November 2014 General Election City-Referred Measures
Measure 26-159
Ballot Title Caption: Bonds to fix playgrounds, trails; improve park facilities, safety, accessibility.
On July 24th, 2014, the Portland City Council adopted Resolution No. 37085, referring a general obligation bond measure to Portland voters on the November 4, 2014 General Election ballot.
Additional Council Referral Documents
Status:
7/24/14 - Resolution 37085 adopted by Council; seven-day ballot title challenge period begins; an elector may file a petition for review of the ballot title in the Mutlnomah County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 P.M. on Monday, August 4th, 2014
8/4/14 - No electors filed a petition for review of the ballot measure
8/7/14 - Auditor files Notice of Measure Election with Multnomah County Elections
8/7/14 - Multnomah County Elections Office confirms receipt of Notice of City Measure Election and assigns measure number 26-159
8/12/14 - Measure explanatory statement filed with Multnomah County Elections
11/4/14 - November 2014 Municipal General Election held; measure 26-159 approved by voters
BALLOT TITLE
CAPTION:
Bonds to fix playgrounds, trails; improve park facilities, safety, accessibility.
QUESTION:
Shall Portland fix, improve park facilities by issuing bonds estimated to maintain current tax rate; require audits and public oversight? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.
SUMMARY:
Measure would authorize $68,000,000 in general obligation bonds for Portland Parks & Recreation facilities. Because previous bonds are scheduled to be repaid, City’s parks bond tax rate is not expected to increase from current rate of $0.0877 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Anticipated projects include fixing, improving:
- 10 to 20 play areas currently closed, at risk of closure, or deficient, including Couch, Creston,
Kenton, Lents, Lynchview, North Park Blocks, Ventura parks
- Trails, bridges, including in Forest Park
- Community pools, including Matt Dishman, Peninsula, Grant
- Sellwood Park buildings, Rieke Field, Multnomah Arts Center, St. Johns Community Center
- Restrooms, roofs, other deficient parks, structures, and equipment
- Pioneer Courthouse Square failing structures, leaks, cracks
- Barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities
- Park maintenance facilities to address worker safety, efficiency
Funds are for repairs and other capital costs, not park operations. A five-member oversight committee will review bond expenditures, provide annual reports. Bonds may be issued in multiple series; audits required.