MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday, October 3, 2002

Metro Council Chamber

Councilors Present:  Carl Hosticka (Presiding Officer), Susan McLain, Rod Park, Bill Atherton, David Bragdon, Rod Monroe, Rex Burkholder

Councilors Absent:  

Presiding Officer Hosticka convened the Regular Council Meeting at 2:08 p.m.

1.  INTRODUCTIONS

John Donovan, Communications Officer, explained the new remote camera system. This was the first meeting with the new system. He showed the Council where the cameras were in the chamber. He noted that we were not live today so the meeting would be taped.

Councilor Monroe asked if there was staff determining which camera was on. Mr. Donovan said yes there were two staff operating the cameras today. Councilor Monroe asked about dish cable access. Mr. Donovan said that was next on their agenda. Councilor Atherton asked about internet access connections where people could be watching the meeting live and send us an email during the meeting. Mr. Donovan said they were intending this for the future. Councilor Burkholder asked if power point presentations would be hard wired into the system. Mr. Donovan responded yes.

2.  CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS

There were none.

3.  EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMUNICATION

There was no communication.

4.  AUDITOR COMMUNICATIONS

Alexis Dow, Metro Auditor, presented her report on the Status of Audit Recommendations (a copy which is found in the meeting packet). This was a summary of the auditor’s recommendations over the past five years and the status of those recommendations. She noted that there were a small group of recommendations, which had seen no action to date and further explained why no action had been taken. The Executive Officer's responses were at the end of the report. She highlighted the goals of the audit recommendations. She noted how audit recommendations could improve the operation of the agency. She spoke to opportunities for improvement and some issues Council might wish to address in the future.

Councilor McLain talked about the compensation study and the fact that MERC and Metro had just completed their own compensation study. One of the goals had been the merge of MERC and Metro’s Human Resources Departments.

Ms. Dow noted the high level of agreement between the Executive Officer and her office on what recommendations had come forward.

Councilor Bragdon asked about purchasing practices at the Convention Center and the Oregon Zoo. Ms. Dow said some of the concerns at the convention center had to do with PeopleSoft, many of which have been resolved. Councilor Bragdon asked about possible savings by eliminating duplication. Ms. Dow said there would be savings and more control.

Presiding Officer Hosticka asked about how Ms. Dow knew that they were complying and how often were practices reviewed to determine compliance. Ms. Dow said once a year they requested departments respond to the recommendations. The auditor’s office then does a sampling of departments to ensure they have completed what they indicated they had completed. Presiding Officer Hosticka asked about the Urban Growth Boundary recommendation. Ms. Dow said they issued the recommendation in 1997.

5.  CONSENT AGENDA

5.1  Consideration of minutes of the September 26, 2002 Regular Council Meeting.

6.  ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

6.1  Ordinance No. 02-947A, For the Purpose of Amending Metro Code

Section 2.19.100 Concerning Metro's Committee on Citizen      

Involvement (MCCI).

Councilor Burkholder said this ordinance was part of the transition process with the change in districts from seven to six. This was also motivated by a desire to enhance our citizen involvement processes at Metro. He said they had a workgroup look at these changes. He gave an overview of the workgroup members and its recommendations. He explained the amendments to the original ordinance.

Presiding Officer Hosticka opened a public hearing on Ordinance No. 02-947A.

Kay Durtschi, MCCI member, 2230 SW Caldew, Portland OR 97219 said she thought Mr. Ganoe, Chair of MCCI supported this ordinance. She voiced her concern which, were included in the Governmental Affairs Committee Report (a copy of which is included in the meeting packet). She encouraged the Council to have an office delineated as the Office of Citizen Involvement. She talked about the two at-large positions. She asked how these positions were nominated.

Presiding Officer Hosticka closed the public hearing.

Councilor Burkholder asked about Ordinance No. 00-860A. Dan Cooper, General Counsel, explained the ordinance and how that ordinance interfaced with the ordinance being considered at this time. He said he thought Ms. Durtschi’s suggestions were appropriate and suggested an amendment (a copy of the ordinance with the amended language is included in the meeting record).

Councilor Burkholder accepted Mr. Cooper’s recommended friendly amendment. The seconder, Councilor McLain also accepted the amendment. The ordinance was considered as amended.

6.2  Ordinance No. 02-961, An ordinance Confirming the Annual Readoption

of Metro Code 2.06 (Investment Policy).    

Councilor Burkholder said this ordinance allowed for readoption of our Investment Policy. He urged an aye vote.

Councilor Atherton asked about Metro’s investment policy and the federal rules. He talked about the liquidity policy and asked if there were opportunities to broaden the parameters. Brian Williams, Investment Analyst, said there were constrained time frames under Oregon State Statute. Councilor Bragdon said there was a bond covenant as well. He was supportive of this ordinance. Councilor Atherton said he brought this issue up because they had had a conversation about the federal land trust.

7.  RESOLUTIONS

7.1  Resolution No. 02-3224 For the Purpose of Authorizing the Executive Officer to Renew a Metro Solid Waste Facility License to K.B. Recycling, Inc., for the Operation of a Material Recovery Facility

Councilor McLain said this had been reviewed at two different Solid Waste and Recycling Committee meetings. This facility would help with our recycling goals particularly with a number of waste streams that we had had difficulty with before. She noted that this license was a renewal license. The company’s goal was to divert 28,000 tons. The Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) would be going to River Bend. The Council needed to discuss the VMT issue. She said consideration of this resolution was delayed until they could check with Clackamas County concerning code issues. Councilor Atherton said this facility had been carefully designed and was fully enclosed. Councilor Burkholder asked about the VMT. He assumed there would be a report that talked about the irrationalities in the system. Obviously there was an impact on our road system. He was looking forward to that discussion as we have more of these types of diversions.

8.  COUNCILOR COMMUNICATION

Councilor Park updated the Council on the Urban Growth Boundary public hearings. Tonight we would be at Beaverton Library. Mayors Drake and Hughes would be speaking at this evening’s meetings. He talked briefly about the Forest Grove public hearing. There would be a special Community Planning Committee next Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

Councilor Bragdon said there would be a Measure 7 update issued tomorrow.

Councilor McLain made some suggestions to improve the public hearing process.

Presiding Officer Hosticka said Metro Council meeting on October 17th was cancelled. Council, Executive Officer and the Auditor would be holding a retreat that afternoon.

9.  ADJOURN

There being no further business to come before the Metro Council, Presiding Officer Hosticka adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m.

Prepared by

Chris Billington

Clerk of the Council

ATTACHMENTS TO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2002