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As a Public Advocate for the Office of Commissioner Sam Adams, I assisted many City of Portland residents with issues ranging from utility charges to sewer construction and from the noise of City vehicles idling to graffiti removal.

The highest number of my calls this year came from residents who were living in or near a sewer construction area. The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) had several high profile and long running construction projects this year. Some were expected and planned, others were not. Most projects were in residential areas where the work interrupted daily life by adding noise and traffic congestion to a usually quiet neighborhood.

Neighborhood/Community City Legislative Agenda Gathering, Jan. 6th, 2009 at 7 PM in City Council Chambers

Neighborhood, business, and other community-based organizations play an integral part in assuring community and neighborhood livability. I continue to be committed to working with Portland neighborhoods, businesses, and community organizations to provide services and information to assist in empowering residents to identify and support issues that benefit Portland. One way we can support each others efforts is to explore joint legislative objectives and work together in Salem to achieve positive results.

On July 2, the five members of city council unanimously voted to declare it a policy of the city that children who lack health care coverage deserve basic health care coverage. At the hearing, City Council stated its solid support for action by the State of Oregon and hopes of secured access to health care for all children in the state.  To tackle how to proceed in the event action is not taken in the 2009 legislature, City Council approved a resolution that convenes a working group (dubbed the Kids Care Committee) to determine how to provide coverage and access for children in the city of Portland.

Sam and CEO Criteser look over the roasting facility

Please see the attached document for further information about this announcement.

December 16, 2008
 

TO:    Portlanders

FROM:  Mayor-Elect Sam Adams
       City Commissioner Nick Fish
       City Commissioner-Elect Amanda Fritz
       City Commissioner Randy Leonard
       City Commissioner Dan Saltzman
       Auditor Gary Blackmer

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PUBLIC ADVOCATE UPDATE: 2008

The job of Commissioner Adams' public advocate in transportation passed from Cevero Gonzalez to Dan Anderson in 2008. Cevero left the position much greater than he found it and transitioned into a new job in the office, as executive assistant to the Mayor-elect. Dan immediately picked up where Cevero left off and began assisting the public with their transportation issues his first day on the job.

Over the past twelve months, these two received over 1,000 requests of the City of Portland. Whether delivered by telephone, email, letter, or personal conversation, these questions and comments were given the attention they deserve and treated equally. They were also taken not only as a sign of the public's interaction with its government in general terms, but also as an indicator of opportunities for improvement by both the City and the Commissioner's office.

Although each contact's case is unique, common themes emerge when all contacts are taken as a whole. These include, but are not limited to:
• Motorist and pedestrian safety improvements
• Bicycle issues
• Paving and street maintenance requests
• Signage and lighting/signaling of the street system
• Parking enforcement, including assistance with the court and suggestions on improvement
• Assistance navigating local government and community partners for issues outside Transportation's purview

The following briefs exemplify some of the ways the public advocate assists Portlanders. Although they provide just a small slice of the daily activities and challenges of the position, we feel they can be extrapolated to demonstrate the utility of the job.

Traffic Investigations

Jim in Southwest Hills became frustrated with PDOT and the Commissioner's office during the course of multiple traffic investigations. He, neighbors, and the neighborhood association were working with PDOT to secure major changes on a difficult road in the name of child safety. Much of the original, expensive request was denied outright due to a lack of funding and necessity. Following this, more requests were made and then put in the queue. In the midst of these requests, miscommunication over a supposed traffic report derailed civility; Jim and company were waiting on a report that PDOT neither had nor knew the public was expecting. The public advocate was able to step in at the end and with a phone call relay that there was no report, secondary requests were received, in time those requests would be investigated, and that PDOT would be contacting the neighbors in due time. Jim wrote to say "thank you for taking the time to get to the bottom of this long-pending information request; your follow-through is to be commended."

Parking Enforcement

Mike in Northeast wrote after years of trying to change a business' behavior in his neighborhood. The business, a used car lot, was said to continually park cars on the sidewalk and then ignore the citations it received - many photos of infractions accompanied the correspondence. A major part of his complaint was that parking enforcement refused to respond and did nothing to stop the violator permanently. After many enlightening conversations with parking enforcement employees, the public advocate was able to respond to the constituent with conflicting evidence that the division had responded in the past, was currently aware of the situation, would go to the site at a moment's notice, and was willing to work with the neighbor on future reports. The bottom line, however, was that this was a serial offender who paid his or her citations and did not change. The public advocate contacted the Bureau of Development Services and was able to confirm that this bureau was working a solution to curb repeat offenders. The constituent was pleased with PDOT's support and encouraged by the prospect of a long-term solution.

Engineering and Technical Services

A West Hills constituent was worried about a landslide originating on a nearby property. Small landslides already occurred there and were cleaned up by PDOT. When the owner of the property that had potential to slide did not bring his land up to City Code by shoring up the slope, the neighbor called PDOT again. To give peace to the neighbor and prevent costly future repairs and clean-up, Engineering and Technical Services investigated the situation, confirmed that a possible Code violation was in-progress, and then wrote a Code enforcement letter. The concerned citizen thanked PDOT after receiving a letter informing the neighborhood that work would commence to make sure the hillside was stabilized.

Development and Capital Program

Randy, the editor at a local magazine, contacted the Commissioner's office when he realized that a downtown event was days away and no street closure permit had been issued. The public advocate confirmed that paperwork was not submitted to PDOT and that the request needed to be expedited in order for the event, which would have happened regardless of permitting, to go smoothly, for participants to be out of danger in the street, and for TriMet's buses to be rerouted. Peter Mason and Kirstin Alldrin contacted the constituents immediately and made sure proper permitting and notification were in-place within days. The editor sent praise for the employees who helped, along with positive press coverage of the event.

Development and Capital Program

Motorcyclists and scooterists often feel left out of downtown parking opportunities, although they have the same parking privileges as a passenger vehicle. This is why the City designates special parking areas for these citizens scattered throughout downtown and encourages this fuel-efficient form of transport. When a downtown construction project needed to use adjacent parking spaces, some of these specific parking spaces were temporarily removed. One affected motorcyclist contacted Commissioner Adams' office and was subsequently put in-touch with Jeri Jenkins, a Development and Capital coordinator for the central business district. Jeri fielded the constituent's questions and responded by securing parking elsewhere during construction. The constituent was complimentary and thankful that the City took his personal issue seriously and was quick to act.

Traffic Investigations and Maintenance Operations

Nancy in Southeast wrote the Commissioner's Office thanking PDOT for a job well done after a stop sign she requested was installed on her street sixteen weeks later. She asked if she had something to do with this, and was told that her request and patience led to the improvement because an investigation reveled that a stop sign would improve safety. A common disconnect between the Portland Bureau of Transportation and constituents lies in the method of changing a street's traffic control signage - such as installing a stop sign. Few know that most of the requests originate in a call or correspondence from a citizen. Because an investigation takes much longer than a request, Traffic Investigations has a backlog. However, each one of these requests is investigated by Traffic Investigations.

Maintenance Operations

A Northwest Portland landlord passed along a recurring complaint that her tenants were awoken nightly by cars driving over a loose manhole cover. PDOT Maintenance Operations was given this request for service and responded quickly. Although this was not a major undertaking, the constituent knew two things: that Sam Adams is the Commissioner who oversees transportation, and there was a problem in the right of way. The public advocate was able to turn her single, short request into action even though the landlord did not know the structure of the bureau (this information was provided for next time). When the constituent visited the property the following day, the problem was solved.

Parking Control

Pat in Downtown contacted Commissioner Adams to ask for assistance with a situation she was having with a subcontractor. Specifically, Pat indicated that her parked vehicle had been struck by a subcontractor and when she tried to get contact information and follow up she was unsuccessful. As a result, she asked Sam for help in tracking down staff and resources. Working with Parking Control staff, we were able to identify the staff Pat was trying to reach. Additionally, we were able to ensure that the parties began speaking directly with each other about the concern. Pat contacted our offices to offer her thanks for our efforts on her behalf - and more specifically, for working so quickly to address and resolve her concerns.

Signals and Street Lighting

Valerie in outer SE contacted Sam and others to request assistance with the installation of a street light in her neighborhood. Specifically, Valerie and others in her neighborhood believed quite strongly that installation of a new street light in the area would deter crime and other illicit activity. Working with PDOT and ONI we reviewed this matter and determined that installation of an additional street light in the area was appropriate. Valerie emailed Sam to offer her thanks for his efforts on her behalf.

Signals and Street Lighting

Greg in Southwest asked the public advocate what the progress was on a signal change his neighborhood wanted. Because Commissioner Adams' Safe, Sound, and Green Streets initiative would have funded this improvement originally - and the initiative was tabled - the funding picture was unclear. After consulting with members of the Signals and Street Lighting Division and the neighborhood association, the public advocate communicated to all that money the neighbors raised would be accepted by the City and put toward a new signal. The signal was installed in early December.

Signals and Street Lighting

Jan in SE contacted Sam to request assistance with a street lighting issue that she indicated has remained unresolved for quite some time; specifically, Jan indicated that the metal street light pole is rusted through and as a result she fears will fail. At Sam's request, PDOT staffers reinvestigated the pole and made the necessary replacement - specifically, because the pole was a safety hazard and likely to injure a pedestrian or motorist. Jan emailed back to thank Sam - and others - for efforts on behalf of the neighborhood.

Signals and Street Lighting

Ben in SE called Sam to complain about the lack of coordinated signaling along SE Foster Road. As a result, he and others have a difficult time navigating the roadway without constant interruptions because the lights are not properly sequenced. Working with Keith Orr in PDOT we researched the conditions on the roadway as identified. True, the lights were not properly signaled. That being said, working with Keith, BOM was able to make necessary repairs and correct the signaling. Mr. Harmon called back to thank Sam and PDOT for efforts conducted on his behalf.

Development and Capital Program

Nick in SE contacted Sam to request assistance with a permitting matter he was experiencing in trying to address right of way issues for a proposed development in Lents. Nick indicated that he was being told by PDOT that a street vacation would be required, requiring considerable expense and time. Working with PDOT Right of Way staff we were able to investigate the matter further. It was discovered that no street vacation was necessary but rather a smaller permitting would be allowed. Nick and his company were grateful to Sam's office for working so diligently and quickly to address his concern. He emailed back to offer his praise.

Development and Capital Program

Justen in the Hollywood District contact Sam to request assistance with a street closure permit and traffic control plan challenge his organization was facing through PDOT - in trying to operate a street fair in the neighborhood. We were able to research and approve the permit on behalf of Justen's organization fairly quickly - especially because of assistance we received from PDOT. The traffic control plan, which is needed for any street closure event, was a bit more of a challenge; but again, working with PDOT staffers we were able to negotiate options and suggest alternatives in order to ensure that the closure would minimize disruption to traffic and allow planners to move forward with their event. Justen and his associates contacted Sam to offer their thanks and praise to the City of Portland for working so diligently to address and resolve his concern.

Development and Capital Program

Lance in SE called Sam to request assistance with a permitting challenge he was facing while trying to complete work on a recently constructed building in southeast Portland. Working with PDOT staff we were able to identify the "slow down" and in turn address and resolve the issue within hours of receiving the complaint. Lance contacted me following resolution of the matter to offer his thanks by stating: "Working with the City is much easier when we have partners like Sam - and staff - helping us address some of the hurdles."

Other Bureaus

Paul in SW contacted Sam to complain about a park trail that needed sprucing up; specifically, Paul indicated that the Marquam Trail had become considerably overgrown and unsafe in certain areas - as a result, there was a risk of injury by walkers using the trail. While parks and most nature trails fall outside of Sam's oversight, we worked with the Parks Department to remedy the situation immediately. A few days later, Paul called back to thank us for our work on his behalf, especially since the matter fell to another bureau.

Other Bureaus

Paula in SE contacted Sam to complain about idling vehicles in her neighborhood. She indicated that drivers do not appear to be doing any work and are simply running their vehicles without concern for the residents impacted by exhaust - not to mention the perception that city crews were not managing their time efficiently. This matter was reviewed with City Fleet Manager Don Taylor. Because we had been given vehicle numbers it was possible to investigate the matter fully. We discovered that the vehicles were checked out to Water Bureau crews. Drivers of said vehicles were talked to and reminded of the need to be responsible drivers and City workers. I contacted Paula to let her know how we had addressed and resolved her complaint. Paula was very appreciative of our efforts on her behalf.

This year, the City of Portland began using biogas, a natural byproduct of the wastewater treatment process, to produce energy.  The renewable source produces heat and electricity to support treatment plant operations.

 2008 was a good year for Portland's bicyclists, and by extension 2008 was a good year for all those concerned with the creation of a sustainable city. A crowning moment of the year was the The Portland Office of Transportation finding an innovative solution to a long-standing problem: how to get bikes safely through the Rose Quarter Transit Center.

As we strive to improve our bicycle infrastructure, we look to the data from 2008 to gain some insight. Portland's Bicycle Count Report for 2008 is filled with statistics and graphs that should warm the heart of any bicycle advocate and really shows that Portland is BIKE CITY USA. 

Here are some of the highlights:

The Platinum Award

In 2008, Portland's bicycle infrastructure and culture received a prestigious award: the “Platinum” Level Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists. The coveted "Platinum” designation of “Bicycle Friendly Community,” recognizes those communities that have superior quality conditions for bicyclists and cycling safety. 

Photo by Jonathon Maus

In many ways, 2008 was a great year for sustainable community development in Portland.  Portland went Platinum, a pilot for car free  Last Thursday was executed , P+OSI is in the works and Sunday Parkways was unveiled.