08/15/2012 - Minutes 9 ,1 City of Tigard
Neighborhood Involvement Committee-
' ' 1 Minutes
MEETING DATE/TIME: Wednesday,August 15, 2012; 7:00 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Tigard Public Library, 2nd Floor Conference Room
13500 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard OR 97223
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Chair.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Basil Christopher, Bev Froude, Cathy Olson, Connie Ramaekers, Sue Carver,
Jeremy Audritsh (Area 10!)
Staff. Joanne Bengtson
Guest: Laila Muhareb, New Seasons Market Community Coordinator (by Areas 1 & 13)
3. APPROVE JUNE 20,2012 DRAFT MINUTES
Sue motioned to accept the June 20 meeting minutes, Connie seconded— approved.
4. REVIEW CURRENT BY-LAWS FOR NEW STRUCTURE
Committee members reviewed the second draft of revised bylaws and provided input on further
changes that reflect the program's new direction. This committee remains the program designer,
but additionally, members serve as leaders in finding ways to reach neighbors at the local level
through the Neighborhood Network Program.
A representative from each neighborhood will make up the committee membership and serve for
at least one year (4 meetings).
Members may help identify avenues for getting information out to residents, provide input on
ways the city can be a better communicator, share new ways to advertise the program and learn
from other's experiences with communication problems and successes. Examples included boil
water notices, group home placement in residential areas and disaster planning—how might the
blog maximize neighborhood involvement in any of these cases?
Function of neighborhood program remains committed to informing, educating and connecting
residents. How we do that in each part of the city looks different—nobody knows your
neighborhood better than the people who live there. We can use the blog as a portal for
connecting residents with city services, getting their questions answered, sharing the things that
connect us all to the city we live in. The blogs are a great way to vet major city projects,
communicate budget cuts and "push" local news to your email box through a subscription to
your neighborhood blog. Although popular, the Cityscape isn't a perfect communication tool
Neighborhood Involvement Committee MINUTES — 8/15/12
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because it can't capture up-to-the minute news (eg.: boil water emergencies & the Code Red
system), like the blogs can. The NIC retains final say in developing the standards for blog
content and blog admin service.
Once NIC approves the draft version,Joanne will send to Council for adoption.
Jeremy Audritsh from Area 10's steering committee attended this meeting and will serve as the
area representative to the NIC. Joanne will ask other steering committee members from Area 2,
3 and 11 if they are interested in serving on the NIC.
Bev asked about the difference between our program and the CPO program. The CPO is a
vehicle for addressing countywide issues (transit service, health & human service issues, sheriff's
patrol),while the neighborhood program deals with neighborhood issues (construction, school
activity, disaster preparedness, etc.).
5. FEBRUARY 2,2013 EVENT OPEN HOUSE—VIRTUAL OR LIVE
The virtual open house is a showcase to raise awareness of the program and connect residents
with their area. Traditionally,we've used the open house to show residents the services that are
available in Tigard—but a virtual open house gives us the ability to reach people in the manner
that they find easiest for them.
After a debate of virtual vs. live, the committee chose to hold a virtual open house during the
month of February. Cathy asked Joanne to reserve computers at the library for anyone who
would like to stop by and participate in the open house. She offered to help visitors navigate the
online open house.
Committee would like to ask neighbors to `name' their area and make it more personal.
Advertising will be done in Cityscape, on neighborhood sites and on the city website.
6. COUNCIL POLL FOR NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK PERFORMANCE
What is important to Council within this program? What do they hope the program will achieve?
Council is eager to hear what residents think, but Basil said he would like to ask each Councilor
to post news and/or pose questions of residents via the neighborhood network sites and see
more use of the sites as a conduit for city issues.
Basil asked if we have the capability to allow residents to type questions to Councilors during a
Council meetings and get a real time answer.Joanne said it would be a great addition to our
communication tool chest if it were limited to the Citizen Communication portion of the
meeting. Stopping for questions throughout the agenda might limit the amount of work they can
complete.
7. OTHER
Group home —what is city policy on group homes? Tigard's Municipal Code covers
group home living in Chapter 15.20, 14.16 and 18.130 (Zoning).
Neighborhood Involvement Committee MINUTES — 8/15/12
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Web content—Basil asked about business referrals on the blog. No- it's advertising.
But if you left a comment asking for a specific service, they should be followed by the
requestor's personal email address so that no businesses are named on the neighborhood
site. There is a link on the city's website to local businesses through our business license
program, or it's possible to list the Tigard Chamber's web address for buying local.
Sunday Farmer's Market- Basil said he heard that New Season's made a grant available
to the Tigard Area Farmers Market and Laila talked about their strong commitment to
community involvement. Laila referred to the free demonstrations, nutritional classes and
First Thursday events that are open to everyone.
Councilor profile —Residents should know something about the Council they elected.
Basil would like to hear from them—perhaps a small bio or regular message to residents.
Web Administrator Update
Area 9 Cook Park is looking for a web administrator and Area 1 Scholls Summerlake is
looking for a web admin. If you know someone in either of those areas who might be
interested, have them callJoanne.
Area 4 (Metzger) is still looking for a partner to share web duties.
Next Meeting
February 20, 2013.
8. ADjouRN
Chair Christopher adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Neighborhood Involvement Committee MINUTES — 8/15/12
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