Duct Tape proposal

Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard probably never goes home and tells his wife he had “just another routine day at the office”. Yesterday, just two of the items on his To Do list included meeting with the committee working on viewing space regulations and improved public facilities at Rose Festival parades, and spreading information on providing City money for 57 jail beds that keep people arrested for drug, prostitution, and property crimes locked up until their arraignment. Quite a wide difference.

The “Parade Access Committee” (it’s still “Duct Tape” on my calendar) met to review proposed ordinance and code language for addressing the sticky issue of reserving viewing space at major parades. Randy knows how to maximize use of citizen volunteers’ time in serving on advisory groups. Sam Adams does, too. They don’t just assign a staff person to support an assembled team with diverse backgrounds and interests, they participate in the work sessions personally. That’s much more efficient than the approach taken by some other Councilmen whose staff often have to say, “I’ll check with the Commissioner/Mayor for direction before the next meeting”. As a result, after just three meetings, we’re close to a final product to send out for public review and take to Council.

The draft regulations would prohibit marking or leaving stuff in the right-of-way to save spaces for parades. That includes businesses and groups staking out a large area with one person presiding over it, as well as chained rows of chairs and the infamous duct tape. Campers would be allowed to set up tents and such after 5 p.m. the evening before the parade, but they’d have to take down the equipment by 8 a.m. the next day. Bureau of Development Services staff will enforce the rules if necessary.

The City will provide enhanced facilities for parade watching, including bleachers placed in intersections, spaces reserved for disabled/elderly citizens and their relatives, and areas with activities for families with young children. Oh, and more porta-potties. Police and transportation staff will work with businesses on keeping easier access to bridgehead routes open as long as possible.

The ordinance will include legislative intent language recognizing that some of these measures will cost money, and that the City of Portland supports the Rose Festival’s non-profit organization in providing events that benefit Portland and Portlanders in many different ways.

I think it’s a good product. When ready, I’ll post the proposal here so you can read and comment on it.

And now that the process that’s received by far the more public interest is updated here, I’ll work on researching jail bed issues, and post on that soon.