GREEN RIBBON COMMITTEE

November 27, 2001

Metro Council Chamber

Notes of Meeting

Chair Hitchcock opened the meeting at 5:15 PM. Guests introduced themselves.

After Introductions, David Judd summarized a letter of support and concern from the city of Portland. The letter focused on a proposed city parks operating levy, in May 2002. The city hopes that a way can be found for the city proposal and a possible Metro proposal to not negate each other at polls. The second point of the letter states a preference that any local share funds included in the Green Ribbon package should be allocated to the entity that owns and/or maintains the park or trail to be improved.

Listening Posts: John Donovan summarized the results of listening posts, hosted by Metro since the Green Ribbon Committee’s last meeting. At least 60 citizens attended those meetings and there was no negative comment relative to the goals of the Green Ribbon committee. The Parks and Greenspaces Advisory Committee was also briefed, with positive feedback. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee was more critical as a result of its briefing, however. That committee desired more public outreach on the issue, didn’t see the nexus between solid waste revenues and additional parks funding, and felt the Metro council should seek the funds elsewhere.

Public Comment: Mikey Jones was critical of prior government promises in relation to the 40-mile loop. Whatever is done at Smith & Bybee Lake should follow existing plans, he felt, and the loop should be completed.

Current Report: John Donovan reviewed the final draft of the report, modified since the committee’s last meeting. In particular, Mr. Donovan asked that the committee focus on summaries and recommendations at the head of each chapter. No substantive changes have been made but he wanted to be sure the new language reflected the committee’s conclusions, accurately. The same is true for a new executive summary section. Doug Neeley asked that all sites be listed, not just the top eight (see p. 4 of recommendations)

He also felt that the nexus between excise tax on solid waste and parks and trails funding needed some further explanation.

A concern was expressed that the report didn’t ensure that sufficient funds would be available for projects 9-15. Other committee members clarified that while they didn’t have enough information to detail the cost for each site, they felt comfortable that money would be available for each site to be developed at an appropriate level.

Barbara Walker clarified that operations and maintenance funds were to be distributed to all sites, not just the top 8.

The committee voted unanimously to adopt the report and its recommendations, acknowledging that members would have until the following Monday to send in comments of a clarifying nature.

end