RESOLUTION No. 36382

Advise Metro Council on elements of proposed 2006 Metro Bond Measure (Resolution)

WHEREAS, in May 1995 regional voters approved a $135.6 million Open Spaces, Parks and Streams Bond Measure (Measure 26-26) with a stated goal of acquiring land in 14 of the 57 regional natural areas identified in the Greenspaces Master Plan and six of the 34 regional trails and greenways identified in the Greenspaces Master Plan; and

WHEREAS, the implementation of the bond measure has been extraordinarily successful and Metro has acquired, over 8,000 acres of open spaces in the 14 target areas, and 6 trails and greenways, thus greatly surpassing the 6,000-acre minimum acquisition goal identified in the 1995 bond measure; and

WHEREAS, the Metro Council on December 4, 2004 approved Resolution No. 04-3506A expressing an intent to take before the voters for approval a fish and wildlife property acquisition and restoration bond measure to purchase those properties, that are deemed to be of the greatest ecological importance for fish and wildlife habitat, and to fund habitat restoration efforts that could provide even higher quality habitat.; and to include a “local share” program; and

WHEREAS, on November 18, 1994, the Portland City Council passed Resolution No. 35338 adopting The Sustainable City Principles which call upon the city to "Conserve native vegetation, fish, wildlife habitat and other ecosystems;" and

WHEREAS, on July, 11, 2001, the Portland City Council passed Ordinance No 175774, adopting Portland Parks and Recreation’s “Parks 2020 Vision”, including goals and strategies to “preserve, protect and restore Portland’s natural resources to provide nature in the city.”

WHEREAS the City has developed an integrated, comprehensive Watershed Management Plan and system; and

WHEREAS, Portland Parks and Recreation has developed a draft local share component of the proposed 2006 Metro Bond Measure in cooperation with other City bureaus and solicited public input on this component through two public meetings and a webpage,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council supports Metro Council’s intent to take before the voters a bond measure to acquire and restore open spaces in the region;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council recommends to Metro Council that the total bond amount be a minimum of $220 million in order to match the accomplishments of the 1995 bond measure, considering the increased price of land in the region.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council recommends to Metro Council the inclusion of the following provisions as part of the regional share of the bond measure:

•  Target areas within the City of Portland should include Johnson Creek, Forest Park, and Columbia Slough riparian areas;

•  Access to existing investment projects within the City of Portland should include a new Forest Park entrance, a pedestrian bridge on the Wildwood Trail crossing West Burnside Street, Smith and Bybee area trails and bridges, and Springwater Corridor gaps.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council recommends the inclusion of the following provisions for the local share legacy fund portion of the bond measure:

•  The local share legacy fund should comprise at least 20% of the total bond funds;

•  The local share legacy fund passed through to local jurisdictions should be available for open space acquisitions as determined by the local governing bodies;

•  The local share legacy fund passed through to local jurisdictions should be available for capital projects related to natural areas restoration, trails and providing access to nature;

•  The local share legacy fund should include restoration activities for at least five years to ensure successful stabilization.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council recommends the inclusion of the following provisions for the nature in neighborhoods challenge grant portion of the bond measure:

•  The nature in neighborhoods opportunity fund should comprise at least 20% of the total bond funds;

•  The nature in neighborhoods opportunity fund should provide grants with a 2:1 match requirement (2$ bond funds: 1$ local funds or in-kind match);

•  The nature in neighborhoods opportunity fund should fund projects that support greening of urban neighborhoods, in addition to acquisition and restoration of natural areas.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in support of Metro’s Bond Measure, the City Council will provide maintenance funding for acquisitions and capital projects funded by the Bond Measure within the City of Portland.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Portland’s local share allocation will be spent on natural area acquisitions, trail corridor acquisitions, trail and habitat restoration in natural area parks and acquisition of land for neighborhood parks.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the local share natural area acquisition portion shall focus on Metro’s regional target areas plus an additional three local target areas: Westside Wildlife Corridor, Westside Streams, and Willamette Bluffs.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the local share regional trail corridor acquisition portion shall focus on Metro’s regional greenway target areas plus two additional local targets: Marine Drive and Columbia Slough Trails.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the local share trail projects will be consistent with completed site plans and provide habitat and water quality benefits in coordination with restoration projects.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the local share restoration projects will protect valuable habitats; improve connectivity, and target priority species and habitats.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further refinements of the spending plan will be completed after passage of the bond measure.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the local share neighborhood park acquisition will be targeted in Centennial, Cully, and Argay neighborhoods.

Adopted by the Council: March 01, 2006    GARY BLACKMER

Commissioner Saltzman          Auditor of the City of Portland

Prepared by:  David McAllister:kmg      By /S/ Susan Parsons

February 16, 2006                  Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 235-2006

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36382