DATE:  January 8, 2008

TO:  Mayor Tom Potter

FROM: Gil Kelley, AICP, Director

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

1. INTENDED THURSDAY FILING DATE: January 10, 2008

2. REQUESTED COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: January 16, 2008

3. CONTACT NAME & NUMBER: Rick Bastasch, 503-823-0275

4. PLACE ON: __[X]__CONSENT _[ ]___ REGULAR

5. BUDGET IMPACT STATEMENT ATTACHED: _X___Y ____N __[ ]_N/A

6. (3) 0RIGINAL COPIES OF CONTRACTS APPROVED AS TO FORM BY CITY ATTORNEY

ATTACHED: __X__Y __X__N __[ ]__N/A

7.  BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS

The Bureau of Planning intends to contribute $15,000 to Oregon Trout, a nonprofit agency that would arrange services and provide oversight necessary to secure event design and coordination for the multi-day Portland Riverfest event proposed for late summer 2008. In return for commitment of funds to design the festival, the City’s River Renaissance Program would become a sponsor of what the City hopes will be a major, annual event to recognize and celebrate the Willamette River.

Through River Renaissance, Parks and Recreation, and other bureaus, the City intends to partner with a network of river-related non-profits (including Ecotrust, Willamette Riverkeeper, Oregon Trout, and the Portland Boathouse) to create a lasting tradition where Portlanders can have a good time and also deepen their connection to the working river. While Portlanders celebrate many things along the river (from roses to jazz to beer)—there has not yet been an event that recognizes the river itself.

The Portland Riverfest will use multiple waterfront venues where residents and visitors can experience, celebrate, and learn about the Willamette River and sustainable approaches to protecting it. Riverfest may be the first organized opportunity for Portlanders to act on the sentiments they recently expressed in visionPDX, namely that “…a vibrant Willamette River is a hub of community activity”. It also will provide a unique stage for showing how, in Portland, natural resource protection is integrated into every aspect of civic life, and for demonstrating the City’s global leadership in sustainable practices that benefit our streams and rivers.

8.  FINANCIAL IMPACT

This contract secures services for the design phase of the Riverfest event. Funds are available from the bureau of Planning’s current FY 07-08 budget for this phase. The Bureau is requesting an additional $50,000 for next fiscal year to support the actual implementation of Riverfest (Decision Package PLNG_12).

9.  RECOMMENDATION/ACTION REQUESTED

Authorize the City through the Purchasing Agent to enter into an agreement with Oregon Trout to help sponsor Riverfest event.