2008-09-16

HIDDEN SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION DRAFT MINUTES MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM at the West Linn Adult Community Center by President, Lynn C. Fox. Other officers in attendance: Donna Baker, Treasurer; Charles Lytle, Secretary. QUORUM DATA. Quorum for this meeting was SIX. There were 10 members at the beginning of the meeting, with a final total of 18. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 19, 2008 MEETING. Due to other matters coming before the Association, the minutes were not taken up for approval. TREASURER’S REPORT. Current balance is $2,279.44. POLICE REPORT. Officer Bunch reported that, aside from the usual complaints of barking dogs and loud music/parties, the preponderance of calls in the neighborhood were for car break-ins. He urged members to always remove items from seats or other areas in plain view and put them in the trunk. ANNOUNCEMENTS. n/a. OLD BUSINESS. 1) Cell Phone Towers. It was noted that the Federal Ninth Circuit Court, ruling on a case brought by the city of San Diego, held that municipalities can exercise total control over placement, height, and structure of cell phone towers and that citizen input is an important part of the process. 2) Candidates’ Potluck. Because of a ruling by the city manager, HSNA paid the $96 fee for the use of the adult community center for the candidates’ potluck on September 12th. President Fox reported on the event and showed pictures. 3) Palomino Loop Trail. The Parks Department is finally getting involved to help in the clearing of the trail in cases where structures or fences have cut off public right of way. NEW BUSINESS. 1) NA Debit Cards. President Fox reported that the debit cards to be used for NA purchases are still not available and there was no indication as to when the city will have them. 2) HSNA Christmas Party. President Fox reported that the city is encouraging community events to increase citizen participation in NA activities. To this end, there was interest within the membership in having a Christmas party as part of the December meeting. The following motion was made by Charles Lytle and seconded by Dan Blankenheim: “Resolved that the HSNA host a Christmas party as part of the December 16, 2008 meeting.” Motion passed 8 – 0 – 0, GUEST SPEAKERS 1) David Halseth, representing the Stafford Hamlet. Mr. Halseth defined what a hamlet is and stressed that its activities are self-funded. That is, the hamlet has no taxing authority. Recent fund raisers included a golf tournament and charging admission to see a first-run movie. The hamlet is currently working on a vision plan that is due to Clackamas County in 2009. There are three ultimate possibilities to what will happen with the Stafford Hamlet: (1) it could be designated as a rural reserve; (2) it could be designated as an urban reserve; (3) it could stay as it is, that is, undesignated. The hamlet board is currently trying to work out what would happen in each scenario. Much will depend upon METRO’s decision on moving the urban growth boundary (UGB). That decision is due sometime in 2010. The board is also working on a memorandum of understanding with the cities bordering the Triangle: Lake Oswego, Tualatin, and West Linn. One other possibility is that the hamlet could incorporate as a city. Mr. Halseth noted that the state department of agriculture has designated the Triangle as not being able to sustain agriculture. He also noted that the pressure to develop is high. Rural land in the area that may not be developed averages around $100K per acre. If the same land is placed within the UGB, its value jumps to around $450K per acre or higher. 2) Dr. Roger Woehl, Superintendent, West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Dr. Woehl presented information and a PowerPoint show on two upcoming bond measures. The first is a replacement for the expiring local option levy for staff and programs. Passing this bond will not increase taxes. The second bond measure is to provide funds for major upgrades (technology, libraries, cafeterias/kitchens, etc.) and maintenance at existing schools and for building two new primary schools. One of the new schools will be built in Wilsonville. The other school will be built on the so-called Erickson property bounded by Rosemont Road and Hidden Springs in West Linn. This second bond will be for $98M. There was no information on how much taxes would rise if this bond measure passed. NEXT MEETING DATE IS OCTOBER 21, 2008. ADJOURNMENT. There being no other business to come before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM by President Lynn C. Fox. Recorded by HSNA Secretary Charles Lytle.