Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams

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 17 from 8:30 to 1:30 pm, Portland area residents are invited to join neighborhood and bicycling advocates to learn how we got to be the best in the U.S. and find out about all the exciting and fun ways to get involved to make Portland a world-class bicycling city.

Three hundred participants from all corners of the bicycling and neighborhood sector are expected to attend.

In addition to the plenaries and workshops Portland Transportation will release a report on Portland's Bicycle-Related Business Activity compiled from a survey of more than 100 industry, tourism and professional businesses in Portland.

Workshop topics include:

Portland's I Share the Road campaign
Innovations in Bikeways Here and Abroad
Who Put the Fun in Bike Fun? From Breakfast on the Bridges to Pedalpalooza
New Laws for Bikes - What Strategies are on the Horizon
Why Do People Not Ride - Really (or How to Get My Next Door Neighbor/Co-worker/Friend on a Bike).

Where: Portland State University, Smith Center, 1825 SW Broadway

When: Saturday, June 17, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Bike Summit will offer many opportunities for neighbors to give feedback on expanding and improving the bike network.

To sign up contact Linda Ginenthal: Linda.Ginenthal@pdxtrans.org.

Tram Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Periodically, we ask guest authors to post on our blog. This post is written by Rob Barnard, the PDOT project manager who has taken the reins of the Tram project on Sam's request. He has had a challenging job but is handling it terrifically. We asked Rob to write a post about something that we have been hearing requests for for quite some time: a lifecycle cost analysis of the tram which outlines its annual operating costs.

It has taken a while for us to compile this analysis because we lacked a few pieces of important information until recently. Most notably, we needed to wait for both the final capital cost of the project and for the tram operations and maintenance contract to be bid out and finalized. Now that these things have both happened, we are happy to share the lifecycle cost analysis with the public.

_____________________________________________________

Post by Rob Barnard, Project Manager,
Bureau of Transporation Engineering and Development

Life cycle cost analysis is a tool used to determine the total costs of design options to facilitate decision making. The analysis calculates the cost of owning and operating an asset from installation throughout its useful life. It calculates the cost of building a facility plus the net present value of on-going maintenance and operating costs. Net present value (also called Discounting) is a calculation that allows future costs to be compared to one another regardless of when they occur during the life of the asset.

The life cycle cost analysis for the tram includes information from many sources. In an effort to be as accurate as possible, resolution of the final capital cost of the project was needed. Receipt of the tram operator’s last and final best offer to operate and maintain the tram was obtained. Consultation with a knowledgeable tram way specialist to develop estimates for a Major Maintenance Reserve fund was performed. Discussions were held with an elevator consultant on the annual cost to operate and maintain the elevator plus estimated future modernization costs. Estimates were also developed for security services, special structural inspections, City and OHSU staff costs, roof replacement, tower painting, ticket machine replacement, utilities, engineering, training and other related items.

In today’s dollars the annual life cycle cost of the tram is estimated at $2,735,200 of which the City’s share is $409,280. The City’s share contains the annual cost of $170,000 for construction of the tram plus $239,280 for operation and maintenance. (This assumes a 50 year lifespan for the tram facilities and 4% inflation.)

You look at more specifics on a pdf spreadsheet of the tram lifecycle cost anlaysis here.

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 on some of the more "disagreeable" blog posts:

BLOG COMMENT: Yellow Line construction, I was dismayed that a solution to light rail to Jantzen Beach/Hayden Island was not reached

ME: I agree. I will push consideration of an extension to Hayden Island in the next Lightrail expansion package to Milwaukie.

BLOG COMMENT: I love Wal-Mart !!! Bring them in. All it can do is help everyone. Don't discriminate just because they aren't unionized !!!!

ME: Costco and Winco are not unionized but they pay the workers well, offer good health care coverage and low prices.

BLOG COMMENT: …it's discrimination towards the lower and middle class folks that benefit from Wal-Marts lower prices.

ME: The SoCal study shows that Wal-Mart’s low wages erode wages of all grocery workers. Another independent study showed Wal-Mart had the highest level (40%) workers eligible for government subsidized benefits.

BLOG COMMENT: I look at all those studies from the links you've posted but at the end of the day it's all biased.

ME: No study is perfect, but I am satisfied the studies we’ve linked to are reasonable.

BLOG COMMENT: Maybe it's because you don't want lower income or lower class Oregonians to have a chance.

ME: I grew up as one of those “lower class Oregonians.” Again, I’m tired of one of the largest most profitable companies in the world – Wal-Mart – being such a bad company. Costco (nonunion), Fred Meyer, Safeway, Winco (nonunion) and many other retailers treat their employees well, offer low prices and make profits.

BLOG COMMENT: If you are going to attack one specific business for low pay and what you view as less than favorable employee practices, then go after all of them, large or small, mom and pop, all that have the same characteristics.

ME: Wal-Mart is one of the largest most profitable companies in the world. I believe that from those that have more, more is expected.

BLOG COMMENT: Not bad Sam - letting personal bias take over for facts.

ME: My opposition to Wal-Mart is based on facts. I am not alone in my perspective.

BLOG COMMENT: This town is SO anti-business…

I believe in ethical capitalism. No business is perfect. But the businesses I support are making the effort to treat their employees well, be good civic partners and seek to limit their impacts on the environment. The facts demonstrate to me that Wal-Mart fails the basic test of ethical capitalism.

I have visited or helped over 160 businesses so far as City Commissioner. My priority for Portland is to improve its business climate for small locally owned businesses.

BLOG COMMENT: Mom and pop businesses. In Jantzen Beach? It is already filled with big boxes.

ME: There are 100s of small businesses in Hayden Island, Vancouver, and North Portland that will be affected. I live in North Portland so I know the neighborhoods well.

BLOG COMMENT: If the roads at Hayden Island are not sufficient to handle the traffic generated by a large shopping mall, what have we been doing for thirty years?

ME: As bad as it is, it can get worse if Wal-Mart is allowed to go ahead. This Wal-Mart would replace a lower traffic-generator hotel with a new massive traffic-generator big box retailer.

BLOG COMMENT: Jantzen Beach needs help, and I think WalMart is well positioned to draw shoppers, provide jobs, and attract other businesses who will benefit from their relocation.

ME: I fear just the opposition will happen.

BLOG COMMENT: …why don't you and Sam coerce Portland-area restaurants into providing bennies and a "living wage" for all their employees?

ME: Wal-Mart is not a small local company trying to make ends meet.

BLOG COMMENT: You want to impress me Sam...name 5 stores in Jantzen Mall that AREN'T big box stores...bet ya can't.

ME: Over 13 Jantzen Mall stores (not including businesses on the Island outside the Mall) that would face Wal-Mart competition: Island Hobbies; Magic Fest; Boater's World; Tickets & More; On The Spot Engraving; Knotty Wood; Highlander; H. & B. Trading Post; Blankets & More; Oriental Gifts; GM & M Wireless; Casual Male; Catherine's; D'Lightful Candles & Gifts…

BLOG COMMENT: What support of economics? He has now said he doesn't want WalMart without any consideration of the collateral damage by discouraging other employers.

ME: I have considered this issue carefully. Wal-Mart has hundreds of millions of supporters just with its customer base. However, I am doing want believe to be in the best interest of Portland and Portlanders. Many Portland business owners do not consider Wal-Mart a fair competitor and do not support Wal-Mart's move into Portland.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Original Post May 29, 2006

Is Wal-Mart seeking to open a new store on Hayden Island?

We have reason to believe that Wal-Mart is gunning for a new 80,000 square foot big-box store on N. Hayden Island Drive at the old Red Lion Hotel property. That would make Wal-Mart, along with Hooter's Restaurant, one of the first things you'd see coming into the state from Washington. Welcome to Oregon!

I've made no secret of my opposition to new Wal-Marts in Portland. Yes, Wal-Mart can save consumers a few cents on most items. But the price of those few cents entails paying employees sub-standard wages, providing poor benefits, and draining the social services of the municipalities they move into. They drive out many small business owners and entrepreneurs we need to ensure Portland has a bright economic future. This is to say nothing of their undermining of U.S. businesses and manufacturers as they pressure their suppliers to outsource to China, or of their dismal environmental record.

On balance, there is no question Wal-mart is a bad neighbor.

In the last few years, this has become increasingly obvious to many communities across the nation. To cite only the very latest example, Hercules, a small town in California, took the unprecedented step of voting to use eminent domain to prevent a Wal-Mart in its town. To combat this trend, Wal-Mart predictably has spent a lot of money on a public relations campaign to purchase itself a new public image. It is a shame they wouldn't just pay their workers better and make sure they had health insurance with that same money.

(You can read more studies backing up these claims here.)

Aside from my personal view, I have an obligation as your Commissioner-in-Charge of the Portland Office of Transportation to evaluate the potential impacts on the city’s road and sewer infrastructure of a potential Wal-Mart. While a complete, professional analysis has not been done, I believe it is evident that problems lie ahead for Hayden Island should Wal-Mart force itself into the site of the former Red Lion Hotel.

Getting to and from Hayden Island is not easy. Island residents and visitors alike constantly remind me of the deplorable bicycle and pedestrian access both south to North Portland and north to Vancouver. As a practical matter, many feel driving a car is the only way to get home. Unfortunately, congestion on Interstate 5 in both directions is a very real daily burden for islanders. Had I been transportation commissioner when the Interstate Light Rail plan was finalized, I would have pushed for its extension to Hayden Island. For now, however, that’s not an option in the near term. So auto congestion is a daily fact of life for Hayden Island residents and businesses.
Now add Wal-Mart.

As your city commissioner, I spend time every day working to retain and create living wage jobs for Portlanders. A healthy local economy is essential to our city’s renowned quality of life. I wish I could support Wal-Mart’s expansion in Portland. Regrettably, their track record tells me loud and clear that I have to do the opposite. Wal-Mart needs to mature into a responsible corporate citizen. Until that happens, I will continue to fight their expansion in Portland.

Reuse or Recylce the Tower of Power

Should we save this 190 foot tower? It's a soon-to-be former transmission tower on Ross Island, which we're thinking could be fitted with stained glass and reused as a monument. Look at upclose photos here. What do you think?

What works in Work/Live?

We think Portland needs more work/live spaces where artists can devote time to living and working. The benefits are many--colalboration, cost savings, flexibility--but there are a lot of unknowns. For instance, what space is appropriate, and at what price? If affordability is key, can you sacrifice square feet? A dishwasher?

We're hoping you can take 5 minutes and let us know. Take this brief survey or leave your comments below.

Brownfield Investment Fund Receives $500,000

With more than 700 contaminated properties (Brownfields) across Portland, Commissioner Adams spearheaded an initiative to streamline the regulatory and redevelopment of these Brownfields by securing $500,000 to help property owners clean up and redevelop their property. This Brownfield Investment Fund will allow us to continue and build on the City's commitment to assess, cleanup, and redevelop properties and therefore contribute to Portland's economic prosperity.

Since 1996, Portland has received Federal funding to provide technical assistance on the complexity and costs of environmental assessment and cleanup to property owners. And it is the cost of cleanup that is often one of the biggest hurdles for property owners. By establishing this Brownfield Investment Fund, we will provide assistance for Brownfield redevelopment. Additionally, we've applied to the National Park Service for a Brownfield redevelopment grant. (see pdf file)

So, what is a Brownfield site? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a Brownfield site means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

Download 052206_groundwork_usa.pdf

Downtown to Gain Retail Czar

Downtown finding its inner mall
Commissioner envisions retail district to compete with suburban shopping
By NICK BUDNICK Issue date: Tue, May 16, 2006
The Portland Tribune

With downtown retailers increasingly competing with suburban shopping malls for customers, city Commissioner Sam Adams and the Portland Business Alliance are looking at a new approach — treat downtown more like a mall.
Adams says he hopes to formally announce a new public-private partnership to create and market downtown more like a coordinated retail district, or a mall, and “take it to a new level of operations and amenities” to help it do battle with suburban shopping centers such as Bridgeport Village in the Tigard-Tualatin area.
Adams says the idea has its roots at a shopping center convention in Las Vegas last year, where he was struck by the thought that the new generation of malls, called “lifestyle centers,” were in effect trying to emulate neighborhoods. “We have the makings of the world’s best lifestyle center here in the central city,” Adams says, “but we don’t look at it like that.”
The idea of taking downtown to the next level might seem delusional, given last year’s headlines about crime downtown, as well as the feeling of dread some downtown residents and business owners have concerning the two-year transit mall construction project slated to begin in January.
That project involves putting light rail down Fifth and Sixth avenues between Portland State University and Union Station, which is expected to increase traffic congestion substantially during construction. “This is going to be a huge thing for downtown,” says Sandra McDonough, president of the Portland Business Alliance.
But McDonough points to a recent report of a 19 percent drop in crime downtown, and says the concern over public safety is subsiding. As far as the transit mall goes, Adams says this is the perfect time to focus on downtown.
He says the idea is to take the existing discussions of helping retailers survive the traffic jams during the transit mall construction, part of a city program called “Keep Portland Moving,” and use those to talk about better ways of helping downtown thrive.
“We want to set our sights higher than simply keeping Portland moving,” he says. “This is keep Portland moving — and beyond.”
Adams is sparse on specifics, and so is McDonough, saying discussions are at an early stage. However, Scott Andrews, president of Melvin Mark Properties and chairman of the board of the PBA, went further.
“Sam came up with this idea five or six months ago that kind of said what we ought to do is instead of trying to turn this construction, which is obviously going to be destructive — not destructive, but messy for downtown — and use it as a tool to look at the marketing mix down there, and look at (downtown) as a shopping mall,” Andrews says. “I think the thinking is, Look, what downtown is competing against is a mall, so maybe if we thought and coordinated more like a mall, we would be better at competing with it.”
One way to do that, Andrews says, is to hire someone who works with property owners to establish the right retail mix that can best compete with suburban malls in attracting shoppers to downtown, perhaps working out of the Portland Business Alliance. The idea would be to start with property owners and retailers on the transit mall, and “hopefully it would be so successful that you could expand it.”
Of course, the idea of a retail czar working with City Hall and property owners to select what retail outlets are desirable could be controversial with some store owners already doing business here. It will be touchy, Andrews says, which is why he thinks it probably needs to be someone from out of town, who is not viewed as in bed with any particular downtown interest.
In any case, it’s clear that Adams is tapping into a feeling among many downtown denizens and businesspeople, that City Hall has lost its focus on maintaining downtown as a place where people want to be.
Sarah Shaoul, the former owner of Retread Threads, a now-defunct funky used-clothing store that was in downtown’s West End, says she agrees that downtown needs more focus.
She says the danger is if the new strategy merely focuses on attracting new chain stores downtown, like what’s happened in the Pearl District with REI and North Face. “I’ve never seen the Portland Business Alliance really understanding (the importance to) keep the dollars local and support local projects,” she says. “I mean, I like the Pearl, but it’s kind of boring. … When you look at it closely, it’s just a bunch of mail-order catalogs lined up next to each other.”
Rob Mawson, a consultant who until recently served as the president of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations. He says what’s needed goes beyond just one person working with property owners: It’s a serious mobilization to keep Portland moving.
“I’m glad Sam is asking the question, and hopefully they’ll be able to steamroll this into something (larger),” he says. “If this is the endgame, then I think it’s not going to be successful — but if it’s the starting point, then I think it has potential.”

Neighborhood Parking Benefit Program Summit

Representatives from the Neighborhood and Business Associations gathered together to hear more about the Neighborhood Parking Benefit Program. Approximately 50 people attended to listen to presentations about the "Cost of Free Parking," the Lloyd District Transportation Management Association and the Bureau of Planning Corridor Study.

Sam opened the summit taking questions and concerns about what they know about this program. Our first presenter was Douglas Kolozsvari's, Environmental Planner for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. He was a graduate student researcher for Professor Donald Shoup, one of the leading researchers on parking policies and author of "The High Cost of Free Parking." His presentation focused on the cost of free parking and the example of Old Town Pasedena.

Next, Rick Williams, Executive Director for Lloyd District Transportation Management Association, discussed the benefits of metered parking in the district.

Steve Dotterrer, Principle Planner with Portland Bureau of Planning, talked about their corridor study.

The summit can be viewed via streaming video, just click here!

The next steps will be to meet with each corridor to discuss initial data analysis. Coming soon will be a website for this program.....stay tuned!

June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates Pride

City Hall 1st Thursday Celebrates Pride
Thursday June 1st 5-7pm
City Hall 1220 SW 4th Portland

Come join us for a night of Queer art celebrating the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer community at Portland’s City Hall. This historic 1st Thursday event is a collaboration with Portland’s City Council and Queer community organizations in highlighting the contributions of the LGBTQ community through art, food, and entertainment.

For more information about the featured artists, go to the indepth article in JustOut:

JustOut

Commissioner Adams is particularly excited about this event and says: “June’s 1st Thursday Queer art show is a milestone event; it will be the first LBGTQ open house at City Hall. This is an opportunity not only to celebrate the important artistic contributions from the gay community, but also a way to better connect with your elected officials and one another.”—Commissioner Sam Adams

Featuring works from members of art collectives:

QuArt

Terra Wilcoxson
Tony le Tigre
Mike Kabler
Vicky Frankland
Molly Jochem
Kate Stock
Jamie Winterhawke
Michael J. Wahl

PAGLA

David Strough
Jerilyn Adams
Lulla Boots
Paul Soriano
Larry Cwik
Mar Goman
Bouch de St. Rough

Entertainment:

Darleen Salomon-Rodgers AKA Blaque Butterfly
Alela
Kate Mann

Refreshments:

Eat Your Heart Out

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 to get on the freeway out of Kenton neighborhood; and,

• Obtain new neighborhood mitigation resources for North Portland.

Today, for the most part, we have moved forward these goals. The freeway will be widened by one lane. Alternative 2 “Argyle on the Hill” is the most cost effective method of improving northbound I-5 access while keeping more trucks out of the heart of Kenton. This allows for redevelopment of key blocks at the N. Denver and N. Interstate intersection. A neighborhood mitigation fund in the amount of $1 million has been established to build trails along the Columbia Slough.

Today the Portland City Council approved the resolution unanimously. This is a summary of some of the testimony I heard today...

“These challenges are not Oregon or Washington’s alone, they are the nation’s, this is a vital link to connect to industrial land,” said Vancouver Washington Mayor Royce Pollard. “This addresses along a standing problem. This is not a cure all for rush hour traffic but it will provide more reliable connections.”

“We recognize that we have made some mistake in the past coordinating with the city and in providing enough citizen involvement, on this project we implemented a very open and transparent process for this process.” Charlie Sciscoine, ODOT Deputy Region 1 Manager.

“Truly groundbreaking in a collaborate effort, we have been invited to the design process…we were heard, “Jeri Sundvall Williams, of the the environmental justice action group. “We are lucky to live in this area where we have these open processes.”

“This vital freeway link that is operating at overcapacity, Tracy Whelan, member of the Portland Freight Committee. “We support this proposal.”

“We strongly support this proposal,” said Doretta Schrock, of the Kenton Neighborhood Association. “We concluded there was not a perfect alternative but we appreciate the process that got us here.”

“We respectfully disagree with hearing panels decision, we feel alternative 4 has larger benefits,” Jim Howell, assn of rail and transit advocates. “Option 4 allows for an arterial connection between Kenton and Vancouver. It would also begin to remove the railroad bottle neck by replacing the Kenton railroad over pass on Colombia Boulevard.”

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 anoint all the City Hall informers it deems necessary. However, I hope that their efforts to keep track of the Portland City Council will not detract from their other responsibilities to keep Portland safe from terrorism, the drug trade and crime. And, I hope that their effort to get a source inside City Hall is not politically motivated. Given the lack of meaningful oversight of federal law enforcement agencies, it is doubtful we will ever know.

Read Mayor Tom Potter's letter

Read FBI response

IRC Report on FPD&R

The Fire and Police Disabilities and Retirement Fund (FPD&R) provides pension and disability benefits for most of Portland’s sworn public safety officers. Created in the late 1940s, FPD&R has undergone a few adjustments, most notably in 1989 when the nine member FPD&R board was reorganized to include eleven board members. There have been attempts to reform FPD&R, but only until recently has these attempts been expected to come to fruition, due in part from the Oregonian’s coverage of the FPD&R funding system.

Discussions of reforming FPD&R have arisen out of concerns that the current FPD&R system could carry they City into $8 million in debt. Mayor Potter called for an Independent Review Committee (IRC) to assess FPD&R funding and possibilities of reform. The IRC published a report on their findings May1.

The IRC report is posted below. The City Club of Portland continues to be very involved in this matter, and has published its own report on FPD&R. The City Club’s report also outlines a suggestion for a reform.

A May 23 Special Work Session called to discuss FPD&R and other possible models. Mayor Potter and Council members agreed that more for information is needed on the impacts of the current FPD&R system in comparison to other pension and disability models for Portland’s public safety officers. Because FPD&R is written into City charter, any reform or changes to FPD&R must be placed on the November ballot.

Portland gets A+ credit rating

If you had money to invest, would you loan it to the City of Portland for building sewers?

Someone would, since investors now hold about $1 billion in sewer system revenue bonds. Now the City has asked investors for another $270 million for sewer construction, mainly for ongoing combined sewer overflow control projects.

Many investors in revenue bonds rely on credit rating agencies to guide their decisions. Two of the best-known names in this business are Moody’s Investors Services (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s (S&P). Before each bond sale, we have a conversation with the rating agency analysts about our financial forecast, how we operate and maintain the sewer system and our construction plans for the next five to ten years. We’ve been doing this every other year for the past fifteen years. By now they know us pretty well.

They know that we’re a highly regulated utility. They understand our obligation to spend $1.4 billion on CSO controls, and the effect this has had on sewer rates. They understand that there are large uncertainties in our future (Portland Harbor, for one example).

Despite this, they still believe that Portland represents a good credit risk. The rating of A1 (Moody’s) and A+ (S&P) assigned to the new sewer revenue bonds are relatively high for a sewer revenue credit, particularly for a city with a capital construction plan as large as Portland’s. Two very important reasons for this (in S&P’s words) are “strong system management” and “strong resident support to date for rate increases and a sizeable capital program.”

Not that anyone enjoys paying these sewer rates, but Portlanders’ willingness to pay for a cleaner river and Council’s willingness to authorize the rates necessary to make it happen does matter.

Guest blog by: Jim Hagerman, Bureau of Environmental Services, Business Services Manager.

Alberta Art Hop--Surprising Synergies: City Hall 1st Thursday Retrospective Art Show

Surprising Synergies: City Hall 1st Thursday Retrospective Art Show

Come in from the heat and join us for this informal reception highlighting a diverse collection of past artists featured at the City Hall 1st Thursday art shows. Hop in to the Alberta St. Pub to meet and mingle with the artists and listen to live music by Kevin Barber and the Happiness Boys.

Saturday, May 20th

1:00-2:30 pm

Alberta St. Pub --1036 NE Alberta

Alberta St. Pub-NE Alberta and 10th

Featured Artists:

Sunshine Dixon

Benjamin Alexander Clarke

Wayne De Field

Henry Folson

Chris Bibby

Rob wheaton

Curtis Hicks

Alejandro Ceballos

Kim Oanh Nguyen

For a complete list of the Alberta Art Hop activities click on:

Alberta Art Hop

The Surprising Synergies: City Hall 1st Thursday Retrospective Art Show art will be showing in the Alberta St. Pub through the month of June.

Painting by Sunshine Dixon: "Beloved".

Sam's Calendar 2006

Want to know where Sam is headed, or where he has been? Check out his calendar, updated weekly. Please note Sam's calendar is subject to change without notice. If you have questions about the calendar, please contact our Operations Manager, David Gonzalez at 503-823-1120.

Owens Corning Backs Out of Town

For more than a decade, Portland has worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even with rapid economic and population growth, fortunately, emissions in Multnomah County are now only slightly above 1990 levels. This is the result of continued, combined efforts and deliberate decisions to help maintain the ecological and environmental integrity of our community.

On May 8, Owens Corning stepped up as a responsible community member, choosing to forgo production methods that would spew large amounts of toxins into the atmosphere. I would like to thank Owens Corning for making the essential decision to use production alternatives that keep the prosperity of the ecologic system in mind.

Though I am indeed grateful for their decision, this announcement comes after weeks of discussions revolving around Owens Corning’s request for a permit which would have excused the insulation producer from current EPA standards placed on manufacturing industries.

Last summer, Owens Corning filed a permit request that would allow the company to release substantial volumes of hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC-142b) at its proposed production facility in Gresham. This was very alarming, considering HCFC-142b is recognized as a greenhouse gas, and known to erode the ozone layer.

News of this permit request quickly caught my and others’ attention. Thus, I sent a letter to the Department of Environmental Quality, urging that the permit not be warranted, and thus requiring Owens Corning to minimize the environmental impacts of its proposed Gresham plant.

Owens Corning did withdraw its permit request May 8. Given Owens Corning’s withdrawal of its permit request, I still strongly urge Owens Corning to report and to make public statistics on their facility’s greenhouse gas emissions, specifically pertaining to estimates of HCFC-142b emissions from the plant.

As the world moves forward to address global warming, Oregon cannot turn its back on climate protection. We must be part of the solution; that means being cleaner, more efficient, and more profitable.

Again, I thank Owens Corning for withdrawing its permit request. This decision not only helps to ease concerns of its production standards, but also aids to ensure the prosperity of the environment.

We must all invest in the maintenance and welfare of our communities.

Download OwensCorningpermitAQwithdrawal.pdf

Big Pipe Breaks Ground

Today marks the beginning of the final major project in our 20-year program to control combined sewer overflows, also known as CSOs, to the Willamette River. This morning, I was joined by staff from the Bureau of Enviornmental Services, Kiewitt Belfinger and Berger (KBB) and a host of other local community memberss to break ground on the East Side Big Pipe Project--one of the largest, longest, and deepest tunneling projects in the United States.

The east side big pipe will reduce sewage overflows to the river by 94%. When we started this effort in 1991, annual CSO volume to the slough and river was 6 billion gallons. With our cornerstone and Columbia Slough projects, we have reduced that volume by 54%.

In terms of supporting the local economy we estimate that we will spend $53 million on construction contracts with local businesses. Our goal is that $26 million of that will go to minority, women and emerging small businesses.

The tunnel begins at SE 17th and McLoughlin and continues north to Swan Island, 6 miles of underground tunnel. Our contractor, KBB will build a 22-foot diameter tunnel 85 to 165 feet deep, 7 tunnel shafts approximately 50-feet in diameter, and other pipelines and 5 smaller shafts or structures to complete the project.

While we’re working on this project for clean rivers, there are things all of us can do to pitch in. Plant trees, use native plants in your yard and disconnect your downspouts.

Hollywood Street Improvements Groundbreaking Event

Lights, camera, dig! To kick off the start of street improvements in the Hollywood district, the Hollywood Boosters hosted a Hollywood-themed groundbreaking ceremony complete with a red carpet, live music, and a theatrical skit. Keeping with the Hollywood theme, Sam played the role of a film director, officially commencing the groundbreaking at 39th and Sandy Blvd. The street improvement project is slated to take two years to complete. Hollywood Boosters is monitoring the project on its webpage under the special Hollywood Take 2 link. Click here for the Hollywood Boosters Newsletter.

Be a Block Captain for Kids

Shannon Campion is the Portland Director of Stand for Children.

I’m writing this entry to let you know about an excellent opportunity to make a difference for kids and schools, to be a conduit for change – to be a Block Captain.

What is a Block Captain?
Stand for Children’s Block Captain Program is an effective way to build a stronger community that is better informed about our local schools and that uses their voting power to improve the lives of children. Put simply, it is a neighbor-to-neighbor education strategy, aiming to shift public opinion in Portland to be in favor of investing in public schools again.

Block Captains take responsibility for educating neighbors in 15 households. It’s a simple and a small- time commitment – it’s also critically important!

Why?
We are at a watershed moment for kids and schools in Portland. We know that Portlanders value public schools and giving all kids a fair chance at a successful education. We also know that most people haven’t been exposed to the positive side of what is happening in our local schools every day – the outstanding teachers, the excellent programs, the students eager to learn.

Block Captains can make an important difference. Nothing beats face-to-face contact with friends and neighbors when it comes to sharing information, especially about our schools and upcoming elections.

As Block Captains, we can connect with our neighbors around our shared values of public schools and kids, before they have the opportunity to choose to invest in our public schools again this fall.

This is democracy in action—action that can provide lasting change for our kids, families and community.

How?
It’s easy. Think globally. Act locally. Each of us takes 15 households in our neighborhood. One thousand of us throughout the City talk to our neighbors. For the next election, we turn out informed voters and encourage pro-schools votes in Portland.

The next Block Captain trainings are:

Saturday May 13th from 9:30am - 11am
Wednesday May 24th 7-8:30pm

Both trainings are at Westminster Presbyterian, 1624 NE Hancock Ave. RSVP to Shannon Campion, Portland Director of Stand for Children, at Shannon@stand.org or 503-235-2305.

Portland Bureau of Maintenance: Recycling While Saving Taxpayers' Money

As most citizens of Portland know, Portland is a leader in the sustainability and green building movement in the United States. The City’s Office of Transportation Bureau of Maintenance (BOM) has embraced the challenge of developing cost-effective methods to recycle materials generated when performing street maintenance operations. BOM’s recycling program is conducted at the Sunderland Recycling Facility, and is designed to meet Portland’s sustainability goals by:

1) lowering fees and hauling costs for the disposal of material;
2) reducing the need to purchase virgin rock; and
3) offsetting operating costs through the sales of compost and recycled products.

Since the mid 1980s, BOM employees have been recycling materials such as leaves, concrete, asphalt, and street-sanding rock. In 1997, BOM purchased a 20-acre site committed to this recycling effort. At present, 30,000 to 50,000 cubic yards of material are processed annually at the facility. City crews use this material for maintenance and repair projects. This recycled material is sold to the public as part of BOM’s outreach program.

BOM’s recycling efforts have been so successful that in October 2004, an additional 14-acre parcel of land adjacent to the existing site was acquired. This second property adds capacity for current programs and provides opportunities for savings and revenue for new programs. For more information on the BOM’s recycling program and the master plan for the future of the facility click here (link to www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=35730 ).

Want to help the City’s sustainability efforts
And improve the look and health of your landscape?

Purchase recycled products from the City’s recycling program.

The following recycled produces are currently available for sale:
• leaf compost
• crushed rock (crushed concrete and asphalt blend)
• blended soil (soil and compost blend)

Sunderland Recycling Facility
9325 NE Sunderland Avenue
(just off NE 33rd Ave, between Marine Drive and Columbia Blvd)

Open Monday – Friday
Open Saturdays in May
7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
phone # 503-823-3500

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 been a freight hub without a road map for future success. City Council's consideration of the draft Freight Master Plan begins to change that.

Started by former City Commissioner Jim Francesconi, the draft Freight Master Plan is the work of the Portland Freight Committee - representing all the freight modes and Chaired by Ann Gardner.

The Plan seeks to:

• support projected increases in freight movement on Portland’s transportation network;

• protect neighborhoods from unnecessary freight impacts;

• balance freight mobility needs with other transportation mode needs; and,

• build Portland’s global trade competitiveness.

Over the next 5 years, the Portland Office of Transportation will oversee the construction of over $50 million in freight transportation improvements – not enough given the need - but it's a start.

“The experience of working on putting together this draft Plan has been incredibly rewarding,” Bob Russell, President of the Oregon Trucking Association said today, “Today we have beginnings of the fright master plan and that is very important.”

“I learned a lot about this city that I thought I already knew,” said, Lee Johnson, owner of Jet Delivery, a small load delivery company.

“The City has done a great job with this process of reaching out to us; we feel this is a strong plan,” said Scott Bricker, Policy Director for Bicycle Transportation Alliance, “I want to dispel the myth that truckers and bikers cannot get along.”

“We put a lot of weight behind this plan; thanks for being responsive to our concerns; we recommend its adoption,” Kip Larsen, board member Brooklyn Action Corps.

“The cost of moving goods is becoming increasingly important and this draft plan starts the process of thinking how to do this as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Bob Short, manager for Glacier Northwest, a sand and gravel company.

“Result of diligent research, the Plan is the starting point to build actions to reach our common goals,” Jan Frost, manager Harris Transportation, a fuel transportation firm.

“Why address freight? Portland is a gateway, our economy has grown up around this gateway - from our vantage point, an integrated and efficient transportation system doesn’t happen by itself - this plan helps us knit it together,” Susie Lahsene explains, transportation and land use manager for Port of Portland.

I agree.

And it’s about time.

May City Hall 1st Thursday--The International Language of Art

Mayor Tom Potter, Commissioner Sam Adams, Commissioner Randy Leonard, Commissioner Dan Saltzman, and Commissioner Erik Sten invite you to a free event celebrating the International Community in

Portland.

THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE OF ART AT CITY HALL
Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4^th Avenue
Thursday, May 4^th from 5-7pm

Celebrating the multi-ethnic threads in the tapestry of Portland’s life, this event will feature both art and foods from refugees and immigrant community members. Each of the artists received services through IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) when newly arrived, and their works include: paper collages; silk paintings; acrylic paintings; metal sculptures and watercolors. This project is in collaboration with Art on the Peninsula who will be showing their Transformed Chairs: A Recycled Object Art Exhibition. Please join us for this free event celebrating art, performance, and refreshments—all with an International flair!

Featured Artists

Elizabeth Kim - Korea
Minh Quang Phan - Viet Nam
Taras Yakymchuk - Ukraine
Mufu Ahmed - Nigeria
Preecha Promprbtuk - Thailand

Performance
Haitian and Caribbean music and dance will be performed by members of the Society for Haitian Arts and Culture Organization. Musician/dancers Carlos Gelin, Judith Gelin and Yolandita Andre will be performing traditional and contemporary music from Haiti along with their students.

Special thanks to this event’s sponsors:

TRANSFORMED CHAIRS: A Recycled Object Art Exhibition
The Transformed Chairs Exhibit is a primer in creativity and a recommendation for recycling. Artists were given old, broken and ready to be thrown out chairs to use to make artworks - they could use all of, any of - deconstructed, reconstructed, painted, covered, and embellished objects - totally transformed. The results could be functional chairs that could be used for sitting or transformed into something completely different. Some chairs still looked like chairs but were only visual editorial comments on a chair's function.

Oil painting above by Taras Yakymuchuk

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.

But my co-sponsorship for this resolution is about more than honoring my roots.

I want change and results.

A recent in-depth study in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that about 30% of income earners in Multnomah County subsist as the working poor. This compares to about 20% in King and Snohomish counties. A recent Economist.com study ranked Portland as the 3rd least affordable city in the U.S. Why? Because our buying power as Portlanders just doesn't match up to our costs.

My co-sponsorship of this resolution is part of my overall mission to help boost the economic self-sufficiency of Portland’s families, and so is my support for:

• $10 million in new city government funding for local schools;

• new grants for neighborhood businesses districts; and,

• reforms to WSI, Inc., the organization that trains Portlanders to increase their earning power.

We can create more opportunities for our families to reach economic self-sufficiency by increasing their affordable housing options. This resolution is about those options.

This resolution begins a process that will require an informed discussion of stakeholders. It will identify opportunities and potential trade offs for the use of tax increment financing.

I look forward to being informed by this discussion.

Sam's Remarks at PFLAG

PFLAG, Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, held their Northwest Regional Conference over the weekend. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG also provides opportunity for dialog about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Mayor Tom Potter welcomed the attendees along with Sam, Commissioner Sten and Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey.

Here are Sam's remarks:

First, let me thank Patricia Keeney, President of the PFLAG Oregon State Council and a dear friend of long standing, for inviting me to take part in the PFLAG NW Regional Conference opening session. I know how much behind-the-scenes pulling and hauling is needed to put together a gathering of voluntary local organizations, ...and it is often a solo venture in the wee hours of the morning with little or no recognition. I applaud Patricia for taking it on and bringing us to this day.

Every once in a while I think back on growing up in Lincoln City, and this is one of those times. I was the only gay person I knew when I was in high school and I certainly would have been glad to know that an organization like PFLAG existed, let alone having a chapter in my home town. It could have made all the difference.

Just this past week, the Portland City Council unanimously passed an Equal Benefits Ordinance. This new ordinance requires companies contracting with the city to extend whatever medical and other benefits they provide to their employees – to the domestic partners of those employees. I was proud to have initiated this ordinance and also to have worked with a number of insurance providers to make this type of coverage available to small businesses. This is an example of the type of contribution I hope to make in public service. I want to see myself as a City Commissioner who happens to be gay, rather than “the gay City Commissioner.” In doing so, I think I can more genuinely point the way for LGBTQ youth to engage in the political process, both to further their goals and to level the playing field leading to a more inclusive society.

For so many of us in the LGBTQ community, PFLAG represents a haven of understanding and support that cannot be matched by any other resource, because you are our parents, our friends, our family. Your embrace is warm and welcoming, often unquestioning. Your support is with us in good times and bad. I think it is time that we thank you with a BIG WARM HUG. …THANK YOU!

Asian Health & Service Center Host Asian Art Exhibition

On Saturday, Sam and I attended this art exhibition. The exhibition features the high quality work of over 150 students who have taken art classes sponsored by the Oregon Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and AHSC. The students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and include retirees, homemakers, caregivers, people recovering from chronic illness and small business owners. Over 100 pieces of artwork will be on display and many will be available for purchase with the proceeds benefiting AHSC. This exhibit will run through May 31st.

The Asian Health & Service Center’s Portland office is located at 3633 SE 35th Place. For more information about the exhibit, contact Christine Lau at 503-872-8822, extension 201.

Bridger Rainwater Garden Grand Opening

Sam attended the grand opening of Bridger Rainwater Garden on Earth Day. After more than five years of hard work, the 12,000-square-foot rainwater garden was recognized by the community. This rolling native plant garden fills the school's center courtyard where there used to be a sea of barren asphalt. Once the plants are fully rooted, the garden will be fed by storm water runoff from its roof. By returning this water to the earth's groundwater through natural filtration, the garden will help divert almost 300,000 gallons a year from our sewer systems. Here are Sam's comments from the event:

Good Morning. With the help and contributions from Urban Water Works, Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Public Schools, the Environmental Protection Agency and the countless volunteer hours from the parents, children and neighbors of Bridger Elementary School, this project became a reality. Give yourselves a round of applause because you deserve it!

This is one of many important partnership projects between BES and PPS. We were pleased to have Urban Water Works join us on this project. BES and PPS have had a long history of collaboration on a variety of watershed improvement projects.

In providing important financial support, the Innovative Wet Weather Program has enabled BES to work with the community in demonstrating a variety of innovative sustainable storm water strategies.

Storm water management projects are an important learning opportunity for students and the community.

Storm water runoff from this area is typically directed to combined sewer pipes, which can contribute to combined sewer overflows to the Willamette River. Runoff from roofs and asphalt can pollute water, destroy habitat, and degrade our watersheds if not properly managed.

Bridger’s Water Garden will reduce the quantity and improve the quality of storm water leaving the site.

Voluntary storm water retrofits like this project support our recently adopted Watershed Plan, help the city meet regulatory and financial requirements and engage citizens in improving local watersheds.

Once completed, this project will manage almost half a million gallons of storm water runoff per year, helping to reduce combined sewer overflows and providing an innovative outdoor learning opportunity for students and the community. That is amazing.

Once again, thanks to all for your commitment to this important project.

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.

One of the most interesting things I took from the summit was the data on safety (or lack thereof) of cell phone usage and other driver distractions. After speed, this is the most deadly problem on the road. The state legislation in Oregon currently prevents Portland from regulating the use of cell phones while people are operating vehicles. I intend to lobby to change that law. I know that it will be an uphill battle - and not especially popular in many circles - but I believe it is in the interest of ALL Portlanders that we regulate the use of hand-held cell phones while people are driving. I would like to see the day where hand-held cell phone use is not allowed when you are behind the wheel in Portland. Everyone in Portland - drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists - would be safer because of it.
CNN just reported on a new study that outlines just how dangerous driver distraction can be. Read it below and feel free to share your comments below.

- Sam


It's official: Distracted drivers are dangerous

Friday, April 21, 2006; Posted: 10:37 a.m. EDT (14:37 GMT)

A study says activities like dialing a cell phone while driving triple the risk of a crash.

(CNN) -- A new study lends scientific credence to what many already suspect: Drivers dabbing on makeup, chatting on cell phones or eating breakfast are three times as likely to be involved in a crash as more attentive motorists.

The study tracked drivers with video cameras and sensors and offered evidence that inattentive driving causes accidents, and young drivers are much more likely to have such crashes.

Almost 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes happen within three seconds of some form of driver distraction, according to the report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. (Watch cameras catch drivers driven to distraction -- 2:28)

The two research groups monitored the behavior of 241 drivers in 100 vehicles for more than a year. During the 2 million miles of the study, the drivers were involved in 82 crashes and 761 near-crashes.

Reaching for a moving object multiplied the risk of a crash or near-crash by nine times, according to the study. Reading, applying makeup, or dialing a handheld device tripled the risk.

"All of these activities are much more dangerous than we thought before," Dr. Charlie Klauer, a senior research associate at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.

"But also we're very concerned about the fact that not only are we drinking our coffee and we're disciplining our children and we're eating sandwiches in the car, but the proliferation of technologies in the vehicle have just exacerbated the amount of time that drivers are distracted," she said.

Using cell phones was the most common distraction for drivers, the study found.

And while talking on a cell phone was less risky than dialing, it was a factor in almost as many crashes because it was done far more often, the researchers said. (Top causes of crashes)

Drowsiness is also a problem, the researchers found. They said drowsy drivers are four times as likely to have a crash or near-crash.

Overall, drowsiness contributed to more than 22 percent of the crashes and near-misses recorded -- far higher than existing estimates that tiredness is a factor in 1 out of 10 accidents, the analysts said.

"This important research illustrates the potentially dire consequences that can occur while driving distracted or drowsy," said Jacqueline Glassman, acting administrator of NHTSA. "It's crucial that drivers always be alert when on the road."

The study found that drivers between 18 and 20 were four times as likely to have inattention-related crashes and near-crashes as drivers over 35.

Poor judgment, such as driving aggressively or trying to do something in a higher risk situation, was far more prevalent among the youngest, the evidence showed.

The study said any look away from the road ahead -- even a glance in a rearview mirror -- could be deemed a distraction.

But long glances at inopportune moments, such as "rubbernecking" near a crash, doubled a driver's chances of having an accident himself.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/20/driving.study/index.html

Bicycle Expenditures with Some Context

From time to time, we ask city staff members and others to write on subjects on behalf of the office. For this article, we asked Paul Smith, a Planning Manager at the Portland Office of Transportation, to write about a recent budget analysis he performed on Sam's request. The findings are rather striking.

At one of our regular PDOT management meetings with Sam, he brought up how much flack he got from a small but vocal group of people who were seemingly incensed over the amount of transportation dollars PDOT invested in bicycle infrastructure improvements and other bicycle-related programs. These people often complained that automobiles and freight are getting the short end of the stick, and that those modes have needs that are not being attended to - while all the while, funds are being lavished on bicyclists.

While it may be true that there are many freight and automobile-oriented projects with merit that are still waiting in line for full funding, and while it is true Portland has much more extensive bicycle infrastructure than many other American cities, the amount of money the City of Portland spends that is bicycle-related is nonetheless a tiny fraction of PDOT's total budget. For the city staff involved in allocating the funds for transportation projects, this is pretty clear. But for many in the public and particular lobbies, it is not. And quite frankly, the city budget has never been broken down by transportation mode - until now.

Wanting to have some hard numbers to be able to present to the public and take a look at himself, Sam asked me to go through the entire PDOT budget - capital expenditures, maintenance, staff and all transportation programs - and find out how much money we were actually spending on bicycles and how much we were spending on freight projects. On this post, I focus on capital infrastructure investments. (Soon, I will look at all other costs for bicycle projects, too, do the same for all the other modes of transportation - automobile, pedestrian, and transit - and share those results on the blog as well.)

Despite how it may seem on the surface, this was not an easy task. When you are paving a road, how (and should) you differentiate costs associated to the design and pavement of bicycle lanes as opposed to that for transit or the automobile? You can read about my (conservative) methodology and take a look at the actual costs of specific projects in the memo I wrote Sam, available as a pdf document you can download here.

The main findings of my analysis: we are budget to spend about $3.5 million over a 5-year period (2007-2011) on bicycle-related capital improvements, though that estimate is a liberal one that attributes costs to bike lanes that would have been expended regardless - for instance, the cost of pavement in bicycle lanes was put into the "bicycle cost column," - even though that pavement would have been there as an automobile shoulder anyhow.

When it comes to freight-oriented capital improvement projects, the city will spend just under $50 million over the same 5-year period.

A brief summary: The biggest city expenditures on bicycles are probably bike lanes, which are simply a stripe of paint and not a huge cost to the city. On the other hand, freight projects include lots of overpasses and bridge replacements, which are pricey. When all is said and done, for every dollar the city spends on bicycle improvements, at least $14 are spent on freight projects.

There will be more to come on this issue, and you will see PDOT's budget broken down into other transportation modes soon.

- Paul Smith

You can take a look at PDOT's budget sources here, in a pdf document. 1 in 4 dollars comes from gasoline taxes, the rest from other sources.

Portland begins registering lobbyists

Welcoming increased transparency in the city, community organizations were the first to sign up as lobbying entities on Monday, April 3. Five organizations - City Club of Portland, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, the League of Women's Voters, Money in Politics Research Action Project, and ROSE Community Development - turned in their registration to the City Auditor, urging all organizations and businesses who lobby the city to register and comply with the city's regulation, which took effect on April 1.

So far, 13 businesses and organizations have registered with the city (10 more groups are waiting for the approval from the Auditor's office).

For the next six months, Sam will study how the new system works. In October 2006, he will approach Council with ways to fine tune it. We want you to be involved in the evaluation of the system. Let us know what you like about it and how it can be improved.

Read Sam's commentary featured in the Portland Tribune.

Read coverage in the Mercury.