Minutes of Board Meeting
October 15, 2008
NSCC Green Room (College Center Building)

Directors Present:
Liz Kearns, Jerry Owens, Tom Meyer, and Ellen Beck.

Board Representatives Present:
Ken Thompson (North Precinct Representative).

Visitors:
Jean Wirch.

Our meeting fell on the evening of the last presidential debate. Everyone arrived having watched the debate and/or were taping it to watch later in the evening. We started out with a lot of discussion on politics and the debate!

Board Member Liz Kearns called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. She explained that Debra Willendorf was sick; Kay Mesirow was working in Little Rock; Kathleen Braden was hosting a group of students at her home for the debate; and Bruce Kieser had another meeting he had to attend.

Minutes:
The September 17, 2008 minutes were approved as presented.

There was no Treasurer’s Report.

OLD BUSINESS:

January Newsletter
Having a January Newsletter was discussed. Liz reminded us that we have credits for copying at the UPS Store. We should not forget to use these. Also, Debra has mentioned that people send her dues after receiving the “paper” Newsletter. This does not happen when the “electronic” Newsletter is sent out.

Liz said she needed articles for the January Newsletter, which should be sent to Debra, not Kay. She asked Ken Thompson to write a general article on the North Precinct monthly meetings that he attends.

Halloween 2008
Halloween at the Park will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. People were urged to attend as the event is fun for adults as well as kids. The children trick-or-treat around the pond, going to ten “stations” where the Friends of the Forest have goodies for them. Fiddle music is provided by Phil Ayres, and there is hot apple cider for the kids.

Liz reported going to Costco and speaking with Doug Tisdel, Warehouse Manager, and Kim Hildebrant. Liz had a copy of the donation request letter sent to Costco, which they had not seen since it was directed to Tom Edwards. Despite not having received our letter, they gave us four bags of candy! Each bag contained 250 pieces of candy. Thank you, Costco!!

Liz said that Betsy Wiell has asked if LSCC can pay for Halloween treats, if the donations received are not enough for the number of children expected. Discussion was had and it was determined that any deficit can be made up by the LSCC treasury.

Land Use
Tom Meyer reported that he has checked permits received for the last three months. He said that activity was lower and that there was not a lot going on in recent months. The majority of activity was in the area around Wilson Pacific School (platting to get unit lots zoned). Other than that, it was mostly small projects.

It was mentioned that the Marshall School is now empty. Discussion was had about possibilities for the property.

North Precinct
Ken reported that the keynote speaker at last month’s meeting was the judge who is involved in Community Court, which meets with defendants after release and supervises community service.

NEW BUSINESS:

Meetings in 2009
We discussed meeting topics for 2009. One meeting could focus on the Neighborhood Plans Review. Another meeting could focus on the Department of Planning and Development and mega houses.

Northwest District Council
Jerry Owens reported on the Northwest District Council. The Council has been involved in revising the group’s Bylaws. There is also a lot of discussion about Mercer Street.

The Neighborhood Plans Review is still in flux according to what Jerry hears. The mayor is still trying to get the Review to be department driven! Once the Review is underway, the focus initially will be on the south end – Rainier Avenue area and South Park since these communities are dealing with light rail.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 19, 2008.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ellen M. Beck, Secretary