Eliot Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes Monday 4/15/2024

Posted on by Serena Li

Submitted by Laura Fay – Approved May 20, 2024

Eliot Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes – Approved

Monday 04/15/2024
7:00 – 8:30pm
Cascadia Garlington Health Center
3036 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

BOARD ATTENDEES

  • Patricia Montgomery – Co-Chair
  • Jimmy Wilson – Co-Chair
  • Cassie Muilenberg – Vice Community Outreach
  • Serena Li – Community Outreach
  • Laura Fay – Recorder
  • Andrew Champion
  • Alice Newman
  • Allan Rudwick
  • Bliss Suh (online)
  • Jennifer Wilcox

GUESTS

  • Fawn Aberson, Soul District Business Association
  • Mary Bedford-Carter, Cascade AIDS Project
  • Paul Lumley, Cascade AIDS Project
  • Sgt Jorge Mendoza, North Precinct

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Jimmy Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.

REVIEW MEETING AGREEMENTS: Jimmy reviewed the meeting agreements.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 18TH MEETING: Jennifer called for a motion to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2024 meeting. Serena Li seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY: Laura Fay shared a report from the Volunteers of America’s Men’s Resource Center, which currently has four STEP court clients. Tessa Fowler reports that they are all doing very well, with one set to graduate very soon. Tessa notes that April marks the one year anniversary of the expansion of our Good Neighbor Agreement, we will want to take additional action in the May meeting.

Laura also shared an update on the Public Environment Management Office’s plans for Stanton Street, and next steps to remove parking adjacent to Immaculate Heart church.  

Sgt Mendoza reported on the North Precinct’s recent activities on Stanton Street, and his conversations with community members. He noted that there have been times where, owing to staffing issues, the jails were closed for intake.

RESOURCE FAIR IN DAWSON PARK: Cassie Muilenberg presented on the housing resource fair in Dawson Park from 10am – 2pm on May 7.The fair features 20-30 different resource partners, and will offer whatever resources an attendee needs – housing, furniture, help with repairs, information on the housing preference policy, etc. There will also be hot food, a gift card raffle, music and, hopefully, vaccines. 

CASCADE AIDS PROJECTS’ NEW PRISM HEALTH CLINIC: Paul Lumley gave background on CAP, and how its programming has evolved over the years. Housing is their largest program.

Prism started in 2017 with a clinic on SE Belmont. They offer gender affirming health care to a population that may have a hard time accessing standard medical care. As a result they have a significant wait list, necessitating this new clinic on Dawson Park. General health care will be offered starting in June, while the pharmacy will open in the fall. 

SOUL DISTRICT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: Fawn Aberson introduced the work of the SDBA. They are working on systemic change, engaging the broader business community. They are working on new and renewing partnerships in Eliot and beyond, and look forward to using their megaphone to help ENA access additional resources. 

ELIOT NEWS: Allan Rudwick reports that the newsletter is almost done, however we need a letter from the chair or board. Jimmy and Allan will work together on this missing piece. 

Cassie suggests adding an article about Prism Health opening.

NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATES

NECN UPDATE: Jimmy reported on NECN, looking for “Champion” representatives to attend coalition meetings.He reminded attendees about coming charter changes. NECN will inherit 14 more neighborhoods, for a total of 26. 

TREASURER’S REPORT: After paying our annual nonprofit registration with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office, we have $4,359.44 in our account. 

LUTC UPDATE: There was no LUTC meeting, but a complaint letter was sent regarding the long-term closure of the sidewalk along the construction project on N Williams at N Fargo Street. 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Cassie shared that following ENA’s advocacy with County Commissioner Beason’s office for specialty court funding, Beason’s staff reported that the state is providing two year funding. Commissioner Beason had intended to advocate for funding in the county budget, but the state acted first. The county has offered $500 to support upcoming resource fairs. The county also intends to engage with the city effort on gun violence, and they hope to help with activating the former Nike community store. Lastly, Cassie recently attended PBOT’s  listening session on pedestrian improvements on MLK, and reported that there might be opportunities for community support for grant applications.

ADJOURN: Jimmy adjourned the meeting at 8:42 pm

Next meeting Monday, May 20, 2024