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Statement on funding for MLS soccer

Here's what I said at Council this morning, 2/3/2010, when voting on the Development Agreement for Major League Soccer at PGE Park.  My staff and I are confident of our facts.  I am posting the information with comments open, so anyone who disputes the data can offer corrections.

 

First, I acknowledge the good work our negotiating team led by Ken Rust has done in getting the best possible deal for our City under the circumstances.  I also commend Tim Crail and Tom Bizeau on my staff for their expert investigation and analysis of the twists and turns of this saga.

 

Many of the concerns that I have raised over the past year have been addressed by the terms that are included in this agreement.  I appreciate the personal guarantee that Merritt and Henry Paulson have made to cover any shortfall for the first seven years, and to ensure that once started, the project will be seen through to completion.  I like the stipulation similar to the one negotiated with the Trailblazers, requiring the team to stay in Portland or pay as if they were.

 

I appreciate that our finance experts have been able to reconfigure the debt structure in a way that reduces the total debt payment substantially.  By using a line of credit and delaying the issuance of bonds until construction is completed, I am told that the City will likely not need to issue Zero Coupon Bonds.  The result is that instead of paying off the bonds in 2034 at a total cost of $44.5 million, the bonds will be paid off in 2028 for a total cost of $24 million.  If taxpayers have to pay for something that does not provide many family wage jobs after the construction phase, it is better that they will be paying $24 million instead of $44.5.

 

Still, that is $24 million that could be used for other purposes.  Add to that $4.7 million over the course of the contract, for the taxpayers to subsidize top-up wages for stadium event staff, which the city will continue to pay even if workers are successful in using their one shot with an organizing meeting to form a union.  And $600 – 800,000 every eight years to replace the turf.  Projected ticket taxes of about $5 million paid by Timbers fans don’t begin to cover the costs.  What else could we do with over $29 million?

 

Today, PGE Park is a multiple-use stadium that serves soccer, baseball, football, and other sporting events.  In 2001 the City decided to redevelop PGE Park into a better baseball facility, spending $38.5 million to redevelop the Park and an additional $33 million in debt service on those bonds.  Currently, we are scheduled to pay those bonds until 2022 - 12 years after eliminating the ability to use the facility for baseball. 

 

For over 100 years, Portland has had a sports facility that was capable of hosting professional baseball.  At the end of the Beavers 2010 season, that will change.  That is sad. 

 

I could have supported a solution that would have allowed both sports to coexist in PGE Park through use of movable stands.  The inflexibility of MLS and the decision of my colleagues here today will likely cause us to lose baseball in Portland.  I love the game of soccer, and I appreciate that Timbers fans are happy to be getting an MLS franchise.  Soccer fans must recognize that their joy comes at significant costs to baseball, basketball, and hockey fans.  The Beaver fans will likely lose their team, and the Winterhawk and Blazer fans will be subsidizing soccer for many years.

 

It has been said that this deal protects the taxpayers and that no citywide tax dollars or general funds will be used for this project.  That is true at this time, but it is hard to imagine how it can remain so.  The project will be tying up the bulk of the spectator fund until 2028.  The first six years are particularly precarious, with annual shortfalls ranging from $250,000 to $720,000.  No contributions will be made to capital reserves during those years.  In fact, it will be necessary to draw down the Spectator Fund balance significantly to cover that shortfall.

 

It is the lost opportunity for other uses of those funds that is the real cost to taxpayers.  We are currently in the midst of a Coliseum repurposing project.  The Coliseum needs to be rehabilitated, which will take significant resources.  By going forward with the soccer redevelopment, spectator funds will not be available for the Coliseum.  Council created the spectator fund and directs what those funds could be used for.  Council maintains the ability to redefine allowed uses of the spectator fund and what revenue streams go into the Spectator Fund.  It is not like Water or BES rates that are restricted by state law and City Charter.  Of course we must pay off the bonds that are backed by the spectator funds.  But what then?  Then, the Council can choose to spend ticket taxes in any way.  

 

How will we pay for the Coliseum improvements with no spectator funds available?  The only realistic answer is to use urban renewal dollars.  Now, we are talking about impacts to Portland and Multnomah County taxpayers, since the Oregon Convention Center Urban Renewal Area is an Option 3 district, supported by citywide property taxes.  While it may be true to say that there are no direct impacts on citywide taxpayers in redeveloping PGE Park, the indirect cost to taxpayers is substantial.  Without further bonding, once the old PGE Park bonds are paid off the ticket taxes could be used for the Coliseum, or any other purpose the Council chose.

 

The Spectator Fund would be in better shape if PGE Park sat empty for the next 25 years, than if we go forward with incurring additional debt on a project that can NEVER pay for itself.  Any use of PGE Park that does not involve additional debt would leave the spectator fund in better shape than moving forward with this project.

 

I honestly hope that MLS soccer succeeds in Portland.  I hope that the day arrives that the revenues generated from PGE Park will pay for the cost of operations and debt service on PGE Park.  In the meantime, I hope that every Timbers fan will hug a Blazer fan for paying for their MLS venue.


February 3, 2010Comments (4)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Filing Non-emergency Police Reports on line

If you see a crime in progress or have other emergency needs, call 911.  The 911 operators also answer the non-emergency lines, 503-823-3333.  So, if you want to file a Police report about an incident that is not an emergency, please consider using the new online reporting form.

 

Read articles about this new service, and other interesting crime prevention tips and information, on the Office of Neighborhood Involvement's Crime Prevention pages such as this one by Michael Boyer on Downtown-Old Town Chinatown.


January 21, 2010Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Proud of Portland's 9-1-1 service

9-1-1 Emergency: Are Operators Ready for Your Call?

 

On January 7, 2010, NBC's Today Show aired a feature investigating 9-1-1 issues related to hiring, training and supervision of 9-1-1 employees throughout the nation.  Deficiencies were found in some communities.  

 

I want you to know that when you call 9-1-1 in Multnomah County, our staff at the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) is well prepared to help you.  They have been trained to rigorous standards and will immediately prompt callers with instructions on how to help someone with a medical emergency, including first aid and CPR, until professional providers dispatched by BOEC arrive at the scene of the emergency.

 

There are 123 certified call takers, dispatchers, and front-line supervisors at BOEC who answer your 9-1-1 calls. With an average of 11 years' experience, they are career professionals who are highly skilled and ready to handle your requests for police, fire or medical assistance.  While the call taker continues to talk with the caller, information about the problem is assessed by dispatchers who assign the appropriate responder to the location needed. 

 

BOEC trainees must complete a nine-month training program which includes first aid and CPR. In addition, BOEC utilizes best practices identified by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International.  Oregon is a leader in this industry, being the first State in the nation to require standards for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators and Emergency Medical Dispatchers.  The state requires that Certified Telecommunicators/Emergency Medical Dispatchers receive continual ongoing training.  This includes at least 12 hours of Telecommunicator and 4 hours of Emergency Medical Dispatcher continuing education each year to maintain certifications. 

 

BOEC provides both required and self-study Continuing Education Modules for employees.  The integrity of operations is ensured through direct supervision of employees and continual monitoring of daily activities by supervisors and lead workers.   The BOEC Quality Assurance Program includes supervisors conducting monthly call reviews as well as annual reviews, for each employee, in addition to monitoring daily activity.  The Management Team, with the assistance of a variety of topic-specific committees, continually works to ensure we are leaders in the industry, employing the best technology and best practices.

 

I am extremely proud of the work that BOEC employees perform 7 days every week, 24-hours every day, providing the vital link between each caller and public safety responders.  Our team works hard to ensure not only that your emergency call is answered promptly, but also that accurate instructions and assistance are given even as appropriate responders are dispatched quickly to the location where needed.  We take care of you on what may be the worst day of your life.

 

Please visit the 9-1-1 website for more information.


January 8, 2010Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Register and Vote

Capitol

 

Support our State Legislators who worked hard to do the job we elected them to do last year, and balanced the budget while largely preserving public services like schools and elder care.   There is still time to register to vote in the Special Election coming your way in January, on whether to keep the changes in taxes for wealthy individuals and corporations.  You may register through January 5, 2010.  The required registration form is here.


December 31, 2009Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Take a fire safety quiz and help Portland Fire & Rescue

An insurance company is giving ten $10,000 grants to fire departments across the U.S., depending on the number of visits to BeFireSmart.com, a fire prevention web site.  Portland Fire and Rescue is close to being in the top 10.  There are only three days left to vote.  Log on the website below, and complete a QUICK 10 question fire safety quiz.  Check out the rest of the web site too - it's interesting and helpful.
 
The deadline is December 21st.  Click here, and thank you for helping Portland Fire Fighters and their department.

December 18, 2009Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

City Superheroes Support Sock Solicitation

Mary Ann Schwab of the Sunnyside neighborhood sent an email to City Council last month, suggesting we ask City employees working in downtown City buildings to donate socks to help people living outside.  Sara Hussein on my staff enthusiastically accepted the assignment to set up the program, and placed barrels (loaned by KGW) in City Hall, the Portland Building, and the Development Services Building at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. 

 

In just two weeks, City employees and visitors gave 563 pairs of new and nearly-new socks to help people served by Transition Projects, Inc.  Two kids' coats, a hat, and a scarf were also donated.

 

Thank you to Mary Ann, Sara, KGW, Transition Projects Inc., and everyone who donated.

 

OK, so maybe buying an extra package of socks in the after-Thanksgiving sales doesn't make a person a "superhero".  Having warm dry feet sure makes a difference in the weather we had the past week, though, and I am glad to know that so many City employees truly care about our fellow citizens living outside.


December 12, 2009Comments (1)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Hawthorne Bridge

Hawthorne Bridge


December 12, 2009

Spirit of Portland Awards feedback requested

Whether or not you attended the Spirit of Portland Awards ceremony last month, please give feedback via our survey, to make the process and event even better next year.

 

Comments on this post are closed, so we capture all advice on the survey.

 

Thanks again to Nell Austen in the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, who is handling the survey as well as being the main organizer of the Awards.


December 6, 2009

Your Voice requested, on community information technology

The Office of Cable Communications and Franchise Management on behalf of the Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission is conducting a survey to assess community needs on technology and cable services.  Please give us your input.

 

The Your Voice initiative is seeking the local community’s ideas and thoughts about our current use and future needs for communications technology. The initiative will provide a better understanding of the local communities' needs, desires and vision for the future. 

 

What We Want to Know:

1) What is the level of communications technology in our communities today?

2) What are our communities' immediate (up to 3 years) communications technology needs?

 

3) What are our communities' future (3-15 years) communications technology needs?

 

4) What are the differences in communications technology needs and interests among our communities?

 

5) What is the role of local government in meeting the communications technology related needs of our community?

 

6) What has been the impact within our communities of existing
public benefit requirements of the cable communications franchise agreement?

 

We will greatly appreciate each person who makes time to complete the survey.  For more information, contact 503.823.5385 • YourVoice@mhcrc.org.


December 6, 2009Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Frozen stiff

umbrellaman


December 6, 2009

Safety and Fines on the Portland Mall

The new traffic patterns on SW 5th and 6th Avenues downtown are working remarkably well, in my opinion.  TriMet drivers for both MAX and buses are doing an amazing job of weaving in and out of transit lanes safely.  Car and bike traffic is having a little more difficulty, from my observations with a ground-level view from my office on SW 5th. Both cars and bikes ignore the lane markings, and persist in making right turns across the MAX lanes ... you could die, people, please don't do that!  Cars still stop to let off or pick up passengers in the one through lane, backing up traffic and causing hazards for pedestrians.  If you can't figure it out, use 4th or 7th instead of 5th and 6th Avenues.

 

From Transportation Director Sue Keil:

 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation wants to make you aware of safety laws on the new transit mall in the downtown core, and to urge your compliance with those laws to keep you and everyone safe. Please be mindful that these laws apply to the entire transit mall downtown:

 
Stopping or Parking Prohibited - $245 fine, effective Nov. 30, 2009
 
Stopping or parking in the auxiliary vehicular lane through the transit mall is prohibited due to safety concerns. The auxiliary lane is the car and truck lane through the transit mall. On 5th and 6th Avenues, it's the left lane. On Morrison and Yamhill, it's the right lane.
 
No stopping or parking means you cannot be stopped or parked at the curb for any reason - no loading or unloading of passengers, materials, or equipment. When you are stopped or parked in the transit mall, this can create congestion, and other vehicles that overtake you are forced into the transit lane, thereby creating a dangerous situation and potentially deadly conflict with a bus or MAX train. Furthermore, when you are stopped at the red light in the travel lane, it is still illegal to drop off and pick up passengers and load and unload supplies. All of these actions create potentially deadly conflicts with transit vehicles.
 
The City worked with Multnomah County Circuit Court to establish a violation and bail schedule specific to this type of travel lane. The fine for stopping or parking in an auxiliary vehicular lane throughout the transit mall is $245. The City and the Court believe this fine amount is sufficient to cause some deterrence from ignoring the law. In addition, this amount is consistent with the fines for moving violations in the transit mall.
 
 
"Jaywalking" Prohibited - a citation issued by Police can carry a fine between $142-$500
 
"Jaywalking" is prohibited in Portland. No pedestrian may cross a street other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk if within 150 feet of a crosswalk. For the transit mall, that means you must cross at an intersection because there are no legal mid-block crossings on the mall. When crossing the street to get to and from the Portland Building and City Hall, you must cross at the intersections and obey the signals. Police can issue citations that carry a fine amount in the range $142-$500.  
 
Stay Safe
  • Obey all signals
  • Cross only at crosswalks
  • Bike and drive only in the auxiliary travel lane (left lane on 5th & 6th)
  • Never cross the bumpy white line
  • Never turn right over MAX tracks unless signs indicate otherwise

December 4, 2009Comments (5)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Crime Statistics from Multnomah County

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission recently produced the following summary of the 2008 Uniform Crime Reports:

 

In 2008, Oregon had large decreases in both violent crime and property crime. We had the largest decrease of any state in our violent crime rate (10.6%) and the 8th largest decrease in the property crime rate at 6.9%. The last time the violent crime rate in Oregon was lower was 1970, and the property crime rate has not been lower since 1966. This moves Oregon down to the 40th highest violent crime rate and the 23rd highest property crime rate, both of these rankings are record lows for Oregon.

 

We now have only a slightly higher property crime rate than the U.S. (about 2% higher). Rural areas had larger drops in both property and violent crime than the state as a whole.

 

The first table compares Oregon with other states and the second table compares the 10 largest cities with each other and the rest of the state. 

 

Change in the Crime Rate from                 2007 to 2008

 

Violent Crime Rate Change

Property Crime Rate Change

US

-2.7%

-1.6%

Pacific

-3.6%

-4.5%

Oregon

-10.6%

-6.9%

Washington

-0.6%

-6.8%

California

-3.6%

-3.1%

Idaho

-4.5%

-6.5%

 

 

UCR Violent Crime

UCR Property Crime

 

2007

2008

% Crime Change

% Crime Rate Change

2007

2008

% Crime Change

% Crime Rate Change

State

10777

9747

-9.6%

-10.6%

132143

124397

-5.9%

-6.9%

Portland

3701

3445

-6.9%

-9.4%

31586

29243

-7.4%

-9.9%

Salem

583

572

-1.9%

-1.5%

7436

7173

-3.5%

-3.1%

Eugene

426

496

16.4%

14.2%

7804

9821

25.8%

23.5%

Gresham

470

495

5.3%

2.3%

4332

3889

-10.2%

-12.8%

Hillsboro

195

162

-16.9%

-20.4%

2844

2536

-10.8%

-14.5%

Beaverton

220

200

-9.1%

-10.1%

2330

2072

-11.1%

-12.1%

Bend

155

139

-10.3%

-13.4%

2977

2513

-15.6%

-18.5%

Medford

265

282

6.4%

4.9%

3270

2882

-11.9%

-13.1%

Springfield

245

245

0.0%

-1.5%

3137

3858

23.0%

21.1%

Corvallis

57

60

5.3%

2.2%

1554

1341

-13.7%

-16.2%

10 City Total

17094

15843

-7.3%

-5.6%

199413

189725

-4.9%

-5.0%

Rest of State

4460

3651

-18.1%

-18.5%

64873

59069

-8.9%

-9.4%

 

Information courtesy of

Peter Ozanne

Deputy Chief Operating  Officer for Public Safety

Executive Director, Public Safety Coordinating Council

Multnomah County


November 15, 2009Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Hollywood Veterans' Day Parade

Photo by David Ashton, EastPDX News.com


November 15, 2009

Crime Prevention, Business Promotion, and Community Building in Overlook

Overlook Village Business Association Takes a Bite Out of Crime

By Mark Wells, Crime Prevention Coordinator

Office of Neighborhood Involvement

 

 

            Portlanders have been enjoying the rich mix of flavors and products for sale from locally owned and run businesses along N. Killingsworth from I-5 to Greeley for many years now.  Whether it’s enjoying fresh Zappoli’s from DiPrima Dolci Bakery, a tasty glass of wine at the Hop and Vine, or a hot slice of handcrafted pizza from Atomic Pizza, residents in the Overlook neighborhood take great delight and pride in their local businesses.  In a challenging economic time, the small businesses along this stretch of N. Killingsworth have teamed up to form “Overlook Village”, Portland’s most recently recognized Business District Association.

 

            Yetta Vorobik, owner of The Hop and Vine and president of Overlook Village, contacted me early on to invite me and the City of Portland’s Crime Prevention Program to play a role with their association to ensure patrons, residents, and staff continued to work and live in a safe neighborhood.  Although the Overlook area enjoys a relatively low crime rate, it is prone to continual graffiti, street drinking, and occasional drug dealing.  Understanding the importance of providing patrons with a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment, Yetta was concerned about these habitual livability problems and I was happy to join their efforts.

 

            Just like a Neighborhood Watch, Crime Prevention also provides training and support for what we call a Business Watch.  It works in the same way by providing each business the opportunity to become a part of the public safety system, increase communication, and help each other maintain a safe work environment.  After speaking with several of the business owners it was clear many smaller issues simply were not getting addressed.  There were two mailboxes splattered with five year old graffiti.  There was an abandoned phone booth that provided a great place for drug dealing.  These issues were addressed and the owners do a great job of cleaning graffiti off their buildings and reporting and documenting criminal activity in hopes of staying one step ahead of the criminal element and ensuring this business area remains clean and safe.

 

            When I asked Yetta to describe why she called me and asked the City of Portland to partner with their group she told me, “I find it very important to have an open dialog with the surrounding members in your community, including city officials. By having open lines of communication, businesses, residents and city officials are better able to know what is happening in specific areas of the city. By deterring crime together we are creating a neighborhood (village) that has an open and safe feeling.” 

 

Jenna Forzley, owner of Atomic Pizza, recently described this partnership saying, “It is important for us to stay proactive and involved in the many issues facing our neighborhoods because that is what community is about. It's not just the city's issue, or government, or tri-met, or business owners, property owners or a resident's issue, it's all of our issue. It's about working together, being informed and supporting each other to combat crime. The way the City's crime prevention programs can help in this effort is by keeping the community informed, having a strong presence in the community and making support easily accessible and user friendly. The best thing we all can do as a community is work together, communicate and respond quickly when issues do come up. The old saying "it takes a village", well this is our village and we all need to work together to keep it.”

 

            Long term goals for this partnership include formalizing a Business Watch and establishing a graffiti team to quickly report and remove graffiti and also provide general trash pick up and also report other criminal activity they discover.  Overlook Village is a wonderful example of how individual citizens and business owners can stand up against crime and roll up their sleeves to help the City prevent and respond to crime and livability issues.

 

            Please go to the Office of Neighborhood Involvement web site to find out more about the City’s crime prevention program and how you can get involved.  Check out Overlook Village on Neighborhood Notes and read about this and other city Business Associations. 

 

Start a village in your own neighborhood and help keep Portland the wonderful city it is!


November 9, 2009Comments (0)Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Burnside Bridge

Burnside

 

Photo by Steve Fritz


November 8, 2009

Previous Articles | RSS Feed
Blog Entries
Statement on funding for MLS soccer
Filing Non-emergency Police Reports on line
Proud of Portland's 9-1-1 service
Register and Vote
Take a fire safety quiz and help Portland Fire & Rescue
City Superheroes Support Sock Solicitation
Hawthorne Bridge
Spirit of Portland Awards feedback requested
Your Voice requested, on community information technology
Frozen stiff
Safety and Fines on the Portland Mall
Crime Statistics from Multnomah County
Hollywood Veterans' Day Parade
Crime Prevention, Business Promotion, and Community Building in Overlook
Burnside Bridge
Guidance on when to seek medical care for flu symptoms
Coming Down The Pike
Cute Blazer Fan and Terry Porter
Lower Cost Comcast Cable Options
Osprey
Council Supports H.R. 676, National Health Care Act
Useful Police Services links
Useful Transportation and Street Services links
Oaks Bottom
Preparing for flu season
Sharing Public Spaces Report
Still Soaring
Comments on Transit Oriented Tax Abatement
Labor of Love and Landscaping in Lents
Prescription drug turn-in event
Our Urban Willamette
TriMet Passes for City Employees
Multnomah Days Parade, and more
Sign Up for Kids' Health Care today!
National Night Out parties
YWCA Fundraiser
Fisher
Comments on the Sharing Public Spaces meetings
Interesting Article on Portland Soccer funding
Conversing about Race
City Lights
Interested in the Rose Quarter?
Restorative Listening
Marquam Bridge
Women/Children's Health Survey
Division-Clinton Parade
Comments on Bull Run water treatment
Bull Run Watershed tour
Sunset
Comments on PGE Park deals
Recreational River
Yay for Portlanders!
Remember December?
Good discussion!
City of Roses
Comments on Soccer/Baseball
Sunrise
More Progress on Health Care
Thoughts on helping people living outside
Beautiful
Citizen Representative Needed
Comments on 39th/Chavez Street Renaming
Good in the Hood Parade
Good article on Neighborhood Associations
Help with Health Insurance Coverage
2009 Pride Parade
Help Affording Prescription Drugs
Renting and worried about foreclosure?
Starlight Parade
Resolution on Potential Health Impacts of Wireless Facilities
NAMI Walk
Progress on providing health care coverage for children
Parade season!
Short-term extension on Sidewalk Obstructions Ordinance
Roseway Mural Dedication
From Amanda's Mailbox, on Helping with Homelessness
Made in Oregon sign - update
World Water Day, Sunday 3/22
The Great Soccer Debate - Summary, the evening before the Council hearing
City Council hearings
Columbia River Bridge Discussion
Westside Express Service
Radon Awareness Month - Radon in your home can kill you, and you don't need to move to fix the problem
Citizen Representatives needed - Bureau of Communications User Board
Go Blazers! - Amanda at the January 2nd Portland Trailblazers game
Visual breaks
Join my team
Barge Launch with Tom Sass