Awbrey Butte Neighborhood Association
Membership Meeting
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Location: Sylvan Park
Approximately 130 people attended the first general meeting from 12:00 – 2:00pm. Food and cold drinks were provided using a donation from Brooks Resources. Representatives from the Bend Fire Department and the County Commissioners’ Forest Specialist were on hand to talk to people about making their homes defensible against fire.
Leslie Conley, President, opened the meeting and explained the history of the formation of the Association, its purpose and the goals of the meeting. Leslie then introduced each Board member who spoke briefly about their responsibilities
Liz O’Connell, Vice-President
- discussed noxious weed abatement and the Association’s application for non-profit status. Liz also spoke about the need to raise money to pay the attorney who worked on opposing the Brooks Resources application for the proposed Unicel building on Merchant Way, and announced that the Association was raffling a digital camera to help raise some of that money.
Ian Wotherspoon, Treasurer
- announced that a checking account, requiring two signatures, had been opened at Community First Bank, using the $500.00 donated by Brooks Resources.
Michelle Shooks, Recording Secretary
- invited people to attend future Board meetings that will be held at her office on College Way. Michelle introduced Dane & Karrie Schalk who wanted to receive feedback from the public about their proposed coffee kiosk on Merchant Way.
Jim Swarm, Financial Secretary
- discussed the need for residents to make their homes defensible against fire and explained that he has been working closely with the Bend Fire Department and the County Commissioners’ Forest Specialist on this issue.
Tom Stump, Awbrey Glen Homeowner’s Association Representative
- discussed the progress that Awbrey Glen residents have made with getting their neighborhood in full compliance with fire abatement and defense standards.
Mary Cope, Board Member
- explained her involvement in the annual SOLV community cleanup campaign and encouraged people to participate in the campaign next year.
Rodney Mock – Land Use Committee Chair
- presented current land use applications and explained that one of the key functions of the Association is to provide a liaison between the residents and the City regarding their concerns about land use issues.
Jennifer Salari – Membership Committee Chair, was unable to attend the meeting.
The following people also addressed the meeting:
Ron Fisher – Save Our Skyline
Ron gave an update on the Hearings Officer’s recent decision regarding the Awbrey Towers. He discussed the ongoing need for people to give time and money to the campaign to prevent the expansion of the Awbrey Butte towers.
Suzie Lovisco – Deputy Fire Marshall – Bend Fire Department
Joe Stutler – Deschutes County Commissioners Forest Specialist
Suzie and Joe presented general information about fire prevention and defense and spoke specifically about much of the ABNA area being in a high risk fire zone. After their presentation, they spoke to people individually and distributed brochures about fire prevention and defense. Bend Fire Department had a fire truck and an ambulance on display during the meeting.
These presentations were followed by a general Q&A session, after which people were encouraged to enjoy the food and discuss any individual concerns they have with a Board member, or one of the other speakers.
The meeting began at 12:00 noon and ended at 2:00pm.
