Three Votes for Money for Trees

I went to the City Council’s hearing this morning, accepting the Urban Forestry Management Plan Implementation Strategy/Action Plan I mentioned in last week’s “Next Up at City Council” preview. I knew it was going to pass, but it’s important to show up sometimes and say, essentially, “Good work, and thank you”. Several of us also added in our testimony, “… and please fund it”. The big news is, three of the four members present said in their Aye vote speech that they will indeed support funding for implementation actions in the current budget. Sam Adams was absent, and the Mayor supported the plan without committing to funding. Three votes is all it takes – I’m excited!

Senior planner Deb Lev’s presentation for Portland Parks and Recreation was excellent. She stressed the level of interbureau collaboration needed and delivered on this project. The Directors of Environmental Services, Planning, and Sustainable Development, and a representative from Development Services, pledged support and said they had included their piece of the funding in their budget request.

That’s how things can happen here in Portland, under the current form of government. Big push from citizens. Ad hoc groups like the SW Neighborhoods tree committee, whose members did an amazing job of looking at all tree-related codes and pointing out inconsistencies, gaps, and problems; and the official Urban Forestry Commission, nominated by the Commissioner-in-charge of Parks with appointments confirmed by the whole Council. Great work by staff, doing the technical assessments then bringing the package out to the community in multiple meetings then revising the plan in response to feedback. And yes, Commissioners and bureau Directors and staff working together, to bring a package and funding requests to Council for review and approval.

Commissioner Sten noted in his vote that the funding would likely not be allocated if the Action Plan wasn’t in place. And now it is, and the money will follow. YAY!