Eliot Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes Monday 7/17/2023

Posted on by Serena Li

Submitted by Laura Fay – Approved August 21, 2023

Eliot Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes DRAFT

Monday 7/17/2023 

7:00 – 8:30pm

Cascadia Garlington Health Center

3036 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

BOARD ATTENDEES:

  • Jimmy Wilson – Co-Chair
  • Pat Montgomery – Co-Chair
  • Jennifer Wilcox – Treasurer
  • Shireen Hasan – Lead Community Outreach
  • Etheric McFarlane – Vice Community Outreach
  • Laura Fay – Recorder
  • Andrew Champion
  • Serena Li
  • Kathryn LePore
  • Alice Newman
  • Bliss Suh

OTHER ATTENDEES:

  • Sunshine Dixon
  • Mae Evans
  • Tessa Fowler
  • Bobby Hamilton
  • Officer Mark Kelly
  • Mary Tompkins
  • Quanita Wilson

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Jimmy called the meeting to order at 7:03pm

REVIEW MEETING AGREEMENTS: The meeting agreements were shared, and Jimmy reviewed them.

AGENDA ADDITIONS: Tessa Fowler from the Volunteers of America Men’s Resource Center requested time to speak, and was added to the agenda.

APPROVE MINUTES FROM JUNE 26 MEETING: Kathryn LePore made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 26 board meeting. Andrew Champion seconded and the motion passed with one abstention. 

LEGAL CLINICS AND MPD MOU: Bliss Suh provided information about the upcoming legal clinic.There will be many offerings in addition to expungement, and many services will be available after the clinic, including getting driver’s licenses. Metropolitan Public Defenders needs a signed MOU, which was discussed. Bliss made a motion to approve the MOU provisionally, but hold on signing for three days in case a board member has a concern. Serena Li seconded. The motion passed with two abstentions. 

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY UPDATE: Mary Tompkins provided an update on efforts and activities of the Safe Blocks Program. The resource fair was well attended and they intend to have them quarterly. Jennifer Wilcox is working on an additional resource fair for September as well. 

Mary shared that the decorative lighting project and resurfacing of the basketball court have been completed. She and Bobby Hamiton are working with Going Home II, and collaborating with Portland Parks, on activities this summer and through the fall, to better activate the park. Vancouver Avenue First Baptist also intends to hold events through the winter. It would help to have someone take on coordinating events and opportunities related to the park. He notes that a lot of groups are doing great work but doing so in silos, and opportunities for collaboration are being missed. ENA is willing to host a community calendar of Dawson Park on our website. Jennifer suggested a business card we could distribute so that people know they can promote their events through the ENA website. Bobby will reach out to Parks about adding a link to their Dawson Park page pointing to ENA’s community calendar.

There was a discussion about the mayor’s office event in Dawson Park on July 6. The event was not coordinated with the neighborhood, and people were caught off guard. It was not well received. We are interested in better communication with the city, and more collaboration.

AUGUST BLOCK PARTY: Serena Li has registered a permit for a block party on Rodney, and asks for ideas and volunteers. Pat made a motion to allocate up to $250 for food for the event. Jennifer seconded and the motion passes unanimously. 

VOA MRC UPDATE: Tessa shared that the first graduate from STEP is doing great, and they continue to host four other participants. They are having a block party on August 15 from 4-7pm on NE Sacramento adjacent to their building. All are welcome. 

NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATES 

Eliot News: We still need articles.

Treasurer’s Report: Jennifer reported that ENA has $4,022.17 in the bank.

LUTC Update: Andrew Champion shared three items from the last LUTC meeting: A neighbor is concerned about tree cutting associated with the development on Graham, but there is nothing LUTC can do. Secondly the parking committee sent a letter to the Blazers about subsidizing parking permits. The implementation is fuzzy at the moment. Lastly Allan is looking for volunteers to write grants for the Fremont Bridgehead reclamation project. They are most particularly looking for people who have been displaced from Albina to participate. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: Sunshine Dixon from I Am MORE shared that the Reclaiming Black Joy event is coming up on July 8, 4-8pm in Dawson Park, and they could appreciate volunteers to help with setup and tear down. She would welcome an ENA information table at the event. 

ADJOURN: Jimmy adjourned the meeting at 9pm.