Crime prevention, volunteering and a City Commissioner visit!

The Mt. Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association October board meeting was packed full of opportunities to get involved this month, as well as a detailed discussion of crime prevention and problem-solving around livability issues.  See what we talked about:
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October 5, 2016 – Mt Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association Board minutes

Board members in attendance: Gus Cole-Kroll, Erika Wilson, Andrew Cecka, Scott Vala, Daniel Portis-Cathers, Nicole Green, Meghan Humphreys, Jed Roberts (plus about 20 additional attendees)

Solar power letter of support for Environment Oregon.  This would be showing support for household solar and community solar.  The idea would be that anyone who does not have appropriate roof space or were low-income could still benefit from solar power at a non-home community location with larger numbers of panels. Andrew motioned, and Nicole seconded, and the board approved it unanimously.

SE Uplift update – Scott briefed the group on the SEUL board meeting that happened this week. Most of the recent meeting covered the Powell-Division Rapid Transit planning process, which is now focusing on Division exclusively. Recently taken off the table was the route going through Mt Hood Community College. SEUL is not supporting it in its current form due to those changes, and TriMet didn’t really address the concerns SEUL raised. There were some issues raised about crime and some campers that have been staying at a couple parks in SE Portland.

Land Use / Transportation – had a committee meeting last week. Residential Infill project is creating guidelines for what infill homes can be built, how narrow lots can be developed, and many other housing issues.  This group took public comment in September, and will be making a recommendation to City Council. To see the recommendations, go to the City of Portland’s Planning and Sustainability website. Nov. 9^th will be a hearing at City Council on the recommendations.

There is also the Comprehensive Plan review happening now – involving zoning changes that have already been sent by mail to home / property owners.  Anyone who got the letter can make comment on the Map App for the Comprehensive Plan review, or go to the Bureau Planning of Sustainability where you can make a comment on the Map itself. Oct. 6^th and 13^thare hearings before City Council.

Vision Zero action plan has been released by the City of Portland – outlines actions that the city will take to reduce traffic fatalities. There is also a list of zoning changes related to trees and how they are treated by the City.

Arleta Triangle – Meghan gave an update on last Saturday of the month work parties.  Last one for this year will likely be held the last Saturday of October.

Communications – Cider Press Event – Oct 29^th and 30^thfrom 10-3 at the Portland Mercado. We will be getting apples through Portland Fruit for a good price. Dan does not have the press rented yet. Publicity about the event can start – Erika will confirm the dates with Dan; we may need a couple folks to pass them around and post at locations.

Halloween Party – N.A. volunteers to sell concessions to folks at their event. It is from 6-8 pm on Oct 29^th.

Neighborhood Social – possibly to talk about crime prevention, neighborhood watch training, foot patrols, etc. Erika will lead the effort to have a social in November (preferably) or December.

Safety concerns brought by several neighbors in attendance were discussed – there is one particular area in need of crime prevention and attention. Erika will invite our crime prevention specialist to our Neighborhood Social. Erika asked what stance SEUL will take regarding crime and additional police hiring and funding. Scott said that there was no clear stance, but issues including Springwater Corridor have been discussed at the SEUL meeting, and some ideas for dealing with livability concerns are shared, but no major stance has taken.

Scott said that SEUL is going to take a Neighborhood Summit / Social and turn it into something driven by the Neighborhood Associations. There was general support for the idea at the N.A. level as well.  One neighbor asked if we could set up a neighborhood watch training through Maria, our neighborhood safety specialist. Many neighbors have already asked for help with drug activity near their homes, but it has not been effective to this point, and they’re looking for more solutions.

Commissioner Visit -- Amanda Fritz visited the neighborhood association meeting to talk about Measure 26-178 (Metro levy for operations of greenspaces); 26-179 Affordable Housing – to ask for funding to build 1300 affordable units that the City would then own; 26-180 3% tax on recreational marijuana to fund a special drug / alcohol enforcement, police enforcement, assistance to small neighborhood businesses.

New public campaign finance system is coming up for consideration – new type of system that’s been used in New York for three decades. It diversifies the people who run for office (at least in New York.)  The first $50 donated will be matched by the City to total $300.  That will be voted on by the City Council rather than on the ballot in November.  

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.

Meeting minutes submitted by Meghan Humphreys, Secretary