurer’s report, Carol McCarthy: There has been no change since the last meeting.
Parks, Carol McCarthy: Carol led discussion about the moratorium on mountain bike riding at the
Riverview Mountain area. The area was purchased by Metro, BES, and Portland Parks and Recreation to preserve the quality of the water. Carol asked for a straw vote of those favoring continuation of the moratorium until the master plan for the park provides guidelines for where all terrain biking would be appropriate. The majority favored continuation of the moratorium.
Beth reported that the Parks Department did an ADA assessment of 200 City parks and found over
23,000 ADA-related barriers. They have set aside $9 million of the last bond measure to address these issues in order of priority.
Land use, Jim Peterson: We still don’t know how zones will be defined in the 2035
Comprehensive Plan, which will be voted on by PSC on April 28 or May11.
There have been rumors about a possible development of up to 79 units on Capitol Highway between 33 rd and 34 th St near the Family Center. The plans will have to go through the Design

Review, which will give the neighborhood an opportunity to have input on the project’s compatibility with the existing character of the Village.
The DRAC committee has brought Oregon House Bill 705 and a companion bill in the Senate to deal with regulation of house demolitions.
Safety, Beth Omansky: Beth reported that the Little Artists School intends to keep the willow fence that MNA and several residents expressed concern over how it blocks a clear view at the intersection of 34th & Capitol Hwy. We will continue to pursue other options.
As a result of SWNI Public Safety Committee's grant approval for NET training in SW, we will have money for backpacks for a few low-income participants in the training. Beth will do outreach to Stephens Creek Crossing, hoping some of their residents will participate in the training in September.
Transportation, Kay Durtschi: Kay said that there will be a meeting of the Transportation committee on Tuesday, April 21, that will provide more information about the southwest corridor street project.
Ad hoc committee for Capitol Highway Improvement, Chris Lyons: Chris has been communicating with Councilwoman Fritz, Al Iverson and PBOT, as well as Oregon Senator
Devlin. All ideas are being explored, including linking with the Barbur project in order to expedite the project. Beth reported that she presented to the Portland Commission on ADA regarding the Capitol Highway project as an ADA issue, and asked for their support. The committee voted “Yes”, and they are drafting their letter of support to the City Council and relevant agencies.
Yves Le Meitour, the owner of the French Quarter at 35 th and Multnomah, came to the meeting to explain that a tenant in one of his properties has applied for a liquor license. The tenant will have wood oven pizza and serve beer and wine.
New Business: SWNI received a grant from Intertwine. Each neighborhood will be asked what they’re doing to achieve racial equity.
Beth Omansky will chair a committee to update the MNA bylaws. Anyone willing to participate in the committee should contact Beth or Carol.
A summer barbeque is being considered. Gabriel Park seems to be the best place to hold the barbeque, because the southwest neighborhoods each get a day at the park with the $1,000 fee waved.
Submitted be Ellen Gentry, Secretary