Committee for Community Involvement - Aug. 19, 2025

Minutes

August 19, 2025, MEETING MINUTES 
Time: 6 p.m. Held via Zoom

CCI Attendees: Karen Bjorklund (Chair), Pat Erdenberger, Marrion Kaufman, Bill Merchant, Amy Nichols (joined by phone), Brent Parries (Vice-Chair), Gordon Slatford

Absent: Danielle Weber

Attending PGA Staff: Tonia Holowetzki, Ed Nieto

Public Attendees: None

MEETING MINUTES

1. Welcome, Introductions
   Chair Bjorklund welcomed CCI members and PGA staff.

   Ed Nieto informed members that a second CCI candidate's scheduled interview would not be necessary after it was determined that she was ineligible because she was neither a resident nor an owner of property in unincorporated areas, as required by the CCI bylaws.

   Ed said he would now submit the previously CCI-recommended candidate, Stephanie Carkin, for appointment by the Board of County Commissioners.

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes 
   Vice-Chair Brent Parries motioned to approve the July 2025 meeting minutes, and Pat Erdenberger seconded the motion. The committee approved the minutes. Marrion Kaufman abstained from the vote.
3. Public Comment 
   None.
4. CCI Candidate Interview 
   As previously mentioned, Ed stated that a second CCI candidate's scheduled interview would not be necessary due to her determined ineligibility. Ed stated he would submit the CCI-recommended candidate, Stephanie Carkin, for appointment by the Board of County Commissioners.

5. Update: Planning Director/staff invited to future CCI meeting to discuss what regulations and procedures could be put into the Zoning Ordinance to help protect elements of neighborhood/community livability.

   Tonia Holowetzki informed the committee that Planning Manager Karen Buehrig is enthusiastic about being a thought partner with CCI on this topic. Members agreed to schedule a meeting with planning staff as soon as possible to discuss what regulations could be incorporated into the zoning ordinance to protect community livability.

   Planning Director Jennifer Hughes may also take part in the meeting. At the core of the discussion will be the following question developed by CCI for the planning department: What regulations and procedures could be added to the Zoning Ordinance to help protect elements of neighborhood or community livability?

6. Debrief of July 22, 2025 Community Leaders meeting

   ● Meeting Evaluations 
   Ed presented the results of the event evaluation forms, which included average ratings—10 for best—of eight for content, seven for format, and 10 for meeting space. Of the 24 attendees, excluding commissioners and county staff, 13 responded to the forms, with five completing the entire form and eight partially completing it. Members of 11 CPOs and two hamlets attended the meeting.

   Marrion Kaufman shared notes from the CCI caucus that immediately followed the meeting, which she said focused on solution-based topics raised, such as coalitions as a way for CPOs and the county to work together, land use process training videos, PGA help with CPO advertising, and events such as “Get to Know your CPO” at the County Fair.

   ● Overall, what was learned, and what do we want to remember in planning future such meetings?

   Gordon Slatford expressed disappointment with the meeting format, suggesting that a round-table conversation would have yielded more input. He also suggested having two community leaders meetings per year.

   Pat Erdenberger agreed with Gordon that the format wasn't ideal but said she appreciated hearing from the commissioners, noting that the BCC was able to understand the needs and interests. Pat also noted that the quality of CPO attendees was a major contributing factor to the success of the meeting. She made the point that the meeting was for CPO members to talk with commissioners, and that commissioners need to hear about CPO issues and the help CPOs need, which she felt was not supported in the case of an issue she brought up on behalf of her CPO when a staff member responded. She also suggested more frequent, shorter meetings without elaborate meals could improve communication between CPO members and Commissioners.

   Vice-Chair Parries stated that, despite not having the ideal format, the community leaders meeting had good interaction among CPOs and commissioners, with some expressing interest in more such meetings as another positive aspect. CCI members suggested that different meeting formats be considered for future community leaders meetings with Commissioners.

   Amy Nichols said she appreciated the chance to build a personal connection with commissioners and learn that other CPOs encounter similar challenges. Ed and Tonia Holowetzki confirmed that the commissioners enjoyed the event and appreciated hearing from community leaders. Tonia added that the meeting accomplished the goal of improving relationships with commissioners despite not having the format preferred by CCI members.

7. CPO Volunteer Recognition Efforts
   Bill Merchant said, like Rick Cook, he believes that the volunteers who serve in the dozens of ABCs should be recognized for their contributions to Clackamas County’s successes.

   Tonia informed members that she and ABC manager Donna Hockey are developing a broader volunteer appreciation program for all county advisory boards and volunteers, with plans to establish criteria for recognition and awards. They plan to bring the criteria to CCI for feedback once they are further developed. Tonia said she will speak to Rick Cook about his current efforts to bring the contributions and accomplishments of ABC members to the attention of the BCC.

8. Update on CPO newsletter 
   Ed informed the group that he plans to send out the inaugural CPO Notes Quarterly via Constant Contact by the following week at the latest, once a technical issue has been fixed. Ed also said that CPO Liaison Maria Magallon provided him with the most recent updated email list for CPOs and hamlets. He also told members that PGA will develop a process to solicit and include input and ideas from CPOs for future editions of the newsletter. Chair Bjorklund stated that CCI will wait to submit potential content and messaging to the newsletter until they have a clearer idea of its focus after the first edition is released.
9. Possible new business to consider for future CCI agendas 
   Gordon suggested scheduling community leaders meetings for next year in advance, proposing January and July dates to avoid coordination difficulties. Bill proposed creating a schedule of CPO meeting dates to share with commissioners interested in attending local meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6 – 8 p.m. via Zoom.