2008-07-22
MNA Minutes, 07/22/2008 Marylhurst Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes July 22nd, 2008 OPENING: The regular meeting of the Marylhurst Neighborhood Association was called to order at 7:05 pm on Tuesday, July 22nd 2008 at the West Linn Adult Community Center by President Jeff Treece Present: 17 association members were present. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Jim Koll and seconded by Ralph Olson to approve the minutes of the June 24th, 2008 meeting minutes. This motion was approved on a voice vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Jim Koll informed the membership that the city had stated their willingness to carry forward the unspent balance of the 2007-2008 budget and roll this forward to the 2008-2009 neighborhood grant budget for Marylhurst NA. This means the neighborhood has an available budget of $2825.80 for the 2008-2009 year. Mr. Koll provided a spreadsheet listing the projected administrative and planned expenditures and encouraged input at this meeting and in the future regarding ideas for how the neighborhood might best spend the un-allocated amount totaling approximately $1465. Neighborhood Representative to Land Use Pre-Applications Conference Report Karie Oakes reported there were no new land use applications in the neighborhood. Mrs. Oakes subsequently provided an update on the pre-application status of a planned PUD at 19650 Suncrest Ave. This planned development is in the Hidden Springs NA, though Suncrest Ave in this area has Hidden Springs residents on the East side of the street and Marylhurst residents on the West side of the street. Mrs. Oaks had the following information provided by the Hidden Springs NA pre-application representative. The conceptual plan for the 3.8 acre parcel includes a PUD with 6 homes. The land was annexed to the city with R10 zoning, but the PUD will be required and will likely result in lots of less than 10,000 square feet since a large portion on the downhill/eastern side of the property is in a riparian area of Fern Creek and development will need to be kept away from this natural resource. There are some potential issues surrounding how the developer will address stormwater and sewer facilities. Pumping uphill to Suncrest may be required. The city will be asking for a half street improvement of the frontage along Suncrest Avenue, which will include sidewalks on the East side of the street. In closing, Mrs. Oakes expressed some concern that she was not invited to or notified of the pre-application meeting. While the planned development is in Hidden Springs, the land owner had a representative speak at the Marylhurst NA prior to the annexation vote and the neighborhood had expressed a desire to remain engaged in the process. Mrs. Oakes recommended that the Neighborhood Association formally ask of the city that she be notified and informed of future activities regarding this land use issue. President Treece agreed to write a letter to the planning department to this effect. OLD BUSINESS: Neighborhood Cleanup Day President Jeff Treece announced that the neighborhood cleanup day had been scheduled with the city for Saturday, August 16th from 9:00am – 3:00pm. He asked for volunteers to help staff the dumpster. Some questions were asked regarding the exact items that can and cannot be brought to the dumpsters. Mr. Treece indicated he was expecting more details from the city and would make this information available. Police Report At this point, West Linn police office John Huntsman asked if he could briefly provide a policing update, as he needed to get back on patrol. Officer Huntsman stated that there were no specific issues to report and opened the floor to questions. Kathleen Brandenburg inquired whether a final finding had been made in the investigation of a death at Sylvan Way and Marylhurst Dr. more than a year ago. Officer Huntsman stated that the original finding that the person involved had died of a severe drug overdose was final as far as he knew (he was not on the investigation team) and that the investigation had not gone much further. Mrs. Brandenburg expressed some concern that, while she had asked about the matter originally, she had never been given any kind of news or update from the police. Her concern was that there might be drug related activity in the neighborhood and she would want to know if that was the case. Summer Picnic Planning President Treece confirmed that the summer picnic had been scheduled for Sunday, September 7th, 2008. He then asked for volunteers to assist in the planning and staffing of the event. Through informal discussion, it was decided that the neighborhood association should put out a postcard mailing to notify residents of the cleanup day, the picnic and remaining meeting dates for 2008. Ice Cream Social Brian Eastman provided a recap of the first neighborhood Ice Cream Social held on July 13th. He noted there was a good turnout of about 45-50 residents and the overall response to the event was positive – not only from attendees but also from those residents he’d met while delivering flyers that could not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Mr. Eastman then asked what feedback the members in attendance had as well as if and how the association should continue such events going forward. He specifically inquired as to whether the association should hold another ice cream social before the summer barbeque in September. Jim Koll suggested that another ice cream social could be held the day following the neighborhood cleanup day, which would simplify some of the setup work as well as facilitate publicity for the event. Sandy Wesson agreed this was a good idea, further stating that the event was good for the neighborhood and should be repeated. President Jeff Treece asked for volunteers for this event. There being none, a decision was deferred on whether or not to hold the event. This decision was left to the association board. NEW BUSINESS: Resolution Regarding West Linn Interest in South Fork Water Board President Treece asked Teri Cummings to speak on this issue, which she had briefly introduced at the June 24th meeting. Mrs. Cummings stated that several neighborhood associations as well as the League of West Linn Neighborhoods had approached the City Council with a proposed resolution. This resolution would require that any action reducing the West Linn share of the South Fork Water Board be put to the citizens for a vote. Mrs. Cummings provided some additional background on this issue, noting that in 2000, there was a memorandum of intent in the works that would have sold away some of the West Linn share in the SFWB, but this never came to completion. On learning this, the City Council in 2004 had voted on and approved a resolution similar to the one being discussed currently, but it had not had a 2nd reading before that administration was replaced. The current council never did a 2nd reading so the resolution was not adopted. As it currently stands, such a move to reduce the West Linn ownership share of the SFWB could be enacted by an executive or administrative decision, without public input. Mrs. Cummings then made a motion, seconded by Arlo Martendale that the Marylhurst Neighborhood ask the City Council to adopt the proposed resolution “Calling for an election to submit to the voters a proposal to amend the West Linn city charter to require voter approval to diminish the city’s share of ownership in the South Fork Water Board.” This motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Committee for Citizen Involvement President Jeff Treece introduced this topic, indicating that the City Council was moving to create a new “Committee for Citizen Involvement” to meet a state guideline relating to land use Goal 1 and public involvement in the land use process. As proposed, the Planning Commission would serve in this new capacity. Mr. Treece reported some concern and confusion on this issue in the public discourse, but he could not, unfortunately provide a lot of details on the topic as he had not received a proposed ordinance or staff report from the city. The first public hearing had been scheduled in early July before the Planning Commission, but the matter had been deferred to the meeting on July 23rd. Discussion followed, during which several members made clear it was distressing to see this issue moving forward, which might significantly impact the relationship between the city and neighborhood associations, but the neighborhood associations apparently had not been involved in the process prior to initial hearings on the topic. Brian Eastman moved that the Marylhurst Neighborhood Association write a letter to the Planning Commission prior to the July 23rd meeting asking that the oral and written records on this matter be held open until sometime in September, so that the neighborhood associations would have a chance to review the proposal and comment appropriately. This motion was seconded by Teri Cummings. The motion was approved on a voice vote with all in favor. Neighborhood Announcements Teri Cummings asked if we could get a representative from the Stafford Hamlet to come speak to the membership and provide an update on development in the hamlet. Mrs. Cummings also informed the memberships that the Willamette Centennial Parade on July 19th was a great event and well supported. Lastly, Mrs. Cummings stated that the League of West Linn Neighborhoods will be holding candidate forums in October, and is seeking the submission of questions from neighborhood associations. Adjourn A motion to adjourn was presented by Sandy Wesson and seconded by Brian Eastman. The motion passing, President Treece adjourned the meeting at 8:08 pm. The next regular association meeting will be at 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at the West Linn Adult Community Center. Minutes submitted by: Brian Eastman, Secretary