Tom Miller's blog

If you're a "people person" and customer service is your specialty, Mayor-Elect Sam Adams has a job for you. It's a full-time job that pays up to $46,000 per year (depending on experience) in addition to a generous benefits package. The position begins on January 1, 2009.

I'm pleased to announce that Warren Jimenez is returning to Portland to serve as my Deputy of Chief of Staff beginning in January 2009. You may remember Warren; he served as our Senior Policy Director for Economic Development from 2004 to 2006 until he moved to Denver, Colorado to take a job offer he couldn't refuse.

At Commissioner Adams' urging, city council supported a request on December 5 for $50,000 to reevaluate the Steel Bridge site for the city's "anchor" skateboard park facility. After more than 18 months of evaluation in 2003 and 2004, Portland Parks & Recreation selected the site for Portland's premier skatepark, which will "anchor" its 19-skatepark system.

On March 19^th, Sam and I embarked on a 3-day trip to Montréal, invited to discuss Portland's efforts to become a sustainable city. There we met with transportation and sustainability directors, and gave a speech delineating Portland's sustainability efforts and challenges to date. Below are my thoughts on the trip...

Any time Sam’s team visits another city, we hunt for ideas to import back home. For example, maybe you saw the Oregonian’s story some time ago on the bike rental concept.

A page right from the Executive Summary:

The City of Portland and community partners will take between now and August 2006 in our effort to make Portland the first large city to receive a Platinum award from the League of American Bicyclists. Portland is now one of only four U.S. cities in the Gold category. Davis, California is the only city to previously have received a Platinum rating.

A Portland Platinum Steering Committee, chaired by Commissioner Sam Adams, with Vice-chair Evan Manvel, Executive Director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, is coordinating this comprehensive community effort.

To reach Platinum, spur Portland’s economy, and improve the health and safety of Portland residents, we are running a focused and energetic one-year effort to increase bicycle use by 15% and celebrate – and expand – Portland’s commitment to bicycling.

This effort has 9 main components:

1. Significant enhancement of Portland’s existing bikeway network, including installing 700 markings on bicycle boulevards and installing bikeway destination signs and maps across town, funding more bicycle staple racks, installing two to five bicycle oases in Hawthorne, and addressing missing links in the bikeways.
2. Significant expansion of bicycle-friendly infrastructure, including striping a bicycle lane on Naito Parkway, fixing bicycle travel through the Rose Quarter transit center, improving bicycle facilities downtown, and identifying 1 - 2 new bicycle boulevards through North and Northeast Portland.
3. A comprehensive update of Portland’s Bicycle Master Plan, including incorporating innovative techniques, such as advance bicycle boxes and shared lane markings, and a refinement of the bikeway network priorities.
4. Targeted educational efforts that serve as national models, including the launch of the nation’s leading urban Safe Routes to School program at eight pilot schools, an interactive bicycle map web site that provides travel directions, and individualized TravelSmart marketing efforts.
5. A mountain of bicycle encouragement activities, including over 1,000 bicycle events and celebrations, from the BridgePedal to Pedalpalooza to daily racing rides, including a comprehensive web database of bicycle rides, events, workshops, etc. that includes customizable e-newsletters.
6. Expanded programs with law enforcement, including police handing out free bicycle lights, the creation of a web site to report bicycle thefts, and bicycle crashes and near misses, and neighborhood bicycle safety committees that address local bicycle safety issues
7. Integration of bicycling into Oregon’s tourism and economic development efforts, including opening a bicycle path to the airport and expanded marketing efforts.
8. Finding and committing to increased funding for bicycle improvements and services using federal, state, and local resources.
9. Adoption of a City Council resolution on Platinum and review of possible City policy changes, including requiring car rental agencies to distribute bicycle safety information, requiring major events to encourage bicycling, and enforcing actual speed limits.

On Wednesday, February 01, 2006 the Portland Development Commission (PDC) released the findings of the audit it commissioned at the direction of Portland Mayor Tom Potter and City Commissioner Sam Adams to review the Portland Aerial Tram project.

The audit, completed by independent consulting firm Pinnell/Busch, Inc., had 5 key findings, each of which supports prior and continuing actions taken by Commissioner Adams. Commissioner Adams, in his capacity as transportation commissioner, serves as the city’s liaison to the tram project.

The audit’s 5 key findings, along with Commissioner Adams’ actions, are described below:

• Audit finding #1: Anticipated project completion cost is $50 million. A $5 million contingency fund is recommended.
• Adams: In December 2005, former project managers discussed a $45 million cost estimate to complete the project. Based on the project’s history of inadequate cost estimates, Adams warned of potential inefficiencies, supported PDC’s suggestion for a third-party project audit, and has insisted on establishment of a contingency fund.

• Audit finding #2: Project development is too advanced at this stage to render significant cost savings through value-engineering efforts.
• Adams: Upon assuming the responsibility of transportation commissioner in July 2005, Adams consistently has sought to reduce project costs through value engineering. To date, total estimated savings obtained through value engineering are $9,622,389. Upon conversations with project architect Sarah Graham and project manager Rob Barnard in December 2005, Adams focused his attention from value engineering to improving project management through key staff changes and additional staff resources.

• Audit finding #3: Successful project completion is possible.
• Adams: Adams announced his support for tram development as a candidate for city council in 2004. Over the last two years, Adams consistently has supported tram development as essential to growing Portland’s living wage job base through the expansion of Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), the city’s largest employer, and further development of the South Waterfront District. The audit’s finding that project completion is possible corroborates Adams’ view that tram development is a net benefit for the city.

• Audit finding #4: The biggest risk to project completion is delay.
• Adams: At Commissioner Adams’ direction, project manager Rob Barnard has added 3 full-time and 2 part-time staff members. The team works approximately 60 hours/week. Per Barnard’s recommendation, the contractor has added 4 additional staff members.

• Audit finding #5: Identified risk factors must be managed immediately. The primary risk factors are: (a) the need to select an operation team as soon as possible;
  (b) the need to secure required permits to run the tram over Interstate 5 as soon as possible; and (c) the need to provide more staff to project construction teams working to add an additional staff.
• Adams: OHSU is preparing to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a tram operator. The operator will be on board by May. Project staff is working with ODOT to finalize the Intergovernmental Agreement and permit.  Project Manager Rob Barnard is working with Kiewit to bring on additional staff to support the project.

- First Annual Report Hits Newsstands January 25th -

                    - Portland, Oregon Takes Top Honors -

          Report answers what makes a city great for pregnant women,

                            new parents and babies

NEW YORK, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland takes top honors in Fit

Pregnancy's "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby Report."  Boston comes in

at #2, followed by Minneapolis at #3, San Francisco at #4 and Denver at #5.

Also in the Top Ten: Seattle; Omaha; Charlotte; Colorado Springs and

Sacramento.

    Fit Pregnancy set out to determine what makes a city great for pregnant

women, new parents and babies, and to commend cities that provide a safe and

healthy environment to have a baby.  The magazine examined 47 criteria,

including: fertility services; maternal and infant health risk; access to

hospitals and doctors; safety; affordability; stroller friendliness and

birthing options. The complete list of the "Best Cities in America to Have a

Baby" appears in the February/March issue of Fit Pregnancy, on-sale January

25th.

    Fit Pregnancy's team of researchers and experts credit several factors for

Portland's spot as the "Best City in America to Have a Baby," including the

city's low maternal mortality rate, above average number of OB-GYNs, and small

number of low-weight births.

    The 20 "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby:"

    1.  Portland, OR

    2.  Boston, MA

    3.  Minneapolis, MN

    4.  San Francisco, CA

    5.  Denver, CO

    6.  Seattle, WA

    7.  Omaha, NE

    8.  Charlotte, NC

    9.  Colorado Springs, CO

    10. Sacramento, CA

    11. Baltimore, MD

    12. San Diego, CA

    13. Oakland, CA

    14. Cleveland, OH

    15. San Jose, CA

    16. Columbus, OH

    17. Milwaukee, WI

    18. Nashville, TN

    19. Atlanta, GA

    20. Miami, FL

    American Media, Inc. is one of the largest media companies in the U.S. and

the leading publisher of celebrity journalism, health and fitness and Spanish

language magazines. These include the all new glossy Celebrity Living magazine,

Star, Shape, Men's Fitness, MPH, Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex,

Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health magazines, the largest newsstand Latino

magazines, Mira! and Shape En Espanol. The National Enquirer, the best selling

country music magazine, Country Weekly; and the QUICK! family of digests,

which focuses on the issues of family, finance, food, diet, health, home, pets

and relationships.  AMI recently launched its own book division with 10 titles

released to date.  In addition to print properties, AMI owns Distribution

Services, Inc., the country's #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

Nearly every town today provides public skateboard parks - except Portland. At right is the world-class public skateboard park in Donald, Oregon, population 750. At Sam's urging, City Council directed a total of $248,000 to two public skateboard park projects. One is in Pier Park, St. Johns, the other in Glenhaven Park, Roseway Neighborhood.

In concert with skatepark funding, Sam also helped pass an ordinance that secures sites and calls for development of 19 skateparks citywide by 2020. This is the nation's most comprehensive plan for skatepark development.

Related Documents

Pier Park packet

Community Partners

Skaters for Portland Skateparks

Portland Parks & Recreation

Media Mentions

Pier Park Players Call for Concrete Help, Tom Miller, June 25, 2004

Skateboarders Just Want Their Day in the Park, Jennifer Anderson, March 4, 2005

Milestones

July 20, 2005 - Portland City Council unanimously passes comprehensive skatepark ordinance.

The Bureau of Environmental Services needs to build a number of significant projects requiring major capital investments to meet federal regulations. Attached is a letter from Sam to Len Simon, the city's Washington D.C. based lobbyist, requesting additional focus on the need for federal dollars to assist with development of these projects.

Federal assistance for infrastructure projects

What is it?

Rail~Volution, the family reunion for transit geeks, stops at a new station somewhere in the USA each year to share notes and camaraderie. Founded and organized by some of the finest transit professionals in (where else?) Portland, Oregon, its success has spawned an 11-year history of spreading the good word of transit in the most automobile-centric of all nations: America.

No internationals?

The international community did make some appearance, including attendees from Vancouver, British Columbia.; Auckland, New Zealand; Brisbane, Australia; Los Angeles, California; and the ubiquitous former mayor of Bogot

PDOT staff receives award from transportation professional society

July 2005

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has selected Bill Kloos, PDOT Signals & St. Lighting Division Manager, to receive their 2005 Innovative Intermodal Solutions for Urban Transportation Best Paper award.  The title of Bill’s paper is “Developing Intermodal Traffic Signal Solutions for Portland.” The award is based on reporting activities and programs that have been effective in addressing urban transportation needs through the development of innovative, practical and balanced intermodal solutions. 

Portland traffic signal activities worthy of this award include:

·        Full preemption at most signals for light rail transit;

·        Bus priority provided at over 1/3 of the City’s signalized intersections;

·        Passive detection of pedestrians to activate warning lights;

·        Passive detection of slow pedestrians to increase flashing don’t walk time as needed;

·        Accessible pedestrian signals at 70 intersections;

·        A special bike traffic signal for East Bank Esplanade bike traffic at the Steel Bridge;

·        Special bike markings on signal approaches so cyclists know where to stand to be detected by the traffic signal; and

·        Developing a new method to provide signalized for bike/pedestrian crossings on arterials.

While Mr. Kloos is noted as the award recipient, the award is really based on the excellent work performed by all members of the Signals and St. Lighting Division in designing, constructing, and operating these innovative solutions. 

This award further enhances Portland’s national reputation for its growth management and livability.  Part of the livability equation is providing a variety of transportation options to the single occupant vehicle.  The City of Portland is providing traffic signal control that promotes and enables all modes of travel.

Information on the Institute of Transportation Engineers

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), an international individual member educational and scientific association, is one of the largest and fastest-growing multimodal professional transportation organizations in the world. ITE members are traffic engineers, transportation planners and other professionals who are responsible for meeting society's needs for safe and efficient surface transportation through planning, designing, implementing, operating and maintaining surface transportation systems worldwide.  ITE has more than 16,000 members in more than 90 countries.

Just wanted to say a big "Thank You" for the prompt cleanup on Sellwood Blvd. after the July 4th festivities at Oaks Park. The annual event always draws a large crowd of celebrants to the "bluff" and they always have a bunch of their own fireworks displays. Since my folks moved to their house there in 1965, it has always been a ritual to start July 5th with a street sweeping in front of their house. I had swept the sidewalk and the south side of the street between 6:30 and 7:00 am but had not yet picked up the piles of debris before I had to leave for a while to attend to my grandson. I was pleasantly surprised on my return at 8:00 am that everything had been swept up by city crews and the street had been washed. This is the true hallmark of a City that works.

P. Hainley

PORTLAND STREETCAR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD THURSDAY

$50,000 Prize Money Donated to Community Small Starts effort to Assist Streetcar Projects around the County

(Portland, OR) The Bruner Foundation announced the 2005 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence Gold Medal Award Winner as the Portland Streetcar Project. Simeon Bruner presented the award to Mayor Tom Potter, former Portland Mayor Vera Katz and John Carroll, Portland Streetcar Board, Inc. chair in a ceremony Thursday, June 16, 9am at the Governor Hotel in Portland.  (From left to right in the photo: Former Mayor Katz, John Carroll, Mayor Potter, and Sam.)

In addition to the gold medal award for the Portland Streetcar project, several individual awards were presented for their work on the project. John Carroll, Portland Streetcar, Inc., Congressman Earl Blumenauer, former City Commissioner Charlie Hales, the Portland Office of Transportation, and Shiels Obltez Johnsen were recognized for their work on the project.

The Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA) is the first award program to discover and celebrate excellence in urban placemaking. The RBA promotes fresh and innovative thinking about cities and encourages the public to demand and build projects that contribute to the livability and vitality of American cities. Award winners are distinguished by quality design, and by their social, economic and contextual contributions to the urban environment.

The award states: "Linking five districts in the downtown, the Portland Streetcar Project has stimulated  $1.4 billion in private and institutional investment, contributing to a high quality, livable urban environment, reducing auto trips and delivering safe, clean, public transit service." With the help of a six person Selection Committee that includes the mayor of a major metropolitan area, and other urban experts around the country, the RBA recognizes one Gold Medal Winner ($50,00 award) and four Silver Medal Winners ($10,000 awards). Given every two years, 2005 marks the tenth time the award has been given. Each award attracts over 100 submissions from over 32 states.

Joining the Gold Medal Streetcar project, the Silver Medalists are the Paducah Artist Relocation Program (Paducah, Kentucky); Heidelberg Project (Detroit, Michigan); Fruitvale Village (Oakland, California); and Downtown Silver Spring and Discovery Communications World Headquarters (Silver Spring, Maryland).

I remember the day clearly. As Sam's campaign manager during the general election, I encouraged him to attend a meeting at city hall with Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, a national bicycle advocacy organization. Though he had served as the mayor's chief of staff for awhile, his responsibilities were such that he hadn't had much exposure to Portland's unique bike culture. By example, the mayor had never led the Office of Transportation.

So, I reasoned that he ought to check out this group of bike interests for some insight into a piece of local culture with which he hadn't had much interaction. After all, bike commuters constitute a meaningful part of that daily ebb and flow that makes Portland Portland. Sam and I attended, and there's Andy to talk about all the great things Portland has done to achieve "gold" status from the League. "Portland is one of just four cities in the country to achieve our highest honor yet," Andy explained. (Corvallis, Boulder, and Palo Alto for those keeping score.) Portlanders being Portlanders, attendees patiently waited for Andy to stop and immediately barraged him with questions about how Portland can achieve the next level: PLATINUM.

Well, Andy wasn't entirely sure. The League has never awarded Platinum. But he'd give it some thought and get back to us. Later, Sam and I were headed back to the campaign office when I asked him for his thoughts on the meeting. "If I win, we're going for Platinum. Freight interests need to understand that more people on bikes reduces congestion which benefits them. Bike advocates need to understand that freight movement is an integral part of the local economy. In the end, there is no 'either/or' and we're gonna chase Platinum and prove that in the process."

So there you have it. To date, Sam has had two exploratory meetings with leaders in the bike community. The plan is still in its infancy, but rest assured you'll hear more on this topic from the elected official who says, "We're going for Platinum."

The Cully Neighborhood in NE Portland is home to some of the worst streets in Portland. Many streets are unpaved and more are unimproved. Additionally sidewalks are missing and transportation infrastructure generally needs a hand. That's the report from Sam.

Sam toured the neighborhood yesterday with leaders from the Cully Neighborhood Association, addressed attendees at the neighborhood association meeting, and spoke of his support for their plan to turn Cully Blvd. into a "green street," i.e. one designed to accommodate stormwater on site (and thus not pollute the rivers). More than 20 years after being annexed by the city with promises of still unfulfilled street improvements, some neighbors expressed skepticism to Sam. In response Sam offered, "I can appreciate your skepticism. I don't want you to judge me by words tonight, but my actions while in public office over the next few years. Let's see what we can do together."