February 2025 MNA Meeting minutes

Montavilla Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes

I. Meeting Details

Date: Monday, February 10
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Beer Bunker  

II. Attendance

Present Board Members:

-Laura Mulligan, Acting President

-Steph Cleary, Secretary

-Sarah Hartzel, Treasurer

-Colleen Howard, Member at Large

-Kristina Perry

-Elisabeth Litster

III. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM by Laura Mulligan, President, after confirming that a quorum was present.

IV. Treasurer’s Report

Nothing to report. A $55 fee was erroneously charged to our account, but it was refunded.

V. Land Use and Transportation

Scott was not present. He needs to step down from his current role. Laura put out a call for interested parties to contact a current member of the board.

VI. SE Uplift

Working with the City Club. AT February 25th there are the District 3 representatives coming; from 6-7:30. You need to register before attending. Working along with the neighborhood association meeting to come together.

VII. Communications Committee

Steph received the $3,000 grant for the communications committee from SE Uplift.

VIII. Community Committee for Oak Street Village

No applications received for the committee, but the committee cannot begin until the residents are in the pods since 2 residents must be part of the committee. Speak to a board member if you’re interested in applying. A community member spoke and said they had just applied today, and the application is open until the 23rd.

Question about where the other sites are- the ones currently operating and the ones in development. JOHS is changing their name—we will do research on numbers and provide the link to the website.

Concerns about Multnomah University being used as transitional housing—but the dormitories are being used for women and children as transitional housing. Could we ask if there’s a representative available to speak at the next meeting?

Raydene Taylor, community member and volunteer with Multnomah University, will check with Multnomah University and see if there can be a speaker.

Colleen mentioned that Montavilla News Site has an article about this.

Laura put out a call for community members to join the GNA committee for the new site.

IX. Unfinished Business

Kristina will step in as the Vice President until the elections in November. Laura made a motion to have Kristina as the Vice President until elections, and seconded by Elisabeth Lister.

A community member brought up the nurse strike at Providence. There was a contract offer that was voted on and denied. He offered window signs to put up in support of the nurses. He said it’s developing into more of a community campaign.

 Kristina gave a shout out to “Quiche Me if You Can”. They have a neighborhood discount!

IX. Stone Soup

Ellen, a rep for Stone Soup came to speak. They are in Glisan Landing. The own the café space, the kitchen space, and a classroom space on the first floor. Catholic Charities and the Property Management has the office space on the other end of the building. They are a non-profit. They have been operating since 2019. They train people who are at-risk of homelessness and who are experiencing barriers to employment.  There are 10-15 participants at any time using the kitchen, and they will have 3 different managers in the space. The Café opens at the end of March until construction is finished. The building grand-opening is the 11th of April. Monday-Friday 7am-2/3pm. Coffee, baked goods, and takeaway meals (sandwiches, salads, soups) to start until they can familiarize themselves with community needs.

The cafe will have a grand opening (soft opening) around end of March. Coming in to say hi and have a coffee, ask for a tour; this will help them! Interacting with them is the best way to help.

7400 NE Glisan

X. Open House for Oak Street Village

Laura will check on the date for the community viewing.

Laura called for the meeting to be adjourned at 7:12,  seconded by Steph.