Southeast Uplift Board Meeting, 7-9pm

Members present:
Moshe Lenske, Woodstock
Julie Ratcliff, at-large
Dan Weiland, Sellwood-Moreland
April Burris, North Tabor
Marianne Colgrove, Ardenwald-Johnson Creek, Chair
Roy Hartley, Richmond
Pete Jacobsen, at-large, Treasurer
Jeff West, Buckman, Secretary
Blythe Pavlik, SE Uplift, Communications Program Manager
Louisa Lakos, SE Uplift, Office Coordinator
Anne Dufay, SE Uplift, Director
MJ Coe, Laurelhurst
Joanna Beatty, Montavilla
Bryan Agee, Mt. Scott-Arletta, Vice Chair
Shirley Nacoste, IRCO
Mary Louise Ott, South Tabor

Outside attendees:
Judy Barnes, Oregonians for Renewable Energy Policy
Gary Naylor, Laurelhurst Land Use
Hannah Kappell, Creston Kenilworth Neighborhood Association (not yet seated)
Lee Perlman, Freelance Writer
Quorum established at 6:59pm and meeting called to order by Marianne.
Marianne and Anne note that a scheduling conflict in Amanda Fritz's office has caused re-arrangement of published agenda.

Minutes from January 4th, meeting:
Correction: spelling of Hannah Kappell's last name. MJ moves to approve minutes as amended, Moshe seconds, passes with one abstention (Jeff)
Oregonians for Renewable Energy Policy:
Judy Barnes gives presentation on renewable energy/feed-in tariff policy:
Oregon one of first states to pass law in July that allows for testing. The bill set to launch on April 1st. The solar industry has been working since September at public utilities commission in Salem to write the rules. The point of view of the homeowner is under-represented in Salem - it is mostly large users/utilities. Oregonians for Renewable Energy has been working to implement law and make sure that smaller scale (residential) facilities are included in the process. The proposal will add fees to everyone's energy bill to foster this program

A test case of this program was conducted in Germany: anyone who is a utility customer can install solar on their roof and energy can be fed in to system and guarantees that utility has to buy energy from user at a fixed rate based on what user produces. This creates a predictable income stream that provides comfort level for lenders and allows for easier borrowing for solar installation since there is a guaranteed ROI.

Judy asks if there is any interest on the board in working with Oregonians for Renewable Energy policy on this initiative.

April expresses concern that this program discriminates against renters who cannot participate.
Judy answers a series of questions regarding profitability, rate reimbursement, tax credits, etc. from Board members and solicits participation from any neighborhood folks to help them advocate for the Bill in Salem, monitor progress (which would involve attending conference calls, keep updated on issue & implementation of policy).

Dan Weiland offers to bring the topic to the Land Use Committee if appropriate.

Treasurer's Report:
Pete notes this is the first time we've had two consecutive quarters with the same set of accounts.
Highlights of his report:
•    Contract revenue - includes $47,000 of small grants that have not been added to accounts yet (and subsequently be removed in the 3Q)
•    Biggest change in the income side, fiscal sponsor administration fees are much lower in 2Q vs. 1Q. – Southeast Uplift really has no control over volume as they are dependent on activity of groups involved
•    Several additional projects were added in the 2Q that should bring in future revenue
•    Pete hopes to add more detail in the next quarter re: fiscal sponsorship projects and what they're doing [specifically a) what are they, b) how big?, c) how much money is being brought in and spent, etc.] - if anyone has any other thoughts, please let Pete know.
•    Payroll is at 41% due to understaffing in the first half of the year
•    Insurance is at 117% - issue is that the insurance we have was a reduced contract with a clause that allowed for events to be larger than insurance co was expecting, additional fees can be added on. Fees will ultimately be in line with what other coalitions are paying, but expense is going to be larger than what was budgeted.
•    Occupancy: includes furnace and oil tank expense
•    Bottom line: we are 5% in the black at the end of 2Q
Moshe reiterates his concern to prioritize the need for reserves to be built up.

Bylaws:
Pete reviews proposed bylaw changes:
1) proposes correcting SE Uplift boundaries
2) proposes increase number of allotted slots for at-large board members from three (3) to seven (7) to allow for adding members with specific skills
3) propose changing acronym SEUL to "Southeast Uplift"
4) updating language regarding fiscal sponsorship
April, Shirley and Moshe express concern over the number of new at-large board members being proposed and how they would be recruited and/or approved.
MJ asks if the skills we want to add to the board should be included in the bylaws.
Marianne and Pete note that these changes are just preliminary suggestions, feedback over the next month is welcomed and time will be allotted for discussion and voting at the next Board meeting.
Laurelhurst NA re: Mynt Gentleman's Club:
MJ introduces Gary Naylor and outlines issue: Mynt Gentlemen's Club is seeking a liquor license at approximately 34th & Sandy.  The business started out as Country Western-themed restaurant and has morphed into Gentleman’s Club with liquor license. Laurelhurst NA is asking the OLCC to deny the license.
The Laurelhurst NA is requesting 3 things from the Board:
a) letter of support from Southeast Uplift board re: Laurelhurst NA to deny license - possible final hearing is in February
b) testimony at hearings on Senate Bill SB1026 being proposed that would change language that would help NA associations
c) proposes appointing SEUL staff person to assist and/or create Southeast Uplift policy to assist Neighborhood Associations with these issues.
Gary summarizes why asking for SEUL support:
a) started negotiating Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) in July 2009 for country western restaurant
b) Laurelhurst NA membership voted in November to not support license application; reasons: applicant's involvement in another night club in Portland with a history of problems; City of Portland also recommended against license.
c) owners changed course of proposal to Mynt Gentleman's Club
d) OLCC license hearing in December - applicant's background in state of OH were discussed, NA testimony, public hearing extended until later in February
e) Applicant back to table because they needed GNA - discussions were mediated via Resolutions NW.   Laurelhurst opposed GNA based on applicant’s background, adverse community impact, etc. – a particular stumbling block was hours of operation - because of location, impacts would be difficult to mitigate, as well as past problems with establishments at that location
Bryan makes motion SE Uplift writes a letter using previous letters supporting LNA in opposition in specific denial criteria and it be presented to OLCC before the next OLCC hearing.  April seconds. Roy amends that the Executive Committee must review letter.  Motion passes w/o dissent
MJ notes re: Senate Bill 1026 that a key component changes legislative language for OLCC licensing criteria from "serious and persistent problems" to “serious or persistent problems” (emphasis on “and” vs. “or”) as well as other changes to the existing law. The board did not take a position on the Senate Bill but Marianne encouraged all interested individuals to send their comments to representatives in the legislature.

Amanda Fritz - re: ONI budget proposal
Highlights of Commissioner Fritz’ comments:
•    This was a difficult budget – they were asked to cut 4%
•    There is no fat in the budget
•    There is not likely to be as much "one-time" money as last year – she believes there is still support, but many of the one-time “asks” will probably be cut
•    There have been lots of voluntary ONI budget cuts - staff working less hours, etc.  An example: crime prevention program volunteered to sacrifice an existing open position
•    These central office cuts accounted for 1% (1/4 of the 4%) in cuts
•    Large cut coming from neighborhood small grants program – the decision was made to cut this because it was such a good program it seemed like it would be easy to re-instate.
•    The one-time ask will be $516,000 and include  Resolutions NW, graffiti abatement, and neighborhood small grants
•    Tried not to cut staff
•    There will be community budget forums on March 3rd, 4th and 6th
•    It is not yet the time to send in lobbying emails
Director's Report: (Anne Dufay)
•    Janet Kelly (receptionist) started on Thursday – she will be answering the phone & opening door (comes from Seniors Make Sense)
•    Two new staff people are introduced:   Blythe (communications/program manager), Louisa (office coordinator)
•    Upcoming grant agreement for the coalition - hopefully draft will be ready for board approval by March meeting
•    Crime prevention re-assignment -- crime prevention gave up an empty seat and have shuffled their assignments and have re-aligned along precinct lines, which means that five SE neighborhoods are divided.   Anne has been working behind scenes to make sure that routing of calls will work seamlessly; however, re-shuffling frees up crime prevention staff from obligation of having to attend multiple precinct meetings (because  neighborhoods were previously covered by different precincts)
•    Signed East Multnomah Water Conservation grant today for $9,000 and a map of the proposed project for the grounds
•    State of SE Uplift was published on front page of recent Southeast Examiner
•    Current budget documents are in the SE Uplift office if anyone wants to come in to peruse
•    Surveys for the Portland plan are available to take and hand out to NAs – the deadline for survey has been extended back until the end of March 31, 2010
Land use committee report (April/Dan) 

April & Dan joined the committee last year.  Their participation empowered the land use committee to act on behalf of the board.
April updates on Portland Plan retreat. 
Other actions the land use committee has taken include:
•    Responded to code amendment package 5
•    Wrote a letter to city council in support of bicycle master plan
•    Wrote a letter to in response to decision making on CRC & advocating to re-think the public process & size of bridge
•    Tracked process on Sellwood Bridge, Washington High School, Portland Plan, reservoir issues