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Three counties,

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24 cities, working together, accomplishing more than any of us could alone.

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Whether

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your roots run generations deep,

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or you recently moved to Greater Portland, you are a part

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of Metro. The nation's only regional government, elected by the people,

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planning for the future.

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Preserving what we love.

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Let's keep our region thriving for decades to come.

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I'm Laura Leppley, a metropark ranger.

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Here at Oxbow Park, safety is our number one priority, not only for our guests, but

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for our staff members.

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I'm at the Welcome Center and you're at the Regional Center.

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The council chambers are located on the third floor.

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In the event of a fire or fire alarm, please exit through the door in the northeast corner

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of the room. Go down the stairway to the second floor. Exit through the main entrance by the

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reception desk and gather in the courtyard outside that entrance. In the event of a medical

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or fire emergency, please call 911 and notify the security agent at the reception desk.

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The nearest defibrillator is mounted on the steps, leading from the reception desk down to grand avenue.

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Thank you and come visit us at Oxford Park.

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So,

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a business meeting of March 12, 2026 to order.

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Directly, please call the roll.

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Absolutely.

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Councillor Simpson.

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Present, be warning.

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Councillor Nolan.

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Present.

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Councillor Rosenthal.

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Present.

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Councillor Good morning.

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Councillor Gonzales.

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Present, good morning.

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Councillor Wong.

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Present.

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Councillor Lewis.

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Present.

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Councillor President Peterson.

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Here.

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Thank you.

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So with that, we will move on.

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Before we begin today's business meeting, I am delighted to welcome students, families,

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and staff from the Korean Society of Oregon who have chosen to spend their morning with

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Metro learning about civic engagement and seeing local government at work.

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Councilor Sons-Alesen-Rose and all visited with the Korean Society of Oregon's Bebe, which

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in office is in December, and extended today's invitation.

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The Korean American Youth Ambassadors program for middle and high school students.

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students interested in civic engagement, public service, and community leadership.

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This is their first visit to measure to better understand how regional government serves our communities and how leadership can create lasting impact.

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This morning they took a special tour of the Oregon Convention Center,

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chat with counselors and we'll observe parts of today's council session.

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A special thank you for being here today as our visitors.

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Welcome.

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I expect to see you all up here in ten years.

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With that, we will now open public communications on non-agenda items.

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Sturgially, please describe to the audience our procedures for public communications.

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Absolutely.

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If you are testifying on non-agenda items, now is the time to do so.

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If you are testifying in person, you can sign up by filling out a blue card in the back

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of the room and bringing it up to me.

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If you are testifying on Zoom or by phone, please sign up by using the raise hand function

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in your reaction or more menu, or by dialing star nine.

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When it is your turn to testify, I'll call in your name or phone number.

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For those on Zoom, click accept to be promoted to a panelist.

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Your Zoom window will close briefly before you rejoin as a panelist, and you can turn on

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your camera if you'd like.

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Testimonies limited to three minutes.

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The timer begins when you begin speaking.

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There are timers located on the tables, on the wall, and on the digital screen.

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Please state your name for the record before testifying.

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you do not need to give your physical address.

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Council President Peterson, we do have one person who's signed up to testify on non-agenda

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items, and that is Matt Henderson,

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so you can come up to any of these four in your

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time.

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You begin speaking.

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Mm-hmm.

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Good morning.

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Greetings.

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Metro Council members.

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I'm Matt Henderson and I'm a renter at Lloyd Center Mall, and I'm also a lead organizer

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of the Saveloid Campaign, which is a grassroots initiative

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to try to save Lloyd Center Mall from closure and demolition.

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Between the Saveloid Center Mall and Saveloid ice rink petitions,

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we have over 10,000 signatures.

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From Portlanders who want to see some meaningful part

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of Lloyd Center preserved and saved from demolition.

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Having attended your Tuesday meeting and learned more about the vital work that Metro

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does and how your values factor into the recently passed resolution 26. 5570.

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We feel Portland Metro could play a leading role in uplifting Lloyd Center as a community

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fixture and asset within our city.

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Your critical capacities as both a convener and funder that continues to center racial equity

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and climate goals and supports inclusive, broad-based job creation and retention,

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economic mobility and shared prosperity is in perfect alignment with the current needs of

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the community with regard to Lloyd Center. Specifically, we became aware that not only is Metro

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So, interested in the concept of a reuse mall, but the concept was, as far as we could

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tell, adopted into your strategic plan as a priority.

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An incredible opportunity exists at Lloyd Center, and it is about to be entirely overwritten

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by an out-of-state institutional financial monolith with seemingly zero stake in how this

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mass replan and its wasteful demolition will impact our city and its cultural vitality.

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We have been calling upon city officials for the past couple of months and have experienced

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a dismal response with the exception of a few city council members who have supported

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us shout out Tiffany Koyama Lane. Thank you, Tiffany, for being an early supporter of Save

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but we also understand there's a lot going on in our city and in the world

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presently and in fact we are in a recession with no end inside.

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We'd like to

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highlight Lloyd Center as a bright beacon of hope in these bleak times and explain

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its potential to offer innovative solutions to our depressed city. We are here

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today to ask you to come to the table with our group and to quickly determine

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whether there is potential and interest to work together to help preserve Lloyd Center's legacy.

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For the past year, the small has been on an upward swing despite the ownership's every

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effort to resolve to close it. And we can't stress enough how critical the time window is on this.

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Can we find a time to meet with Metro at the earliest possible opportunity? Thank you so much for

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your attention.

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Yes, that's it. Thank you. Thank you. And I think we had said on Tuesday that we had your contact

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so you can just make sure you've got your contact in Georgia so we can follow up with staff.

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Appreciate that. Thank you.

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Being no one else? No one else? Okay. I will close public testimony on non-agenda items and move on to our

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next, our first resolution, which is number 26-5567 for the purpose of adopting oversight and accountability measures and

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agenda priorities for the support of housing services regional policy and oversight committee.

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Following our work session discussions over the last several weeks, council

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today consider resolution that provides additional direction to Metro's housing

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team for implementation of the support of housing service reforms work plan as adopted in December

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2025. Deputy President Huang and Councillor Gonzales are the sponsors of this resolution and I will

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to refer from memories, this resolution is starting stems from conversations in December,

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where we passed the resolution to create the regional policy and oversight committee

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and kind of set the initial work plan. This resolution today is an accompaniment that work

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to continue mapping out the work we hope can be done to create the best regional system possible.

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We had work sessions on February 24th and March 3rd

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to incorporate feedback and edits.

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And I'm going to thank all my colleagues

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for all your contributions

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to make this piece of legislation.

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The final resolution has received review from our staff

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and OMA, and there's some minor clarifications,

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but none of which are substantive in nature

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from our last discussion.

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I just want to recognize also that we've received formal letters

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from Multnomah Black men's and Washington counties

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requesting to delay this resolution vote.

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Several Councillors have been direct conversation

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with their county counterparts to hear their concerns,

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which will lead to an amendment from Councillor Lewis

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to address some of the concerns

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in clarifying legislative intents.

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We also received a letter for support

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from our partners here together,

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the Coalition of the King is the Collar,

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and Portland Metro Chamber,

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and several folks are here to testify today.

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So I think this has been an exercise in collaboration

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and communication, and I think I'll leave it at that for now on Turnipita, Councillor

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Lewis.

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Sure.

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Thank you so much, Councillor.

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In result of receiving letters from all three counties, but most particularly Black

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and Miss County, I had the opportunity for a significant meeting with Councillor, excuse

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me, Commissioner Ben West at Black and Miss yesterday, specifically focused on the language

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around the RIF and the edits that have been made.

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So I am bringing today a amendment to the Resolution 265567

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passing it down here.

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Just some clarifying language that does not affect the intent

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of what we were talking about with the RIF.

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But the amendment affects the second item relating to

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regional investment fund governance and alignment

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located on page 3 of the original and we're adding a few words for clarification and we're striking some so it will now read Metro Council direct staff for consultation with county staff to recommend to our

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our POC, consideration of governance and management models for the regional investment fund

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to better achieve regional outcomes.

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We're going to strike, quote, with a goal of transitioning funding decisions and

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disbursement responsibilities to Metro, and then we will continue.

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Staff must present the our, present the our POC recommendations on governance and

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management model frameworks to Metro Council by September 30th, 2026.

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So that amendment makes it clear that what we're moving forward with with the RIF is metro with the guidance of our park and not metro council acting alone.

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Colleagues, any questions? This is a language that is in the spirit of what.

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Right.

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Clockiness County via Commissioner West believe that they can support it's the clarity

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that they need.

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No questions.

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Oh, I'm sorry.

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Do you want me to?

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Oh, please.

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Yes.

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I'm sorry, Madam President.

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Councillor Nolan, did you have a question for Councillor Lewis?

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Yes, I did, Madam Chair.

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Thanks.

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Councillor Lewis, you said that the amendment doesn't change the intent.

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But I think it does, by the words that you propose to strike.

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Because striking those words leaves the expectation more ambiguous and subject to interpretation.

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Is that the intent of the language?

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The intent of the language is to say this work of bringing the RIF to a regional level

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is through the R-POC and not solely at the discretion of the Metro Council, so using the

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R-POC Metro kind of co-governance arrangement that is set up in the previously adopted

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governance reforms.

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Any further follow-up?

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We do have a time to talk more about this after a motion has been made, yeah.

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So I just want to encourage us to ask clarifying questions now and we can talk about this more

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when we get to getting a motion on an amendment to the actual resolution.

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So Councilor Rosable, do you want to ask a question now?

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Okay, thank you.

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Do you have any further remarks? No, I motion that we approve the. We need to go to the public comment. That's going to say the amendment. If there's no other questions for Councillor Lois on the amendment, then I would. The folks that we go into public comment. Georgia, would you like to introduce public comment? Absolutely. Also, we do have copies of the amendment here, if anyone would like to see them.

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If you are testifying in person on Resolution 26-5567 now is time to do so, please sign

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up by filling out a blue card in the back of the room and bringing it up to me.

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If you are testifying on Zoom or by phone, please sign up by using the raise hand function

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in the reactions or more menus or by dialing star 9.

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When it is your turn to testify, I'll call in your name or phone number, but those on Zoom

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could accept to be promoted to a panelist.

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Here's a window we'll close briefly before you read you in as a panelist and you can turn

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on your camera if you'd like. Testimony is limited to three minutes and the timer begins when you

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begin speaking. Please state your name for the record before testifying. You do not need to give

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your physical address. And Council President Peterson, we do have some folks who have signed up to

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testify, as well as to invite a testimony. First person to be called up is Angela Martin.

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Good

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I'm going to start by thanking the Council and Metro staff for running a process that

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genuinely included everyone's voice.

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The reforms adopted in December and those before you today move as meaningfully closer

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to a system that can deliver what the public, providers, stakeholders, and people experiencing

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homelessness actually need.

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In advance of this hearing, I submitted to Council a sign-on letter co-circulated by

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here together in Portland Metro Chamber, signed by dozens of partners and members who

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have been with us throughout this now two-year process.

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They supported the December reforms and what you're voting on today, including the amendment

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before you.

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I'll speak specifically to that in a second.

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First, I want to speak to what providers have been sharing with me because these are

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not abstract policy changes, they will have real impact on the work happening on the ground

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every day. First, continuous improvement, which, to be honest, sounded like a buzz word

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to me when I first heard it, but the resolution that before you today puts this word into action.

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I've heard directly from providers who have transformed their operations when given the

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opportunity and the resources to adopt a continuous improvement process.

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Some have used continuous improvements to decrease the time from client intake to delivery

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of services, and others have used it to improve accounting policies that in the old days

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we're resulting in delayed payments to landlords and now have right-sized their internal process

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to make those payments on time with a lot less effort.

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This resolution makes those opportunities available to the entire system.

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At a moment, when every efficiency matters and every dollar has to go further, this is not a small thing.

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The next thing I want to speak to is accountability and what actually means if we want the public to trust the system.

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Public trust in this program depends on one thing.

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people being able to see that it's working and knowing that everyone responsible for making it work is being held to the same standard.

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That means accountability cannot stop at the regional level. It has to run all the way through.

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Metro, the new oversight committee, counties, and providers, everyone in the system, answerable to the same clear set of expectations.

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On the provider side, one of the most persistent frustrations we hear is that contracting

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practices vary across the region, organizations delivering identical services working

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under different expectations and reporting requirements.

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That's not accountability, that's confusion, and it makes it harder, not easier, to know

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what's working.

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We support the new committee moving quickly to establish performance metrics that are meaningful,

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consistent and fair. The third thing I want to speak to is the regional

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investment fund, the amendment for you today, and why it matters that we get

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this right. The regional investment fund was born from a vision that some

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problems are regional in nature and deserve regional solutions. Now, SHS funding

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has allowed each county to grow its homeless services system in ways that simply

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weren't possible before. Clackamas and Washington counties were able to build

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systems that did not have the resources to develop prior to SHS. Each county has its own

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population, its own challenges, its own local context, and that flexibility matters.

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But homelessness doesn't stop at county lines. There are regional problems that require

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regional responses, and that RIF is the mechanism to make those cross-county investments.

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We support directing new oversight committee to develop a new governance model and a set of

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guiding principles for how the fund is invested.

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I believe the new committee working together can debate and develop a proposal that returns

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us to that original intent, applying a regional lens where it's needed most.

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We're at a real reflection point.

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The reforms before you today give us better tools, a stronger committee, clearer accountability,

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and a framework for continuous improvement, but tools only work if we use them well.

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here together and our partners are committed to staying engaged holding ourselves to the same

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high standard we're asking from the system and helping make sure these reforms deliver.

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I'll end my remarks there but certainly happy to answer any questions.

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Thank you.

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Next we have John Isaacs.

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Good morning. Metro President Peterson and

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counselors. My name is John Isaacs and I'm the Executive Director of Public Affairs for the

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Portland Metro Chamber. I'm a resident of southeast Portland and I prefer he and

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The Portland Metro Chamber is greater Portland's chamber of commerce and represents the largest

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most diverse network of businesses in the region.

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The Alliance advocates at all levels of government to support commerce, community health and

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the regions overall prosperity.

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We represent more than 2,300 members from 27 counties, 13 states and virtually all industry

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sectors.

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More than 81% of our members are small businesses defined by employers of 10 employees or less.

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On behalf of our members and partners, I'm here today to express the chamber's strongest,

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possible support for resolution 265-6567. This resolution for the very first time will require

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transparent outcomes based success metrics connected to a system that will track and measure

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performance and a regional corrective action framework that will boost accountability and performance

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the regional support of home before the regional support of home with services program.

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I'm going to walk us through some history today, okay? Six years ago the chamber under the leadership

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Ship of a brand new CEO who had just arrived here from Brooklyn, New York made the extraordinary

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decision to step up and claim a true leadership role in solving the most pressing crisis in

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our region, widespread and persistent unsheltered homelessness.

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We were involved with every step of the negotiated drafting of the SHS measure and the final agreement

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was reached in the Chamber's conference room.

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Chamber's CEO and President Andrew Hone agreed to serve as the chief spokesperson of the

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campaign and even debated some statewide business groups who opposed the measure.

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We were told then by county leaders that they had a plan, that we knew what the solutions

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were and all we lacked was the will to provide the generation level of funding necessary

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to implement these solutions and solve homelessness in the region.

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The slogan for the campaign was, and homelessness, voters said yes.

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About two years ago, after it was clear that none of this was true, no plan existed and

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no clear understanding of the solutions existed.

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We even began to hear comments suggesting that the measure was never intended to end homelessness and it was never enough money to solve the problem.

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Combined with flashing red economic indicators that predicted the region was falling into recession,

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resulting in declining revenues to clients that we are experiencing now,

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it was clear that the measure that we celebrated as a generational win in 2020 was on a path towards political and organizational collapse.

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To make matters worse, the public was repeatedly exposed to bitter internal turf wars and

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finger pointing between local governments across the region.

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With this crisis coming straight at us, the homeless service provider community represented

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by here together and the business community represented by the Chamber, Portland Metro Association

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of Relatures and several other regional business partners chose to put our differences aside,

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identify areas of agreement and form a coalition to push for a radical change to write the

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ship before it was too late.

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It was crystal clear to business and service providers that public disillusionment would continue

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to grow if we did not act to strengthen regional collaboration, transparency, accountability,

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and adopt a leisure focus on making unshildered homelessness the top priority.

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Can I continue?

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Thank you.

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I said before this council on October 16, 2024, quote, the status quo is clearly unacceptable

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and it is incumbent upon us to course correct to save the historic resource.

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as the funders of this program, the business community's frustration is at a

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breaking point. We promise voters we would measurably address homelessness and we

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must make major changes to convince the public we are

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on track to deliver on that promise. In my testimony, we also called for these specific

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improvements, strengthen collaborative transparent oversight that includes leaders

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representing the key stakeholders, oversight that honors the true intent of the

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original measure and historic regional resource that follows an agreed upon

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on regional plan with transparent, measurable outcomes.

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We also call for right size and the tax rates,

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so it can be sustained over a multi-decade time frame

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and indexing the qualifying income threshold

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to inflation.

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We endorsed a 20-year extension at a 0.25% lower rate.

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We know what happened with that proposal.

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This resolution today is completely aligned

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with these reform priorities

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and will provide a clear direction

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to the new governing body

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that the Metro Council already approved.

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This follows critical action by this council last year on meaningful tax reform.

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In 2025, the council delivered on its promise to deliver this meaningful reform by indexing the tax to inflation.

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A standard policy that protects taxpayers from being subject to a tax increase,

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simply through the rising cost of living or standard cost of living increases in their compensation.

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This has provided meaningful tax relief to thousands of middle-class residents and will continue to do so.

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The Chamber cannot be prouder to a collaborated with Angela Martin and a team of our most important

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homeless service providers in the region to drive these critical reforms forward in collaboration

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with the leaders on this council.

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This series of reforms have been adopted since we worked with you to drive a call to action

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culminating in this accountability resolution today.

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These are deeply important concrete improvements that have given the SHS measure a political

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lifeline have already resulted in improved performance that we see the community recognizing

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in surveys, and it provided tax relief to thousands of taxpayers. Now, with the adoption of

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this resolution, the fate of the SHS measure with voters will depend entirely on urgent implementation

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and the results seen by the community. I want to close my testimony with some recognitions.

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Our former board member Andrew Rowe, whose deep understanding of effective systems,

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outcomes based service delivery and health policy were recognized by the Chamber Board of Directors

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when he was approved as our formal representative to President Peterson's Reform Staring Committee

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and who contributed significantly to this resolution. I want to thank President Peterson

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who had the foresight and strength and leadership to recognize the breadth of the crisis and took

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on what was a thankless job in pushing a genuine reform discussion forward. And I want to thank

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the current incoming Council President Duncan Wong,

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Councillor Wong-Karlis Gonzalez,

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Councillor Lewis, and Councillor Ashton Simpson,

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who dove into these very difficult discussions

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at different times and supported us in our push for change.

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Your actions and confidence in your convictions has been

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one of the most genuine demonstrations of strong leadership.

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I have had the privilege to have a front row seat too

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in my career at one of the most critical times

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and we thank you deeply.

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For these reasons, the Chamber affirms our ongoing commitment

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to the success of the support of homeless services measure and the regional program it supports.

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We strongly encourage you to vote aye, thank you for your time and consideration.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Next we have Alex Fan.

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Good

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morning everyone.

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Thank you, President Peterson and Council members for allowing me to testify today.

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My name is Alex Fan.

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I'm a resident of Washington County, small business owner, father, and a huge supporter

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for homeless providers since 2018.

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I also want to thank President Peterson for appointing me to the SHS reform work group

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this last year.

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It allowed me the opportunity to help shape some of these recommendations today.

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In our region, as our region continues to struggle with homelessness, we need a homelessness

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response system that is compassionate, accountable, effective, and worthy of public trust.

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I support this resolution because it tackles the critical operational gaps and will give

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the Regional Policy and Oversight Committee the ability to improve how the system works.

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First, it creates the public performance dashboard with standardized regional metrics

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so providers, policymakers, and the public are working from the same data.

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A public-facing dashboard will improve transparency, strengthen trust with taxpayers and voters

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and help keep everyone focused on outcomes.

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Second, it advances reforms to the regional investment fund,

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so that way regional dollars can be managed and deployed more strategically.

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Streamlining regional investment fund will help get resources where they are needed faster.

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I mentioned that invests in training, technical assistance, and implementation support, and recognizes

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that frontline providers are often the best position to identify barriers. We should design a system

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that listens to that expertise and gives providers the support that they need to improve performance.

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Finally, it directs the development of a clearer accountability framework with more consistent

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and expectations, monitoring, and corrective action processes.

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These are reforms that providers, business leaders, and community stakeholders have been

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asking for a long, long time.

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If we're serious about housing everyone, then we need to be just as serious about building

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a system that can actually deliver.

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With transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement at its core, I urge you to adopt

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this resolution.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Next we have Anna Kursinsky and I think that Anna is on the part that I was about

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to say.

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Okay.

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I'm going to go on you now.

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Thank you.

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And good morning, Metro Councillors, for the record I'm Anna Kursinsky, Executive Director

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00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:27,040
of Community Warehouse, our Metro Area's Only Furniture Bank.

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I'm here to support Resolution 5567 in the Regional Policy and Oversight Committee at

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establishes, this resolution offers a critical opportunity to fix systemic gaps in regional

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SHS implementation, but only if it creates clear, supported pathways for identifying and funding

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proven essential regional services. RIF does hold $18 million annually, which is far too much for

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regional planning alone. We need some of these dollars flowing to regional services that directly

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stabilize housing. Community warehouses spent four years advocating for a regional SHS contract

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that would standardize service across all three counties, create efficiency and ensure every

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SHS qualified household moves into a furnished home. In December 2024, we presented testimony to

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the TCPV with a letter signed by over 100 housing agencies and advocates urging immediate action.

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The co-chairs committed to moving it forward immediately and instead progressed in part due to

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governance reforms and change during that time. More than a year later, here's our situation. We have

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a successful Washington County SHS contract, three years of proven results with 36 percent

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more homes furnished, wait times reduced to under one week, and two 20 partner agencies

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freed from administrative burdens. But we have no contracts with Multnomah and Clackamas

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and a regional contract hasn't moved forward despite documented need and stakeholder support.

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We're stuck in limbo while many of our agencies are telling us due to federal and other cuts,

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they may not be able to get clients, furniture anymore. People experiencing furniture poverty currently,

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20% of Americans and nearly everyone coming out of homelessness are less likely to move

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into and maintain housing. Metro has taken this pause to reconfigure

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RIF in its governance that is great, but if this year plus long process ends in the same

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place with funding held back, no clear pathway for proven solutions, and essential services

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like community where how still unable to access regional contracts, that would be a profound

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failure.

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As HHS is our region's opportunity to deliver comprehensive housing solutions, we need

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the structural flexibility to make it happen.

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I urge you to ensure this resolution and subsequent R-POC directives create explicit pathways

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for regional services that serve the entire system, including cross-county supports like

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furniture provision.

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Let's move these millions into action that serves our community.

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Thank you all for your leadership on SHS reform.

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This is very important, and we are here to partner with you in making this system work

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better for everyone and shout out to the SAFE Lloyd Center. Thank you. Thank you.

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Council President Peterson, that concludes the testimony sign-ups for this 10 item.

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00:34:07,580 --> 00:34:13,100
Okay, awesome. Thank you for everybody who came forward. It has been quite a journey to get us

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to this point and I just want to thank my councillors for taking up the torch and running forward

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with it after the first round of reforms and digging into the specifics that we need to get going

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on as soon as possible in order to get results out in the field as soon as possible.

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So I will, at this point, call for a motion on the resolution itself, number 26-5567.

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I move to the adoption. No, sorry.

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00:34:47,460 --> 00:34:50,260
I have three people and I have to go to Councillor Gonzales first.

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Councillor Gonzales moved.

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Do I have a second?

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00:34:54,940 --> 00:34:55,260
Second.

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00:34:55,860 --> 00:34:57,940
It's been seconded by Councillor Rosenthal.

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Councillors, we can now have a conversation about the amendment which means, first, does anybody

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have any questions on the actual resolution itself or comments on it?

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And the actual resolution before we get to the amendment.

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What's the appropriate time to make general comments on the, on the, rather make it on the

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amended risk?

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It'll be nice to make a motion and have somebody make a motion on the amendment and get

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a second.

464
00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:36,540
Well, then I'll move this amendment as read before to page three, second item regarding the

465
00:35:36,540 --> 00:35:40,300
regional investment fund governance and alignment for the record.

466
00:35:40,300 --> 00:35:48,140
it's adding after consultation with county staff to recommend to RPOC consideration of governance

467
00:35:48,140 --> 00:35:53,540
and management models for the regional investment fund to better achieve regional outcomes.

468
00:35:54,220 --> 00:36:00,380
It removes the rest of that line and then it continues staff must present the RPOC recommendations

469
00:36:01,080 --> 00:36:05,980
on governance and management model framework symmetric council by September 30th of 2016.

470
00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:07,380
Thank you. Do I have a second?

471
00:36:07,380 --> 00:36:07,800
Second.

472
00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:08,760
Okay.

473
00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:09,820
It's been moved and second in Georgia.

474
00:36:09,960 --> 00:36:12,560
We please call the roll on the Opposed Amendment.

475
00:36:12,720 --> 00:36:12,960
Hello.

476
00:36:13,360 --> 00:36:14,780
Should we have conversation first?

477
00:36:14,940 --> 00:36:16,240
Do you want a discussion?

478
00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:16,540
No.

479
00:36:16,620 --> 00:36:17,180
Not on the amendments.

480
00:36:17,780 --> 00:36:18,220
Yes.

481
00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:18,880
On the amendment.

482
00:36:19,260 --> 00:36:19,740
On the amendment.

483
00:36:19,940 --> 00:36:20,080
Okay.

484
00:36:20,260 --> 00:36:20,720
Councilor Nolan.

485
00:36:22,220 --> 00:36:23,160
Thanks, Madam Chair.

486
00:36:27,230 --> 00:36:34,130
In the context of the letters we all received from the different counties, who each in their own

487
00:36:34,130 --> 00:36:45,750
way to me seem to be expressing a desire and an assertion that they each have separate

488
00:36:45,750 --> 00:36:56,030
parts of the SHS program and they want Metro to not interfere with their parts of it.

489
00:36:56,030 --> 00:37:04,270
It's my interpretation of the letters we receive from each of the three counties.

490
00:37:04,530 --> 00:37:08,590
All of them say it differently, but the message is very similar.

491
00:37:11,080 --> 00:37:18,480
That seems contrary to our discussion woven through all of our work sessions since December

492
00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:19,340
on this topic.

493
00:37:19,340 --> 00:37:29,320
that we are committed to a regional plan that addresses homelessness on a regional perspective.

494
00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:43,040
The amendment that's proposed seems to reinforce that there are parts of the SHS program

495
00:37:43,040 --> 00:37:48,680
that are county and Metro has to keep its hands off.

496
00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:52,320
I don't support that interpretation.

497
00:37:53,240 --> 00:37:56,200
I don't support that as policy.

498
00:37:57,620 --> 00:38:03,080
And I'm concerned also about whether the amendment,

499
00:38:04,160 --> 00:38:09,200
maybe inadvertently in the language that's chosen,

500
00:38:10,600 --> 00:38:16,400
gives more sway to the RPOC than was originally intended.

501
00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:24,520
For example, the amendment says that staff shall present RPOC recommendation to the Metro Council.

502
00:38:25,080 --> 00:38:30,080
It doesn't say that staff can't present other alternatives,

503
00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:35,760
but it could be interpreted to imply that.

504
00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:43,100
I don't think the Metro Council should be constrained to considering only

505
00:38:45,020 --> 00:38:48,280
ideas or proposals that the R-POC brings forward.

506
00:38:48,800 --> 00:38:53,360
There could come a time, and in fact I expect there will, where there's a

507
00:38:53,360 --> 00:39:01,840
disagreement between our collective perspective on a regional program, and what

508
00:39:01,840 --> 00:39:10,360
But members of the county representatives of the counties and perhaps the R-Poc see moving forward.

509
00:39:11,580 --> 00:39:18,120
And I don't want to seed our authority or our responsibility to the R-Poc.

510
00:39:19,220 --> 00:39:23,960
I welcome if I'm misunderstanding this, if someone could explain that.

511
00:39:24,500 --> 00:39:30,620
But unless I get an explanation, I can't support the amendment, although I do support the underlying

512
00:39:30,620 --> 00:39:31,560
resolution.

513
00:39:34,210 --> 00:39:36,030
Before we move on to Councilor Rosalo, who has

514
00:39:36,030 --> 00:39:37,390
this hand up, Councillor Lois, did you want to?

515
00:39:38,350 --> 00:39:44,470
Sure, thank you. The underlying resolution still gives our

516
00:39:44,470 --> 00:39:50,670
POC a significant amount of authority and balance in the

517
00:39:50,670 --> 00:39:56,590
goal areas of where we're going to spend the riff. We have

518
00:39:56,590 --> 00:40:01,450
outlined that the riff six goals from the tri-counting planning

519
00:40:01,450 --> 00:40:08,650
body should be reviewed by ARPOC and either reaffirmed or edited. And it sounds to me like

520
00:40:09,610 --> 00:40:16,950
your concern is not in the subject matter of those six areas and the programming that is

521
00:40:16,950 --> 00:40:22,690
supported by them, but instead you are worried that we would want to make funding decisions,

522
00:40:22,690 --> 00:40:31,030
not program decisions, separate from ARPOC. And I don't think that was ever the intent. This is

523
00:40:31,030 --> 00:40:36,930
the set aside for regional investment and regional frameworks that support all three counties

524
00:40:37,610 --> 00:40:41,490
and the work that they do. And it sounds like that's where your fundamental disagreement is,

525
00:40:42,130 --> 00:40:51,370
but I will underscore, even the original work still had our POC affirming and directing

526
00:40:52,070 --> 00:40:56,790
programmatic spending within the six areas and any additional areas they'd like to add.

527
00:41:01,070 --> 00:41:04,070
Okay. Thank you for the clarification on the intent.

528
00:41:04,370 --> 00:41:07,250
We've got Councillor Rosenthal, Councillor Gensalitz and Councillor Flaun.

529
00:41:08,350 --> 00:41:12,770
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to say I support this amendment because I read it

530
00:41:12,770 --> 00:41:17,410
somewhat differently. I read it as just emphasizing the fact that this is going to be a collaborative

531
00:41:17,410 --> 00:41:21,610
process. It's going to be back and forth and that both our

532
00:41:21,610 --> 00:41:27,310
park as well as the counties will have voices that we will want to listen to. I do not think

533
00:41:27,310 --> 00:41:32,810
think this council in its current or in its future form is going to be less committed

534
00:41:32,810 --> 00:41:34,430
to a regional approach.

535
00:41:34,990 --> 00:41:40,110
The art is in balancing the regional approach with the needs of individual counties and

536
00:41:40,110 --> 00:41:41,730
individual populations.

537
00:41:42,350 --> 00:41:48,570
So I think this amendment moves a bit more in that direction, and it shows a little bit

538
00:41:48,570 --> 00:41:53,750
more that we want to hear the voices that are going to be raised and that have this consideration.

539
00:41:54,250 --> 00:41:55,970
And so I would support this amendment.

540
00:41:58,220 --> 00:42:00,080
Thank you. Councilor Giselle.

541
00:42:00,720 --> 00:42:04,580
Thanks, President Peterson. I mean, first I want to thank Councillor Lewis for helping

542
00:42:04,580 --> 00:42:12,580
to thread the needle here. You know, my perspective, the amendment does meet the intent of

543
00:42:12,580 --> 00:42:17,480
the legislation as originally. I know Councillor Wong and I have been working and I'm curious

544
00:42:17,480 --> 00:42:25,840
to hear as well his reflections as an author and co-sponsor of this. I think primarily, you

545
00:42:25,840 --> 00:42:36,300
I come back to our December legislation, which one created the ARPOC, but also helped to define what that work plan would be with some of the timelines that we have.

546
00:42:36,980 --> 00:42:44,400
And then this body of work is building off of that initial legislation, which was again, what is the work plan for ARPOC?

547
00:42:44,500 --> 00:42:51,160
So I do think that the language reflecting the relationship between Metro and the ARPOC is important.

548
00:42:51,160 --> 00:42:57,280
I think that it clarifies what, I think, our original intent was in terms of that.

549
00:42:57,960 --> 00:43:04,180
And, you know, I want to remind the council to that in establishing this new oversight structure,

550
00:43:04,340 --> 00:43:09,760
we selected a bit of a concurrence model similar to JPEC, which has a decision-making,

551
00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:14,540
sharing power sharing with ARPOC in terms of how the region moves forward.

552
00:43:14,800 --> 00:43:19,300
And I think that we're going to need to have that balance.

553
00:43:19,300 --> 00:43:38,000
and also we're setting probably the most consequential table for homelessness of this decade, and it's going to be the most urgent space to negotiate and really hash out these things about how this system moves forward because it needs to move forward.

554
00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:44,140
So just to kind of land my comments here, I just want to thank Councillor Ruiz for doing

555
00:43:44,140 --> 00:43:48,760
the hard work to help create a better reflection and I support the amendment.

556
00:43:49,420 --> 00:43:53,260
Thank you. Councillor Farn. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.

557
00:43:54,700 --> 00:44:02,480
When I was drafting this original language, if I had a magic wand, I would love the rift to be

558
00:44:02,480 --> 00:44:10,020
back at Metro as per the original intent but unfortunately that's not the situation that we're in

559
00:44:10,020 --> 00:44:13,720
and you know had a lot of conversations with our legal department

560
00:44:15,020 --> 00:44:22,920
and as well as our partners and I think I know where we need to get to but how we get there now

561
00:44:22,920 --> 00:44:30,200
requires some really deep conversation and thinking I think from a riff right now

562
00:44:30,200 --> 00:44:37,580
You know, for hearing from our county partners that they're already contractually obligated, and I would better understand what that means to

563
00:44:39,440 --> 00:44:39,960
disrupt

564
00:44:41,040 --> 00:44:44,800
Potentially existing contracts that are probably going to worth worthy

565
00:44:45,840 --> 00:44:49,500
Projects just not regional projects necessarily and what that would mean

566
00:44:49,500 --> 00:44:55,380
So I think it's worth having kind of that deep dive and I think that the original intent is still here where it's like

567
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,600
The framework back to council to discuss in collaboration. But yeah, we don't have that magic one. Unfortunately, and we have to work through a process and get that by end. So I think I'm okay with this amendment as proposed. Thank you, council. Yeah, thank you. I would like to speak a little bit more in specifics. You know, the meeting I had at Clarkham's County. I was able to learn about the very specific funding investments.

568
00:45:29,600 --> 00:45:37,100
that they've made, and obviously are intent of having this conversation start in September

569
00:45:37,100 --> 00:45:45,340
at the council level, conclude at the epoch level at the end of summer, is to be ahead

570
00:45:45,340 --> 00:45:50,600
of next budget season. So I want to provide a surety that the counties in the budget that

571
00:45:50,600 --> 00:45:57,220
we're all embarking on right now, do four months from now, are not changing. So undercoordinated

572
00:45:57,220 --> 00:46:05,200
entry, Clackham's County pays for case conferencing staff, they've paid for HMIS migration

573
00:46:05,200 --> 00:46:09,920
project, they've paid for a program called Housing for Success which was approved by

574
00:46:09,920 --> 00:46:15,220
the Tri-County Planning Body to support limited duration programming to advance household

575
00:46:15,220 --> 00:46:20,620
self-sufficiency, and it pays for a small portion of the point-in-time count, those are all extremely

576
00:46:20,620 --> 00:46:27,080
worthy items. None of them roll up other than HMIS to some extent to a true regional

577
00:46:27,080 --> 00:46:33,020
program. None of them are exactly what we would want to see continued funding, but these

578
00:46:33,020 --> 00:46:36,900
things would all be eligible for continued funding. If they met the regional north star,

579
00:46:37,420 --> 00:46:43,080
gold star best practices, and we agreed at the ARPOC and metro level that they were worth

580
00:46:43,080 --> 00:46:50,440
funding out of the RIF. So that's just one example plus in the context that these four buckets

581
00:46:50,440 --> 00:46:56,920
of funding under a coordinated entry are secure for this next budget cycle. So if the counties

582
00:46:56,920 --> 00:47:02,260
so chooses. So I think we're being timely in a smart way by asking for this by September.

583
00:47:02,880 --> 00:47:10,500
So we are well ahead of the next budget. Thank you. Thank you. Saying no further hands raised.

584
00:47:12,220 --> 00:47:14,520
George, will we please call the roll on the amendment?

585
00:47:17,070 --> 00:47:18,850
Yes. Councillor Simpson.

586
00:47:20,410 --> 00:47:25,230
Hi. Councillor Rosenthal. Hi. Councillor Gonzales.

587
00:47:25,230 --> 00:47:25,450
Councilor Lewis?

588
00:47:25,590 --> 00:47:25,830
I.

589
00:47:26,170 --> 00:47:26,930
Councilor Nolen?

590
00:47:27,630 --> 00:47:27,930
No.

591
00:47:28,930 --> 00:47:29,690
Councilor Lewis.

592
00:47:30,230 --> 00:47:30,330
I.

593
00:47:30,650 --> 00:47:31,390
Councilor Wong.

594
00:47:31,810 --> 00:47:31,930
I.

595
00:47:32,210 --> 00:47:33,250
Councilor President Peterson.

596
00:47:33,650 --> 00:47:33,790
Aye.

597
00:47:34,070 --> 00:47:34,710
The motion passes.

598
00:47:34,910 --> 00:47:35,230
Thank you.

599
00:47:35,690 --> 00:47:38,790
Now we'll go on to the actual resolution itself.

600
00:47:39,050 --> 00:47:41,810
Resolution 26-5567.

601
00:47:42,850 --> 00:47:45,090
Councilors, any further discussion on the resolution?

602
00:47:46,290 --> 00:47:46,950
As amended?

603
00:47:48,450 --> 00:47:49,350
As amended.

604
00:47:51,140 --> 00:47:51,360
Sure.

605
00:47:51,780 --> 00:47:52,960
Councilor Rosenthal.

606
00:47:53,120 --> 00:47:53,700
Thank you Madam Chair.

607
00:47:55,060 --> 00:47:57,160
I'm going to get a little philosophical here.

608
00:47:57,500 --> 00:48:02,100
I think we're at a watershed point, and first of all, I want to thank Councilor Swang and

609
00:48:02,100 --> 00:48:07,420
Gonzales for their work on coming forward with this structure for the R-POC, and I also

610
00:48:07,420 --> 00:48:12,760
want to acknowledge the leadership of President Peterson for keeping the regionalization

611
00:48:12,760 --> 00:48:17,100
the need for a regional approach in front of everybody for over the last several months.

612
00:48:17,260 --> 00:48:21,120
When we started this process five years ago, we were pretty much babes in the woods.

613
00:48:21,120 --> 00:48:26,180
We started with the aspirations and not a lot of knowledge and we've gained a lot of knowledge.

614
00:48:26,180 --> 00:48:32,880
I also want to thank all of the, I want to thank the counties and I want to thank all the stakeholders for all the input they provided.

615
00:48:33,100 --> 00:48:46,040
Sometimes it's different opinions on different subjects, but I think it's led us to this point where we realize we need a stronger structure to manage the process or to at least provide input to the process to provide input to the council.

616
00:48:46,040 --> 00:48:49,400
and I think that this moves forward in that direction.

617
00:48:49,660 --> 00:48:51,020
I think we can look forward.

618
00:48:51,180 --> 00:48:52,320
I think it's quite a task.

619
00:48:53,740 --> 00:48:56,860
I'm a little concerned that we're asking the ARPOC

620
00:48:56,860 --> 00:48:59,600
to do a little perhaps more, and I would be cautious.

621
00:49:00,140 --> 00:49:02,440
And some of the later, therefore, as we say,

622
00:49:02,560 --> 00:49:05,460
that the ARPOC will develop and recommend.

623
00:49:05,760 --> 00:49:07,000
And I think that has to be taken

624
00:49:07,000 --> 00:49:08,460
with a little bit of a grain of salt.

625
00:49:08,920 --> 00:49:11,800
There are not going to be a technical committee

626
00:49:11,800 --> 00:49:14,240
that is going to have the ability to do the development.

627
00:49:14,240 --> 00:49:21,120
they're going to have to rely on others, such as metro staff, such as various technical

628
00:49:21,120 --> 00:49:25,860
expertise, whether it's scientific or whether it's educational on how to do some of these

629
00:49:25,860 --> 00:49:32,320
things, such as continuous improvement, such as corrective action plans, programs are going

630
00:49:32,320 --> 00:49:38,360
to be a lot of feedback and a lot of input and all of these. So, I think we have set them a hard

631
00:49:38,360 --> 00:49:43,880
task. I've had some comments from people saying, this is maybe asking them to do more in a quicker

632
00:49:43,880 --> 00:49:50,940
time then they may have the ability to do, but the thing that I've always advocated for

633
00:49:50,940 --> 00:49:56,720
is let's move forward with this process and I appreciate this resolution realizing

634
00:49:56,720 --> 00:50:04,780
that we have to be adaptive what we are approving now may be changed and if we are successful

635
00:50:04,780 --> 00:50:11,320
in continuing the SHS program and finding a way to extend it for another 20 years, I think

636
00:50:11,320 --> 00:50:14,960
we're going to realize that we're going to have to be adaptive as we move forward.

637
00:50:15,100 --> 00:50:18,080
The problems will change, the needs for solutions will change.

638
00:50:18,900 --> 00:50:25,860
So I think we're, like I said at a watershed moment, there's more to come and more decisions to be

639
00:50:25,860 --> 00:50:33,180
made, but I think we can work with all of our come. And as I said before, I think we can work with

640
00:50:33,180 --> 00:50:39,200
the stakeholders and the counties realizing that there's an art in balancing the regionalization

641
00:50:39,200 --> 00:50:41,200
with the needs of the local populations

642
00:50:41,200 --> 00:50:42,160
than the local counties.

643
00:50:42,360 --> 00:50:44,060
They each have their own structures, their own needs.

644
00:50:44,640 --> 00:50:46,020
And we've learned this very clearly.

645
00:50:46,340 --> 00:50:48,500
So this is a good start

646
00:50:49,040 --> 00:50:52,000
and it's going to be a lot of work for the ARPOC.

647
00:50:54,060 --> 00:50:55,940
Thank you, Councilor Pong, it means a dose.

648
00:50:56,400 --> 00:50:56,660
Thank you.

649
00:50:58,460 --> 00:51:01,320
Yeah, I just wanted to express my deep appreciation

650
00:51:01,320 --> 00:51:04,900
to all my colleagues for all your feedback and advice.

651
00:51:05,380 --> 00:51:06,600
I think we have a better product

652
00:51:07,040 --> 00:51:08,960
and I just want to extend deep appreciations

653
00:51:08,960 --> 00:51:12,940
to all our partners. It's been a pleasure to work with you all.

654
00:51:14,420 --> 00:51:17,240
You know, we had a lot of back and forth. There was a lot of discussion

655
00:51:17,980 --> 00:51:21,860
amongst all the partners with our legal staff, with our housing team.

656
00:51:22,820 --> 00:51:27,500
And it really did feel like we had to wrangle a lot. But I think we're kind of coalescing

657
00:51:27,500 --> 00:51:32,520
around a shared vision of where we want to get to. I know it's the council rules and thoughts

658
00:51:33,120 --> 00:51:38,540
point. It's ambitious. We got a lot to do. But we're not going to shy away from that. And I think

659
00:51:38,540 --> 00:51:44,000
we're not leaning in and build the best system that we can. So again, I appreciate it's everyone

660
00:51:44,000 --> 00:51:49,200
and this is just a start. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor Gonzalez.

661
00:51:49,960 --> 00:51:56,240
Yeah, thanks, President Peterson. I want to echo what Councilor Wong just mentioned and I want to

662
00:51:57,300 --> 00:52:04,120
specifically give him a lot of credit and praise as well for working with staff and really doing

663
00:52:04,120 --> 00:52:12,800
the heavy lifting on synthesis to create this incredible body of work. I feel

664
00:52:12,800 --> 00:52:18,640
tremendous gratitude to the stakeholders, folks that came to testify today as

665
00:52:18,640 --> 00:52:23,940
well to lend their voice in this and I know for you know some of the letters

666
00:52:23,940 --> 00:52:30,580
that we received it feels like we might be moving quickly or you know

667
00:52:30,580 --> 00:52:38,260
engagement was not up to par, but I think that this has been two years of very intense work,

668
00:52:38,900 --> 00:52:45,300
and the themes that are popping up here are, I think, really battle-tested, clear alignment,

669
00:52:45,560 --> 00:52:51,440
clear consensus steps forward with this new oversight committee, and I just feel this tremendous

670
00:52:51,440 --> 00:53:00,200
urgency, not just from the folks that are stakeholders with the system, but from voters that

671
00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:08,120
I really want us to get our active together, our investments together to serve the souls

672
00:53:08,120 --> 00:53:10,440
that are suffering in our streets and in the system.

673
00:53:11,200 --> 00:53:14,280
And I think that needs to be on North Star and our mandate.

674
00:53:14,660 --> 00:53:20,400
And this new oversight body is going to have a lot of work to do to Council go to Rose

675
00:53:20,400 --> 00:53:21,060
and Falls Point.

676
00:53:21,940 --> 00:53:27,380
So I know I'm very much looking forward to all of the work and rolling up our sleeves

677
00:53:27,380 --> 00:53:29,000
to deliver in our promises.

678
00:53:30,460 --> 00:53:31,240
Thank you.

679
00:53:32,500 --> 00:53:33,620
Any other comments?

680
00:53:38,030 --> 00:53:39,370
Well, this is my last meeting.

681
00:53:40,350 --> 00:53:47,350
And I feel like we have moved this reform effort

682
00:53:48,910 --> 00:53:51,690
into the best position we could for the next five years.

683
00:53:52,610 --> 00:53:54,890
Without the help of everybody in this room,

684
00:53:55,570 --> 00:53:56,930
we would not have gotten there.

685
00:53:57,510 --> 00:54:00,070
And it was a two-year long discussion.

686
00:54:00,070 --> 00:54:02,370
I think it is time to bring it to a close.

687
00:54:03,350 --> 00:54:08,670
The sooner we get started on the reforms, the sooner, again, the results on the ground.

688
00:54:09,570 --> 00:54:15,990
And I look forward to working with you all on the other side and being able to implement

689
00:54:15,990 --> 00:54:28,510
this because it is important for everyone to understand that while we are, we have three

690
00:54:28,510 --> 00:54:33,590
counties that have been working very hard to stand up programs, understand how to

691
00:54:33,590 --> 00:54:40,690
define the problem, how to define solution sets, we are stronger together, and the

692
00:54:40,690 --> 00:54:45,410
only way to get us together is to have definitions that are all the same,

693
00:54:46,010 --> 00:54:49,810
performance metrics that are heading us all in the same direction, even if we

694
00:54:49,810 --> 00:54:55,450
might find solutions that are different, but get us to the same end point. So I'm

695
00:54:55,450 --> 00:55:00,690
I'm really proud of all of the work that everybody has done on this council in this room.

696
00:55:01,570 --> 00:55:05,410
And I can't say enough, thank you to all of you.

697
00:55:06,410 --> 00:55:11,610
They got us to this point, both the staff and every stakeholder and every person who's

698
00:55:11,610 --> 00:55:16,510
provided testimony and every person who's shared their living experience with us.

699
00:55:17,090 --> 00:55:19,730
So I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

700
00:55:20,430 --> 00:55:25,050
And I will obviously be a yes vote on this measure and this resolution.

701
00:55:26,290 --> 00:55:28,250
Thank you for your leadership, Madam President.

702
00:55:28,730 --> 00:55:31,090
I hope your friend or friends are all over this.

703
00:55:31,410 --> 00:55:32,730
We wouldn't be here without all your work.

704
00:55:33,070 --> 00:55:33,470
Thank you.

705
00:55:33,630 --> 00:55:33,890
Thank you.

706
00:55:35,880 --> 00:55:36,360
Yes.

707
00:55:37,020 --> 00:55:37,700
Councillor Lewis.

708
00:55:38,360 --> 00:55:38,580
Aye.

709
00:55:39,200 --> 00:55:39,740
Councillor Simpson.

710
00:55:40,640 --> 00:55:41,240
Aye.

711
00:55:42,560 --> 00:55:43,360
Councillor Wong.

712
00:55:43,780 --> 00:55:43,920
Aye.

713
00:55:44,460 --> 00:55:45,060
Councillor Gonzalez.

714
00:55:45,620 --> 00:55:45,820
Aye.

715
00:55:46,260 --> 00:55:47,020
Councillor Rosenthal.

716
00:55:47,320 --> 00:55:47,540
Aye.

717
00:55:47,900 --> 00:55:48,460
Councillor Nolan.

718
00:55:49,340 --> 00:55:49,940
Yes.

719
00:55:50,960 --> 00:55:52,280
Councillor President Peterson.

720
00:55:52,800 --> 00:55:52,920
Aye.

721
00:55:53,580 --> 00:55:54,240
Motion passes.

722
00:55:54,660 --> 00:55:55,420
Thank you.

723
00:55:55,420 --> 00:55:57,480
Thank you everybody, thank you a round of applause.

724
00:56:04,120 --> 00:56:06,460
Well, now we have other business to attend to.

725
00:56:08,020 --> 00:56:11,120
Councillor, Councillor Lois needs to attend another meeting.

726
00:56:11,300 --> 00:56:11,940
We will see you.

727
00:56:12,220 --> 00:56:14,140
I'm off to the Metro Mayor's consortium,

728
00:56:14,480 --> 00:56:16,860
and I would normally just to secure quietly,

729
00:56:17,240 --> 00:56:19,520
but I need just one moment to thank you, Madam President,

730
00:56:20,000 --> 00:56:21,460
for your friendship, for your leadership,

731
00:56:21,800 --> 00:56:24,400
your mentorship and the change that you've made here.

732
00:56:24,720 --> 00:56:25,060
Thank you.

733
00:56:25,520 --> 00:56:25,980
Thank you.

734
00:56:27,760 --> 00:56:28,720
All right.

735
00:56:30,820 --> 00:56:36,860
We will move on to Resolution No. 26-5573 for the purpose of amending the Metro Affordable

736
00:56:36,860 --> 00:56:41,860
Housing Bond Work Plan to delegate authority to negotiate and approve revisions to the

737
00:56:41,860 --> 00:56:44,580
local implementation strategies to the chief operating officer.

738
00:56:45,280 --> 00:56:49,000
This resolution is

739
00:56:51,560 --> 00:56:56,200
related to housing that's time concerning the 2018 Affordable Housing

740
00:56:56,200 --> 00:56:58,180
Bond Measure, not the SHS.

741
00:56:58,580 --> 00:57:02,160
The structure of the bond relies on strong partnerships with local implementation partners

742
00:57:02,160 --> 00:57:06,280
and in order to receive funds, each of our partners develops an implementation strategy.

743
00:57:06,820 --> 00:57:10,740
This resolution was intended to ensure that the program can respond nimble to changing

744
00:57:10,740 --> 00:57:14,240
conditions while maintaining accountability for outcomes approved by borders.

745
00:57:14,860 --> 00:57:18,740
We have with us today, Chris and Dennis, Metro Chief of Staff for the Metro Council.

746
00:57:18,980 --> 00:57:22,760
Here with us describe the proposed change of the process for making administrative changes.

747
00:57:23,180 --> 00:57:23,580
Welcome.

748
00:57:25,120 --> 00:57:26,520
All right, Kerry, do we have more?

749
00:57:29,800 --> 00:57:34,360
Sorry. Thank you, Council President Peterson. Again, for the record, my name is Kristen

750
00:57:34,360 --> 00:57:42,520
Dennis, chief of staff to the Metro Council. Council, the resolution before you've seen

751
00:57:42,520 --> 00:57:50,580
it, and have been briefed by staff, essentially what it does is it creates a system where you

752
00:57:50,580 --> 00:57:51,300
all can,

753
00:57:53,680 --> 00:58:02,360
where any changes to, where Metro can be more nimble as we find that there are

754
00:58:02,360 --> 00:58:08,060
changes that need to occur to the local implementation strategies with our affordable housing partners,

755
00:58:09,100 --> 00:58:14,980
it designates, it delegates authority to the COO under specific circumstances that they

756
00:58:14,980 --> 00:58:20,340
can make changes, and that it also directs the COO to consult with the Metro Council President

757
00:58:20,340 --> 00:58:22,140
and for consistency as well.

758
00:58:23,400 --> 00:58:24,380
Happy answering questions.

759
00:58:24,800 --> 00:58:30,480
Yeah, any questions for Kristen from the changes?

760
00:58:31,280 --> 00:58:32,140
Oh, Councillor Rosenthal.

761
00:58:32,340 --> 00:58:35,640
Yeah, when I was reading this and I think I agree

762
00:58:35,640 --> 00:58:38,360
with the intent, but I read it and I understand

763
00:58:38,360 --> 00:58:41,180
what is not included in the kinds of things

764
00:58:41,180 --> 00:58:43,160
that we're having to do with certain kinds of,

765
00:58:43,160 --> 00:58:44,600
you know, housing and automation and so forth.

766
00:58:44,880 --> 00:58:48,860
But considering we're at the end of the process

767
00:58:48,860 --> 00:58:51,180
in other words, we've allocated most of the monies,

768
00:58:51,300 --> 00:58:52,560
or in fact it's been committed,

769
00:58:53,020 --> 00:58:54,600
and we're in the process of, I think,

770
00:58:54,640 --> 00:58:55,740
final constructions.

771
00:58:56,320 --> 00:58:58,860
What kind of IGA amendments,

772
00:58:59,240 --> 00:58:59,960
I was a little unclear,

773
00:59:00,120 --> 00:59:02,760
so what kind of IGA amendments do we actually anticipate?

774
00:59:04,680 --> 00:59:06,540
We, I don't have specific information

775
00:59:06,540 --> 00:59:09,940
about, with me, currently, about the changes

776
00:59:09,940 --> 00:59:11,200
that are going to need to be made.

777
00:59:11,280 --> 00:59:12,600
We do know that there have been some requests

778
00:59:12,600 --> 00:59:16,520
that have been put forward that have been discussed

779
00:59:16,520 --> 00:59:20,180
some of our housing partners in the past, and then moving into the future.

780
00:59:21,040 --> 00:59:27,160
And the idea is that we do not want to have any of the capital sacks, but in any sort

781
00:59:27,160 --> 00:59:33,160
of danger by any delays based on adjustments in contracting, adjustments in the way the

782
00:59:33,160 --> 00:59:38,660
federal rules are being in particular, are being enforced and applied, and that's where most

783
00:59:38,660 --> 00:59:43,400
of the challenges are in the uncertainty, so this is a newer level of uncertainty because

784
00:59:43,400 --> 00:59:47,000
of the changes of the federal level. And so we just want to make sure there's enough flexibility

785
00:59:47,000 --> 00:59:54,200
to make sure that we can deliver on the, on the projects that are already kind of in the pipeline

786
00:59:54,200 --> 00:59:59,880
ready to be delivered. So we know what the projects are. So, so primarily you're saying it.

787
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,980
We don't understand what's going to happen with federal rules, so those could change, and we may have to make adjustments. I mean, I just hope that we're not going to adjust the IGA, so we don't put air conditioning. So we stop putting air conditioning and units and stuff like that. Or we don't meet climate goals, or we don't meet things like that. I understand. Yeah, so great question. And just in just super clear, the direction to the COO is that there's supposed to apply the general values and principles that we've had this entire time, but there might be some technical changes that need to be made.

788
01:00:29,980 --> 01:00:36,520
to make sure that the funding that's already been allocated for projects continues to move through.

789
01:00:37,180 --> 01:00:42,760
You know, making sure we have the same number of projects and units that kind of can move through.

790
01:00:44,520 --> 01:00:45,680
Can you further questions?

791
01:00:47,600 --> 01:00:51,760
Seeing none, do I have a motion on resolution number 26-5573?

792
01:00:52,440 --> 01:00:53,240
So moved.

793
01:00:53,740 --> 01:00:54,900
Thank you. Do I have a second?

794
01:00:58,650 --> 01:00:59,110
I'll second.

795
01:00:59,770 --> 01:01:04,830
It's been moved by Councillor Simpson and seconded by Councillor Rosenthal. Any further discussion?

796
01:01:07,310 --> 01:01:08,750
Seeing none, George, please call the roll.

797
01:01:10,010 --> 01:01:11,570
Yes, Councillor Rosenthal.

798
01:01:12,290 --> 01:01:12,610
Aye.

799
01:01:13,070 --> 01:01:13,850
Councillor Gonzales.

800
01:01:16,700 --> 01:01:17,520
Councillor Nolan.

801
01:01:18,160 --> 01:01:18,740
Yes.

802
01:01:19,640 --> 01:01:20,520
Councillor Simpson.

803
01:01:21,520 --> 01:01:21,780
Aye.

804
01:01:22,540 --> 01:01:23,380
Councillor Wong.

805
01:01:23,800 --> 01:01:23,960
Aye.

806
01:01:24,380 --> 01:01:25,400
Councillor President Peterson.

807
01:01:25,840 --> 01:01:25,940
Aye.

808
01:01:26,200 --> 01:01:26,660
Motion passes.

809
01:01:26,860 --> 01:01:27,200
Thank you.

810
01:01:27,720 --> 01:01:28,580
Thank you, Mr. Simpson.

811
01:01:29,340 --> 01:01:34,540
We'll move on to Resolution No. 26-5582 for the purpose of allocating funds from the

812
01:01:34,540 --> 01:01:38,220
2019 Metro Parks and Nature Bond Measure to the Willamette Cove Nature Park.

813
01:01:39,620 --> 01:01:44,140
I'm going to bring four staff, but just for a note, we do have somebody that can

814
01:01:44,140 --> 01:01:50,280
testify on this, so I will make room on the agenda when we get to that point, but first

815
01:01:50,280 --> 01:01:57,540
Next, we had a council briefing, the last Thursday, sorry, council approved the

816
01:01:57,540 --> 01:02:02,080
Willamette Cove Nature Park Master Plan, actually, to fund construction of the park.

817
01:02:02,240 --> 01:02:06,660
We will today consider a proposal to allocate funding from the 2019 parks in nature bond

818
01:02:06,660 --> 01:02:07,060
measure.

819
01:02:07,280 --> 01:02:12,580
And we are joined by our Deputy Chief Operating Officer Andrew Scott to go over what's

820
01:02:12,580 --> 01:02:13,560
included in this resolution.

821
01:02:14,000 --> 01:02:14,260
Thank you.

822
01:02:14,900 --> 01:02:15,060
Great.

823
01:02:15,420 --> 01:02:16,400
Good morning, President Peterson.

824
01:02:16,400 --> 01:02:19,060
and Council, Amanda Scott, Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

825
01:02:19,580 --> 01:02:23,620
All this open up, we're very excited that Council approved the master plan for

826
01:02:23,620 --> 01:02:27,720
Alamacov last week, and we're excited to keep making progress on this important community

827
01:02:27,720 --> 01:02:28,140
asset.

828
01:02:29,180 --> 01:02:33,440
As you'll recall, and you know, in 2020, Council passed a resolution ensuring that

829
01:02:33,440 --> 01:02:37,680
Alamacov was eligible for funding from the 2018 Parks and Nature Bond.

830
01:02:38,460 --> 01:02:43,000
In 2021, Council reserved $10 million of that bond funding for Alamacov.

831
01:02:43,000 --> 01:02:47,080
the bulk of that funding is being held to cover the environmental cleanup costs. However,

832
01:02:47,340 --> 01:02:51,920
about $1.1 million of that $10 million had been available and has been available to help develop

833
01:02:51,920 --> 01:02:59,340
the master plan. At this point in time, we estimate that about $15.6 million more will be needed

834
01:02:59,340 --> 01:03:04,340
to complete the design, engineering, permitting, and construction of the nature park. The funding

835
01:03:04,340 --> 01:03:09,020
plan that we've been working on have developed over the last year includes the following sources.

836
01:03:09,020 --> 01:03:11,860
is the bulk of the funding will come from bond proceeds.

837
01:03:12,660 --> 01:03:14,960
I think we've briefed most of council recently

838
01:03:14,960 --> 01:03:18,240
on the available bond interest in premium at this point,

839
01:03:18,400 --> 01:03:19,400
is roughly $33 million.

840
01:03:20,640 --> 01:03:23,620
Council has previously established that bond earnings could go

841
01:03:23,620 --> 01:03:26,580
to two programs, one, protection restore land,

842
01:03:26,960 --> 01:03:28,540
and two, taking care of metro parks.

843
01:03:29,120 --> 01:03:29,980
And as I noted earlier,

844
01:03:30,200 --> 01:03:31,640
Willamette Cove is an eligible project

845
01:03:31,640 --> 01:03:34,100
for use of those bond proceed funds.

846
01:03:34,900 --> 01:03:36,960
And then any remaining funding could come

847
01:03:36,960 --> 01:03:41,320
from the bonds trails program, a portion of this nature park would be eligible for that,

848
01:03:41,580 --> 01:03:43,240
along with potential grant opportunities.

849
01:03:44,500 --> 01:03:48,340
Today's resolution directs the COO to ensure there is sufficient funding for

850
01:03:48,340 --> 01:03:54,080
a LAMACOV by allocating $15.6 million from bond earnings and other allowable bond programs,

851
01:03:54,560 --> 01:03:57,900
and given our current cost estimates, we believe this will be sufficient to complete the project.

852
01:03:58,500 --> 01:03:59,900
I'm happy to take any questions.

853
01:03:59,900 --> 01:04:04,760
We also have John Blasher and our project manager, Jennifer Devonzo as well.

854
01:04:05,700 --> 01:04:06,900
Thank you, Andrew.

855
01:04:07,340 --> 01:04:11,140
Council, any questions for staff on the resolution?

856
01:04:12,100 --> 01:04:12,800
Council Rosenthal.

857
01:04:13,260 --> 01:04:14,020
Yeah, thank you.

858
01:04:15,260 --> 01:04:18,620
As you know, I've been very supportive of the Willamette Coat Project.

859
01:04:19,100 --> 01:04:20,860
And usually, I find myself in an odd position.

860
01:04:21,040 --> 01:04:23,520
Usually, I complain because there's too many where as is.

861
01:04:23,740 --> 01:04:28,720
In this case, I look at it and I go, it says that we committed to buy the property, but

862
01:04:28,720 --> 01:04:32,640
it never, there's no where as it says we actually purchased the property or when we purchased

863
01:04:32,640 --> 01:04:32,940
it.

864
01:04:32,940 --> 01:04:35,780
So it's like, that wouldn't have been a bad thing.

865
01:04:36,040 --> 01:04:38,560
And you know, identify as the 10 million we committed,

866
01:04:38,860 --> 01:04:40,520
but it doesn't talk about the cleanup

867
01:04:40,520 --> 01:04:42,760
and completion of the cleanup evaluation

868
01:04:42,760 --> 01:04:45,740
and identification of what is necessary

869
01:04:45,740 --> 01:04:47,660
to move forward with a comprehensive plan,

870
01:04:47,660 --> 01:04:49,440
which was all sort of antecedent.

871
01:04:49,440 --> 01:04:53,380
So I'm not going to say I would disapprove

872
01:04:53,380 --> 01:04:55,200
of this resolution as it is,

873
01:04:55,200 --> 01:04:58,120
but I can think of a bunch of where asses

874
01:04:58,120 --> 01:04:58,940
that went forward.

875
01:04:59,280 --> 01:05:02,140
And then my one question is in looking

876
01:05:02,140 --> 01:05:10,060
at the B at Resolve, if we're allocating 15.6 million from the bond issue, I'm a little

877
01:05:10,060 --> 01:05:15,580
unclear what the second, the last phrase in the second one says, along with other allowable

878
01:05:15,580 --> 01:05:24,680
bond programs, does that mean we're not allocating 15.6 or we are allocating up to 15.6 if we don't

879
01:05:24,680 --> 01:05:31,100
have additional programs to provide funding. You mentioned the trails program. I mean, if

880
01:05:31,100 --> 01:05:35,640
If we allocate 15.6, does that mean we're just creating whatever other monies we want?

881
01:05:35,860 --> 01:05:37,160
I'm not sure what that means.

882
01:05:38,140 --> 01:05:42,320
So we're allocating 15.6 million dollars from the bond, and the language is intended

883
01:05:42,320 --> 01:05:48,180
to make sure that we can pull it from the appropriate bond programs where it can come from.

884
01:05:48,320 --> 01:05:51,300
So the bulk of the bond, the bulk of the funding will come from bond proceeds.

885
01:05:51,960 --> 01:05:55,380
Although I want to be clear, that's a two-step process, so council still needs to allocate

886
01:05:55,380 --> 01:05:58,760
those bond proceeds, which is an action, parts will be bearing back to you at some point

887
01:05:58,760 --> 01:05:59,200
in the future.

888
01:06:00,000 --> 01:06:02,040
those bond proceeds can go into two programs,

889
01:06:02,360 --> 01:06:04,280
protection, restore, taking care of metro parks.

890
01:06:05,500 --> 01:06:08,480
Willamicova is eligible for money from taking care of metro parks.

891
01:06:08,720 --> 01:06:11,840
It's also eligible for stabilization money from protection, restore, and lands.

892
01:06:12,380 --> 01:06:15,700
And then because there's a regional trail that runs through there,

893
01:06:15,940 --> 01:06:20,160
a portion of the trails funding from the bond can be used for Willamicova as well.

894
01:06:20,540 --> 01:06:22,440
So the purpose of that language is just to say,

895
01:06:22,920 --> 01:06:27,180
we're not, council is not directing us to take it from a particular program.

896
01:06:27,180 --> 01:06:33,520
they're saying $15.6 million of the 2019 bond needs to be set aside and I want to be clear

897
01:06:33,520 --> 01:06:38,860
it's not up to it's $15.6 million. If we don't use it all we can come back and allocate

898
01:06:38,860 --> 01:06:43,400
it for something else but it is $15.6 million to be allocated from appropriate bond programs.

899
01:06:44,660 --> 01:06:49,040
The way I read it is we wouldn't have been restricted anyhow we could just say we're

900
01:06:49,040 --> 01:06:56,080
going to get 15 from a allowable bond programs and we would have been easily set.

901
01:06:56,080 --> 01:07:01,300
But it just had me a little, shall we say, non-plus, but that's okay.

902
01:07:03,380 --> 01:07:07,760
As for your comment about where as is, I think we had a lot of where as is in last week's

903
01:07:07,760 --> 01:07:09,120
resolution adopting the nature park.

904
01:07:09,280 --> 01:07:13,480
And so, I think this one also refers back to that action that Council took.

905
01:07:13,940 --> 01:07:18,780
So, in the issue of brevity, we weren't sure we needed to repeat all of those again in this

906
01:07:18,780 --> 01:07:19,520
resolution this week.

907
01:07:19,760 --> 01:07:22,760
What year did we actually purchase while I met Cove in

908
01:07:25,380 --> 01:07:25,900
1996?

909
01:07:27,160 --> 01:07:27,380
Okay.

910
01:07:29,940 --> 01:07:30,380
Okay.

911
01:07:30,700 --> 01:07:31,340
Councillor Neillum.

912
01:07:34,670 --> 01:07:36,390
Thanks, Madam Chair.

913
01:07:39,330 --> 01:07:49,570
I want to just briefly recall that this resolution in front of us certainly

914
01:07:49,570 --> 01:07:57,750
started in 1996 when Metro, long before any of us sat in the chairs we sit in, purchased

915
01:07:57,750 --> 01:08:09,210
the property. But more recently, my immediate predecessor really made a push to get this

916
01:08:10,480 --> 01:08:27,730
need and opportunity on the Metro Council's agenda. And I appreciate that that wouldn't have

917
01:08:28,950 --> 01:08:38,450
Sam Chase, who was in District 5, which he represented, and now I represent.

918
01:08:39,430 --> 01:08:41,810
And the coming

919
01:08:45,650 --> 01:08:53,870
together of technical, and political, and neighborhood, and civic, and tribal

920
01:08:53,870 --> 01:09:06,310
consultation and history was complex and I just want to publicly appreciate the work

921
01:09:06,310 --> 01:09:12,870
that Sam did and that you, Madam President, did as well to make sure that this happened.

922
01:09:13,550 --> 01:09:19,110
And I'm delighted that we have an opportunity to pass this before you leave us for your

923
01:09:19,110 --> 01:09:19,930
next adventure.

924
01:09:20,330 --> 01:09:20,950
Thank you.

925
01:09:20,950 --> 01:09:24,610
Thank you, Councillor. Any other comments?

926
01:09:27,390 --> 01:09:30,650
I just want to say, again, thank you on this

927
01:09:30,650 --> 01:09:38,830
as well. The opportunity that the bond has left us to be able to push this forward. But

928
01:09:38,830 --> 01:09:46,350
before I go any further, I would like to open it up for public testimony and then we can have

929
01:09:46,350 --> 01:09:47,910
of a motion and move forward from there.

930
01:09:50,420 --> 01:09:51,380
So, George, I'll leave please.

931
01:09:51,560 --> 01:09:52,760
Oh, yes, I can have it too.

932
01:09:53,060 --> 01:09:54,320
Give them a go to see if you'd run.

933
01:09:55,460 --> 01:09:57,640
Okay, if you're testifying in person

934
01:09:57,640 --> 01:10:01,700
on resolution number 26-5582, now it's the time to do so.

935
01:10:02,380 --> 01:10:03,660
If you're in person, please sign up.

936
01:10:03,800 --> 01:10:04,520
By pulling out a blue card,

937
01:10:04,640 --> 01:10:05,840
you're bringing it up to me.

938
01:10:06,040 --> 01:10:07,000
If you're testifying on Zoom,

939
01:10:07,640 --> 01:10:08,800
or by phone please sign up

940
01:10:08,800 --> 01:10:09,960
using the raise hand function

941
01:10:09,960 --> 01:10:11,360
in the reactions or more menus,

942
01:10:11,560 --> 01:10:12,460
or by delaying start nine.

943
01:10:12,840 --> 01:10:13,820
But it is your target testifier,

944
01:10:13,880 --> 01:10:15,080
call your name or pro number.

945
01:10:15,260 --> 01:10:16,840
For those on Zoom, click accept to be promoted

946
01:10:16,840 --> 01:10:21,400
to a panelist. Here's a window we'll close briefly before you rejoin as a panelist and you can

947
01:10:21,400 --> 01:10:25,780
turn on your camera if you'd like. Testimonies limited to three minutes in the time or begins when

948
01:10:25,780 --> 01:10:29,620
you begin speaking. Please state your name for the record for testifying. You not need to give your

949
01:10:29,620 --> 01:10:34,000
physical address. And Council President Peterson, we do have one person who has signed up to testify

950
01:10:34,000 --> 01:10:36,840
in advance and that is John Charles.

951
01:10:38,880 --> 01:10:41,420
Is it afternoon? No, good morning.

952
01:10:41,420 --> 01:10:41,460
Okay.

953
01:10:44,040 --> 01:10:45,020
Nice to see you.

954
01:10:50,280 --> 01:10:50,680
Thank you.

955
01:10:50,720 --> 01:10:56,920
Councilor President, members of the Council, my name is John Charles, Cascade Policy Institute,

956
01:10:58,000 --> 01:11:01,520
and I'd like to offer a few comments about this funding package today before you vote

957
01:11:01,520 --> 01:11:01,920
on it.

958
01:11:03,080 --> 01:11:08,200
Just for a reminder that in December of 2000, EPA identified Portland Harbor as a super-fund

959
01:11:08,200 --> 01:11:08,540
site.

960
01:11:09,760 --> 01:11:15,120
Indeed, he established remedial action for hazardous waste cleanup of the cove uplands.

961
01:11:15,120 --> 01:11:22,040
So that really turns the COVID into a liability, it's not an asset anymore.

962
01:11:22,380 --> 01:11:27,960
You're going to create substantial long-term risks for you that I don't think have been fully vetted.

963
01:11:30,000 --> 01:11:35,660
The resolution before you authorizes 15.6 million from the 2019 bond,

964
01:11:35,660 --> 01:11:40,240
but there's no mention of how to pay for the operations and maintenance plus.

965
01:11:40,240 --> 01:11:47,020
And the staff report from last week stated, development of a nature park will also include

966
01:11:47,020 --> 01:11:51,340
clarifying the long-term operations and maintenance costs.

967
01:11:51,940 --> 01:11:56,720
Current revenues do not cover ONM costs across the entire park system.

968
01:11:57,060 --> 01:12:03,000
So additional operations and maintenance revenue demands will strain the system.

969
01:12:04,140 --> 01:12:05,780
This is not a new problem.

970
01:12:06,860 --> 01:12:11,680
Metro Auditor Suzanne Flynn noted in her audit of April 2012,

971
01:12:12,760 --> 01:12:18,780
quote, more clarity is needed to strategically plan what maintenance will be done,

972
01:12:19,040 --> 01:12:22,780
who will do it, and how it will be funded.

973
01:12:25,080 --> 01:12:28,880
I believe this problem of how you're going to pay for that should be addressed now

974
01:12:28,880 --> 01:12:33,640
before you commit at least 15, 6.6 million.

975
01:12:35,360 --> 01:12:37,460
Other risks identified in the master plan,

976
01:12:37,900 --> 01:12:39,700
long-term monitoring for in-water cleanup

977
01:12:39,700 --> 01:12:41,680
will be conducted in perpetuity.

978
01:12:42,300 --> 01:12:43,220
That's a long time.

979
01:12:44,680 --> 01:12:47,600
Upland remediation will require a cap inspection

980
01:12:47,600 --> 01:12:51,920
and maintenance plan and a community outreach plan.

981
01:12:52,640 --> 01:12:53,820
Where will that money come from?

982
01:12:55,140 --> 01:12:58,380
Remedial actions occurred in 2015 and 2016

983
01:12:58,380 --> 01:13:04,440
when soils with the highest risks to human health of dioxins and furians were removed from the

984
01:13:04,440 --> 01:13:11,140
upland area. Excerrated areas were subsequently replanted with native vegetation, but according to

985
01:13:11,140 --> 01:13:16,860
the master plan, despite these actions, contamination remains throughout the site and within the river,

986
01:13:17,320 --> 01:13:22,200
continuing to pose risks to human health and the environment. At the time of writing, the cleanup

987
01:13:22,200 --> 01:13:27,940
plans are still being developed, the final conditions of the site after

988
01:13:27,940 --> 01:13:32,720
remediation remain uncertain and therefore the master plan will need to be

989
01:13:32,720 --> 01:13:38,420
applied flexibly in order to respond to these unknown conditions.

990
01:13:39,540 --> 01:13:44,300
Question for the council, what if costs increase substantially from all of the

991
01:13:44,300 --> 01:13:49,120
uncertainty and unknowns which they tend to do in superfund remediation?

992
01:13:50,060 --> 01:13:56,960
projects. The proposed budget includes no contingency for construction. Finally, the current

993
01:13:56,960 --> 01:14:04,080
site includes 1,682 trees larger than 1.5 inches in diameter and 80 percent are native,

994
01:14:04,340 --> 01:14:10,100
which is great. But the radiation will require removal of all trees on the site. So there won't

995
01:14:10,100 --> 01:14:16,100
be any nature in the nature park for at least 30 years and the COVID-19 itself is not even a natural

996
01:14:16,100 --> 01:14:22,060
feature as the master plan notes, the co-Os, its existence to cite alterations made in

997
01:14:22,060 --> 01:14:27,500
the industrial era, most notably the building of the BNSF Abutment and Associated Regime.

998
01:14:28,360 --> 01:14:34,500
So to summarize, this is a man-made water feature with industrial contamination that may or

999
01:14:34,500 --> 01:14:39,460
may not get cleaned up adequately, with 27 acres of land that will soon be stripped of

1000
01:14:39,460 --> 01:14:40,260
all of that station.

1001
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:29,980
Some ways are getting around the problem of O&M costs, including a possible jurisdictional transfer. I just wonder if you've considered transferring say to Portland, which has a levee that has a rate 14 times bigger than yours, or maybe transferring it to a consortium of Native American tribal nations. Mr. President, you wrap up. As fiduciaries, you could be held personally liable of things to go sideways. So I suggest that there's no rush to judgment on this.

1002
01:15:29,980 --> 01:15:44,520
In this today, you've already had three years, and you might want to do some further due diligence on these risks before you make what will be probably just a down payment of $15.6 million for this toxic waste site, thanks.

1003
01:15:44,880 --> 01:15:45,140
Thank you.

1004
01:15:46,540 --> 01:15:50,160
Thank you. Council President Peterson, we don't have anyone else who has signed up to testify.

1005
01:15:50,160 --> 01:15:55,660
by. Thank you. With that, I'll close public testimony on this item on this resolution.

1006
01:15:57,100 --> 01:16:01,260
And come back to the council for a motion on the resolution.

1007
01:16:02,220 --> 01:16:08,940
President Peterson, if it's okay, I would like to make a motion to approve this resolution.

1008
01:16:10,020 --> 01:16:16,200
And I guess a formality or some kind of ceremonial thing. I would love to dedicate it to you.

1009
01:16:16,200 --> 01:16:22,440
And I know this has been a huge priority that you've worked on threading the needles with

1010
01:16:22,440 --> 01:16:27,940
so many partners to help reclaim this area and give it back to community, so I appreciate

1011
01:16:27,940 --> 01:16:28,160
you.

1012
01:16:28,460 --> 01:16:29,660
So I motion to approve the resolution.

1013
01:16:30,000 --> 01:16:30,260
Thank you.

1014
01:16:30,560 --> 01:16:31,240
I have a second.

1015
01:16:33,830 --> 01:16:34,250
Second.

1016
01:16:35,170 --> 01:16:35,850
Thank you.

1017
01:16:35,990 --> 01:16:39,850
It's been moved by Councillor Gonzales and seconded by Councillor Simpson, any further discussion.

1018
01:16:46,620 --> 01:16:46,840
Okay.

1019
01:16:47,100 --> 01:16:49,040
Well then I will have a closing comment.

1020
01:16:49,040 --> 01:16:58,320
I just want to thank not the entire team at parks for getting us to this point for our

1021
01:16:58,320 --> 01:17:04,640
deputy COO and our COO and our entire legal team because this is a very complex project

1022
01:17:04,640 --> 01:17:06,540
as Mr. Charles pointed out.

1023
01:17:06,680 --> 01:17:14,920
It has a complicated history and does contain risks, but I think this council is completely

1024
01:17:14,920 --> 01:17:20,420
aware of and understands the risks moving forward. And one of those risks is that we had made

1025
01:17:20,420 --> 01:17:26,120
commitments to this community and had not followed through on it in some time. And we are closing

1026
01:17:26,120 --> 01:17:33,400
that gap and bringing this home so that we can open this area safely up to the community that has

1027
01:17:33,400 --> 01:17:39,420
already been using it in an unsafe manner, no matter how many signs we put up. So I would

1028
01:17:40,180 --> 01:17:45,940
I am glad to get it to this point, and I will be so excited to be there at the ribbon

1029
01:17:45,940 --> 01:17:51,740
cutting in a few years when we can get to that point because, of course, it will take

1030
01:17:52,340 --> 01:17:55,420
quite a bit of effort to get ready.

1031
01:17:56,300 --> 01:18:00,860
The prep for the site is—I was going to say humongous, I haven't used the word humongous

1032
01:18:00,860 --> 01:18:03,320
in a very long time—must be a Midwest term.

1033
01:18:05,420 --> 01:18:12,360
But it's large and daunting, but getting this kind of commitment will certainly move us

1034
01:18:12,360 --> 01:18:13,580
forward in the right direction.

1035
01:18:14,300 --> 01:18:19,100
And, you know, I think we're done planning to plan on this site.

1036
01:18:19,300 --> 01:18:24,360
I think it's time to actually start moving so that we can enjoy it now,

1037
01:18:24,540 --> 01:18:28,400
not 20, 30 years in the future and leave it to somebody else.

1038
01:18:28,400 --> 01:18:32,200
So, with that, Dredgely, please call the roll.

1039
01:18:33,240 --> 01:18:33,480
Yes.

1040
01:18:34,580 --> 01:18:35,340
Councillor Simpson.

1041
01:18:36,880 --> 01:18:37,540
Aye.

1042
01:18:38,400 --> 01:18:39,260
Councillor Nolan.

1043
01:18:40,340 --> 01:18:40,840
Yes.

1044
01:18:41,840 --> 01:18:42,700
Councillor Wong.

1045
01:18:43,280 --> 01:18:43,420
Aye.

1046
01:18:43,880 --> 01:18:44,760
Councillor Rosenthal.

1047
01:18:45,120 --> 01:18:45,320
Yes.

1048
01:18:45,680 --> 01:18:46,440
Councillor Gonzales.

1049
01:18:46,960 --> 01:18:47,180
Aye.

1050
01:18:47,520 --> 01:18:48,520
Councillor President Peterson.

1051
01:18:49,160 --> 01:18:49,260
Aye.

1052
01:18:49,480 --> 01:18:50,020
The motion passes.

1053
01:18:50,220 --> 01:18:50,520
Thank you.

1054
01:18:50,940 --> 01:18:54,840
I forgot a whole bunch of other people that were also included in this work.

1055
01:18:54,840 --> 01:18:59,420
work and I just wanted to do a shout out to and I'm not going to remember all names.

1056
01:18:59,740 --> 01:19:04,980
So I'm going to look for some help here, but also Paul Simon, who worked on this project

1057
01:19:04,980 --> 01:19:10,820
and he had a team at folks that I am not recalling off the top of my head and I hate to put

1058
01:19:10,820 --> 01:19:16,400
you all on the spot, but that really helped accelerate and work with our parks team and

1059
01:19:16,400 --> 01:19:20,020
the community to get it to this place where we could make this kind of commitment.

1060
01:19:20,020 --> 01:19:32,030
for an Allison on the Olympic co-team as well as John's entire team, John Blaster's entire team

1061
01:19:32,030 --> 01:19:38,310
of parks that's been supporting that work. We also have quite a few communications and public

1062
01:19:38,310 --> 01:19:43,370
engagement folks who have been doing the really hard work of getting out out there holding community

1063
01:19:43,370 --> 01:19:49,610
events, tabling and just really educating the community about the dangers and the necessity to clean

1064
01:19:49,610 --> 01:19:58,490
the parcel up, and also just, you know, including community and deciding, you know, how we can move

1065
01:19:58,490 --> 01:20:05,630
forward together. And I think the team has done an incredible job of integrating kind of all the

1066
01:20:05,630 --> 01:20:11,850
different complexities and presenting something that balances the risks and the opportunities that we

1067
01:20:11,850 --> 01:20:19,310
have out there. So, I know I'm probably forgetting some folks too, but the Parks and Nature team is

1068
01:20:19,310 --> 01:20:25,230
really has really come so just know we're very appreciative of being able to get to this point that

1069
01:20:26,250 --> 01:20:34,170
all right uh we have no other business before socio communication thank you um just a

1070
01:20:34,170 --> 01:20:43,490
review um council consulate knows this uh but our future vision project is going to be moving into

1071
01:20:43,490 --> 01:20:49,130
a public engagement phase and part of that public engagement is going to be a community wide survey

1072
01:20:50,030 --> 01:20:57,530
So I would ask counselors and also staff to be thinking about where we can distribute, we're

1073
01:20:57,530 --> 01:21:02,550
going to have materials, we're going to have, you know, barcodes that people can scan

1074
01:21:03,060 --> 01:21:03,790
to take it.

1075
01:21:03,830 --> 01:21:06,990
This is something that we want as much involvement as possible.

1076
01:21:07,070 --> 01:21:12,190
We want as many people in our community to take the survey as we can possibly get.

1077
01:21:12,470 --> 01:21:15,650
So that's coming, let that let that marinate.

1078
01:21:15,650 --> 01:21:29,990
And then when we are officially launching that survey, we'll circle back with you and figure out how we can partner to get the survey links and the survey materials to folks in your community and your districts.

1079
01:21:30,950 --> 01:21:32,890
Awesome. It's exciting. Thank you.

1080
01:21:34,090 --> 01:21:35,630
Councilors, any communication?

1081
01:21:36,770 --> 01:21:37,890
Councilor Rosenthal?

1082
01:21:38,210 --> 01:21:39,090
Thank you, Madam Chair.

1083
01:21:39,230 --> 01:21:42,870
First of all, I just want to, regarding the alignment code, I think we also should

1084
01:21:42,870 --> 01:21:46,850
thank the tribal partners before being actively involved in this process.

1085
01:21:47,590 --> 01:21:53,370
And taking it seriously and realizing that they have very serious concerns regarding the

1086
01:21:53,370 --> 01:21:55,990
fate of the alignment river and its usage.

1087
01:21:56,750 --> 01:22:02,250
And then I want to channel Councilor Lewis, since she's not here, attended the women of

1088
01:22:02,250 --> 01:22:09,170
influence lunch in yesterday. It was, again, a very large presentation, a large number

1089
01:22:09,170 --> 01:22:15,610
of people, very successful, very enthusiastic. I must, from my standpoint, I learned a lot.

1090
01:22:15,750 --> 01:22:19,490
There's a lot more people doing, a lot more women doing, a lot more important things than

1091
01:22:19,990 --> 01:22:24,130
I had realized in my narrow little little confines out there in the country.

1092
01:22:30,670 --> 01:22:31,290
And so I've

1093
01:22:31,290 --> 01:22:36,630
well as our entire P5 and the OCC and expo staff were there.

1094
01:22:36,910 --> 01:22:40,410
So we were well represented and I think we all tried it.

1095
01:22:42,740 --> 01:22:43,200
Thank you.

1096
01:22:43,440 --> 01:22:46,600
Any other comments, announcements?

1097
01:22:47,700 --> 01:22:48,700
Should I take a second?

1098
01:22:51,140 --> 01:22:51,700
Okay.

1099
01:22:52,740 --> 01:22:54,300
Well, it's been shared.

1100
01:22:54,420 --> 01:22:56,300
I think a few folks have touched on this,

1101
01:22:56,400 --> 01:22:58,980
but presently since this is your last meeting,

1102
01:22:58,980 --> 01:23:06,140
as Metro Council President and the thank yous have been flowing all week but

1103
01:23:06,140 --> 01:23:09,920
again just want to say thank you. We're going to miss you. You're going to do an

1104
01:23:09,920 --> 01:23:14,700
amazing job in Lake Aswego. I very grateful you're going to stay in the region with

1105
01:23:14,700 --> 01:23:20,580
us. A lot of big problems for us to keep tackling but hats off to you and

1106
01:23:20,580 --> 01:23:25,900
your incredible track record here at Metro and thank you. Thank you.

1107
01:23:30,900 --> 01:23:38,060
Thank you Madam President. I just wanted to extend my gratitude and thank you to your

1108
01:23:38,060 --> 01:23:44,640
time and service to our region. I can remember being a fresh new Councillor on the Council

1109
01:23:44,640 --> 01:23:51,480
and you've been touring and giving me a few pointers here and there but ultimately I think

1110
01:23:51,480 --> 01:23:55,720
you're going to leave a legacy that one can be proud of and I'm looking forward to working

1111
01:23:55,720 --> 01:24:01,240
with you out in Lake O when I'm with all the city manager folks. So good luck to you.

1112
01:24:01,920 --> 01:24:02,700
Thank you.

1113
01:24:04,140 --> 01:24:04,980
Councillor Nolan.

1114
01:24:08,510 --> 01:24:09,550
Thanks Madam President.

1115
01:24:12,510 --> 01:24:22,330
I'd like to echo the gratitude and admiration that others have expressed and the sincere

1116
01:24:22,330 --> 01:24:33,130
good wishes in your new endeavors. I'd like to recall also that you have not always taken

1117
01:24:33,130 --> 01:24:42,670
a common path and as one scientist to another I'm sure you and I have shared experiences

1118
01:24:42,670 --> 01:24:51,510
throughout our training and careers of being the only woman in the room or being asked

1119
01:24:51,510 --> 01:24:57,530
why we're in a room that historically had only contained men.

1120
01:24:59,290 --> 01:25:00,610
Your bold,

1121
01:25:04,480 --> 01:25:05,480
your compassionate,

1122
01:25:07,860 --> 01:25:13,680
you bring an ability to look at things from angles that

1123
01:25:13,680 --> 01:25:15,980
might not be commonplace.

1124
01:25:17,560 --> 01:25:29,500
And I know that those skills and perspectives will serve you well with like us we go and wherever your professional career leads you.

1125
01:25:30,700 --> 01:25:33,280
Good luck. Good journey.

1126
01:25:35,430 --> 01:25:36,090
Thank you.

1127
01:25:38,890 --> 01:25:48,070
I just want to take a moment and talk a little bit about that as I prepare to go into

1128
01:25:48,070 --> 01:25:53,630
this next chapter of my life, I want to pause and say a heartfelt thank you to all the

1129
01:25:53,630 --> 01:25:55,410
people who make Metro work.

1130
01:25:56,230 --> 01:25:59,210
This has been a great council to work with.

1131
01:25:59,210 --> 01:26:07,610
It's actually rare to have a council this close and pulling mostly in the same direction.

1132
01:26:08,150 --> 01:26:17,210
And when we aren't, we find a way to make it work even through, even if there's some

1133
01:26:17,210 --> 01:26:17,930
waves, right?

1134
01:26:18,710 --> 01:26:23,350
And I'm really proud of how we've handled tough situations.

1135
01:26:23,350 --> 01:26:29,750
questions. This is the second time I've worked at Metro in my career, spending my early

1136
01:26:29,750 --> 01:26:35,190
career here as an intern and a travel-demand forecaster and transportation planning under

1137
01:26:35,190 --> 01:26:41,370
the old council and an elected COO form of government. It was a very formative experience

1138
01:26:41,370 --> 01:26:47,930
to watch your electeds not get along at that time because roles and responsibilities weren't

1139
01:26:47,930 --> 01:26:55,110
clear and so it's been nice to be here in this new and improved version and it made me want to come

1140
01:26:55,110 --> 01:27:01,070
back and be part of it. Serving as Metro Council President has been a great honor,

1141
01:27:01,690 --> 01:27:07,110
not because of the title but because of everyone that I have worked with here at Metro.

1142
01:27:08,030 --> 01:27:12,590
Every day I saw the care, the rigor, the creativity and the persistence that you have brought to serving

1143
01:27:12,590 --> 01:27:18,730
the region. Metro's reputation for professionalism and public purpose exists because of you,

1144
01:27:19,350 --> 01:27:25,710
not just us. As I look back, my memories are not really a passing legislation except for maybe

1145
01:27:25,710 --> 01:27:33,310
today, which was actually monumental and I don't think planned. But of setting up for an event

1146
01:27:33,310 --> 01:27:38,210
with staff at the Convention Center, checking the gas lines at the State John's landfill,

1147
01:27:38,210 --> 01:27:43,830
painting stripes for the driving movies at the Expo Center, cleaning grills at

1148
01:27:43,830 --> 01:27:49,070
Blue Lake Park and picking up trash with red during COVID. That's what makes

1149
01:27:49,070 --> 01:27:54,390
Metro Special. I've also served next to the some of the best elected officials in

1150
01:27:54,390 --> 01:28:00,210
the region. I can't tell you how again how much I appreciate your perspectives

1151
01:28:00,210 --> 01:28:05,370
and what you've taught me because it's been a two-way street. I have learned so

1152
01:28:05,370 --> 01:28:05,830
much.

1153
01:28:08,430 --> 01:28:16,050
And we put together a great team in our staff. It's been a pleasure to serve with both

1154
01:28:16,050 --> 01:28:25,070
you, Melissa and Carrie. I have again learned so much from both of you and how to be the best

1155
01:28:25,070 --> 01:28:33,230
elected official I could be and figure out with you how to get the shit done, right?

1156
01:28:34,650 --> 01:28:39,230
So I'm really, really happy about all the things we've accomplished and we don't need

1157
01:28:39,230 --> 01:28:44,130
to go through all of that, but the success of Metro is not driven by anyone elected official

1158
01:28:44,130 --> 01:28:48,990
in this position. It is driven by the planners, the operators, the scientists, the analysts,

1159
01:28:49,430 --> 01:28:53,530
the communicators, the rangers, the technicians, the administrators, the zookeepers, the volunteers

1160
01:28:53,530 --> 01:28:59,190
and the leaders who believe that regional government can and should work and make life better for our

1161
01:28:59,190 --> 01:29:04,010
people in this region. As I leave my hope is that you continue to trust your expertise,

1162
01:29:04,490 --> 01:29:08,670
support one another and stay grounded in the purpose of Metro, which brought you to public

1163
01:29:08,670 --> 01:29:14,550
service in the first place, and continue to remain flexible, and how to achieve our goals

1164
01:29:14,550 --> 01:29:19,650
and bring all the region with you. As my mentor said, make sure you're always looking behind you

1165
01:29:19,650 --> 01:29:26,050
to make sure somebody's following. I think we can kind of get ahead of ourselves with great ideas,

1166
01:29:26,970 --> 01:29:32,890
But we quickly figure out how to build a coalition behind us to make it happen.

1167
01:29:33,150 --> 01:29:35,930
And that is a testament to everybody in this room.

1168
01:29:36,210 --> 01:29:39,650
And as Sarah Gonzalez has been saying, it's our superpower.

1169
01:29:40,490 --> 01:29:44,490
So thank you for your partnership. You're honesty, your resilience and your commitment to the region.

1170
01:29:44,770 --> 01:29:47,350
I will always be proud to have worked alongside you.

1171
01:29:47,650 --> 01:29:51,470
And I will be cheering much more on and probably calling for a grant in the near future.

1172
01:29:53,330 --> 01:29:59,270
But that, thank you, and we are adjourned asking a further discussion.

1173
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:29,360
I'll just close with the tattoo on my back. A.L.A.L. is a law for a priest. She flies with her own wings, which refers to local government, not the feminine that most people think, but it has a great dual interpretation, in my opinion. The best place to lead is at the local level, where you can actually work with the people and move dirt, get it done, and see the results. So thank you. I love it.

1174
01:30:29,360 --> 01:30:34,960
For that, seeing no further discussion, we are adjourned in your next regular meeting

1175
01:30:34,960 --> 01:30:40,180
a schedule for March 17th, 2025 at 10.30 a.m. Have a great day.