ORDINANCE NO. 179867

*Authorize an Intergovernmental Agreement with Portland State University for $125,000 to implement the 60^th Avenue Learning Gardens Laboratory (Ordinance)

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1.  The Council finds that:

1.  On June 13^th, 2001 Council authorized acquisition of a 7.3 acre portion of the 12.84 acre Green Thumb site owned by Portland Public Schools.

2.  The ordinance directing the purchase stated that “Council’s intent in acquiring a portion of the site is to enhance the Green Thumb Program by creating a partnership between Parks and the School District.” After the Green Thumb Program was discontinued by the Portland Public Schools, subsequent community meetings on the future of the site indicated strong support for horticultural / agricultural education on the site.

4.  Portland State University 60^th Avenue Learning Gardens Laboratory continues the Green Thumb tradition of providing a horticultural / agricultural education site serving students of Portland Public Schools. The Learning Gardens Laboratory is designed to deliver multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural education and to promote healthier diets.

5.  The Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association passed a resolution in October supporting the development of the Learning Gardens Laboratory at the 60^th Avenue site.

6.  In the 2005-2006 budget, Council allocated one-time funding of $125,000 for the 60^th Avenue project as part of a special appropriation to assist public schools in Portland. In the FY 2005-06 winter BuMP $125,000 will be transferred from the General Fund Special Appropriation to the Office of Sustainable Development’s (AU 302) FY 05-06 budget for funding the implementation of this contract. The Office of Sustainable Development will serve as the fiscal agent for this contract.

7.  Portland State University and Portland Parks & Recreation have negotiated the terms of lease for approximately 4.5 acres of the city’s 7.3 acres at the Green Thumb site.

8.  The Portland-Multnomah Food Policy Council will convene a strategic planning effort to coordinate and expand school food education in Southeast Portland. This is intended to build collaboration among 60^th Avenue Learning Gardens Laboratory, other organizations involved in school food education, and the community.

NOW THEREFORE, The Council directs:

a.  The Commissioner of Public Affairs and Auditor are authorized to execute an agreement with Portland State University to implement the 60^th Avenue Learning Gardens Laboratory, in the amount of $125,000.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because of the need to begin the project in this school term. Therefore this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.              

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 32-2006

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 179867