Community Investment Initiative Leadership Council co-chair Tom Imeson, presenting on behalf of the Initiative's Leadership Council, offered a PowerPoint slide showing a proposed governance model with Metro, the Port, the state, Greater Portland Inc. and "other" appointing directors to a board overseeing the Regional Infrastructure Enterprise.

Help Metro and cities across the Portland metropolitan area select proposed bike, pedestrian and freight projects as part of the Regional Flexible Funds program. These proposed projects are located in all three area counties – some provide local improvements and some provide benefit to the whole metropolitan region. Public comments on which bike, pedestrian, transit, road and freight projects to fund are being taken through 5 p.m. on June 7. Project descriptions are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Russian.

Regional leaders have about a month to screen applications for a $474 million federal transportation grant program, with hopes of having one project in the region to forcefully endorse.

Citing a need for an organization focused on regional infrastructure development – specifically for projects that support job creation – leaders of the Community Investment Initiative this week presented the clearest picture yet of their project.

The changes, including some road widening projects that got a chilly reception from the Metro Council, were approved unanimously without much substantive discussion at Wednesday's meeting of the Metro Policy Advisory Committee. Meanwhile, a public comment report on the projects showed little opposition to the proposals that received the most attention from the Metro Council.

The proposed $481 million budget, set to be reviewed by the Metro Council starting next week.

Metro announces the recipients of $2.1 million in funds awarded through the Regional Travel Options grant program. These fourteen grants will support projects that increase opportunities for residents to use transit, carpool, ride their bicycles or walk.

Beginning with the premise that we cannot afford everything, Southwest Corridor Plan partners have continued to engage communities from Sherwood to Portland on the benefits and tradeoffs of different types of public investment. Using an online interactive planning game, residents were asked how they would make the most of public resources to address corridor transportation needs and best benefit their communities.

"We consider Metro's management practices 'strong"' under our Financial Management Assessment methodology," S&P said. "An FMA of 'strong' reflects our view that practices are strong, well embedded, and likely sustainable."

Less than 20 minutes in to Tuesday morning's work session, new Metro Councilor Bob Stacey was following up on a memo he sent to the council recommending specifics Metro should advocate for on the replacement Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.