Submitted by Amanda Fritz on September 9, 2008 - 8:49pm.
Sorry I'm posting this less than twelve hours before the Portland City Council starts working through the Agenda for this week. Some interesting items:
The Consent agenda kicks off with a $50,000 total allocation for four contracts to consultants to provide facilitation services for the Bureau of Planning. The rationale doesn't entirely justify the expenditure, to me, given many City planners are excellent facilitators. Hiring outsiders doesn't always improve the perception of fairness, in my experience.
Early on the Regular Agenda on Wednesday morning:
1261 Support Regional Air Service to Portland and allocate funds to assist statewide partners (Resolution introduced by Mayor Potter and Commissioner Adams)
The ordinance says the City of Portland is allocating $300,000 from the Rainy Day fund to maintain air service with Coos Bay County and Klamath Falls. From the Rainy Day fund. I hope the folks in Coos Bay and Klamath Falls are appreciative.
That price tag pales in comparison with this, though:
*1265 Give preliminary approval for the issuance of one or more new series of revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $52,000,000 for the refinancing of the 2003 Economic Development Revenue Bonds-Broadway Project (Ordinance)
Fifty-two million ... what are we buying for that price? According to the ordinance, it's refinancing bonds for student housing at Portland State University, sponsored by the Portland Development Commission. Check the link, then share your comments, please.
Two land use hearings on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons:
WEDNESDAY, 2:00 PM, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
1269 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM - Consider the proposal of Mississippi Partners LLC and the recommendation from the Hearings Officer for approval of a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment for property located at 810 N Fremont St (Hearing; LU 06-118204 CP ZC)
*1270 Amend the Comprehensive Plan Map designations and change zoning at 810 N Fremont Street at the request of Mississippi Partners LLC (Ordinance; LU 06-118204 CP ZC)
I wish I had time to look into this case.
THURSDAY, 2:00 PM, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
1271 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM - Accept Staff Report and Recommendation and Order of Council for Calcagno Measure 49 Claim (Report introduced by Mayor Potter; Previous Agenda 1188; PR No. 05-117098)
The Staff Report states:
"Based on the findings and conclusions in this report, staff recommends that the City Council withdraw its previous order approving the Calcagnos’ claim for compensation under Measure 37 because they are not eligible for relief under Measure 49."
The reasoning is mostly that the owners did not submit the appraisals required by Measure 49. I plan to sit in on this hearing - the discussion may be fascinating.
