A second petition has been filed aimed at blocking a light-rail line through Milwaukie. Provided it reaches the ballot and is approved by voters, it not only could jeopardize $5 million in city funding for the project, but also tie Milwaukie officials' hands concerning future maintenance or improvements to the line.

Long-time light-rail opponent

filed a petition Friday to collect signatures to place a measure on the November ballot. It would change the city charter to require a public vote before Milwaukie can spend any money to finance, design, construct or operate the $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie light rail. Zumwalt needs nearly 1,900 signatures to send the issue to city voters.

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Zumwalt's measure is nearly identical to one filed in late December that would place a measure on the May ballot to

from making the same kinds of expenditures.

The 7.3-mile Orange Line between Portland and Oak Grove is slated to open in September 2015. Construction began in June on the centerpiece of the project, a 1,720-foot bridge over the Willamette River, and designs are 90 percent complete for the rest of the line. Construction of the segment extending east from the river could begin as early as February.

Zumwalt said he's concerned about crime, traffic and parking around the light-rail stations. He added that he's even more upset that TriMet is rolling over residents and that the City Council is not pushing for solid promises from TriMet about security measures and amenities.

"I get nothing but pie in the sky from TriMet and nothing from our City Council," Zumwalt said.

Zumwalt said he'd prefer TriMet stop the light rail in Portland at Southeast Tacoma Street.

TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said it's too soon to know what the petitions would mean for the east segment of the line. However, if the county is blocked from paying its commitment of $25 million, and the city can't pay its pledged $5 million, that could eliminate at least $60 million from the project because of

Council President

, who is a lawyer, said the petition would likely accomplish the opposite result of what Zumwalt wants. Chaimov, along with Clackamas County attorney Scot Sideras, interprets the U.S. Constitution to say that government bodies cannot change laws to void existing contracts.

"The main problem with the measure is that it is so poorly written and so broad that it's likely, if it passes, to prevent the city from doing the tasks that would be needed to make light rail a better neighbor but not keep the city from -- for example -- making the $5 million payment that the city's agreed to make," Chaimov said.

However, Zumwalt said whether a vote could stop the payment to TriMet is "up to courts to decide."

TriMet would view the contracts as legally binding, Fetsch said, meaning TriMet could sue the county and Milwaukie if payment is not made.

Clackamas County Commissioners are

the county's $25 million contract. Already, the Milwaukie city councilors are discussing how to come up with their $5 million, which could involve raising taxes for a bond. Councilor

said the council agreed to pay the money, despite a tight budget.

"I think people need to weigh what they're likely to lose by not paying the money and that would be their personal choices to make," Hedges said.

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