Buckman Community Association

BCA General Meeting Minutes 04/14/05

General Meeting Minutes 04/14/05

In Attendance: BCA Board members Ann Bowling, Bethany Pratt, Seann McKeel, Jim Andrews, Gilly Burlingham, Susan Linsday and Lily Witham. Also attending:Jeremy Layne, Susan Burns, Alf Evers, Peggy Barr, Joel Heidel, Angeline Marino-Hiedel, Alex Reagan, Prasanna Krishnasamy, Christina Grace, Heather Jones, Bonnie Gilcrest, Abe Pfeifer, Christine Yun, David gruber, Anne Hughes, Dolores Dee, Don McGillvray, Faddah Yuetsu Wolf, M’Lou Christ, and Dave Mortenson.

Buckman Pool Closure- Christine Yun spoke to the group about the upcoming closure of Buckman Pool due to budget cuts. She has set up a website, which has direct links to send emails to the Mayor and City Councilmen. Lily Witham made a motion that the BCA should send a letter protesting the closure. The motion was seconded by Ann Bowling, with a unanimous vote. Susan Lindsay offered to write the letter.

Farmington Centers-Bonnie Gilcrest presented the drawings of the plans for the assisted living units planned on the site of the Mt. St. Joseph’s Hospital. The property was purchased by Farmington Centers, a group that owns several other assisted living facilities in Oregon and Idaho. Bonnie pointed out that Farmington is a for-profit company and will be paying property taxes.Although the project was approved for 420, the new bldg will have only 298 units. An Altzheimer’s Memory Care may be built later, but is not part of the current plan. The facility will accept Medicaid and Medicare patients and will keep the chapel and catholic services, and will add other denominational services.

Eastside Farmer’s Market- Christine Grace gave a short presentation on the Eastside Farmer’s Market. This will be the third year for the market and is the “make or break” year. The market has broken even the past two years and needs to show a profit this season. The market is looking to add more vendors, and aquire a permanent sign. This summer an old time music series is planned, with musicians performing each Thursday while you shop! Chris is looking for volunteers to put up posters, man the info tables and so on. Please contact her at 971-506-8569 for more details.
Be sure and spread the word about the market!

Roadside Attraction-Property owners Alf Evers and Peggy Barr attended the meeting with their attorney Susan Burns (there in “official capacity”). Chair Susan Lindsay explained about the general principles of liquor licenses in Buckman, Good Neighbour Agreements, and reiterated the Board’s concern about the many complaints coming from property owners adjoining and across from the building which Evers and Barr intend to open as “Roadside Attraction”. Susan Burns admitted that the owners have been living illegally in the commercial building and have done work without permits. She stated that her clients intend to deal with the permit situation and that code violations will be dealt with by the City. Susan Burns stated that her clients are willing to sign a GNA, but that there has not been a meeting in which Galina Grigoryan, a BCA Liquor committee person (Lily Witham or Bethany Pratt), an OLCC rep and Evers and Barr are all present at the same time. After some discussion it was decided that the Board will not act any further on this matter until the code violations, city inspections, and OLCC liquor application have been handled.

Volunteers of America- Dave Gruber, Program coordinator for the Volunteers of America gave a brief presentation on the Adult Day Services available through Volunteers of America. This facility is located at SE 5th and Alder and offers a nurturing environment for disabled adults with an emphasis on the frail elderly and those with memory disorders. Dave plans to write an article on the program for the next issue of the BCA newsletter.

Newsletters-The Spring issue of the newsletter is ready for delivery. Lily Witham asked for volunteers to help deliver the newsletters. Board members Jim Andrews, Bethany Pratt and Seann McKeel agreed to help, with neighbor Dave Mortenson offering to do a section near his house. There was some discussion on how the BCA can get the newsletters delivered quickly and inexpensively.

Bridgehead Update-The PDC will choose a developer for the Burnside Bridgehead project at their meeting on April 27th. Please attend and give public testimony if possible.

WAMO-The Real Estate Trust would like to see the surplas Washington Monroe property sold to the highest developer without including an citizens advisory group. Meanwhile, the building sits empty, looking abandoned, neglected and dilapidated.



SEUL-Steve Hoyt of SEUL gave a neighbourhood agenda update and also an announcement for a SEL fundraiser, the “Flick and a Slice” at the Laurelhurst Theatre. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Southeast Uplift.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15.

Submitted by Lily Witham, BCA Secretary.