Sunset Neighborhood
Association Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2004
Location: Sunset Primary School Cafeteria
CALL
TO ORDER
Barry
Hendrix, Vice President of the Sunset Neighborhood Association (SNA), called
the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Secretary
Susan Sutton announced that minutes from the October 7, 2002 SNA meeting were
available at a side table.
GUEST
SPEAKERS
Police:
Community
Policing coordinator Neil Hennely introduced the Sunset Neighborhood
officers: Rick Singer and Peggy
Jones. They reported on the statistics
for the Sunset Neighborhood for the months of Nov., Dec., and Jan. which
included 1 traffic accident, 10 residence alarms, 13 animal complaints, 32
public assistance calls, 2 cases of ID theft, 13 nuisance calls, and 6
thefts. The thefts are usually due to
garage doors left open, or items left in the car. Most of the thieves are not from West Linn. The police dept. is encouraging
neighborhoods to restart Neighborhood Watch programs. Block captains are needed to step forward. The premise is that if you know your
neighbors, you can look out for each other.
Crimes that are solved are the cases where people call/get involved.
Handouts
were made available, including handouts on neighborhood watch, a home security
audit checklist, etc.
Fire
District Annexation:
Tim
Burr, Division Chief at TVFR, presented information on TVFR.
TVFR
is a cooperative which began 14 years ago when several smaller fire departments
(Cedar Mill, West Slope, etc.) merged.
Currently TVFR serves unincorporated parts of counties and 8
cities. In 7/98, West Linn first
contracted the services of TVFR. The
vote on annexation was originally slated for 2001. TVFR guarantees a number of things with annexation,
including: new equipment in a timely
fashion, no increase in taxpayers cost the first 5 years after annexation, and
updating firehouses - a new station in Bolton within 3-5 years, in Willamette
within 8 years.
Mayor
Dodds was present and stated that the City Council unanimously endorses TVFR
annexation. A committee with members
from the city, fire district and outside expertise determined that a
significant capital investment would be required for West Linn to re-establish
their own F.D., and services such as a training center and hazardous materials
unit would still be lacking, all of which TVFR offers. Another point made was that water supply, communications, and fire dept.
ratings help determine homeowner’s insurance rates, and TVFR is a class 3
rating “as good as it gets in OR”.
Another question was about a possible fire station on Rosemont. The response was that West Linn call volume
only justifies 2 stations. Looking at
stations and response times, the district determined at present it is best to
keep one in Bolton and one in Willamette.
Also, there are agreements with adjoining fire departments which allows
for a “closest force response” for ex.
in the Marylhurst area, TVFR responds jointly with Lake Oswego. Sunset Neighborhood resident Ann Short
stated that she felt very comfortable with the way TVFR had responded to
residents concerns in regards to the fire several months ago on Windsor
Terrace. One concern had been the
response time. New fire engines will be
able to climb the Skyline Drive hill considerably faster than the current
engines.
West
Linn Parks and Recreation Dept. Update for SNA
Ken
Worcester, Director of Parks and Rec discussed 2 issues:
1.
A
pocket park at the old water tower site off Cornwall near Rosemont and
Summit. This space has been designated
as park space. Money is available for a
small playground. It would be a walk-to
park. The possibility of a community
garden was mentioned - it was felt the park is too heavily shaded. Exercise stations set up for an adult
exercise area was also mentioned, which may be a possibility. A design/review notice will be given.
2.
A
trail through Wilderness Park to the High School from the Skyline area has been
discussed in the past and is feasible.
Is there any community interest in helping with this? Please contact the Parks and Rec Dept. Also, call Parks Dept. if any
complaints/problems with a path etc.
There
was a question concerning the appearance of the corner at the intersection of
Lancaster and Parker and whether there was a chance this could be
improved. Parks Dept. can work on
beautifying this corner.
SNA
Boundary
John
Atkins, the WL Community Services Coordinator, presented a map with the SNA boundaries,
and discussed a mapping oversite involving
a portion of Imperial Drive, which had not been included in any
neighborhood association. It was felt that a SNA designation was most
appropriate for this area. Neighborhood
associations are free, and provide a way to communicate with City
Council/elected leaders - size does not impact funding. Patty McCoy moved to include this area in
the SNA, the motion was seconded and carried.
Also
mentioned was Congresswoman Darlene Hooley’s Open House on the Willamette Falls
Locks on March 8th at City Hall form 5:30-7:30. Supporters are needed to try to keep the
locks open in the summer. Also on May
15th, there will be a Lock Festival.
Goal
5 Project Update
Kristi
Crowell, Associate Planner of West Linn, explained that the goal for 2003-2004
is to create protection programs, for ex. code in place to protect wildlife
habitats. (Riperian areas and wetlands
are already protected). There is a
proposal for 2 new conservation districts, one of which is in the Midhill
area. There will be public hearings in
regards to this in 2-3 months.
NEW
BUSINESS
Possible
agenda items for future meetings were elicited from those attending the
meeting. Interest was shown in having a
presentation on the WL nuisance code by the code enforcement officer. Nuisance complaints should be called in to
the non-emergency phone number 503-635-0238.
The city has a whole series of nuisance codes, for example: ordinance against inoperable cars - they
must be moved off of the property.
Interest
was also voiced for a discussion of a swimming pool proposal. A bond measure and a serial levy would be
required for a pool.
Other
information mentioned included: the
city now repairs sidewalks, depending on the budget. Residents can nominate areas for sidewalk infill where there are
gaps. The city budget proposal will be
posted on the city website.
Election
of new officers: The following were
nominated or indicated an interest in serving:
Patti McCoy as President, Barry Hendrix as Vice President, Doug Vokes as
Treasurer and Secretary. This slate was
nominated, and upon motion seconded, voting members present approved the slate.
Dumpster
Day scheduled for April 17th from 9am - 4pm. No yard debris, no wet garbage. Take hazardous waste to Metro in OR City for
free.
ADJOURNMENT
With
no further business before the SNA, President Patti McCoy adjourned the meeting
at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully
submitted by Susan Sutton, Secretary of the SNA.