Eliot Neighborhood Association

Board Meeting Minutes

Apr 21, 2025 7:00 PM at St. Philip the Deacon

Attendees

Board

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

Guests

Dora DeCoursey
William Spangle
Dan Ryan – Portland City Council
Kezia Wanner – Ryan Staffer
Dan Romanowski – PPB North NRT
Davor Lukic – PPB North NRT
Alex Garcia – Multnomah County District Attorney
Shelley Devens – Cascadia Health
Wrylen Holsapple – Cascadia Health
Jared Melton – PBOT Parking Enforcement
Rolando C. Rogers
Rae-Leigh Stark – PBOT
Phil Conti

Public Comment

None

Approve Minutes

Altered “Cascadia Behavioral Health” to “Cascadia Health”
Motion: Allan | Second: Andrew | Approved: unanimously

Councillor Dan Ryan on District 2, and Q&A

Mayor Wilson is about to announce a balanced budget with significant cuts. Dan [Ryan] believes that the city needs a “basics budget” for public safety and transportation to improve the city’s livability and reverse the outmigration of families, what he calls the city’s “bread and butter” for revenue. He does not believe that the city can finance progressive policy until revenues recover.

Dan criticized county administration on public health for closing services without replacing them, and for not providing onsite mental health at Safe Rest Villages.

His continued remarks talked about streamlining the permitting process, increasing 911, Fire, and PPB staffing to reduce wait times and employeeemplotee overtime, as well as supporting community centers, but stated that the “City of Portland Foundation” will need to substantially cut its grants.

Jimmy urged Dan to keep community programs funded. The councilor reiterated his support for these programs.

Laura presented a question from James Posey, asking for support to fix the Billy Webb Elks Club and replace Stop & Go with a cultural or visitor center for Eliot/Albina. Dan was noncommittal.

Cassie expressed frustration about the lack of what’s-next thinking about the store at Williams & Stanton. What does proactive city govt look like in this scenario and how to get the three councilors to help. Dan offered a staffer to join a meeting with ENA co-chairs, PEMO, and a principal from the store. Pat asked Dan to preserve funding for PEMO.

Andrew expressed years of frustration with the city’s response to the Dawson Park area and askedarea asked how to get the city to take more decisive action. Dan suggested voting for more independent-thinking city leaders with less interest in reelection.

Allan urged Dan to engage with volunteer efforts to improve the city, particularly with respect to the Rose Quarter freeway project.

[Unknown] asked how different the experience is between being a commissioner and a councillor. Dan said that he liked taking a hands-on approach to managing bureaus and steering them in the direction of customer service.

Cascadia Health Community Needs Report (Shelly, Wrylen)

The survey began with an understanding that there is a shortage of housing and behavioral health care, among other things. It identified the need for more detox services, lamented the loss of CHIERS by Central City Concern, and states that crisis and followup services are falling short.

Majorities in the survey felt housing, food, and wage insecurity.

Wrylen highlighted the need to close the gap between being discharged from the hospital and receiving long-term care.

Annual Area Parking Permits for Residents Near Moda (Jared)

Area Parking Permits (APP) are structured for two hour limits, and timing vehicles makes the window closer to 2:30. Parking Enforcement is struggling to return in that timeframe. Jared believes that a 90 minute limit would be easier and proposed meters with walking enforcement that would allow them to come and go from the zone.

Neighborhood Safety

Alex feels stretched thin due to DA office funding and warned that his position may be cut.

Stop n Go case: there is a further proceedings status date next week, and the case is on schedule to resolve in 6-12 months. House Bill 3946 to close the distance-to-school loophole for preschools is working its way through the legislature, but is not retroactive.

Laura asked for comment on the March retail theft mission. Alex says that except at his discretion, any drug delivery charges will be sent to the DA office drug unit.

Dan [Romanowski] says that arrested dealers are aware of court backlogs and dismissals.

Bylaw Update

The update allows votes to be taken by email, in step with other NAs that adopted the practice during COVID.

Motion: Laura | Second: Jennifer | Abstention: Jimmy | Absent: Allan | Approve: all others

Neighborhood Updates

NECN Update

NECN recently held a retreat. There were many meetings on funding. The group is also helping neighborhoods with compliance, and he reports that Eliot is one of eight with 100% compliance.

Treasurer’s Report

OnPoint transition should be underway when Secretary of State registration with current officers is updated. Jennifer suggested funding the mandatory OnPoint savings account with the Knott substation grant.

LUTC Update

No April meeting.

Community Outreach

No updates. Resource fair on May 6.

Adjournment

Adjourned at 8:29 pm