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.
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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.
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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:
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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
