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July 2007 Minutes |
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Minutes: Hillsdale Alliance Meeting
July 11, 2007
Re/MAX Building, 7 p.m.
Attending:
Brian Sheehan—City Bureau of Planning
Ruth Adkins—parent and PPS board director
Michael Reunert—Rieke PTA president
Haley Isleib—Hillsdale Branch Library
Linda Doyle—Wilson HS
Robert Liberty—Metro Council
Mike Ponder—Hillsdale Neighborhood Association
Dianna Ponder—Hillsdale Farmers Market Board
Richard Garfinkle—HBPA
Mike Miller—Rieke Elementary School parent
Rick Nitti—Neighborhood House executive director
Rick Seifert—Hillsdale Neighborhood Association board, HBPA
John Morris—Hillsdale NET
Action items:
• Mike Ponder reported progress on drafting by-laws and pursuing 501 (c) (3) status for a Hillsdale Community Foundation.
• Rick S. reported that in the next two weeks The Hillsdale News and its web site should be on-line.
• The Hillsdale Alliance book sale is scheduled for Sunday, July 29, with book donations being accepted in at the Farmers Market.
• Plan for Metro Council meeting in Hillsdale later this year. (See below)
Topics covered:
After updates on the above, the rest of the time was devoted to a
presentation by and discussion with Metro Councilor Robert Liberty about
a "model" town center in Hillsdale.
Liberty identified several sources of Metro funding that might be
tapped for Hillsdale. He suggested that a Metro council meeting be held
in Hillsdale later this year. It would provide a venue for Hillsdale's
Alliance organizations to present the case for a model town center to
the councilors.
The group was quite enthusiastic about the prospects and it was decided
that a core group will coordinate with Liberty and Brian Sheehan to
plan a presentation.
The sources of funds Liberty identified were:
1. Transit Oriented Development money, which amounts to $1 million to
$2 million a year across the region. The funds are used to help support developments in centers and at light rail stations that will build mixed use centers and support transit ridership. The Watershed in Hillsdale and North Main Village in Milwaukie received funds from this source.
(We really need to pitch this source to the Braidwoods as
they look at their project.)
2. The Bond measure, which passed in November, provides $15 million for
nature in neighborhood capital grants. A 2/1 match is required however. Liberty said these funds might be used to help build a nature garden or create a rainwater treatment amenity in Hillsdale. The program kicks off in September.
3. The biennial Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) allocates about $45 million to $60 million every two years for non-highway projects such as sidewalks and bike paths. Proposals must be made through the City of Portland. The process starts up again this fall for Metro Action in the Spring of 2009. Commissioner Adams would be the City Councilor to contact; Ted Leybold is the Metro staff person for MTIP.
4. Liberty is proposing that Metro take the lead in contributing $1 million in seed money to create a $10 million to $20 million regional revolving loan fund (run by a new non-profit) to help preserve and build affordable housing as part of mixed use, sustainable developments in centers. The Metro Council will act on Liberty’s proposal in early fall. The fund might begin making loans as early as two years from now.
5. Finally, Liberty said there are a lot of developers who are becoming interested in more sustainable, mixed use, urban infill projects.
Brian Sheehan of the Portland Bureau of Planning was also present and played an important part in the discussion.
Liberty made the connection between housing money and "growing" our Hillsdale schools. Several Alliance members cited the cost of housing as a deterrent to attracting families here.
Referring to a Hillsdale Metro Council meeting, Liberty said that the Council would find it particularly interesting and refreshing to be dealing with a community rather than town or city officials.
Sheehan, who took extensive notes, said he was particularly interested in talking with developers. He would like an introduction to the Braidwoods. Brian noted that Fred Meyer is still considering mixed use with housing on the Burlingame redevelopment.
Liberty suggested we talk with Phil Whitmore at Metro about the Hillsdale Triangle. Whitmore has been a developer. Another contact is Wink Brooks, a former planning director in Hillsboro who put together parcels that became the Intel development.
When I raised the question about giving more autonomy to Town Centers, Liberty said that legislation puts restrictions on the delegation of authority but he suggested that forming a LID carries provisions for local representation in it.
IN CONCLUSION:
The group decided that several of us would pursue a fall 2007 Metro Council meeting in Hillsdale and plan our presentation to it. (The date is now established as Nov. 29)
Suggested members of the strategy team: Don, Wes, Glenn, Rick, Michael Reunert, Mark Seder, in consultation with Brian Sheehan.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 10, at 7 p.m. at the Equity Group Building.
Rick Seifert
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