Bridgeton N. A. Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
July 26, 2007
The special meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 6:15 pm at
the Columbia School. There were 27 residents present. Board Members present were: Matt Whitney, Stan Hart, Kim Swenson, Walter Valenta, Leslie Sawyer, CherryAnn
Kolbenschlag and Rebecca Whitney, who was acting secretary for Sam McGarrity.
1. The special meeting was called to discuss the issue of the Drainage District
(DD) tree removal project. We need to draft a plan/letter/proposal to send to the Wyden, Blumenhour and
others. Comments were taken by some interested neighbors. Steve Lewin commented on a friend's actions; Karen Trusty has made many calls,
Carol Emery called Northwest School of Law.
Question - What do we want/need to do? Matt explained to the participants re: a letter from Bob Eaton - discrepancy
about starting to cut trees. We are going to respond to Bob with reasons on why we disagree with them -
alternate plan - Matt is taking ideas for plan - document with bullet points.
2. Outline as drafted – (arguments for response)
a. Levy Landscape Guidelines approval
b. Neighborhood Plan – included streetscape
i delay any removal of trees – we need time – two years or more
ii mitigation – must replace trees – vaults
iii provides amenities to neighborhood, eg., burying power lines, fibre optic cable,
sidewalks, redo road service, and side streets included in paving.
c. flood wall
d. plan must improve and strengthen Bridgeton to make it best in country – we need reasonable ideas/not knee-jerk reaction – reengineering levy is what we need, submit to Congress for approved
(Wyden/Blumenhour/Smith’s office)
e. Riprap Levy – help with funding.
The more we talk we realize we must get experts’ advice – four 100-year events came through with flying colors. We must include in our argument to enforce our ideas/arguments:
∑ No environmental assessment
∑ Get elected officials to give us their support
∑ No notification
∑ What about other trees? (not consistent with other portions of the levy)
Impact on human environment – high level of controversy
Restraining Order – we must show some backbone and fight-EPA issue – Partners: OR Environmental Defense, Columbia Riverkeepers
3. Blumenhour’s impact – Cherry Ann Kolbenschlag proposed a Restraining Order and Plan – (2-prong approach) – all Board Members present were in favor.
Other thoughts – PDC will fund? Perhaps move funds from path to plan – civil engineering plan local improvement district – vote of LID. Discussion of funding was done. We must call Tom Griffin-Valade if it’s viable for us to file TRO. What is our standing? - is this a placeholder? Is this the right thing to do? Walter Valenta brought up points – re: DD is using scare tactics to railroad the trucking companies
and the golf courses.
Amica briefs? Motion to authorize to spending money – all Board members present were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Whitney,
Acting Secretary for Sam McGarrity