Submitted by Laura Fay – Approved October 21, 2024

Eliot Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes – Approved

Monday 09/16/2024
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Cascadia Garlington Health Center
3036 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

• BOARD ATTENDEES
• Pat Montgomery – Co-Chair
• Jimmy Wilson – Co-Chair
• Cassie Muilenberg – Community Outreach
• Laura Fay – Recorder
• Andrew Champion
• Kathryn LePore
• Allan Rudwick
• Bliss Suh
• Jennifer Wilcox

GUESTS

• Shelley Devens – Cascadia Health
• Michael Fesser – Going Home 2
• Dana Holdge – Going Home 2
• Marquisa Holford – Cascadia Health
• Mary Tompkins – Safe Blocks
• The Going Home 2 team

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

REVIEW MEETING AGREEMENTS: Jimmy reviewed the meeting agreements.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Andrew Champion noted that the VOA stopped giving updates after the update to our Good Neighbor Agreement was approved. Cassie Muilenberg will follow up with the VOA about getting an update.

Kathryn LePore shared that Going Home II is holding a community forum from 6-pm on 9/18 at De La Salle North, for attendees to share what’s impacting them and our community.

Michael Fessler of Going Home II shared information about the organization’s work.In addition to operating a recovery resource center offering peer support, housing, employment specialists, etc, they operate residential recovery houses. Additionally they do violence intervention. They see that gang-related gun violence is down, and much of the city’s current gun violence is related to the houseless community. They are an active presence in the community, and we can reach out to them for help and support.

Allan shared that the Albina Vision Trust had a big dinner last night with lots of folks including former Governor Brown, trumpeting the $600 million they have for their project. 

APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 15TH MEETING: Andrew called for a motion to approve the minutes from the July 15th meeting. Jennifer seconds and the motion passes unanimously. 

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY: Laura shared that there is a new Neighborhood Response Team contact for North Precinct. Sgt Tom Namba can be reached at Thomas.Namba@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-953-6616.

Mary Tompkins noted that Safe Blocks is covering the cost of installing bollards in the Dawson Park, with Byrne grant funding. 

Cassie shared that there was a time when there was dedicated violence intervention happening in Dawson Park, and this is something we would like to see resume. She also noted that funding is frequently a barrier that prevents community groups from adopting Dawson Park. Through either Safe Blocks or through another city department, who would we talk to about advocating for that?

Mary shared that in the past Love is Stronger was a presence, and that various other groups have held one-off events in the park. From her perspective the summer has been going really well. 

Cassie put forward that ENA may want to think about writing a letter advocating for regular violence intervention in the park.

Andrew shared park activation pushes drug dealing and associated behaviors back onto Stanton Street, and that there’s no follow through on the displacement. 

Cassie noted that there is a difference between park activation and violence intervention.

In response to a question from Jimmy, Mary noted that we can speak with her about additional safety projects that might qualify for Byrne grant funding. 

Cassie shared statistics about Dawson Park gun violence, 2019-2024. Generally gun violence has decreased in the city and the neighborhood, however it is concentrating around Dawson Park. The shooting in July was the highest number of casings recovered in an incident this year. There were fewer shootings in 2023, when Love is Stronger was active in the park. We have evidence that dedicated violence prevention programs work.

Mary noted that Safe Blocks has recently hired a coordinator for Byrne Grant funding. When that person is up to speed, we can ask to speak with them about future funding. 

SUMMER ACTIVITIES: Bliss Suh noted that we talked in a previous meeting about holding a monthly event on Stanton Street. This Saturday we will hold another monthly yard sale on Stanton, 10am-2pm. Volunteers are welcome and appreciated to help with setup at 9am, and breakdown at 2pm. 

She also shared that we are seeking a location for the next expungement clinic, tentatively set for October 18, noon – 5pm. The Garlington Center is probably not available, and we are working on other options. Cassie and Kathryn are interested in being involved. 

ENA ENDORSEMENT ON LETTER SUPPORTING KERBY STREET PROJECT: Allan talked about the Fremont Bridgehead Reclamation Project, and shared a letter he would like ENA to endorse supporting the city’s application for a planning grant. The grant proposal includes three components: 1) studying shortening the Kerby St off-ramp, 2) studying moving the city’s maintenance yard, and 3) creating a community vision for the space.

Allan called for a motion to conditionally approve the letter, pending any additional edits called for by Jimmy and Pat. Bliss seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 

ELIOT NEWS: Allan is looking for ideas for articles for the next issue. He suggests an article on the new parking program in lower Eliot, and the expungement fair. Pat Montgomery encouraged Going Home II to submit an article about their work. Jennifer suggested an article about the monthly Stanton community events. 

NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATES

NECN UPDATE:Jimmy shared that the NECN continues to work to support all the neighborhood associations now assigned to it. In order to make sure all voices are heard they have delayed their planned board elections, but are holding mock elections tomorrow (Tuesday, 9/17) so that their process is clear. Laura added that we will soon have information about Communications funding and NECN’s Small Grants program.

TREASURER’S REPORT: There was no update

LUTC UPDATE:There was no update

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Cassie reported that there was a Specialty Court Advisory Meeting last month. She will provide a full report in a followup email. They are adding a Veterans’ Treatment Court. They had a report from the DUI Court that following a dip in referrals in recent years they are now getting back to capacity. They believe that with traffic units active again they are simply more eligible clients in the system.

Marquisa Holford shared that there will be a resource fair the first Tuesday in October, 10am-2pm in Dawson Park, focused on housing and employment. 

ADJOURN: Jimmy adjourned the meeting at 8:28pm