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Minutes
LHNA General Meeting
Minutes
March 24, 2026 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
1. Welcome and Introductions: Cole Presthus Co-President Yamhill County and Carole Dinger Co-President Clackamas County.
In-Person, Barb Whitaker, Phil Morton, Rosemary Morton, Will Coffee, Shelly Coffee, Tamra Busch-Johnson, Michele Blankenheim, Lori Murfitt, Russ Murfitt, Carol Parks, Jill McDonald, Tom and Kit Whittaker, Ben and Sandy Bole, Cricket Dixon, Brian Casey, Stan Halle, Karl Dinger.
Zoom: Dave Leckey, Beth Neal, Ron and Jen Hapke, Poppy and Bill Wyatt, Tirzah Cross, Bob Cross.
2. Secretary Report: Rosi Marshall
Minutes from General Meeting held Oct 2025 and Special Meeting held Jan 27, 2026, were sent via email. These were each approved by the majority.
3. Treasurer’s Report; Barb Whitaker
Treasurer's Report detailed donations totaling $17,328.53, with $6,373 reserved for legal fees. The checking account balance is $14,338. Barb reported on expenses during 2026. She also reported on donations & expenses related to Magness Memorial Tree Farm account. – See Appendix A
4. Guest Topic Crystal Riley Park – Presented by Tamra Busch-Johnson
Tamra covered recent board decisions that Chehalem Parks and Recreation Department (CPRD are about to make which enable bikers to use the same trails as equestrians. This mix on steep and narrow trails is dangerous and not in alignment with the wishes of Crystal Riley who donated this land to Yamhill County as a park. Tamra is asking for support, for neighbors to attend board meetings and send letters of support. See Appendix B
LHNA agreed to send a letter of support to CPRD. –
5. Special Topic: Magness Memorial Tree Farm (MMTF) Carole Dinger & Rosi Marshall
Both Jesse Buss, attorney and Travis Williams, Willamette River Preservation Trust continue to pursue conversation with World Forestry Center (WTC). The conversation revolves around negotiating a free or low-cost transfer. Forests Forever (FF) were suggested by a local resident as another non-profit who might be interested. However, given intention of retaining the forest element, FF is not a fit.
On Oct 31, 2025, WFC’s realtors sent letters to potential bidders that they must adhere to the Magness Family Intention and that LHNA disagreed with a sale. Carole recently cc’d on a written proposal for a native plant nursery at Magness Tree Farm that was sent to WFC and forwarded to WRPT.
Rosi presented the data from the Opinion Poll. The poll was sent to neighbors on March 3. As of today 3/27, we had 77 responses with a majority opinion in concert with the direction the board has been taking. One outlier described another opinion. Facebook (FB) was key to informing a wider audience about MMTF. FB brought in new names and donations. See Appendix C for graphs and annotations.
6. Committee Reports
a) Social Committee – Carole
The Spring Plant & Bounty Exchange will be held April 11, 10 am to 12 noon at Terra Vina. Contact Carole for information and intent to attend.
We are looking for other Special Interest Groups to be formed. Anyone can form a group of like-minded people. LHNA can provide messaging to find participants.
Annual Picnic will be in September. Carole is reaching out for a co-chair.
b Road Cleaning Event – Paul Welty
On May 2, we will hold another road cleaning event. All volunteers welcome. Come to Farah’s church parking lot at 9 am for equipment, instructions and assignments.
- ODOT Bypass – Cole Presthus
Cole told about the progress of construction underway at the intersection of Wilsonville Road and Hwy xxx. This project will move Wynoski Road to share a 4-way lighted intersection with Wilsonville Road.
The next phase, Phase 3, is designed to connect the Dundee Bypass to Hwy 99, at the lower part of Rex Hill. This will help move through traffic around Newberg.
- Emergency Preparedness – Stan Halle
Stan, Paul, and Brian were invited to present at the Hoodland Community group (CPO).
The Hoodland monthly CPO meeting was attended by Federal, State & County agencies and PGE as well as residents of the Mt Hood area. Due to the history and risk of wildfire in the Mt Hood area, many participants were from Disaster Management with Fire specific interests.
Stan presented LHNA’s EP work to date with descriptions of what has worked and what hasn’t worked for LHNA-EP.
Hoodland has a substantive communication method implemented using Global Mobile Radio System. They have introduced LHNA to this technology and are willing to provide training sessions.
There is an opportunity for 3 relay stations which would give all neighbors backup communication in the event that cell towers are inoperative. GMRS licenses are around $100, and equipment is also affordable for anyone to actively participate.
7. New Business
a) Nominations are open for the board slate for the vote scheduled for the October General Meeting.
Three roles are going to be open: Treasurer, Secretary and Co-President Yamhill County.
The next term runs from 1/1/2027 to 12/31/2028. Contact Rosi with your nominations.
b) Fiber installations and costs were discussed. Sherwood Fiber is pulling fiber now and provides estimates to trench the fiber from the road to the house and be installed. Costs seemed to vary and neighbors discussed issues.
8. Next Event and General Meeting Calendar
a) April 11 Plant exchange
b) May 2 Road Cleaning
c) June 16 General Meeting
d) September Annual Picnic
e) October 20 General Meeting and Vote for Board (27-28)
9. Concluding Remarks & Adjournment
Carole outlined next steps, including continued fundraising, community awareness, and legal updates.
Carole reminded everyone of the importance of supporting MMTF as a wildlife sanctuary for future generations. She provided laminated posters to put on your local road/intersection. PLEASE POST!
Thank you everyone for joining tonight. Thank you to our donors. Thank you, Jesse, and Travis, for your work in getting us to this point.
Ladd Hill Neighborhood Association (LHNA)
Co-Presidents, Cole Presthus and Carole Dinger
Appendix A: Treasurers Report
Appendix B: Crystal Riley Report
Appendix C: MMTF Opinion Poll presentation
Appendix D: Action Items
Appendix A
Treasurer’s Report
March 2026 YTD
Appendix B
Crystal Riley Park Issues
Tamra Busch-Johnson
Mar 24, 2026
Summary: The guest speakers at last night’s LHNA general meeting were Tamra Busch-Johnson and Michele Blankenheim describing the situation at the Bob & Crystal Riley Park. They highlighted the conflict over allowing all types of bikes on the trails. The previous board banned bikes due to safety concerns, but a new board wants to reverse this decision. The equestrian community formed the Crystal Riley Equestrian Foundation to support the park. The board voted to write a support letter to Chehalem Park and Recreation District (CPRD)
Their position has the support of the LHNA board. You may contact tbuschjo@gmail.com and/or micblair@icloud.comwith your questions.
Outreach to Neighbors:
Hello,
We need to hear from any of you who are hikers, dog walkers, and equestrians. If you enjoy the peaceful tranquility of Bob & Crystal Rilee Park, please email the CPRD board and/or attend the next board meeting March 26 at 6:00 pm. (see details below). The attached letter has a good explanation of the situation.
The new CPRD board will be taking a vote soon to allow Mountain Bikers and E-bikers to ride at Bob and Crystal Rilee Park. This would reverse the vote not long ago removing the bikes. Allowing bikes would fundamentally change the park's safety, character, wildlife, trail surfaces.
Below is a flyer with details. The first QR code prepopulates an email to CPRD, and the second QR code takes you to our website. Please tell CPRD how much this park matters to you and why we should not change the current rule that keeps bikes off these trails.
Thank you!
Tamra and Michele
CPRD Board Email List:
jmcmasters@board.cprdnewberg.org,
bslyter@board.cprdnewberg.org,
jfields@board.cprdnewberg.org,
CPRD BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
Time & Date: 6 PM MARCH 26, 2026
Location: CPRD ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
125 S. ELLIOTT ROAD, NEWBERG, OR 97132
Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88221692015
Webinar ID: 882 2169 2015*
Appendix C
Results of Opinion Poll
LHNA Mar 24, 2026
Simplified Version of Results
MMTF Opinion Poll Results as of 3-23-2026 Initiated 3-10-2026
Thanks to the team who initiated and/or edited the poll. Leann, Carole, Barb, Tamra, Jenni, Stan and others.
Last Question in the Poll: Open Ended
Q: Tell us anything else that we should consider. Tell us what LHNA could be doing differently.
Huge # wrote personal stories of support. Too many to put in powerpoint! Almost all in favor of preserving the property per the Magness intention (1 opposed)
Handout - No Names attached.
Appendix D
Action Items
March 24, 2026
- MMTF
All: Put up the posters on highly visible places, where cars have time to read them
Do not put posters on MMTF property, gates, or fences.
Rosi: Schedule and host a Zoom call for those who asked to be more involved. (poll results)
Rosi Begin a MONTHLY MMTF newsletter, whether progress has been made or not. - Social Event:
Rosi Send notice for Plant and Bounty Exchange April 11 - Road Cleaning
Rosi Send notice for Road Cleaning – May 2 - Phase 3 of ByPass
Cole: Draft a letter, from LHNA, supporting Phase 3 of the Dundee bypass. Send draft to the board. Send letters to State senators and the Governor.
