Metro Council
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Direct, accountable policy making
Metro is the only regional government agency in the United States whose governing body, the Metro Council, is directly elected by the region's voters. This meets a provision of Metro's home rule charter, approved by the voters in 1992, which insists that Metro's leadership be elected, visible and accountable.
The Metro Council consists of a president who is elected regionwide and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. The president presides over the council, sets its policy agenda, and appoints all members of Metro committees, commissions, and boards.
The Metro Council provides leadership from a regional perspective, reflects an ongoing, innovative planning orientation, and focuses on issues that cross local boundaries and require collaborative solutions. The Metro Council establishes policies for and oversees the operation of Metro’s programs, develops long-range plans and fiscally-responsible annual budgets and establishes fees and other revenue measures. The Metro Council ensures that the people of the region are notified, involved and ready to participate in the important issues that come before them.
Meet the Metro Councilors
Metro's seven councilors work cooperatively with the 25 cities and three counties that make up the Portland metropolitan area.
Council President David Bragdon
Under Council President Bragdon's leadership, the Metro Council has undertaken new initiatives to preserve natural areas and protect water quality, support thriving neighborhoods, create jobs and economic prosperity, and improve our transportation network...More
Councilor Rod Park, District 1
Rod Park brings to the Metro Council a background in natural resource and farm land protection. As a farmer and a native Oregonian, the conversion of prime farm land into urban uses is one of his top concerns. Park is vice chair of the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation and chairs the Solid Waste Rate Review Committee and the Regional Freight and Goods Movement Task Force...More
Deputy Council President Carlotta Collette, District 2
Councilor Collette chairs Metro's Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, which determines priorities and projects slated for funding with federal transportation dollars in the region. Collette also is council lead on the High Capacity Transit System Plan, planning for the region's next 30 years of investments in light rail, commuter rail, regional streetcars and bus rapid transit...More
Councilor Carl Hosticka, District 3
As the lead councilor for Metro’s Performance-Based Growth Management project, Councilor Hosticka is working to ensure that future growth management decisions are consistent with and reinforce the region’s aspirations for compact development and urban revitalization. He also serves on the I-5 to Highway 99W Connector Project Steering Committee...More
Councilor Kathryn Harrington, District 4
Along with other assignments, Councilor Harrington is the lead council liaison on the Regional Reserves Steering Committee that will work to designate urban and rural reserves outside the existing urban growth boundary that may be suitable for growth over the next 40 to 50 years, while protecting valuable farmland and forest lands from expansion and development...More
Councilor Rex Burkholder, District 5
Elected for a second term in 2004, Councilor Burkholder chairs the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation and the Bi-State Transportation Committee, as well as other regional transportation committees. His goals include further aligning regional transportation spending with land-use goals and economic opportunities, pursuing regional affordable housing goals , and addressing issues around sustainability and climate change...More
Councilor Robert Liberty, District 6
Councilor Liberty is an attorney with 25 years experience in land use planning issues, including serving as a staff attorney and Executive Director for 1000 Friends of Oregon, the nation's oldest statewide Smart Growth advocacy organization. During that time, he served as President and an officer for the Growth Management Leadership Alliance...More
When does the council meet?
The Metro Council usually meets at 2 p.m. Tuesdays for work sessions, and at 2 p.m. Thursdays for meetings, in the council chamber at Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland. See Metro’s online calendar for details...View Metro calendar
Find your councilor
Use this tool to enter an address or intersection to find the councilor who represents your district...More
Lobbyists registered with Metro
The Metro Council passed an ethics ordinance in 1999 directing lobbyists to file a registration statement with the council...More
Need assistance?
Metro Council
503-797-1540 | 503-797-1793 fax
metrocouncil@oregonmetro.gov