BANA minutes20180514
Minutes of Monthly Meeting of the
Boyd Acres Neighborhood Association
6 PM Monday May 14, 2018
Elks Lodge, 63120 Boyd Acres Rd
In attendance: Board members Joette Storm, Larry Kierulff, Jim Beauchemin, Jeff Silverman, and Matt Bryant. Guest Speakers Barb Campbell, and Joshua Romero. Additional sign-ins numbered 5.
Joette S. introduced Councilor Barb Campbell. Facing a fall election after her first term, she described herself as a working person who has lived here a long time and loves it. The Board provided questions prior to the meeting. Her answers:
The most pressing problem facing Bend Campbell is the need for working class housing and improvements to the transportation system.
Most pressing problem facing the neighborhood is future sewer expansion. The cost of hooking up to new sewer lines can be very expensive for homeowners, thousands of dollars. Campbell fears the cost could force people out of their homes. The Council is considering methods of spreading the costs and helping those who face exhorbitant fees. At present homeowners in the southeast are affected by the issues, but northeast Bend will see sewer expansion in future.
Asked her opinion of the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance Committee she was very positive because of two-way communication it provides with Council but success will depend on associations ensuring the committee member truly represents them.
The most pressing problem facing (residents/visitors) she believes is transportation choices. Campbell made a pitch for expanded public transportation so residents can get to work.
Asked about the Empire extension plans, she said the money is available and the project is favored over Murphy Rd but one dilemma is the need for signaling changes at the Empire/Bypass intersection that is controlled by ODOT. A discussion of related problems ensued. Feedback from the audience included an immediate need for a three way stop at Empire/Purcell.
Asked about roundabout art she said that is driven by a privately funded organization, but agreed that the City should have more input because of its role in maintenance and that the Park Dept. should share in the projects.
On the subject of park involvement and transportation choices, she described the neighborhood greenway program such as is planned for Sixth Street. In response to a question from the floor about Mirror Pond dredging, she does not favor spending tax payer dollars for that project when there are more critical problems to fund. Barb said she would follow through with emails regarding: North Bend corridor right of ways, round about art, 3-way stop at Empire/Purcell.
Joshua Romero followed with a pitch for the CSR (Citizen Service Request) Program. He said that after years of backlog, staff is ready to respond quickly to requests and citizens are encouraged to report any infrastructure problem. He also encouraged participation in the June 11th discussion of the Transportation System Plan update. He also encouraged citizens to visit website www.bendoregon.gov/enews.
Joette reported on the NLA proposal and BANA support, the annual picnic with Eric King and the 2 open board and committee positions.
Jim B reported on land use projects--a bicycle parts factory in Juniper Ridge, and a solar business warehouse in the Brinson Park. He also mentioned the City Council approved a waiver for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). Sidewalk construction will not be required.
Jeff S discussed his efforts to recruit participation from the 250 businesses in BANA. A card is available for members to share with business managers.
A question from the floor about how BANA might respond to complaints about the homeless camp at the end of Hunter’s Circle was met with a reminder of what the police told us at a meeting last December.
The meeting adjoined at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Kierulff
BANA Secretary