Neighborhood Connections: Jan 2010


City of Gresham: Neighborhood Connections Jan 2010

City of Gresham News,
Community Activities,
Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.


Learn Communication Skills for Conflicts

Everyone gets into conflicts. The success is in communicating through them. Learn about five styles of handling conflict, when to use each, and how to talk through the challenging times. A free workshop on February 16 will teach participants about conflict styles and how to communicate when it gets tough. Sponsored by East Metro Mediation of the City of Gresham, you can learn skills that mediators use. Read more

Volunteer for Recycling Knock & Talks

Recycling & Solid Waste is looking for volunteers to work as a team at apartment complexes to provide tenants information about recycling. This is a great opportunity to learn about recycling and to make a difference in your community by passing on tips. Training provided. Read more

Neighborhood Safety Forum - February 17

The winter neighborhood safety forum will feature a “behind the scenes” look at our 911 system, an update on current activities from the Gresham Police Department, and an up close look at our building codes and how they keep us safe. Read more

Serve on the City’s Transportation Subcommittee

The Transportation Division is recruiting members to serve on the City's Transportation Subcommittee. The subcommittee advises the City Council and the planning commission on transportation and traffic issues, federal, state and local policies, standards, plans, and capital programs. It also serves as the City’s Traffic Safety Commission. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall. For more information contact Katherine Kelly, Transportation Planning Manager, 503-618-2110 or Katherine.Kelly@GreshamOregon.gov. Read more

Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for Kelly Creek Neighborhood Tree Planting

Homeowners in the Kelly Creek Neighborhood have the opportunity to participate in the first ever Friends of Trees neighborhood tree planting in Gresham. Through Friends of Trees, homeowners can purchase discounted nursery trees to plant in their planting strip or yard. Trees provide great benefits, such as shade, energy cost reduction, cleaner air, and increased property values. If you are in the Kelly Creek Neighborhood, you can get trees for only $19.99 each, just sign up on our website before January 25th. Signing up does not obligate you to purchase trees. To make an account, go to the website and click on “Order Street and Yard Trees”. Read more

Help Develop a Design Vision for Multi-Family Housing

Citizens, business owners and property owners are asked to help the City shape a new design vision for future Multi-Family Housing on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at a community forum. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Rooms 2A and 2B at the Gresham City Hall Building, 1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway in Gresham. The community forum will provide an opportunity for public input on a vision for multi-family development with regard to site design and building design by examining desired quality, design excellence, landscaping, open space, sustainable elements, transportation access, public safety, building orientation, architecture and materials. Read more

Kelly Creek Volunteer Event - January 16

Work off those holiday dinners by volunteering outdoors at Kelly Creek to improve its water quality and wildlife habitat. Bring your family, friends and neighbors from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 16. Read more

Stark Street Road Project Starting in Rockwood

The City estimates construction will begin in late January on the Stark Street Boulevard Project Phase II from 190th to 199th Avenues. The project will continue improvements made in 2004 between 181st and 190th Avenues to make Stark Street safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, and increase the appeal of the area. Read more

GREAT Business Campaign Kick-Off - January 29

The GREAT Businesses program has set a goal to certify 10% of the business in Gresham as GREAT Recyclers or GREAT Businesses in 2010. In order to reach this goal we need your help. Pledge now to be GREAT in 2010, and enjoy special recognition through Earth Day. The City extends an invitation to businesses in Gresham to make your own "Pledge to GREAT in 2010" at the kickoff event when the GREAT Businesses program hosts the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce's Connect With Success AM event from 7 to 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, in the Gresham City Council Chambers, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway. Read more

$100 Rain Garden Grants Available in 2010

Planning to landscape in spring? By installing a rain garden into your landscape to manage stormwater from your home, you could be eligible for up to $100 from the City and East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District. Grant rules and installation guidelines will be available in February. The City will also offer a free rain garden workshop at the end of March. For more information contact Keri Handaly at 503-618-2657 or email Keri.Handaly@GreshamOregon.gov. Read more

Help Volunteer to Survey Frogs This Winter

Do you know what frog eggs look like? Watershed Management is partnering again in January with resident volunteers to survey for and monitor our urban amphibians. We are looking for individuals, families and community groups to “adopt a site” and spend a few hours each month recording what species use your site for breeding, feeding, or just passing through. Read more

February Outdoor Volunteer Event - February 20

Have fun improving water quality and wildlife habitat at Kelly Creek on Saturday, February 20. This volunteer event is fun for families, friends and neighbors. Work with staff from the City’s Watershed Division to plant native plants, pull weeds and pick up trash along the banks of Kelly Creek. Arrive at 9 a.m. for introductions and instructions; RSVP by Thursday, February 18. Read more

Stormwater Annual Reports Available Online

Each year, the City publishes an annual report that summarizes activities described within its stormwater pollution reduction plan. This document and others are available to read on the City’s Web site. Since 1994, the City has been required by the Clean Water Act and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to reduce stormwater pollution to local rivers and streams. DEQ is in the process of reissuing the City's stormwater permit and will offer future opportunities for the public to comment, likely in June, on both the permit and updates to the stormwater pollution reduction plan. If you would like to be included on stormwater’s interested person list to receive notices about public comment opportunities, contact Keri Handaly, 503-618-2657 or email Keri.Handaly@GreshamOregon.gov. Read more

Road Work on Hogan Drive Starting in February

Motorists will notice road work on NE Hogan Drive (242nd Drive) between Glisan and Stark street this winter. The City has received federal stimulus funds to widen NE Hogan Drive to the west between NE Glisan Street and SE Stark Street and add safety enhancements including two lanes in each direction, a center left-turn lane and sidewalks. Read more


Gresham Neighborhoods