GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – October 15, 2007

MINUTES

 

·         The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm by Jeanne Newton, MVNA Chair.  October, 2007 represents the third year anniversary of MVNA.  Board members were introduced and new members were asked to complete membership forms.

·         Jeanne canvassed the group to determine how they learned of the meeting; while many saw the banner at the corner of Neff and 27th street, most learned about the meeting from the mailed brochure.

·         Jeanne briefly covered the mission statement from the bylaws for MVNA.

·         Jeanne reviewed the current membership total of 391 and reported that this represents an increase of 100 members over October, 2006. 

·         She asked how many at the meeting have used the NA website; a small number had.  She encouraged members to go to www.bendneighorhoods.org, click on Neighborhood Websites, click on Mountain View.  She indicated that the website has minutes of all general and Board meetings, member updates and a number of resources such as information on Neighborhood Watch, Homeowner Associations (HOA) , Code Enforcement , Avoiding Identity Theft. etc.

·         Jeanne reviewed various traffic and safety issues as follows:

·         Bend’s Traffic Engineering staff has over 55 requests for local street projects; have established ranking criteria; includes traffic counts, speed, pedestrian traffic, crash history, etc.

·         9 of 30 are in our geography and 3 exceed in traffic counts and excessive speed:  Holiday, Daggett Lane and Tucson

·         also working on a westbound turn phase for the signal at 27th and  Butler Market

·         Empire Extension project progress slowed with re-evaluation and prioritization of all traffic projects in the City; where will the money come from?

·         A question was asked about widening Eagle Rd instead of widening 27th with the members indicating that they have been in favor of an eastside bypass route before the Parkway was built

·         Clear Choice continuing to advocate signal to be located at Conners & 27th; stop signs to be placed on Tucson when light is installed.

·         Jeanne reviewed the various land use applications underway in our geography as follows:

·         MVNA participates in developer public meetings with residents

·         16 applications received in 2007; largest subdivision of 40 homes under construction off 27th

·         Application expected for 96 apartment complex on east side of 27th near Forum; designed like ones near Fred Meyer

·         Deschutes National Forest administration building coming in 2010 in Bend Pine Nursery; concern with additional traffic impact on Deschutes Market and NE corridor

·         Juniper Ridge project under scrutiny; development agreement being completed

·         Jeanne discussed reports of vandalism and thefts in the neighborhood as follows:

·         Mountain View Park on Conners has had episodes of vandalism, graffiti, dog waste

·         Nearby neighbors are asked to monitor area and report violations to BMPRD or Police Dept.

·         Vandalism occurring in area near Pilot Butte; see website for info on reporting incidents to BPD

·         Concerned neighbors are encouraged to develop a Neighborhood Watch program; contact BPD

·         She added that Deb Kraus, one of our Board Members is our liaison to the Park Department and members are encouraged to contact her with questions or concerns.

·         Another area of concern is code enforcement as a result of Bend’s increased growth and housing density which make code enforcement issues more obvious.

·         Jeanne reported that Bend has two active Code Enforcement officers who are part of the Building

            Division of the Community Development Department

• Residents with a concern are encouraged to educate themselves on code violations; see MVNA’s website under Resources for a link to the section of Bend Code describing the violations
• A link to the Code Complaint form is included as well as direct phone numbers for common complaints
• Complaint forms and contact numbers were available at the meeting
• MVNA has asked the Asst. City Manager to develop a nuisance ordinance to address repeat offenders for non-criminal violations

·         Jeanne next reported on MVNA’s efforts to recruit Business Members as follows:

·         MVNA created a PowerPoint presentation to recruit Business Members

·         Established 4 support levels, Bronze to Platinum from $25 to $200

·         Three current Charter Members:

o        The Forum Shops – Platinum Level

o        Clear Choice Health Plans – Platinum Level

o        MidOregon Credit Union – Platinum Level

·         Jeanne also thanked  Roger Frei from Clear Choice for the printing of the handouts for the meeting

·         Jeanne reviewed the City budget funds for communications which was increased from $1.02 to $1.25 per tax lot, however because MVNA mails to both property owners and residents, mailing costs continue to exceed current funding. Business sponsor funds are separate from the City grant which is restricted to communications.  MVNA has opened a business checking account for the donated funds.

·         Jeanne summarized the update by listing the continuing challenges for MVNA:

·         Grow membership, particularly with area business owners

·         Continue to identify issues and concerns of MVNA members

·         Continue to monitor City Traffic Engineering activities.

·        Jeanne reported that nominations were open for the Chair and two Board member positions; she indicated both she and Deb Kraus were willing to serve another term; she asked for nominations for the open Board position:  Nona Wright offered to serve; no other nominations were received.  A motion to elect the nominees was made by Jim Perko, seconded by Van VanGelderen and the motion carried.   

·        Members were referred to the handout which listed the agency guests and a brief description of each agency.  Jeanne encouraged members to talk with the agency representatives to learn about the valuable services they provide, especially since they are located within our neighborhood geography.  The agencies represented were:

 

DESCHUTES CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION – Jan Eggleston

·         www.deschuteschildrensfoundation.org

·         Deschutes Children's Foundation campuses are home to 29 nonprofit organizations impacting tens of thousands of children and families in need every year

·         Building a $3.9 million east-side facility off Daggett Lane next to Al Moody Park

·         Will expand space for MountainStar Family Relief Nursery and 9 other programs

·         East-side facility will serve 3000 additional children and families each year

 

HOSPICE HOUSE – Ethel Stratton

·         www.hospicecenterbend.org

·         Formerly Hospice of Bend-La Pine; began with volunteers in 1979

·         Opened the first free standing Hospice House in Oregon with 6 suites available to any hospice patient in the region

·         Committed to delivering excellence in care and focused on treating the whole person while keeping the patient and family at the center of the care-giving circle

·         Also provides bereavement, grief support, spiritual counseling and other social services

 

RONALD MACDONALD HOUSE – Patty Davis

·         www.rmhcofcentraloregon.org

·         Provides a home away from home for families of pediatric patients who travel to Bend for treatment

·         part of an international network serving children and families in 50 countries; locally funded and controlled

·         idea began in Philadelphia in 1969; research in Bend in 1991 indicated 56% of patients served in Bend are from outside Deschutes County

·         construction began in 1995 and the House opened in 1997; it has served over 2000 families to date

SMART – Start Making A Reader Today – Tom Jenkins

·        www.getsmartoregon.org

·         Volunteers share one hour a week each year reading to a Kindergarten through third grade student; Juniper Elementary is closest to MVNA

·         SMART’s vision is an Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed

·         Last year 800+ volunteers helped out at 21 local schools reading over 16,000 hours

·         1 in 3 Oregon 4th graders reads below the basic level so this extra reading support helps make it more likely that children will remain in school through high school graduation

·         SMART's little readers think the best part of SMART is the 2 new, free books they are given each month

·         Last year, SMART was unable to serve 100 children identified by teachers due to lack of volunteers

VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE CLINIC OF THE CASCADES – Kristi Jacobs

·         www.vim-cascades.org

·         VIM is a non-profit medical clinic serving low income, uninsured families in Deschutes County

·         VIM provides outpatient primary care for people who do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare and have no insurance of any kind

·         VIM is staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, interpreters and other community members

·         VIM is supported financially by individuals, organizations, foundations and businesses; it receives no local, state or federal funding

·         Since opening in 2004, VIM has served more than 10,000 patients in Deschutes County

 

 

·         Prior to the close of the business meeting, Jeanne reminded attendees that in return for their completed evaluation form, they would be eligible for the raffle of a $25. Safeway gift card.  The raffle took place at 8:10 pm and was won by Doris Thompson.  The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.