Portland, Oregon, May 24, 2021 – Longtime communications, natural resources, and public policy executive Jim Middaugh accepted the position of Executive Director of Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD), one of four special districts that help to protect lives and property from flood risk by managing flood management systems along the lower Columbia River in Multnomah County.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jim to the team,” said Ken Anderton, Board Chair of MCDD. “Jim’s background and experience will be a great asset to the districts and our community as we continue to work to reduce the risk of flooding along the Columbia River and upgrade the infrastructure and modernize the way we do business.”
 
Middaugh will begin his role with MCDD on June 1, 2021. He comes to MCDD following his second stint in Portland City Hall where he most recently served as Communications Director for Mayor Ted Wheeler. Before joining the Mayor’s office, Middaugh served as Metro’s Communications Director for 11 years. During his time with Metro, Middaugh managed media relations for the regional government and led a team that supported all facets of communications, marketing, and public engagement. Prior to Metro, Jim spent almost a decade with the City of Portland where he served as Capital Projects Manager, Chief of Staff for then-commissioner Erik Sten, and Science, Fish, and Wildlife Division Manager where he led the city’s initial response to the listing of salmon and steelhead under the federal Endangered Species Act.
 
As the Executive Director of MCDD, Middaugh will oversee the operations and maintenance of 27-miles of levees, 12 pump stations, and 45-miles of sloughs, canals, and culverts that reduce the risk of flooding for an area that is home to nearly 8,000 residents, 2,500 businesses, 59,000 jobs, and 2,000 acres of parks and natural spaces, as well as critical public assets like the Portland International Airport, an Army National Guard base, and a back-up drinking water supply for nearly a million Oregonians. This infrastructure system is overseen by four independent drainage districts, including MCDD.  Since 1996, MCDD has been the operator and administrator of the system on behalf of all four districts. 
 
Middaugh will also lead staff in the development of the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQD), a new special district established by the Oregon State Legislature in 2019. This new district was created to streamline management of the flood safety infrastructure, and it represents a more modern and sustainable approach for the metro region. The UFSWQD will continue to focus on reducing flood risk and protecting people and property and it has an expanded mandate to promote equity in all aspects of its operations; contribute to water quality, habitat, and landscape resilience; and adapt to the effects of climate change. The transition of the four districts to the UFSWQD will occur once a funding system is in place. That work is currently underway.
 
“It’s an honor to join the MCDD team in providing critical public safety and flood risk reduction services for a unique region that both serves as a major transportation and economic corridor for the state but is also rich in natural spaces and habitat for birds, fish and wildlife,” said Middaugh. “This is an exciting time of transition for MCDD and I’m looking forward to working with board members, staff, and the community to finish the ongoing efforts to improve the way we manage and fund this important infrastructure.”
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MCDD’s mission is to enhance community safety and support the region’s vitality by reducing flood risk, maintaining the Portland Metro Levee System, managing drainage, and responding to flood emergencies. MCDD also serves three other drainage districts along the south shore of the Columbia River (Peninsula Drainage District #1, Peninsula Drainage District #2 and the Sandy Drainage Improvement Company).  The four districts collectively extend from the edge of Smith and Bybee Lakes on the west to the western bank of the Sandy River on the east. To learn more about MCDD and the infrastructure it operates and maintains, please visit www.mcdd.org.
 

Keith Hill, Portland Fire & Rescue EMT/Firefighter, administers a COVID-19 vaccination to Vanessa Morales.

Get Vaccinated Today and Help Others Do the Same Governor Kate Brown announced that when 70 percent of adult Oregonians receive at least one vaccination, she will be able to lift many occupancy limitations on restaurants, gyms, and stadiums. Additionally, when that threshold is reached, the Governor will end mask wearing requirements except in specific situations. In order to reopen, we want to reach that 70 percent threshold ASAP.   If you aren’t yet vaccinated, please schedule an appointment or go to a vaccination site that allows drop-ins. Getting vaccinated is the best way to ensure our community can return to our normal way of life.

Find a Vaccine

Celebrate Juneteenth Juneteenth is just around the corner, and I’m encouraging Portlanders to participate in this year’s virtual Juneteenth Oregon Celebration on Saturday, June 19 at 1 p.m. The event will stream live at juneteenthor.com and pdxjazz.com.   Juneteenth celebrates Black Americans’ freedom from slavery, and it’s known by many as our country’s second independence day. This holiday is a day to celebrate freedom, reflect on our country’s history of slavery, and honor and recognize the achievements and progress made by African Americans.   This year’s Juneteenth Oregon celebration will feature live performances by talented musicians and messages from local leaders. I hope you’ll join.

Help Pick It Up, Portland! SOLVE is hosting its fifth annual Pick It Up, Portland! event on Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26. This citywide cleanup event, hosted in partnership with Pacific Power, the City of Portland, and other organizations, is an opportunity for Portlanders across the city to roll up their sleeves and help clean up Portland. On those days, cleanup events will take place in neighborhoods across the city. SOLVE will provide volunteers supplies including heavy-duty garbage bags, litter grabbers, safety vests, and vinyl gloves. Volunteers must wear face coverings and closed-toed shoes.  Sign Up for Pick It Up, Portland!

Ted Wheeler   Subscribe to the Newsletter If you aren’t yet subscribed, you can sign up here. You can also update your preferences to let us know what topics you most want to hear about.

Copyright © 2021 City of Portland, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 1221 SW 4th Ave. Portland, OR 97204

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
CITY OF PORTLAND NOISE CODE VARIANCE REQUEST

Dear Neighbors,
We would like to inform you that in our original notification, we mentioned a second weekend of shows on May
28-30, 2021. With respect to PIR and Kenton Neighborhood’s ongoing tradition of a quiet Memorial Day
Weekend, those show dates have changed to May 21-22, 2021. No other changes have been made, but
clear communication with the residents of Kenton Neighborhood is very important to us and we felt the need to
notify you of the updated event schedule.

Red Cube Productions, LLC is proposing socially distanced drive-in concerts expecting 307 cars, with
1535 total attendees at Portland International Raceway (1809 N Broadacre Rd, Portland, OR 97217)
featuring international touring dance music DJs and live bands on May 21-22, 2021 from 4pm-10pm.
We intend to perform a sound check around 3pm on both days of the event, followed by four hours of
music once the event begins. The concert will begin at 6pm and ends at 10pm sharp, at which point we
will be enforcing a very strict sound curfew.
To put Event sound levels in perspective with other common measurements:

100-110 dBA – Train warning horns at residences along Columbia Blvd.
90 dBA – Truck or motorcycle traffic in street outside residences
80 dBA – Heavy truck traffic noise at residences along Columbia Blvd.
80 dBA – Garbage disposal in a kitchen
78 dBA – Loudest variance noise levels at closest residence
70 dBA – Average daytime noise levels residences along Columbia Blvd
70 dBA – Vacuum cleaner at 10 feet
65 dBA – Normal PIR operations (105 limit) measured at closest residence
65 dBA – Normal Event sound measured at closest residence
60 dBA – Average nighttime noise levels along Columbia Blvd.

How we will monitor sound levels:

Along with close monitoring of the Kenton Neighborhood and PIR sound meters from arrival until departure,
our sound engineers will be equipped with sound meters to measure at the event as well as surrounding
neighborhoods. In the event the dB level surpasses the threshold, the sound engineer will immediately adjust
the volume accordingly. Smaller speakers will be positioned in such a way to be the least obtrusive as possible
for our neighbors to the north and south. Below is a noise calculation graph created by our audio company to
show the estimated sound travel.

We have applied to the City of Portland for a code variance request from the City Noise Code, Title 18. You
have a legal right to offer public comment on our Code variance request and may offer input or complaints at
any point to the City of Portland. If we do not meet the conditions of our variance decision, the City retains the
right to revoke our temporary variation of the City Code.

It is our goal to be a good neighbor and to comply with all conditions set by the City’s Noise Control
Officer.

If you have any questions you can reach Paul Song at paul@redcubepdx.net.
During our event times, please contact Paul or Ian at 971-350-9065 for an immediate response to any of your
concerns.
If you have questions for the City’s Noise Control Office, please call 503-823-7350.
If you have questions about the quasi-judicial code variance decision process, or if you have complaints you
wish to share with the City, you can contact the City’s Noise Control Office at noise@portlandoregon.gov.
Thank you for your support.
Paul Song (Owner)
Red Cube Productions, LLC
paul@redcubepdx.net
971-350-9065

Our quarterly meeting will be held over Zoom on Tuesday, May 11 starting at 7:00 p.m.

At that time please join the Zoom Meeting by clicking the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8155082533?pwd=bkFHM3R4S1ZzbzVKSjBiemw4a3FPZz09

2021 Nature in Neighborhoods community stewardship and restoration grants now open

June 22, 2021 Deadline

Want to restore and care for nature in your community? A Metro Nature in Neighborhoods community stewardship and restoration grant can help get your idea off the ground if you have a vision for:

• Improving water quality,
• Creating fish and wildlife habitat,
• Removing invasive species,
• Addressing inequities in the conservation movement, and/or
• Restoring nature in the Portland metropolitan area

,

Grant recipients have planted native species at Ross Island, improved water quality and amphibian habitat in Willow Creek, and restored habitat at the Sandy River Delta for fish, migrating birds and turtles all while engaging local residents in being stewards of their local natural areas.

Metro grants expand partnerships to inspire new approaches to restoration, including economic and environmental equity. In the Jade District, APANO, Columbia Land Trust and Audubon worked together with private landowners to increase community stewardship and improve habitat.  In Hillsboro, Depave transformed the M&M Marketplace’s parking lot from gray to green by engaging community members that included pavement removal, rain garden creation, and native plant installation.  Momentum Alliance and Northwest Youth Corps co-created a diverse conservation leadership program for youth interns with year-round programming and coaching.

Metro’s Nature in Neighborhood community stewardship and restoration grants support programs like these.

This round of grants is possible thanks to support from voters, who in 2016 renewed the parks and natural areas levy, extending funding to 2023. New this round, the community stewardship and restoration grants will be offered every two years.

The community stewardship and restoration grants program will award $700,000 this year. Projects can be completed in one, two or three years. Large grants are up to $100,000 and small grants are up to $50,000.  Metro hopes to fund a mix of smaller and larger projects, in order to maximize the number and variety of organizations that participate in this funding opportunity.

Groups throughout greater Portland are encouraged to apply.

Click HERE to learn more about Metro community stewardship and restoration grants and fill out a simple application by June 22, 2021.

To learn more and ask questions, contact the grants program manager, Karissa Lowe, Program Manager, Nature in Neighborhoods Community Grants, Karissa.lowe@oregonmetro.gov

Thank you,

The Community Investments and Partnerships Team

Metro Parks and Nature

Juan Carlos Ocaña-Chíu, Community Investments Manager, juan.carlos.ocana-chiu@oregonmetro.gov

Crista Gardner, Program Manager, Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants, crista.gardner@oregonmetro.gov

Karissa Lowe, Program Manager, Nature in Neighborhoods Community Grants, Karissa.lowe@oregonmetro.gov

Oriana Quackenbush, Grants and Contracts Coordinator, oriana.quackenbush@oregonmetro.gov

Marcia Sinclair, Program Manager, Local Share Program, marcia.sinclair@oregonmetro.gov

Tara Miller, Program Manager, Community Partnerships , tara.miller@oregonmetro.gov

For more information about any of Metro’s great grant programs, please see our website at oregonmetro.gov/grants

UPCOMING METRO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Metro Sponsorship Opportunities

Metro gives sponsorship funds to nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with Metro’s mission and goals. Funds are used to support community programs, activities, events and projects that benefit the public, engage a diversity of residents and businesses, address inequities that impact our communities, and inspire inclusive and innovative solutions to the challenges of making the Portland area a great place for everyone.

Timeline: Accepted on an ongoing basis.

Learn more: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-partners/grants-and-resources/sponsorship-opportunities

Community Enhancement Grants

Community Enhancement Grants  improve economic opportunities, neighborhood livability, public safety and more in areas near the region’s garbage transfer facilities. Six communities participate in the program, including Forest Grove, Oregon City, Wilsonville, Sherwood, Troutdale, North Portland and Northwest Portland.

Learn more: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-partners/grants-and-resources/community-enhancement-grants

2021 Parks and Nature Sponsorships

Metro Parks and Nature Sponsorships provide up to $3,500 for community-led activities led by and for people of color and held at Metro parks and natural areas. Community-led sponsorships are part of the Community Partnerships Program, which works with community groups and organizations to connect people of color with nature.

Timeline (updated): More information available in Summer 2021.

Learn more: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks-and-nature-community-partnerships-program

OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

WES Grants

Are you interested in creating a project that benefits watershed health in the greater Happy Valley-Clackamas area? WES is now accepting grant proposals for the 2021-2022 grant cycle. The new program guide, fillable application form and budget form are posted online.

Timeline: The due date is April 29, 2021.

Learn more and apply: https://www.clackamas.us/wes/watershedhealth.html

MRG Foundation General Fund

MRG Foundation funds primarily grassroots, Oregon-based organizations that believe, like we do, that those most impacted by injustice are the ones best equipped to come up with solutions to the problems that affect them.

Eligibility:

• Be based in the region currently known as Oregon and/or their work must benefit those who call Oregon home;
• Preferably, have 501(c)(3) tax exemption or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
• If a group has neither federal tax exemption nor a fiscal sponsor, please contact us.
• If a group is a 501(c)(4), they may apply for 501(c)(3)-qualifying work.
• Not have received a grant in the immediately previous grant cycle.

Timeline:  due by April 23, 2021

Learn more and apply: see website

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10

Seeking applications to improve community health, resilience, and/or sustainability through pollution prevention and/or sustainable materials management implementation. EPA Region 10 anticipates awarding approximately $120,000 under this announcement. Awards will be issued and managed through EPA’s Region 10 Office. EPA anticipates awarding 2-4 grants, ranging from $30,000 to

$60,000.              

Eligibility: Applications include:

• Region 10 states, local governments, city or township governments
• Independent school district governments
• State-controlled institutions of higher education
• Non-profit organizations
• Community-based grassroots organizations
• Federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia
• Eligible projects must take place within Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Timeline:  due by April 30, 11:59 pm

Learn more and apply: see website

Kresge Foundation Grant: Creative Placemaking Initiative

The Kresge Foundation offers grants for projects that challenge the norms and ways of working within city-wide systems, and support more adaptive practitioners.

Who is eligible: U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with audited financial statements that are not classified as private foundations and government entities in the United States.

Deadlines: There are no application deadlines, applications are accepted at any time

Learn more: see website

Umpqua Bank Community Grants

Umpqua Bank, through the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation, has evolved its community giving strategy and Community Grants program to reflect a deeper commitment to improving economic prosperity, especially for under-resourced individuals, families, and small businesses. We are dedicated to building healthier, more resilient, better connected, and inclusive communities throughout our footprint.

Eligibility – Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation will:

• Accept applications only from qualified, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
• Accept applications from nonprofits serving counties where Umpqua Bank maintains a retail presence
• Only fund programs that serve a majority low-to-moderate (LMI) population
• Prioritize nonprofit organizations that engage current Umpqua Bank associates in a volunteer capacity
• Prioritize programs benefitting under-resourced communities Timeline: Applications are accepted ongoing and reviewed quarterly.

Timeline: The next review is Friday, June 4, 2021

Learn more and apply: website

The Small Projects and Community Events (SPACE) Grants

This program of theEast Multnomah County Soil & Water Conservation District provides grants of up to $2000 to support conservation projects, environmental education, community/school gardens, and community events that promote natural resource conservation. Examples of eligible projects or events include naturescaping, stormwater management, pollution prevention or clean-up, education of youth and/or adults, and community events promoting public participation and understanding of conservation issues.

Who is eligible: nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and Native American tribes doing a project located in or benefitting the residents of the district (Multnomah County East of the Willamette River)

Timeline: Completed application forms are due on the 1st of every month and should be submitted at least 45 days before the date of the project or event.

Learn more and apply: see website  

Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Education Grant

The Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Education Grant awards grants up to $20,000 to support conservation education efforts within Washington County, Oregon. Eligible projects must focus on conservation education programming or environmental workforce development.

Who is eligible: Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, Native American tribes, and government agencies for projects in Washington County.

Timeline: Applications are due on the 10^th of each month. Projects are awarded on a competitive basis until funds are exhausted for the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Learn more: see website or contact Charlotte Trowbridge at (503) 277-3709 or charlotte.trowbridge@tualatinswcd.org

Native Plant Mini-Grants

City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Community Watershed Stewardship Program mini-grants provide gift certificates for up to $500 for native plants to community groups or individuals that need seed money to help start or maintain projects beneficial to the local watershed. These stewardship projects must bring together volunteers for an overall goal of enhancing water quality in Portland’s watersheds.

Timeline: Accept applications on ongoing basis but applicants are limited to one mini-grant per calendar year.

To apply: Download form or contact Esmerelda Sanchez at 503-823-7917 to have one mailed to you

ADDITIONAL METRO RESOURCES

Metro Free Park Days
Resource: Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp and Chinook Landing Marine Park on select days in 2021. Parking at all other Metro parks and boat ramps is free year-round. More information at our website https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/free-parking-days-metro-parks-2021

• May 20
• June 19
• July 15
• Aug. 19
• Sept. 16
• Oct. 21
• Nov. 11, 18 and 25
• Dec. 16
• Parking at all other Metro parks and boat ramps is free year-round.

NATURE EDUCATION MATERIALS

For some nature education activities at home, see the ideas from:

• Metro Our Big Backyard, including Color in Nature, at https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/read-summer-2020-issue-our-big-backyard
• Slough School at Home at https://www.columbiaslough.org/slough-school-at-home
• Zenger Farms At Home Activities for Youth at https://zengerfarm.org/uncategorized/at-home-activities-for-youth/  
• EMSWCD Great Gorge Adventure at https://emswcd.org/the-great-gorge-adventure/
• Camp ELSO Wayfinders at https://www.campelso.org/wayfinders
• Friends of Tryon Creek Nature at Home at https://tryonfriends.org/nature-at-home
• Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership developed these lessons for Clackamas Water Environment Services at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IuK6uYtDpZSHv-fl5wmycYf5VbB4PgE87ZPabZt9JRk/edit
• Partners of the Children’s Clean Water Festival at: https://www.cleanwaterfestival.org/teachers/resources/

Karissa Lowe
Program Manager
Nature in Neighborhood Community Grants

Metro | oregonmetro.gov/grants

karissa.lowe@oregonmetro.gov
360.261.4683 voicemail