Eliot Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes Monday 6/17/2024

Posted on by Serena Li

Submitted by Laura Fay – Approved July 15, 2024

Eliot Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes – Approved

Monday 06/17/2024
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Cascadia Garlington Health Center
3036 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

BOARD ATTENDEES

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

GUESTS

  • Sam Adams – Candidate for Multnomah County District 2
  • Sgt Jorge Mendoza – North Precinct NRT
  • Chuck G – North Precinct
  • Shelly Devens – Cascadia

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:Jimmy Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.

REVIEW MEETING AGREEMENTS: The meeting agreements were posted and reviewed.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Sam Adams was invited to introduce himself as a candidate for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. He shared that he was running to get cities and the county working together offering better services, especially for those experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues. Having grown up in subsidized housing, expanding subsidized housing stock is a high priority. 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 20TH MEETING: Andrew Champion called for a motion to approve the minute from the May 20, 2024 meeting. Kathryn LePore seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY: Sgt. Jorge Mendoza reported on recent work. They have been running regular missions around Dawson Park, the Lloyd Center and into Hollywood. They remain committed to Stanton and Williams. They know that the new traffic configuration on Stanton has pushed drug activity into the park and other adjacent areas.

Various neighbors have reported that the bus stop on NE Morris and N Williams is very active in the early morning hours, around 4am-7am. Several attendees noted the uptick in drug activity in the parking lot on the south side of the Stop and Go Market, a Home Forward property. We will work to engage with Home Forward around better vigilance of their property.    

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA’S MEN’S RESOURCE CENTER, GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT: Cassie Muilenberg reviewed the history of the amendment to ENA’s Good Neighbor Agreement with the Volunteers of America’s Men’s Resource Center. Cassie represents ENA on the Specialty Courts Advisory Board, while other ENA members are on the review committee for referrals to the MRC. 

Attendees noted that the MRC has been a good neighbor, while expressing concern that making this permanent change removes the incentive for MRC to continue being a good neighbor.

Jennifer Wilcox called for a motion to make permanent the amendment to the Good Neighbor Agreement. Bliss Suh seconds and the motion passes with two opposed, no abstentions.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES: It is noted that this is at least the second summer with no Parks programming in Dawson Park. Eliot being a one of several neighborhoods where the city is attempting to break up gun violence, it is worth asking Parks about their plans or lack thereof. Noting that it is the mission of Safe Blocks, it may be worth asking if they would coordinate with Park on programming.to better activate the park.

Serena informed on plans so far for a yard sale/swap meet-type event the weekend of July 13/14. A sub-group is meeting to make plans.    

ELIOT NEWS: Allan is committed to doing another issue before ENA’s fall General meeting, and is open to doing another issue over the summer. Jennifer notes that articles can go on ENA’s website for events that don’t fit in a newsletter. Allan shares that flyers are also an option. 

NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATES

NECN UPDATE:The NECN continues to onboard the incoming NAs.

TREASURER’S REPORT: there is $5,970.56 in the ENA account. ($2,000 of this is dedicated already)

LUTC UPDATE:There was a good conversation with a developer working on a property across from Tubman MS. Also the lower Eliot Event parking district pilot passed at the city council.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Cassie shared that the Specialty Courts received funding in the state’s special session. Cassie represents Eliot on the Specialty Court Advisory Committee, and attended a recent meeting with the Mental Health court judge. They heard about the unique challenges complicating placement. These placements are high needs and high risk. It requires partnership with communities understanding these complexities. Also the next resource fair will take place on August 6th in Dawson park, focusing on housing.

ADJOURN: Pat adjourned the meeting at 8:30pm

Next meeting Monday, July 15, 2024

No meeting in August