Shoshanah Oppenheim's blog

Addressing Transportation Shortfall with Unexpected Revenue

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:22:19 -0700

Over the last seven years, the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) has reduced services by over $42 million. Over the last few months, the dramatic increases in gas prices have significantly reduced gas tax revenue. In addition, the cost of asphalt and other oil-based products have dramatically increased. If nothing is done to address the declining revenues and increased costs, PDOT will be forced to make additional cuts in current services.

Over the last seven years, Portland's Utility License Fee (ULF) has increased annually by 3.78%. There is currently no direct allocation of ULF revenue to Transportation. As a result of the increasing cost of energy, the City of Portland will see a significant increase in the ULF, that we had not previously forecasted.

Yesterday, Portland's Office of Transportation presented a proposal to City Council that would allocate these unanticipated ULF funds to Transportation to cover recent budget shortfalls.

To ensure that the City's General Fund is able to cover the increased energy costs, additional ULF revenue would be first used to cover the cost to the city for buying energy. PDOT will then be allocated funds to cover the shortfall in operations, maintenance and safety, up to the $4.3 million.

The Utility License Fee proposal was generated by recommendation from Portland's 89-member Safe Sound and Green Streets (SSGS) Stakeholder Committee. The Safe Sound and Green Streets Executive Committee met last week to discuss next steps. In addition to their recommendation to move forward with allocating unanticipated ULF revenue to Transportation, they made the following recommendations:

Decision on November General Election -- Based on the current economic burden placed on Portland businesses and households, the Committee recommended that City Council not advance the SSGS proposal to the voters in November. Portland will continue to support transportation funding in the State Legislature in 2009. While transportation ranks as the number one concern of Portlanders, the current economic downturn makes this an incredibly difficult time for a transportation fee.

Smart Park Garage - The Committee supported a proposal to transfer the management responsibility for Portland's Smart Park garages, excluding the Rose Quarter parking facilities, to the Office of Transportation. Revenues in excess of expenses, estimated to be approximately $500,000 annually, will be allocated to Transportation for operations, maintenance and safety.

Additional Work in the 2009 State Legislature - The Committee expressed their commitment to work with City Staff to continue support additional funding proposals for 2009. This work includes a variety of funding options that will seek to address the funding shortfall. If the State fails to generate the needed revenue, additional local options will be considered following the end of the 2009 legislative session. We encourage your support in this effort with your state representatives. Let them know that the maintenance and safety of your transportation system is a priority for you.

Marion Haynes (Portland Business Alliance), Joe Gilliam (Northwest Grocers Association), Chris Smith (Neighborhood Activist), and Richard Beatle (Laborers Local 483) testified in support of the Utility License Fee Ordinance. They stressed the immediate need to fill the shortfall. In addition, they stressed the importance of keeping this issue before Portlanders and their commitment to work for funding increases in the 2009 Legislature. The Ordinance will be voted on by council at the August 6th Council session.

Designing for Truck Movements and Other Large Vehicles in Portland

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:54:02 -0700

City of Portland's Freight Master Plan identifies development of street design guidelines for trucks as one of the implementing actions for maintaining community livability and enhancing economic vitality by recognizing the role of goods delivery in supporting healthy and vibrant industrial districts and mixed-use centers through safe and effective street design.

The purpose of the guidelines is to provide a reference document for roadway design professionals that compiles existing federal, state, and local design guidance into one publication.

These guidelines support the City's existing land use and economic development policies by identifying the appropriate geometric design information for maintaining and enhancing truck access and mobility in the City's industrial districts and business centers.

Safety is the most important goal when designing City streets and these guidelines are intended to improve the safety and accessibility of City streets for all users.

Several of the key elements contained in these guidelines include:

Design objectives and recommended lane widths based on Portland's adopted street classification system.
Checklist of engineering and development review considerations to assist roadway designers.
Suggested design practices for accommodating truck movements in complex urban environments.
Actual case studies of real problems and solutions evaluated and resolved by PDOT staff.
Designated federal and state freight routes and design requirements.
Public communication and education to identify the best management practices used to accommodate truck movements.

Please comment on the design guidlines here.

Thank you.

Attachment	Size
Truck Movement Report final.pdf	5.17 MB

Thousands Stroll, Spin at Sunday Parkways

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:57:32 -0700

As many as 15,000 Portlanders and neighbors to the region said farewell to foul car fumes a route through North Portland streets at Sunday Parkways, an event where six miles of city streets were closed to vehicles. Walkers, cyclists, joggers, and skaters all came out to enjoy the summer sun. Families were out too, free to enjoy some exercise with their little ones without having to worry about traffic.

Dance groups, DJs, food vendors, pick-up games, child health educators, and many more great activities and entertainers were dispersed throughout four local parks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Sponsors and grants covered the cost of increased police supervision and intersection regulation. Many of those enjoying themselves at Sunday Parkways expressed optimism that there will be more events for their communities to get together in the future.

Media Mentions:

Oregonian June 23, 2008

Making Division Street a Main Street for Southeast

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:58:12 -0700

Division Street Storefront: Open for BusinesssA new phase is beginning in the life of one of Southeast Portland's most storied streets. The Green Street / Main Street Project will continue to examine ways of increasing the livability and economic vitality of the SE Division corridor. Between SE Sixth and SE 39th Avenues, a consortium made up of interests from the Office of Transportation, the Bureau of Planning, private industry, and members of the community. This grup will look at ways of improving the quality of Division Street itself, and of the surrounding neighborhood, in order to make it feel more like a main street, and not just another busy road.

Some of the significant benefits of the second phase of design include: repaving those sections of Division that are in disrepair, improved stormwater management and creation of green streetscapes, design development of the Seven Corners intersection, and looking at ways of better integrating Division with transportation choices made on nearby Clinton and Lincoln Streets.

Please attend the next public meeting:

Phase II Begins Kick-off Meeting
Thursday, June 26, 2008
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Carvlin Hall, St. Philip Neri Church
(SE 16th and Division)

PRESS RELEASE: Action Plan to Respond to Shortfalls in State Gas Tax Revenues

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:54:29 -0700

City Commissioner Sam Adams announced today action items the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) will take in response to the impact of high fuel prices on Portland's transportation budget. Adams and PDOT officials addressed the fact that rising fuel prices are projected to generate $2.7 million less Gas Tax revenue in Fiscal Year 2007-08 than forecasted six months ago and see this trend continuing for the foreseeable future.

The City's budget process required PDOT to make cost escalation estimates in October 2007 for a budget submitted in December 2007. Today's prices require substantial adjustments to those estimates.

Adams outlined the following actions PDOT will take to deal with reduced transportation revenues:

Evaluate all capital projects to ensure recent price increases are included, including the Flanders Street Crossing to insure integrity of the budgets

Evaluate all capital projects to ensure recent price increases are included, including the Flanders Street Crossing to insure integrity of the budgets
Review vacant positions to determine essential hires
Restrict discretionary spending such as out-of-town travel
Accelerate ongoing efforts to find additional productivity improvements
Examine opportunities to reduce fuel consumption
Evaluate major road paving projects

"Like all citizens, the City is aware of rising prices for fuel and other petroleum-based products. We have been monitoring the situation for several months," said Adams. "An increase in the price of fuel means an increase in costs for PDOT projects, not only for paving projects done in-house by our Transportation Maintenance crews but also for construction projects contracted out."

Prices of fuel and other petroleum-based products have been steadily rising in recent years. The City is paying more for fuel and asphalt. The City's price for solid asphalt, which is a petroleum-based product, today is $45 per ton. A year ago the price was $36 per ton. Considering that the City's overlay crews use an average 600 tons of asphalt per day for 106 crew days, that's a big impact. "Certainly, this affects our choices. It affects everyone's choices - the City's and the individual resident's," said Adams.

Although fossil fuels are woven into nearly every thread of the fabric of society, the transportation sector is the largest user of petroleum products. An estimated 38% of the total fuel consumption each year is used for transportation, with electricity being the second at 28%. The transportation sector includes every gallon of gas used to power each car or truck used every day to deliver us from point A to point B, to school, to work, or for errands. City Fleet has seen an average cost increase of 32% per year for fuel in recent years.

If the price of petroleum continues to go up, the City won't have a lot of options, say Adams and PDOT officials. Areas of concern include the following:

Long-term pavement and bridge conditions
PDOT's maintenance program
Future construction projects

"An increase in the price of petroleum means it's more difficult for us to get our work done, meet our street paving goals, and manage construction projects. Rising petroleum costs will reduce the miles of streets paved this year and beyond," said Adams.

Costs of construction projects have been steadily increasing in recent years due to rising prices of major materials. The following material costs have risen 10-25% in the last few years and are expected to continue to rise over the next few years:

Asphalt
Cement
Structural Concrete
Diesel Fuel
Sand, Gravel, Crushed Stone
Pre-stressed Concrete Products

PDOT has implemented a range of measures aimed at reducing its oil use in day-to-day operations and the general public's oil consumption. The City has adopted best practices around using recycled materials. The Sunderland Recycling Facility in northeast Portland, for example, crushes asphalt and concrete into reusable rock that City crews use in maintenance projects.

"We are using sustainability as a tool to reduce long-term costs on all new projects," said Adams. The City has purchased Hybrids, implemented the ZipCar partnership program, purchased bio-diesel fuel, and implemented new technologies to defray the costs of fuel. The City also partners with other government agencies in the region sharing resources to reduce costs.

In the past few years, powerful evidence has emerged that casts doubt on the assumption that oil and natural gas will remain plentiful and affordable. The evidence suggests that global production of both oil and natural gas is likely to reach its historic peak soon. This phenomenon is referred to as "Peak Oil." In March 2007 Portland became the first government body in the U.S. to acknowledge imminent peak oil as a reality and to release a plan for what the city should be doing to cope with the years ahead. A resolution was adopted by City Council that calls for cutting oil consumption in Portland in half by the year 2030.

Portland Goes Platinum!

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:58:55 -0700

Symbol of our success!The Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) and its bicycle community partners earned Portland 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 quality conditions for bicyclists and cycling safety. Portland is the first large U.S. city to gain the designation and joins Davis, California, as the only other Platinum city in the country.

“When Portland received the Gold award in 2003,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League, “we challenged the community to increase ridership to get to Platinum. Bold leadership, community-wide involvement, and a lot of hard work have resulted in a 144% increase in bicycle use since the 2000 Census – impressive results by any standard.”

The League’s reviewers noted that Portland has coupled modestWeather is no barrrier in Portland when you want to ride. but smart investments in infrastructure, with outstanding education, promotion, and encouragement activities to make cycling a practical and safe option for many more Portlanders than ever before. Education and enforcement programs are now helping drivers and pedestrians interact more safely and predictably with the increasing numbers of cyclists on the road. Only 0.7 % of the Office of Transportation's budget is spent on bike infrastructure. However this small investment yields significant ridership. currently 6% of trips taken are by bike.

Acknowledging that Platinum status carries with it the responsibility of setting a high standard for other communities to follow, Adams added, “We are not content to rest on our laurels. Platinum status is just the beginning, and we realize that the eyes of the nation are now upon us to keep pedaling forward.”

For more information on Portland’s bicycle program, visit www.GettingAroundPortland.org.

Relevant News

Safe, Sound, and Green Streets Proposal to Improve the Safety and Maintenance of Your Transportation System

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:54:23 -0800

City wide problem, city wide solutionThe asset value of Portland's transportation system is approximately $7.1 billion. The city owns an operates 3,949 lane miles of roads, 157 bridges, 992 traffic signals, eight million square yards of sidewalks, 37,352 improved corners and over 53,000 street lights.

Our system needs investment. Our system is only effective if we can safely and efficiently move people and freight through our system. 380 people died and 2,662 serious injuries have occurred because many of our many fixable safety challenges that can not be addressed due to lack of funding for maintenance and safety.

Portland, like most Oregon cites, relies on the state gas tax as its primary source of funding to maintain and operate our local streets and bridges. The gas tax has steadily eroded as a funding source and has not been increased since 1993. As a result, many of our assets have fallen into disrepair and important services have been cut. Over the last seven years Portland Office of Transportation has had to make cuts in service totaling $42.4 million. These cuts have resulted in reductions in services, unaddressed safety needs and a growing percentage of the City's transportation infrastructure that is in poor and very poor condition.

Portland is not alone in this problem. Many local government are also at the breaking point and have needed to develop local funding mechanisms to supplement state funds for transportation maintenance and safety improvements.

To find a solution to this problem, which is expected to grow by $ 9 million this year and exponentially thereafter, Sam started a conversation with the community in June. Sam assembled an 89 person stakeholder committee to tackle the issue and make a recommendation to council. The ordinance that Sam filed today reflects the recommendations of the committee and a balanced solution to our transportation funding crisis.

While there are numerous documents attached to this site to illustrate the implementation of the program and the solutions it delivers, there are some simple principles involved in the plan. First, rather than a system completely funded by gas tax revenues, all users of the system pay. Those that use the system more pay more. And importantly, the burden is shared equally between businesses and residents.

Sam has not asked for a blank check. The Office of Transportation has prioritized projects according to need and safety. An Oversight Committee will be formed and charged with annually reporting to council on the project budget, administrative costs, M/W/ESB utilization and the development of the project list.

Key components of the Safe, Sound and Green Streets Program are: a significant investment in the bicycle network, reducing the conflict between bikes and cars; improvements to the signalizations of lights, reducing green house gases and congestion while improving driving times; and repairing all the arterials in poor and very poor condition.

I encourage you to review the information and related blogs on the issue. The matter will be before council on January 9, 2007 at 2:00 PM. We hope to see you at the council hearing and look forward to your support.

Safe Sound and Green Streets Town Hall Powerpoint Presentation

Support Multnomah County Raising Funds for the Sellwood Bridge

Resolution

Review Funding for State Gas Tax Resolution

Resolution

Create Safe Sound & Green Streets Independent Oversight Committee - Ordinance

Ordinance

Street Maintenance and Safety Fee

Ordinance

Exhibits

Related Blog Posts

Sam Keynote Speaker at Oregon's Gay Student Association (GSA) Confernence

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:12:24 -0800

Gay Student Alliances (GSA) have gained strength in numbers over the last decade. These organizations give hope to adolescents who grow up throughout the state questioning their sexuality. This year Sam was asked to be the keynote speaker at the Oregon Gay Student Alliance Conference.

As the mainstream heterosexual and homosexual community struggles with discrimination, so do the youth that identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans, queer or just don't know (LGBTQQ). The GSA conference is a place for high school youth who identify as LGBTQQ to learn how to have difficult conversations about identity and to be active for change.

Sam shared stories about living in Newport and Eugene as gay youth. His stories resonated with students who seemed sure there were no gay adults in the small towns they lived in.

Coming together in this forum, allowed the students freedom that they looked forward to the rest of the year. The two day conference was important to the participants, teaching them organizing skills, lobbying techniques, how to protect oneself and most critically that they are not alone.

Domestic Partnerships: Long Time Coming

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:08:20 -0800

In January 2008, the state will begin granting same sex couples the legal benefits of marriage, benefits heterosexual couples have long enjoyed. LGBT couples and families will find comfort in the recognition the law provides.

The victory for the GLBT community of Oregon's Domestic Partnership Law is especially sweet, due to the fact that Oregon is the only state that has granted partnership benefits after a statewide constitutional amendment denying same sex couples the right to "marry."

Sam has worked on this issue for most of his political life and lobbied the legislature to recognize the relationships of LGBT people.

Related Documents

Sam's Testimony to the State Legislature

Media Mentions

Blog

Anti-gay effort fails to collect enough signatures to repeal Oregon's Domestic Partnership Law

New Legislation Keeps Portland Moving: Requires Motorist to Move Vehicles Out of Traffic Lanes

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:27:10 -0800

Autopsy of a crash.Sam lobbied the Oregon State legislature for an important change in state law requiring motorists to move disabled vehicles out of traffic lanes during prime commuting hours. Sam understands that a major cause of congestion on the highways are non injury accidents and minor vehicle malfunctions.

By requiring motorists to pull their vehicles to the shoulder, Sam hopes the region can avoid some of the serious congestion that costs our economy dearly each year in lost productivity, disruption of schedules and wasted resources.

For more information about this legislation please see the attached legislation.

Related Documents

Media Mentions

City Wants to Tow Faster, Portland Tribune, April 2007

Commissioner Adams Creates Paving Task Force to Address Problems Delivering Optimum Service Levels

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:46:08 -0800

Commissioner Adams tackles deficiencies in Portland's paving department.

At the request of Portland Department of Transportation (PDOT), the Audit Services Division of the City Auditor's office conducted a series of audits of PDOT's Street Preservation Program. The audits examined four functional areas 1) compliance with least cost standards per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 279C; 2) street maintenance and preservation; 3) asphalt price and supply stability; and 4) asphalt quality and city standards.

Portland Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams established a Pavement Oversight Taskforce, including engineers and construction professionals from both the public and private sector. PDOT provided and discussed with the Taskforce its plan to implement necessary changes and create solutions to the problems highlighted in the audits. The Taskforce reviewed PDOT's draft plan and offered robust feedback, which was incorporated into an audit implementation plan. The Taskforce offered a report to council on PDOT's progress. Commissioner Adams is dedicated to improving PDOT's service to the City.

The Auditor's office recognized PDOT's effort to implement the recommendations contained in the audit reports. PDOT continues to suffer from insufficient funding to address the continuing maintenance and safety backlog. Without additional revenue dedicated to these service areas, PDOT will not be able to provide a safe transportation system.

Related Documents

More transparency in government by reducing the threshold for lobbying registration

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:11:00 -0800

On Wednesday August 8, Portland City Council unanimously voted to reduce the hourly threshold that triggers a lobbying entity's obligation to register with the auditors offices. The City Council believes that the threshold reduction will require more entities to disclose their lobbying activities. This action builds on Commissioner Adams' efforts to "daylight" political decision making and create a more accessible city government.

Under the changes, lobbying entities who spend more than eight hours "attempting to influence the official action of City officials" must register with the auditor. Under the original ordinance sponsored by Sam, elected officials and bureau directors must publish their official calendars. This is an effort to disclose who is meeting with city leaders and whose interests are being represented in the decisions of the council.

Sam is pleased with the threshold reduction and said that "Portland is a very engaged City. Residents deserve to know how their money is being spent, how decisions are made, and why."

Please give us your feedback on this issue and how we can make the city more accountable to you.

Related Documents

Copy of Ordinance

Media Mentions

Blogs

Council Unanimously Votes to Reduce Threshold for Lobbying Activities

Interested in how City Hall works?

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:15:44 -0700

WANTED: Staff Associate for Transportation and Good Government Projects

We're looking for a policy associate to help us work on transportation related issues in the office of City Commissioner Sam Adams. Many of the projects will involve public outreach and development of strategies related to transportation funding. Great opportunity to learn how the city works and to have an impact on the city around you.

The position will provide extensive exposure public opinion and research. The position has a significant administrative component.

Description

This is an unpaid internship.

Primarily, you will be working with Sam's transportation and good government team including staff, consultants and partners in the following capacities:

Logistics for public meetings, presentations and communications (minutes, web updates, synthesizing input)
Research
Public opinion collection
Public involvement and outreach

You may be asked to take on smaller office tasks as needed.

Optional skills

Interest in transportation policy
Excellent writing and communication skills
Computer competence

Term

Three months, with the option for an additional three months, to begin upon hire

Please submit no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, October 29th:

Cover Letter that includes your availability and interest in the position
Resume
Writing sample of no more than three pages

Shoshanah Oppenheim | Senior Policy Analyst
Office of City Commissioner Sam Adams
1221 SW Fourth Avenue | Room 220
Portland, Oregon 97204-1998
p: 503-823-1125| f: 503-823-3017
e soppenheim@ci.portland.or.us

* Safe, Sound and Green Streets Town Halls *

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:21:54 -0700

How can Portland maintain our transportation system and make our streets safer?Join Commissioner Sam Adams to discuss solutions developed by the Safe and Sound Streets Stakeholder Committee to the problems with our transportation system. Sam has been working to create a strategy to addresses our significant transportation maintenance and safety needs. Come hear what Sam has learned from the community and give your input as we move forward with a plan.

Find the town hall in your neighborhood below or go the safe and sound streets web site for more information.

Tuesday, October 16, 7-9 pm Central Northeast Portland Madison High School – 2735 82nd Avenue

Thursday October 18, 7-9 pm Northeast Portland Jefferson High School – 5210 N Kerby Avenue

Monday October 22, 7-9 pm East Portland Menlo Park Elementary School --12900 NE Glisan

Tuesday October 23, 7-9 pm North Portland Rosa Parks Elementary -- 8930 N Woolsey

Wednesday October 24, 7-9 pm Northwest Portland Metropolitan Learning Center-- 2033 NW Glisan

Monday October 29, 7-9 pm Southwest Portland Wilson High School -- 11SW Vermont

Tuesday October 30, 7-9 pm Southeast Portland Sellwood Middle School -- 8300 SE 15th Avenue

For more information about the safe, sound and green streets project please call 503-823-1394 or check out www.safeandsoundstreets.com.

Opponents of Oregon's Comprehensive Anti -Discrimination Bill Fail to Qualify for Ballot.

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:05:45 -0700

Freedon flags!

Earlier this year Oregon's legislature passed and the Governor signed a

comprehensive anti-discrimination bill that outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodation, and public education.

Today we found out that the opponents of these You have protection from discrimination at work.basic rights failed to collect enough signatures to refer the new law to the ballot. This is great news for Oregon and we are thrilled that the privileges
Portland residents have enjoyed for over 16 years are being extended to Oregonians throughout the state.

Basic Rights Oregon deserves everyone's gratitude and support. The organization has worked tirelessly to protect the freedoms that heterosexuals have been given as a matter of right.