Eliot Neighborhood Association

Board Meeting Minutes

Mar 17, 2025 7:00 PM at Garlington Center

Attendees

Board

Laura Fay – Co-Chair
Pat Montgomery – Co-Chair
Serena Li – Community Outreach
Andrew Champion – Recorder
Jennifer Wilcox – Treasurer
Anders Hart
Kathryn LePore
Allan Rudwick
Bliss Suh
Jimmy Wilson

Guests

Wrylen Holsapple – Cascadia Health
Robb Lawrence – CAP/Prism Health Morris
Mary Tompkins – Safe Blocks
Molly Esteve – Safe Blocks
Lisa Dodson – Resident
Tom Namba – PPB
Shelley Devens – Cascadia Health
Rocio Garcia – Safe Blocks
Dora DeCoursey – Resident
Bill Spangle – Resident
MarQuea Holford – Cascadia Health 
Alex Garcia – Multnomah County District Attorney

Public Comment

Andrew: spoke at length about the Stop N Go Mini Mart, expressing his frustration for the board’s 2022 handling of the store, vis-a-vis its treatment of him. He concluded by urging the board to believe victims.

Shelley Devens: Cascadia Behavioral Health has completed its 3-year community needs assessment and will be bringing it to ENA.

Approve Minutes

Motion: Laura, seconded: Allan, approved: unanimously.

Community Safety

Donald Sharma, operator of the Stop N Go Mini Mart on N Williams & Stanton, was arrested, then the premises were searched on 3/3/25. The charges include multiple narcotics and firearm felonies.

Alex says that the investigation remains open, and that many charges will be consolidated into one that is subject to enhanced sentencing guidelines. Although the store is near a preschool, further enhancement is precluded by the state’s definition of a “school.”

Community members noted that the store has reopened: Alex is not aware of this, but reminded attendees that Donald is innocent until proven guilty. Donald has retained defense, his next court date is April 8, trial is likely six months away, and the district attorney will make an offer in the interim.

Pat observed that drug dealing still gravitates around the store.

Laura reported that Donald intends to end the lease, landlords are weighing eviction if necessary, and that another operator is inquiring.

Members discussed a board position on the next operator of the store gaining licenses to sell alcohol and tobacco, then whether the store can be repurposed to something else. There were no conclusions.

Safe Blocks

The City of Portland is working under the assumption that Byrne Grant funding will continue despite the current political environment and Portland’s status as a sanctuary city.

Rocio presented Drug Take Back: Safe Blocks will be collecting drugs for DEA disposal in exchange for contributions to the Sunshine Division. PPB will host the event.

Molly presented Placemaking for Peace: initiative goals for this project include impacting public safety and increasing community trust. Community feedback indicates desire for more events and the return of children at Dawson Park.

Mary identified next steps for Safe Blocks: event planning in Dawson Park, engagement with neighbors and organizations, gathering the perspectives of Tubman Middle School students, as well as lending support to both the mini mart corner and the Soul Stroll by Miracles.

Allan asked if we had a list of requests for Safe Blocks: Mary confirmed that ENA has not actually been engaged.

Jimmy expressed concern about the slow rollout of Byrne funds: Molly explained the delay as difficulty getting out of the blocks, and Tom blamed the city’s pre-2025 charter.

Group members expressed frustration that permitted events at Dawson Park are not allowed during the ongoing art installation (“boulders”) enhancement project sponsored by Safe Blocks.

Association Events

Dumpster Day

No vendors or grants are lined up yet.

Ice Cream Social

Laura: details pending.

Block Parties

Allan drafted a form for grant applications.

Resource Fair

MarQuea and Mary discussed closing N Stanton Street in lieu of permitted events in Dawson Park. Kathryn and Laura volunteered to write the application to PBOT.

Neighborhood Updates

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer is absent. A check from Metro Defenders for the recent Expungement Clinic is in the association mailbox.

LUTC Update

Committee collaborated with Anders to write a letter to Metro, asking that it vote against the Rose Quarter freeway expansion.

Allan applied for an NECN small grant to continue the Fremont Bridgehead project, and sought board support. Motion: Allan, seconded: Laura, approved: unanimously.

The board held a brief and informal discussion of the Hill Block groundbreaking at N Williams & Russell.

Adjournment

Adjourned at 8:24 pm