October Meeting Highlights.
The October meeting was focused upon transportation, safe streets, Stephenson swales and extended shoulder project and pedestrian connectivity issues. We were fortunate to have 3 representatives from the City of Portland, Mark Lear and Steve Szigethy from Portland Bureau of Transportation and Amin Wahab from the Bureau of Environmental Services. We also heard about the Southwest In Motion [SWIM] program, a program which offers funds for active transportation/walkability/pedestrian/bicycle connectivity needs in the neighborhood. Mark and Amin spoke about the Stephenson Swales and Extended Shoulders project and the results of the project. The community in attendance discussed concerns with the project, including gaps in the pedestrian shoulders, vegetation in the swales, maintenance of the swales, attractiveness of the swales and fragility of the shoulders. The city representatives were aware of our concerns and promised to keep us posted on potential fixes for the project. They also asked for our input on other priorities and wishes for funds for Safe Routes to Schools, and the Fixing our Streets [gas tax] programs [including Safer Shoulders] and SWIM. ACNA agreed to focus on soliciting neighborhood input and determining priorities and presenting them to the city before our January 2017 meeting. The November and December meetings will include discussions of priorities and needs in our neighborhood to improve walkability and safety in Arnold Creek. The City representatives promised to return for our January meeting and also agreed to provide an update on issues, results and potential fixes regarding the Stephenson swales/shoulders project.
Please provide your input and ideas for improved 'getting around' our area to president@arnoldcreek.org --- whether you bike, walk or drive.
Land Use.
We also held a special meeting in early October to discuss the proposed 18 lot development at 10601 SW 25
th
Ave. The land use planner on the project discussed details of the project and took questions from the audience. The application had not been filed with the city at the time of this meeting so details may change. A two phase development is envisioned and the proposal requests that traffic be split into north and south directions with connectivity preserved for emergency vehicles. Contact Mark Dane at markdaneplanning@gmail.com if you have questions or comments. Updates on this project will be published in the SWNI News and the ACNA E-newsletter. Also an Accessory Short-term Rental permit has been filed for 1919 SW Stephenson.
Street Sign Caps.
Arnold Creek sign caps with our new trillium logo will be placed on select city street signs to help identify our neighborhood. We have raised over $1800 to date which is about halfway to our goal. An example of our sign cap is included with this column. It's beautiful and is receiving rave reviews. Please contribute so that we can move forward with installing our sign caps. Donations are taxable deductible and can be made by check or by credit card at www.ArnoldCreek.org. If you have questions please contact president@arnoldcreek.org
.
Transportation.
Stephenson /Boones Ferry intersection repairs on Stephenson Court have started. The Boones Ferry Bridge/Culvert replacement project near Arnold has been delayed until the spring of 2018. BES and Tryon Creek State Park representatives will be invited to an ACNA meeting in the spring of 2017 to provide an update on this project. Our speed reduction and traffic calming request for Stephenson Street filed in May of 2016 is still working its way through the City and State process. We brought this request to the attention of Mark Lear and Steve Szigethy at the October meeting and they promised to follow up on it for us. The process for speed changes between the State and City is under review which is causing some delays.
Fred Meyer Community Rewards program
. Please consider designating Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association as your community rewards recipient. Designating ACNA does not reduce your rewards. Go to www.arnoldcreek.org and follow the instructions on how to enroll. Be sure to select #93046 Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association! Designations must be updated annually in June.
Consider stepping up to the plate for a leadership role in ACNA
. We will hold our annual election in February 2017. Please think about running for a position. We encourage existing Board members to continue to serve and also welcome new people to join us. A great group!
Upcoming Important Events and Dates:
November 1, 7 - 8:30 PM, ACNA General Meeting [note meeting is the first Tuesday rather than the 2
nd
Tuesday due to the election]
Marcel Rodriguez, Neighborhood Emergency Team [NET] Leader and NET instructor
will discuss both the NET program city wide and also the specific plans for Arnold Creek and the staging area at Stephenson Elementary including how Arnold Creek neighbors can help their NET team by being prepared to shelter in place with their own emergency supplies
Please attend this meeting and share your views for pedestrian/ bicycle connectivity and safety
December 13, 6 PM ACNA Board Meeting
December 13, 7-8:30 PM, ACNA General Meeting
Coyote Tales and other wildlife conversations: Come share your close encounter tales of Coyotes and other wildlife in our neighborhood. Karen Kraus of the Feral Cat Coalition will be in attendance and possibly a representative from the Audubon Society
Review Board's proposal for city transportation priorities
Election nominations and self-nominations
Appointment of Election Committee and Ballot Committee for February elections
