November 7 minutes from CVNA
Maureen McCarthy
November 2012 Minutes
Collins View Neighborhood Association (CVNA)
Next Board Meeting--- Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 7 pm
e-mail: cvna...@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.collinsview.org/
Attendees: Prakash Joshi, Hank Buckholdt, Coryn Campbell, Maureen Diamond, Dana Fischer, Michel George, Dave Johnston, Dixie Johnston, Charlotte Joshi, Ken Love, James Luse, Gene Lynard, Andrew McCarthy, C. Davis Parchment, Maryellen Read, Cheri Ann Richards, Paula Robinson, Dave Stewart-Smith, James Vandomelen
Meeting convened at 7:02 pm.
Guest Speaker—Rich Newlands is the city’s Project Manager for “Out of the Mud”, a new program to support improvements of gravel and dirt streets in Portland. At tonight’s meeting he described this initiative (see detailed powerpoint file on this program at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/409395 ). The “Out of the Mud” initiative may provide an option for dirt or gravel, single-family residential streets, not major neighborhood arterial.
Historically, the city has never held full responsibility for dirt and gravel street improvements. Instead Portland’s basic approach to dirt and gravel street improvements has been via Local Improvement Districts (LID), a protocol in which neighbors band together in an LID to plan and implement street improvements in their immediate area. Once a street is improved the city does assume responsibility for its maintenance.
The city’s traditional street design, with a paved street and sidewalks on both sides, is likely to cost each LID property owner $300/mo for 20 years per 50 feet of street frontage. The new initiative, “Out of the Mud”, is the city’s effort to find a way to lower costs of street improvements. Two new design standards offered by this initiative may cost $65 to $85 per month (see illustration at slide 14 of above link for visual descriptions of these options). The city is not forcing residents on dirt and gravel streets to participate in this program.
LIDs have been around for a while. Residents may choose to form an LID with neighbors and then that LID would agree on plans for the street. The LID must be approved by City Council. Eventually an estimate for the proposed improvement is prepared, including costs for storm water drainage. Then there is a 2nd review of the LID and proposed street improvements at City Council. The city helps to manage the construction of the street improvements. Under the LID model, if final costs are higher than the estimated assessment, the LID residents must cover those costs.
The “Out of the Mud” initiative, with its 2 new standards for improvement of dirt and gravel streets, still needs final approval from City Council at their meeting on Nov 29. Newlands asks Collins View to join other neighborhood associations with a letter of endorsement for “Out of the Mud” before City Council’s Nov 29 meeting. Dave reported that there have been some LID projects that ran significantly over the estimated costs. Davis mentioned that this program is helpful as one more option for dirt or gravel street improvement. Cherie Ann spoke of her experience as a resident on Brugger before it was paved. Despite neighbor objections the street paving was carried out.
For more information about the initiative, contact Rich Newlands at rich.n...@portlandoregon.gov or at 503-823-7780.
MOTION: 14 of 20 attendees authorized Prakash to prepare a letter of endorsement from CVNA in favor of this initiative.
Land Use—Dave and Leonard Gard worked to update the text description of Collins View boundaries to match city maps of the neighborhood.
Neighbors continue to be concerned that construction on a barn (at 1053 SW Maplecrest Ct?) is larger than what had been approved (it was approved to maintain the footprint of an original structure). The city had taken the property owner at his word that he is keeping the original size of the building, but neighbors report that it is larger and now has grown to 2 floors.
MOTION: Michel moved that CVNA write to the city, requesting that the city investigate this. 11 board members approved. Prakash will prepare the communication.
SWNI—Annual report is being prepared. We can contribute information of major CVNA accomplishments. SWNI is now managing some volunteers for public schools (reading, tutors, after-school programs).
Marshall Park neighborhood is still working to replace the playground that was lost when city removed structures because of hazards, including lead paint. Davis will get more information about the status of this effort so that CVNA can write a letter of support.
Nextdoor.com is a secure Facebook-like networking site that one can join by verifying their address in the neighborhood. Davis had set up a page for Collins View and now 20 residents have signed on (S Burlingame has 250). Nextdoor.com may have a supportive role in emergency preparedness. Davis would like CVNA to encourage residents to participate.
Samantha has used it and finds it very useful, much better than Google Groups.
Lewis & Clark (L&C)—Michel handed out a hard copy of an article from the student newspaper “A Call for Responsibility on Palatine Hill”. Andrew feels that students are taking more responsibility for peer monitoring.
Riverdale HS—Students are presenting the play, “All In The Timing” on Friday and Saturday, Nov 9 and 10, at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, Nov 11, at 2 pm.
The boys’ soccer team is playing Delphian at state quarter finals Fri at 7 pm
Paula has agreed that RHS will be a neighborhood emergency communication site (NECS). City is designating sites within 20 minute walking distance for all residents. Ham radios will be available. The hubs serve as an initial gathering site for the community of a large scale emergency makes it impossible to get help of info via traditional means.
Prakash asks if the RHS reader board could include announcement of CVNA meeting 1 week prior to each meeting. Paula mentions that the high school is not updating the reader board as often as they used to, due to budget cuts, but she will look into this.
NET (Neighborhood Emergency Team)—Jeremy Van Keuren is the new NET Program Specialist. He is putting together NET Guidelines, which will serve as a “charter” for NET expectations. Tryon Creek/Riverdale Team comprises the Collins View, Arnold’s Creek, Marshall Park, and South Burlingame neighborhoods. Marcel Rodriguez is Team Lead. Maryellen Read is assistant team lead for CV. Monthly Meetings are held at 7pm the second Wed of the month at the Sears Armory.
Crime and Public Safety—Officer Andrew Caspar was recognized at a recent event for excellence in community policing. Bicycle theft continues to be a problem in Collins View.
Miscellaneous—A demonstration of basic life support is tentatively scheduled in January. Fire station personnel will present. Stefanie Adams will be here in December to talk about neighborhood watch during the first hour. This will be followed by potluck of Christmas goodies.
Samantha will become co-chair of CVNA, in preparation for assuming the Chair position when Prakash’s current term ends. In May she will be a candidate for Chair at our Annual Meeting.
Adjourn at 8:55
Next meeting Wednesday, December 5, at 7 pm at Riverdale High School.