Wed, Oct 3, minutes
Maureen McCarthy
October 2012 Minutes
Collins View Neighborhood Association (CVNA)
Next Board Meeting--- Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 7 pm
e-mail: cvna...@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.collinsview.org/
Attendees: Prakash Joshi, Officer Andrew Caspar, Maureen Diamond, Jeff Feld-Gore, Charlotte Joshi, Gene Lynard, Andrew McCarthy, Claire Davis Parchment, Maryellen Read, Cheri Ann Richards, James Vandomelen
Meeting convened at 7:04 pm.
Crime and Public Safety—Officer Caspar reported on the theft of a trailer filled with belongings of a family who was preparing to move from the 8900 block of SW 7th. There was also report of a bike theft in the 9200 block of SW Terwilliger (the bike had been secured with a heavy cable). The police have also received some calls related to parties with Lewis & Clark (L&C) students.
Laura Abrahams, a Deputy DA, spoke at the Sept 7 meeting of SWNI Crime and Public Safety Committee. She handles 200-300 misdemeanors each month; fewer than 10 originate in this area of the city. Officer Hughes reported on several armed robberies at banks in SW, including one at US Bank at SW Barbur and Terwilliger.
There was a loud party at a house near SW Brugger and View Point Terrace. Andrew McCarthy, as a resident of the house and a student at L&C, worked with the neighbors, the landlord and all of the tenants to develop a solution for the immediate and long-term problems. Officer Caspar also mentioned that Greenwood Hills Cemetery has reported an increased number of alcohol containers disposed in the cemetery. At Lewis & Clark (L&C), options under consideration to reduce neighborhood annoyances include a student volunteer effort to provide some self-monitoringbehaviors/events near campus.
Land Use—The issue of shed on 1130 SW Maplecrest Dr that was discussed in September—Prakash has had 18 phone calls from neighbors concerned that the new shed is larger than the footprint of the old shed, despite the owner’s indications to the contrary. Now a second story has appeared and several neighbors have a complaint with the city which is now pending. Today the city inspector told Prakash this is “under investigation”.
The city has asked for Collins View resident input into the subdivision of 2 large lots at 803 SW Maplecrest Dr into a 4 lots with Craftsman style homes. Prakash asks people to look at the lot at 803 SW Maplecrest Dr. There would be a need a road into the subdivision. Apparently, as many as 100 trees (some are diseased, some are scrub trees) would have to be removed. The developer has been invited to present to CVNA but has not replied to Prakash.
SWNI Report—On Wed, Oct 16, there will be a “Meet the candidates” event at Multnomah Center Auditorium, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy. There will be a candidate table at 6:30 pm with a forum starting at 7pm. Amanda Fritz and Mary Nolan, as well as Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith, will appear.
Claire describes a free social networking site (nextdoor.com) that is developed for neighborhoods. It is set up to be neighborhood specific (only Collins View residents would be able to join a Collins View network, if it existed). In S Burlingame 163 families are using this site for their neighborhood and are finding it very helpful (could announce lawn sales, babysitting services, pet services, etc). It includes a public safety section. Claire suggests that a few of us sign up to test it and discuss it at the November CVNA meeting. Claire is contacting Samantha, out outreach coordinator, to get her input.
L&C—A large L&C tree fell down across Riverside Dr, blocking the street from 9 am to 5 pm, in today’s wind storm. It has been cleaned with help from PGE. 2 L&C faculty members have passed away recently, both in Music Department. Some upcoming events: Oct 26 to 28 is Homecoming Weekend (will include a football game). Starting Oct 16 there will be an environmental symposium on campus. Soccer team is doing well; football is 4 and 0.
Transportation—Prakash did attend the meeting at SWNI on the “Street By Street Out Of The Mud and Dust” initiative (see detailed powerpoint file at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/409395 ). This offers 4-5 levels for local street improvement, e.g, gravel instead of dirt; sidewalk on 1 side of the street; etc. Apparently it is being well-received Rich Newland, Project Manager, will attend our meeting on Nov 7 to describe this plan and to take questions/comments.
We still need a TriMet rep. This person would represent Collins View interests to TriMet, to be sure that they are aware of customer needs in our neighborhood. Dorothy Fay wants to be involved, but is not able to lead this effort. If you are interested, please contact Prakash at cvna...@gmail.com
Miscellaneous—Stefanie Adams will speak at CVNA in Dec re: Neighborhood Watch Program – how to establish a program in your block.
Arnold Creek Neighborhood just did a Red Cross-sponsored “Heart Save” program, using grant money from SWNI. A few years ago the Fire Department did CPR training for us for free; Prakash will investigate if this is still available. If we can get 5 people NET and CERT trained we can get some grant funds to obtain emergency supplies. We have storage space at Riverdale High School.
The city has funding for invasive weed elimination in their new park acreage in the Riverview Cemetery area. This is a 5-year plan for bringing this land into restoration mode.
Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) grant deadlines are coming up this month. Prakash is thinking that some neighborhood signage and outreach might be good subjects for a grant proposal. He will look into the cost of signs like those S Burlingame just added to their street name signs.
At the November meeting we will be recruiting residents to take responsibility for the neighborhood meeting signs. If each person takes responsibility for 1 sign, that makes it easier to get these out and to collect them each month.
Adjourn at 8:25
Next meeting Wednesday, November 7, at 7 pm at Riverdale High School.