Milwaukie Council Work Session 3/4/2025

The City of Milwaukie, Oregon held a Council Work Session on March 4, 2025, focusing primarily on climate and equity programs, as well as affordable housing funding strategies. Key procurement-related discussions included updates on urban forestry initiatives aimed at achieving 40% canopy coverage by 2040, home energy score programs with funding to support energy efficiency upgrades for approximately 20 homes, and community outreach efforts including a new quarterly climate newsletter. The Council also reviewed a proposed Climate Action Committee charter to advise on greenhouse gas reduction policies and climate resilience, with concerns raised about committee size and capacity. Additionally, the session addressed the allocation of approximately $450,000 in affordable housing funds, with staff recommending partial use for the Sparrow development infrastructure needs and a revolving loan fund to incentivize affordable housing projects. The Council discussed potential land banking strategies and the challenges of limited funding for development projects. No formal votes were recorded, but staff sought Council direction on funding priorities and committee formation. The meeting also covered the introduction of an equity and climate assessment tool for city projects to improve equitable and climate-conscious outcomes.