Buckman Community Association

BCA Minutes: 8-14-03

B.C.A. General Meeting Minutes; August 14, 2003

In attendance: Don MacGillvray, Joshua Bickle, Bethany Pratt, Delores Dee,
loren Clark, M’Lou Christ, Ann Bowling, Jordan Fink, Susan Lindsay, Jack
Maynard, Aron Homberg, Anne Hughes, Lily Witham, Dianna Shaffer, Virginia
Davis and Jim Everden.

Homelessness Report-
Don MacGillvray reported that the Homelessness Working group will come to Board meeting on Sept. 4th in order to facilitate a “community conversation” about homelessness in our community. This will happen during the second hour of the meeting (8-9PM).

Cat Killings
-Susan Lindsay reported that she has been in contact with
some of the people at 28th & Oak Street, and there has not been any
further cat deaths. The cats that were found were mangled as if they had
been caught in a leg trap, and one died from it’s injuries. The owner of
one of the afflicted cats made up flyers and circulated them in the
neighbourhood, and there have been no more injuries to cats.

Friends Of Reservoirs
-BCA donation of $150. Eric Pickman from Friends of the Reservoirs attended the meeting and gave a presentation about the fight to protect the cities historic reservoirs. The City Attorney admits
that the city has not made an official land-use decision. After the land
use decision has been made (due August 27th), an appeal process can be
pursued. The Landmarks Commission came out against burying the reservoirs.
These reservoirs are an integral piece of Portland’s past. Burying them
would cost between $186-$200 millions dollars (and that figure does not
include landscaping the areas after excavation.) On average, a month’s
water bill is now $64 per month. If the reservoirs are buried, this figure
will rise within one year to $90 per month, and in 10 years time will cost
$120 per month. The BCA voted unanimously to donate to the legal fund, and after discussion arrived at the figure of $150. Treasurer Ann Bowling
wrote out a check on the spot! It was also decided at this time that
members of the BCA will write postcards to Mayor Katz and the City Council
Staff, asking that the City engage in a comprehensive public process
before making a final decision about burying the reservoirs. Pre-paid
postcards will be provided at September’s board meeting.

St. Francis Park
-BCA to send letter to SEUL, requesting Seul’s assistance to St.Francis in the area of grant-writing. Park Director Dianna Shaffer gave an update on the summer park activities, which have been a success. More neighbourhood people are using the park and attending the programs. There is an end-of-summer party planned for Sunday August 31st, veginning with an appearance by the Teahorse, which will serve free refreshments of pie and chai (Ninja Piemakers) served from 11-3, live music from 5-9PM and food from 5Pm until it’s gone! All are invited. Several people spoke up about the improvement of St. Francis Park this summer. The crime situation seems to be improving, due mainly to the presence of the security officers hired by St. Francis Parish. Dianna said that St. Francis cannot afford to hire security forces on an on-going basis. After discussion and a vote (6-1) it was decided that M’Lou Christ will write a letter to SEUL and ask that some assistance with grant-writing be given to St. Francis, in order that help with funding for security might be found.

Central Catholic High School Update -Aron Homberg reported that
construction is right on schedule at the school with the remodel work to
be finished in Sept. and new construction completed in January. There
have been no complaints from the surrounding neighbours in the past month.

Nocturnal Update
-Nocturnal proprietress Bethany Pratt provided an update on the Nocturnal situation. Bethany and manager Seann McKeel met with neighbours and have agreed to forego booking events with large turnouts during the week Sun-Wed. Nocturnal is no serving alcohol until 1Am. Jarkko Cain is wrting a new Good Neighbour Agreement which will allow Nocturnal to operate at the later hours for a 6 month probationary period. Nocturnal also agrees to provide outside security during the large turnout events.

R2-5 Zoning Meeting-BCA donation of $250 to go to LUBA towards appeal costs. Don McGillvray and Lily Witham provided details of their attendance of the city council session on Wednesday August 13th. This meeting discussed the R5-2 zoning laws. Over 30 people gave testimony, all against the zoning. Three neighbourhoods have filed an appeal to the city about the small lot zoning, and will require funds for the appeal. Susan Lindsay made a motion that the BCA make a donation of $250 to LUBA (or the
appropriate agency). Lily Witham seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous. Ann Bowling will do research and find out where the check should go.

Washington-Monroe High School Update -Susan Lindsay dined with a local
developer and discussed possible development of the Washington Monroe High School site, with provisions for a community center.

Esplanade Report
-M’Lou Christ reported that the Mayor of Guadalajara wishes to donate a sculpture/bench to the City of Portland in celebration of the longtime Portland/Guadalajara relationship. The Mayor of Guadalajara wanted this sculpture to be placed on or near the site of the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Mayor Katz suggested this sculpture to go to Salmon Springs or somewhere else in Waterfront Park, but Parks has set a moratorium on accepting any more donations in that Parks (although bench donations can still be added). Mayor Katz & Parks have decided it should go on the south end of Esplanade (near the proposed park). Parks did ask the Eastbank PAC what they thought and all who responded within
the week allowed felt strongly it should not go on the Esplanade – as it
has no connection to Cinco de Mayo (the Sister City's annual event in
Waterfront PK.) or to any Latino settlement or activity history in
Portland, it would not celebrate that connection; AND the adopted themes
for the Eastbank are the connection to the river & river history in
Portland (from Native Americans, thru ferrying E. Portland truck farmers'
goods west to city of Portland & early industrial development along the
banks), none of which are typical of this artist's work. M'Lou got the
Parks Donations & Memorials Policy Committee to recommend at least that
this sculpture be considered "temporarily" sited on the Esplanade, so the Sister City budget will include monies to relocate the bench when a more
suitable site is discovered. There will be a public process which M”lou
will attend as a person from the affected area.

Waterfront Fire Station
-PDC has sent out an RFP to get bids on
redeveloping the Fire Station along the waterfront into a restaurant.

Off-leash Area for Dogs
-Susan Lindsay attended the City Council Meeting on Wednesday morning, which focused on the necessity of off-leash areas for dogs. The city has decided to provide 3 approved off-lease areas, with
27 areas under consideration for off-leash hours.

Jim Everden stopped by the meeting to invite everyone to the annual
Hinson-Buckman Picnic, which will be held Sunday August 24th from
12:30-5:00 at Col. Sumners Park (SE 20th & Belmont). There will be fun and
games and lots of good food!

A reminder that both Susan Lindsay and Jack Maynard will be unable to
attend the September meetings. Don MacGillivray will be chairing both of the September meetings.

Submitted by Lily Witham.