Minutes 4/19/16

April 19, 2016

Minutes

ANNUAL MEETING

p	David Dahle, Chair	p	Woody Dukes	a	Brock Campbell
p	Michael Livingston, Vice Chair	p	Bob Hanna	p	Diana Dettwyler
p	Erma Hoffman, Treasurer	p	Bruce Hoffman	p	Neal Kern
e	Sarah Owens, Sec’y	p	Rebekah Engle

p=present a=absent e=excused

Residents: Bill Holmstrom, Deb Comini, Rosa Leonardi, Ruth and Dwight Racke, Valorie Freeman

Organizations: Jon Christianson and Lorrie Walker, SCAN; Simon Sandusky, UGM; Maurice Anderson, Salem Homeless Coalition and St Mark Lutheran Church

City and County Representatives: Councilor Bennett; Officer Van Meter; Hitesh Parekh, Chief Moore and Don Frederickson, Public Safety Coordinating Council

Guests: Cara Kaser, Jan Kailuweit, both of Grant NA and both candidates for Ward 1 Council seat

The Annual Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the First Christian Church at 685 Marion Street NE, Salem. Michael Livingston was in the chair and Sarah Owens acted as Secretary.

The minutes of the March meeting were approved unanimously.

Officer Van Meter reported a decline in thefts from vehicles in 2016 over the same period in 2015 (from 20 to 4) and 500 fewer “car clouts” during the last holiday season over the prior season, and that this was due to the work of a large team, from detectives to parking enforcement officers.  He reported that SPD is no longer doing “transient sweeps”, but is instead using a harm reduction model that uses outreach and cleanups, a somewhat nuanced distinction, but an important one nonetheless that was having some success.  There have been two outreach/cleanups, one at the K&D Sand & Gravel property (Hwy 22 at Capital Manor) and the other off of Portland Road NE at Kale, which two CANDO board members observed.  Both were accomplished with no arrests, and resulted in getting at least one individual into permanent housing.  Sgt. Van Meter is continuing to work with medical professionals to understand the OHP system and find efficiencies in indigent services.  Lastly, he announced that he would be moving from head of the Downtown Enforcement Team to an administrative position and that Sgt. Kevin Hill would be taking over his position.

Invited to comment, Chief Moore, who said he had been with SPD for 37 years, the last 11 as Chief, said “we can’t keep Salem safe by ourselves, we need the eyes, ears and ideas of the community”, and approved the changed approach to the homeless in the community.        

Councilor Bennett reported that the Community Development Department was launching a pilot program to assist with neighborhood association capacity-building and goal setting. One neighborhood association will be selected for the initial pilot project through a competitive grant application process.  The successful applicant will receive staff time to assist with a specific goal for a few hours a week for one to six months.  He also reported that budget hearings were underway and invited everyone to attend.  Asked about whether the City is collecting transient occupancy tax on AirBnBs, he reported that the City has not developed a method for identifying them (other than looking on the AirBnB website) and so relies on an “honor system” for reporting and tax payments.  He also indicated that Salem’s ordinances are likely out of date and will need to be revised, which he will be looking into.

Michael Livingston reported on the results of CANDO’s Public Safety Survey, followed by public comment, which is detailed in this report. 

In new business, Sarah Owens nominated Rebekah Engle, Woody Dukes, Bob Hanna, Bruce Hoffman, Erma Hoffman, Michael Livingston, and herself to serve as board members.  Michael Livingston nominated Bill Holmstrom.  All were elected by unanimous consent.  The Chair announced that officers would be selected at the May meeting.

There being no other business before the board, the Annual Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.