For more information, go to the event's page.

Did you know water usage in the Portland Metro area can more than double and even triple during the summer months? We Oregonians work hard to keep our lawns and gardens green in hot and dry weather. Many of us have heard the advice to water our lawn about an inch a week – and more during hotter weather - but few of us actually know what that means. In fact, many people actually overwater their lawns without realizing it. To help residents wise up about their water usage, the Regional Water Providers Consortium (RWPC) is offering a free outdoor watering gauge kit to anyone in the RWPC service territory from July 1 - August 10.

The watering gauge takes the guesswork out of watering by measuring how much water is landing on your lawn. The RWPC also posts a “weekly watering number” on its website (www.conserveh2o.org), which provides the recommended amount of water to keep lawns healthy through summer.

To receive a free watering gauge kit, call 503-823-7528 or email RWPCinfo@portlandoregon.gov (please include your mailing address, water provider name and how you heard about the offer).

Here are RWPC’s “Top Five” waterwise gardening tips:

1. Water lawns and gardens early in the morning (before 10 am) or later in the evening (after 6 pm) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized.
2. Adjust your sprinklers so that they are watering your lawn and garden and not the street.
3. Water in several short sessions rather than one long session to allow for better absorption and to prevent run-off.
4. Adjust your mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.
5. Add a shut-off nozzle to your garden hose and save about 5-7 gallons of water each minute your hose is on.

About the RWPC

The RWPC is a consortium of 23 local water providers plus the regional government Metro. Visit the consortium website - www.conserveh2o.org - for more information and resources to help conserve water at your home or business.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH CAFETERIA

3847 NE GLISAN STREET

PORTLAND OREGON 97232

MARCH 27, 2012

Board Members present were Eric Fruits, Gary Naylor, Don Gardner, Lyle Howard, Jim Edelson, Jennifer Lewis, and Jeanne Ferguson.   Board Members absent were Kristi Kasparek, Beth Zauner, Elena MacPhee, and Kelly Bocian.  There were 25 names on the Sign-In Sheet.  Officers Chris Gilbert and N. Phothivongsa represented the Portland Police Department.

President Eric Fruits determined a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 7:06PM.

AGENDA

Approval of Minutes

Gary Naylor made a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the Laurelhurst General Membership Meeting January 31, 2012. Bill Hamilton seconded the Motion.   A vote was taken and the Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report –

Kristi Kasparek electronically submitted the Treasurer’s Report.   A copy of the Report is attached to these Minutes and made a part hereof.

Neighborhood Response Team/Neighborhood Watch –

Fern Wilgus, Laurelhurst Public Safety Chairman, introduced Officer Chris Gilbert (East Precinct) and Officer N. Phothivongsa (Central Precinct).  The Officers discussed the shooting incident which occurred March 19^th near the tennis courts in Laurelhurst Park.

Ms. Wilgus discussed criminal activity which has occurred in Laurelhurst and reminded everyone present to keep automobiles “Show Room” clean to deter breakins.  Ms. Wilgus asked anyone interested in starting a Crime Watch Group to contact her for details.

LNA Board Elections –

Eric Fruits reminded everyone that the LNA Board Elections will be held at the May 29^th Meeting.  All Board positions are open.  Dr. Fruits encouraged those present to discuss with their neighbors participating on the LNA Board.  If you would like to place your name on the ballot, please contact Dr. Fruits.

LNA Garage Sale -

Pam Redman is the Chairman of the LNA Garage Sale for 2012.  Mrs. Redman introduced herself and discussed her ideas for this year’s sale.  Some of the neighbors present volunteered to help her with the initial set-up and on the day of the sale.  Mrs. Redman’s email is redmania9@gmail.com and she has invited anyone who wants to help to contact her.  The LNA thanked Mrs. Redman for volunteering to chair this year’s sale.  The date of the sale is Saturday, June 16^th.

Friends of Laurelhurst Park –

Alice Knouff reported about the 2012 Work Parties which are held on Wednesdays 9AM in Laurelhurst Park.   This year’s calendar is April 11^th, May 9^th, June 13^th, July 11^th, August 8^th, September 12^th, and October 10^th.  The projects range from planting native species, pruning, mulching, and invasive plant removal, to planning on special projects like paths and dog off-leash issues.  If you would like to participate or learn more, please contact Alice aliceknouff@comcast.net or Marilyn Harlin mharlin@macforcego.com.

LNA Neighborhood Cleanup –

This year’s LNA Neighborhood Cleanup is Saturday, May 12^th.  John Russ, who has been Chairman of the Neighborhood Cleanup for several years, is retiring after this year’s event.  On behalf of Laurelhurst and the LNA, Eric Fruits thanked Mr. Russ for years of great organization and great events and reminded everyone that these neighborhood committees are run by volunteers and he hoped that someone would step forward to continue this “cleanup tradition.”

Portland Providence Medical Center (PPMC) –

Gary Naylor, Jim Edelson, and Don Gardner are authorized by the LNA Board to represent LNA at the Standing Committee Meetings with PPMC and North Tabor Neighborhood Association (NTNA) concerning the Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) and PPMC’s Conditional Use Master Plan (CUMP).

Mr. Naylor read a notice of public hearing from Douglas Hardy, Land Use Services, Bureau of Development Services, City of Portland Oregon.   Mr. Hardy is the “planning staff reviewer” for the PPMC’s Conditional Use Master Plan (CUMP) which is scheduled for Hearing Wednesday, April 25^th 9AM, in Suite 3000, 1900 SW Fourth Avenue in Portland.  Mr. Naylor encouraged and reminded those interested to submit their letters and/or emails to Mr. Hardy by April 15^th.  Mr. Naylor hopes to have all the necessary documents concerning the LNA/NTNA/GNA/CUMP submitted to Mr. Hardy by next week.

Mr. Naylor, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Edelson fielded questions and concerns from several Laurelhurst residents who attended this meeting.

Laurelhurst Arches –

Doug Lovelace suggested that Jeff Stookey be asked to submit an article about coal trains for the next Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association Newsletter.  Eric Fruits said every resident of Laurelhurst is welcome to submit Newsletter articles.  Jennifer Lewis, Newsletter Editor, reminded everyone about space limitations in the Newsletter.

Mr. Lovelace updated progress on the Arches saying he has contracted with Mt. Hood Community College to fabricate a bronze reproduction of the hardware.  The cost will be $500.  Mr. Lovelace will write an article for the Newsletter so that residents of Laurelhurst will understand where monies are spent for upkeep of the Arches.

Mynt/Syrens –

Eric Fruits has had contact with Teresa Marchetti (City) and Sarah Morgan (OLCC) about Mynt.  Mynt’s license has expired and there has been no effort made by Mynt to renew the license.  OLCC was to hold a Hearing before the entire Commission to contest the violations recorded on the original license and this Hearing has been withdrawn.

Dr. Fruits reported Syrens is slowly working its way through the licensing process and an OLCC Hearing will be held on this application in June – at the earliest.

Motion to Adjourn –

Jeanne Ferguson made a Motion to Adjourn the Meeting. Jennifer Lewis seconded the Motion.  A vote was taken and the Motion passed unanimously.   The Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30PM.

Jeanne Kretz Ferguson

LNA Secretary

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

LAURELHURST CLUB 3721 SE ANKENY STREET

PORTLAND OREGON 97214

FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Board Members present were Eric Fruits, Beth Zauner, Gary Naylor, Jim Edelson, Lyle Howard, and Jeanne Ferguson.  Board Members absent were Kristi Kasparek,  Don Gardner, Jennifer Lewis, Elena MacPhee and Kelly Bocian.  Seven names were recorded on the Sign-In Sheet.

After determining a quorum was present, Eric Fruits called the meeting to order at 7PM.

AGENDA

Approval of Minutes – Gary Naylor made a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the LNA Board Meeting December 21, 2011. Eric Fruits seconded the Motion.  A vote was taken and the Motion was unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report – There was no Treasurer’s Report at the meeting.

International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) – Larry Maginnis, Urban Forestry Supervisor, Portland Parks & Recreation, attended the Board Meeting to tell the LNA about the ITCC which is held annually in conjunction with the International Society of Arboriculture Conference.  This year the conference is being held in Portland and the ITCC is scheduled in Laurelhurst Park August 10-12.

Field Monitoring Day – Marion Dresner, Associate Professor in Teaching Ecosystem Complexity at Portland State University, attended the Board Meeting to tell the LNA  about the Bio Blitz Event August 4-5.  This event will showcase the biological diversity in Laurelhurst and how it is influenced by people redoing their backyards and planting native species to show how this will really make a difference in the livability of neighborhoods.

Garage Sale – Eric Fruits reported that to date there is no Chairman for the Annual Garage Sale.  Dr. Fruits will contact Jennifer Lewis about writing another article for the Newsletter saying that if no one volunteers, the Garage Sale will have to be cancelled after 25 consecutive years.

Neighborhood Clean-Up - The annual Laurelhurst Neighborhood Clean-Up will be held on May 12^th this year.   John Russ, the present Chairman of the event, is retiring after several years.  Dr. Fruits will contact Jennifer Lewis about writing an article concerning the annual Clean-Up and asking for a volunteer to chair this event.

Meeting Signs – Eric Fruits is going to investigate the expense of having signs made advertising the LNA General Membership Meetings.   These signs would be displayed throughout the neighborhood (by Board Members) in hopes of encouraging more neighborhood attendance and involvement in LNA meetings.  The legality of such signs was discussed.

Coe Circle – Gary Naylor reported that Don Gardner is going to schedule a meeting with the Bureau of Transportation and PP&R to discuss how the City will be able to participate in the maintenance of Coe Circle.  Topics to be examined are liability waivers, traffic control, and level of City participation.

Mr. Naylor met with Jeff Milkes, PP&R, to discuss movies to be shown in Laurelhurst Park this summer.  Monetary sponsorship has been found to provide for two movies.

Portland Providence Medical Center (PPMC) - Gary Naylor and Jim Edelson reported about the Standing Committee Meeting which was held February 8, 2012.  In addition to Mr. Edelson and Mr. Naylor, Don Gardner and three neighbors from Laurelhurst were in attendance at the meeting, as were several representatives from the North Tabor Neighborhood Association (NTNA).

Mr. Naylor said the LNA is concerned with three main issues which are (1) achieving a main street environment on Glisan Street and perhaps the commercially zoned segment of  47^th Avenue; (2) maximizing the amount of first floor retail space within the CN2 and CO2 zoned areas in PPMC’s Growth Boundary; and (3) the Transportation Demand Management Plan language in the Conditional Use Master Plan (CUMP) and Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA). Mr. Naylor will talk with Zach Michaud, President of the NTNA.   Mr. Naylor, Mr. Edelson, and Mr. Gardner will schedule a meeting to discuss information necessary to come to an agreement on the CUMP and GNA.

Cell Tower City Code Approval Process – Eric Fruits shared a sample Petition for Revisions of Policy and Code regarding Cell Phone Towers which had been drafted by the Mt. Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association.  Jim Edelson made a Motion that the Board approves LNA as signatory to attached cell phone petition dated 1/28/2012.

Beth Zauner seconded the Motion.   The vote was 5 in favor; 1 in opposition; no abstentions.  Gary Naylor, who voted in opposition to the Motion, said he would need more information on the matter before he could vote otherwise.  The Motion carried.  Dr. Fruits will rewrite the letter for Laurelhurst.

Mynt Gentlemen’s Club – Eric Fruits reported the OLCC has rescheduled the hearing for Mynt and the soonest it might be is in April.  This hearing is to be held before the entire Commission.

Bitar Mansion – Eric Fruits reported that the house has been sold to a person who enjoys renovating.

Dr. Fruits made a Motion to Adjourn the meeting. Gary Naylor seconded the Motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:35PM.

Jeanne Kretz Ferguson

Secretary

The Board meets every month, except for July, alternating between General Membership meetings at All Saints’ Parish Hall and the Board of Directors meetings at the Laurelhurst Club. Dates are published in the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association Newsletter and are provided on our website.

We need your help! Our Secretary has decided to run for the SE Quad Representative position, and we need someone to help! If you are interested in the Secretary position, another position, or simply want to meet the candidates and vote on a new Board of Directors, please come to our May 29 meeting at All Saints Church at 7 pm.

Laurelhurst is our neighborhood. Consider becoming involved and helping to ensure Laurelhurst remains a wonderful place to live.

Registration form now available on the event's page