Next Up at City Council 2/27-28, 2008

As time goes by and May 20 draws closer, I have less and less time to do a thorough (or even cursory) review of the Portland City Council Agenda each week. Please click on the link and post in the comments to alert your fellow AmandaFritz.com readers of important issues. I don’t know of any other blogger or official source highlighting the Council agenda, and few people remember to go to the Auditor’s web site each weekend to check on it.

There are three Time Certain hearings on Wednesday morning that sound interesting:

258 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM – Accept the Portland City-Wide Drug Strategy Report (Report introduced by Mayor Potter)

A citywide strategy is definitely needed. Leaving aside the civil rights issue of imposing a penalty before trial and conviction, “Drug Free Zones” greatly reduce problems in one neighborhood but just shift them elsewhere. I’ll be interested to hear if anyone has comments on the report.

*259 TIME CERTAIN: 10:15 AM – Extend the effective date of a Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map Amendment previously approved by Ordinance Nos. 180713, 180749 and 181175 for property located at 5828 N. Van Houten Place at the request of the University of Portland and Triangle Park LLC (Ordinance introduced by Commissioner Leonard; LU 06-132925 CP ZC)

A third extension for this land use issue. I covered the issue in January 2007 and July. I wonder what the holdup is.

*260 TIME CERTAIN: 10:30 AM – Amend and clarify provisions of the Campaign Finance Fund (Ordinance introduced by Auditor Blackmer; amend Code Chapter 2.10)

Well, that one I have to check, of course. The link to the ordinance includes all the code rules for the system, in case you’ve been wondering but haven’t had time to find them. The new rules seem to be mostly on matching funds for independent expenditures. Plus a few minor corrections, including noting that each Certified Campaign Finance Fund candidate receives a different amount from the Auditor’s Office, depending on how much was raised in five dollarses and seed money contributions in the Qualifying Period. The code language is changed to reflect the intent that all certified candidates work with the same amount of money.

At least, that’s what I think it says. I will be checking with my trusty treasurer and with the Auditor’s Office to make sure I understand the changes. This is one instance where it is entirely appropriate to see the asterisk indicating an emergency ordinance, taking effect immediately.

On the Consent Agenda,

268 Direct the Portland Office of Transportation to develop a Parking Management Plan for the Lloyd and Central Eastside Districts (Resolution)

The Streetcar along the Central Eastside Industrial District is expected to create parking problems for businesses.

Interesting stuff on Wednesday afternoon:

WEDNESDAY, 2:00 PM, FEBRUARY 27, 2008

285 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM – Accept the report A City for All of Us: More Voices, Better Solutions which includes the Five Year Plan to Increase Community Involvement in Portland (Report introduced by Mayor Potter)

286 TIME CERTAIN: 3:00 PM – Establish Public Involvement Advisory Council (Resolution introduced by Mayor Potter)

This is the report with recommendations for implementation and funding from Community Connect.

287 TIME CERTAIN: 3:30 PM – Accept City of Portland Asset Status and Conditions Report December 2007 from City Asset Managers Group (Report introduced by Mayor Potter)

288 Accept report on the FY 2008-09 General Fund Capital Set-aside risk recommendation (Report introduced by Mayor Potter)

The Council reviews a lot of interesting and important issues. My guess is most of the citizens gathered to advocate for the Community Involvement resolutions won’t stay for the following two reports, but there are connections between them.

Two important hearings on Thursday afternoon:

THURSDAY, 2:00 PM, FEBRUARY 28, 2008

289 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM – Report on the Performance Review of the Independent Police Review Division (Report introduced by Mayor Potter)

*290 TIME CERTAIN: 3:30 PM – Adopt a procedure by which owners of private real property may amend and file claims and seek a determination of a common law vested right pursuant to Chapters 195 and 197 of Oregon Revised Statutes as amended by Ballot Measure 49 passed on November 6, 2007 (Ordinance introduced by Mayor Potter; repeal and replace Code Chapter 5.75)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It is not right that hearings like these are scheduled during the work day. Citizens should not have to take time away from their jobs, or find childcare for after school when partners are at work, to be able to participate in these important matters.