Portland City Council

Enough with the unruly at Council meetings: Editorial Agenda 2017

The Oregonian Editorial Board

Commissioners call protest crackdown 'a turning point'

Maggie Vespa in KGW

Disruptions could lead to arrests at Portland City Council meeting

Jessica Floum in The Oregonian

The Mayor's Got a Hush-Hush New Plan for Dealing With Meeting Outbursts

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

6 arrested during downtown Quanice Hayes protest

Tim Becker in KOIN 6 News

In Other News

Step Back in Time with These 3 Vintage Water Bureau Videos

The Portland Water Blog

Celebrate spring and trillium in Tryon Creek this weekend at the Trillium Festival

BES City Green Blog

Large Equipment Removal at Washington Park Reservoir Project Site Scheduled for Friday, March 31st; Traffic Delays Expected

The Portland Water Blog

Portland Japanese Garden Opens New Cultural Village

Emily Fuller in OPB

'Kabuki in the courtyard' and a cup of tea: Visiting the expanded Portland Japanese Garden

Janet Eastman in The Oregonian

ArtsWatch Weekly: Play it, Sam

Oregon ArtsWatch

April 3, 2017

 “Good citizens are the riches of a city.” - C.E.S. Wood

Community engagement is a key feature of Portland decision-making, and the City Council is committed to meaningful public involvement.

This morning, the Council held a Work Session to discuss proposed reforms to the City’s public involvement practices.

Commissioners Eudaly and Fish have partnered on a package of eight proposed changes and updates, summarized in a handout linked here.

Their recommendations include uniform application forms, disclosures and bylaws, a database of all the City’s boards and commissions, and training for members of all advisory bodies.

On May 3, Council will consider a Resolution directing bureaus and staff to compile information on the approximately 150 existing boards and commissions, including rosters, bylaws, and policies for recruiting and appointing members.

After further community consultation, the goal is to return to Council by Labor Day with an Ordinance containing final recommendations for review and approval.

Thanks to Commissioner Eudaly for her partnership, and to Judy Prosper of the City Attorney’s office for guiding this process and helping to develop the proposal.

April 4, 2017

This Friday, Commissioner Nick Fish will challenge the Portland business community to convert 1,000 single-stall restrooms to all-user restrooms. He will be joined by members of Venture Portland, the Portland Business Alliance, the Main Street Alliance, the Portland Area Business Association, Yelp, and the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association.

          When:        Friday, April 7, 11:00 – 11:30 am

          Where:       The Station (2703 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR 97211)

The City of Portland is committed to treating all people with respect and dignity, and to removing artificial barriers. On September 23, 2016, Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz celebrated the successful conversion of 600 of the City’s single-stall restrooms to all-user facilities. The policy was crafted with community partners including Elders in Action, Multnomah County, SMYRC, Basic Rights Oregon, PHLUSH, and Disability Rights Oregon. These restrooms are now accessible to everyone in our community– older adults, parents with young children, people with personal attendants, and transgender people.

On Friday, Commissioner Fish will challenge the business community to step up and go even further.

“The City of Portland successfully converted 600 single-stall restrooms to all-user restrooms. I am formally challenging the business community to meet us, and beat us,” said Commissioner Fish. “The goal is 1000 all-user restrooms in the next 150 days. The support so far from public spirited businesses has been overwhelming. I am confident the business community will exceed our expectations.”

“We applaud the City for making this a challenge rather than a mandate,” said Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance. “Portland businesses share the City’s value of making our community a welcoming place for everyone, and we look forward to working with Commissioner Fish and other members of Council to make progress on the goals being announced today.”

For more information, visit portlandoregon.gov/alluserchallenge

Background

On December 17, 2015, Commissioner Nick Fish introduced Resolution #37175, which affirmed the City’s commitment to “removing barriers to a safe and inclusive workplace for employees, to creating spaces which are welcoming to all visitors, and to treating all people with respect and dignity.” It was approved unanimously by City Council.

On June 1, 2016, Council adopted the new policy which applies to “City-controlled” buildings – those that are both owned and occupied by the City.

On September 23, 2016, Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz celebrated the successful conversion of 600 single-stall restrooms in City facilities.

Media

Fish Challenges Businesses to Expand All-User Restrooms

Ted Perkins in The Hollywood Star News

Commissioner Fish challenges businesses to create all-user restrooms

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish to Issue 'All-User Restroom Challenge' Friday

Travis Loose in the Portland Patch

City and advocacy groups issue all-access bathroom challenge

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Portland Commissioner Challenges Restaurants, Bars to Provide ‘All-User’ Restrooms

Mattue John Bamman in Eater Portland

All-User Restroom Challenge

Nick on the Mark Mason Show 

KEX Radio

Venture Portland Helps Neighborhood Businesses Meet All-user Restroom Conversion Challenge 

Venture Portland

Morning Roundup (Commissioner Nick Fish issues all-access bathroom challenge to businesses)

Katy Sword in the Oregon Business

Commissioner Fish challenges businesses to create all-user restrooms

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish to Issue 'All-User Restroom Challenge' Friday

Travis Loose in the Portland Patch

City and advocacy groups issue all-access bathroom challenge

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Portland Commissioner Challenges Restaurants, Bars to Provide ‘All-User’ Restrooms

Mattue John Bamman in Eater Portland

Investment Policy

Portland Council Ends New Investment In Corporate Securities

Amelia Templeton in OPB

City Council stops investing in corporations

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Portland to stop corporate investing despite Mayor Ted Wheeler's opposition

Jessica Floum in The Oregonian

Water Bureau

Bull Run water deemed safe to drink – mostly

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune 

In Other News

State donates $100,000 to develop Cully Park

Lyndsey Hewitt in the Portland Tribune

Disjecta Has a New Executive Director, the Art Gym's Blake Shell

Megan Burbank in the Portland Mercury

April 12, 2017

Every American deserves access to justice

In this week's edition of Street Roots, Nick makes the case for opposing President Trump's proposal to eliminate funding for the Legal Services Corporation.

He says, "It is my sincere hope that Congress rejects any cuts to the LSC, and that we continue the proud American tradition of bi-partisan support for equal justice under law."

You can read the op-ed in Street Roots here.