Neighborhood associations (NAs) are independent groups. The members themselves decide which issues they will focus their energies on. If you have a topic on which you'd like neighbors to give input, or if you have information you'd like to share, presenting at a neighborhood association meeting is a good forum.

Contact the NA chairperson to request time on the agenda. It's fine to a a flyer to the ra, promoting your issue or event, but you must talk with the chairperson to actually schedule time on the agenda.  The ak sets the agenda for neighborhood association meetings. If there is a problem reaching the chairperson, contact the Neighborhood Services Specialist Annie Battee at 503-588-6261. 

The process to prepare the new Morningside Neighborhood Plan – called Morningside 360°  – began in September 2011 and is anticipated to be adopted by City Council in late summer of 2012.  Morningside residents, businesses, property owners and other interested parties are invited to contribute their ideas for the new plan.

Survey Results from first Planning Meeting 

There were 37 attendees at the Neighborhood Plan Kick off meeting held Wednesday, September 28th, at Leslie Middle School Commons. Jason Richling, with the City of Salem, Community Development Department presented the plan to the group and handed out surveys. The link for the feedback results of the 18 surveys collected is at the top of this article.  For more information about the plan or surveys contact Jason by phone at 503-588-6173 x7526

Glen Gross, Urban Planning Administrator for the City of Salem, is proposing to work with the Morningside NA on our plan as part of the planning division budget and work program for next year.  If approved, this will allow them to work with the board as a group to prepare the plan for submission to the Planning Commission. (February, 2011)

At our February 10, 2010 neighborhood meeting we discussed the matter of not having our updated neighborhood plan adopted by City Council.  We voted to bring this matter to the attention of City Council and a formal letter was sent February 12, 2010 addressing our concerns as outlined in the letter.  

UPDATE: JANUARY, 2012 ODOT approved speed limit request: 

ODOT has approved changing the speed limit on Pringle Rd. SE between Madrona and Copper Glenn Dr. from 25mph to 30mph.  Look for new signage soon. 

UPDATE:  Report on Speed Limit Request for Pringle Rd. SE:

At our October 12, 2011 meeting Kevin Hottmann reported that he has been in conversation with ODOT about this issue.  ODOT is recommending raising the limit to 35 mph, which they believe would be more consistent.  The other option is to request an appeal to set the speed limit at 30 mph.  A third option is no change.  MNA Board member moved that MNA Board accept the city's recommendation of 30 mph, it was seconded, and the motion passed.  

At our February, 2011 meeting Kevin Hottmann reported that the 25 mph speed limit on Pringle Road has been in place since 1978.  And that the 40 mph sign located on the top of the hill should be moved to Centennial.  After some lengthy discussion about the speed zones, a motion was made and seconded to set one speed from Pringle Rd to Madrona. The board approved to send a letter to increase the 25mph speed on Pringle Road to 30 mph.  

Also, a motion was made and approved to support a cross walk on Pringle Rd, with a safety island, to be located in the Centennial-Copper Glen Drive vicinity. 

At our November, 2010 meeting, Kevin Hottmann, Traffic Engineer was invited to hear our concerns as a board over the irrational speed zones on Pringle Road, between Cooper Creek and Madrona.  He informed the board that the State of Oregon regulates the speed limits on city streets and that an application should be made to them for a change in speeds. Also, the City staff would support a neighborhood recommendation for a change in speeds.  

After a long discussion of anecdotal speeds in the neighborhood a motion was made to change the speed limits on Pringle Road and that Kevin Hottmann would study the problem and report back to the board.

UPDATE October 12, 2011 

Keith Keever, Parks Superintendent presented the board with a Comprehensive Park System Master Plan update at a recent monthly meeting.  The last Parks Plan was made in 1999.  Since then, several parks have been developed and/or rebuilt, including Brian Johnson Park, Pringle Park, and River Road Park.  

Also discussion took place on the process for creating a master plan. The goal on the new master plan is to ensure that there are enough parks in each neighborhood so that each neighborhood has 6 acres per thousand of park property.  As a result, there is a work group meeting planned  for Tuesday, November 6, to discuss this portion of the plan.

Stormwater Utility 

The City of Salem provides its residents with a variety of stormwater services including drainage system maintenance, flooding response, capital improvements, and street sweeping. Historically, these stormwater-related costs have been recovered through wastewater (sewer) rates, which comprise a water consumption component and a fixed user charge. Recently, City staff and the City's Water/Wastewater/Stormwater Task Force proposed a more equitable way of funding stormwater needs to address the questions:

"What does water consumption have to do with managing stormwater runoff?"  and  "Why should water consumption be the basis for charging customers for stormwater services?"

Based on the discussions of the City's Water/Wastewater/Stormwater Task Force, the proposed stormwater utility is recommended to:

• Separate the stormwater program costs from the wastewater rates and into its own utility.

• Base the stormwater program costs on impervious area, not water consumption.

• Provide equity in the City's utility rates.

The stormwater utility is not a new fee, but it is a more equitable way of recovering the costs for stormwater services already provided by the City.

Letter to Mayor from NA  

This project was completed fall of 2011 

The Hilfiker proposed park is adjacent to the private property of the Hilfiker Christmas Tree Farm.  This is a small parcel of land that was purchased several years ago by the City of Salem as a future park site within the Cambridge Woods area. 

In January, 2010 the Morningside Neighborhood Association Board applied for a grant through the Salem Park Improvement Fund.  Our proposed project was:

• Removal of invasive species

• To place hog fuel on all existing soft trails

• Clean out blackberry vines, poison ivy and brush

• Add additional mutt-mutt

• Add waste containers

• Add a picnic table.

The total estimated costs for this project $9,865.

On February 16, 2010, Morningside was awarded a matching grant of $2,680.  The review committee was in favor of making improvements at the Hilfiker Park property.  The City staff members of the committee decided that the $4,500. costs of removal of the invasive species should be completed by the City.  By removing this amount the estimated overall costs for this project was reduced to $5,365.

Currently we need to raise $2,800.  Your monetary donations are greatly needed to help complete this project. Charitable donations are tax deductible under the IRS 501C3 code. Please make checks out to Salem Parks Foundation/Hilfiker project. Mail to:  Salem Parks Foundation, PO Box 5764, Salem, Oregon 97304. 

At the December 2009 meeting the Morningside Neighborhood Association Board asked City Council to provide funding to allow for the reopening of Boone Road between Stroh and Southhampton in Cambridge Woods neighborhood.  The request was based on 1)the design of  Stroh and Kuebler intersection to allow left turns from Kuebler onto Stroh, which had not been discussed with neighborhood association and 2) the city's ongoing assertion that Boone Road could only be reopened if its grade was reduced to increase safety.  A letter was sent January 19, 2010 to Salem City Council Public Works Staff.