2007-06-26

Marylhurst Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes June 26th, 2007 Opening: The regular meeting of the Marylhurst Neighborhood Association was called to order at 7:04 pm on Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 at the West Linn Adult Community Center by President Frank Wesson. Present: 16 association members were present. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Bob Thorn and seconded by Mary Jean Rivera to approve the minutes of the May 22nd meeting. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Jim Koll stated there was no change. Committee Reports: Neighborhood Representative to Land Use Applications Conference Report No new land use applications have been filed within the neighborhood. A discussion took place with regard to the general frustration about the lack of public input regarding complete redevelopment of the property at 1685 Valley View Dr. Several members commented that it was odd that a tree permit would require public comment, as would a development proposal, but a re-development project does not… and should. Frank Wesson volunteered to contact the planning department and discuss this issue and see what if anything could be done about this seeming gap in the process. Open Business: Summer Picnic Bob Thorn, chair of the picnic committee, presented the current planning status for the neighborhood barbeque/picnic. The date has been changed to Sunday, September 9th from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. MNA Minutes, 06-24-07 Page 2 of 4 The picnic will be held in Marylhurst Park. It has been confirmed that no park development activity will have begun by that date. Meat has been ordered, as well as about $345.00 worth of non-perishable items, allowing these items to be purchased with funds from the 2006-2007 budget. A local band will perform 2 45 minute sets. There were 75 attendees last year, with 50 being adults and 25 being children. Hopefully scheduling the party after Labor Day and the start of school will allow for more families to attend. Karie Oakes has offered to setup a clay play table for children. A question was raised by Karie Oakes as to whether the neighborhood association should accept $1500.00 from Phil Gentemann as offered at the last meeting. She noted that that amount was offered by Mr. Gentemann to help fund the effort of working with the city to improve the planning process and improve the ability of neighborhood associations to work with the Planning Department on land use issues. It was agreed that this topic should be placed on the July agenda for further discussion and possible action by the association. Marylhurst Neighborhood Plan Bob Thorn was present at the city council meeting on June 11, and updated the membership on what occurred. After closing the public hearing and during discussion, the city council had questions about specific details of the plan and asked staff to revise some language prior to formal acceptance. Items of concern include the desire to establish a neighborhood meeting place, which could be interpreted to mean a physical building that might require maintenance. There was also mention in the plan of forming a sidewalk committee that would require meetings with city staff on an annual basis, and the council was not sure they wanted to make that commitment or set the precedent of having the neighborhoods establish such committees that would require staff time. It is expected that the changes will be very minor and clarifying in nature. Concern was raised by several members present that the city council should not be modifying the language of the neighborhood plan without allowing for additional review and/or comment from the neighborhood association. A motion was made by Karrie Oakes that the neighborhood association should contact the city council and ask to receive a draft of the changes and for the ability to comment prior to final approval by the council. This motion was seconded by Richard Morrison and carried on a voice vote. President Frank Wesson appointed Karrie Oakes as the person to undertake communications with the city on this matter. MNA Minutes, 06-24-07 Page 3 of 4 Marylhurst Park President Frank Wesson updated the membership on the status of the park. The development plan has not yet been presented to the Planning Commission. As such, it is unlikely that any development will take place this season. John Huntsman introduced the membership to the fact that a number of neighbors have raised concerns about the plans for the park and are petitioning to revise the development plan to leave the land in a more natural, open space state. He pointed out several reasons why this group is taking such action including: • The city’s need for recreational fields has been somewhat met by the acquisition of Mary S. Young park from the state. • The city budget is under considerable stress, which could be somewhat relieved by less development in Marylhurst Park. • The current park proposal will require significant grading on the North West end of the property abutting Valley View Dr., and is likely to generate considerable drainage issues for neighbors on that street. As of the meeting date, there are approximately 30 signers of the petition. Much discussion followed, with views both in favor of the current plan and for a less developed park expressed. It was agreed that more discussion of the issue, as well as more details on the status of the park would benefit the neighborhood association. This issue will be discussed at the July meeting. At that meeting, Parks Director Ken Worcester will be asked to attend and to provide an elevation view of the area adjacent to Valley View Dr. Park Labyrinth At the May meeting, it was decided that the issue of whether to approve the use of neighborhood funds for the creation of a labyrinth in the park would be discussed at this meeting. Considering that the park is not under development in this fiscal year, it was determined no such decision was necessary at this time. A motion was made by Jim Koll and seconded by Karie Oakes that the remainder of the 2006-2007 budget funds be used by the Marylhurst Neighborhood Association to designate a park feature such as a labyrinth. The motion carried on a voice vote. During subsequent discussion, the issue was raised as to whether such a budget allocation would be allowed, a motion was made by Jim Koll and seconded by John Huntsman to amended the previous motion with the following language: MNA Minutes, 06-24-07 Page 4 of 4 In the event a park feature designation from the 2006-2007 budget is disallowed, the officers of MNA are authorized to make an appropriate designation for the balance of the budget to better the neighborhood. This motion carried on a voice vote. New Business: No new business was discussed Agenda Items for Next Meeting: Whether to accept $1500.00 from Phil Gentemann for general MNA use, as opposed to the original intent of using these funds to work with the city planning department. Further discussion of Marylhurst Park Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm by Frank Wesson. The next association meeting will be at 7:00pm on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 at the West Linn Adult Community Center. Minutes submitted by: Brian Eastman, Secretary