MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL INFORMAL MEETING

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

Metro Council Chamber

Councilors Present:  David Bragdon (Council President), Susan McLain, Brian Newman, Carl Hosticka, Rod Park, Rod Monroe, Rex Burkholder

Councilors Absent:  None.

Council President Bragdon convened the Metro Council Informal Budget Meeting at 2:00 p.m.

1.  BRIEFING - DEPARTMENTAL ISSUES AND PRIORITIES FOR FY 03-04

Jeff Tucker, Regional Parks and Greenspaces Finance Manager, gave an overview of the four different Parks and Greenspaces funds. Jim Desmond, Regional Parks and Greenspaces Department Director, spoke to the department’s two directions and what it had done to achieve goals in those directions. He gave a status report on department projects and staffing. He spoke to outstanding policy issues, including implementation of Green Ribbon recommendations and the expiration of the dollar per ton excise tax on solid waste.

Council President Bragdon asked to have Parks and Greenspaces staff generate its list of ten budget questions to be discussed at a future informal worksession.

Mike Hoglund, Solid Waste and Recycling Department Director, reviewed industry trends and how those trends affected Metro operations, the department’s budget objectives, the Council President’s directives for the department, the department’s response to those directives, and outstanding policy issues.

Roy Soards, Business Support Department Director, reviewed budget reductions in the department. Mr. Soards recommended that the new Chief Operating Officer could address that issue.

2.  CITIZEN COMMUNICATION

There was none.

3.  COUNCILOR COMMUNICATION

There being no further business to come before the Metro Council, Council President Bragdon adjourned the meeting at 4:42 p.m.

Prepared by

Cary Stacey

Executive Assistant to the Council President