DATE: December 29, 2008

FROM: Gil Kelley, AICP, Director

1.  Title:

 Accept the 2007-08 State of the River Report

2.  Contact Name, Department, & Phone Number:

 Michael Montgomery, River Renaissance, 3-1103

3.  Requested Council Date: January 7, 2009

Consent Agenda Item:      or  Regular Agenda Item: X

Explain why this does or does not require a presentation or Council discussion:

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 178960 (December 2004), “the River Renaissance Directors shall report on progress and success to the City Council, partner agencies and to the community through an annual State of the River Report to track progress toward achieving the River Renaissance Vision.”

Emergency Item (answer below):     or Non- Emergency Item: X

 If emergency, why does this need to take effect immediately:

4.  History of Agenda Item/Background:

The 2007-08 State of the River Report is a management tool that gauges the progress that the City of Portland (with a growing network of community partners) is making in revitalizing Portland’s relationship with its rivers. The report provides an annual review of the projects, programs, and partners working to implement the River Renaissance Strategy and Vision.

The City’s River Renaissance Directors submit the report as an annual update of Accomplishments, Progress Measures, and Action Agenda. These accomplishments are significant and should be celebrated by the entire city, especially the eight bureau partners that comprise the River Renaissance Initiative (Bureau of Planning, Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Water Bureau, Bureau of Development Services, Office of Transportation, Portland Development Commission). Progress is being measured for all five themes identified in the River Renaissance Vision, and the Action Agenda reflects priority programs outlined in the River Renaissance Strategy.

The annual State of the River Report serves as an important tool to communicate with Portlanders about the City’s river-related work and to showcase the strategic progress that is being made to restore the river and revitalize our waterfronts.

5.  Purpose of Agenda Item:

To acquaint Council and the community with river-related actions taken in the preceding fiscal year, report on progress measures, and identify river-related actions slated for the coming year and to encourage discussion of river-related needs and opportunities.

6.  Legal Issues:

None.

7.  What individuals or groups are or would be opposed to this ordinance? Supportive?

Historically, the State of the River Report is well-received. It is possible that some in the community may find the City’s collective river efforts less than they wish; others may debate the extent to which the City’s pursuit of its paired goals of river protection and river-related economic development are balanced.

8  How Does This Relate to Current City Policies?

The Report documents how well the City is achieving the policies established in the River Renaissance Strategy, which were adopted as guidance by Council through Resolution No. 36276. (December 2004)

9.  Community Participation:

The Report identifies river-related programs and actions, the majority of which involved the community.

10.  Other Government Participation:

Metro, the Port, and Willamette River communities upstream of Portland were invited to submit information to include in the Report.

11.  Financial Impact:

There is no direct financial impact.