Overlook Neighborhood Update (June 6)

1) Special meeting of OKNA called for Wednesday

2) Madrona Park fire next to homeless camp

3) OKNA opposes adidas noise permit

4) Overlook during pandemic – NoPoPaws Pet Store

5) North Portland Trust Fund placemaking grants available

6) Pick up library books at the North Portland branch

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1) Special meeting of OKNA called for Wednesday (agenda)

Members of the Overlook Neighborhood Association have filed a petition with sufficient signatures for a special meeting of OKNA to vote on three items listed below. Per OKNA’s bylaws, we will hold the meeting on Wednesday, June 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. Due to limitations on gathering sizes due to the pandemic, we will hold the meeting via Zoom. Connection information is included on the agenda. Please try to connect to the meeting five minutes before the start time because we will begin promptly.

As a reminder, only eligible members of the Overlook Neighborhood Association may vote at the meeting. Eligible members are anyone 18 years or older who resides in Overlook, owns property in Overlook or is the licensee of a registered business located in Overlook.

A simple majority vote of eligible members will be sufficient to pass any of the three items. We ask that members who attend be respectful and listen to comments from their neighbors with an open mind.

For reference, neighbors might wish to review the letter that OKNA signed onto at the May board meeting. It is included with the agenda.

The three items up for a vote will be:

Petition item 1:
Rescind the support of the Overlook Neighborhood Association for identifying one or more sites within its boundaries suitable for a new managed homeless camp.

Petition item 2:
Immediately send a demand letter to all members of City Council and all other pertinent parties to remove the campsites throughout the neighborhood and along the I-5 corridor and clean up the litter, health hazards and graffiti that has been established on them. Continue to advocate for this action on an ongoing basis – at least once a month.

Petition item 3:
It has been more than 18 months since the City of Portland promised to move the Hazelnut Grove homeless camp to a site in St. Johns. Send a demand letter to all members of City Council and all other pertinent parties that the City of Portland must set a timetable to move the camp and complete this move by no later than September 1st, 2020. Continue to advocate for this action on an ongoing basis – at least once a month.

2) Madrona Park fire next to homeless camp

On Wednesday afternoon, a fire broke out in Madrona Park adjacent to a homeless camp. The fire burned a grassy portion of the bluff at the end of N Wygant Street, not far from the open area popular with dog owners and the playground.

Neighbors spotted smoke from the fire and called 911. Portland Fire responded quickly, and firefighters were able to put out the fire before it damaged any nearby homes or grew out of control. The neighborhood was fortunate that more of the park was not damaged. If this were the dry summer season, the fire could have been far worse.

The camp remains in that area of the park.

Remember, most of the bluff in Overlook is a designated wildfire hazard zone. If you see someone smoking or open flames in a park, you can report it to the park rangers by calling 503-823-1637 or emailing Rangercallcenter@portlandoregon.gov. If there is a homeless camp associated with the activity, you can also report it using the city’s one-point-of contact online form. If you see a wildfire or smoke, call 911 immediately.

3) OKNA opposes adidas noise permit

At its monthly meeting on Tuesday. the Overlook Neighborhood Association Board voted to oppose a noise variance sought by adidas for removal of two cranes associated with its construction project. The noise would allow loud construction noise throughout two weekends: June 5-7 and June 19-21.

OKNA became aware of this situation only after notices were left at neighbors home. The board shared its disappointment that adidas had not reached out to the neighborhood to work out some way to limit noise and accommodate the works. Neighbors deserve quiet after hours and at least one day of the week on Sundays.

Read the letter OKNA submitted to the city and the notice delivered to neighbors. We have not heard back from the OCCL Noise Office despite leaving multiple messages.

4) Overlook during pandemic – NoPoPaws Pet Store

Sarah Fuller of NoPoPaws Pet Store at 2148 N Killingsworth St. has managed to keep some business going, though customers are not allowed in the store. She both delivers and provides curbside service. She also has managed to retain employees, but their hours have been reduced.

Fuller says she is fortunate that her business is considered essential. In this location for 9 years, she has a good customer base that has made her feel supported during trying times. So many neighbors have dogs or cats.

NoPoPaws is concerned that all pets have proper nutrition, so they provide limited free food to people who are income-challenged. Sarah remarked that especially in times like this, pets keep us sane.

5) North Portland Trust Fund place-making grants available

Is your organization looking to fund community projects and programs that engage people in the North Portland Neighborhood Services area? Submit a project proposal to the North Portland Trust Fund for a place-making grant. This year $37,000. is available to neighborhood and community organizations. Grant proposals generally range from $500 to $3,000.

The goals of the trust fund include increasing connections people have to each other and the places they care about; engaging historically marginalized or underrepresented communities; and sustaining those already involved or strengthening existing programs.

Applications are due on July 17. Visit the grant website to learn more, apply or sign up for an upcoming grant workshop.

The Grant Selection Committee is also recruiting members now. If you don’t plan to apply for a grant, why not help choose the winners, especially if they’re from Overlook? Learn more.

6) Pick up library books at the North Portland branch

On Monday, Multnomah County Library will begin offering a pick-up service at some branches, including the North Portland branch, which is on N Killingsworth Street just across I-5 from Overlook. Library card holders can pick up held books by calling ahead for an appointment to 503-988-5123.

Pick-up service at the Kenton and St. Johns branches will begin a week later on June 15.

All library book drop location will reopen for returns on Monday as well. Learn more on the library website.