Tuesday, January 4 @ 7:00pm
Concordia University
Luther Hall room 121
Download a map of the Concordia University Campus.
The general meeting this January 4 will be held in Luther Hall room 121 at Concordia University. The topic will be Columbia Biogas (CBG). There will be a presentation by John McKinney, president of the company.
The Metro Council will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at Metro Regional Center (600 NE Grand Ave., Portland) to consider a solid waste facility franchise (permit) application submitted by Columbia Biogas. If approved by Metro and issued permits by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the company will construct and operate a food waste anaerobic digestion and energy recovery facility in Cully neighborhood at 6849 NE Columbia Boulevard.
For more details and to read the proposed Metro legislation, staff report and Chief Operating Officer’s recommendation, visit Metro’s website (www.oregonmetro.gov/biogas). If you have a question about Metro’s staff report, call Bill Metzler at 503-797-1666. Sign up to get email news updates about the Columbia Biogas franchise and other important issues at www.oregonmetro.gov/connect.
In addition to requiring actions to prevent off-site nuisances such as litter, dust, odors and noise, Metro is calling for collection of a community enhancement fee on waste brought into the facility. Additionally, Columbia Biogas will be required to develop and maintain a Good Neighbor Plan to minimize the impact of the facility on local residents. As part of the plan, the company will work towards a written agreement describing how the company will hear and respond to neighborhood concerns.
The type of facility proposed by Columbia Biogas meets several goals established by the Metro Council. It could help our region develop a food waste collection and processing infrastructure, a key strategy that will lead us toward a more sustainable future. The facility will help the region dispose of less food waste in landfills and sewers by converting organic matter to energy and agricultural supplements.
But before taking any action, the Metro Council wants to hear from you. Do you agree with the provisions and conditions in Metro’s proposed franchise with Columbia Biogas? Do they address your interests and concerns? If not, what is missing? You can provide public testimony to the Council in person, by mail or by e-mail. The hearing will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at Metro Regional Center (600 NE Grand Ave., Portland).
– To testify in person at the Council meeting, fill out a testimony card, submit it to the Council Clerk and be present when your name is called to testify. If you require any special accommodation in order to testify before the council, please make your request to the council clerk at least 24 hours before the meeting (503-797-1542).
– Written testimony is welcome too. To testify in writing, insert the agenda item and topic at the beginning of your letter or email message (Ordinance No. 10-1248, Columbia Biogas franchise). Fax your testimony to 503-797-1793. Mail your testimony to the Metro Council, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232. Send email to metrocouncil@oregonmetro.gov.
The Metro Council and I want to hear from you about this important decision. Your input and insights will be helpful in making policy decisions for the region. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rex Burkholder
Metro Councilor, District 5
The purpose of this notice is to invite you to provide comments related to the specific conditions within the proposed air and solid waste permits. You may make oral comments at the public hearing. You may also comment in writing.
Hearing details:
November 18, 2010 Information session begins at 6:30 p.m. with formal hearing to follow.
Written Comments Due:
Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on Monday November 29, 2010.
Metro
Council Chambers
600 NE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
