June 2026 MNA Meeting Minutes

Montavilla Neighborhood Association 

June Meeting Minutes 

06/08/26

Present Board Members: 

Steph Cleary, President

Keegan Baurer, Secretary

Sarah Hartzel, Treasurer 

Adam Fiss, SE Uplift Liaison 

Louise Hoff, Member at large

Elisabeth Litster, Member at large

Emily Meneer, Member at Large

Nedim Filipovic, Member at Large

Steph called this meeting to order on 06/08/26 at 6:36pm after confirming that a quorum was present. 

Agenda: 

1. Treasurer Report

2. SE Uplift

3. Parks and Gardens

4. Communications Committee

5. Land Use and Transportation 

6. Oak Street Community Action Committee

7. Harrison Community GNA Committee

8. Art Walk Committee

9. Joy Committee

10. City Hall Update

11. PEMO

12. Unfinished Business

13. New Business 

Vote to approve May minutes. Motion by Steph. Seconded by Keegan. In favor: 6. Opposed: 0. Motion passes. 

1. Treasurer Report: 

   1. Sarah reports that there has not been much financial activity in the past month. Sarah completed MNA’s annual filing with the Secretary of State.

1. SE Uplift:

   1. SE Uplift has announced an upcoming volunteering opportunity. They are looking to start a new program to track policies at City Hall. These policies may be related to safety, housing, city life, arts/culture, etc. This group would likely meet once per month. 

   2. SE Uplift also announced an upcoming training, entitled Personal Safety Workshop, to be hosted by Rose City Self Defense. The event takes place on 06/26/26 and registration can be completed on their website.

   3. MNA was awarded a $1,000 grant via the Yard Tree Giveaway program. 

1. Parks and Gardens:

   1. The arboretum has two dying trees that the Parks and Gardens Committee would like to replace. Otherwise there have been no major updates. A reminder was made regarding local emergency meet-up locations (Montavilla Park and Harrison Park). More information can be found via the BEECN program.

1. Communications Committee:

   1. MNA is still making updates to the website. Steph, Adam, and Keegan will be meeting to discuss additional website features on 07/02 at 7:30pm. Steph hopes that the website will serve as a hub for community updates and a means of signing up additional neighbors to the MNA newsletter.

   2. METBA is also creating a website (Meet Me in Montavilla) that MNA is hoping to collaborate or partner with in some way.

1. Land Use and Transportation: 

   1. The SE Uplift meeting on land use in May was cancelled. There is an upcoming public meeting on 06/15/26 from 7:00 to 9:00 in which topics regarding District 3 priorities will be discussed (including the 2045 transportation system plan).

   2. Nedim is completing his public transportation course soon and will be submitting a proposed plan to implement new sidewalks on Stark Street between 82nd Avenue and 76th Avenue.

1. Oak Street Community Action Committee: 

   1. The Community Advisory Committee last met on 06/03/26. The village has been at 100 percent capacity and have put 14 residents (to date) in permanent housing. The operating cost for the facility is approximately two million dollars per year. 463 residents have lived in the village thus far (43 last quarter). The next CAC will be in two months.

1. Harrison Community GNA Committee: 

   1. No major updates since the public walkthrough of the site in April.

1. Art Walk

   1. The committee has pivoted to a virtual self guide format for the art walk. A map of local art sites will be listed on the MNA website. The most recent MNA newsletter contained a link to submit recommended art installations from the community.

1. Joy Committee

   1. The committee is working towards hosting a mural project at a to be determined intersection in the neighborhood. Steph will create a Google document for applications for this mural and the board will create a process for voting on this matter. It will likely cost between $70 and $100 for the mural permit and an additional $300 for the paint. The permit will be applied for by August of this year.

1. City Hall Update:

   1. No updates reported.

1. PEMO Update

   1. Kristina was not present at the meeting. She is still looking for volunteers to manage an incident reporting form adopted from METBA that would support community members in escalating concerns to the city. Interested volunteers can reach out to Kristina via email at Kristina@montavilla.org.

1. Unfinished Business: 

   1. A community member offered feedback about community engagement via social media as well as possibly incorporating a garden walk alongside the MNA art walk.

1. New Business:

   1. The Street Fair will take place 07/26 from 10am to 6pm. MNA will be sharing a booth with the 82nd Avenue Business Association. The priority will be to sell merch to raise funds.  Steph priced out stickers, bottles, shirts, and yard signs at costing approximately $400 (she will generate a formal funding request to submit to the board for approval). Street fair activities may include a “Spin the Wheel” and “Slot Machine” activities. Steph has a canvas tent and tables for the event but also advocated for the board to procure a banner alongside the MNA merch. Steph proposed a concrete goal of raising $700 in funds from merch sales and to gain 50 newsletter subscribers.

   2. MNA is looking for 14 volunteers to man the Street Fair both (45 minute shifts) as well as an additional four volunteers to reach out to four businesses each in hopes of acquiring donations for gift baskets.

Steph moved to adjourn the meeting at 07:17pm. Keegan seconded.