MEETING NOTES

GREEN RIBBON COMMITTEE LISTENING POST

Wednesday, November 7, 2001

Midland Library Community Room

Councilors Present: David Bragdon ( Presiding Officer), Rex Burkholder

Green Ribbon Committee Members Present: Mayor Eugene Grant, (City of Happy Valley)

Staff Present: John Donovan, Sherri Gilleo, Linnea Nelson, Jim Desmond, Charlie Ciecko, Ron Klein, Nancy Chase

Metro Presiding Officer David Bragdon called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

1. Registration/Open House

2.  Welcome/Introductions

Presiding Officer Bragdon welcomed everyone and introduced Councilor Rex Burkholder and the Mayor of Happy Valley, Eugene Grant.

3.  Green Ribbon Committee Draft Recommendations and Site Review

Mayor Grant spoke of the charge and mission of the committee and the history of the green spaces program. He noted the 15 areas the committee finally recommended were spread evenly over the Metro area. He estimated it would take $38.5 million for capital improvements to develop the 15 sites, $6 million for operations and maintenance, $5 million in challenge grants to local governments, $1.5 million for landbanking other sites, $2.5 million for restoration/small capital improvements, and $6 million for contingency. He added that the total package was about $60 million. The committee recommended a five-year plan that would be referred to the voters or a ten-year plan authorized by Metro Council without referral as funding mechanisms.

Jim Desmond Open Spaces Acquisition Manager, presented slides showing the top eight parks and trails sites. He noted that the Fanno Creek Trail site would be ready for trail construction in Portland’s West Hills. He said there was strong local support for the second trail project, 5.2 miles of the Gresham to Fairview Trail. The third trail project was the Springwater Trail, and the fourth trail was the Beaverton Powerline Trail, extending from Forest Park to Scholls Ferry Road. Mr. Desmond introduced the four park sites beginning with Mt. Talbert. He reported on the Wilsonville Tract and its valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and Metro’s Smith and Bybee Lakes sites at nearly 2000 acres of fresh- water wetland, in north Portland. He talked about the Cooper Mountain about 3 miles from downtown Beaverton. He noted that Metro has assembled 256 acres at this site. He talked about additional sites recommended by the committee.

4.  Question and Answer/Public Comment

Ernie Drapella, Chairman of Gresham Park and Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee and Chairman of Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council, commended the committee for the work that had been done and noted strong local support for the Gresham to Fairview Trail.

Councilor Burkholder wondered when would be the appropriate time to take this to the voters if they decided to go that way.

Mr. Drupula responded that depended on the attitudes of the voters.

Madrona Murphy, Biology student at Reed College asked about the process regarding the impacts of the sites.

Presiding Officer Bragdon said a master plan process, including an inventory of the natural resources and appropriate uses of the site would be done. He added that their purpose was for natural areas and, none would be eligible for high impact recreational use.

John Donovan, Communications Officer, noted that Dick Jones, who was unable to attend, wanted him to convey his support of the Portland Traction Trail Project.

There being no further testimony, Presiding Officer Bragdon adjourned the meeting and invited the public to review the maps of the selected sites and adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Prepared by

Sherri Gilleo

Reception/Support