Amazon Neighbors Steering Committee
Minutes, December 10, 2008

Attending: Alden Gray, Bob Cassidy, Randy Prince (facilitator), Linda Lu, Erik Muller (minutes), Jon Belcher, Connie Berglund (7 neighbors)

Minutes: November minutes were reviewed and accepted without change.
Erik distributed an Amazon Calendar of meetings/socials and the list of volunteers for our committee’s work areas.

Reports:
         Treasurer: Bob reported that our US Bank balance is $144.10. We still pay $2 for each check we write, so Bob consolidates items for each check or withdraws cash to reimburse people.
         Bob wants us to think about how to raise funds for Amazon Neighbors. We should have a contribution can at every neighborhood function and announce its purpose.

         Sustainability: Erik said the NLC Sustainability Committee will have a booth at the Green Home Show, January 23-25, and it will link green concepts to neighborhood programs. The NLC committee is also developing a speakers bureau, and four panels are planned for the Home Show. We should attend and also help staff the booth.
         Erik moved and it was seconded that Amazon Neighbors contribute $25 to help the NLC Sustainability Committee to pay for printing for the Home Show. The motion failed because of the arguments that the NLC had already voted to give funds and because our group has no way presently to replenish what we spend.
         Our Amazon Sustainability Subcommittee is making contacts with Harris-Eastside School, to recruit neighbors for an Amazon Garden Brigade, to identify an experienced composter to help the school set up its composting of garden and cafeteria wastes, and to help link the school, Temple Beth Israel, and Amazon Neighborhood for sustainable projects. Volunteers are needed for each of these activities.

         Infill: Randy summarized the e-mail from Sue Prichard, our representative and now co-chair of the Infill Compatibility Standards Working Group. Once the group’s proposals are formulated, neighborhood meetings will provide a chance for discussion. One issue is the tension between getting compatible infill and the pressure to expand the urban growth boundary. We acknowledge and applaud Sue’s dedicated and time-consuming work.

         Reach CUP: Jon reported on the Reach hearing for its application for a conditional use permit, which he and Connie attended. Connie canvassed neighbors about the CUP.
“Community center” is still undefined, and the CUP, if approved, will define allowable uses for every subsequent owner of the property. Our concerns about noise, parking, and intensity of use need to be expressed as requirements, not suggestions, and with established dates for compliance. With more time yet to respond, Jon is sending further comments to the hearing officer.
        
Valentine Potluck: In discussing this potluck, several program ideas surfaced, some suitable for the spring general meeting: presentation by a Schnitzer Museum representative, Willama native grass for yards project, Eugene Police on car crashes, prevention and investigation.
         The date we prefer is Wednesday, February 11. Erik will check on date and reserving of Amazon Main Hall, and begin work with Melissa on an announcement flier.
         We will have a potluck supper, with a purchased main dish (Jon, Ann & Thelma?). We will have a sign-in table, for name tags and drawings (Connie). We will have door prizes and a raffle if suitable items can be secured (Lu, Erik, Wilma?). We might have music (Randy). And we will have a Valentine card making corner (Erik or Schnitzer representative). Did we have volunteers for getting Duraware? Beverages?
         Further planning at our January meeting.
(Note: Since this meeting, the potluck has been scheduled for Monday, February 9, Amazon Community Center Main Hall, 6-9.)

January meeting & agenda:
         Continue Valentine Potluck planning
         Explore fund raising ideas
         Hear Reach CUP report
         Identify Spring General Meeting Topic—traffic & crime issues?       
         Invite Schnitzer representative to SC meeting or to Valerntine Potluck to organize card corner?
         Refine draft of Neighborhood Letter
         Civic Stadium involvement

Our next SC meeting is January 14, at Amazon Community Center, 7pm. We will meet in the smaller meeting room in the south building, since our usual meeting place is full of looms!

Amazon Neighbors Executive Board Minutes
September 10, 2008

Attendees: Wilma Crowe, Erik Muller, Bob Cassidy, Ann Muller, Randy Prince,  Linda Lu, Jon Belcher (board members)
Connie Berglund,  Mary Ann Peterson, Jared Rubin, Geni Murrow,  Charlie Magee, Mary Tegel  (neighbors)  13 total
Bess Blacouiere (guest)

Minutes: July minutes approved without correction

Announcements:

Reach Center Conditional Use Permit  CU-08-002 :
Geni Murrow (gmurrow@edgedancing.com) and Charley McGee have purchased the site at 2520 Harris Street and hope to receive a Conditional Use Permit for the site as a “Neighborhood Activity Center”. A letter from attorney David Adkins was distributed.  It was stated that parking needs would be met with parking at the Very Little Theater (disputed by Connie Berglund). Carol Schirmer is the planner hired by the owners. Bess Blacquiere , a realtor and friend of the owners argued for the project, stating alternate uses would be more onerous. Concerns were raised about current residential use, one of the owners stated that the current residents include two of her  children and their friends.  Concerns were raised over noise issues. Lu regretted that the site wasn’t redeveloped as a retirement center.

Harris Elementary School:
Mary Tegel reported her near-miss of a Harris Elementary School student who darted into University street from between two cars on. in front of the school.  She suggested that bulb-outs are needed. It was noted that Harris Elementary has many new students, many outside our Neighborhood – who are transported to school by auto.  Erik Muller suggested that Mary be appointed as liaison between Amazon Neighbors and the school. Options discussed included requesting radar guns and/or automated speed-reader boards from the city and extending the no-parking zone on University St. The Safe Routes to Schools program may be another resource. Mary was appointed liaison.

Feedback

Garden tour:
Lu expressed concerns about “Co-opting” of the tour by one of the leaders. Guarding the approx. 35 bikes sidelined Erik. Thanks to Rebecca Matsumoto for organizing the tour.

Picnic:
Bob Cassady suggested including corn on the cob. Contributions were discussed. Mary noted that the picnic helps us reach additional neighbors. Lu passed her picnic materials and responsibility to the next organizer.

NLC Report:
The newsletter process has been revamped – less turnaround time as editorial responsibility shifts to ‘hoods.  West University Neighbors are seeing more use of the needed housing path for land use approvals.  There will be a NLC booth at the Eugene Celebration.  There will be matching grant bus tours – Erik and Ann plan to attend.  The NLC sustainability committee participated in our annual picnic, 31 folks completed their survey.

Temple Beth Israel:
Jared Rubin, representing the Temple, expressed their desire to reach out to the Neighborhood. He offered tours, meeting space and the opportunity to collaborate on events. We can connect through their office or by contacting Jared.  Connie is writing a welcoming article for the newsletter.

Matching Grants:
A new cycle has begun. Currently we are in pre-check period. Applications are due by  1/30/2009.

New Neighbors letter:
Eric circulated a letter written by Whitey Lueck welcoming new neighbors (especially students).  Jon agreed to seek a previous similar letter to see if they can be combined. 

Next General Meeting:
We agreed to pursue a Mayoral Candidates and Police Auditor Charter amendment focused meeting on October 22nd. A motion was made to invite Charles Dalton and anyone opposed to speak to the charter amendment and have the mayoral candidates speak to the issue. It passed with Jon voting no. The program will start with Neighborhood board elections and Alan Zelinka will be invited.  Neighbors willing to serve on the board include: Bob Cassidy, Erik and Ann Muller, Wilma Crowe, Randy Prince, Lu and Jon Belcher.  Desserts will be part of the meeting.

Next Meeting:
It was proposed that we discuss Civic Stadium and whether the Board should adopt a position.
Jon will report on the status of the Land Use application.

Amazon Garden Tour of August 23, 2008

With over 40 people in the tour, we still kept to our schedule, enjoying refreshments and good company, as well as the garden hosts' generous welcomes & explanations. The gardens we visited were thrilling on many levels, provoking discussions and thought about sustainability, ease of maintenance (including no grass), greywater systems, use of space, beauty, and opportunities for food crops to share. A special thank you to Rebecca Masumoto, who was instrumental (ok, irreplaceable) in planning this event.

Summer Picnic August 13, 2008

Wasn't that a good one!! Our Amazon Picnic last evening was quite a success. Sixty participants showed up (50 neighbors). Everyone pitched in for a sense of relaxation and plenty.

We especially appreciated the addition of three elements made possible by city neighborhood funds:
     the circus arts folk were very good at engaging children and
           blending into the programless event
     the durable wares and recycling bins made this our greenest picnic, and
           complemented our sustainability table. Both elements added a lot
     and the addition more to our main dishes: this time Poppi Cottam
           (the originator of Poppi's and our neighbor) prepared chicken
           and spanokopita!

There were great door prizes, useful sustainability table (Jan & Jon got a bunch of surveys done for Kathy Saranpa and the NLC Sustainability Committee), lots of great food (thanks to Thelma for lining up Poppi as well as MC-ing with Randy). Connie was a great greeter and monitor of the food tables. Jon did great "green" service with the city's durable wares and recycling containers. Rebecca has established the sites for the August 23 yard/garden tour.

Thanks too for the many gifted "chairpersons" (tablers, too) during clean up! It leaves a good feeling!

Erik
Steering Committee meets September 10.

Amazon Neighbors Steering Committee, Minutes, July 9, 2008

Attending: Linda Lu, Ann Muller, Wilma Crowe, Erik Muller, Connie Johnston, Connie Berglund, Randy Prince, Bob Cassidy, Thelma Soderquist, Larry Robidoux (10 Neighbors).

Introductions/Minutes: June minutes were approved.

Announcements: Erik shared Isaac’s request for people to be interviewed by the consultants evaluating the Neighborhood Services Program. There were no volunteers. Erik reported on John Ruiz’s Listening Forum at Amazon Community Center. Erik suggested that the University be seated at the NLC table as a neighborhood, as currently the University is not seated at the table of any ongoing neighborhood meetings.
            Bob attended a transportation meeting for West Eugene.

Reports:
Treasurer’s Report: Bob reported a balance of $144.10.

Neighborhood Leaders Council Report: Randy reported on a host of NLC discussion themes: Food for Lane County, consultant for evaluating Neighborhood Services, growing formal link between NLC & EWEB, NLC Street Maintenance Committee, upcoming survey to determine summit themes, July 27 Friendly St. Picnic (all welcome).

Matching Grants Report: Erik said Michael Kinnison provided greater explanation for the failure to fund the “Amazon Beautification” proposal and indicated that guidelines and evaluations would be clearer in the upcoming round, which opens August 1, with pre-reviews by November 14, and final applications due January 30, 2009.

25th & Harris Update: Both Larry and Connie B. indicated more needed to be determined about the status of a land use application from the old church property. Larry said the initial application was turned back with a request for further information. Jon Belcher is also investigating and will be responding to neighbor Larry Baurer’s concerns.

Sustainability report: Erik said the NLC Sustainability Committee was as new as the Amazon Sustainability Subcommittee, yet it had committed to forming a speakers’ bureau and to staffing information tables at summer events. Our Amazon group is testing a survey to determine garden/gleaning interests and is organizing an Amazon Yard/Garden Tour with a sustainability focus. We agreed to have a sustainability table at the August 13 Amazon Picnic.

Discussion followed: date & time, Saturday August 23, 10-1, after the August 13 Amazon picnic, publicity at the picnic, postings, newspaper spots. Members of the subcommittee will further organize the event.

Bob mentioned that EWEB chief Randy Berger had some funds for energy saving projects.
Randy wondered if Flexcar could be lured to Eugene/Springfield.

Summer Potluck Planning: Poppi Cottam will be contacted about preparing some main dish(es) with a vegetarian option.
       We reviewed planning for:
            labels for guests and dishes (Connie B.)
            door prizes (Wilma, Lu, Erik, others?)
            confirmation of Main Hall/kitchen and tables/chairs (Erik, confirmed 7-10)
            confirmation of circus arts (Erik)
            obtaining duraware and recycling bins (Jon)
            bringing paper goods (Wilma, Ann)
            setting up donation can (Bob)
            providing sign-in/labels/chances on door prizes (Connie B.)
            MCing for door prize drawing, brief announcements about tour (Thelma)
            setting up sustainability table (Erik)
            checking on Melissa’s progress on flier (Erik)
***Please note what tasks are yours!
           

Fall Meeting & Newsletter: The fall General Meeting might be later than our regularly scheduled October Steering Committee meeting, maybe October 22? Close to the election but not so that ballots have been already sent in, and focused on election topics? Randy and Connie B. will begin rounding up articles for the fall newsletter as well as developing an agenda for the general meeting.
            Some newsletter ideas: Connie’s welcoming the congregation to its new temple, temple update, cemetery call for stories (rerun), a profile by Whitey, other?

Thank you: Wilma for cookies, Randy for facilitating, to all for strong attendance at a summer meeting!

June 11, 2008,
Minutes of Amazon Neighbors Steering Committee

Attending: 11 Neighbors. SC Members: Erik (facilitator,) Ann (minutes,) Thelma, Larry, Bob, Jon, Randy, Lu. Others: Sue, Connie, Paul Moore, Ann Delaney, Patricia Thomas, Isaac Markehe.

Minutes and notes from the May 14 General Meeting were distributed, as well as notes from the Amazon Neighbors Sustainability Subcommittee meetings.

Agenda items:

Patricia Thomas and Ann Delaney from City Planning presented a proposal for the participation of Amazon Neighbors in an Opportunity Siting Exercise. The city’s procedure for opportunity siting is in the process of being developed. Neighborhood support is an essential element, and the city will require the cooperation of one or two neighborhood organizations to help them construct a workable procedure. After considerable discussion of the appropriateness of our neighborhood for this process, restrictions of the city’s timeline, etc., Erik moved to participate in the exercise, seconded by Jon, with an amendment specifying that our participation be limited to the exercise alone, with no commitment to the actual designation of an appropriate site. The vote of the 8 present steering committee members was split 4-4, and the proposal was rejected.

Isaac Markehe, manager of Neighborhood Services, had several things to offer, including a comfortable (upholstered) meeting space in the NS office in the Atrium building.
Also, information about the upgraded land use notification system: contact Mike Kinnison to get on a list to learn about land use applications, specified by neighborhood. The city will provide booths and announcements for neighborhood organizations to publicize themselves at Concerts in the Park (the date for the Amazon Park concert is July 17.)
Last but not least, recycling kits of durable utensils for neighborhood events are available for checkout at Neighborhood Services.

Summer Potluck planning:

The event is tentatively scheduled for August 13, from 6-8 pm. (5:30 set-up time.) Erik will check with the scheduler, to make sure the space is available.
We have $200 from the city to spend on the year’s social events, roughly half to be spent on the August potluck. Thelma will contact Poppy Cottam about preparing chicken and Greek salad.
Connie will help with set-up and take-down. Bob will do reimbursements. Erik will get information to Melissa for the flyer, including the neighborhood website address. Lu will bring tablecloths and flowers.
An effort will be make to have door-prizes, as we did last year, and to encourage folks to bring excess garden produce to share.
Isaac mentioned that the city can also provide “circus arts” entertainment, and it was agreed that that would be an excellent addition to the event.
There will be further potluck planning at the next SC meeting on July 9.

Sue Prichard reported on the work of the Infill Compatibility Standards committee. The group expects to have prepared preliminary recommendations by September, and the Public Outreach subcommittee will make presentations of conceptual proposals to neighborhood groups.

Bob Cassidy gave a brief treasurer’s report. There will be no change in our banking system at this time. He also reported that the neighborhood matching grant application to repair the roadway surface on the “26th Ave” connector between Emerald and Onyx Sts. was rejected on the basis of “inadequate community involvement.”

Jon Belcher reported that the sustainability subcommittee has prepared a draft form for the neighborhood survey.

Erik reported on issues discussed at recent NLC meetings:
EWEB and its receptiveness and response to neighborhood input. Bob Cassidy, recently elected as an EWEB commissioner, is planning to attend meetings in all the neighborhoods in his EWEB district.
The next neighborhood summit will take place in January or February 2009. Neighborhoods will be polled about what themes they would like to see addressed. The city-wide NLC sustainability committee will meet in July; there will be an online survey about neighborhood services.

Larry brought up the issue of noise from the Hayward Field loudspeakers during the Olympic Trials (and other events.) He will investigate what might be done to alleviate the problem, and will also contact South University NA about this.

The topic of Civic Stadium preservation was briefly mentioned.

Finally, Connie reported that her one-woman welcome to the neighborhood on the occasion of the dedication of the new synagogue was warmly and gratefully received.

The next Steering Committee meeting will take place on July 9, 7 pm, in the Main Hall of Amazon Community Center, NOT in Studio B.

Submitted by Ann Muller