Vicki Grudzinski's blog

Another year of Public Advocacy for Commissioner Sam Adams and I am pleased to say the calls are fewer this year compared to last. Commissioner Adams empowers his staff to look for opportunities to make changes as we listen to complaints, concerns and inquires from City of Portland residents. Taking action and initiating change in the way government does business can eliminate calls from frustrated, confused and angry constituents by ensuring the next person who experiences the situation has a more positive outcome.

Dear St. Johns Community Members,

It is my pleasure to send this update regarding the downtown St. Johns Brownfield project.

The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) has performed environmental site assessment and cleanup at 8735 N Lombard St In downtown St. Johns. BES is also taking ownership of the property from the Portland Development Commission (PDC) in order to facilitate public involvement, issue a public Request For Proposals (RFP) and sell the site to a selected developer. To date, two public meetings have been conducted, information collected and a steering committee is being formed.

March 26, 2007

Mr. Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460

Dear Mr. Grumbles:

I have read with interest your memo dated 5 March 2007 called Using Green Infrastructure to Protect Water Quality in Stormwater, CSO, Nonpoint Source and other Water Programs. Here in Portland, Oregon we have been putting these actions into practice for many years and heartedly congratulate your endorsement and support for this approach.

Written by: Lisa Libby, Watershed Community Outreach, Bureau of Environmental Services

In February the NatureHood Festival in North Portland drew more than 70 New Columbia and Portsmouth neighbors together to hear storytelling with an environmental twist, enjoy refreshments, and learn about natural resources close to home.

A city sewer bond rating upgrade and favorable interest rates will mean a break for City of Portland sewer ratepayers. This week, the city’s Bureau of Environmental Services refinanced more than $207-million of outstanding debt. That means a savings of $2.24-million annually in debt repayments through 2015.

The bond sale follows last week’s announcement that both Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s Corporation upgraded the city’s sewer bond ratings. Moody’s upgraded the city’s first lien sewer system revenue bonds from A1 to Aa3. Standard & Poor’s upgraded the bond ratings from A+ to AA.

Last fall, Commissioner Adams’ office received an email from a concerned constituent over the City’s practice of using green dye to locate and analyze sewer leaks. The green dye was spotted in Vermont Creek which runs through Gabriel Park.

Concern over the green dye in bodies of water throughout Portland is not new; other concerned citizens have dutifully notified the Bureau of Environmental Services' (BES) Spill Response number (503 823-7180) to report the green water, but this constituent had done his homework.

Author: Mike Rosen

Non-native, invasive weeds are spreading through Portland's natural areas, displacing native plants and destroying wildlife habitat. In November 2005, City Commissioner Sam Adams convened a town hall meeting to begin developing a strategy to stop the spread of invasive plants.

As a result of the town hall meeting, City Council adopted the Invasive Plant Species Resolution. The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Watershed Division has the primary responsibility for coordinating and implementing the effort. The Watershed Division is identifying projects and resources to accomplish these objectives of the Invasive Species Resolution:

Author: Mike Rosen

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) completed work on the Portland Watershed Management Plan in early 2006. With Sam recommendation, the City Council unanimously adopted the plan on March 8, 2006. Since the beginning of 2006, Environmental Services has been "gearing up and getting things done" to implement the plan.

Written By: Paul Gribbon, Willamette River CSO Tunnel Program Manager

The Bureau of Environmental Services’ West Side “Big Pipe” project, a $350 million project to capture, store, and convey combined sewer overflows along the west side of the Willamette River, was completed and operational ahead of the mandated completion date of December 1, 2006.The project included a 3½-mile long, 14-foot diameter tunnel, 120 feet underground, from SW Clay Street and Naito Parkway crossing under the river at NW Nicolai Street to Swan Island. Also included was a 220-million gallon per day pump station, 160 feet below ground, on Swan Island as well as five deep shafts and 15,000 feet of additional pipelines.

Getting Contaminated Land Back into the Community

Written by: Clark Henry, Program Manager, Portland Brownfield Program

Environmental Cleanup Fund
During 2006, the Portland Brownfield Program grew and gained more support than ever before. During this time, Commissioner Adams secured the first ever cleanup fund from the City of Portland General Fund. Now a $500,000 revolving fund is available to bridge the financial and technical gap that often stops the cleanup and redevelopment on brownfield properties.

Calls and inquiries from constituents are treated with high priority in Commissioner Sam Adams' office. He continually stresses the importance of excellent individual customer service - the need to listen, respond quickly and work effectively to resolve all issues brought to his office.

I have been the Public Advocate for Commissioner Adams' office since July 2006. It has been a very busy six months. Many of the queries I receive are from frustrated citizens trying to work through a permits process or to understand a utility bill, and they see the Commissioner's office as a last resort for seeking help and understanding. At times, listening to the stories has been personally frustrating - I listen in utter disbelief at the obstacles some constituents encounter. At other times, it has been very rewarding to work with city staff to solve problems, come to a consensus and reach a compromise agreeable to all parties.