Jon Blasher

The session included provisions for considering confidential private business information and records submitted by applicants that are exempt from public inspection, as well as consulting with legal counsel regarding current or anticipated litigation. Key discussion items included actions related to Upright Development - The Dawn, Owen Gabbert - Casket Building, CPAH - Meadowlark Place, and the 5733 NE MLK Cancellation. Staff updates were also provided.

The discussion focused primarily on a cooling corridor study and leveraging Portland's tree planting efforts funded by PF dollars to maximize benefits. Key discussion points included opportunities to link this work with existing community efforts and making a statement that the issue of extreme heat, which causes more fatalities than other climate emergencies, is important. The session also addressed next steps for the resolution, including seeking feedback from committees and understanding guidance on coordination with partners like Clark County and public health agencies regarding heat advisories. Further discussion covered integrating climate impact assessments into future departmental program changes and policies, reviewing Metro's current policies related to climate, and ensuring Metro properties are adequately cooled to serve as public shelters during heat events. There was also a call to resource the zoo adequately to manage heat impacts on housed animals. A separate agenda item involved presenting performance metrics, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Environmental Indicators (KEIs), for Supportive Housing Services (SHS), stemming from the SHS reform work plan endorsed in December 2025, building upon the 2020 SHS work plan.

The work session focused on providing guidance for implementing a bulky waste policy, as directed by Council in December 2020. Key discussion points involved defining bulky waste, which includes large household items not fitting in standard bins, and distinguishing it from construction and demolition waste. The presentation covered the current policy framework, existing bulky waste services across Greater Portland (which are often variable and fee-based), and the current collaborative project with local governments. The project is focused primarily on multi-family collection equity and secondarily on single-family collection. Initial phases have identified barriers such as transportation access for tenants and variability in current services. A multi-family bulky waste collection pilot is underway in the City of Gresham to gather robust data on material generation and service participation to estimate future policy costs.

The work session focused on the development of Metro's strategic targets across the areas of environment, economy, and housing, intended to guide work over the next five years. This involved reviewing feedback from extensive stakeholder engagement sessions and input from internal subject matter experts. Key discussions included defining high-impact, measurable targets that align with the existing strategic framework, balancing direct control versus indirect influence in Metro's role, and planning for future steps, including a town hall. Specific topics covered included draft targets for climate and resilience (e.g., reducing emissions, enhancing resilience) and economy (e.g., economy for all, future-ready green economy), noting stakeholder feedback emphasizing climate action, waste reduction, and workforce development.

The work session focused heavily on regional strategies and governance related to combating chronic homelessness, particularly through the Tri County Planning Body (TCPB). Key discussion points included monitoring pilot programs such as those involving vacant unit platforms (with monitoring by Giovanni Bautista) and a landlord issue hotline in Clackamus County, with the goal of evaluating regional scalability. A recently approved strategy for coordinated entry, emphasizing regionalization, was presented. Significant discussion revolved around the Regional Investment Fund, emphasizing that future expenditures require TCPB approval, and challenges related to intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) and data sharing between Metro and the four counties were raised. Speakers called for a bolder vision beyond current scarcity models, focusing on deeply affordable housing and wraparound supports. Discussions also touched upon aligning healthcare services, including efforts with Health Share of Oregon regarding connecting acute behavioral health needs with housing services.