TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Keith Stahley, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Lansing Neighborhood Association merger with North Lancaster Neighborhood Association (NOLA).
Ward(s): Ward 5, 6
Councilor(s): Gonzalez, Hoy
Neighborhood(s): Lansing and North Lancaster Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Result Areas -Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
The City of Salem's Neighborhood Association program provides support for 18 Neighborhood Associations, including Lansing and the North Lancaster Neighborhood Association (NOLA). Chapter 64, Neighborhood Association Program, of the Salem Revised Code (SRC) provides for a process for two or more neighborhood associations to voluntarily merge. Lansing and NOLA have been discussing such a merger since summer 2022, and recently, the board of each Neighborhood Association approved the merger.
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ISSUE:
Mutual decision for merger of Lansing Neighborhood Association with North Lancaster Neighborhood Association (NOLA).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Salem’s Neighborhood Associations are supported within the City’s communications and engagement group. The Lansing/NOLA merger would mean Salem would have 17 recognized neighborhood associations. The merger would result in the City’s tenth largest neighborhood association, in terms of its total acreage, and the fourth largest in terms of its population.
Lansing. The Lansing Association was founded in February 1972. The geographic boundaries of the association include Lansing Park, Livingston Park, Waldo Middle School, and Washington Elementary School. In 2021, approximately 3,781 people lived in Lansing’s 1,429 households. The average household has about 3.17 people in it. In 2021, Lansing Neighborhood Association held 11 meetings with an average of 5 neighbors.
Since 2019, with the support of City staff, Lansing board members have worked diligently to regain the interest of its neighbors by tabling at community events, sending an English/Spanish mailer to each address, and communicating by email, City e-newsletters, and social media expressing the need for additional board members. Staff stepped in and filled the vacant Secretary position, when possible, to provide support with minutes. Unfortunately, Lansing has continued to see a decline in participation in monthly meetings. The current board members have expressed their desire and need to step down from their current roles.
At Lansing’s August 2022 meeting, the board voted to merge with another neighborhood association. Staff facilitated conversations with several neighboring associations, participated in a special meeting with neighbors, and attended stakeholder meetings to discuss Lansing’s decision and to answer questions from interested parties. Lansing’s Chair, Patty Tipton has also attended several neighborhood association meetings and community gatherings to discuss the merge, and help determine the best fit for Lansing.
On December 10, 2022, a tree will be planted in Lansing Park to honor long-time Chair of Lansing, Patty Tipton, her years of service, and her dedication to her neighbors.
NOLA. The North Lancaster Neighborhood Association was founded in November 1977. NOLA adjoins Lansing on three sides: Interstate 5 Silverton Road NE, and Sunnyview Road NE. The existing geographic boundaries of the association includes Brown Road Park and McKay Park, Chavez Elementary School, and McKay High School. In 2021, the population residing in NOLA was 6,011 with 2,053 households. The average household was similar in size to Lansing’s with about 3.09 people in each household.
In 2021, NOLA held 10 meetings with an average attendance of 10 neighbors. At NOLA’s November meeting, under the stewardship of its Chair, Deanna Garcia, the board voted on and approved to merge with Lansing. Both parties are excited about the merge and look forward to working together to build a stronger community. Staff will work closely with the new board to share about the merge with neighbors and hope to host a community party to welcome Lansing neighbors to their new neighborhood association.
Mutual Agreement to Merge. In accordance with SRC 64.292, the Lansing Neighborhood Association and NOLA have come to an agreement to merge into a single neighborhood association. The new neighborhood association is called NOLA and will serve the current Lansing/NOLA boundaries.
Pursuant to SRC 64.292(a), both neighborhoods have held individual and joint meetings for the purpose of providing information and for approval of the proposed consolidation. The meetings were publicized through emails to subscribers in both neighborhood associations, posting of the meeting agendas on the City’s website, and communications prepared by the neighborhood association websites.
Per SRC 64.292(b), additional meetings and conversations will continue, as necessary, to finalize a new set of by-laws, select an effective date to establish the new neighborhood association, develop a calendar of meeting dates, and select members, officers, committee chairs and members for the new neighborhood association. The new border for NOLA, to include Lansing, will be incorporated into the bylaws.
In accordance with SRC 64.292(c) the City Manager and City Council will continue to be advised as to the status of the consolidation.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Salem supports recognized neighborhood associations, as described in Salem Revised Code, Chapter 64. This part of the Code envisions a process by which neighborhood associations may consider a merger. The Lansing Neighborhood Association and NOLA have come to an agreement to merge into a single neighborhood association. The new neighborhood association is called NOLA and will serve the current Lansing/NOLA boundaries.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
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