General Membership Meeting Minutes Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 7:00 PM
Attendance: ( The NA Board) Rita Dambrun, Carrie Butler, Destiny Trevino, Velda Madison, Valerie Skinner and guest from C-tran Jay Housgard.
Snacks and drinks were provided.
Since we only had one neighbor member besides board members meeting was informal.
C-Tran Jay Housgard: His goal is to connect with neighborhoods in the city of Vancouver to educate us on the C-tran system. It’s been around for 40 years, is publicly funded through sales tax and fees. They have larger fixed routes, but it’s a larger transit system throughout Clark County. They go as far as Battle Ground, Yacolt, Camas, and Washougal.
There is a disability van called C-van… which is a more door to door service and very inexpensive. Seniors ride for half price, but if disability can use c-van. Children, College Students ride free. They have regional and express buses to Portland and airport which can be picked up at Fisher’s Landing.
More Info can be found at their website: mail.c-tran.com
The Interstate Bridge and the possible two stops at the waterfront and at Fort Vancouver Library were discussed. We were encouraged to make our voices heard by going to interstatebridge.org regarding the bridge replacement and the possibility of the train running between Portland and Vancouver. Public Comments are taken until Nov. 18.
Note: Feedback is still being accepted regarding new I-5 bridge at:
interstatebridge.com
City of Vancouver’s Forestry Dept. Met with Carrie:
RE: Trees in park. They would like to plant more trees in the park, specifically behind the gazebo to increase the canopy. They will plant the trees and water and maintain them for one year. Carrie would like to meet with HOA to discuss further and get okay, as well as from the neighbors this could impact.
Traffic Calming Program:
At the time of the meeting Destiny had not heard. She followed up the next day and we found out we did not get the grant. Only three neighborhoods were selected and ours was not one of them. A fourth may be funded if add’l money becomes available. We can try again next year.
Street Mural Program:
Rita is investigating a Street Mural Program the City of Vancouver offers and well as grant opportunities. Research shows that street murals can affect and slow down traffic on roads and well as promoting a sense of community. Requires a lot of paperwork, design, neighbor's approval, and city’s approval. Unsure of cost at this point including any permits needed. Cannot use words like, stop, yield or slow, but we are asking if we can put 25 mph. The Culture, Arts & Heritage Grants are available from $1000-10,000. - needs high artistic quality, innovation & Creativity. Should celebrate, preserve the heritage & diversity in our neighborhood. But there are others too. Rita will continue to investigate this option. May be more like a two year project. Would be helpful if we could get some people to help with this endeavor. Thinking of the intersection of 154th & 70th. And 154th and 72nd.
NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP EVENT:
Set for Sat., Nov. 2 at 9:00 AM. Rita will post on mailboxes and will include on our fb page.
First 5 people to come get a certificate for free 12 oz shake from Burgerville, and we will provide snacks.
FOOD DRIVE
Sunday, Nov. 9. We will distribute notes that they can put on their donation bags while we do clean up event on the 2nd. Destiny will make up the notes so we have them on the 2nd to pass out.
CLARK COUNTY FOOD PROJECT:
We discussed possibly joining this group as we heard about it from the Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance Group. We would sign up and get neighbors to sign up to participate. We would need a coordinator and then the second Sat. of each Even month (Feb, Apr, June, etc) we collect their green bags and replace with an empty green bag. Food is donated to FISH of Orchards, Neighbors helping Neighbors, E.Vancouver Community Church Food Pantry as well as more.
GIFT WRAPPING FUNDRAISER:
Event is scheduled for Sat. Dec. 21. We will purchase the wrapping paper, unlike last year where Destiny purchased.
GRANT MONEY 2025:
According to William Cooley at the VNA meeting there will be 80-85,000 in grant money from the city available to neighborhoods. 2026 projected grant money is 65-70,000
NEWSLETTER:
We sent out 67 emails, one email was bad. 52/67 emails opened the newsletter, 15 did not open.
According to Analyticals: As of 10/28/24 we had 141 views. Average time spent reading was 17 minutes. Out of the 141 views…. 13 opened the attachment (HOA newsletter), 6 used buttons and 6 used links. 109 were accessed by email, 21 accessed it directly, 8 from facebook.
Suggestion: We include cost of newsletter to next year’s grant request.