Archives : By Month : November 2005
City Council Supports Plan to Weed Out Invasive Plants
Brian RussellToday, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to develop a city-wide strategy to manage invasive plant species in Portland. The resolution sets into action a plan that will be integrated into each of the City bureaus. The resolution calls for setting a 10-year goal to reduce noxious weeds on its...
Posted by Brian Russell on November 30, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses
Notice to City Employees: Inclement Weather Policy
Sam AdamsWith the return of winter, this is a good time to remind everyone of the City's policy on inclement weather. Employees are expected to report to work during periods of inclement weather unless directed not to do so by the Mayor. http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=12245. Generally, employees who do not report to work...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 30, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Office of Transportation
CITY AUDITOR RELEASES 15th ANNUAL REPORT ON CITY GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE
Sam AdamsCITY AUDITOR RELEASES 15th ANNUAL REPORT ON CITY GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE The results are in, and Portland City Auditor Gary Blackmer today is releasing the 15th annual report on City government performance -- the 2004-05 Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) report. The report also includes the results of the 15th annual...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 29, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government
What is a Brownfield?
Guest AuthorClark Henry is the Program Manager for the Bureau of Environmental Service's Brownfields Program. What in the world is a Brownfield? This and how can Brownfields create economic vitality for Portland were some of the questions that I helped answer on a tour with Commissioner Adams and his staff this...
Posted by Guest Author on November 28, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, APNBA, Environmental Services, Good Government
UPDATE: Stop the Tram Project? The Implications
Sam AdamsHere is a copy of the original tram contracts. I have also included a copy of the termination clause. I also later will post a copy of those sections of the SoWa Development Agreement that are pertinent to the tram project. Download tram_contract_a.pdf Download tram_contract_b.pdf Download termination.pdf Dear Portlanders, “Stop...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 27, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Southwest Portland, Tram, Transportation
Wild in the City: Exploring Downtown Water Gardens and Ecoroofs
Sam Adams
Today I joined Urban Naturalist (and local icon) Mike Houck and Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) stormwater management specialist Linda Dobson and a group of 40 folks for a portion of a walking tour for a look at stormwater management projects that combine innovative architectural and landscaping techniques to help remove pollutants from the Willamette River.
Posted by Sam Adams on November 27, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment
BLOG: Portland’s Sewer Commissioner (Me) Visits “Urinetown”
Sam Adams
The United Nations declared 2005-2015 as the decade of “Water for Life.” Although planet earth is 75 percent covered in water only 1 percent of it is drinkable – and that is disappearing fast. That bottled water you drink? If it comes from an aquifer you could be drinking water from the IceCorey_and_hope Age that is not be replenished with a good rain. “Urinetown, The Musical” is comedy about a town so short on water that people have to pay to urinate.
Posted by Sam Adams on November 26, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Blog, Front Page
BLOG: Support Proposed Portland Freight Master Plan
Sam AdamsInitiated in January 2003 by then City Commissioner Jim Francesconi, the Proposed Portland Freight Master Plan provides strategies to address the relationship, conflicts, and needs for local delivery and freight movement within the City of Portland. It deserves your strong support. We need this plan! Portland boasts modern port facilities...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 25, 2005
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Office of Transportation, Transportation
Clearing the murkiness of Public Art
Jesse Beason
Every time Portland builds, rehabs, remodels or improves public buildings, parks and structures, we dedicate a small percentage of funds--currently 1.33%--to public art. While there are plenty of exceptions where this doesn't happen, say when we're acting as a public utility (water and sewer) or when we're using funds that forbid it, this program has built a stupendous $5 million public art collection over the 25 years it has been in place...
Posted by Jesse Beason on November 25, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Front Page, Our Initiatives, Regional Arts & Culture Council
Baseball: MLB and PGE Park
Sam Adams-----Original Message----- From: Adams, Sam Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 3:39 PMTo: Logsdon, DaveCc: Miller, Tom; Kovatch, Ty; Cogen, Jeff; Durston, Bob; Hamilton, Nancy; Grewe, Tim; Acker, John; Leonard, Randy; Saltzman, Dan; Sten, Erik; Potter, TomSubject: RE: Florida Marlins Dave, Thanks for the update. As you know from my published...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 25, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Good Government, News
"Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local"
Warren JimenezWhen you patronize locally owned, independent businesses, up to 3 times more money stays in the local community, stated Sam at a press conference to encourage consumers to buy at locally owned businesses. Sustainable Business Network of Portland started the Think Local First campaign a year ago with 30 members....
Posted by Warren Jimenez on November 25, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Wal-Mart
Are We Creating Enough Living Wage Jobs? NO!
Sam Adams
The Northwest Federation of Community Organizations recently released their 2005 Northwest Job Gap study. According to this study, Oregon is not created enough living wage jobs for those who are seeking employment. What is a living wage? According to this study, it is based on what is needed to meet the basic needs and the ability to deal with emergencies plus plan ahead...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 25, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Hours, Economic Dashboard, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Workforce
Southeast 82nd, Our "Avenue of Roses"
Warren JimenezThis is a genuinely community effort that started with an idea from the business community and has gain the support of the entire neighborhood, stated Sam as he introduced this resolution. City Council passed a resolution today to recognize Southeast 82nd Avenue, within the boundaries of the City of Portland,...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on November 23, 2005
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Filed Under East Portland
City Council Supports Plan for Urban Natives
Warren JimenezToday, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to support the Urban Indian Regional Strategic Plan “Restoring a Cultural System of Plenty” to reducing poverty in the Urban Native American population. With funding provided by the Northwest Area Foundation, community members in Portland, Seattle, Rapid City, and Billings have been able...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on November 23, 2005
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Filed Under Education, Equality, Front Page, Housing, Jobs & Economy, Our Initiatives, Workforce
HELP WANTED: Portland seeks citizens for city's Budget Committee
Mary Jo MarkleThe city is looking for citizens to assist in advising Council about city priorities and budget decisions. Facing necessary cuts in next year's budget, citizens on the budget committee will be able to weigh in on how city money is spent. Commissioner Adams led the effort to put 5 citizens...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 22, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, East Portland, Front Page, Good Government, North Portland, Northeast Portland, Northwest Portland, Our Initiatives, Southeast Portland (inner), Southwest Portland
DEQ fines Portland for discharging sewage
Maria Thi Mai
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) notified the City of Portland today that it will assess nearly $449,800 in civil penalties against the City for 67 sewer system discharges into the Willamette River and four of its tributaries over the last five years...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on November 21, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment
River Trust brings agency heads together
Maria Thi MaiLast Friday afternoon (Nov 18), Sam convened a meeting of federal and state agency directors to identify collectively environmental priorities for the coming year. The River Trust was originally initiated by Sam when he was Chief of Staff in the Mayor's Office and builds on the 2001 River Renaissance Vision....
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on November 21, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Good Government
The High Cost of Low Price
Mary Jo Markle
Sam assured the crowd that attended the noontime screening of Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price in Sellwood's Moreland Theater, that he would do whatever he could to help stop a Walmart from setting up shop in Sellwood...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 19, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Good Government, Jobs & Economy, Our Initiatives, Wal-Mart
650 Serve
Guest AuthorNortheast Precinct Commander Bret Smith recently told me about the efforts of people connected to Westside Christian High School. I asked Bret if someone would write a guest blog and let people know the details of the kind of volunteer efforts that make our community a better place for all....
Posted by Guest Author on November 18, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Events
Roundtable Discussion: Choosing Criteria for Burnside-Couch Improvements
Sam AdamsSoon, Council will have to make a decision on proposed plans to improve Burnside Street. Currently, plans drafted by PDOT with community input call for making Burnside and Couch Streets into a couplet, with both Burnside and Couch becoming one-way streets. People feel very strongly about this plan - whether...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 16, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Front Page, Office of Transportation, Transportation
The Netherlands - Where the Bicycle is King
Guest AuthorOur guest author is Linda Ginenthal, PDOT's Program Manager of Transportation Options. She recently returned from the trip to the Netherlands, led by Commissioner Adams which was comprised of a delegation of various transportation officials and citizen advocates. Amsterdam is a world-class bicycling city. From October 30 to November 5,...
Posted by Guest Author on November 16, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Holland, Office of Transportation, Transportation
BLOG: “Alms for a poor City?”
Sam Adams
The Oregonian newspaper described this trip as "the odd couple goes to Washington DC." My traveling companion City Commissioner Randy Leonard, feigned umbrage at this newspaper description believing that it stereotyped him in the Oscar Madison roll (please, he has an axe mounted on his office wall!) and me as the urbane Felix Unger...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 15, 2005
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Filed Under Blog, Environmental Services, Front Page
Eco-Logical
Guest AuthorBrett Holstrom, Environmental Specialist in the environmental pollution prevention group and Linc Mann, BES communications. Brett was instrumental in initiating this program with the City and its local businesses. A good idea born in Portland has gone statewide. In 1999, the regional Pollution Prevention Outreach (P20) Team launched the Eco-Logical...
Posted by Guest Author on November 15, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment
A conversation with Sam Adams: 100 businesses; innumerable goals
Mary Jo MarkleRead an interview with Sam published by The Daily Journal of...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 15, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, APNBA, Jobs & Economy, News, Our Initiatives
Buy Them as Holiday Gifts for Your Family and Friends: Support Oregon's Award Winning Authors
Sam Adams
Saying she liked coming to Portland, “where authors are treated like rock stars,” author Pam Houston opened the 19th annual Oregon Book Awards I attended last night in Northeast Portland’s recently restored Wonder Ballroom. “I am in love with Colorado, but when I feel like having an ‘affair,’ I think of the Pacific Northwest,” says Houston. The Oregon Book Awards...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 12, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Front Page
BLOG: Thank You, Portland Area Veterans
Sam AdamsThanks for participating in today's 31st Veterans' Day parade. I am honored to be here today. Thanks to the Hollywood Boosters for helping to put on this parade. Thanks also to Jerry Wiley, Sr., the Ross Hollywood Chapel and Veteran’s Day Planning Committee for their efforts on this event. My...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 11, 2005
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Public Safety
Inside the sewers with Sam
Maria Thi Mai
Last Thursday Sam and I had "sewer training" so we could safely be hoisted down a man hole and into a 1906 brick sewer off of SE 17th. Our sewer tour...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on November 10, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment
Citizens Gain Seats at City Budget Making Table
Mary Jo MarklePortland City Council unanimously voted to add citizens to the city's budget committee in a Council session on Wednesday, November 9, 2005. 5 Portland residents will be selected to: recommend programs, operations and policies; provide advice about budget and service issues; and assist Council in planning for the future. The...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 9, 2005
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Filed Under East Portland, Front Page, Good Government, News, North Portland, Northeast Portland, Northwest Portland, Our Initiatives, Southeast Portland (inner), Southwest Portland
Why should people who don't use sidewalks pay for them?
Maria Thi MaiOn our way to last night's Multnomah Neighborhood Association's monthly meeting, we were almost hit by an oncoming car on Capital Highway near the Hoot Owl market. This near miss underscored some of the safety issues raised by some of the 40 neighbors who came to hear Sam talk about...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on November 9, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, Southwest Portland
War on Weeds
Guest AuthorJayne Cronlund is the Executive Director of Three Rivers Land Conservancy. Monday's Town Hall on invasive species was a good step to educating all levels of the city government about the threat that invasive species pose to clean air, clean water and nature close to home of Portland citizens...
Posted by Guest Author on November 9, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment
The Most Important Profession
Jane AmesEducators are the most important professionals in our society. So says the Milken Family Foundation and it annually selects outstanding K-12 educators throughout the United States to honor for their dedication and excellence. On Tuesday, November 8th, a room full of educators, students, community members and various dignitaries gathered for...
Posted by Jane Ames on November 8, 2005
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Filed Under East Portland, Education, Front Page, News
YOUR TURN: Comment on BOP's 'Assessment of Burnside Transportation and Urban Design Plan; West Central Segment.'
Sam AdamsBurnside Couplet Stakeholders: The City Bureau of Planning has release its Assessment of Burnside Transportation and Urban Design Plan; West Central Segment.' Read it over and tell me what you think. Sam From the Bureau of Planning: November 2005In June of this year, the Bureau of Planning was asked to...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 8, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Transportation
Creativity: The Fuel in our Engine
Guest Author
Chris Coleman is the Artistic Director of Portland Center Stage: One of my favorite past times since moving to Portland has been reading about the city’s history. This might come as a surprise to my friends back in Atlanta, because during the 27 years I lived there, I don’t think I ever cracked a book about my hometown’s history...
Posted by Guest Author on November 8, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Speeches & Testimony
BLOG: I Meet Dino the Patron Saint of North Portland's Feral Cats
Sam AdamsI bring the garbage cans and recycling bins back to the side of my house. It was a busy day of tram meetings. I change out of my suit. My house is dark and quiet. Its Friday and it feels good to be home. I go to the front porch...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 7, 2005
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, North Portland
Invasive Species to be Discussed at Town Hall
Brian Russell
Time for some tough talk about weeds...Commissioner Sam Adams will be hosting his Town Hall on Invasive Plant Species this afternoon from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Cascade Crest Room in the Oregon Zoo. Dr. Mark Sytsma from PSU's Center for Lakes and Reservoirs will be making the keynote address...
Posted by Brian Russell on November 6, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment, Our Initiatives
"Why don't the 'walk' signals give you enough time to cross the street?"
Maria Thi MaiWhy don't the 'walk' signals give you enough time to cross the street and why aren't there sidewalks on Taylor's Ferry? were several among many questions students asked Commissioner Adams. This afternoon in the pouring rain, Sam and I stopped by Jackson Middle School to acknowledge Rob Coats' students for...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on November 4, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, News, Southwest Portland
Prosperity Now! Success
Guest AuthorBy Rob Mawson. Rob is the President of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations. Rob recently chaired the committee to plan Prosperity Now!, a daylong seminar on small business, growth management, and economic competitiveness. It sounds a bit like a 12-step program, and perhaps there are elements of that...
Posted by Guest Author on November 4, 2005
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Filed Under APNBA, Jobs & Economy
Thoughts about the Drug-Free, Prostitution-Free Zone Changes and the Forums
Jane AmesI spent the evening of Nov. 1st at the forum held by Mayor Potter to discuss the current Drug-Free Exclusion and Prostitution-Free Exclusion Zone ordinances and the proposed changes. It was a good crowd of between 125-150 that gathered at Emanuel Temple in North Portland. I join others in thanking...
Posted by Jane Ames on November 2, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, Public Safety
Ready, Set,...Winter
Jane AmesTuesday Nov. 1st was ruled by weather. The day began with a downpour that flooded streets and basements, sent people into sandbagging efforts, and I know the PDOT maintenance workers had a wet, hardworking day. Thank you to all the people working to help make our community safe and functioning...
Posted by Jane Ames on November 2, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, Office of Transportation
UPDATE: Lobbying Regulation
Mary Jo MarkleAfter ten months of developing a policy to disclose city lobbying activity (read The Oregonian article: When you get buy-in, things get complex), Council was set to vote on Commissioner Adams' lobbying regulation on October 19. However, a few days before the Council date, Commissioner Leonard handed Sam an alternative...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 1, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Good Government, Our Initiatives
Police Recording System: FIX IT
Jane AmesThe Portland Police Department’s reporting, recording, filing and distribution system must be improved soon. Our focus need to be on what the most efficient path forward is, from right now. It's unacceptable that our officers are spending time handwriting reports which then are routed through an archaic and inefficient process...
Posted by Jane Ames on November 1, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, Public Safety
Car Prowlers are the Ultimate Window Shoppers
Jane AmesSam and PDOT (Portland Department of Transportation), are developing a partnership with the Police Bureau, Smart Park, ONI (the Office of Neighborhood Involvement), and Mayor Potter’s Office. We will be placing signs on the green parking pay stations in the downtown area, printing reminders on parking receipts, and creating signs...
Posted by Jane Ames on November 1, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Public Safety, Transportation
