2009-04-28

Marylhurst Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes April 28th, 2008 OPENING: The regular meeting of the Marylhurst Neighborhood Association was called to order at 7:05 pm on Tuesday, April 28th, 2008 at the West Linn Adult Community Center by President Jeff Treece Present: 10 association members were present. Approval of March 2009 Minutes: A motion was made by Frank Wesson and seconded by Jim Koll to approve the minutes for the March 28th, 2009 meeting. This motion was approved unanimously on a voice vote. Neighborhood Association Focus and Goals President Jeff Treece spoke briefly about the purpose and goals of the neighborhood association. A key role is to serve as an advisory group to the city of West Linn. He stated that this role cannot really be fulfilled properly without establishing a body of involved people. Just having a quorum at meetings is not sufficient as a means to express the views of the neighborhood; the neighborhood truly needs to be involved. Mr. Treece noted the momentum that has been developed over the last few years in expanding neighborhood events and good participation at those events. Unfortunately the overall goal of establishing broader participation and bringing in more individuals willing to lead activities and initiatives has not been realized as hoped. Mr. Treece reiterated that he and the neighborhood association board are always open to recommendations on how to bring people together and foster participation. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Jim Koll presented a report on the current balance and projected expenses for the neighborhood association. Neighborhood Representative to Land Use Pre-Applications Conference Report Karie Oakes reported there were no new land use applications in the neighborhood. Mrs. Oakes noted that the application for a PUD at 19650 Suncrest Ave had been submitted, but was still in the review phase by the West Linn Planning Department. It had been deemed incomplete and was being revised and re-reviewed by the city, and should be up for a hearing before the Planning Commission in the near future once deemed complete. Mrs. Oakes also made notice of a city council recall hearing on the topic of the Holiday Inn design review on Willamette Falls Drive near 10th St, that would be taking place on May 11th. GUEST SPEAKERS Richard Seales, Finance Director for the city of West Linn made a presentation on city finance and budget issues to the assembled members. In introduction, he noted that he had been on the job since October 2008 and had been working on several critical projects. In February, city audits were brought current through 2008 after a 5 year period of no completed audits. The 2008 audit represented the first “clean” audit in the last 10 years per the state audit team. Even so, there were recommendations for additional improvements in establishing controls and checks and balances within the various city departments, and work is under way to take action on those recommendations where feasible. Mr. Seales provided copies of the 2008 Annual Report and noted several points of interest with regard to city budgeting, revenue sources, and tax/fee rates relative to surrounding cities. The 2.12% tax rate in West Linn is the lowest in the area. Mr. Seales noted that he had been working to re-finance many of the city’s existing bonds and has been able to obtain more favorable rates due to improvements in the city’s bond rating and generally lower interest rates in the current economy. Overall, the city’s debt to asset ratio is quite low, which indicates a certain financial strength, but may also represent a shortfall of adequate investments infrastructure and maintenance issues. When questioned as to whether the city had received any federal stimulus funding for infrastructure projects, Mr. Seales indicated that Salamo Road was to be re-paved using $900,000 in federal funds. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Metro Urban/Rural Reserves Meeting Recap Brian Eastman presented information on a recent open house on the topic of designating urban and rural reserve status for lands outside the current Urban Growth Boundary. This open house, held on April 21st at West Linn city hall was one of several recent and pending meetings being sponsored by Metro and Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties to take a long term look at Urban Growth Boundary Expansion. A designation of Urban Reserve would indicate areas most suitable for future UGB expansion and development. A development of Rural Reserve would protect an area from future development for a 40-50 year period. By providing a level of certainty, it is hoped that the growth process can become more focused and efficient, and that lands worth protecting from development can clearly be set aside. Mr. Eastman noted that the meeting was informative and focused primarily on the Stafford Basin and Pete’s Mountain areas South of West Linn. Many residents spoke on behalf of retaining the rural character of these areas. No decisions were made at this meeting, which was held for the purpose of providing public input into this new facet of long term growth planning in the region. Legislative and Land Use Update President Treece read a list of pending topics before the planning commission and city council so that individuals interested in learning more about a project or participating in hearings would have the opportunity to review those documents he had received on these topics. Neighborhood Announcements None Adjourn President Treece adjourned the meeting at 8:28 pm. The next regular association meeting will be at 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at the West Linn Adult Community Center. Minutes submitted by: Brian Eastman, Secretary