MVNA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – April 30, 2007

MINUTES

 

Welcome:  The Spring general membership meeting of Mountain View Neighborhood Association began at 7:05 pm in Conference Room C at St. Charles Medical Center.  MVNA Chair, Jeanne Newton, welcomed approximately 45 attendees and distributed membership forms for new members in attendance.

 

Jeanne introduced the current Board members and indicated that Perry Graves and Max Ross would be ending their year of service and two new Board members were needed.  Continuing Board members are: Jim Mazziotti, Vice Chair, Carolyn Clontz, secretary, Alan Eames, Maxine Hanson, Wayne Holland and Deb Kraus.  Jeanne also introduced Eloisa Chavez who is the Neighborhood Association contact at the City of Bend.

 

Jeanne referred members to one of their handouts which explains the Deschutes River/Community Clean Up which will take place on Saturday, May 12 beginning at 9 am with coffee at Les Schwab amphitheatre and continuing from 10 am to 1 pm at our location in the parking lot of Mountain View High School.  She encouraged members to help pick up litter from streets and sidewalks and passed around a sign up sheet.

She also referenced an information sheet on the 911 levy which is on the May 15 ballot and encouraged members to vote as the measure requires a double majority for passage.   Meeting evaluation forms were also distributed for return at the end of the meeting.

 

Jeanne explained that the format of the meeting was to provide an update on activities going on in our area of the city and to provide members with an open forum to obtain their input.  She referred to the handout which listed MVNA’s Mission Statement – from our Bylaws

• organized for educational, social and charitable purposes; to maintain, protect and enhance the livability and sense of community of the neighborhood

• approved by Bend’s City Council in February, 2003.

 

UPDATES

A.  Parks

Jeanne indicated that the MVNA Board met with Bend Park & Rec in November to understand progress on Al Moody Park and plans for Pine Nursery Park.  Work has progressed on Al Moody and the improvements to  Mt. View Park (off Conners) are complete.  With the decline in housing starts, the Parks budget has been impacted by reduced SDCs.  Erin Bennett, the new park steward described her purpose and duties; she cannot write citations however can refer problems to the Police Department and encouraged members to do the same when they see violations occur; use the non-emergency number 693-6911.  Both Providence and Mt. View parks are being fertilized so pets and children should not use them for a short period.  Big Sky is the only authorized dog off-leash park; some water pipes broke at the park and are being fixed so dried out areas will be repaired.  Another off-leash park is being considered for the west side, possible Hillside Park.  Al Moody park will have landscaping begun in May. Ensworth Elementary School is adopting the park so they can use the trails.  Erin mentioned the new recreation guide is out and that registration begins May 8.  When asked about geese and efforts at birth control, she indicated that current methods haven’t been very successful but new methods are being tried.  She reminded members that the off-lease citation fee is $250.

 

B.  Land Use

Jeanne said that MVNA maintains a database of Land Use applications for our geography but there has been little activity in last 6 months; MVNA worked with other NAs and City Planning to approve 2 documents used in land application process to require more information from developers at public meetings so we would have a more realistic idea of what developers are planning to build.  She indicated that commercial building is increasing throughout the City.

 

Jeanne referenced a map of the Urban Growth Boundary Expansion (courtesy of the Bulletin) and distributed limited copies of the copyrighted information; she noted that most of the expansion area is in the NE section of the city and noted that the map indicates a proposed major sewer collector line going down 27th street.  The boundaries are expected to be final in 2008.

 

C.  Traffic & Safety Issues

Jeanne described the various meetings she attends to stay informed on transportation issues; they are Bend’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) monthly, the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) monthly and the Central Oregon Advisory Committee on Transportation (COACT) bi-monthly.  She also represents MVNA as a member of ODOT’s Citizen Advisory Committee on US97/20 realignment.

 

Jeanne reported that a Traffic Safety Audit Training was held this spring with meeting space donated by Mid-Oregon Credit Union.  Twenty people attended sessions conducted by City Engineering staff to provide residents with the same evaluation criteria the City uses to determine traffic safety exposures; more participation from members is encouraged; if interested, please contact Jeanne via email at mountainviewneighborhood@att.net.  Jeanne was asked what the City does with the data; she indicated that they evaluate it and appreciate citizen input.

 

Jeanne described the Empire Extension project which has been on the City’s planning board for at least 10 years.  Two public meetings have been held, the second in January which raised concerns from residents with questions about access along Butler Market, the roundabout vs. signal at Empire/27th intersection and pedestrian safety.  MVNA and residents requested follow-on meeting to address concerns: held March 27; project about 30% designed; more follow-up needed: Jeanne has a limited number of copies of Q&A provided by the City at the March meeting.  She indicated that current plans show the first roundabout will be build at Empire and 18th and either a signal or roundabout will be build at Empire and Purcell.  Jeanne has encouraged the City to keep MVNA in the loop about plans and the educational programs to train residents on how to use a double lane roundabout.  One member asked about needed a left arrow on the signal at Butler Market and 27th to enable safe left turns from Butler Market onto 27th going south.  Another member mentioned that left turns from Wells Acres onto 27th are also a hazard with people having to use the center turn lane to wait until traffic clears to proceed.

 

Jeanne briefed the members on Bend’s Transportation System Plan (TSP) written in 2000 which included a section on monitoring truck traffic volumes and noise once Empire is connected to 27th; she told members that  on March 5, the Council deleted the section but agreed to consider possible ordinances on noise levels: MVNA corrected Councilor misinformation and reminded Council of unique nature of 27th Street corridor which Jeanne illustrated on the map of MVNA geography showing the many senior and assisted living facilities as well as hospital and medical offices.  Jeanne stated that truck noise and diesel fumes are particular concerns of hers and asked members if they shared her concern; there was strong agreement that these issues should be monitored.   Jeanne is a member of the newly re-formed Clean Air Committee which has DEQ involvement; she will focus on the health impacts of poor air quality.  She indicated there is a single air quality monitoring device in Central Oregon and it is located near COCC.   A question was asked about why the City does not want to consider an eastside bypass; Jeanne indicated that the City can’t do much about an eastside north-south route as long as the UGB does not extend far enough to allow it; the existing roads that could be used are County property.

 

D.  Future Transportation Projects

Jeanne described projects that will impact our neighborhood geography; whether these will take place will be determined by City Council and by available funding: 

·         Transportation Projects from Bend’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program:

1.      Boyd Acres/Empire signal:  2007-2008

2.      Empire Extension, 18th to Butler Market:  2008-2010

3.      Neff Road improvements: 2007-2009: improve intersection at Neff & Purcell; highest accident rate in the City; improve corridor from 8th to 27th

 

·         Transportation Projects from Bend MPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan (draft):

      Short term:  2007-2012

1.      27th Street from Butler Market to Neff: widen roadway to 5 lanes

2.      Empire Avenue from 18th to Purcell: add one travel lane in each direction

3.      Empire Avenue at 18th; construct multi-lane roundabout

4.      Empire Avenue at Purcell: construct multi-lane roundabout

            Longer term:  2012-2017

5.      Empire Avenue from Boyd Acres to 18th: add one travel lane in each direction

6.      Empire Avenue from 3rd Street to Parkway: add one travel lane in each direction

7.      Empire Avenue from Parkway to Boyd Acres: add one travel lane in each direction

8.      27th Street at Neff Road: construct roundabout.

 

E.  Bend Area Transit: 

Jeanne mentioned that the bus stops are being made ADA compliant with the first one completed at the NW corner of 27th & Conners; additional improvements are planned on Wells Acres Transit route 5.

 

F.  Election of New Board Members

Jeanne explained the duties and responsibilities of a Board member and asked for nominations.  Frank Spiegel and Joseph Brinkley were nominated and elected by a simple majority of the members present.

 

G.  Membership, Budget, Website

Jeanne reported that our current membership is 330 members and commented that more members means more clout with the City.  She provides the City Council with an annual update on June 6.  The best way to recruit members is at city events like Winterfest where people seem to be willing to join.  Jeanne said MVNA is hoping to encourage Business Member recruiting: we are developing a PowerPoint presentation to use in recruiting business members; hoping for sponsor support.   Our budget is based on a dollar amount per tax lot and we are hoping for an increase to $1.25 per tax lot.  Jeanne encouraged members to visit the website at  www.bendneighorhoods.org  Click on: Neighborhood Websites, click on: Mountain View Neighborhood Association where Board meeting minutes provide a lot of information about what is going on between the general member meetings.

 

Jeanne opened the floor to comments, questions.  One member suggested that we have cookies again at our next meeting.  Another voiced a concern about small lots with huge houses and the social impact it has on families.  Jeanne responded that Oregon requires cities to have urban growth boundaries to contain sprawl and it reduces the amount of land that can be developed.  It is a state-wide issue, not just in Bend.  Jeanne reassured members that it is a concern of the Board as well.

 

Wayne Holland, a Board member, shared that he wrote a letter to the City about a nuisance lot citing specific codes; the City code enforcement staff stepped in and enforced the code.  Jeanne encouraged members to pick up a card that has various City agency contact numbers; the number for abandoned vehicles on public property has changed to 312-7972.

 

H. MVNA Challenges

Jeanne reviewed the ongoing challenges that MVNA faces which are:

·         Grow membership, particularly with area business owners

·         Best recruiting method – neighbor to neighbor – brochures available

·         Continue to monitor and influence development projects

·         Continue to monitor impacts on 27th Street

·         Continue to develop partnerships with other NAs, community groups

·         Continue to identify issues and concerns of MVNA members.

 

She announced the Fall General Membership Meeting – Monday, October 15, 7 pm, St. Charles Med. Ctr.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.