Councilor Joe Buck

11/02/2016

Responding to feedback from neighbors the Council adopted an ordinance requiring builders to obtain a demolition permit which includes noticing of adjacent residents. The penalty for noncompliance? Sit down for this: ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS. That's right, $145. Less than a traffic ticket for demolishing an entire home without a permit. At that rate it is actually cheaper for builders to NOT comply.
Councilor Jon Gustafson and I attempted to increase that penalty to $1,000, but Mayor Studebaker and the remainder of the Council found $145 plenty sufficient. Boones Ferry is no longer a dirt road, and $145 doesn't buy what it used to in old "Oswego." Let's get with the program.

09/03/2016

Meanwhile in LO we have the opportunity to have uber fast fiber internet for a fraction of the price. Be sure to weigh in on this topic on your ballot in November. The City wants to know if you support the creation of the proposed community fiber network.

Typical rates will go up $5 a month -- plus an additional $3 a month in new fees that apply to most cable TV subscriptions.

09/03/2016

Lake Oswego is looking for high school students seeking to make a real difference in their community to be inaugural members of our Youth Leadership Council. Join your peers to work together with mentorship from the City Council on important topics impacting your life and future generations. This is an exciting opportunity. Applications will be accepted through 10/16 and are available online.

In July 2016, The City Councilors of the City of Lake Oswego approved the creation of a Youth Leadership Council to encourage youth community involvement. The City of Lake Oswego Youth Leadership Council will provide local high school students a forum to exchange diverse opinions on matters of impor...

08/23/2016

Gathering with friends and neighbors at the new art unveiling for the Gallery Without Walls. Be sure to check out the new pieces around town! http://artscouncillo.org

08/12/2016

FarWest will remain open! Responding to concerns from members of the community who rely on this facility to dispose of certain items, especially plastics, LO Sustainability Fellow Jenny Slepian and Assistant City Manager Megan Phelan were able to convene a discussion between FarWest and its landlord resulting in the continued operation of the yard. Thank you, Megan & Jenny!

07/16/2016

Thanks to Republic Services for an eye opening tour of the Coffin Butte Landfill and Pacific Region Compost facility in Corvallis. Republic takes great care managing the environment around and in both areas, and the scale of the operation was unbelieveable. Fun facts: the methane gas generated from the landfill is captured and can power 5,000 homes, water passing through the landfill is collected via a pipe system beneath and returned to the local water treatment plant, and compostable food materials breakdown in a few months and can be returned to the Earth (the landfill ends up covered and remains forever).

07/07/2016

Don't risk a tow if you're looking to park downtown. The parking garage in Lakeview Village is PUBLIC and FREE! Just walk down the stairs onto State St. to go to the Lake Theater, Stickmen, Starbucks or any other downtown business.

07/04/2016

The pie eating talent in Lake Oswego is unreal!

05/24/2016

Deferral of parks maintenance?? The Citizens Budget Committee voted to defer needed parks maintenance projects ($250k worth, a majority safety and efficiency related) scheduled for 2016-17 in order to put that money into road repaving. It's not to say that road maintenance is not important - in fact we already allocate millions in funds for the purpose - but do you not want to see a balance between priorities? Councilors Gustafson and Manz joined me in opposing this action, and I hope the rest of our colleagues will join in reconsidering the care our beautiful parks require!

05/21/2016

HAVE YOU BEEN PAILED?! Residential composing in LO starts June 1st, and if the pail fairy hasn't yet bestowed one of these nifty kitchen collection containers upon your driveway, mailbox top or landscaping, it will soon. Use this container to transfer compostable material from the kitchen to your green yard debris bin. To learn more visit the City's sustainability page: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/sustainability/residential-organics-collection

04/19/2016

Interested in promoting sustainability initiatives in Lake Oswego and advising the Council? The sustainability advisory board is now accepting applications for new members. Follow the below link, and consider applying to serve on this important board!

For further information on the City of Lake Oswego's boards, commissions, and committees vacancies and application process, call the City Manager's Office at 503-635-0215.

03/29/2016

Hop at the Hunt! Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend.