What do YOU think? This is an on-line forum that we have created to keep you up-to-date on the projects we are actively working on as well as get your input as we:
The Portland Charter is the City of Portland’s Constitution. Every ten years, Portland City Council appoints twenty community members to serve as the Charter Review Commission. The Commission has the ability to research, deliberate and refer to voters proposed changes to the Charter. This is YOUR chance to tell the Commission what you think should be changed, added to or deleted from Portland’s Charter.
Please share your thoughts on what policy and practical issues should be considered by the Commission as it reviews these proposals.
There is still time to make sure the Portland Plan is headed in the right direction!
In November, the Planning and Sustainability Commission will hold three hearings on the draft plan (at different locations). The PSC will take written testimony through November 30.
With comparatively little fanfare, the final draft of the Portland Plan was released Wednesday. To dive directly into it, go here. (www.pdxplan.com)
The Plan is the product of 10 workgroups formed to set long-range goals in nine different areas: Business, Education, Sustainability, Health, Design, Housing, Transportation, Civic Engagement and Arts & Culture. The City has produced a Handbook that summarizes the policy recommendations, which is available here. (http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/index.cfm?c=51428)
Vision Into Action played a significant role in helping devise strategies to further the cause of Equity. That work was initially to be part of the proposals regarding Civic Engagement, but as work progressed and public forums were held, it became clear that the issue of Equity was one that permeated every segment of city policy. You’ve seen some of that work manifest itself already, with the formation of the new Office of Equity and Human Rights. (The ordinance creating the office can be found here: http://www.portlandonline.com/fritz/index.cfm?a=365164&c=55242)
What’s next? Vision Into Action will be analyzing the proposals, particularly the policies set out for Education and Design. Additionally, there will be further hearings before the plan is finalized and adopted. Next month, the Planning and Sustainability Commission will hold three hearings on the draft plan (at different locations). The PSC will also take written testimony through Nov. 30. Details about public input are here (http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/index.cfm?c=49008)
