Next Up at City Council, 8/27/08

A short Portland City Council Agenda this coming Wednesday morning, and no meeting Wednesday/Thursday afternoons. Two members are absent, so no Consent or emergency items, either.

The first item on the Regular Agenda made me happy:

1194 Appoint Mary Anne Cassin, Mike Golub, Bob Sallinger and Tricia Tillman to the Portland Parks Board for terms to expire August 31, 2011 (Report)

Mary Anne Cassin worked for Portland Parks & Recreation for years, before recently moving to Metro. Bob Sallinger works at the Audubon Society of Portland. I don’t know Mike or Tricia, but likely they too will be great additions to the Parks Board – a group that provides advice to the Parks Commissioner. Dan Saltzman is doing many good things in PP&R, in partnership with Director Zari Santner. If the Parks Board met at a time other than 7:30 am on a weekday, and took input from citizens, it would be even better. Still, good to see great people being willing to serve.

The final hearing on Wednesday morning also concerns PP&R:

1203 Define prohibited conduct in Director Park, formerly South Park Block 5 (Ordinance; amend Code Section 20.12.230)

This Resolution and its attachment shows the Code language currently in effect in Pioneer Courthouse Square, to be added in the new Director’s Park. It not only prohibits smoking and lying on benches, but also “throwing” balls, discs etc. Did you know those activities are prohibited in Pioneer Courthouse Square? Since it says specifically throwing, presumably kicking is OK, for example hackey sack. Did you know hackey sack was invented by Oregonians living in Oregon City?