Minutes 11/18/14

November 18, 2014

Minutes

p	Michael Livingston, Chair	p	Woody Dukes	p	Bruce Hoffman
p	Sarah Owens, Sect’y	e	Bob Hanna	a	Rebekah Engle
e	Erma Hoffman, Treasurer	a	Brock Campbell

p=present a=absent e=excused

Residents:  Neal T. Kern, Deb Comini, Rosa Leonardi, David Dahle

Organizations: Diana Dettwyler, Downtown Salem Strong, Jason Silverstein, Statesman Journal, Scott Bigham, First Christian Church (for Bob Hanna), A.P. Walther, Salem Weekly,

City/County Representatives:  Officer Treven Upkes, Salem Police Department; Councilor Bennett, Salem City Council; Sheri Wahrgren, Downtown Revitalization Manager, Urban Development Department; Gina Courson, Marion County Parole & Probation

A regular meeting of the CanDo Board of Directors was called to order at 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at the First Christian Church at 685 Marion Street NE, Salem.  Michael Livingston was in the chair and Sarah Owens was secretary.

Minutes of the October meeting were approved by unanimous consent.  

Officer Upkes reported the police were using educational measures and private security guards to combat increased theft from vehicles in the downtown area, attributable to the holiday shopping season and goods being left in plain sight inside the vehicles.  The police also staffed the warming shelter at the Community Action Agency office on Center Street.

 

Councilor Bennett reported that the Council had voted to increase the rate for water, sewer and stormwater service by 6.2%.  He also reported that the Planning Commission was considering changing the way it is constituted, that the change is proving controversial, and he does not favor the change.  There are public hearings on December 1 on a proposed land use code amendment allowing the use of goats for vegetation removal (expected to pass), and a proposal to ban smoking on sidewalks abutting non-smoking facilities.  He reported that  meetings to develop a master plan for Minto Brown Island Park had begun, and all were encouraged to attend.  Finally, he announced that the Regional and West Salem Libraries would be closed from December 8 through 10 for electronic system upgrades that were expected to improve access to e-books, among other things.

Gina Courson answered questions relating to Victim Assistance and provided contact information (follow the link).   

David Dahle presented arguments in favor of changing CanDo’s name to “Downtown Salem Neighborhood and Business Association”, (DSNBA), which was followed by questions and comments from the assembly.  No action was taken.  

In New Business, Michael Livingston’s motion to establish a committee, chaired by the treasurer Erma Hoffman, to complete the application and planning process for a Park Improvement Fund Grant proposal for 2014-15 received unanimous approval.    

The meeting of the Board of Directors adjourned at 7:00 p.m.