West Gresham

Fall Meeting Notice When: Mon Nov 08, 2021 7PM-8:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom Click here to Join Meeting (New to Zoom? Go to https://zoom.us/join) Dial-in Zoom +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 864 2480 4501 Passcode: 061657

Neighborhood Meeting, Everyone's Invited

Join Your Neighbors. Get involved. Make a difference!

Save the date
Be sure to save Monday Nov 8th at 7PM for the Wilkes East Neighborhood 2021 Fall Meeting.

Agenda

• Kevin Dahlgren, City of Gresham, Homeless Services
• Mary Ann "Miki" Herman, New CEO of Ablertina Kerr
• Election of Officers
• Q & A
• Neighborhood news and more

Who should attend?
Participation is open to all residents who live, own property or a business, organization, church or government agency within our boundaries

Be Part Of Your Community. Plan To Attend.

Watch for these red & white Meeting Signs the week before our meeting. The signs were purchased with assistance of the City of Gresham Neighborhood Grant Program, and with volunteer hours to set them out and retrieve them. Signs Now NW also made a generous contribution to this project.

Mark your calendar. See you there!

Questions or comments?
Contact Wilkes East Neighborhood by email at info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: Wilkes East Neighborhood, 17104 NE Oregon St, Portland Oregon 97230

Retired, have a flexible schedule, want some exercise, need school credits? The City of Gresham is requesting volunteer support to help manage trails and plant species in the forest at Nadaka Nature Park, 17550 NE Pacific St.

Work will be led by PGE interns and will include digging, pulling and pruning. Work will require use of shovels, loppers and wheelbarrows. Equipment and work gloves will be provided, we suggest you bring your own water bottle. Bring sturdy work shoes and clothing you’re comfortable working in, as we approach fall weather please ensure to come dressed for the weather.

Covid-19 protocols: Everyone must be wearing a mask at all times, unless more than 6ft away from others. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Volunteers will be required to complete an application and sign a waiver.

Volunteer schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:00pm-5:30pm, Thursdays and Fridays 10:00am-2:30pm

More Info?
Please email keri.handaly@GreshamOregon.gov to inquire/rsvp.

Summer 2021 Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Summer 2021 Newsletter Inside This Issue: Trackers, Never Lose Stuff Again New Special Needs Adult Program Wilkes East Land-Use Update Saving 267 Trees; Shaull Woods Meet City Councilor Dina DiNucci

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Where: 17104 NE Oregon St Portland, OR Get Map!

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jul 12, 2021
• Aug 09, 2021 *
• Sep 13, 2021
• Oct 11, 2021
• Nov 08, 2021 *
• Dec 13, 2021
• Jan 10, 2022

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Online meeting via Zoom Click here to join. By phone Meeting ID: 892 2254 1468 Passcode: 336727 One tap mobile +12532158782,,89222541468#,,,,*336727# US (Tacoma)

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jun 14, 2021
• Jul 12, 2021
• Aug 09, 2021 *
• Sep 13, 2021
• Oct 11, 2021
• Nov 08, 2021 *
• Dec 13, 2021

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon May 10, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Online meeting via Zoom Click here to join. Passcode: 226696

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jun 14, 2021
• Jul 12, 2021
• Aug 09, 2021 *
• Sep 13, 2021
• Oct 11, 2021
• Nov 08, 2021 *

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Public Welcome When: Tue, May 11, 2021 6PM- Where: Online meeting via Zoom

A public meeting of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission Budget Committee (GRDCBC) will be held on May 11 at 6:00 pm, at which time the proposed fiscal year 2021-22 budget for the Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal Area (URA) will be considered by the GRDCBC.

How to participate

In conformance with the governor.s limitations on public gatherings, the meeting will be conducted using Zoom, an online meeting platform. The meeting structure is consistent with the governor.s Executive Order No. 20-16.

Join the meeting

• Join the meeting online
  Passcode: qstdx7

• One-tap mobile: +12532158782,,99053194321#,,,,*418699#
• Join by phone: 1+ 253-215-8782
  • Webinar ID: 990 5319 4321
  • Passcode: 418699

Public comments during COVID-10 pandemic

Please note the updated process for providing public comments during the meeting.

• Written testimony: Must be received 24 hours in advance of the meeting to the Program Technician at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.
• Oral Testimony: If you plan to provide oral public testimony, you must register your name, email address, phone number and subject matter to the Program Technician via email to Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
• If you want to provide testimony and are unable to provide written comments in advance or are otherwise unable to access the meeting via Zoom, please notify the Program Technician Cecille Turley via email to Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov 24 hours in advance of the meeting so that the City can provide alternate arrangements.
• If you need translation services for the meeting, contact Alex Logue by 5:00 pm on Thursday, May 6 at Alex.Logue@GreshamOregon.gov.

For more information about the GRDCBC or about this meeting, visit the GRDCBC page or contact Sharron Monohon, Budget and Finance Director, at 503-618-2890 or Sharron.Monohon@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Tue, May 18, 2021 2PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom Get Map!

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) meets as needed on the third Tuesday of the month following the 1:00 pm Gresham City Council meeting. The GRDC meeting start time will vary depending on the length of the Gresham City Council meeting.

GRDC meetings allow necessary Urban Renewal business to be dealt with, such a bid and grant awards, budget adoption, public hearings, resolutions, approval of projects and related updates, and policy and property matters.

COVID-19 emergency order meeting procedure

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings are held online via Zoom.

How to attend and access agenda materials

• The Zoom meeting log-in/call-in information is listed on the first page of the meeting agenda. The agenda and related materials are posted on the Council Meeting Agendas and Videos web page under Upcoming Events (Redevelopment Commission applicable meeting), and on the Gresham Redevelopment Commission web page in the Meeting agendas and minutes section. Agenda materials are posted to those locations approximately one week before the meeting.
• If you are unable to access the meeting via Zoom, contact Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov no later than 2:00 pm the day before the meeting so the City can provide alternate arrangements.

How to provide testimony

• Residents who want to provide oral testimony must register their name, e-mail address, phone number, and subject matter no later than 2:00 pm the day before the meeting via email to Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.
• Residents who want to provide written testimony must submit their written testimony no later than 2:00 pm the day before the meeting via email to Cecille Turley, Program Technician at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov so the testimony can be provided to the GRDC before the meeting.

For more information, contact Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.

PMG PHOTO: TERESA CARSON - Barbara Kinzie Christman is one of the residents who objects to the Headwaters project in Southwest Gresham. The 30-home development would require removal of 250 mature fir trees, which abutt a undeveloped park and two wetland areas.

Source: Gresham Outlook, April 8 2021
By Teresa Carson

Survey asks folks to rate 10 possible projects, buying Headwaters site is one option

The city of Gresham launched a survey on how to use its Metro parks funds, and depending on public input, could purchase the controversial proposed Headwaters housing development site for park land.

The survey opened Monday, April 5, and asks people's opinions on how to use the $5.4 million that Gresham is getting from the 2019 Metro Parks and Nature bond measure.

There are 10 proposed parks projects totaling $13 million. That's more than twice the funds available from the Metro bond. The survey asks folks to pick the three projects they see as most important.

"The mayor and City Council want to provide an opportunity for public input and want to hear how residents would like to see the city spend our "local share" of this money," said Elizabeth Coffey, Gresham's director of communications. The Headwaters property is included as one of 10 potential projects that could be purchased with these funds," "There are lots of competing needs for this $5.4 million, which is why it is critical that residents tune in and let us know what their priorities are," she added.

The $5.4 million can be used for parks or natural resources projects that boost access to nature, water quality, habitat and protect against climate change. The money cannot be spent on playgrounds, sports fields, recreation programs, pools or fountains.

City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 4, to review the results of the public outreach and vote on disposition of the Metro funds, including potential purchase of the Headwaters property.

The proposed Headwaters development has stirred controversy in Gresham and beyond.

Development of the 7.82 acre tract would cut down a dense stand of more than 250 mature fir trees adjacent to a protected wetland area and park. The city approved the project and no appeal was filed.

Formerly owned by the late Helen Shaull, the wedge-shaped property is at 3535 W. Powell Blvd. It is about half-mile east of the Highland Fair shopping center.

The forested site is next to Fairview Creek headwaters, the undeveloped Southwest Community Park and near the Grant Butte Wetlands owned by the city of Gresham. The southwest portion of the site is a Habitat Conservation Area.

COURTESY PHOTO: CITY OF GRESHAM - A project at Fujitsu Ponds is one of the 10 proposed uses for the $5.4 million in Metro bond funds. The city of Gresham has opened a survey for residents to rank the 10 projects in importance.

"The Shaull property would be a purchase, while all the other projects are for properties that the city already owns. If the Shaull property is not purchased by the city, it will be forever lost. The other parks projects may get money in the future," said Janet Unruh, who does not want to see the Headwaters development proceed.

In addition to the proposed Headwaters purchase, the other nine projects included in the survey are:

• Columbia View Park, 1000 N.E. 169th Ave. The city's $850,000 proposal calls for a nature play area, making trails accessible, a Columbia Gorge viewpoint and other improvements.

• Southeast Neighborhood Park, 3003 S.E. Barnes Road. Trails, picnic facilities, signs and a nature play area would be added to this 6.5 acre undeveloped park at a cost of $600,000.

• Jenne Butte Neighborhood Park, 2358 S.W. Border Way, would get a wetland viewpoint, trails, picnic facilities and more, for $1.2 million.

• East Gresham Neighborhood Park, 237 S.E. Williams Road, would get improvements such as signage, trails, picnic facilities and a nature play area at a cost of $650,000.

• Southeast Community Park, 5600 S.E. Salquist Road, would see soft and paved trails, picnic facilities, a restroom, nature play area, off-leash dog area, and more, at a price of $2 million.

• Southwest Community Park, 3333 West Powell Blvd., would get improvements that could include picnic areas, wetland viewing, trails community gardens, a restroom and more, at a cost of $2.25 million.

• Hogan Butte Nature Education Center, would purchase the undeveloped forest land north of Hogan Butte Nature Park, 757 S.E. Gabbert Road. A home on the property would become the accessible Nature Education Center to engage students in a native plant nursery and other operations. This would cost $700,000.

• Fujitsu Ponds, off Glisan Street near Salish ponds, would get improvements worth $1.75 million. The upgrades would eliminate warm water from going into these ponds, benefiting wildlife and reducing flooding risk. A public natural are would be created.

• Forest health recovery. The proposal is to spend $1 million on forest restoration and safety efforts all over Gresham.

SGS Development LLC, headquartered in Bend, bought the Shaull property for around $1 million and plans to develop the lots and sell the property to a builder to construct the 30 homes. Chet Antonsen, of SGS Development, said Metro and Gresham had first right of refusal on the property and declined to buy it.

COURTESY PHOTO: CITY OF GRESHAM - Another of the 10 proposals would spend $2 million on upgrades at Southeast Community Park, a 6. 5 acre undeveloped site on Southeast Barnes Road.

SGS is asking $2.5 million for the acreage now. The city would spend about $500,000 for improvements for a total cost of $3 million.

The proposed development unleashed a torrent of public comment and controversy. The city received many comments, all opposed to the Headwaters development, from local residents to the The Audubon Society of Portland.

John Bildsoe, vice president of the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhoods, wrote that arrowheads and other artifacts from Indigenous people have been found on the site.

After similar community pushback in 2014, SGS sold the Gantenbein Farm property at 2826 N.W. Division St. it planned to develop, to Metro, Gresham and the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD). That property is now the part of the Grant Butte Wetlands.

Take the survey
Share your thoughts on how the city could use its portion of Metro parks funds by taking a survey at: GreshamOregon.gov/Parks-Planning

For more information email: ParkOptions@GreshamOregon.gov or leave a voicemail: 503-618-2145. Instructions will be in English and Spanish.

Paper surveys will be available upon request.

The survey is due by Monday, April 26.

Survey responses are limited to one per person. Duplicate submittals will be removed.

This story first appeared in The Outlook. Support community newspapers. Subscribe at http://savinglocalnews.com

Get involved, Make a difference When: Wed, Mar 10, 2021 6PM-8PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee (GRDCAC) advises the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) on the implementation of urban renewal plans. Members are appointed to three-year terms and must be electors residing within the City of Gresham. Insofar as possible, candidates who are residents of the Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal Area (URA) shall receiving preference in appointment.

For questions about meeting agendas and minutes, or to receive meeting agendas, contact the Recording Secretary at 503-618-3208 or Amy.Evans@GreshamOregon.gov.