COMMISSIONER RANDY LEONARD'S BLOG

Commissioner Randy Leonard will not seek re-election

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Sara Petrocine 503.823.3005

Commissioner Randy Leonard will not seek re-election

 Portland, OR— After careful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to the Portland City Council. 

At the end of my current term, January 1, 2013, I will have worked for the City of Portland for 35 years starting as a front-line firefighter and ending my service 18 months from now as a Portland City Commissioner.

I will have served on the City Council for 10 years at the end of my most recent term.  I also served 9 years in the Oregon Legislature in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.  I was the President of the Portland Firefighters Association for 12 years, nearly half of the time I worked at the Portland Fire Bureau.

Since my first election to the city council in 2002, I have strived to make the city a better place for all Portlanders.  Some of my accomplishments that I am most proud of include:

Permitting Reform

When I ran for the City Council, the City's permitting agency was so dysfunctional that it was driving good employers like Columbia Sportswear out of town.  During my campaign, I promised to reform the City's permitting system to make sure that everyone who needs a permit for a deck, a remodeling project, or a skyscraper finds a helpful professional at the City who is empowered to help them achieve their goals.  When I became Commissioner in Charge of the Bureau of Development Services in 2002, I made sweeping changes to the leadership of the organization, and directed the creation of a culture that emphasizes customer service as the foundation of how the City's permitting bureau does business.  Since that time, Portland has been recognized both locally and nationally as an excellent model for permitting, and I was very proud that the City received an award from the Home Builders Association for the permitting system improvements I implemented.

 Service Coordination Team/Project 57

I led the effort on the City Council to open a wing of the Justice Center jail for the exclusive use of the Portland Police Bureau to help address rampant drug related crime in the Downtown core that was exhausting the city's resources as offenders would be arrested and released within a matter of hours because of a lack of available jail space.  Coupled with the newly available jail beds, we secured drug and alcohol treatment services for offenders, and instituted regular missions in parts of the City where crime was its highest.  This innovative effort yielded unprecedented success in reducing crime by helping the offenders treat the underlying issues that were drawing them into drug use and crime.  Today the program boasts many "graduates" who have turned their lives around because of this program.

 The Portland Loo

A universal challenge that cities around the country face is how to provide public restrooms in a cost effective way that is also safe and sanitary.  In Portland when people had no place to go, businesses in the downtown area would regularly find urine and feces on the sidewalk.  The circumstance was both a nuisance to small businesses, and a failure on the part of the City in providing an outlet for the most basic human need.  To address these issues, I worked with a designer to create a durable, low-cost restroom design that provided a minimum level of privacy and a maximum level of security, and received the City’s very first patent ever, Patent # US D622, 408 S for the unique design.  Today, there are 4 Portland Loos in service in the City with several more planned, and the Cities of San Diego and Victoria, B.C. are in talks to purchase several loos from the City of Portland.

Major League Soccer

I led the two year effort that resulted in an agreement to renovate Jeld-Wen Stadium and bring a Major League Soccer team to Portland.  The protection for the City embedded in the structure of the deal were heralded around the country as an outstanding deal for the City of Portland, and the Portland Timbers are already exceeding expectations on the field and in ticket sales.  I am very proud to be known among Timbers fans as "The Negotiator."

Strengthening Police Oversight

When it became clear to me that the City's Independent Police Review function lacked the necessary authorities to provide strong oversight of the Police, I wrote and passed an ordinance that gives the City's Office of Independent Police Review the access and authority necessary to make sure that Portland's police are held to a high standard of accountability.

Here is a list of just some of the other accomplishments I am proud of:

• Passage of Fire Bond Measure 26-117
• The Portland Oregon Sign
• Portland Development Commission Reform
• Portland's Renewable Fuels Standard ( 5% Biodiesel in all diesel sold in the City)  
• Negotiation of Joint Terrorism Task Force Protocols
• City Archives Building
• Eldon Trinity Fire Rescue Boat
• Creation of Hydroparks
• John Yeon Visitor's Center renovation/Rose Festival Assistance
• Time, Place, and Manner Ordinance
• Powell Butte II
• Water House
• Dodge Park Renovation
• Bear Creek House/Bull Run Cabins Historic Renovation
• Minority Contracting Ordinance
•  2003 City of Portland School Funding Package
• Tibet Awareness efforts

I have been honored to serve Portland in the variety of capacities I have.  I still have much work to do in the next 18 months.

Thank you….Randy Leonard

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Download the release announcing Commissioner Leonard's decision

100 Years Strong

Today marks the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a day of celebration of the political, economic and social achievements of women all over the world, past and present.  The first International Women's Day events were held in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911. 100 years later, International Women's Day has become a globally celebrated day across many countries.  However, activity has not always been on the increase.  Australian entrepreneur and women's campaigner Glenda Stone said:

 

"A decade ago International Women's Day was disappearing. Activity in Europe, where International Women's Day actually began, was very low. Providing a global online platform helped sustain and accelerate momentum for this important day. Holding only a handful of events ten years ago, the United Kingdom has now become the global leader for International Women's Day activity, followed sharply by Canada, United States and Australia. 2011 will see thousands of events globally for the first time."

 

Today, social networking has been a helpful tool to fuel International Women's Day activities.  International Women’s Day become a mainstream celebration of women's achievements around the world.

 

Visit www.internationalwomensday.com for more information about International Women’s Day.

Oregon's Food Code is Under Review

  
Food Handlers Beware

 

The State of Oregon’s food industry has been operating under food codes that have not been updated since 1999.

 

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and food service stakeholders are working to update the statewide food code for Oregon.  Whether you are a food processor, grocery store or restaurant, everyone will be held to the same food safety standards and criteria, including food carts.

  

Given the proliferation of food carts, the parties are focused on regulations that promote health and safety for food cart owners and patrons alike.

  

For more information on Oregon’s food code review, click here.

Professor Samdhog Rinposche Visits Commissioner Leonard

 
The Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Professor Samdhog Rinpoche dropped by Commissioner Leonard’s Office yesterday afternoon to express his humble gratitude to the Commissioner for the City’s support on Tibet Awareness Day this past March. 

 

The announcement of the City's Proclamation on March 10, 2010 in support of Tibet, generated a strong response from the Chinese government as many Tibetan-Portlanders colorfully dressed in ceremonial Tibetan garments gathered peacefully at the front steps of City Hall.

Video: 503-823-4000

Did you know that you can call the City's Information and Referral Center at 503.823.4000 to get connected with any City of Portland or Multnomah County service?  

The Information and Referral Center (I&R) helps connect citizens with City and County services. The Center handles approximately 15,000 phone calls and 3,000 walk-in customers per month.  I&R staff maintain a database of more than 1,000 service records and 10,000 employee records. The folks at 503-823-4000 are who to call in City Hall.

The following Public Service Announcement was created by Lisa Leddy, who is a member of Portland's Information and Referral staff.  The video was presented at the Northwest Alliance of Information and Referral Systems Conference which was held here in Portland a few weeks ago. 

 

Police oversight committee to present report to Council

Download Police Oversight Stakeholder Report

 
 

Portland Water Bureau LEEDs the Way

 

In April 2005, the City Council passed a policy requiring all city constructed buildings to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standard for energy efficiency.  The Water Bureau recently finished the City of Portland’s first LEED Gold Certified Building by renovating its Interstate Meter Shop.  The Water Bureau achieved LEED Gold by including the following energy efficient elements in the renovation’s design:

Recycling 95% of construction waste was recycled during the renovation of the building, which equals 635 tons of waste diverted from a landfill.

Solar Panels - A 12-kilowatt photovoltaic system provides 8 to 10% of the building’s normal electric load.  Generating solar electricity on-site reduces energy costs and lowers the building’s carbon emissions.

Energy-Efficient Lighting and HVAC Systems reduces energy use in the building 35 to 45% beyond normal building code requirements.

The Energy Star-Rated Roof is white to reduce heat absorption.  The white roof keeps the building cool in the summer, reducing the energy used for cooling.

Radiant Heating in the shop area provides efficient heating of a large open space and automatically turns off when the garage doors are open.

Recycled Testing Water – The water used to test water meters is recycled, reducing water use by 50%.

Solar Hot Water System provides 100% of the energy needed to heat water in the building for half of the year.

Light Sensors automatically dim the interior lights base on the amount of natural light available.

The new LEED Certified meter shop provides a healthier work environment for Water Bureau employees.  Strategically placed operable windows and skylights improve ventilation and allow daylight to shine into the workspace.  Building materials with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were used for occupant health and safety.  A heavy-duty air filter removes pollution, viruses, bacteria, pollen, mold, and dust from the indoor environment.  Bike parking and a locker room with showers are available for bicycle commuters.

This project was a first step in what will be a series of improvements to facilities at the Water Bureau’s Interstate Facility, which is more than 60 years old and has fallen into disrepair.

John Yeon Building placed on National Register of Historic Places

On September 24, 2010, the Visitor Information Center, designed by Portland architect John Yeon and now home to the the Portland Rose Festival, was officially placed on the National Register of HIstoric Places after nearly two years of work to restore the historic structure in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

 

Built in 1949 as a Visitor's Center, the building is considered an important example of modernist design, but had fallen into complete disrepair. The building was long vacant, and became an eyesore in Waterfront Park, causing some to advocate for it to be demolished. Commissioner Leonard saw the potential the building had, and felt it would be an ideal fit for the Portland Rose Festival headquarters.

In 2009, Commissioner Leonard and Commissioner Fish developed an agreement between the Water Bureau and the Parks Bureau, and the Water Bureau took over the property beginning a variety of improvements including new landscaping, the restoration of the historic water feature, restoration of windows and building materials from the original structure, a new paint job featuring the original colors, and the installation of an iconic neon rose that sits atop the outbuilding, marking the Rose Festival's new home, and the renewal of a key piece of Portland's architectural history.

The renovations were overseen by the capable design team of Curtis Banger and Steven Ewoldt, who took great care to see that the building's renovation was consistent with Yeon's original design. In April 2010, the process was completed and the Portland Rose Festival moved in.

The designation on the National Register of Historic Places establishes the building as a key historic building and helps to insure careful stewardship of the building in the future.

Mayor Adams' delivers results on Sellwood Bridge and Milwaukie Light Rail

Mayor Adams rolled up his sleeves and gathered Portland's regional partners to develop an agreement that not only sets in motion the much needed replacement of the Sellwood Bridge, but which also utilizes potential cost savings to help fund the new light rail bridge crossing over the Willamette River.

 

Commissioner Leonard issued the following statement on the agreement:

_{"I greatly appreciate Mayor Adams' consistent professional focus on getting the most out of Portlanders' tax dollars.  In this latest example, the Mayor has found a way to get the Sellwood Bridge rebuilt while also leveraging the City's contribution to that project to direct cost savings toward the new light rail bridge across the Willamette.  The Mayor's efforts will not only create thousands of new construction jobs for the region, but these transportation infrastructure improvements will be invaluable to generations of Portlanders.}

_{While some take every opportunity to level unfair shots at Mayor Adams, he continues to deliver excellent results for our community under the most adverse political and economic conditions.}

_{I hope Mayor Adams' success in helping to find a financial solution to both of these vital multi-million dollar projects becomes an example for those who look first to direct blame rather than dig in to the details to do the real work Portlanders expect us to do."}

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To read the complete agreement, click here.

The Portland Rose Festival Takes Off!

 

Silas Christofferson a local aviator agreed to help promote the 1912 Portland Rose Festival by taking off in his Curtiss Pusher Biplane from the roof of the newly built Multnomah Hotel (now the Embassy Suites).  Christofferson built a 170-foot-long wooden runway on the roof of the nine-story hotel.  On June 11, 1912, Christofferson had his biplane dismantled and hoisted up and reassembled on the hotel’s newly installed flight deck.

     

The Oregonian reported:  “Aviators have made ascents from the decks of large battleships, but there is no record that any of the large army of intrepid birdmen has to date undertaken to fly from a building the elevation of the Multnomah, estimated at 120 feet.”

   

Christofferson successfully launched off the hotel’s roof with an estimated crowd of 50,000 people to witness the historic take off.  He landed 12 minutes later at the Vancouver Army Barracks, nick-named “Aviator’s Field” which is now Pearson Field in Vancouver, Washington.  This historic take off was replicated by Tom Murphy in 1995 (83 years later) off the same roof to celebrate the hotel's reopening.