ORDINANCE No. _______________________

Authorize contract with Oregon Trout for $15,000 to establish River Renaissance as a sponsor of 2008 Riverfest celebration and provide for payment of event design and facilitation services. (Ordinance).

The City of Portland Ordains:

1.  On March 21, 2001, in Resolution No. 35978, Portland City Council endorsed the River Renaissance Vision as a call to action for the entire community to recognize the Willamette River as an economic, environmental, and recreational centerpiece of the city. The vision calls for balancing of Portland’s economic and environmental goals on the river, coordination of City bureaus in river-focused activities, and partnerships with the community to promote the health of the river.

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.

3.  The Strategy recommends 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.”

4.  Oregon Trout, a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve river and stream health, shares the City’s priority to involve, educate, and motivate Portlanders to appreciate and protect the river.

5.  The City, through River Renaissance and the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, have 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.

6.  On November 7, Riverfest organizers held a meeting attended by over 30 city office and community partners (including the Bureaus of Environmental Services and Planning, the Port of Portland, OMSI, Dragonsports USA, Columbia River Yachting, the South Waterfront community, Audubon, and SOLV) who universally supported the aims of the event.

7.  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.

8.  The City, through the River Renaissance program, is interested in partnering with Oregon Trout to help design, coordinate and record the Riverfest event. By being recognized as one of several sponsors of 2008 Riverfest, the City of Portland and River Renaissance Program will be able to demonstrate the value of the river to the business and residential communities of Portland.

9.  The established cost is $15,000. Funds are available in the River Renaissance 2006-2007 budget, Planning Center Code __________, Account No. ________.

NOW THEREFORE, the Council directs:

a.  The Mayor and Auditor are authorized to execute a contract with Oregon Trout 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.