Author Archives: Val Humble

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Historic Vanport Walking Tour
Walk through Historic Vanport and Explore the Past, Present and Future of Flood Safety

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Columbia River Flood of 1948 that destroyed the City of Vanport, once Oregon’s second-largest city. 

Join Flood Safe Columbia River on a walking tour that highlights Vanport’s history, the conditions that led to the devastating flood of 1948 that destroyed the city, and what community partners are doing today to upgrade flood control infrastructure and manage flood risk in a changing climate.

Special guest Ed Washington, Vanport survivor and lifelong civic leader, will speak to his experience as a resident of Vanport. 

WHEN:  Sunday, May 21st from 10am to 12:30pm 

WHERE: The Vanport Marker next to the Delta Mark MAX Station

Register Here!

The event is part of the 8th Vanport Mosaic Festival – two weeks of memory activism to commemorate Oregon’s Katrina-like disaster with exhibits, performances, documentary screenings and oral history recordings, tours of the historic Vanport sites, and opportunities to honor the Vanport Community.  
Flood Safe Columbia River is an initiative to manage flood risk in a changing climate.  It represents the work of existing Drainage Districts and a new flood control agency created by the Oregon Legislature. 
Learn more at our website
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Past, Present and Future of Flood Safety

Join Flood Safe Columbia River on a walking tour that highlights Vanport’s history, the conditions that led to the devastating flood that destroyed the City of Vanport, and what community partners are doing today to upgrade flood control infrastructure and manage flood risk in a changing climate. Hear stories from a Vanport survivor.

The walking tour will start at the Vanport Marker near the Delta Park MAX Station, and will end at the site of the historic embankment failure. There is an option to walk back to the MAX station together. Expect about an hour and a half of walking total, about 40 minutes (2 miles) in both directions.  Water and light refreshments will be provided.

This event is hosted as part of the 2023 Vanport Mosaic Festival that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the flood that destroyed Vanport and honors the community that called Vanport home. 

When: Sunday, May 21st from 10am to 12:30pm

Where: Meet at the Vanport Marker near the Delta Park MAX Station.

Registration: Please register online here.

A close-up of a flood Description automatically generated with low confidence

Aster Moulton (they/them)

Public Affairs and Community Relations Specialist

Multnomah County Drainage District #1 (MCDD)

1880 NE Elrod Drive Portland, OR 97211

Mobile: 971-940-6311

amoulton@mcdd.org

www.mcdd.org

Mission: To enhance community safety and support the region’s vitality by reducing flood risk, maintaining our levee system, managing drainage, and responding to emergencies.

What is MCDD?  MCDD provides flood protection by maintaining the Columbia River Corridor levee system and removing stormwater for residents and businesses.  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 Sandy River on the east.

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  Portland Business District CleanupWednesday, May 17, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM  Help Keep Rose City Beautiful!
On May 17th, SOLVE is hosting the Portland Business District Cleanup, sponsored by CareOregon, with additional support from the Portland Rose Festival.Join SOLVE, local businesses, and community members to pick up litter along the waterfront. This is a fantastic opportunity to build a connection with your neighbors and contribute to the vibrancy of our city. 

The Rose Festival kicks off at the end of May, and we are determined to make the west bank waterfront look pristine in time for the festivities. We are excited to play our part in making the space ready for the parades, the Clown Prince, and all the fun rides.

Join us for a morning of fun, camaraderie, and community spirit. Volunteers will meet at 9 am at the Salmon Street Spring Fountain, and then will head out into the surrounding area to pick up litter. Cleanup supplies and instructions will be provided, so just bring your passion for making a difference.

This event is made possible through SOLVE’s partnership with CareOregon, whose mission is to make individuals, families, and entire communities healthier. 

Sign up for a chance to spread positivity and make a meaningful impact by volunteering alongside fellow community members. Register now by clicking on the button below!PORTLAND BUSINESS DISTRICT CLEANUP
Sponsored by
Unable to Attend?
Take a look at our event calendar for additional volunteer opportunities!
EVENT CALENDAR
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East Columbia Neighborhood Association Meeting
Columbia Community Bible Church
Wednesday 10 May 23
7:00 pm In-Person and via ZOOM
Agenda

For REMOTE Attendees
Time: May 10, 2023 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84978193456?pwd=d0F4Yko0SWIvallGNVJsYUZ2WTZzQT09
Meeting ID: 849 7819 3456
Passcode: 797744

Announcements:
Grand Reopening of the Columbia Children’s Arboretum is tentatively scheduled for Sunday 11
June.
Guest Speakers
Colin Rowan from MCDD is our featured guest and will discuss:
 I think an introduction to the Flood Safe Columbia River initiative makes sense for the
May meeting.

Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub – Laurie King
 a six-mile stretch at the north end of the Willamette River, where 90% of Oregon’s fuels
are transferred.
Arboretum Opening update – Gyrid Towle
Mowing the Truck Trap – Shayla Garcia

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Portland skyline with the City of Portland seal superimposed. May 2023 Update  Three maps against a pale green background. The first map (left) is black and white and shows Portland divided into blocks. The second map (middle) depicts some blocks highlighted in blue and features a toolbar to highlight other sections. The third map (right) shows Portland divided into four multicolored sections. The header for this image reads: Using DistrictR, start with a blank map and highlight your community – or – create four districts. We invite community members to create a map of their communities (middle image) or to submit a district map (right image). This sample district map was discussed during an IDC meeting and can be found at portland.gov/transition/districtcommission/documents. Upcoming opportunities for district mapmakingTake a DistrictR mapmaking training and see the map submissions. The Independent District Commission (IDC) wants to hear from Portlanders! The Commission is currently reviewing district map submissions from community members and encourages all Portlanders to submit their ideas for the city’s future electoral districts. Learn how to submit a map and how to participate in the district selection process by taking a training in May.    Nine people seated at a u-shaped table at the Portland Building. New Government Transition Advisory Committee looks ahead to public meetings The Charter transition team, led by Chief Administrative Officer Michael Jordan, welcomed the new committee at their first meeting last week. Meetings are open to the public, comments welcome.   The first Government Transition Advisory Committee meeting was held on April 25, and the new members reviewed foundational documents and heard a presentation on the City’s draft transition plan. The presentation offered a detailed orientation about the parallel project tracks the team is managing towards reaching the end goal of Jan. 1, 2025, when the newly elected city council, mayor and auditor are sworn in and begin their terms.    Illustration of a model ballot for ranked-choice voting. Text says: “We’re getting ready for Ranked-Choice Voting!” Includes Portland Transition logo with City Seal. City prepares for voter education after council approved changes to the election codeCouncil approves new elections code to pave the way for implementation of ranked-choice voting. On April 19, city council voted to implement several new election rules when Portlanders cast their ballot for the November 2024 election. The vote was required to formalize ranked-choice voting and other city election code updates.    A multicolor timeline of the Salary Commission’s work. The May section is blue and reads: begin research, analysis, and initial recommendations. The June section is green and reads: release draft salary proposal. The July section is in yellow and reads: incorporate revisions and vote. Inside the process of setting new salaries for Portland’s elected officials First meetings of Portland’s Salary Commission covered required trainings on public meetings law and building a common understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the elected leadership under the charter amendments.  Meetings in May will continue discussions on research, invited expertise, and equity principles for setting compensation with guidance from the City’s Bureau of Human Resources and Transition Team equity practitioners.   Upcoming Transition EventsA list of events and meetings on a blue background. Get involved with the transition to a new form of government! Learn more about the Commissions’ work and share your thoughts through public comment. Stay up to date on transition events on our website. A list of events and meetings on a blue background.   About the City of Portland Transition ProjectIn November 2022, Portland voters approved Ballot Measure 26-228 that directs the City of Portland to implement these three connected changes by Jan. 1, 2025:  Allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference, using ranked-choice voting.Establish four geographic districts, with three city council members elected to represent each district – expanding city council to a total of 12 members. Allow the city council to focus on setting policy and engaging with community, transitioning day-to-day oversight of bureaus to a mayor elected citywide and a professional city administrator.  
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