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Resident urges city–county liaison after county crews’ work draws safety complaints
Summary
A Troutdale resident told the Citizens Advisory Committee that county crews’ work on Buxton and neighborhood streets appeared unsafe and poorly coordinated; the committee asked staff to invite the planning director to explain city–county communication channels and consider a checklist for citizen concerns.
During public comment, Sam Barnett, who identified himself as a Troutdale resident, urged the Citizens Advisory Committee to consider a formal city liaison to improve oversight and communication when county crews work in town.
"Who watches over the county when they're on our streets working and doing things unsafely?" Barnett asked, citing instances on Buxton and in the Sweet Briar neighborhood where he said crews left work incomplete or installed ramps that he considered unsafe.
Committee members asked clarifying questions and discussed possible next steps. Dakota, a city planning staff member, said the city's director, Erica, "does have a standing meeting with the county once every third Thursday of the month" and that larger shutdowns are typically notified through county or Metro notices which staff posts on the city's website or social media.
Staff explained that some projects — including state‑required ADA ramp upgrades — do not always go through a public comment process because the work is mandated; when grants finish under budget, county agencies can reallocate remaining funds to other county‑road projects, sometimes without a separate public‑comment period in the city.
Committee members agreed to invite Erica to a future meeting to explain the county coordination process, discuss contact points (liaisons and ombuds) residents can use, and consider adding a fillable checklist to capture public concerns at CAC meetings. The committee also discussed whether to elevate persistent concerns to City Council depending on information staff provides.
The committee did not make a formal policy change at the meeting but asked staff to circulate the draft checklist and to schedule follow‑up with Erica so the CAC can determine next steps.
