CPO9 News

Interesting programs planned for CPO 9
Wednesday September 01, 2010
At its July 14 meeting, your CPO 9 Steering Committee decided to change to an every other month meeting, with the following topics planned for upcoming meetings.

October 11 - Candidate and Issue Forum
December 13 - Animal Shelter
February 14 - State of the City
April 11 - County Fair and Fairgrounds

What topics would bring you to a CPO 9 meeting? Click here to take the survey.

The Hillsboro / Orenco Citizen Participation Organization (CPO 9) meets on the second Monday of every even month at 7 p.m. in Room 140 of the Public Services Building, 115 N. First Ave., in Hillsboro.

 

CPO 9 to present letter to City Council tonight
Tuesday August 17, 2010

Last week, CPO 9 electronically delivered a letter to the Hillsboro City Council requesting that the city drop its appeal of the LUBA decision related to the Hillsboro Airport. Tonight, August 17, Shaun Starr, Vice Chair of the CPO 9 Steering Committee, plans to deliver that letter in person. Shaun will have an opportunity to speak for three minutes under agenda item 7 - Communication and Non-Agenda Items. The City Council will also consider an appointment to the Hillsboro Airport Issues Roundtable (HAIR) committee under agenda item 2. The City Council meeting is open to the public and starts at 7 p.m. in the Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium.

Update: Watch the August 17 City Council meeting online

City and Port appeal LUBA decision
Saturday August 14, 2010
In the appeal, the city and port did not dispute LUBA's ruling that its airport zone violates the Oregon constitution. Instead, the appellants say Banks resident Miki Barnes appealed the wrong ordinance. Read the OregonLive article...

 

County Commission to select Fair Board members
Wednesday August 11, 2010
The Hillsboro Argus reports that Washington County Commissioners plan to move forward with appointments to the Fair Board. Read the article...

CPO 9 plans to focus on the Washington County Fair and Fairgrounds at a future meeting.

 

CPO 9 asks Hillsboro to drop LUBA appeal
Tuesday August 10, 2010

At last night's CPO 9 meeting on the topic of Hillsboro Airport Livability, the following motion carried 19 to zero: CPO 9 requests that the City of Hillsboro drop its appeal of the LUBA decision related to the Hillsboro Airport.

Over forty people attended the meeting. Only those who were eligible to vote as CPO 9 members participated in the motion. The motion was made at the end of two hours of discussion between attendees and panel members from the City of Hillsboro, Port of Portland, Washington County, Hillsboro Airport Round Table (HAIR), and PDX Citizen Noise Advisory Committee.

Two members of the CPO 9 Steering Committee plan to deliver this request to the Hillsboro City Council.

Read CPO 9's letter to the City of Hillsboro...

Read the OregonLive article...

Third Runway Grounded for 2010
Friday August 06, 2010
An article in the Hillsboro Argus explains that officials have shelved construction of a third runway at Hillsboro Airport for 2010. Read the article...

 

Panel Members Announced for Airport Meeting
Friday August 06, 2010
Panel members for the August 9 Hillsboro Airport Livability meeting will be:

Port of Portland:
Stephen Nagy, General Aviation Manager
Rachel Wray, Environmental Outreach Manager

Federal Aviation Administration:
Joseph Fiala, Air Traffic Manager, Hillsboro ATCT

Hillsboro Airport Issues Roundtable (HAIR):
Tom Little, Citizen-at-Large
Mike Gallagher, Citizen-at-Large

PDX Citizen Noise Advisory Committee:
Stephen Kerman, Washington County Representative

City of Hillsboro:
Colin Cooper, Current Planning Division Manager

Washington County:
Joanne Rice, Principal Planner, Department of Land Use & Transportation

All who are interested in how the Hillsboro Airport impacts livability are encouraged to attend. Attendees will be invited to share their experiences and concerns and ask questions of the panel members. Hopefully this open dialog will be helpful to both the public agencies and the community.

 

Hillsboro Airport Livability is August 9 topic
Sunday August 01, 2010

Hillsboro and Port Plan to Appeal Airport Decision
Thursday July 22, 2010
The City of Hillsboro and the Port of Portland plan to appeal LUBA's Hillsboro Airport decision. Read the OregonLive article...

 

Land Use Board of Appeals Issues Ruling on Airport
Thursday July 08, 2010
An OregonLive article explains that LUBA has ruled the City of Hillsboro's ordinance that created new airport overlay zones is unconstitutional. Plan to attend CPO 9's August 9 meeting to learn what this decision means to property owners and residents near the airport.

 

Local Food
Monday June 14, 2010
Do you know how far your produce travels before it hits your plate? Would you like to know the names of the people who grow your food? Find out how you can eat fresh food and support the local economy, while reducing the environmental impact of transporting food from other states or counties. Local food is the topic of CPO 9's June 14 meeting.

Guest speakers James Just and Polly Gottesman with Pumpkin Ridge Gardens will discuss Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. CSAs consist of citizens who subscribe to receive fresh, often organic, produce on a regular basis from a local farm. Learn about how this type of program works and which CSA farms are near Hillsboro.

Laura Conroy, Hillsboro Farmers' Market Manager, will also be on hand to discuss how you can support local farming while enjoying healthful, nutritious, fresh food by shopping at the local Farmers' Markets.

The Hillsboro / Orenco Citzen Participation Organization (CPO 9) meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in Room 140 of the Public Services Building, 115 N. First Ave., in Hillsboro.

 

You pick the topics for future meetings
Tuesday June 01, 2010
What topics would bring you to a CPO 9 meeting? Please share your interests and concerns. This survey takes just a couple of minutes and will help us plan future CPO meetings. Click here to take the survey.

 

City Streets and Parks Topics at May 10 Meeting
Saturday May 01, 2010
How does the city decide which streets receive maintenance? How can you get sidewalks or other improvements added to your street? How can you get a pothole filled or a cracked sidewalk fixed? What can be done about neighborhood traffic? If you have a question about city streets, storm drains or sidewalks, come to our May 10 meeting. Tina Bailey from City of Hillsboro's Engineering Division will be on hand to tell us about the services provided by the city and to answer your questions.

Also at the May 10 meeting, Corinne Bloomfield from the City of Hillsboro's Parks & Recreation Department will fill us in on the facilities and programs offered by Hillsboro's Parks & Recreation Department. She'll tell us what's being planned for the future, who the Parks Department partners with, and how can you get involved.

 

We can't do it without you
Saturday May 01, 2010
Nominations are open for the CPO 9 Steering Committee. Please consider getting involved.

Why might you volunteer your time to work on behalf of others without benefit of material gain? What if your effort could help build a safer and more cohesive community, foster greater understanding and trust between citizens and government, and promote improved communication between public service providers and those who need those services? Would that be worth some of your time?

CPO 9 is a place where you can meet neighbors who are interested in our community, discuss concerns and work toward solutions, and get unbiased information. The CPO 9 Steering Committee makes this possible by planning meeting topics and arranging speakers to address the issues of concern to our residents.

If you can attend a Steering Committee meeting once every three months to help plan CPO 9 activities, please contact Margot Barnett at 503-821-1114 or margot.barnett@oregonstate.edu. Or come to the April 12 meeting to express your interest and to the May 10 meeting to be officially elected to the CPO 9 Steering Committee.

We can't do it without you! 

 

Raising Chickens in an Urban Environment
Thursday April 01, 2010

Raising chickens inside a city is becoming more and more popular. A growing number of city dwellers across the country are choosing to raise chickens. Come to CPO 9's April 12 meeting to learn what it takes to keep urban chickens as pets, as a source of food or as part of an overall sustainable organic gardening plan. James C. Hermes, Ph.D., Extension Poultry Specialist is the guest speaker.

Also at our April 12 meeting, Heather Robinson, Recycling Project Specialist with Washington County Solid Waste and Recycling (and CPO 9 Secretary), will share recycling and composting information. She'll also accept for recycling your Styrofoam, batteries and plastic bags - so bring them to the meeting to be recycled. Happy Earth Day!

Neighborhood Associations in Hillsboro?
Saturday February 13, 2010
Some Hillsboro residents want a louder voice in city government. The mayor, however, says he can hear them just fine. Read the Argus article...


 

Draft agreement revised to reflect public comments
Thursday February 04, 2010

Washington County welcomes comments from the public regarding a revised draft agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and the Washington County Fair Board.
http://www.co.washington.or.us/News/second-draft-of-agreement-proposed.cfm

Public invited to comment on fairgrounds agreement
Tuesday January 12, 2010

Washington County would like to hear from the public by January 25 about a proposed agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and the Washington County Fair Board.
http://www.co.washington.or.us/News/fair-and-fairgrounds-agreement-proposed.cfm

Public Speaking Workshop Begins October 22
Monday October 05, 2009

The Tualatin Valley Toastmasters Club is conducting a six-session workshop called Speechcraft that will help participants overcome nervousness and learn basic public speaking skills. Open to the public, the workshop begins October 22 and will be held Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Unitarian Church, 22785 NW Birch Street in Hillsboro, three blocks east of the Orenco MAX stop. The $60 fee includes all materials, plus a six-month membership to the Tualatin Valley Toastmasters Club. For more information or to register, contact Diane Falcone at 503-547-4552 or e-mail df4health01@msn.com.

Hillsboro Leads State in Crime Drop
Thursday October 01, 2009
A recent Hillsboro Argus article notes that Hillsboro leads all Oregon cities in significant decreases in violent and property crime throughout Oregon. Hillsboro's violent crime was down 16.9 percent from 2007 to 2008, while property crime fell more than 10 percent. Read the article...

Julie Carrasco, Crime Prevention Specialist from the Hillsboro Police Department, will be on hand at CPO 9's October 12 meeting to answer your questions and provide information about how you can help keep your family and your neighborhood safe through environmental design. The meeting is open to the public.

 

Hillsboro looks to spruce up downtown
Thursday September 24, 2009
John Southgate, the city's economic development director, said downtown revitalization has long been a priority among city goals. By going to community events, meetings and churches over the past year, city planners have mapped out residents' dreams for a "downtown community plan."

People asked for neighborhood plazas, more bicycle and pedestrian paths, community gardens, two-way streets. To pay for those, the city has outlined a tentative urban renewal district within the area. More from OregonLive.com...

 

October is Crime Prevention Month
Thursday September 24, 2009

A safe community is everyone's responsibility. It starts with you reporting suspicious activity to 9-1-1 or non-emergency 503-629-0111.

Community safety is the focus of CPO 9's October 12 meeting. Crime prevention specialists from Hillsboro Police Department will be on hand to answer your questions and provide information about how you can help keep your family and your neighborhood safe.

Is Urban Renewal in our Future?
Tuesday September 01, 2009

You might want to brush up on Urban Renewal and Hillsboro's Downtown Community Plan. The Hillsboro Argus recently reported on Hillsboro City Council's approval to pursue Urban Renewal as a way to fund redevelopment of downtown. City staff will answer your questions at our September 14 meeting.

Last day for voluntary island annexations: Friday
Wednesday August 26, 2009
August 28 is the last day to take advantage of incentives offered to spur the number of voluntary annexations to the city by owners of properties still under county governance despite being surrounded by Hillsboro lands. Read more from the Hillsboro Argus...

 

Celebrate Hillsboro August 8-9
Saturday August 01, 2009
Plan to attend Celebrate Hillsboro on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9.

 

Vision 2020 Update: Hometown for the Future
Wednesday July 01, 2009
How do you want Hillsboro to look in 2020?  Join CPO 9 on July 13 as we take a look into the public process around the 2020 vision plan.

The vision: In the year 2020, Hillsboro is our home town. Within a rapidly changing metropolitan region and global economy, we live in a dynamic community that sustains our quality of life. Here, neighbors, generations and cultures connect. We live and work in balance with nature. Hillsboro is a safe and affordable community, a place our children and their children will be proud to call home.

In 2010, Hillsboro will revise and update its goals for the year 2020.  Chris Hartye, City of Hillsboro Project Manager, will inform you about where we're at in the 2020 Vision Implementation and how you can participate in shaping Hillsboro's future.

Take a look at how we've done so far!  You can view the 2020 Vision plan at http://www.hillsboro2020.org/default.asp.

 

Your Hillsboro Utility Bill
Monday June 15, 2009

You've likely noticed that your Hillsboro Utility bill recently changed. At CPO 9's June meeting, representatives from City of Hillsboro and Clean Water Services shared information about the changes and answered questions about our utility bill.

There are three types of charges on Hillsboro's utility bill. Each type of charge is set by a different agency and each charge supports a different service. They are combined on a single bill, which reduces overhead and mailing costs for ratepayers.

Drinking Water

The Utilities Commission is responsible for Hillsboro's drinking water system. Tacy Steele from the Hillsboro Water Department explained that your charge for water is based on your meter size and on your water usage. The typical Hillsboro residential customer pays about $17.57, which is the lowest cost of area cities. (Typical cost in Forest Grove is $20.84, in Beaverton $26.63, in Portland $37.14.)

Hillsboro is a partner in the Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project which is identifying the best water sources to meet future demands. For more information, visit www.tualatinbasinwatersupply.org.

Sewer and Surface Water Management

Clean Water Services is the public wastewater and stormwater utility protecting water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed. Jeanna Hall from CWS shared that it costs more to clean wastewater than to provide drinking water because the process involves a series of mechanical, biological and chemical treatments. CWS's advanced (tertiary) treatment exceeds standards of nearly every other wastewater facility in the nation. The cleaned wastewater actually improves the water quality of the Tualatin River.

An average Hillsboro household pays about $36.91 per month for sanitary and surface water management (compared to Portland's $55.65 per month). If you'd like to reduce your sewer bill, use less water in the winter. Your sewer bill is based on the amount of water you used the previous winter (November-April). Conserving water will lower your sewer bill.

Transportation Utility Fee

Hillsboro's Transportation Committee handles oversight of the new Transportation Utility Fee. City Council approved the new fee in July 2008, and it first appeared on our utility bill this spring. Tina Bailey from Hillsboro's Engineering Department explained that the single family residential rate is $3.10 per month. The revenue from this fee is being used to pave or seal city streets. It is also being used for some bicycle and pedestrian capital improvements.

This new fee was needed to catch up on backlogged street maintenance. Delayed maintenance costs four to five times more than preventative maintenance. Preventative maintenance saves money and extends the life of our streets. To see which streets will be worked on this summer, visit http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/PublicWorks/RoadwayRepair.aspx.

Are B&Bs coming soon to your neighborhood?
Thursday April 02, 2009
Are Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs) coming soon to your neighborhood? Current zoning ordinances restrict B&Bs to historic homes. The Hillsboro Planning Department is now looking at changing the ordinance. The proposed change is to allow owners of non-historic properties in some residential zones to establish Bed and Breakfast Inns. Some of the questions the Hillsboro Planning Commission has considered are: Should Hillsboro continue to restrict B&Bs only to historic homes, in residential zones? What would be the potential problems of allowing B&Bs in non-historic homes? Should the historic restriction be replaced by other restrictions? At our April 13 CPO 9 meeting, we will discuss the proposed changes, and let you know about the schedule and process for getting your opinions heard by the Planning Commission and City Council.

 

CPO 9 Opens Nominations for Steering Committee
Wednesday April 01, 2009
At its March 9 meeting, CPO 9 adopted new Bylaws which call for election of Steering Committee members. Nominations will be taken at the April 13 meeting, and elections will occur at the May 11 meeting. Please consider getting involved. If you or someone you know is interested, be sure to attend.

 

Hillsboro Island Annexation Public Hearing March 3
Sunday March 01, 2009
Hillsboro City Council plans a March 3 public hearing on the city's island annexation plan. At its February 3 work session, city councilors supported the idea of tax breaks to island property owners who choose to annex before a mandatory annexation would take effect. The Council may vote on the plan at the March 3 meeting. More...

 

Hillsboro's Aspirations for Future Growth March 10
Sunday March 01, 2009
As the region's elected officials and stakeholders hash out what lands to "put in the bank" for future growth, the City of Hillsboro has its eye on 11,800 acres. Using the natural boundaries of Dairy Creek on the west, the Tualatin River on the south, and a line along the foothills of Helvetia to the north means that CPO 8 is paying very close attention. Alwin Turiel from the City of Hillsboro is the guest speaker on March 10. Learn more and see the map in CPO 8's newsletter.

 

DEQ's New Air Toxic Reduction Plan March 9
Sunday March 01, 2009
At CPO 9's next meeting, on March 9, guest speaker Patricia Huback, Regional Air Toxics Specialist at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will provide an update on the state's first air toxics risk reduction plan. The Portland Air Toxics Solutions - PATS - project will allow DEQ to focus new emission reduction efforts in the Portland area with a more comprehensive and scientific approach. Patricia will present information about how the PATS project is working with Washington County to address harmful air pollutants that can lead to serious health problems. The presentation will be followed by discussion and opportunity for questions.

 

Hillsboro Discusses Plans March 2
Sunday March 01, 2009
Join our neighbors in CPO 7 on March 2 to hear from Alwin Turiel, Hillsboro's Long Range Planning Supervisor, about Hillsboro's aspirations as presented to the Washington County Reserves Coordinating Committee. Also, Henry Reimann, Hillsboro Police Lieutenant, will provide a briefing on the photo red light project planned for 185th and Evergreen. Then Don Odermott, Transportation Planning Engineer for Hillsboro, will provide an update on future high capacity transit routes in this area and possible rezoning of the OHSU/Amber Glen area. Meeting time and location details are in CPO 7's March newsletter.

 

Update: County Chair Delivered State of the County
Friday February 27, 2009
County Chair Tom Brian shared his outlook for Washington County in 2009 during his annual State of the County address at the Westside Economic Alliance Breakfast Forum on Feburary 19. More...

 

Hillsboro Budget Committee Meets February 19
Tuesday February 17, 2009
The City of Hillsboro's Budget Committee will hold its first meeting on the 2009-2010 budget on Thursday, February 19, at 6 p.m., in Room 113 B&C of the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main Street. Staff will review last year's budget, give an update, and evaluate needs for the coming fiscal year. Projections indicate the city must trim general fund expenses by 5 percent. Hillsboro City Manager Sarah Jo Chaplen asked for cost-saving ideas from all city employees. No decisions will be made at this meeting.

 

Hillsboro Reservoir Siting Hearing February 12
Tuesday February 03, 2009
On Thursday, February 12, the City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission will receive comments regarding the Hillsboro Reservoir siting study. The hearing will be held in the Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium at 7 pm. The public can also submit written comments until 5 pm on February 12. For more information, please contact Peter Martins, Assistant Water Department Director, at 503.615.6736 or by email at peterm@ci.hillsboro.or.us.

 

Urbanization Forum Publishes Progress Report
Monday February 02, 2009
The Urbanization Forum of Washington County has published a progress report recommending next steps. The report notes that City of Hillsboro is looking at the possibility of annexing the unincorporated area of Reedville. More...

 

Hillsboro Discusses Growth February 10
Sunday February 01, 2009
Join our neighbors in CPO 8 on February 10 to hear from Alwin Turiel, AICP, City of Hillsboro. As the region's elected officials and stakeholders hash out what lands to "put in the bank" for future growth, the City of Hillsboro has its eye on 11,800 acres - using the natural boundaries of Dairy Creek on the west, the Tualatin River on the south, and a line along the foothills of Helvetia to the north. Meeting details and a map of the proposed reserves appears on page 2 of CPO 8's February newsletter.

 

Road Closures in Hillsboro
Sunday February 01, 2009
Washington County Land Use & Transportation plans to close River Road between Davis and Witch Hazel for five months. More...

Witch Hazel between River Road and 39th Avenue will be closed from February 16 through April 2. More...

Utility work on 229th Avenue south of Alexander Street will close that road through February 16. Map...

 

Gang Awareness Summit
Wednesday January 14, 2009
The public is invited to a free gang awareness summit on January 21 at J.B. Thomas Middle School Auditorium, 645 NE Lincoln, Hillsboro, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. More info... 

 

Help Plan 2009
Monday January 05, 2009
While there is no general meeting in January, you are invited to attend the CPO 9 Steering Committee meeting on Monday, January 12, 7 pm - 9 pm, at Public Services Building Room 105, 155 N. First Ave.  Hillsboro.  (Between Main and Lincoln Streests.  Please use the back (west) doors, and park in the lot west of the railroad tracks.  This is your chance to help shape activities for CPO 9 in 2009.Steering Committee Agenda

• Develop goals for 2009. Two important goals already identified for 2009:
•  Increase citizen participation in CPO 9
•  Develop a closer relationship with City of Hillsboro (possibly move our monthly meetings to the Civic Center)
• Revise CPO 9 bylaws to be proposed for review, discussion and adoption by CPO 9 membership
• Finalize a list of  2009 CPO 9 meeting topics

CPO 9 Walkabout is a Success!
Friday January 02, 2009
The Hillsboro / Orenco Walkabout, held Saturday, September 27, 2008, was a great success. Creator and organizer of the event, CPO 9 Secretary Linda Haworth, kept the scope small for the first year - a wise stretegy. Already folks have asked about how to be a participating location in next year's Walkabout.

Linda displayed her glass art, shared photos and examples of her public art projects, and provided an opportunity for Walkabout participants to create their own glass mosiac art. The Wagnell family demonstrated stamp design and carving and talked about letterboxing. Recycling experts Aymie Reynolds and Heather Robinson provided recycled materials for budding artists to assemble into works of art. Tim Gabriel demonstrated blacksmithing, and Joyce Gabriel shared her paintings.

At Robert Lewis' wheelwright shop at the Orenco Mercantile, kids crawled in and out of the reproduction stagecoach, while adults admired the craftsmanship of the wagon wheels. A parade formed and celebrated the neighborhood's heritage.

View photos from the Walkabout on our Photo Gallery.

Link to Walkabout flyer:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/washington/sites/default/files/Walkabout2008.pdf

Link to Hillsboro Argus article: http://www.oregonlive.com/living/argus/index.ssf?/base/lifestyle/122245143283350.xml&coll=6



 

Friends of CPO 9 Launch New Web Site
Thursday January 01, 2009
Friends of the Hillsboro / Orenco Citizen Participation Organization launched a new web site today. The site was designed and created by Monte Saager of SaagerVision. Thank you, Monte! Nice job!

 

Upcoming Events

CPO 9 October Meeting - Candidate and Issue Forum
Monday October 11, 2010
Join us for the Hillsboro / Orenco Citizen Participation Organization (CPO 9) meeting on October 11 at 7 p.m. in Room 140 of the Public Services Building, 115 N. First Ave., in Hillsboro.

Steering Committee Meeting
Wednesday October 13, 2010