Draft Minutes Center Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting
September 19, 2006 7:00 P.M. @ The Historic Shogren House
INRODUCTIONS:
Board Members Present: Robert Jordan, Cameron Clemens, Shirley Nacoste, Judy Kennedy, Nana Nash,
Barry Bradie, Sean Besso, John Rusoff, Don McElmurry, Theresa Benton, DyLynn Robertson
Neighbors & Guests: Bert Boehm, Richard Glenn, Ethan Beck, Ben Cannon, David Delk, Mike Sublett
(Mult. County), Matthew Lieuallen (Comm. Naito), Nick Popenuk (Metro), , Ryan Dulocher, Fred Rutledge,
Teresa Rutledge, Rey Ko, Katherine Anderson (ONI – Crime Prevention), Lee Perlman (Press), Kerri Hill de
Cantero (visionPDX Grant), Ken Moholt-Siebert (developer)
ACTIONS:
Minutes Approved for July 2006 Meeting.
Approved motion to pay yet outstanding expenses related to National Night Out and Center Commons Picnic
(see Treasurer).
Approved motion not to impede developer, Ken Moholt-Siebert’s land swap & construction plans for the
building adjacent to the Penumbra Kelley Building (see Land Use).
Approved motion to support upcoming Ballot Measure 26-80 (see Neighborhood Issues – Bond Issue).
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Treasurer: As of August 31, 2006 C.N.A.’s checking account has $2,300-ish and the money market account
has $5,000-ish. Our visionPDX grant may require some C.N.A. contribution (our Board previously
authorized up to $1,000). Nana N. and one other neighbor requested to be reimbursed for outstanding
expenses connected to visionPDX events in our neighborhood.
Land Use: Several issues were brought up for discussion including those mentioned below and in
“Neighborhood Issues.”
Penumbra Kelley Building: Sean B. provided introduction to the continuing saga of the building owned by
Mult. County with space leased to Portland Police Bureau. Plans were presented to show two options for
development at this location – generating much discussion! The first option is to develop on the site “as is”
which, the owner states would result in destroying the parking garage used by the police, while the
“alternative plan” involves moving the site closer to E. Burnside and allowing the parking garage to remain
intact.
Mike Sublett of Mult. County and Ken Moholt-Siebert, the owner/developer of the parcel (faces N.E. 47th)
discussed plans for a “land swap” which would allow the proposed development to sit on the corner of N.E.
47th & Burnside and leave the parking garage intact but reduce above ground parking outside the precinct. In
this latter plan, the owner/developers will be asking for an exception to the zoning code regarding height of
the building. Both Multnomah County and the developer seem okay with the land swap agreement but the
developer doesn’t want to proceed with this plan if there is possible conflict with neighbors regarding the
height exception.
The many concerns from C.N.A. Board members and neighbors included the exception to the code for height;
number of residential units ultimately included in the building, parking for retail and residential space;
infrequent #20 TriMet service on certain days relates to requirement for off-street parking; and why the
County could not refuse development of this property and “buy” it from the owner…keeping the precinct &
police parking intact without added congestion to this already busy intersection. A motion was made and
approved by the majority of Board members present (8 members in favor), not to stand in the way of the
developer’s plans. At least two Board members were upset (and voted no on the motion) with either of these
options and felt pushed/bullied by the developer & County – having no real say in what direction the
development of our neighborhood takes.
Providence Properties: Providence recently acquired the Moore Litho Building on the corner of N.E. 47th
and Glisan and it will be knocked down in a couple of months but, will be 2-3 years before it is re-developed.
Judy K. reports that Providence is “open to suggestions” as how to use the space until that occurs. Ultimately,
plans involve a two-story building with “guest housing” and retail space. Judy mentioned that it would be
great if Providence Eldercare could be located in the new building and retail space moved over to the Glisan
site that currently houses that program.
The un-built site at N.E. 53rd & Glisan is expected to be developed – a two story medical office with parking.
This raises concern that we may need to look for an alternative site for our annual Neighborhood Clean-Up
event.
Fred Meyer: John R. brought up recently released information regarding Fred’s application for developing a
gas station in the west corner of their parking lot -- requiring an adjustment to the “set back” requirements.
Most comments from the Board and neighbors were negative regarding this project. Don M. pointed out that
the two other gas stations within a few block of this proposed site already have problems staying in business
despite their close location to I-84 entrance/exits. Sean B. will compose and send off a letter to the permit
office regarding concerns raised in discussion.
SEUL: Shirley N. reports that SEUL is working on a project to support student/parent relationships and
provided Community Connection surveys from Mayor Potter’s office to the Board.
Outreach: Kerri HdC. reports the visionPDX surveys are still being accepted online until the end of the
month and encourages especially students, minorities, elderly and residents of East Portland to participate.
Final reports will be coming out soon. There will be a luncheon on Oct. 14 at the S.E. Community Center
sponsored by visionPDX. Kerri also requests that photos from our grant-funded events be shared with her to
include in her final report.
Next C.N.A. Outreach Committee meeting is October 3, 7PM at Center Commons.
NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES:
Ben Cannon: Democratic candidate for Oregon House District 46 spoke to attendees and asked for their
support in the upcoming elections. (votebencannon.com)
Traffic Concerns: Neighbors from the N.E. 45th and Davis area discussed their concerns regarding increased
volume, speeding and over-time parking (as long as 9hrs +) which seems to come from Starbucks and
Providence Hospital traffic. Observations also included how N.E. 47th and Burnside area is becoming more
commercial in nature and that area will continue to experience increasing traffic. One neighbor noted the
“streets of San Francisco” like hill on 47th that encourages speeding and another pointed out that no speed
bumps would be allowed in this area, as emergency vehicles access the hospital on N.E. 47th. . Judy K. is on
the Transportation Standing Committee with Providence and suggests that these issues might be addressed
there.
Land Use Concerns: Neighbors discussed some residents not following zoning codes. Barry B. and Nana
N. suggested neighborhood mediation services such as “Resolutions N.W” which help neighbors with
conflicts. Robert J. reminded us the role of mediators, as well as the C.N.A. Board is not to take sides, but to
help with awareness of rules and share information.
Friends of Trees: Nana N. reports that the FOT tree-planting event for our neighborhood is scheduled for
March 10. Home and business owners are encouraged to sign up for $35-$75 per tree plantings that include
hole-digging, stakes & ties, assistance on planting day and a year of tree monitoring. The deadline for orders
is December 8th, 2006. Nana suggests including an order form in the next newsletter and will connect with
Jeme Sutton at FOT & C.N.A. newsletter folks to follow-up on this.
Bond Issue: Ryan D. shared that Ballot Measure 26-80, known as the 2006 Natural Areas Bond Measure,
would issue $227.4 million in general obligation bonds. Those bonds would preserve targeted natural areas in
the region; protect and restore watersheds for improved water quality; protect streams, fish and wildlife; and
increase the presence of nature in neighborhoods.
The estimated cost of the bonds is 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value; the average homeowner would pay
about $2.50 to $2.92 per month or $30 to $35 a year. Robert suggests that this is something C.N.A. could
support by writing a piece in the newsletter. A formal motion to endorse this measure was approved by the
majority of Board Members. Ryan distributed information related to this measure.
NOVEMBER 2006 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
Next General Membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Robert J. suggests that agenda items
should include intro to C.N.A., current issues, recruitment and the likes, and that Metro Councilman, Robert
Liberty has been invited to speak. More discussion will occur at October’s monthly meeting.
David D. states that October 10 will be the deadline for newsletter submissions. DyLynn R. and Cameron C.
will meet with David to begin taking on the task of publishing future editions of the newsletter. There is
interest in increasing the frequency of the newsletter to 4 times per year. Cameron & DyLynn will look into
applying for a grant from SEUL/City of Portland’s latest neighborhood grant program to seek additional
funds for this. Nana shared info about previous neighborhood business advertisements as a means to fund the
newsletter as well.
Lisa G., formerly of Silverhand Music, has offered her acoustic duet to play at the meeting.
Discussion included having dessert and coffee/tea/spiced cider rather than full “dinner” type food. DyLynn
offered to handle food for this event.
OTHER:
Nana N. announced her upcoming resignation from the Center Board, as she has moved out of our
neighborhood. Her commitment and efforts on behalf of the neighborhood have been much appreciated.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM
Notes submitted by DyLynn Robertson, C.N.A. Secretary
October 6, 2006