MEETINGS 2006

2007 Minutes

December 11, 2006 Steering Committee meeting - notes
*Attending: SC Members Wilma Crowe, Linda Lu, Ann Muller, Erik Muller, Holianna Sapinsley.
Plus: Connie Berglund, Martha Osgood, Whitey Lueck, Denny Hellesvig, John Bredesen, Beth Bridges (City liaison)

* Introductions.
* Erik Muller elected Co-chair. No one filled the other Co-chair, Secretary, and Treasurer positions.
* Minute-taking to be rotated.
* Meeting time to be changed to the third Wednesday of each month.
* Martha Osgood reviewed our e-mail & website services;
* Connie Berglund reviewed our phone communications
Whitey Lueck indicated concerns about and work on remedying train noise annoyances
* Denny Hellesvig and John Bredesen presented a proposal from the Masonic Cemetery for a Neighborhood Matching Grant. S.C. voted to support the pre-review application, including a pledge of assistance in recruiting volunteers for the project.
* The Masonic Cemetery, with the support of the Amazon Neighbors Steering Committee, is applying for a grant to make a more welcoming entrance at northwest corner of the cemetery, with some refinements along 25th Street. Their plans were sketched out for the Steering Committee, which indicated their approval in a letter of support (see below).
* S.C. members to recruit additional S.C. members.
* Snacks courtesy of Wilma Crowe
* Next meeting Wednesday, January 17.

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November 6, 2006 Steering Committee meeting
The agenda included a presentation of the new synagogue building plan and schedule (to see the progress of the building site via webcam, bookmark: http://www.tbieugene.org/tbicam.html ) and an update and explanation of neighborhood matching grants.

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October 16, 2006 General Meeting
In November 2005, the City Council adopted an action plan for one of its seven priority issues, the Neighborhood Association Initiative. At that time, they directed staff to work with the associations to further develop the plan. Staff asked the Neighborhood Leaders Council how best to do this. The first step is to meet with Neighborhood Associations at their Board or General Membership meetings to make sure that the plan was clear and complete. At the October 16, 2006 Steering Committee Meeting meeting we discussed the key components of the action plan:

A. Enhance Effective Public Engagement Activities
1. Public Involvement participants should reflect our whole community.
2. Public Involvement tools should engage more people.
3. Improve public involvement processes.
4. Implement Neighborhood Matching Grants.

B. Support Neighborhood Involvement by empowering all Neighborhood Associations.
5. Support Neighborhood Associations in problem-solving.
6. Increase communications from Neighborhood Associations.
7. Hold annual forums for Neighborhood Associations and elected officials.
8. Affirm Council policy on Neighborhood Associations.
9. Divide the huge neighborhood associations into smaller ones.

C. Focus Service Delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified priorities.
10. Define Neighborhood Associations’ role in community policing.
11. Involve Neighborhood Associations earlier in major land use proposals.
12. Increase density in existing neighborhoods thoughtfully.
13. Preserve residential zoning.
14. Set service priorities by neighborhood.
15. Neighborhood priorities guide service and funding decisions.
16. Make parks safer.
17. Promote neighborhood identity.
18. Ensure safe routes for walkers.
19. Design streets to meet both transportation and neighborhood needs.
20. Emphasize customer service skills in City staff trainings.

Download an rtf version of the Neighborhood Association Initiative Plan with details

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The End of Summer POTLUCK AND SOCIAL on Wednesday August 23, 2006 was held on a lovely summer evening. We had lots of good food and good conversations with good people. A lovely gathering of neighbors.

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The SPRING GENERAL MEETING and DESSERT POTLUCK on Monday April 3, 2006 featured

• comments from and time for questions to Ward 3 Candidates for City Council (Bruce Mulligan, Alan Zelenka, and Jana Jackson), 
• a Council update by City Councilor David Kelly, and 
• a Traffic Signal update by Matt Rodrigues, a Public Works Engineering Project Manager.

This last issue refers to the moving of the pedestrian signal from the middle of a block on Hilyard to the intersection of East 26th.  There are a number of changes in the configuration of the street, signals, and parking that will need to be made at the same time, so learning about the effects of those changes made this a useful meeting to attend.

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The VALENTINE POTLUCK and SOCIAL on February 14, 2006 brought about 25 and maybe even 30 neighbors of all ages together for good food and good conversation. Laughter, song and companionship gave the evening its focus.

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The FALL GENERAL MEETING on October 17, 2005 was held at the Amazon Community Center, 2700 Hilyard Street. The dessert potluck was delicious, and getting to know the neighbors was fun.

We had four issues on the current agenda:

• Measure 20-106 on Police External Review for the November Election
• Lt. Tom Turner, Eugene Police Department on how the "Party Patrol" works
• Carolyn Weiss on Amazon Park Enhancements
• Randy Prince on Emergency Preparedness (in the harsh light of post-New Orleans)

Measure 20-106 Police External Review
The measure would amend the city charter to all the city council to hire and supervise an independent police auditor and to appoint a civilian review board to investigate or oversee investigations of complaints involving police employees. Ron Chase spoke in favor, andKen Tollenaar was opposed. Both speakers, and the lively discussion that ensued, helped clarify the deeper issues for those present who were less familiar with the intent, background and probably effects of the measure. There was focuse on past officer convictions, community group support for overiew, how other cities and offices "do it", possible changes in authority, and how the review process and employee qualifications would be determined.

Party Patrol
Lt. Turner from the Eugene Police Department discussed police procedures and measures for party control. While the police get a list of kegs purchased by private people from taverns and bars, they are having a hard time locating particular parties because the key is lately being housed in vans that sell drinks (which is illegal) at a house party, then leave when the party gets rowdy. Party control is also hampered by the cost in officers and in vehicles required to shut down an out of control party. Police are already busy and often only warn parties to calm down unless there are multiple complaints. "Minor in possession" is still the largest cause of tickets being given.

Lt. Turner invited neighbors to ride with police to see how these complaints are handled. Multiple noise complaints can lead to the seizure of stereo equipment. Attitudes of the party-goers on the first visit can determine how that call is handled. Fireworks, which often accompany rowdy parties and are mostly illegal in Oregon, will trigger a fine. If there are three calls to police about a party, they can issue a $600 fine. Continued problems lead to an abatement letter to the landlord, and landlords have been known to evict tenants because of complaints.

Lt. Turner reminded neighbors to give the police a detailed description of the party problems and a complete address. If more than one neighbor calls about a party, the chance of officer response increases.

Amazon Park Enhancements
Carolyn Weiss of the Eygene Parks Department brough a map to help illustrate what was happening in Amazon Park. new bike paths, trees, playing fields with better drainage, a a restroom are in the plans and should be completed by January 2006. Benches cost about $15,000 to install, and may need to be "endowed" by members of the public in the name or memory of loved ones. A bridge across Amazon Creek is planned in the future, as is a gazebo and native wetlands plantings. The dogpark at the south end of the park has been extended to the top of the berm following the curve of Amazon Parkway, and more trees are to be planed there. At the moment there are no plans to update the skateboard park.

Emergency Preparedness
Our own region is expecting some kind of an earthquake within the next seven generations, not all the dams on the Willamette and McKenzie rivers can withstand a flood of mud such as Mt. St. Helens caused, and we have seen a bulge in the earth in the Three Sisters area indicating ongoing volcanic activity.

Coming so close after a huge tsunami in Sumatra and the hurricane floods in New Orleans, Randy Prince's presentation (including short videos) reminded us that there is more to think about than stocking a few cans of chili and a sleeping bag out in the back forty. We cannot do justice to the survivalinformation presented at the meeting, though the following topics were touched on:

• a survival kit of tools and supplies for at least 72 hours (or even four weeks) of survival without access to the usual sources of food, fresh water, electricity, gasoline, phone, cell, or sewer services, in case of evacuation or at home. Note that rice and beans require water, cans require can openers, soap and dish soap are important, pets need food... • a checklist so you know you'll have things in the house and can add them quickly to the kit in case of evacuation or moving into the back yard • think of the chimney, the foundation and roof of the house, furniture, water heater, rock walls... • a family evacuation plan, including how everyone will be provided for in case members are not at home, where to meet, how to get in contact with each other • have a camp store, fuel, cooking pots with tight lids, a way to get safe water and a supply of quick-cooking dry foodstuffs • pl;an essential shelter-related items such as a roll of plastic sheeting or tarps, rope for rigging, sleeping bags and blankets, a tent... • reserve some travelers checks or cash, and keep checks and plastic available • the flats of Eugene/Springfield are vulnerable to flooding, especially in the Summer and Fall, and evacuation to higher ground within two hours of a big earthquake is recommended • battery powered radios • call the City of Eugene at 682-5665 to be trained in the work of a Community Emergency Response Team - in time the pool of trained volunteers is intended to expand to where neighborhood-level teams will provide direct post disaster relief close to home.

Another idea: all the City of Eugene at 682-5665 to be trained in the work of a Community Emergency Response Team - in time the pool of trained volunteers is intended to expand to where neighborhood-level teams will provide direct post disaster relief close to home.

Readiness checklist

Sample government websites
California
Oregon
Alaska

Eugene Springfield Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
- select Quick City Links, then Emergency Management Program,
then Multi-Haz Mitigation

Other sites
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Hollys.html
http://www.providentliving.org/channel/1,11677,1706-1,00.html