Neighborhood Group Looks to Fill Key Positions
The West End Neighborhood Association is looking for representatives to serve on the City Manager’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee (CMNAC), and the City Manager’s Policy Advisory Committee (CMPAC), two potentially influential boards in City and neighborhood affairs.

CMNAC consists of representatives from each of Portland’s neighborhood associations. The group meets monthly (except during the summer months) with the City Manager, who often invites officials from various departments to share information about planning, budget, and other issues. Former WENA President Jo Coyne stated that these meetings provide WENA with direct and regular contact with the City Manager. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 12, 3:30 – 5 p.m.

CMPAC consists of representatives from neighborhood associations, service providers and other designated groups. The group meets monthly during the fall, then sometimes more frequently during the winter and early spring, to review applications for Housing and Community Development (HCD) funds. These monies are received from the federal government for use on the peninsula and in portions of Libbytown. CMPAC makes recommendations to the City Manager and City Council for disbursement of each year’s HCD funds.

Patrick Baldwin, last year’s representative from WENA, reminded members of the group at their September 13th meeting of the frustration felt by CMPAC members last year when many of their recommendations were not followed.