Amazon Neighbors Steering Committee
Minutes, June 9, 2010

Attending: Randy and Erik (co-facilitators,) Jon, Connie, Wilma, Tasker, Ann, Phyllis O’Neill (8 neighbors)

April minutes: approved.

Announcements and Reports:

Treasurer’s report: No change in account balance.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Study Group Report: Tasker passed out examples of the survey developed by the neighborhood study group. About 20 surveys were collected at the May General Meeting; survey forms will also be distributed at the Summer Potluck in August. The group is seeking input from bicyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users.

Land Use Planning: Jon briefed us on the progress of the city Land Use process to develop a comprehensive plan for urban growth. He handed out a useful sheet providing information about the Envision Eugene project. Three meetings for public participation have been scheduled, the last one to take place on June 23. After evaluating input from the public sessions, and from a community group, city staff will make proposals, which will go to the Planning Commission, and thence to the City Council for approval/disapproval/revision. The first step, assessment of land needs, has been completed, and the next step is to determine ways to use available land more efficiently. Rezoning? Nodal development? Jon welcomes feedback for the advisory committee on which he sits.

Bob also brought up the issue of EWEB selling water to Veneta, a proposal which the City Council is currently deliberating. Bob welcomes feedback for the EWEB commission.

Map Your Neighborhood: Randy introduced a new city program for emergency preparedness, “Map your neighborhood,” something less cumbersome than the previous CERT program. A training DVD is available (we watched a small segment,) as well as a well-designed instructional booklet. Discussion followed. The feasibility of organizing neighborhood meetings in Amazon is complicated by the fact that half our population is transient. Connie suggested that permanent residents be encouraged to “adopt” a rental or two, as she has done. We considered what would be an appropriate size and geographical range for a neighborhood group, as well as how we might promulgate the program. Randy and Carlos Barrera are cooperating on distribution of the booklets.  Randy can be reached at 541-345-3306, Carlos at 541-344-5599.

E-mail communications in the Amazon community: Erik reported that Martha Osgood still administers our email list and website. At present, there is no discussion function on our website. How, and should, this function be provided? How long is Martha willing to continue as moderator? What if it gets more complicated? Further discussion tabled until our next meeting.

Summer Potluck: The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, at the Amazon Community Center. Although this is primarily a social event, information will be available about the Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, and the Map Your Neighborhood initiative. Residents will be notified of the picnic by postcard. Further planning at our next meeting on July 14.

Sustainability Committee: Erik reported on preliminary planning for an Amazon Neighborhood sustainability bike tour. People are encouraged to phone or email (541-344-1053; mulpop@efn.org) with suggestions for sites to visit. He also reported on activities at Camas Ridge School, and progress on the school garden projects.

There will be no Recycling Day at TBI (Temple Beth Israel) this year. Erik offered to talk with Lisa Arkin about doing it next year.  Connie has had no response from TBI on the proposed Stream Team Project.

A request for suggestions for next month’s agenda yielded:
     1) Update on Envision Eugene; 2) Information on the “Neighbors’ Night Out” event, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 14.
Minutes submitted by Ann Muller.

MAY 2010 - We held a General Meeting
    There are no "minutes" but we will review how it was accepted.

MINUTES: April 14, 2010, 7PM,
Amazon Community Center, Bldg. C

ATTENDING:

Steering Committee members Erik Muller (facilitating), Connie Berglund, Bob Cassidy, Ann Muller, Wilma Crowe, Tasker Houston, Randy Prince, Larry Robidoux, Jon Belcher; Infill Compatibility Standards Working Group Rep. Sue Prichard; Neighborhood Sustainability Leader David Stucky (all Amazon Neighbors); Maggie Pecora and Pat Dopler ( guests).

AGENDA: approved

MINUTES: The minutes of the March10, 2010 Steering Committee meeting were approved.

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS & REPORTS

1. Treasurer Bob Cassidy reported our current balance to be $295.

2. Co-Chair Erik Muller reported on the enjoyable activity of neighbors working together, coached by our BeeMaster David Stucky, to build beehives, find neighbors to host hives, and install honeybees their new homes around our neighborhood – including an exciting tale of following of swarm of bees and gathering them up for one of these new hives. For more on keeping neighborhood bees, see http://amazonbeepeople.blogspot.com.

3. Tasker Houston reported on activities of the recently formed Bicycle/Pedestrian Study Group. Paul Moore’s letter to the Mayor and City Council expressed our desire to contribute input to Eugene’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and to see that a well-crafted Master Plan for the city is implemented. A survey is being developed to gather information on the concerns of people who walk, bike, or use wheelchairs around our neighborhood.

4. Several community events coming up this spring were outlined by members: Connie Berglund reported briefly on our plans with Temple Beth Israel (TBI) for holding a Stream Team Sunday work party, and Erik gave an update on our collaboration with TBI for a Recycle/Reuse Day event.

5. David Stucky was confirmed as our Amazon representative to the Neighborhood Leadership Council (NLC) Sustainability Group. David is a leader in efforts to develop a neighborhood composting facility, as well as other collaborative projects for sustainable living. He brought our attention to NLC’s website, http://eugenesustainability.org, as a place to find out what other neighborhoods are doing, and to post items on any aspect of sustainability.

II. APRIL TOPIC: Infill Compatibility Standards for the Amazon Neighborhood

This month’s topic was a progress report on Eugene’s evolving Infill Compatibility Standards (ICP) as they may affect the Amazon Neighborhood. Sue Prichard, our representative to the Infill Compatibility Standards (ICS) Working Group, gave us an overview of the work her group has been doing for the city.

Sue, with six other members of the Single Family Dwelling Infill Committee, has been helping to define specific infill issues for the city to address that would affect neighborhoods like ours with R-1 or other single family / duplex zoning standards. She passed out copies of the Single Dwelling Infill Draft Report, as well as lists of members of the several working groups, and a draft report on flag lot infill.

The Single Family Dwelling Infill Committee also identified several broad issues for the city to address concerning infill: Parking, Enforcement, Design Review, and Affordability. The committee urges further discussion of these issues, and follow-up on their ideas for incentives to promote good infill, as well as ideas on design review and alternative paths. General discussion followed, with many agreeing that enforcement of the current code would solve many infill problems.

Jon brought us up to date on the city planning process for accommodating growth – 31,000 people are projected to move here over the next 20 years.

Bob interjected a brief update on EWEB’s property sale plans for its land along the river.

Erik ended this section by suggesting that we read Sue’s material, and attend any city meetings on the infill issue.

III. OTHER BUSINESS

1. Maggie Pecora, who works in adaptive recreation at Hilyard Center as well as running (with partner Pat Doplar) Top of the Hill Farm CSA in Cottage Grove, expressed the interest of Amazon and Hilyard Centers in partnering with Amazon Neighbors in a joint project involving a community greenhouse, garden, orchard, and food preservation site at Hilyard Center. Grants are available for alter-abled and food security resources. Erik suggested we consider a neighborhood matching grant for next year, and pass this item on to the sustainability committee.

2. Erik presented plans for next month’s General Meeting and Potluck, which will be on May 12, at the Amazon Community Center. There will be three areas of focus, with a presenter for each: Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety – Paul Moore, of Arrival by Bike; Energy Conservation – Sherry Wellborn, Climate Master; and Disaster Preparedness – Co-Chair Randy Prince.

3. Other brief announcements:

Erik reported that the newsletter is done. Randy suggested that we consider joining Eugene Neighborhood Inc. (requires no representative, and no fee) as it may give us better standing to receive grants.

Next Steering Committee meeting: June 9th, 7PM, Amazon Community Center, Bldg. C

Submitted by Tasker Houston

STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 10, 201

Attending:

Wilma, Larry, Thelma, Connie, Randy, Erik, Ann, Tasker, Bob (9 steering committee members); Lindsay Selser (City of Eugene), Paul Moore, Mary Christensen, Mary Tegel, Joseph M. Geglia (journalism student), Kanyapak Wutarra (journalism student) (3 neighbors, 3 guests).

MINUTES: The minutes of the Jan. 13, 2010, steering committee meeting were approved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS:

Treasurer (Bob Cassidy): The expenditure of $135 for catered food for the Valentine’s potluck was approved, especially in view of the fact that the raffle took in $145. That amount was deposited in our account; the current balance is $295.09.

The Valentine’s potluck was attended by 45 people. We sent thank you notes to local businesses donating raffle items: Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life, Arriving By Bike, Bring, Humble Bagel, Sundance, Black Sun Books.

NLC (Randy Prince): The Feb. 23 meeting of NLC focused on LTD cutbacks and BRT Westside routing issues. Also, Randy and Carlos Barrera met with city employees to discuss setting up neighborhood emergency response management teams. There will be a 32-hr team-training session in April. Information about the CERT training is available on the city website.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CITY PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE MASTER PLAN

Lindsay Selser, of the city transportation planning team, provided an overview of the plan, its purpose, parameters, process of development, etc., and discussed opportunities for public input. This project, funded by a grant from ODOT, will be a component of the new city TransPlan. It will focus on projects, infrastructure, and gaps in access. Lindsay was not able to answer all our questions, but indicated that the planning team would welcome any and all input, and wants to encourage public involvement.

There will be a Project Advisory Committee made up of no more than twelve community representatives. Erik asked about the application process.

There will be a project website.

Mary Tegel referred to a “gap analysis” of pedestrian amenities which had been done previously. She will send it to Lindsay.

Paul Moore would like to have related neighborhood meetings. He also proposed that we formulate a statement of support for the project, to present to the City Council, as a way of impressing upon them our support for and interest in the success of the project.

Randy proposed the formation of a Steering Committee sub-committee, a Bicycle-Pedestrian Study Group, to get started on our involvement. Paul, Connie, and Erik volunteered to be on it.

APRIL S.C. MEETING, MAY GENERAL MEETING (WED. MAY 12)

Erik reported on his discussions with Gina Tafoya regarding our priority for use of the Amazon Center space for all steering committee and general meetings. Amazon Neighbors are scheduled in the “game” room in Building C every second Wednesday; we are scheduled also at the Main Hall for the May 12 General Meeting and the August 11 Summer Potluck, both on second Wednesdays.

After some brainstorming, it was decided that the special topic for next month’s meeting would be Emergency Response, and for the May General Meeting it would be Sustainability.

NEWSLETTER: The deadline for newsletter items is April 1. Erik and Connie will work on this.

TBI MEETING: Jon, David Stuckey, and Erik attended the TBI sustainability committee meeting. Four programs were proposed:

1) The purchase of solar panels and their installation on a community basis

2) A community orchard

3) The adoption of a park/streamside to monitor the use of toxics

4) A reuse/recycle day on the TBI grounds

A fifth possibility is a neighborhood composting site. Connie suggested cleaning up the ash grove in Amazon Park, which could be coordinated with Stream Team for a June date.

The SC chose to support the TBI Recycle Day and the adoption of a streamside/park. Connie will look into planning a work party for the ash grove, including TBI.

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE: David Stuckey’s letter, proposing a centralized composting facility, was passed around. SC agreed the planning stage for this project could go forward as part of the Amazon Sustainability Subcommittee.

EUGENE NEIGHBORS INC.: Randy reported. This organization, which has 501C3 status, includes 4 or 5 members of neighborhood organizations. Amazon Neighbors is not currently a member. The membership fee is being waived this year (and perhaps indefinitely.) Randy moved that we join, as it could prove useful in applying for non-city grants. Would membership require regular monthly representation at meetings? What are the responsibilities of membership? The discussion was tabled, with a request for more information.

CIVIC STADIUM: A motion was passed to forward to 4-J a brief statement of our support for the preservation of Civic Stadium.

 

dd - WITH A VALENTINE THEME

 

AMAZON NEIGHBORS STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES -
JANUARY 13, 2010

I. Routine Business
Attendance:

Co-Chairs Randy Prince (facilitator) and Erik Muller, Treasurer Bob Cassidy, Cookie Provider Wilma Crowe, Co-Event Planners Ann Muller and Thelma Robidoux, Infill Compatibility Standards Working Group Rep. Sue Prichard, Newsletter Editor Marcy Cauthorn, Steering Committee members Connie Berglund, Larry Robidoux, Linda Lu, Jon Belcher, and Tasker Houston (12 neighbors); Caroline Jacobs, Malcolm Wilson, and Allen Hancock (three guests)

Agenda approved

Minutes of the 12/09/09 Steering Committee meeting approved

Announcements:

1. Erik announced a Design Charrette with Pivot Architecture and UO DesignBridge students offering plans to the public and welcoming input on the proposed Outdoor Classroom and Butterfly Garden at Camas Ridge Elementary School. It will be on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 6:30PM in the school cafeteria.

2. Bob gave a succinct Treasurer’s Report, announcing no change for this month.

3. Randy announced that the Neighborhood Leadership Council (NLC) had decided not to follow the plan for Strategic Neighborhood Action Plans (SNAPS). He also announced a call for someone to represent Amazon Neighbors on the Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative (NEI) to act as our neighborhood liaison in a proposed monthly meeting with city staff and representatives of all the Eugene neighborhood associations.

II. January’s Topic: The 5 Person Rule

What is it? Caroline Jacobs of the South University Neighborhood Association (SUNA) described the 5 Person Rule in the Eugene City Code as stating that no more than 5 unrelated people may inhabit a dwelling unit. SUNA neighbors have used the rule as a tool to defend against repeated noise and other disturbances coming from particular dwellings. Caroline shared with us several instances where neighbors lodged complaints based on violations of the 5 Person Rule, and also described where to find and how to fill out a complaint form to ensure that the city will take action.

General discussion followed Caroline’s introduction, as to whether or not the 5 Person Rules makes sense currently. Allen Hancock, a SUNA member, offered his perspective that five unrelated people living together would be no more likely to disturb the peace than five relatives living together.

There was general agreement that excessive noise and other unneighborly behaviors were the concern, and that the 5 Person Rule may not be the most direct or fair way to address this concern. SUNA neighbor Malcolm Wilson described his method of keeping watch over his local neighborhood, use of the complaint process, and the improvements that resulted from one person taking action. Sue noted that talking directly with the offending person is the first step to take. Caroline emphasized the need to get our complaints on file with the city, and also urged us to make our complaints known to Karen Hyatt of UO Community Relations.

Sue brought us an update from the Infill Compatibility Standards Working Group, with recommendations on the enforcement of existing code in an issue paper to be reviewed by the city council. Erik suggested that the infill issue could be the topic for our March meeting.

III. Planning, Discussion, Work

1. Riverfront Research Park Land Use Concerns
Allen Hancock , representing Connecting Eugene, a group of UO students, faculty, and other citizens concerned with city land use decisions, spoke about the university’s plans to build a private office building with a massive parking lot in the currently undeveloped western end of the Riverfront Research Park. This would close off the possibility of using Alder St. as a safe route for bicycles to the river paths, and would further reduce our treasured green space along the Willamette River. A public hearing to consider Connecting Eugene’s appeal of this serious land use decision will be held on Jan.20th at 5PM in the city council chambers at 777 Pearl St.

Bob added that EWEB also has plans to build on its land, just west of the site the university wants to develop. A public hearing on this will be happening soon; those wanting to know more could contact Bob for more detailed information.

2. February General Meeting and Potluck
Erik presented plans for next month’s general meeting, which will be a Valentine Potluck on Weds, Feb. 10th, at 1150 E. 29th in the Camas Ridge Elementary School cafeteria. All Amazon neighborhood residents are welcome to join us for an evening of fun, food, and friends. There will be a raffle, as well as activities for children. Ann will check out the cafeteria and its resources, Jon will get party-packs from the city, Marci will make an announcement to deliver throughout the neighborhood, and Randy will check with the school district about locking up the school after our party.

Erik plans to talk with city staffer Mike Kinnison about securing a permanent meeting site at the Amazon Community Center.

3. Update on the Neighborhood Enhancement Initiative (NEI)
Randy briefly summarized progress on forming the NEI. This proposed Neighborhood Enhancement Committee, to include representatives of each of the Eugene Neighborhood Associations and city staffers, does not currently have the momentum to start up. Only three or four neighborhoods have pledged to attend a monthly committee meeting. Linda noted that the city’s requirement that neighborhood reps. sign a confidentiality agreement may be dampening enthusiasm.

Next Steering Committee meeting: Wednesday, March 10, 7PM
Submitted by Tasker Houston