| Press Release – March 4, 2023 Contact: Christine Llobregat christine.llobregat@portlandoregon.gov Mobile: 971-393-6577  City of Portland invites community organizations to apply for Portland Votes 2024 Voter Education Grant Program In November 2024, Portland voters will use ranked-choice voting to elect one mayor, one auditor and three councilors per district (12 councilors total) by prioritizing their candidates. Portland Votes 2024 seeks to ensure that voters understand the new election method with non-partisan education. The Portland Votes 2024 grant application period is now open on the Portland Votes 2024 website. The grant program’s focus is to contract with community partners who are trusted messengers for hard-to-reach voters. The grant recipients will assist in providing nonpartisan voter education materials and activities to communities that the City of Portland has a hard time reaching, as well as those Portlanders who have historically lacked access to city decision-making. “This is the first time the City is mandated to educate voters,” said City of Portland Inclusive Democracy Project Manager Sofia Alvarez-Castro. “The introduction of Portland’s council districts, the roles of mayor and council, and using ranked-choice voting requires a successful education program to ensure all Portlanders are able to use their ballot to express their right to vote.” While voter education is new to the City’s responsibilities, it is not a new practice. The City is using a national ranked-choice voting education model that includes a variety of best practices from other state and county elections, and the program is informed by the City of Portland’s Election Office and Multnomah County Elections Division. Portland’s impartial and non-partisan voter education means the outreach will have a singular curriculum focus: how to use ranked-choice voting to elect a Portland mayor, citywide auditor and councilors in your district. Grant categories include direct non-partisan voter education, community education, and communicationsA total of $210,000 is available in grant funds. Up to 14 grants will be awarded, and will be determined by these categories: Three Direct Voter Contact Grants Six Community Education Grants Five Communications Grants The application, review process, and grant terms for small and large implementation grants is identical.Organizations can apply for one or multiple grant categories. Projects must fall within one or more of the following categories direct voter education, community education and/or communications, and all projects must include mock election(s) using City-provided tools and resources. How to apply: Single and joint applicant proposals are welcome If organizations are connected to community members from the City’s definition of priority populations and are well positioned to share information with them, they are welcome to apply. Training and materials will be provided to grantees.To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the following requirements: Applicant organizations must be located within Portland city limits. Applicant organizations must NOT appear on the Oregon Department of Justice List of Disqualified Charities. Applicant organizations must commit to Use of Funds requirements.Applicant organizations must complete training with the Portland Votes team about ranked-choice voting and permissible activities for C3 / C4 / PAC organizations.Applicant organizations must participate in monthly meetings and reporting for the grant period. To learn more about program requirements, how to apply, and the evaluation process, please visit www.portland.gov/vote/grants. About the City of Portland Transition Project In 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. Establish a city council that focuses on setting policy and engaging with community, transitioning day-to-day oversight of bureaus to a mayor elected citywide and a professional city administrator. Need access to information or services? The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711. Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo FasiraadПисьмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen KapasTranslation and Interpretation: 311 |
Category Archives: Uncategorized
| Save the date! Wednesday, March 20 |
| You are invited to a community gathering to help advance the community-led vision for a Center for Black Arts and Culture at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC). Thank you to everyone who provided input at our first meeting in August at Marantha Church. Your contributions are enhancing the plans to preserve and enhance this important community asset. Join us at Jefferson High School’s Cafeteria on Wednesday, March 20 to gather in community to enjoy good food, hear a presentation, and share your feedback on the next steps. We will share how a combination of community input, financial analysis, and arts management expertise has shaped the IFCC Feasibility Study. Wednesday, March 20, 5:30pm – 7:30pmJefferson High School Cafeteria, 5210 N Kerby Avenue* 5:30pm – Doors open, refreshments served 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Presentation and small group chats ASL interpretation and childcare will be available Food by the Madman Pop Up (West Indian cuisine) Read more about what we heard at the first meeting here *Entrance to the cafeteria is on N Kerby Avenue, to the right of the main Jefferson High School entrance and across from the parking lot. |
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| Studio Abioto photo by Elijah Hasan |  |
| Jill Giedt photo by Shawnte Sims |  |
| Noah Simpson photo by Elijah Hasan About the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC) IFCC is a community arts center located at 5340 N. Interstate Avenue, in North Portland’s Overlook neighborhood. The building was originally constructed in 1910 and used as a fire station until 1959. Portland’s first Black City Commissioner and PP&R Director, Charles Jordan, established IFCC as a North Portland community space and a focal point for Black culture in 1982. Work is currently underway to advance the community led-vision of a Black arts and culture center at IFCC. The IFCC Community Advisory Committee proposes the building be redeveloped and expanded as a site where “the history of Portland’s Black community and its rich arts and culture contributions can be presented, displayed, discussed, and honored.” |
| Portland Parks & RecreationMaija Spencer | 503-867-0679 | maija.spencer@portlandoregon.gov |
Bridgeton Residents Briefing and Property Tour 2/27  BRIEFING AND PROPERTY TOURFor Bridgeton Neighborhood Residents (properties located directly alongside Bridgeton Road from the condos and townhomes on Harbor Dr. on the west to the intersection of Bridegeton and Marine Drive on the East.)Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Time: 3-5p Location: Portland Yacht Club/Property Walking Tour to Follow Briefing at 3p followed by Property Walking Tour Dear Property Owner: The US Army Corps of Engineers has recommended raising the levee along the Columbia River in north and northeast Portland by approximately one foot on average and replacing the road on top. Throughout design and construction, the US Army Corps is committed to: Ensuring that none of your basic services like mail or garbage will be cut off or limited Complying with the American with Disabilities Act Additionally, as the local sponsors of the project, the Drainage Districts are committed to reducing flood risk and minimizing impact to the properties on and around the levees in the following ways: Communicating with you about your property and neighborhood in relation to the project early and often Working collaboratively with other local jurisdictions such as the City of Portland to develop recommendations for the Corps to maximize right of way improvements within the constraints of the project including active transportation improvements, enhanced safety elements, and stormwater improvements. As we work with other jurisdictions and the Corps to develop recommendations and designs, we need your help. We want to hear about specific concerns you have for your property that should be taken into consideration. The information you provide will help us paint a more complete picture of the design constraints and community needs when the Corps officially begins the design phase. Opportunity for Participation: Understanding the importance of safety improvements in the area, we are committed to providing regular updates and opportunities for dialogue regarding project design and construction. To facilitate the early stages of the design phase, we seek your input on your property’s interface with the public right-of-way and road, as well as any noteworthy considerations related to your property. To streamline this process, we offer two methods for providing information: Complete an online survey by clicking: HERE AND/OR 2. JOIN US IN PERSON BRIDGETON NEIGHBORHOOD For properties located directly alongside Bridgeton Road from the condos and townhomes on Harbor Dr. on the west to the intersection of Bridegeton and Marine Drive on the East. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 3 to 5p MEETING PLACE: PORTLAND YACHT CLUB We encourage as many property owners as possible to complete the survey online to expedite the process, while ensuring our team can assist neighbors with disabilities or technological challenges. Through the survey, kindly provide details such as property photos, notable features, drainage or accessibility concerns, parking arrangements, waste disposal practices, and any future improvement plans. Your insights will aid the Corps in understanding community needs and constraints when designing the project. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We value your input and look forward to working together to enhance our flood safety infrastructure. Warm regards, Peninsula Drainage District #2 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, OR 97211 Phone: 503.281.5675 Website: www.mcdd.org QUESTIONS? Please contact us at eridley@mcdd.org |
| February 23, 2024 |
| NE 6th Drive Pump Station Project Contact: Debbie Caselton, Community Outreach Debbie.Caselton@portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-2831 Project Webpage: portland.gov/BES/NE6thPumpStation |
Environmental Services is constructing a project to expand and remodel the 44-year-old NE 6th Drive Pump Station in the East Columbia neighborhood. The upgrades will modernize equipment, increase system capacity, and protect public health and the environment. Project Area The pump station is located on NE 6th Drive between N Vancouver Way and NE Middlefield Rd.  |
| What’s Happening Now Beginning late February and through March 2024, there will be activity at the project site, including delivery of materials, setting up staging of materials and equipment, and exploration and locating of current utilities. Major construction activities such as deactivation of the pump station and demolition will likely happen starting in April. |
| General Schedule The project is starting construction and will take about two years to complete. Pile Driving Proposed Engineers are working with the construction contractor to propose and evaluate the best method to install the deep piles. A key goal of this project is to improve the pump station’s resiliency to earthquake damage. Deep supports or “piles” driven into the deep gravels are the most effective way to provide this earthquake resiliency. Environmental Services is proposing the use of two different methods to install the earthquake support piles. First, a vibratory hammer would drive the piles down to a depth of about 100 feet. This type of hammer cuts into the soil using vibration alone, this method is quieter than other methods but may create some minimal vibration. Second, the piles would be driven down the remaining 10 feet to deep underlying gravel using an impact hammer. This method uses a large hammer to drive the piles down to the bearing material. It can be noisy and creates some noticeable vibration. Driven piles installed using vibratory and impact hammers are the most cost effective and quickest method to support the pump station. Using this method for this portion of the pump station upgrade will take about four weeks to complete, instead of several months for other support methods. They are also the best way to support the pump station in these soil conditions. Next Steps Environmental Services has used this construction method successfully many times. We understand that there may be some concerns about the potential for noise and vibration near the construction site. Neighbors closest to the NE 6th Drive Pump Station site have been contacted directly to provide more specific information. Our staff are working directly with potentially affected residents to monitor potential vibration and settlement. As we approach construction, we will also work with nearby properties to document existing property conditions ahead of the work beginning. We encourage you to reach out if you have any concerns. We Want to Hear from You Environmental Services will inform businesses and residents about project activities and respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. Please let us know if you have concerns such as business operations, local access, delivery routes and schedules, or other concerns. Visit the project webpage at portland.gov/BES/NE6thPumpStation. Sign up to receive email or text message updates portland.gov/BES/signup. You can also sign up to receive information on other projects and topics. Contact Debbie Caselton with questions or comments by email at Debbie.Caselton@portlandoregon.gov or by phone at 503-823-2831. Please include your name, property address, and project name (NE 6th Drive) in your voicemail or email so we can provide you more details about what to expect. In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7. |
 This project will help protect the healthof the Columbia Slough Watershed. Know someone who would be interested in updates about this project? Please share this news! Stay Connected      |
 News Release Transportation commissions form bi-state tolling subcommittee to guide tolling on Interstate 5 bridge NEWS – Joint Release Oregon Transportation Commission Transportation Commission Office – 355 Capitol St. NE – Salem, OR 97301-3871 – 503-986-3450 Washington State Transportation Commission Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA – 98504-7308 – 360-705-7070 Feb. 16, 2024 For more information, contact Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director, 360-705-7070 or Kevin Glenn, ODOT Communications Director, 503-910-5965. SALEM, OR. – The Oregon Transportation Commission and Washington State Transportation Commission have formed a new bi-state tolling subcommittee to study and assess possible toll rates and policies for the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. The subcommittee’s first meeting is on Friday, Feb. 23, and the public is invited to attend. The bi-state tolling subcommittee is made up of two commissioners appointed from each state’s transportation commission. Lee Beyer and Alicia Chapman are representing Oregon on the subcommittee; James “Jim” A. Restucci and Roy Jennings are representing Washington. They will assess toll rate and policy options for the bridge. The subcommittee also will advise the full memberships of the Washington and Oregon transportation commissions and ultimately provide recommendations on toll rates and policies for each state commission’s consideration and action in late 2025. The public is invited to attend the virtual meeting, which will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. The meeting will be streamed live on Zoom. Public comment is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Written comment may be submitted to info@bistatesubcommittee.org. The January adoption of the bi-state tolling agreement by each state’s transportation commission set the stage for the bi-state tolling subcommittee. The subcommittee will meet virtually the third Friday of every month, and each meeting will provide an opportunity for public comment. Meeting notices and agendas will be posted on the WSTC and OTC websites prior to meetings. Construction of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River is anticipated to begin by early 2026, and tolling is expected to begin in spring 2026. Tolling is expected to provide traffic management and vital funding for the project as well as cover ongoing maintenance costs for the bridge and tolling operations. Free, temporary internet access is available to those who do not have broadband service in locations throughout Washington by finding the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot. Free WiFi access in Oregon is available at these locations: Peninsula Park Community Center, 700 N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland, 97217 Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street, Portland, 97212 Johns Community Center, 8427 N. Central Street, Portland, 97203 Kenton Library, 8226 N. Denver Avenue, Portland, 97217 Johns Library, 7510 N. Charleston Avenue, Portland, 97203 Hyperlinks within the release: Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/84421909149?pwd=aURNMnl2ZU5UVlBtbjdaN1BpUXN3QT09 WSTC: wstc.wa.gov/programs/tolling/i-5-bridge-over-the-columbia-river/ OTC: oregon.gov/odot/Get-Involved/Pages/Bistate-toll-commission.aspx Drive-In WiFi Hotspot: commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/washington-state-drive-in-wifi-hotspots-location-finder/ ### Americans with Disabilities Act Information Individuals requesting accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting the Washington State Transportation Commission at 360-705-7070 or by emailing transc@wstc.wa.gov. In Oregon, please contact the Oregon Transportation Commission Assistant at 503-986-3450 or email OTCAdmin@odot.state.or.us at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to make your request. Title VI Notice to Public It is the Washington State Transportation Commission’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his or her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7090. Looking for a great job with a competitive salary and good benefits?Want to help your community every day? Apply now at ODOTJobs.com. Nothing quite fit? Check back often! |
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 