Next Up at City Council, 9/17 – 18, 2008
The hottest topic on this week’s Portland City Council Agenda:
1301 TIME CERTAIN: 6:00 PM- Consider the proposal of Haertl Development Company, applicant and Colwood Partnership, owner and the recommendation from the Hearings Officer for denial of a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment for Colwood National Golf Course located at 7313 NE Columbia Blvd (Hearing; LU 05-138386 CP ZC)
I am glad to see this hearing scheduled in the evening, when more citizens can attend. The Hearings Officer’s Report gives persuasive reasons for his recommendation to deny the application. I expect the Council Chambers will be packed, so get there early to sign up if you want to testify. Remember, too, that letters and phone calls to the Council offices beforehand give the decision-makers time to consider your viewpoint carefully.
There are three other Time Certain hearings this week, on Wednesday morning:
1272 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM – Proclaim September 15 to October 15, 2008 to be Latino/Latina Heritage month in Portland (Proclamation introduced by Mayor Potter)
1273 TIME CERTAIN: 9:45 AM – Metro-Oregon Zoo Levy (Presentation introduced by Mayor Potter)
1274 TIME CERTAIN: 10:00 AM – Tentatively grant appeal of Lamont Smith, TMT Development, applicant and uphold the Historic Landmarks Commission’s decision with modifications to impose certain conditions in approving the Cornelius Hotel rehabilitation at 809 SW Alder (Findings; Previous Agenda 1191; LU 08-108274 HDZM)
An interesting nugget on the Consent agenda:
1289 Amend agreement with Tri-Met regarding parking pay stations at Park and Ride Lots and authorize the Director of Portland Office of Transportation to execute future annual amendments (Ordinance; amend Contract No. 52732)
According to the ordinance, the Council voted in 2006 to allow pay stations to be installed at TriMet Park & Ride locations. This is an amendment to the administrative authority and fees for the program.
The Burnside-Couch couplet is moving right along, apparently:
1290 Authorize Intergovernmental Agreement with Oregon Department of Transportation to provide funding for the design and construction of the East Burnside and Couch Couplet Project and allow the project to be constructed by the City under the City of Portland/ODOT Certification agreement (Ordinance)
Thursday afternoon, a major change in policy:
1302 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM – Terminate Transit Oriented Development and Multiple-Unit Housing Limited Tax Exemptions (Resolution introduced by Mayor Potter)
1303 Terminate existing and deny applications for Limited Tax Exemption for Single Family New Construction and Residential Rehabilitation (Resolution introduced by Mayor Potter)
Wow. My calendar is packed again this week, but I hope I can adjust my schedule to attend that one.
So many important hearings this week – literally too many to include in this summary. I’ll close with noting the re-institution of the Human Rights Commission, and listing those serving in connection with it:
1293 Appoint a Human Rights Commission and Honorary Board of Advisors to serve the residents of Portland by advocating for the rights of all people (Resolution introduced by Mayor Potter and Commissioners Adams, Fish, Leonard and Saltzman)
The Resolution states they are:
Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Interim Chair
Arwen Bird
Bruce T. Bliatout
Jorge E. Espinosa
Donita Fry
Anastasia Godsey
Moloy K. Good
Emily G. Gottfried
Patricia A. Knoll
Rev. Hector Lopez
Abdul Majidi
Donna D. Maxey
Everette L. Rice
Kathleen Saadat
Edmund Sherman
In addition, the following have been asked to serve on an Honorary Board of Advisors to offer expertise and guidance to the full commission:
Bill Y. Chin
Pietro R. Ferrari
Dr. Herman M. Frankel
Jeana Frazzini
Ed Garren
Pastor LeRoy Haynes
Robert S. Milesnick
Andy Nelson
Clara Padilla Andrews
Peggy Ross
Jeff Selby
Council further acknowledges the staff of the Office of Human Rights charged with carrying out the work of the Commission:
Maria Lisa Johnson, Bureau Director
Koffi Dessou, Executive Assistant
Polo Catalani, Immigrant & Refugee Program Coordinator
Muna A. Mohamud, Community Outreach & Education Coordinator
I know the City of Portland will be well served by these people in this important work.