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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• 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

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 8^th 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 40^th highest violent crime rate and the 23^rd 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

Photo by David Ashton, EastPDX News.com

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!

 

Photo by Steve Fritz