Committee for Community Involvement - March 17, 2026

Agenda

Minutes

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

Absent: Stephanie Carkin, Amy Nichols, Danielle Weber

Attending PGA Staff: Tonia Holowetzki, Ed Nieto 

1. Welcome, Introductions 

Chair Bjorklund welcomed CCI members and PGA staff. 

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes

Gordon Slatford motioned to approve the February 2026 CCI meeting minutes, and Pat Erdenberger seconded the motion. The committee unanimously approved the minutes. 

Chair Bjorklund announced that Gordon is not seeking a second CCI term after completing his first term in March 2026. She also noted that Bill Merchant is seeking reappointment to a second four-year term, which Ed will submit to the Board of Commissioners for approval.

3. Public Comment

There were no public comments.

4. From CCI Action Plan: Address protecting neighborhood/community livability in the Zoning Ordinance; Continue holding listening sessions or work sessions with CPOs

• Update on scheduling the 2026 CCI work session to bring together CPOs and the Planning Department to take examples of subjective elements of livability and create objective standards for the Zoning Ordinance

Ed Nieto reported that Jennifer Hughes and Karen Buehrig will not be able to attend a CCI meeting until at least July due to their workload in Planning and Zoning.

• Update on bringing together Planning Commission members and CPO representatives at a CCI meeting to talk about the Planning Commission process

Chair Bjorklund confirmed that Tammy Stevens and Gerald Murphy of the Planning Commission will attend the April CCI meeting.  Ed said that Senior Planner Martha Fritizie has yet to confirm whether she can also attend the April meeting to discuss ZDO amendment packages and public input opportunities.

5. From CCI Action Plan: 2025 CCI Accomplishments & 2026 CCI Action Plan report to Commissioners

• Update on communicating report to the BCC and CPOs

Ed confirmed for the group that the report was sent to the Board of Commissioners and posted on the county website's CCI page. Ed also said that a standalone email with the report will be sent to all CPOs, and a follow-up report will be posted in the upcoming CPO Notes Quarterly newsletter. The email will include a personal note from the CCI Chairperson to the CPOs.

6. From CCI Action Plan: Review & update CCI Bylaws per PGA audit recommendations to all Advisory Committees

PGA Director Tonia Holowetzki provided an update on an bylaws audit project led by Donna Hockey of PGA, which aims to review advisory board bylaws over the next six months to ensure they include standard components such as conflict-of-interest policies, clear quorum requirements, and term limits.

• Begin consideration of whether to propose change of CCI scope in the CCI bylaws

Tonia emphasized the importance of aligning any proposed changes with the BCC's vision to avoid misunderstandings. She also suggested reviewing Washington County's recent reorganization of its community engagement program, about which she would bring more information as she learned it.

Bill noted that commissioners view CCI as broader than just CPOs, encompassing community involvement and other matters, such as the recent facility-renaming policy. Bill agreed with Pat’s comments on the value of supporting CPOs but added that the needs of urban and rural CPOs differ and should be taken into account.

Committee members reviewed four possible options for CCI's future direction, which Chair Bjorklund provided as a discussion starter. Members expressed the strongest support for Option 2, which would expand CCI's scope to include broader community engagement beyond just land use planning while maintaining a focus on representing unincorporated Clackamas County residents. 

Chair Bjorklund suggested that members discuss possible parameters for expanding public involvement at an upcoming CCI meeting.

7. PGA Updates (Facility Naming process. Dates for CL meeting)

Tonia informed members that Administrator Schmidt approved PGA’s plan to use the recommendations submitted by CCI and the Park Advisory Board to develop a protocol to be implemented when the BCC seeks community input on a facility-renaming issue.

Tonia also said she has not yet secured a date for the Community Leaders Meeting from County Administration.

8. New business for future agendas?

None discussed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 6–8 p.m. via Zoom.