phone: 503-823-3589
Email: nick@portlandoregon.gov
1221 S.W. 4th, Room 240, Portland, OR 97204
Press Release: New Lawsuit Seeks to Stall Progress on Willamette River Clean-Up and Shift Cost to Portland Taxpayers
Jul 15, 2019 at 9:42 AM
July 15, 2019
Press release from the office of Commissioner Nick Fish:
New Lawsuit Seeks to Stall Progress on Willamette River Clean-Up
and Shift Cost to Portland Taxpayers
Late Friday afternoon, Portland law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP filed a lawsuit challenging the City’s recent actions to clean up the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, an 11-mile stretch of the Willamette River running through the heart of our community.
The claims are recycled from an earlier lawsuit brought against the City by the same firm – claims lost on the merits. The new lawsuit seeks additional taxpayer money to cover the firm’s fees, accounting costs and administrative services.
In Anderson v. City of Portland, Circuit Court Judge Bushong previously ruled that, “Determining whether water and sewer ratepayer dollars should be spent for various projects is a question presented in the first instance to the elected officials who serve on the City Council and manage the water and sewer funds. It is not the court’s role to second-guess or attempt to judge whether Council’s decision in any given situation constitutes a wise use of ratepayer dollars or sound public policy.”
Earlier this year, the State of Oregon and the City of Portland partnered to launch an innovative new approach to jump start clean-up of the river. The strategy both pools and caps the public agencies’ financial commitments for this phase of the work and offers greater certainty and significantly lower risk and cost. Together, the City and State are establishing a trust to hold up to $24 million to provide funding to parties that commit to making progress on clean-up.
“Not only is the trust a responsible approach for Portland ratepayers and taxpayers, it’s become a national model,” said Portland Commissioner Nick Fish, who oversees the City’s Bureau of Environmental Services. “During my tenure, we brought sewer and stormwater rates down to below the rate of inflation, while continuing to be a leader in the Willamette River clean-up. I’m disappointed that – again – Portlanders will be asked to foot the bill for an unfounded lawsuit.”
Michael Jordan, Director of BES added, “We are proud of our work on the Superfund, most notably our recent agreement with EPA which continues to explore the most efficient and cost-effective ways to address City liability and use public funds to clean up our river.”
Chief Deputy City Attorney Karen Moynahan, who will handle the case for the City, commented, “Despite transparent and clear communication from the City, I’m disappointed by the misrepresentation of facts in the lawsuit. The City won this case before and we’ll win it again – unfortunately, at a cost to the public.”
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Media
City Sued Over Portland Harbor Superfund Site Cleanup Planning Efforts
Amelia Templeton in OPB News
Legality of Portland Harbor Cleanup Fund Challenged
Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune
Portland Sued Over Water and Sewer Spending
KATU News
Portland Faces Lawsuit Over Sewer Utility Spending
Gordon R. Friedman in the Oregonian
Peninsula Pool Re-Opening
Jul 18, 2019 at 2:28 PM
July 18, 2019
Today, Nick and Parks Director Adena Long cut the ribbon on the newly-renovated Peninsula Park Outdoor Pool.
The event included a synchronized swimming performance by the Rose City Raindrops, water safety activities with Parks lifeguards, and cake for kids.
The improvements include expanding the shallow end to better accommodate swim lessons and play, improved ADA accessibility, and new filters and pump systems.
The project was funded by the 2014 Parks Replacement Bond and System Development Charges (SDCs) paid by developers.
Located in north Portland, the Peninsula Park Community Center was the first community center in the Portland Parks system, established in 1913.
The Weekly Catch
Jul 19, 2019 at 3:51 PM
Superfund
Press Release: New Lawsuit Seeks to Stall Progress on Willamette River Clean-Up and Shift Cost to Portland Taxpayers
Nick Fish Blog
City Sued Over Portland Harbor Superfund Site Cleanup Planning Efforts
Amelia Templeton in OPB News
Legality of Portland Harbor Cleanup Fund Challenged
Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune
Portland Sued Over Water and Sewer Spending
KATU News
Portland Residents Sue the City, Alleging Misuse of Ratepayer Dollars for Willamette River Clean-Up
Sophie Peel in Willamette Week
Portland Faces Lawsuit Over Sewer Utility Spending
Gordon R. Friedman in the Oregonian
Portland Sued Over Superfund Site Cleanup Efforts
AP Wire Story in the DJC Oregon
Parks
Peninsula Pool Re-Opening
Nick Fish Blog
Portland’s Parks Are a Cherished Gem. But They Can’t Make Ends Meet.
Rachel Monahan in Willamette Week
WW: ‘Portland Parks and Wreck’
KATU News
Parks Commissioner Fish Says Springwater Will Get More Bike Patrols Following Assault
Jonathan Maus in BikePortland
Police: Suspect in Springwater Corridor Assault Spotted Riding Stolen Bike
Kelle Azar in KATU News
What Will It Take to Get the Oregon Zoo Railway's Long Route Back on Track?
Meerah Powell, OPB News
‘The Hurdle Doctor’ Prescribes the Remedy on the Track at Mt. Hood Community College
Nick Krupke in FOX 12 News
City Hall Bomb Threat
Suspicious Package at Portland City Hall Deemed Safe
KOIN 6 News Staff
Portland City Hall Evacuation Lifted, Police Find No Risk to Public
KGW News
Suspicious Package Leads to Second Evacuation of Portland City Hall This Month
Katie Shepherd, Willamette Week
Portland City Hall Evacuated For 2nd Time This Month After Possible Threat Reported
Everton Bailey Jr. in The Oregonian
Arts and Film
‘Shrill’ Producer Max Handelman on Growing Up in Portland, And Why the City Is 'Part of The DNA Of the Show’
Kristi Turnquist in The Oregonian
Jazz Festival Turns 39
The Skanner News
Portland Art Museum to Cut Staff, Illustrating Changes in Arts Funding
April Baer in OPB News
In Other News
Displaced Alder Street Food Carts Moving to Ankeny Square
Meerah Powell in OPB News
Will Portland Neighborhood Associations be Curtailed?
Jim Redden and Lisa Balick in KOIN 6 News
Hundreds Convene in Portland To Block Zenith Oil Terminal Plans
Kristian Foden-Vencil in OPB News
2% for The Arts
Jul 24, 2019 at 11:41 AM
July 24, 2019
This afternoon, Council updated the City’s Public Art Code to expand the Percent for Art program.
Percent for Art is a City program that requires major City projects to include funding for public art. Today’s update expands the program to increase art access and leverage public dollars more efficiently, including:
- Expanding the list of allowed uses for Percent for Art dollars, including allowing creative space and artists-in-residence
- Prioritizing underserved communities’ access to art
- Clarifying responsibilities between the City and the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), who administers the program
This update is one of the recommendations included in the Arts Affordability Plan adopted by Council in 2018.
Special thanks to Tracy Schreiber on our team, Pollyanne Birge from Commissioner Eudaly’s office, RACC, the City Attorney’s office, and community partners for their help crafting this update.