RESOLUTION No. 36167

Recognizing the importance of freight and goods delivery and the role the Portland truck street system plays in the economy of Portland, the region and the state, affirming City Council’s support for the Portland Freight Committee and implementation of the Freight Master Plan, and forwarding the Portland Freight Committee recommendations for short-term success opportunities.

WHEREAS, the local geography, including inland river and deep water access and easy access east through the Columbia Gorge for surface transportation, has provided a natural advantage for the distribution of goods to and from Portland throughout the region, the nation and the Pacific Rim countries, and

WHEREAS, public infrastructure investments in the Portland region, including two national highways (I-5 and I-84), an international airport, and deep water and inland river marine terminals, provide substantial enhancement of Portland’s natural advantages for the distribution of goods, and

WHEREAS, private investments in infrastructure and facilities, including two national rail carriers (Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe) and numerous and diverse other private interests and their substantial investments in facilities, further enhance Portland’s natural advantages for the distribution of goods.

WHEREAS, the combination of natural advantages and investment have led to the movement of freight providing a key element in Portland’s economy, substantial local revenue, and a significant number of living wage jobs to Portland and the region.

WHEREAS, the combination of natural advantages and investment have resulted in comparative advantages for Portland over other Northwest cities, giving Portland an opportunity to further capitalize on the business of distribution and goods delivery.

WHEREAS, the Economic Development Strategy identifies logistics as a targeted industry for City investment due to positive impacts on the local economy, job creation and business retention.

WHEREAS, the efficient movement of goods to retailers and final users will support and promote the concepts of the Regional 2040 Plan, Regional Transportation Plan, and the Portland Comprehensive Plan and Transportation System Plan.

WHEREAS, recent global trends and projections by the Federal Highway Administration and regional government (Metro and the Port of Portland) show an increasing reliance on the efficient and reliable movement of freight and a doubling of freight movement in the next 20 to 30 years, and

WHEREAS, recent projections by the Federal Highway Administration and regional government show that the share of freight moved by trucks will increase in the future.

WHEREAS, Portland’s truck street system is the critical link to the distribution of goods not only for Portland, but the region and the state, providing the access between terminals, intermodal facilities and highways.

WHEREAS, the public/private partnership provided by the Portland Freight Committee can help to identify both opportunities and needs within the truck street system, and

WHEREAS, the Portland Freight Committee can assist and advise the creation of a Freight Master Plan to forward the relationship between the City and this key element in Portland’s economy.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Portland recognizes the importance of freight and delivery of goods to the economic well being of the City, region and state; and the importance of a public/private partnership, established by the Portland Freight Committee, to promote that economic well being, and

BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Portland will work proactively to assure an efficient truck street system that will capitalize on the growth potential in freight movement and the economic advantages accruing therefrom, through implementation of a Freight Master Plan as described in Attachment A, Freight Master Plan Interim Report, and

BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Portland will further the development of the Portland Freight Committee recommendations for short-term success opportunities through the Freight Master Plan, as described in Attachment A.

Adopted by the Council:  September 10, 2003    GARY BLACKMER

Auditor of the City of Portland

Prepared by:              By /S/ Susan Parsons

Deputy

Commissioner Jim Francesconi

Steve Gerber

September 10, 2003

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1085-2003

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36167