October 2010 General Meeting - What Style is My House?

Minutes of the Sabin General Meeting, Monday 18 October, Sabin Elementary School.

Social hour, 6-7:00. Sabinites ate cookies and enjoyed Trailhead Coffee and hot cider, during which they had the opportunity to peruse the Betty Walker files organized by Rachel Studer and Bill Youngren, our Sabin historian. In addition, we saw plans for the Irvington Historical District, explained by Mary Piper. The Architectural Heritage Center had a table supportive of the program What Style Is My House? Resolutions Northwest was well represented by Naomi Pusch.

The opening lecture by Robert Jordan was supplemented by photographs and commentary by Bill Youngren showing Sabin houses representative of the various styles. This contribution was greatly appreciated. In closing, Bill made the point that we have every reason to be as proud of the architectural integrity of our homes as anyone else.

The business meeting contained updates on the Green Streets projects on Fremont, on the Sabin Identity Project for designing a new logo and motto, and plans to beef up community-business engagement.

Future projects include a yard sale to accompany the cleanup, a guided home tour, plant exchanges, and a Betty Walker Memorial Bench in Irving Park.

Discussion from the floor concerned a troubling burned out house at 3954 NE 18th and welcome baskets for new people in the neighborhood.

Austin delivered a Call for Volunteers for all the wonderful projects ahead and for service on the SCA committees.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

AGENDA FOR SABIN COMMUNITY ASSN. BOARD MEETING -Feb. 9, 2009

Cooking Class, Whole Foods, Rachel Studer presiding.

INTRODUCTIONS: present are Rachel, Barbara, Clay, Naomi, Ric, Jerry, Ian, Liberty, Elise, Jeff, and Chica.

Ric asks if we will give money to the new equipment at Irving Park. It is moved, seconded, and passed that we will contribute $100.

January minutes were approved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS of upcoming meetings, including a conflict resolution workshop, a citizen advocacy workshop, a leadership meeting at King School, and a school leadership conference.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

BYLAW REVISION, Judy Harrison.

A draft presented in the agenda needs further revision, especially on matters like the number of general meetings and when people are elected. Rachel recommends waiting to act on a revised draft at the next meeting. Ric has copies of old by-laws. Call Ric if you want one.

BUSINESS LIAISON REPORT, Liberty Wilson.

Liberty reports that she has introduced herself to some Sabin businesses, telling them about Parkways and other events. She reports the opening of a new drum shop in the Prescott business district near 15th. The recent opening had been a big event with drummers from well-known rock bands in attendance. The owner is community minded, providing a “place where people can come and hang out and bang on drums.” Drum-based visual art is displayed at the shop.

Liberty asked that the March issue of the newsletter ask residents about small home-based businesses in Sabin. Liberty wants to include a single page insert of a list of businesses divided by category in the future. She continues to make contacts for advertising and proposes to write an essay in the future about supporting local economy.

Ian asks about marketing blurb for home-based business. Liberty says she will supply.

TREASURER’S REPORT, Chika.

Chica reported no bills and no expenditures. She does not know why there has been no recent bill for newsletter printing.

CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE REPORT, Jerry Channell.

Jerry submitted the following proposal for funds:

The Unparalleled 2009 Sabin Spring Clean-up on May 16, 2009

February 9, 2009

The Sabin Clean-up Committee respectfully submits the following budget request to the SNA Board for consideration and funding. The Clean-up Committee views the following expenditures as essential for a thorough, efficient and successful clean-up effort.

Additionally, this SC-up Committee endeavor represents an expansion of clean-up scope by introducing new methodology for enhancing community awareness and participation. This ongoing effort is realized by posting print information in a timely manner at local business/civic locations; presenting actionable information to the Sabin Community utilizing its monthly neighborhood newsletter; developing an annual grant dissemination program that enhances the Sabin neighborhood by rewarding good ideas from well-founded organizations; and lastly, by actively soliciting citizen involvement in not only event coordination, but in the planning, expansion and implementation of appropriate initiatives that serve to mitigate pollution and purify the Sabin environment.

Budget Request

1. Community Awareness Messaging/Posters $250.00

2. 2009 Volunteer Tee-Shirts $300.00

3. Event Lunch/Snack for volunteers $75.00

4. Event Refreshments for volunteers $25.00

5. Sabin Neighborhood Association “Clean & Green” Grant $100.00

Total 2009 Clean-up Budget Request $750.00

The Sabin Clean-up Committee seeks funding immediately in order to move forward with this initiative. Both Betty and Jerry look forward and looks forward to working in concert with the Sabin Neighborhood Association Board to monitor, measure and report on the successes of the Spring 2009 clean-up event. Sincerely, Betty Walker & Jerry Channell, Sabin Clean-up Committee co-chairs

After considerable discussion of two items, the posters and t-shirts for the event, Ian moved to approve the proposal with the exception that t-shirts in the future be yellow, with no date, so they could carry over from year to year. Seconded by Naomi. The motion passed four to two, with one abstention.

•COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT, Ian Lomax.

UPDATE 2/9/09

January Results:

February newsletter released! Converted newsletter to Windows based program and released first newsletter.

Future activities

March newsletter – find a better software template

Proposals:

Add newsletter to SCA blog

Add Ian as contributing editor of blog

Layout proposal

Standard Features

Main feature

Upcoming events

Sabin school news

Sabin / SCA news

Clean-Up corner

Board notes

Masthead

Ads – 1 page

Calendar:

Move to a beginning of month delivery by March:

Feb 20 – ideas and length submitted to Ian

Feb 27 – Final content

Mar 5 – Deliver to printer

Mar 6 – pick up to deliver to Sabin residents

Mar 13 – ideas and length submitted to Ian

Mar 20 – Final content

Mar 27 – Deliver to printer

Mar 31 – pick up to deliver to Sabin residents

Barbara asked if a few lines each moth in the newsletter about SCAPE will be included. Ian answered yes, a few lines.

The question is asked: shall there be ads on one page? Rachel knows of someone who might help make ad policy.

The calendar for publication of the newsletter was discussed. Ian wants to move it up a week so that there is more notice of the board meeting. Rachel says community calendar is hard to establish earlier. Rachel says it’s not particularly important to have the newsletter out ahead of the board meeting. She thinks it’s not a big deal one way or the other.

Liberty asks Jeff how soon after getting them a person who delivers the newsletter should get it done. “Within the week,” is his answer.

Ian says go with the current schedule for now to see if it works.

Liberty raises the issue of editor of the newsletter. She asks if the Board had been looking for a “production manager” rather than an editor, leaving Rachel editor of the newsletter. Ian says it doesn’t make any sense to have content coming to Rachel and then to him. Rachel says the two of them, Rachel and Ian, will work out the editorship and the appropriate division of labor.

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT.

Rachel brings up general meeting. Will it be about the environment.? It is decided this will be handled at the next meeting of the Environment Committee. See report of that meeting.

EVENTS COMMITTEE REPORT, Liberty Wilson.

Liberty wants to help make all events, including those handled by other committees the best they can be. This is welcomed by the Board. There is more discussion of the general meeting in May, particularly how to attract more people to it. Liberty mentions the possibility for a Sabin component to the Parkway event, perhaps a post-celebration in the Hydro Park. Upcoming events include Sabin Clean-up, the Prescott Arts Fair, Sabin Annual Picnic, Movie in the Park, a Garden tour in September, the fall general meeting, and a holiday gathering.

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND GRANTS COMMITTEE, Naomi Lambertson.

Naomi encouraged Board members to look on the NECN web site to review recently funded grants. She reported attending a training for grant writing. She said she does not know what the Board would like to do for a project and asks for ideas. Rachel says the will look up what has been done about this in the past.

LAND USE & TRANSPORTATION REPORT, David Sweet.

Sabin Community Association, Land Use and Transportation Committee

Meeting Notes February 9, 2009

Present: Ric Alexander, Elise Skolnick, Jeff Strang, Trent Thelen, Clay Veka, Kirke Wolfe, David Sweet

Fremont Pedestrian Safety: Trent showed preliminary drawings of a design for a pedestrian crosswalk on Fremont and 10^th Avenue, at Irving Park. Because there is likely no funding available from Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Trent is designing an application for a Green Streets Grant from the Bureau of Environmental Services. The design would include curb extensions and bio-swales to receive storm water. This design could work at either 9^th or 10^th Avenues. Trent will also work on designs for a crosswalk and a bike corral near 14^th and Fremont to serve the businesses there. We will want to enlist the support of the King and Irvington neighborhoods for this application. David will contact them and try to arrange meetings for himself and Trent.

NE Coalition LUTC et al.: David Sweet reported on a few items from recent meetings

David and Elise recently attended a City-sponsored workshop on The ABC’s of Land Use. There was some good information about how to be effective in responding to land use proposals. (Note: This workshop will be repeated at NECN, tentatively scheduled for April 25. Sign-up details available soon.)

The City is currently reviewing its tree policies with an eye toward consolidating and updating codes and standards. It is not clear if this effort will go forward with next year’s budget cuts. For more information, see http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/treeproject.

Vision and goals: There is interest in updating/rewriting the Sabin Neighborhood Plan that was adopted almost 20 years ago. David will check with our NE neighborhood planner, Debbie Bischoff to see if any assistance is available through the Portland Plan. (Note: I checked with Debbie, and the answer is, “no.”)

Kirke notes that any new planning effort should include a neighborhood survey or similar outreach, and urban nature considerations, such as habitat & naturescaping.

Board Liaison: David has a conflict that will keep him from giving LUTC reports to the Board. Jeff volunteered to act as Board Liaison to the LUTC.

Respectfully submitted,

David Sweet

Request for every Board members to volunteer for at least one committee or take other SCA responsibility, Rachel Studer.

BOARD EXERCISE -Paige Coleman, Exec. Dir. of NE Coalition of Neighborhoods, presented an exercise to vision the upcoming year and establish procedures for committees and board to communicate and make decisions.

Paige briefly described NECN and what if offers the neighborhoods but quickly moved on to the matter at hand, a vision for Sabin. She asked for words from each person in that regard. The responses:

Sustainability. What exactly? Environmental. Green streets. Pedestrians. Bikers. Affordable housing.

Diversity: wealthier folks and poorer folks living side by side. Ethnic groups. Family units, households.

Community building: social networks, multi-cultural; inter-generational.

Liveability: affordable; community appreciation. Wealth creation. Parks. Schools. Improving services. Shops and accessibility.

Community: meeting each others needs; knowing each other.

Traditions--developing them; maintaining them.

Prefer virtues to values: tolerance, humility, reverence, confidence, ongoing learning.

Aesthetics.

Historic preservation.

Families: supporting schools.

Families: supporting families through valuing mothers and supporting them, creating families that feel confident, safe, and able to care for their children, their new babies.

Identity. “I want more than anything to know my neighbors. They know me. I know them. They are going to look after our kids. Welcoming new people, valuing the old. Sabin is still looking for its identity.”

Economic self-sufficiency: home businesses. and local commercial businesses. Barter. Exchange of services and goods.

Paige says this exercise is useful because ideas often form as these words are spoken. There is some general discussion of these words. Some words are added: Advocacy.

Sense of community. Connectedness among neighborhoods. Pet friendliness. Good times. Welcoming. Input into city-wide decision making.

What is the next step? Elise says a neighborhood plan. There is general agreement about this and the suggestion that the upcoming general meeting “help to define better who we are.”

We should solicit the neighborhood in this endeavor through newsletter and the blog, looking, as Clay put it, to define the community and to create its vision.

Next meeting: Monday 9 March.

General meeting: Monday 27 April.

The meeting was adjourned.

Sabin Community Association Board Meeting minutes for 12 January 2009

Location: Cooking Class, Whole Foods. 7 -9 pm. Rachel Studer presiding.

In attendance were Naomi Lambertson, Jerry Channell, Betty Walker, Ric Alexander, Ian Lomax, Jeff Strang, Rachel Studer, Chika Saeki, Clay Veka, Liberty Wilson, Lauren McCartney, Barbara Conable.

During introductions and greetings , Ric Alexander reported that his Sabin property had been broken into and valuable items stolen. We extend our sympathy to Ric for his losses.

PRESENTATION: SUNDAY PARKWAYS, Janis McDonald, Transportation Options Project Manager, City of Portland Office of Transportation, 503-823-5358, janis.mcdonald@pdxtrans.org. Janis reported that, in 2008 in the first Sunday Parkways, six miles of streets had been closed for activities and thousands of people had participated. Patterned after a similar event in Bogata, Columbia, Sunday Parkways has been imitated also in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, El Paso, and Seattle.

In 2009, the date for Sunday Parkways in Northeast Portland is 19 July, from 9-4, with similar events elsewhere on 21 June and 16 August. The closed-off area overlaps only slightly with the Sabin community on the north side--on Going Street between 17th and 22nd--but that may be enough to encourage participation. The project is looking for involvement from the neighborhoods, for funders, and for hundreds of volunteers. Arbor Lodge, for instance, is contributing musicians, stage crew, and d.j.’s. Rachel asked if there are art fairs associated with the event, and the answer was that there are, but on the periphery of the closed blocks.

Rachel wondered about using the Hydropark for Sabin involvement and Jeff wondered the same about the proposed Going bike corridor. Liberty Wilson, as events coordinator, will consider Sabin involvement in the event so that planning can be done at future Board meetings. Rachel suggested that Janis keep us posted about the contributions of other neighborhoods. Janis called that “a great idea,” and described the extensive publicity that the event will enjoy.

Betty Walker asked about the Sabin art fair and Judy replied that it would be around the third week in June, the exact date to be determined.

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2008 BOARD MEETING. Distributed and accepted.

TREASURER’S REPORT. Chika Saeki gave the Treasurer’s Report as follows:

Balance as of Nov. 10, 2008. $3873.04.

Income. Ads - $180.00; Donation from Kenneth and Jane Gravel, $25.00: total income $205.00. Balance then: $4078.04.

Expenditures. Amy Hunter $13.51 (general mtg), $160.00 (holiday party); Barbara Conable $21.27 (invitations): total expenditures: $194.78.

Balance as of 12 January, $3883.26.

WELCOME TO THE NEW BOARD. Rachel observed in the written agenda that, “We will probably need to be stricter with attendance because of pressure of folks wanting to serve.” Nasir Najieb and Naomi Lambertson were accepted by the Board as Members at Large by unanimous vote.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED COMMITTEES, as follows:

BUSINESS LIAISON - Liberty Wilson;

BYLAW REVISION - Judy Harrison;

CLEANUP - Jerry Channell, 4106 NE 16th Ave. 97211, 503 282 7584, bionchan@onemain.com; Betty Walker, 3124 NE 17th Ave. 97212, 503 281 1768, no email.

COMMUNICATIONS - Ian Lomax, 1102 NE Shaver 97212, 503 724 8433, sabin.communications @ gmail.com;

EVENTS - Liberty Wilson;

ENVIRONMENT-Trent Thelen, 3512 NE 12th Ave. 97212, 503 417 4459, trentthelen@hotmail.com;

LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION - David Sweet, 4520 NE 19TH AVE. 97211, 503 493 9439, david @sabingreen.net;

PUBLIC SAFETY -Nasir Najieb;

representative to NORTHEAST COALITION: David Sweet.

The agenda for the meeting read, “All Board members should serve on at least one committee or take other SCA responsibility.”

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

BUSINESS LIAISON. Liberty reported that she intends to create a Sabin Business Directory which will include the many home businesses within Sabin. She will address the availability of business ads in Sabin material to see if it might be expanded. Liberty recommends that the current Sabin brochures be rapidly used so that the brochure can be updated and smaller printings made in the future to allow for more frequent correction. She intends to be in personal contact with business owners. She will meet with Ian to see how she might work with the Communications Committee to support Sabin businesses. Rachel observed that we need to thank Whole Foods for our meeting space. Jerry raised the issue of business conduct, implying that SCA might need a Code of Conduct for businesses, or “good neighbor agreements.”

BYLAW REVISION. Judy Harrison reported that work would begin soon on the revision with the help of the NECN, a draft to be presented to the Board in February or March.

CLEANUP. Jerry and Betty distributed an agenda which asked to “establish a monthly clean-up column” in the newsletter of approximately two hundred and fifty words. Nine possible subjects for the column were proposed. A teaser was requested for the February and March editions of the newsletter, as was a coupon for April to promote the annual clean-up event. Funding for the committee was discussed under the agenda heading: Ongoing Funding of Clean-up Committee endeavors. Rachel referred the Board to an 8 December 2008 letter from Jerry which stated, “Thirdly, because we envision using funds on an on-going basis for promoting Clean-up Committee efforts, we wish to develop an annual budget that is earmarked exclusively for our efforts. We view the spring Clean-up event as a specialized revenue creating event and believe most of the funds generated should be directed to efforts that enhance and develop solutions....” After some discussion of the proposal, including the observation that the Board is obligated by its by-laws to oversee the work of standing committees, it was agreed that the Clean-up Committee would submit a proposed budget to the Board at its next meeting. A final agenda item with regard to the committee’s contacting a Metro representative to speak at a Board meeting was not discussed nor was an item which proposed a name change for the committee, suggesting: Sabin Reuse, Recycling and Refuse Committee, Sabin Recycling and Clean-up Committee, or The Sabin Community Association Clean-up and Repurposing Committee.

COMMUNICATIONS. This is a new committee to include publicity and promotion for Sabin, writing and publishing the newsletter, and the creation and maintenance of a Sabin website. Ian Lomax, the committee’s chair, is soliciting new members, stating, “This is a lot of effort,” and “I can’t do this all by myself.” Indeed. Think if you know someone within the community to ought to be on Ian’s committee.

ENVIRONMENT. Barbara Conable presented a written report as follows: Members: Trent Thelen, Chair; Barbara Conable, Vice-chair; Kim Lomax, Sabin coordinator for Friends of Trees. Meetings are the last Monday of each month at 6 pm at the Whole Foods at Fremont and 15th in the Cooking Class area. The committee’s purpose is to promote environmental stewardship in the Sabin neighborhood by providing resources and information for residents about sustainable practices in their homes and in the community; to enhance the Sabin neighborhood's outdoor spaces; to initiate environmental projects for the benefit of the neighborhood. It’s projects are: February Friends of Trees planting, coordinated by Kim Lomax; Trent Thelen’s special project to be announced; Trent Thelen to provide oversight of the Hydropark and to some degree the Irving Park, especially the proposed replacement of climbing apparatus in the play area; S.C.A.P.E., the Sabin Curb Appeal Property Enhancement group, experienced Sabin gardeners available to help Sabin residents who need assistance. First meeting in Jan. At least one of us will train to be a Neighborhood Tree Steward. We will find ways to help with Sabin School’s outdoor projects. We will pursue the dream of a tour of Sabin gardens and sustainable homes.

LUCT. Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting Notes January 12, 2009. Present: Ric Alexander, Jeff Strang, Trent Thelen, Clay Veka, Kirke Wolfe, David Sweet. Vision and goals: We had an informal discussion about our vision for the Sabin Neighborhood and the role of the LUTC. In addition to responding to development proposals in Sabin, we hope to proactively encourage development that maintains and enhances the livability of Sabin. The Portland Plan, the City’s new comprehensive planning effort, may offer opportunities to guide future development in Sabin. The following are some of the ideas that were expressed by individual committee members during brainstorming. These are preliminary thoughts, and this discussion will continue at future meetings.

Retain the diversity of Sabin by encouraging a range of economic choices in housing.

Promote increased density as a strategy to make housing more affordable.

Encourage creativity and individuality in housing design.

Promote green building and sustainable living.

Consider possible expansion of the Fremont commercial district.

David Sweet reported on a few items from recent meetings of the NECN Land Use Committee.

PDC is studying the possibility of extending Urban Renewal Area boundaries up Alberta and Killingsworth Streets. This could result in infrastructure improvements and the availability of low-interest loans to businesses and homeowners.

The Portland Streetcar System Plan Study is wrapping up. The Plan, to be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council this spring, will include possible routes for eventual expansion of the Portland Streetcar. Northeast routes currently under consideration include MLK, Killingsworth, Alberta, Broadway/Weidler, and Sandy.

At the request of the SCA, the Going Street Bicycle Boulevard was endorsed by the NECN Board in a letter to City Commissioners.

Transportation Agenda: Rachel has asked that someone else take the lead in pursuing the priorities established by the SCA in March 2008. Trent and Clay agreed to work together on this. Trent plans to apply for a Green Streets grant for Fremont which would include the pedestrian improvements we have requested.

We discussed the Traffic Engineer’s report on pedestrian safety at 15^th and Prescott. Trent will draft a letter thanking PDOT for the response and the recommended signage, and looking forward to the realignment of the crosswalk in the near future.

Respectfully submitted,

David Sweet

PUBLIC SAFETY. A written report from Nasir of the NE Coalition safety meeting on 8 November, including a presentation about finding ways to enforce laws against posting flyers to corner polls given by Marcia Dennis, Graffiti Abatement Coordinator, mdennis@ci.portland.or.us. Additional items in the report were about the postponement of police appreciation day to make it more inclusive of the night officers, a public safety evaluation of Humboldt Middle School, gun turn-in day in the Cully Neighborhood, a home invasion in the Alameda area, an increase in violent crimes within the Portland Metro area, and more car burglaries. Residents are cautioned to remove all belongings from cars on the street.

EVENTS. It was noted that the SCA Holiday Gathering had been a well-attended success.

FUND-RAISING. Newly appointed Member at Large Naomi Lambertson will serve as a fund-raising/financial overseer for the SCA (title to be invented).

NEW BUSINESS. Should Sabin have a dialogue about Sabin identity and mission? Ian Lomax volunteered to consider this issue as part of the task of promoting the Sabin neighborhood. Lauren said she would help.

Lauren gave some announcements from NECN. The first was about two upcoming grant opportunities from Vision into Action and Village Building Convergence.

The Village Building Convergence will be accepting applications for this year’s projects that will take place in the summer. This organization does “green” community building projects. You can find an application and more information here: http://www.cityrepair.org/wiki.php/projects/vbc9#host.a.vbc.site. The deadline is coming up fast (January 29^th)!

The second, Vision into Action grants: Gabrielle Buvinger-Wild, Vision into Action Grants Coordinator, 503-823-9589 gabrielle.buvinger-wild@ci.portland.or.us. “Vision into Action will award grants of up to $20,000 to community and neighborhood projects. Larger awards of $15,000 to $20,000 will be reserved for projects that facilitate active partnerships between two or more groups. Through the Community Action Grants, VIA hopes to encourage a greater level of collective community action in the realization of Portland's shared vision. Projects will reflect the Portlander's core values identified through the visionPDX process: Community Connectedness and Distinctiveness, Equity and Accessibility, Sustainability, Accountability and Leadership, Inclusion and Diversity, Innovation and Creativity, Safety.

Lauren invited members to attend the monthly luncheon with Sylvia Evans at NECN and the monthly event for Boards, which will be next in the evening of 2 February but probably subsequently on Friday mornings. Contact Lauren: lauren@necoilition.org.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Conable,

secretary.

Minutes of the Sabin Community Association - September 8, 2008

Attending: Barbara Conable, Liberty Wilson, Judy Harrison, Ric Alexander, David Sweet, Amy Hunter, Jeff Strang, Rachel Studer, Elise Scolnick.

A round of introductions and short bios were heard.

Minutes were read and approved from the June 9, 2008 meeting.

Jeff Strang talked about the Neighborhood Inspection and Complaints group that he is associated with. The burned house on 15th and Prescott and the noise in the neighborhood at Whole Foods was discussed.

Elise Scolnick discussed the Last Thursday event at Alberta Street. 8-9,000 people attended. A section of the street was closed to traffic, there were portapotties, trash bins, and police. She discussed the Last Thursday Preservation Society who plans to distribute rules for Last Thursday to the residents of the area. There is a need for volunteers, and a bike corral. Parking in the neighborhood seems to be one of the biggest problems. For more information it is advised to go to the site: infor@tribewinds.com.

Treasurer's Report: Income: Ads: $180, Art Show: $70, Clean-up: 291.50

Total income: $541.50
Expenditures: J. Harrison - 122.58, J. Channell - $291.50, A. Hunter - $19.28, R. Studer - $49.44, Print Results - $360, ICA - 84. Total exp. - $926.80.
Final Balance - $3218.04

Nominations for the 2009 year so far are as follows:
President - Rachel Studer
1st VP - Liberty Wilson
2nd VP - Ric Alexander
Treasurer - Chika Saeki
Corres. and Recording Sec. - Barbara Conable
Publicity Officer - none
Members at large - Judy Harrison, Elise Scolnik, Jeff Strang, Kjell Ban Zoen
More needed

Judy Harrison volunteered to rewrite the by-laws for the association.

Plans were made for the next board meeting on Oct. 13th. The General Meeting will be Oct 20th. The plan is to have the central issue - the election and ballot measures. Also Emily will give a presentation on the bike boulevard for Going Ave. Hopefully some of the candidates will attend and give a speech. Several have been contacted but will attend late.

Rachel will attend the Neighborhood Small Grants session on Sept. 29 to find out about how to do grant applications.

The Spirit of Portland Awards needs people to give names for those to be honored. www.portlandonline.com.oni

It was noted that a helper for in the Ads for the newsletter is needed. All you people who get the minutes and don't help out please contact Rachel to help.

Traffic Safety Report will be going into the mail tomorrow. All the businesses were contacted and they gave the OK about the safety on Fremont Ave. around the parks at Hydro and Irving.

It was announced that the N.E. Coalition will come to the board meeting in October.

The meeting was closed at 9:00. Submitted by, Judy Harrison

Board Minutes of the Sabin Community Association, April 14, 2008

Attending: Rachel Studer, David Higginson, Judy Harrison, Ric Alexander,Chris Ritter, Jerry Channell, Mikele Schappell, Elise Scolnick, Jeff Strang, Amy Hunter, Chika Saeki.

Report of the Transportation Committee:

It was a general proclaimation that the public meeting on Public Safety held at Sabin School, March 31st, was a great success. Fifty people attended and participated. There was time for all to share their concerns about the traffic on Fremont Ave. A PDOT representative was there to explain the city's part. He explained at the businesses in the areas of concern should be notified about our efforts to amend traffic. There were three areas of high concern: the crosswalk on Prescott into the new Hydro Park, the crosswalk on Fremont into Irvington Park, and corridors for bikes (instead of using 15th). Articles will be written to include in the newsletter. The next transportation committee meeting will be May 12th at 6:30.

Clean-Up Committee Report:

The T-Shirts were ready for pick up. There are about 20 volunteers who will participate that day (May 3). A community warehouse representative will be there to guide us. a fee will be charged for all TV's and computer monitors. All electronics will be free. Vouchers will be made up for the truckers who haul for us to dump. NE Coalition will pay for the dumping. Habitat for Humanity has been contacted to provide hand-outs for future donations. More volunteers are needed that day.

Events Committee:

The day for the Art Show and Sale has been set, June 21st, a Saturday from 9-5 at the corner of 15th and Prescott and the parking lot of Prescott Village. Flyers will be made up to call all artists interested in participating. A $10 fee will be set for participation. All artists must display their own handmade work on tables, shelves, etc. and not the ground. Permission is being sought from the owners of these areas.

National Night-Out and Volunteer Association Awards Night will be a pot luck on August 5th with Jeff Strang singing.

Movie at the Park, a joint event with the Irvington CA, will be August 22 at the Irving Park. The movie will be "Raiders of the Lost Ark". There will also be a band, a climbing wall, and other kids activities.

The Alberta Art Hop will be May 17. There was discussion as to whether SCA and NET would man a booth. The booths were $20 to $25. The measure was tabled for lack of support.

Land Use Committee:

The city is redoing plans. Jeff passed out the Portland Plan Survey and Information Sheets. He asked that everyone read and fill out the plan.

Treasurer Report:

Chika reported that we have $336.11 in the bank. She has transferred names and now is in control of the account. It was mentioned that the NE Coalition will help pay for the printing of the newsletter.

Newsletter Report:

Rachel reported that it was very difficult to do the newsletter on her computer. She was still cutting and pasteing. She asked for $75 to get the "Pages" program to facilitate the process. It was moved by Jeff and seconded by Amy to purchase this for her. She would hope to take a class to understand the program. Further discussion ensued about the weaknesses of the program. Jerry volunteered to compile a template on Windows that would be compatible with Apple to help her out. Elise also volunteered to help with the layout. Rachel will then just collect articles and write them up. Chika will help get the ads and bill them quarterly. Space was also a major consideration. This will be addressed when the template is created. The motion to purchase "Pages" was tabled for lack of interest. There will be an effort to get the newsletter out at the beginning of every month.

New Business:

News came from NECN that Robin Dever is leaving. Discussion commenced about the $1000 grant from NECN and how do we apply for it. Chika will find out about what we should be doing. Shannon Olive is the office manager of the NECN at this moment.

Charitable Acitivities Form for the Oregon Dept. of Justice must be fill out each year. Rachel will do this. Chika will fill out the form giving her phone number and the address will be the NE Coalition.

By-laws revision is tabled for lack of time and people to do this. Volunteers are needed for this task. NE Coalition wants us to comply with all the other CA's, e.g. voting in April for our officers.

We need to recruit new board members who will participate in the running of the organization. There is a call for a volunteer to set up a data base on Excel Microsolft Office to list all of the people who attended the general meetings.

Refreshments for next time will be provided by Ric.

The next board meeting is May 12th 7-9

Submitted by Judith Harrison

Minutes of the March 10 Board Meeting

Attending: Rachel Studer, Judy Harrison, Kathy Boyea, Tammy Paladeni, Ric Alexander, Chika Saeki, Jerry Channell, Jay Shuster, Jeff Strang, Jason Orth, and Mikele Schappell.

The minutes from the last board meeting were approved as printed.

The treasurer's report was presented by Rachel since our Treasurer, Gabrielle Josephson had to resign. There is $3,099 in the banking account and $400. at the Northeast Coalition for our use in communications. The total being $3499.00.

Chika Saeki volunteered to step into the Treasurer's position. It was moved by Ric Alexander that her nomination be accepted. It was seconded by Rachal. There were 7 votes in favor of Chika assuming the position of Treasurer. zero nos and zero abstainers.

Jerry Channell presented detailed report on the Clean-up Committee. He and Betty Walker will be co-chairing the event. on May 3rd from 10-2 at the Maranatha Church parking lot. He explained that a coupon will be at the front bottom of the April newsletter. It will enable the SCA to know who is using the service, why they are using the service, and how many other years they have used this service. It will provide the SCA with names and addresses of individuals who would be interested in helping out the SCA at other events. A donation will be sought for the service. Jerry and Betty plan on creating a T-shirt for the volunteers at the May event. It was moved by Ric and Jeff to give $200 toward the expense of the shirts. Mikele seconded. There were 7 votes in favor of this expense (zero nos, zero abstainers). Cold water, sodas and lunchtime snacks will also be provided. Donations from those who drop off items will cover this expense. Included in the report was information that the city will need at the end of the event. There will be flyers distributed to advertise the clean-up.

The Transportation Committee meets at 6:30 before the Board Meeting. They have made plans for the March 31st meeting. Will Stevens will be at the general meeting to provide information about ways to slow traffice on Fremont. Volunteers were sought to help prepare for this meeting, working on the questionaire that will be included in the next newsletter. [Somebody] volunteered to call for helpers and get information out. Board members were encouraged to talk up neighborhood participation and get people to come to the March meeting. It was suggested that those interested in changing things in the community call 503-823-safe to lodge a complaint with the powers that be. Also to check out the city website "Portland online" to look under PDOT.

Jeff Strang and Ric spoke about the Land Use section of the Transportation Committee. Jeff discussed the Daddy Mojo noise complaint and the raising of the 15th and Prescott burnt house.

Judy will investigate the possibility of having a community art fair on the corner of 15th and Prescott during the summer. The parking lot outside of Bean may also be included.

Tammy recommended that she would like to see the Board create a communications/pr plan for the next year and would work to enable that happening.

Since balloons are not a very ecological item, it was moved by Jerry and seconded by Mikele that the balloons be removed from the Sabin Newsletter logo. There were 7 votes in favor, zero nos, zero abstainers.

The March newsletter will feature an article about Gentrification by Mikele.

Jeff will provide refreshments for the next Board meeting.

It was moved by Ric to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mikele.

General Meeting Minutes- November 26, 2007

SCA General Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 26, 2007 7:00

Agenda

• 2008 SCA Board elections
• Jeff Strang, City Inspector: Home inspections
• Lawrence Behmer: Neighborhood Emergency Teams, part 3
• Chris Robbins: Boeing paint plant expansion update

Summary

2008 SCA board member elections Judy Harrison volunteered to serve as Recording Secretary as well as Corresponding Secretary. With this change, all nominees on the list were accepted unanimously by the voters. The 2008 board members will be installed at the January 28 general meeting:

Amy Hunter and Rachel Studer, Co-Presidents
Mikele Schappell, 1^st Vice President
Ric Alexander, 2nd Vice President
Gabrielle Josephson, Treasurer
Rachel Studer, Publicity Officer/Newsletter Editor
Judy Harrison, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary
Chika Saeki, Member at Large 2007-2009
Tom Braibish, Member at Large 2007-2009
Nasir Najieb, Member at Large 2007-2009
Vacant, Member at Large 2007-2009
Jason Orth, Member at Large 2008-2010
Chris Ritter, Member at Large 2008-2010
Jeff Strang, Member at Large 2008-2010
Vacant, Member at Large 2008-2010

Neighborhood Inspections (Jeff Strang, City of Portland Inspector) Jeff Strang works in the city’s Bureau of Development Services in Neighborhood Inspections. He inspects nuisance cases involving residential property, and problems usually have to do with trash, debris, and garbage; hazards; and disabled vehicles. Residents can go online to see if there is a record of nuisance cases filed against a particular house (www.portlandmaps.com), current and previous owners, and sale prices. There are about 9 housing and property inspectors. Building Inspectors at BDS (who are different from Neighborhood Inspectors) inspect renovations and new house sales for conditions and improvements in structural, heating, plumbing, electrical elements of the house—things that require permits.

Fines to homeowners who have had a neighborhood nuisance case opened against them can be $130 per month until the problems are fixed. Normally, they have 30 days to fix fire hazard and life and safety issues; 60 days for other infractions. However, waivers are available for homeowners facing hardships. Tenants can file nuisance claims against their landlords if necessary. The Community Alliance of Tenants can represent tenants in such cases.

Jeff distributed several information brochures.

Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET), Part 3 (Lawrence Behmer, Portland Office of Emergency Management) The OEM operates the neighborhood emergency team (NET) program (www.pdxprepared.net). Portland lies in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which experiences a major rupture every 300 to 500 years. We are due for such an earthquake in the magnitude of 9 on the Richter Scale, which would probably last 3 to 4 minutes. The devastation would overwhelm our first-responder resources (fire, police, rescue, hospitals, and so forth). The NET training covers utility control, fire suppression, disaster medicine, search and rescue, and lever extraction (rescuing people buried in rubble, for example).

The NET program’s Know Your Neighborhood program features a flip chart that guides residents in putting together three-day survival kits, a family plan, phone tree, and identifying a neighborhood meeting place, shutting off utilities, assessing neighbors’ skills and resources, mapping your block.

VERN, volunteer emergency registry network, is a registry for seniors and disabled persons who would need extra help in a disaster.

Boeing Painting Plant Expansion Update (Chris Robbins) As an interested community member, Chris Robbins has been attending the public meetings pertaining to the Boeing Company’s planned expansion of a painting plant in North Portland near the airport. He gave an update and agreed to represent SCA at forthcoming public meetings. DEQ requires Boeing to use the most effective technology for controlling or capturing volatile organic material. Boeing plans to triple the size of its painting facility at the Portland International Airport. Chris points out that the North and Northeast Portland are already in a highly polluted area, in part because of light industrial operations along Columbia Boulevard. Chris urged the SCA to reach out to elected officials (Blumenaeur, Smith, and Wyden) to ensure that there is EPA oversight of the DEQ and that it is doing what it should be doing concerning the Boeing expansion. DEQ is expected to issue a draft permit in 2 to 4 weeks, when there will be a public comment period.

Jeff Strang, in his role with the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Land Use and Transportation Committee, also has been to meetings and he noted that Boeing must get approval for expanding its painting facility. The Concordia community has been very involved in the public meetings and its community association voted that volatile organic compounds should not be increased by Boeing’s paint plant and that the association wanted more detailed analysis of wind patterns to see how the surrounding communities would likely be affected by the expansion of the plant.

Other Topics

SCA focus on transportation (Rachel Studer) As incoming co-president, Rachel Studer would like to focus the SCA on transportation issues and invited others to serve with her on a subcommittee. She is particularly interested in the city conducting a full traffic study of the area, particularly NE 15^th Avenue and Fremont, and drawing up a plan to improve safety for pedestrians in this busy commercial intersection. She noted that the time is ripe to attend to these issues because of Sam Adams’s Safe, Sound and Green Streets Program which is looking at ways to improve the safety of bikers, pedestrians, and drivers in the city. Mikele Schappell, Tom Braibish, Amy Hunter, and Catherine Shisler volunteered to serve on a subcommittee.

The next SCA general meeting was set for Monday, January 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Sabin Elementary School auditorium.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.