February 4, 2013 | Oregonlive.com-- If at first you don't succeed, Portland Commissioner Steve Novick figures, try, try again.

Novick on Monday asked state regulators to reconsider whether Portland can delay until 2024 its costly plan to replace open-air reservoirs, four years beyond the existing schedule. Last year, the city made a similar request and was turned down by the Oregon Health Authority.

"It didn't seem like it would hurt anything to ask them again," said Novick, who joined the Portland City Council last month and was in charge of the Water Bureau until Monday.

Novick said he met with Mel Kohn, Oregon's public health officer, last month and is confident officials will seriously consider the request.

"I won't give a percent chance on optimism," he said, "but they promised to look at it."

Novick's request comes as he turns over control of the Water Bureau to Mayor Charlie Hales, who will manage all bureaus for three months while he crafts a city budget.

During Novick's brief tenure as the commissioner in charge of water, he also CONTINUE READING