ORDINANCE No. 181523

*Authorize contract with Oregon Trout for $15,000 to establish River Renaissance as a sponsor of 2008 Riverfest Celebration to help support event design and coordination and provide for payment (Ordinance)

The City of Portland Ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1.  Since 2001, Portland City Council has endorsed the River Renaissance Vision as a call to action for the entire community to recognize and celebrate the Willamette River as an economic, environmental and recreational focus point for the whole city.

2.  On December 8, 2004, in Resolution No. 36276, Portland City Council adopted the River Renaissance Strategy as a guide for advancing and integrating river-related projects, plans, and activities. The Strategy recommends that the City “establish an annual River Renaissance Celebration that recognizes exemplary achievements by community partners and features citywide activities that educate and inspire the public.”

3.  The City, through River Renaissance and the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, has been working in partnership with environmental nonprofits including Ecotrust, Willamette Riverkeeper, Oregon Trout, and the Portland Boathouse, on a concept to create an annual, late-summer, community-wide celebration in different venues called ‘Riverfest.’ At Riverfest residents and visitors can experience, celebrate and learn about the Willamette River and sustainable approaches to protecting it.

4.  As a community-centered event, Riverfest promises to increase understanding of such topics as the Big Pipe, Superfund cleanup, Portland Harbor reinvestment, watershed protection, and waterfront revitalization—all while showcasing Portland’s approaches to sustainability.

5.  The City, through the River Renaissance program, is interested in partnering with Oregon Trout to help design, coordinate and record the Riverfest event. Oregon Trout is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve river and stream health by involving, educating and inspiring Portlanders to appreciate and protect the river.

6.  The established cost is $15,000. Funds are available in the adopted FY 2007-2008 budget for River Renaissance, Center Code 51011821, Account No. 549000.

NOW THEREFORE, the Council directs:

a.  The Purchasing Agent is authorized to execute a contract with Oregon Trout in a form substantially in accordance with the agreement attached as Exhibit A, for the purpose described in Section 1, in the amount of $15,000.

b.  The Mayor and Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver warrants chargeable to the River Renaissance budget when demand is presented and approved by the proper authority.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the City’s partners have contributed their share of the funding for this event already, and the City hopes to participate in planning activities with Oregon Trout at the start of 2008.

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 79-2008

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 181523