Woodlawn Neighborhood Association General Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
Please make every effort to join us In Person at Classic Foods: 817 NE Madrona
Or join the meeting online via Zoom (now with improved audio): https://zoom.us/j/3014662210?pwd=d3VKbXkzVldqYzNWU2RwVm9OUkZyZz09 Meeting ID: 301 466 2210 , Passcode: WNA
Streamed/recorded on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@woodlawnneighborhoodassoci5818
Welcome and Vision: “In the future, Woodlawn will be a place where people live harmoniously, respectfully, and in support of one another. The neighborhood will be a clean and thriving community… All Woodlawn residents will share and pursue the common values of health, efficiency, beauty, equity, and justice.”
6:30 – 6:45 Social Time
- Introduce any new members
- Social time – talk to your neighbors
6:45 – 7:30 General Business
- Approve October meeting notes.
Melissa made a motion to approve the October minutes. Anjala seconded. All are in favor. Minutes are approved.
- Traffic and Neighborhood Safety Concerns
Anjala has been working with Lisa on traffic safety concerns. Lisa was online and led the discussion. There are too many “close calls” between pedestrians, bicycles, and (often speeding) traffic including trucks. NE 15th is problematic as well as NE Lombard. Lisa has attempted to reach out to PBOT about these issues; she tried to connect with folks in the city who might be able to get someone at meeting to talk about traffic concerns. NE 15th has traffic regulations – but not the case from Ainsworth north. Apparently, PBOT will not come to out meetings because we don’t have an open situation they are evaluating. Anjala noted that Woodlawn Elementary has made attempts in the past to get additional crosswalks, but this didn’t fly with PBOT. Other folks online commented about these many traffic issues. Lisa noted the contrast between other neighborhoods and their abundance of traffic lights and signs and feels that Woodlawn is underserved by the city. Beatrice noted that more barriers, signs that light up, and marked crosswalks would all be helpful especially for the many children and parents who cross NE Dekum going to and from Woodlawn Elementary School. Melissa said that she felt the various changes made to create the City Greenway along NE Holman made a noticeable difference in calming traffic on NE 15th where she lives. Other neighbors voiced their concerns about Lombard and NE 15th. Unfortunately, NE Lombard is a state highway, and the city has no jurisdiction to make traffic calming changes there.
- Ideas for a Plaza in Woodlawn
Please see PBOT’s request at https://www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/plazas/plaza-partner-open-call . We need to form a committee to further discuss this and to talk with businesses in the area of a potential plaza to get their input.
John T., a neighbor on NE 8th, sent his thoughts about a potential plaza and Linde and Matt presented them. The area near Campana and Firehouse, where the Woodlawn Farmers Market is held, is probably the only viable option. This space would be akin to the Concordia Commons at NE Killingsworth and NE 30th. As part of this proposal we need to work with nearby businesses and neighbors to get their thoughts and concerns on the record about a plaza, parking, etc. Lisa online shared her concern about how it might affect/re-route auto traffic through the neighborhood and lead to unintended consequences. Beatrice online share that a plaza might affect the routes that many folks take when walking or traveling to and from Woodlawn Elementary. Anjala reached out to Tim at Firehouse, but he hasn’t gotten back to her yet. George from Campana noted that the potential for more outdoor seating is a plus for them but that parking and space for delivery vehicles are already an issue. George is happy to work with WNA to figure out what could be done. He noted we also need to think about emergency vehicles and the residents. Linde suggests that we could mock up several different design choices to see how it would work in different scenarios. Angela said we want it to be accessible. Caitlyn wonders if this project could also involve getting another crosswalk. That would be helpful.
We need to talk to neighbors and businesses. We need to have a plan and submit it by December 1st, and we need to have a committee as part of all of this. It was decided that we like the idea and we want to explore our options and come up with a plan. All are in favor including online. Melissa would like to help with the committee, Anjala will also be involved, Matt West, John T. perhaps as a lead. If you have any interest, let Anjala know.
- Discussion of Future of Farmers Market & Representatives for Upcoming Meeting
Dave and Linde attended the November 3 meeting about the future of the Farmers Market where the resigning board members gave an excellent presentation. At the end of meeting, PZ said they are going to step down as market manager but might be willing to be chair/vice-chair of a new board and also serve on the WNA board. PZ wants to follow up one-on-one with folks most interested in keeping the market going. There are roughly 10 folks who have expressed some level of commitment. David, Linde, and Nancy offered to help from the WNA side. There is some level of urgency around all this as vendor applications need to go out in January. Linde and PZ will do one-on-one follow-up. It is also not too late to fill out the Farmers Market survey. The old board has everything ready to hand off to new folks. Caitlyn said they also struggled with volunteer recruitment. And all six are interested in volunteer roles with the market.
- Report from Woodlawn Elementary School Steering Committee.
Linde began attending as our WNA rep this week. The Woodlawn Steering Committee is a group of Woodlawn neighbors who present diverse and valuable perspectives to the community, especially those that affect Woodlawn Elementary students and families.
- Time for Neighbor Open Comments
Nancy needs someone to empty the small WNA-sponsored trash can on NE Dekum next to the bus shelter. From November 19 to December 4, she will be out of town. Dave agreed to help.
Caitlyn, a neighbor at the meeting, is a doula. She notes that families are in need of help and supplies right now. We briefly discussed WNA’s history of engagement with community support and local government.
Linde noted that, at Woodlawn Elementary School Steering Committee meeting, she learned about upcoming training events to learn how to protect yourself and your family from ICE. We will make this an item on our December agenda.
7:30 – 7:50 Regular Meeting Adjourned – You are welcome to stay for Board business!
- Treasurer’s Report – Melissa
We have $2775.27 in the WNA account.
- Farmers Market Update – Keith
The market has concluded for the season. The winter market will be held on Saturday, December 6th 11am to 4 pm in Classic Foods. This would be a good opportunity for WNA members to volunteer. E-mail the Woodlawn Farmers Market if you are interested in volunteering. woodlawnfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
- Secretary’s Report – Nancy
Recently, there have been a few issues with the Go Woodlawn homepage. New posts were not showing up on the bottom of the home page even thought they are in the Blog section. Shelly our web host/webmaster “tweaked” some code this week which will hopefully help with this issue If you ever issue with the Go Woodlawn homepage, let Nancy know.
We are in compliance with submitting our WNA minutes to NECN and got a certificate about this!
- Outreach and Community Engagement Report – Linde
The Go Woodlawn website signup link form is working again. Shelly had to fix it with MailChimp. Nancy will do a Go Woodlawn post about the signup area —contact form on the bottom of the homepage. If anyone wants to help Linde with the newsletters and/or Mail Chimp, she is happy to have volunteers.
NECN Report – Anjala
NECN has now entered into its second year with its expanded 28-member board. Anjala feels that the board is about to start functioning more fully at long last.
Land Use and Transportation Report – Anjala
We received certified mail from Port of Portland about the building of a maintenance hangar at the Portland airport because Woodlawn Park is under an overlap for a potential future expansion of the runway. There is a hearing 12:30 November 5, 2025, about this project.
Meeting adjourned
7:50 – 8:00 Additional agenda items and announcements
Question about the status of the development at NE Dekum and Durham status. Apparently the property was sold 2 years ago to a development company with the caveat that the former owner can continue to reside there until he dies. She has received no notices about any imminent development on the site.
