HostickaMayNewsletter

District 3 includes portions of Washington and Clackamas counties and the cities of Beaverton, Durham, King City, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville.

As Oregonians, we take great pride in the beauty of our environment and the health of our region. We have been at the forefront of innovative ideas to preserve and enhance our quality of life both now and for future generations, long before the word "sustainability" entered everyday vocabulary. The term has gained momentum as the effects of global warming, green house gases and increased resource consumption have become more apparent.

The Metro Council has always taken a leadership role in fostering a region-wide approach to policies that integrate sustainable practices and goals, from transportation and land-use planning to recycling and waste reduction programs. In order to strengthen Metro's commitment to a consistent, collaborative approach to sustainability, the Metro Council recently passed a resolution that formally adopted the State of Oregon's definition of sustainability to direct Metro's internal operations, planning efforts and role as a regional convener:

"'Sustainability' means using, developing and protecting resources in a manner that enables people to meet current needs and provides that future generations can also meet future needs, from the joint perspective of environmental, economic and community objectives."

The adoption of this sustainability resolution allows Metro to continue to develop a comprehensive practice of evaluating all programs and planning efforts through the sustainability lens. It also strengthens Metro's role as a convener in sustainability discussions and a leader in the regional coordination of sustainable policies and planning. The Metro Council has made it a priority to engage in sustainable practices and the passage of this resolution ensures that Metro will continue to find sustainable ways to serve the region.

The Portland metro region continues to make headlines around the world for innovation in the field of green building. As enthusiasm for sustainable building practices grows, more homeowners want to go green with their new construction and home improvement projects.

Inspired by the fast-growing trend in green building, Metro, the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development and Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties are collaborating to increase access to information on green materials, comprehensive design and professional services.

The new Regional Green Building Hotline is a part of the Green Development Resource Center. The hotline provides information about green building strategies and resources, as well as financial incentives for new and existing commercial and residential projects.

The hotline is equipped to address your questions, large or small. Call with how-to questions or for guidance on the process of green building from start to finish.

Residents, nonprofits, businesses, developers, builders, contractors and government agencies are welcome to call and ask staff about material procurement, remodeling and product certification, sustainable site planning, green contractors, design, or salvaged and recycled materials.

The Green Development Resource Center also plans to offer a library, a mobile workshop and an expanded website with solutions and strategies to help inform current practitioners and inspire those who have ever contemplated green building.

The hotline is open to calls Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call 503-823-5431 to speak with the green building specialist, or submit a question through e-mail anytime via the Green Development Resource Center website at
www.buildgreen411.com.

Metro's 2008 Earth Day billboard art contest received more than 3,400 entries from students representing 94 schools in the region. On Saturday, April 5, Metro revealed the four winning and nine honorable mention designs during an unveiling ceremony and art show at the Metro Regional Center. Winners will have their artwork, name and the name of their teacher and school displayed on billboards posted throughout the region for Earth Day.

From District 3, Mathew Humphrey, a junior at Tigard High School, was one of the top four winners. His billboard is displayed in April and May on Highway 217, a half mile south of Highway 99W, facing north. Jan Rimerman is Matthew's teacher.

To see the full list of winners and the winning and honorable-mention designs, visit www.metro-region.org/schoolrecycling or watch for the billboards at different locations throughout the metro region from April to June 2008.

The Metro Council adopted the federal component of the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan update on December 13, 2007, to meet federal deadlines and planning requirements. Federal authorities approved the updated plan on February 29 of this year.

In April, Metro staff finalized a work plan for the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan state component update. This component will address population growth and goals for land use, transportation, the economy and the environment. The state component will be integrated with the federal component to create a final Regional Transportation Plan for public review and adoption late in 2009.

Metro staff will work closely with stakeholders throughout 2008 and 2009 to address funding gaps. Given current funding challenges, it is more important than ever that the region look critically at potential investments and evaluate them on the basis of the outcomes they achieve improved safety, congestion relief, community and economic development, freight mobility and air quality.

A comprehensive plan for stakeholder and public involvement includes status reports published monthly on the website, periodic web-based surveys, and e-newsletters, as well as technical workshops with local and state agency staff and business and community representatives, public "listening posts" in spring 2009 and a formal public comment period with formal hearings late in 2009.

To keep abreast of project developments and opportunities to provide input, please see the project web site at
www.metro-region.org/rtp or write to Metro staff at rtp@metro.dst.or.us.



	May 2008 newsletter for Metro District 3 This monthly newsletter includes some of the latest events and programs brought to you by Metro. District 3 includes portions of Washington and Clackamas counties and the cities of Beaverton, Durham, King City, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Metro Council adopts sustainability resolution As Oregonians, we take great pride in the beauty of our environment and the health of our region. We have been at the forefront of innovative ideas to preserve and enhance our quality of life both now and for future generations, long before the word "sustainability" entered everyday vocabulary. The term has gained momentum as the effects of global warming, green house gases and increased resource consumption have become more apparent. The Metro Council has always taken a leadership role in fostering a region-wide approach to policies that integrate sustainable practices and goals, from transportation and land-use planning to recycling and waste reduction programs. In order to strengthen Metro's commitment to a consistent, collaborative approach to sustainability, the Metro Council recently passed a resolution that formally adopted the State of Oregon's definition of sustainability to direct Metro's internal operations, planning efforts and role as a regional convener: "'Sustainability' means using, developing and protecting resources in a manner that enables people to meet current needs and provides that future generations can also meet future needs, from the joint perspective of environmental, economic and community objectives." The adoption of this sustainability resolution allows Metro to continue to develop a comprehensive practice of evaluating all programs and planning efforts through the sustainability lens. It also strengthens Metro's role as a convener in sustainability discussions and a leader in the regional coordination of sustainable policies and planning. The Metro Council has made it a priority to engage in sustainable practices and the passage of this resolution ensures that Metro will continue to find sustainable ways to serve the region. Hotline helps homeowners build green The Portland metro region continues to make headlines around the world for innovation in the field of green building. As enthusiasm for sustainable building practices grows, more homeowners want to go green with their new construction and home improvement projects. Inspired by the fast-growing trend in green building, Metro, the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development and Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties are collaborating to increase access to information on green materials, comprehensive design and professional services. The new Regional Green Building Hotline is a part of the Green Development Resource Center. The hotline provides information about green building strategies and resources, as well as financial incentives for new and existing commercial and residential projects. The hotline is equipped to address your questions, large or small. Call with how-to questions or for guidance on the process of green building from start to finish. Residents, nonprofits, businesses, developers, builders, contractors and government agencies are welcome to call and ask staff about material procurement, remodeling and product certification, sustainable site planning, green contractors, design, or salvaged and recycled materials. The Green Development Resource Center also plans to offer a library, a mobile workshop and an expanded website with solutions and strategies to help inform current practitioners and inspire those who have ever contemplated green building. The hotline is open to calls Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call 503-823-5431 to speak with the green building specialist, or submit a question through e-mail anytime via the Green Development Resource Center website at www.buildgreen411.com. Celebrating Earth Day billboard artwork winners Metro's 2008 Earth Day billboard art contest received more than 3,400 entries from students representing 94 schools in the region. On Saturday, April 5, Metro revealed the four winning and nine honorable mention designs during an unveiling ceremony and art show at the Metro Regional Center. Winners will have their artwork, name and the name of their teacher and school displayed on billboards posted throughout the region for Earth Day. From District 3, Mathew Humphrey, a junior at Tigard High School, was one of the top four winners. His billboard is displayed in April and May on Highway 217, a half mile south of Highway 99W, facing north. Jan Rimerman is Matthew's teacher. To see the full list of winners and the winning and honorable-mention designs, visit www.metro-region.org/schoolrecycling or watch for the billboards at different locations throughout the metro region from April to June 2008. Metro lays out work for the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan state component The Metro Council adopted the federal component of the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan update on December 13, 2007, to meet federal deadlines and planning requirements. Federal authorities approved the updated plan on February 29 of this year. In April, Metro staff finalized a work plan for the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan state component update. This component will address population growth and goals for land use, transportation, the economy and the environment. The state component will be integrated with the federal component to create a final Regional Transportation Plan for public review and adoption late in 2009. Metro staff will work closely with stakeholders throughout 2008 and 2009 to address funding gaps. Given current funding challenges, it is more important than ever that the region look critically at potential investments and evaluate them on the basis of the outcomes they achieve improved safety, congestion relief, community and economic development, freight mobility and air quality. A comprehensive plan for stakeholder and public involvement includes status reports published monthly on the website, periodic web-based surveys, and e-newsletters, as well as technical workshops with local and state agency staff and business and community representatives, public "listening posts" in spring 2009 and a formal public comment period with formal hearings late in 2009. To keep abreast of project developments and opportunities to provide input, please see the project web site at www.metro-region.org/rtp or write to Metro staff at rtp@metro.dst.or.us. Need assistance? Emma Stocker, policy coordinator (interim) 503-797-1939 emma.stocker@oregonmetro.gov