Archives : Posts By Author : Sam Adams
Posts by Sam AdamsPortland City Commissioner
You Are Invited to Portland's 1st Bike Summit on Saturday, June 17
Bicycling Magazine calls Portland the number one bicycling city in all of North America - The League of American Bicyclists rates Portland Gold along with four other U.S. cities. Commissioner Sam Adams and the bicycling community want to Go Platinum! No large city has the highest Platinum status. On Saturday,...June 8, 2006 in Front Page, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0)
UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Begins
Bad news, it is confirmed that Wal-Mart is on the march into Portland with a new location on Hayden Island. Soon, we will announce an organizing meeting to fight their proposal. Stay tuned. Thanks for all the blog posts and emails. To keep the dialog going, here are my thoughts...May 31, 2006 in Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Livability & Environment, News, North Portland, Transportation, Wal-Mart | Permalink | Comments (106) | TrackBack (0)
I-5 Delta Park Freeway Improvement Project Moves Forward
These have been my goals in representing Portland on the I-5 Delta Park freeway improvement project: • Remove the freeway bottle neck in the Delta Park area in North Portland; • Provide for better northbound access to I-5 from North Columbia Blvd; • Get trucks and traffic trying...
May 24, 2006 in Front Page, North Portland, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: "I would like to believe we have nothing to hide..."
My thanks to Mayor Tom Potter for bringing to light the startling revelation that the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation sought to establish a city staff informant inside Portland City Hall. I would like to believe we have nothing to hide and the FBI is welcome to...May 24, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (26) | TrackBack (2)
BLOG: Freight Master Plan: It's About Time!
It’s about time! Portland is the nation’s 4th largest domestic and international freight hub comprised of 12,500 areas of industrial land, which includes: marine; rail; air modes; highways; and pipelines. One out of 9 jobs in the Portland area are in the transportation and logistics sectors. Until now, we have...May 3, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBack (1)
BLOG: "I am the product of subsidized, affordable housing..."
This is a summary of the comments I made at today's City Council meeting regarding the housing resolution that I co-sponsored with Commissioner Erik Sten:
I am the product of subsidized, affordable housing. My single Mom raised four wily and independent kids while she attended college. She was able to do so because of affordable housing programs and other public benefit programs we were fortunate enough to be eligible for...
April 26, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Housing | Permalink | Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)
Driver Distraction Causes Accidents
While I care deeply about creating a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly transportation system that supports a healthy and dynnamic economy and healthy, livable neighborhoods, safety is my number one priority. I believe that one fatality on the road is one too many. That is why I held Portland's first Transportation Safety Summit to get people focused on ways that we can make Portland's streets safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.April 21, 2006 in Front Page, News, Office of Transportation, Public Safety, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Fixed Costs on Tram Contracts and More Funding for Affordable Housing, Parks and Transportation Are Reasons Why I Voted to Move Forward SoWa
My comments today at the Portland City Council meeting today: I am pleased—and yes, a little bit relieved—to support this resolution. This is not necessarily the easiest resolution to support, as it represents an agreement that is less than perfect. However, at the end of the day, it’s one that has earned my support. As the stakeholders will attest, I have been a demanding participant on behalf of taxpayers during these negotiations. But I’m convinced this is the right thing to do...April 12, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Tram, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (55) | TrackBack (0)
Go "Recon"figure
The Portland Public Schools Configuration Strategy has been proposed to the school board by Superintendent Phillips. Stark questions rise to the surface: school closures or reconfigurations? Will the newly reconfigured schools be K-8 models, or will young kids be put in with older, middle schoolers? Are schools of between 400-600...April 10, 2006 in Education, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
The Costs of Stopping the Tram
A lot of people have been asking me and my staff about the specific costs of stopping the tram project. After talking with city staff, our office learned that coming up with a solid cost figure is difficult because it would require speculation on many costs due to legal uncertainties. They did give me an estimated "floor" to such costs (the lower limit of we could owe). Right now, that floor stands at $36 million, though it could increase...March 29, 2006 in Front Page, Tram, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (58) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: An interesting discussion on school funding
An interesting discussion about school funding took place at a City Council meeting this morning that I would like your feedback on… …should the City Council add another $5 million to the $10 million in one-time City resources yesterday pledged for schools in Portland? The proposed additional $5 million would be used to allow more time for public input before the decision is made to close schools.March 17, 2006 in Blog, Education, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (30) | TrackBack (1)
BLOG: Staff Response to Questions about Views and Terwilliger Parkway Guidelines
I received this email in follow up to a question posed last night at the tram town hall. Following the email are the replies I received from staff...March 15, 2006 in Tram, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (1)
Blog: 200+ Attend Tram Town Hall
About 200+ people attended the tram town hall meeting tonight, hosted by Mayor Tom Potter and me. Participants asked about 60 questions that covered a lot of ground. Staff representatives from Portland Office of Transportation, Portland Development Commission, Office of Management and Finance and the City Attorney’s office answered questions...March 14, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Tram | Permalink | Comments (46) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: East Burnside/Couch Couplet Moves Forward
The City Council just approved my request today authorizing preliminary engineering and outside review of cost estimates for the East Burnside/Couch Couplet project. This action distinguishes decision-making for the proposed East and West Burnside/Couplets.March 9, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (34) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Little has been done recently to help Oregon’s GLBTQ community
My remarks to the Oregon Queer Youth Conference, Saturday February 25, 2006, 10:00 AM, Catlin Gabel School: In the past year, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community (LGBTQ) has achieved strides in acceptance with the popular movies like, “Brokeback Mountain” and with critical recognition for other queer-themed movies...February 25, 2006 in Blog, Equality, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
February 24th BLOG Update: Oregon's Irish Famine Memorial Foundation Complete
Surrounded by soggy green hills and shrouded in fog, it was a perfectly Irish morning for us to break ground on Oregon's Irish Famine Memorial. Victor General Father Dennis O'Donovan along with Father Joseph Brown blessed the gathering. Tim Birr played the bagpipes. City Commissioner Randy Leonard and I said...
February 24, 2006 in Arts & Culture, Blog, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: A very interesting idea to promote bike-oriented development
Hello All: Jim Labbe recently emailed me with a very interesting idea to promote bike-oriented development linked to existing and future trail and bike paths. I thought I would post it to gather your comments. Sam Commissioner Adams, I had a policy brainstorm this weekend whilst out dreaming and scheming...February 24, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Third Columbia River Crossing Instead of Replacing I-5 Bridge?
The I-5 bridge is a major lifeline for our community, linking Portland and Washington and carrying the freight, commuters, and traffic that support the economy and vitality of the region and the entire West Coast. While it has served us well over 88 years, the bridge has been stretched far...February 22, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (39) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Leave No Brick Unpainted...
This morning, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Measure 37, thereby ensuring that Measure 37 will continue to have a powerful impact on land use regulations in Portland. City Council has recently seen what I think was a terrible unintended consequence of Measure 37: applications for larger-than-life billboards...February 21, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Good Government, Livability & Environment | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack (1)
BLOG: The Plight of the Working Poor Gets Some In-Depth Newspaper Focus...In Seattle
To learn their plight firsthand and help put a spotlight on Portland's working poor, this summer I worked 100 hours at Portland's lowest paying jobs. I worked as a cashier, retail salesperson, waiter, receptionist, hotel maid, janitor and more. [Read More...] Based on what I learned, my staff and I...February 20, 2006 in 100 Hours, Blog, Front Page, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: We Must Stop Lurching From One “Temporary” Local School Funding Crisis To The Next...
Today’s Education Summit at the Convention Center identified some of the raw materials for our school funding solutions: • one-time local government contributions;• limited school districts budget cuts;• business tax surcharge with tax reform;• local property tax levy in the fall;• new funding source for schools, like a cell phone...February 16, 2006 in Blog, Education, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
"...Portland says it's not liable for cost overruns..."
City's view of tram's cost adds to dispute Project - Portland says it's not liable for cost overruns, a legal opinion OHSU is reviewing Thursday, February 09, 2006 RYAN FRANK The Oregonian When the cost to build Portland's aerial tram jumped last year, Oregon Health Science University and South Waterfront...February 10, 2006 in Tram, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Local household budgets are exhausted...Mayor Tom Potter is right to call an Education Summit
Portland’s median family income has taken a beating in recent years, while our cost of living has gone up, up and up. In the 11 years and three local school funding measures that I've worked on, I always wondered how low average incomes would have to decline before voters would...February 9, 2006 in Blog, Education, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (78) | TrackBack (0)
Proposed Budget for PDOT Submitted
This week, I submitted to Mayor Potter my proposed budget for the Office of Transportation (PDOT). You can read the cover letter of PDOT's proposed budget here. As you might already know, after I was assigned the commissioner-in-charge of PDOT 7 months ago, I learned that I was inheriting a...February 9, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Office of Transportation, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (2)
OREGONIAN OP ED: Support for tram is not a blank check
Friday, February 10, 2006 The Oregonian By City Commissioner Sam Adams Support for tram is not a blank check I make plenty of mistakes. You can ask anybody. Prematurely announcing the resignation of the Portland tram project's executive director was a pretty visible one. But while I am happy to...February 9, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Tram | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
PORTLAND TRIBUNE OP ED: Accountability counts most
By SAM ADAMS; Issue date: Fri, Feb 3, 2006 The Portland Tribune As a promoter of local public-private partnerships, I read with interest your Jan. 27 editorial, “Building trust takes long time.” I strongly agree with your editorial statement that “economic and community development best occur when municipal, private and...February 3, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Tram | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
I wanted to take a moment to give special recognition to Nolan Mackrill, with your Parking Enforcement Division
Ron, Thank you for taking the time to write me about the great work of Nolan Mackrill and his team. They have a tough job and they work hard to do well. Yours, Sam -----Original Message-----From: Ron Gladney [mailto:rgladney@bensonhotel.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 4:32 PMTo: 'samadams@ciportland.or.us'Cc: 'Argentina, Eileen'Subject: Recognition...January 22, 2006 in Office of Transportation | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Tram staff changes complete; tram audit results expected in February
The tram project has been the source of a lot of news these past weeks, and rightly so. I want to give you an update, as well as provide a forum for discussion around the recent events. Today Vic Rhodes resigned as the Executive Director (PDF) of Portland Aerial Transportation,...January 20, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Office of Transportation, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (35) | TrackBack (2)
BLOG: "...regarding Tryon Creek Farm...I will never, ever vote for you again..."
I thought you might find this recent email exchange about the Tryon Creek Farm interesting. For background information...
January 8, 2006 in Blog, Front Page, Livability & Environment | Permalink | Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)
Citywide Graffiti Clean-Up Program Saved
Threatened with even deeper proposed cuts, Mayor Tom Potter and I successfully lobbied the City Council to keep $80,000 in one-time General Fund resources in the Fiscal Year 2005-05 to fund a citywide graffiti abatement program. Related Documents Adopted Budget, City of Portland, Oregon, Fiscal Year 2005-06, Volume One, Bureau...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Audit of City's Police Review Process Funded
Fulfilling a campaign promise, City Commissioner Erik Sten and I proposed $60,000 in one-time funding for an outside review of the City Auditor’s Independent Police Review (IPR) Division. In an effort to improve police accountability to the public, the Portland City Council four years ago passed an ordinance creating the...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
New Neighborhood Grants Program Funded
In the FY 2005-06 Requested Budget, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) proposed cuts to neighborhood mediation, graffiti abatement and seniors service programs. Working with Commissioner Erik Sten we rejected these proposed cuts to key community services. Instead, we trimmed the ONI's central administration to create a $500,000 Community Investment...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Good Government | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
PDOT's $1 Million Proposed Cut to Street Maintenance Rejected: $1 Million Added Instead
As part of their Fiscal year 2005-2006 budget request, the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) proposed cutting $1 million from the fund that pays for street and road maintenance. The City of Portland has a 12,000 block backlog in street maintenance. Working with Commissioner Erik Sten, we proposed denial of...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Central City Sidewalk Scrubbing and Street Cleaning Spared the City Budget Axe
As part of their Fiscal Year 2005-2006 budget request, the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) proposed a signifcant reduction in downtown sidewalk scrubbing and street cleaning services with a proposed cut of $767,000. Working with Commissioner Erik Sten, we proposed denial of PDOT’s request and funding was continued. Related Documents...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Last Saturday, I visited 4 porn stores, 5 strip clubs and 7 bars in 5 hours…
…walking along West Burnside and NW Couch streets. I personally canvassed business-by-business, door-to-door to invite owners and managers to a meeting January 4th, 5:00 pm, Port of Portland Building, to discuss the need to either (1) slow down the traffic on West Burnside or...
December 19, 2005 in Blog, Downtown Portland, Front Page, Northwest Portland, Southwest Portland, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (2)
Portland Update: Get Ready for Snow or Ice: Take Transit
We are getting prepared; we need you to get prepared, too. This is the information we received today from our weather forcasting service: SPECIAL WEATHER UPDATESUNDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2005*** Windy, Cold Today, then snow/sleet/ZR tonight! ****** Snowy/sleety/Icy Monday thru Wednesday, then warmer? *** Take transit. THE CITY IN A SNOW...December 18, 2005 in Front Page, Office of Transportation, Public Safety, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Yes, I will mow your lawn...
Some of you may remember when I was asked to mow the lawn of a neighbor. Some of you may remember I had never met this person before in my life. Well, I've gone and done it again...
December 15, 2005 in Front Page | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Portland Tribune: Stink still rises in city sewer deal: Political skirmish at state level may have brought on EPA heat
Stink still rises in city sewer deal: Political skirmish at state level may have brought on EPA heat By NICK BUDNICK Issue date: Fri, Dec 9, 2005 The Tribune -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Even as Portlanders are spending more than $6,000 per household to fix the city’s antiquated sewage system, the federal government...December 11, 2005 in Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
From My In-Box: I was disappointed and, frankly, annoyed, to hear that the city is calling the Christmas Tree simply a 'tree'...
Call it what you want; it still looks great. -----Original Message----- From: Mary Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 6:04 PM To: Commissioner Sam Subject: ? Tree Dear City of Portland, I was disappointed and, frankly, annoyed, to hear that the city is calling the Christmas Tree simply a 'tree'. As...December 11, 2005 in Blog, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack (2)
PUBLIC FORUM ON TRANSPORTATION BUDGET PRIORITIES
Please join me for the most important discussion on Portland's transportation priorities in years, and for years to come. It is only with the public's input that I will make the wisest choices on where to direct the Office of Transportation's budget. Please come - and be ready to tackle...December 7, 2005 in Events, Front Page, Good Government, Office of Transportation, Our Initiatives, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBack (1)
Bridging the Gap- PDOT Budget Review Task Force Meets
As you might already know, the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) is facing a significant gap between its revenues and its expenditures. Currently, it's projected that we are facing roughly an $8 million annual shortfall in PDOT's General Revenue Fund, or about $43 million over 5 years. The two main...December 7, 2005 in Front Page, Good Government, Office of Transportation, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Portland Aerial Tram Gains New Project Manager; Tram Board Adds 5 Additional Members
Commissioner Sam Adams today announced that Robert Barnard will assume full-time project-management responsibilities for the Portland Aerial Tram. Barnard replaces the outgoing project manager, Don Irwin, a Tri-Met employee who was managing the Portland Tram project part-time until his expertise was again required full-time for Interstate-205 Light Rail and Downtown...December 4, 2005 in Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The Cost of Congestion to the Economy of the Portland Region
Metro, Portland Business Alliance, the Port of Portland, Oregon Department of Transportation and other public and private sector partners commissioned a study by the Economic Development Research Group of Boston, MA to provide information about the relationship between investments in transportation and the economy. The results of the study, released...December 4, 2005 in Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Notice to City Employees: Inclement Weather Policy
With 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...November 30, 2005 in Environmental Services, Office of Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
CITY AUDITOR RELEASES 15th ANNUAL REPORT ON CITY GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE
CITY 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...November 29, 2005 in Good Government | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
UPDATE: Stop the Tram Project? The Implications
Here 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...November 27, 2005 in Front Page, Southwest Portland, Tram, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (53) | TrackBack (1)
Wild in the City: Exploring Downtown Water Gardens and Ecoroofs
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.
November 27, 2005 in Downtown Portland, Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (1)
BLOG: Portland’s Sewer Commissioner (Me) Visits “Urinetown”
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.
November 26, 2005 in Arts & Culture, Blog, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
BLOG: Support Proposed Portland Freight Master Plan
Initiated 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...November 25, 2005 in Blog, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Office of Transportation, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Baseball: MLB and PGE Park
-----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...November 25, 2005 in Downtown Portland, Good Government, News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Are We Creating Enough Living Wage Jobs? NO!
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...
November 25, 2005 in 100 Hours, Economic Dashboard, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Workforce | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Roundtable Discussion: Choosing Criteria for Burnside-Couch Improvements
Soon, 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...November 16, 2005 in Downtown Portland, Front Page, Office of Transportation, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)