Councilor Carl Hosticka's April 2009 newsletter
This monthly newsletter includes a message from Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka and some of the latest events and programs brought to you by Metro.
Carl Hosticka represents District 3, which includes portions of Washington and Clackamas counties and the cities of Beaverton, Durham, King City, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville.
Metro launches high capacity transit build-a-system tool
On March 23, Metro launched an online build-a-system tool and questionnaire as part of the prioritization process for the High Capacity Transit System Plan. The plan will guide the region's investments in high capacity transit - light rail, commuter rail, bus rapid transit or rapid streetcar. The tool and questionnaire are available through April 24 at www.oregonmetro.gov/goingplaces.
The build-a-system tool allows users to be "virtual planners," choosing which high capacity transit lines to build within a limited budget. Users balance trade-offs such as ridership, cost, connection to attractions and institutions, and carbon emission reduction to create the system that they would like to see.
The tool is coupled with a questionnaire addressing the project's evaluation criteria to help Metro understand the values that drive people's thinking on transit investments. Responses to the questionnaire will be used to balance the region's priorities as Metro evaluates potential new lines and improvements to the current system.
The community values generated by the tool and questionnaire will be used by Metro and local jurisdictions in considering the choices and investments needed to successfully implement high capacity transit in a way that encourages rebuilding in centers and corridors. Knowing that high capacity transit is a powerful tool to help build vibrant, prosperous and sustainable communities, the feedback will also inform the Regional Transportation Plan update and support the aspirations of local communities.
Find out more about the plan by visiting project staff as they feature the online tool:
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Powell's Books
1005 W. Burnside St., Portland
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18
Earth Day celebration
downtown Hillsboro
To learn more about the High Capacity Transit System Plan, to answer the questionnaire and to build your system, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/goingplaces.
Metro is cautious in financial downturn
Metro Councilors are currently reviewing the proposed budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2009. Like all governments, Metro must have a balanced budget. And like workers and households in the region, Metro is cautious in this financial downturn. The solid waste system is a large part of Metro's activities, and we have seen a sharp decline in waste, particularly from construction and demolition. Even waste coming from households has fallen off as people are cutting back on consumer spending and staying in the same house or apartment.
On the positive side spring break has seen great attendance at the Oregon Zoo and at local theaters and performance halls where the "stay-cation" philosophy finds Metro residents enjoying local activities instead of traveling. Metro's proposed budget is about the same size as last year. Executive salaries have been frozen, and we have taken a sharp pencil to programs that have accomplished their goals and are ready to stand on their own. Growth areas include the continued purchasing of land to protect water quality and habitat and construction at the zoo, activities that may provide some local economic stimulus. Most importantly, we want to continue our land use and transportation work. When the region starts to recover, we want to remain ready to encourage and support the region's livability and environmental diversity as it returns to economic prosperity.
You can learn more about Metro's budget by visiting the website and typing "proposed budget" in the search box. A calendar shows the upcoming public hearings on the budget beginning with April 2, April 16 and April 30.
Kids get creative for annual art contest
More than 2,400 entries from K-12 students throughout the region poured in for Metro's 14th annual Earth Day billboard art contest. With imagination and tools ranging from colored pencils, crayons and pens to watercolors and computers, kids shared their energetic, visual messages of waste reduction and resource conservation. About 200 finalists' designs currently line the lobby at Metro Regional Center, remaining on public display through Earth Day, April 22.
Four contest winners - one each from grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 - and eight honorable mentions were selected by a panel of judges. Each of the four winning designs will be posted as public billboards throughout April and one other month. Meanwhile, the young artists, their families and teachers, and the public are invited to the contest's art show and unveiling of the winning entries from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Metro, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland. The free event will include fun activities to help families learn more about composting, cleaning with less-toxic products and creatively reusing materials.
For more information, please contact waste reduction educator Freda Sherburne at 503-797-1522 or
freda.sherburne@oregonmetro.gov.
freda.sherburne@oregonmetro.gov.
Metro's annual garden tour launches new look
Fresh from last year's 10th anniversary, Metro's popular Gardens of Natural DelightsTM tour program is debuting a new look for a new season of discovering sustainable gardening that's safer for people, pets and the planet.
The free tours showcase private and public gardens of beautiful blossoms and easy edibles grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Formerly a one-day offering spanning 30 spots across the Portland metropolitan area, the program now comprises a more intimate setting of four self-guided mini-tours during selected weekends from May to July.
Space is limited to Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington county residents and a guest. Tickets are first come, first served, with one mini-tour per registrant:
Hillsboro area - noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Explore incredible edibles, a naturescape and a four-season blossom bonanza; check out short seminars on composting and limited-mobility organic gardening. Registration now open; slots are filling fast!
Oregon City area - noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Discover eye-popping flower beds, edibles, naturescapes and live chickens; check out short seminars on rain gardens and wise watering. Registration opens Monday, May 18.
Lake Oswego area - noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Enjoy artful gardens, naturescapes and the secrets of all-organic home methods; check out short seminars on organic urban farming. Registration opens Monday, June 8.
To register, call the Metro Recycling Information hotline at 503-234-3000. For more information about this year's tour program or the new lineup of workshops and hands-on natural-gardening activities at Metro's demonstration gardens in the Portland metropolitan area, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/garden.
Need assistance?
Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka
503-797-1549 | 503-797-1793 fax
or
Veronica Valenzuela, policy coordinator
503-797-1939
