ORDINANCE No. 178012

*Authorize agreements with the American Jewish Committee and the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center Ltd. to construct, operate and maintain a permanent public memorial in Washington Park to victims of the Nazi Holocaust. (Ordinance)

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1.  Several years ago, Holocaust survivors and family members of Holocaust victims approached the City seeking dedication of a site for a contemplative memorial garden to be known as the Holocaust Memorial. Purpose of the memorial was to be a continuing reminder of the need to steadfastly oppose hatred and intolerance. City Council adopted Resolution No. 35430 on August 9, 1995, to support the memorial project.

2.  Portland Parks and Recreation has determined that an open meadow in Washington Park, east of SW Wright Avenue and west of SW Washington Way is an appropriate site for the memorial. After much effort, the Oregon Holocaust Memorial Coalition, an ad hoc local committee working with partners, the American Jewish Committee and the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, Ltd., has met park bureau memorial siting criteria, secured necessary approvals and raised funds to construct and maintain a permanent public memorial to commemorate victims of the Holocaust and honor their family members who live in Oregon and SW Washington.

3.  Portland Parks and Recreation staff have reviewed the plans and specifications of the proposed construction and determined that the memorial will meet park standards and the conditions adopted in a Decision by City Council on August 9, 1995 and a Supplemental Decision dated May 24, 2001. The memorial’s “walk-through” design will contribute to the contemplative nature of the park setting both from a functional and a design perspective. It is expected to provide a peaceful environment for quiet reflection and not to interfere with historic or proposed circulation and use patterns at the park.

4.  It has been agreed that the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, Ltd. (OHRC) will establish and maintain a trust account from which all maintenance costs of the Memorial and any incremental increase in maintenance cost at the Site will be paid. The parties have agreed that OHRC shall contract with Portland Parks and Recreation to provide the required maintenance for the Memorial and the Site. Cost of annual maintenance is expected to be $24,200 per year (with inflationary adjustments in future years), and Parks shall routinely bill OHRC for this expense. The City will continue to pay for maintenance of the Site that is not attributable to the Memorial and expects to need no additional revenue for that work, which is fairly limited, given the passive nature of Washington Park at that location.

5.  The Director of Portland Parks and Recreation recommends approval of the agreements with the American Jewish Committee and the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, Ltd. for construction, operation and long-term maintenance of the Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park.

NOW THEREFORE, the Council directs:

a.  On behalf of the City of Portland, the Commissioner of Public Utilities is authorized to execute an agreement, in a form substantially in accordance with Exhibit A of this Ordinance, with the American Jewish Committee for the construction of the Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park.

b.  On behalf of the City of Portland, the Commissioner of Public Utilities is authorized to execute an agreement, in a form substantially in accordance with Exhibit B of this Ordinance, with the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, Ltd. for the operation and maintenance of the Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park.

c.  Portland Parks and Recreation is directed to incorporate in its budget the increased expense and corresponding increase in revenue stemming from its maintenance work at the memorial.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the commemoration of victims of the Nazi Holocaust is timely and important and construction of the Holocaust Memorial must begin immediately; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Passed by the Council: October 29, 2003

               GARY BLACKMER

Auditor of the City of Portland

Commissioner Jim Francesconi      By /S/ Susan Parsons

Prepared by: Susan Hathaway-Marxer        

October 20, 2003                  Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1280-2003

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 178012