Court rules that Clackamas County must fulfill its PMLR obligations

 Clackamas County must fulfill its contractual obligation to TriMet in relation to agreements regarding development and construction of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail (PMLR) project, according to a ruling handed down Monday. 

TriMet had filed litigation against Clackamas County last March in an effort to force the county to meet its PMLR obligations. The lawsuit followed approval in September 2012 of a ballot measure that called for countywide approval before spending money to finance, design, construct or operate rail lines within the county.

In May voters approved a ballot measure asking Commissioners not to use county resources for the PMLR project. But the court has ruled that the county must meet its contractual obligations.

“The court’s ruling today provides needed direction and clarity on the county’s obligations to Portland Milwaukie Light Rail,” said Clackamas County Commission Chair John Ludlow. “We followed the will of Clackamas County voters by placing the measure before them in May. Now a judge has indicated, in no uncertain terms, that we must abide by the agreements made by last year’s Commission majority, no matter how we feel about the issue personally.”

“I am satisfied that we fulfilled our promise to bring this issue before the voters for judgment. Now we must follow the direction set by the court,” he said.

For more information please contact Tim Heider, Clackamas County Public Affairs Manager 503-742-5911

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