The SGNA
checking account has about $1,300 for general expenses. SGNA also has about $41,350 in 2 CD’s. This
money is earmarked for a monument and “sign toppers” to be posted above regular
street signs to recognize the neighborhood’s history and identity. This money
was donated by Marriott when the neighborhood association agreed to give up a
proposed walking trail that was planned behind their property. This project has taken quite a while in part
because of the turnover in volunteers who have been working on it, and also
because there are a number of regulations that govern both projects. The Ayana
developers have agreed to coordinate with SGNA on the monument, and the sign
topper project is in the final stages and will soon be turned over to the City
of
Multnomah/21st
Project: A new housing development under way at this
site will have 8 sets of duplexes with a total of 16 housing units. This project encompasses 4 lots on
Ayana Project: This development will be built on the old Farrell’s/Portland
Ice Cream Parlor site. The developer has cleared all hurdles with zoning
requirements and is currently seeking permits to begin demolition. This building will be 6 stories with
ground-floor retail and 5 floors of housing. It will also have 2 ½
levels of underground off-street parking. This parking was not required but is
very welcome. Zupans has reportedly signed a lease as
the main retail anchor and will have a section of parking designated for its
patrons. The Broadway Floral business will
remain, but Abe’s Dry Cleaners and the check cashing business on Broadway will
both move to the space formerly occupied by Et Cetera after it is divided and
remodeled for their businesses, hopefully in January.
One neighbor
expressed concern that the site is currently being used as a homeless
camp. Another neighbor asked about
potential construction noise.
Albina Fuel
Property: The owners of this property have been working
for about 2 ½ years to get the property rezoned for potential
development. They originally proposed an “EX” zone, which provides mixed use
central employment, a very broad category, but the neighborhood association
sought more housing. This rezoning request would change the neighborhood’s
comprehensive general plan. The owners
must meet certain criteria relating to the adequacy of public services. One public service that is a problem for this
property is traffic and transportation, which gives the neighborhood
association a bargaining point.
There is no
concrete development proposal on the table, but the owners have been working
with a developer who is interested in purchasing this property, conditioned on
the zone changes getting approved. This developer has put forward some concepts
incorporating housing and retail, but hasn’t committed to anything. The type of
development itself will impact the traffic issue – for example, a residential
development would not have the same type of intensive traffic during peak times
that an employment/office park development would have. This potential developer
is planning to come back to
Some neighbors
had questions about how people will be notified and who specifically would be
notified about hearings or meetings related to this project. Information about
this project and related hearings or meetings will be posted on the SGNA
website, which also has detailed information about the history of this
proposal. People can also subscribe to an electronic newsletter for
notification of significant events. One person expressed concern that the state
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently approved a clean-up plan for
this property but did not provide notice to nearby neighbors. The neighborhood
association was not notified of this, either.
Neighbors should contact the SGNA board or land use committee (and/or
agencies like DEQ) if they have questions or concerns about what is happening
there.
Proposed revisions address the following significant issues:
Article I,
Section 4: Gives businesses a vote in neighborhood association meetings.
Article III,
Section 6: Establishes a quorum for board, general and special meetings.
Article IV,
Section 2(c): Requires meeting minutes to reflect majority and minority
opinions on all items voted on.
Article IV,
Section 2(d): Clarifies that the treasurer is responsible for funds (not
“accountable” for funds).
Article IV,
Section 3(b): Allows the board to remove committee or board members who have
three unexcused absences from meetings in a year.
Article V,
Section 2: Directs the board to define the charge of any special committee it
establishes.
Article VI,
Section 2: Clarifies that proxy voting is not allowed.
Article VII,
Section 1: Requires grievance to provide details of the specific remedies
sought by complainant.
Article VII,
Section 3: Allows the board 45 days, instead of 30 days, vote on resolutions to
grievances.
Article VIII,
Section 3: Allows board to determine if additional notification is necessary
for proposals being considered or presented at the board, committee, general or
special meetings.
Discussion:
Article VIII,
Section 3: A neighbor asked that the old language regarding additional
notification remain in the bylaws. The old language directed the board to
provide additional notification to “the proponent or members directly
affected.” The board proposed this change because they felt that this old
language was ambiguous: the board could be proceeding with any good faith
effort but be challenged by anyone who claims to be directly affected, even
though this may not have been apparent to the board. For this reason, they
wanted to be able to decide when special notification, over and above regular
notification, would be required. This does require trust that the board will
act in good faith.
Article VII,
Section 3: A neighbor asked why the time frame for resolution of grievances was
changed from 30 to 45 days? It is important that
grievances be resolved quickly, but board members found that when they were
addressing a grievance this past summer, the 30 day time frame did not give
them enough time to adequately plan, discuss, and gather parties for developing
useful, thoughtful remedies.
A motion was
made and seconded. The revised bylaws were accepted with all in favor, no votes
in opposition.
There board can have up to 15 members and 4 officers who serve for 2-year terms. The minimum commitment is regular attendance at monthly board meetings. Additional participation could include the Executive Committee, Land Use Committee, Multnomah County Citizens Involvement Committee, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, or ad-hoc committees such as the monument & sign topper committee. Past ad hoc or special committees have included an annual neighborhood picnic organizing committee and neighborhood clean-up/ graffiti removal. Other committees can be established if neighbors are interested in other issues.
Current board members Sy Kornbrodt, Collin James, Payton Sneed, Lynne Coward and Pat Swenson are all at the end of their terms. Each has agreed to stand for re-election. A motion was made and seconded to re-elect these board members. All in favor, no votes in opposition.
Nominees for new board members are Nancy
Hall, Rebecca Green,