Next Up at City Council, 9/26/07

The Portland City Council’s Agenda for Wednesday, September 26 has a couple of items that particularly interest me. Under Citizen Communications,

1132 Request of Walter Valenta to address Council regarding update on the plan to cut trees on Bridgeton Rd and subsequent restraining order (Communication)

Walter is a former chair and current Board member of the Bridgeton Neighborhood Aasociation. Bridgeton is a delightful, interesting neighborhood near the airport on the mighty Columbia River [I think the Columbia ought to always be named including the adjective “mighty”. It just seems right.]. Spencer Heinz reported in Thursday’s Oregonian about the status of the trees growing along the levee in/near Bridgeton. Neighbors took the unusual step of obtaining a court injunction stopping the cutting of more than 100 of them. At issue is whether the trees stabilize or weaken the levee. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says their roots can act as conduits for flood water, and that the levee will be de-certified if the trees aren’t removed. The Neighborhood Association has hired an expert witness to challenge what they believe is outdated science.

Wow. People say neighbors participate in civic issues out of self-interest. While the view and amenities provided by the trees (shade and oxygen, for example) could be included in that category, these neighbors are donating big money to protect values many Portlanders share (I’m tempted to look up VisionPDX and quote from whatever we-like-trees language is in there, but nah, I think most of us agreed before that process/publication that we like trees). And to challenge federal assumptions that may or may not be true. Good work, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association!

There are three Time Certain items on the Agenda (remember, “Time Certain” means the item won’t start before the designated time, but it may begin later):

1133 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM – Authorize License Agreement with the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon to operate and manage the Japanese Garden in Washington Park (Ordinance introduced by Commissioner Saltzman)

Sounds like a good opportunity to post another of Steve’s Japanese Gardens photographs on Wednesday.

1134 TIME CERTAIN: 10:00 AM – Accept the Children’s Bill of Rights City of Portland youth engagement inventory (Report introduced by Mayor Potter)

People have doubtless worked long and hard on this report. Probably lots of people. In the process, they likely listened to each other more than previously, and identified issues to work on. I hope they’re also intending to do Stuff.

1135 TIME CERTAIN: 10:30 AM – Update the Mt. Tabor Master Plan (Resolution introduced by Commissioner Saltzman)

Probably the most interesting item on the Agenda. Last time I heard, progress was being made in improving open communication and collaboration between neighbors and City staff. Updated information, anyone? Shy readers are welcome to e-mail me if you’d rather not post comments yourself.

No Wednesday or Thursday afternoon sessions this week.