November Government and Economic Committee Meeting

 – Ways to Diversity and Build Revenue Streams

Location: Adventist Medical Center – 10123 SE Market St, Portland OR 97216

November 14, 2018 @ 7:30 am

The East Portland Chamber of Commerce is hosting Ruth Miles, Tribal Liaison and Small Business Advocate with the Oregon Secretary of State Office.

Ruth Miles, a small business advocate, will discuss a couple of interesting case studies and talk about ways to diversify and build revenue streams. 

With 18 years of experience running small businesses to add to her nine years of service in the Legislative branch, Ruth Miles understands first-hand the challenges entrepreneurs face.  As Oregon’s inaugural and chief Advocate, she’s crisscrossed Oregon over the last four years to visit with business leaders and associations, chamber of commerce and community partners to hear their concerns about getting caught in red tape. And everywhere she goes, she runs with scissors.

As the Tribal Liaison for Secretary of State, Ruth oversees agency relations with Oregon’s nine federally-recognized tribes. She works continuously to improve communication and service.

Found this in the Tribune:

The Portland Police Bureau is conducting an on-line community survey to help it prepare its strategic plan for the next five years.

The survey includes questions about public perceptions of the bureau, priorities for coming years and needed improvements. Subject areas include crime reduction and prevention, community engagement and inclusion, and organizational excellence.

For more information and to take the survey, go to:

portlandoregon,gov/76886

It is being conducted by the Coraggio group, a professional consulting firm. All responses will be kept confidential, and identifying information will be kept private.

Upcoming Event information:

East Portland Chamber of Commerce

September Government and Economic Committee Meeting – Health Care: Has the dust settled? Where are we with health care now?

Location: Adventist Medical Center – 10123 SE Market St, Portland OR 97216

September 12, 2018 @ 7:30 am

The East Portland Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel discussion on Health Care. Navigating the intricacies of small-group health insurance can be difficult! Do you want to offer your employees health insurance benefits but don’t know where to start? Do you wonder if what you’re currently offering is meeting state and federal compliance laws? Do you have questions about how new legislation will affect your small business? Please join us for a panelist discussion on small group health insurance including benefit options, policies, compliance, and updates on what to expect in the 2019 landscape. Our panelists are Michael Wallace (Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace), Taylor Kane (licensed health insurance broker), and Kevin Minkoff (Certified Public Accountant).

Michael Wallace

With more than 13 years of experience in the health insurance industry, Micheil is one of two agent and small business liaisons for the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. In this role, he serves as one of the agency’s key contacts for agents who sell on the health exchange, as well as those selling in the Medicare market. In his small business role, Micheil is constantly interfacing with small business associations emphasizing the critical role that agents perform and helping connect owners to agents in their respective communities.

Taylor Kane, Health Care Insurance Business Manager

Taylor Kane graduated with an Economics degree from Pacific University in 2012 with a Business minor. He has been a licensed Life and Health insurance broker since 2014, where he specializes in employee benefits and ACA compliance. Taylor works with Insurance Solutions NW, an insurance brokerage working with business owners and individuals, alike, to navigate the ever-changing insurance industry. He remains active in education organizations such as NAHU, OAHU, HUPAC, and more that focus on consumer-driven legislation. When he is not working, Taylor can be found fixing up his 100-year old home in SE Portland, playing soccer at Rose City Futsal, and adventuring around the Oregon landscape. In the fall, Taylor will begin working towards completing his MBA.

Kevin Minkoff CPA

Kevin specializes in taxation, computerization and management consulting for small and medium sized businesses. He is a member of the Oregon CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Kevin currently serves on the board and Finance Committee of SE Works.  Kevin has served on the boards of Snow-CAP, the Troutdale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. From December 1996 through October 1997, Kevin authored a weekly column in the central California daily newspaper, The Hollister Freelance, on tax and business management issues. Kevin was raised in Palo Alto, California, home of Stanford University. He began his career in Los Angeles after graduating with a B.S. degree in accounting from the University of Southern California (USC) and moved his practice to Monterey, California in 1990. He relocated to Oregon in 1997.

30-30-30

In the August Mid-Couty Memo there is an article advising that Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson is asking for input on the next use for the four acres that include the old Sheriff's building last known as the Hansen Shelter located on the SE corner of 122nd Ave. and NE Glisan. The library system and the David Douglas School District have expressed interest in using it, but those requests can be put in the back section of the plot. At a June 26th meeting, held to begin the public discussion of the property's future use, there was strong push back on affordable housing. People voiced requests for market-rate or upscale housing so local businesses can be supported by people living in the area. 

Voice your opinion. Comments can be made through the end of August on the County's surplus property website at multco.us/commissioner-vega-pederson/comment-future-hansen-property or by calling Commissioner Vega Pederson's office at 503-988-5217.

For those of you who missed the presentation to EPCC, here is another opportunity to find out the plans for the land south of Gateway Fred Meyers

Hello Gateway Area Businesses,

Join Prosper Portland and Mayor Ted Wheeler on Tuesday, July 17th from 6:30pm-8pm at IRCO (10301 NE Glisan St) for a community discussion about the 102nd & Pacific project near the Gateway Transit Center. They will share what the community has identified as public benefit priorities to be achieved and next steps for moving forward.

Agenda:

6:30-7:00 pm: Grab some food, informal opportunity to learn more about the project and ask questions

7:00 – 8:00 pm: Hear more about community priorities for the project at an event hosted by Mayor Ted Wheeler

Food and refreshments will be served. Video booth will be available for public comment. Register online here.

About the 102nd & Pacific Project in Gateway

A group of property owners that includes both private property owners and David Douglas School District are proposing redevelopment of 10.5 acres of property near the Gateway Transit Center.

Prosper Portland is considering up to $13 million of Gateway urban renewal funds to invest in the project. The development has the opportunity to leverage more than $300 million of private investment and be a catalyst for Gateway.

Prosper Portland supports this project as it builds a regional anchor for Gateway; provides workforce training that increases access to jobs for East Portland residents; and creates new opportunities for small businesses with the potential to focus on minority, women, and immigrant and refugee owned businesses.

The proposed development includes:

Retail / Small business

Senior Housing to Assisted Living

Wellness Center

Workforce development

• Mt Hood Community College - focus on healthcare industry
• Warner Pacific University - focus on healthcare industry

Education

• K-5 education and school administration/David Douglas School District
• 2+2+2 program

If you'd like to provide input on priorities for this project, please take the survey found here.

See you there,

Gateway Area Business Association
11124 NE Halsey Street, PMB 478
Portland, Oregon 97220

Andy Miller sent a link to the latest report on housing costs vs. income.

Here is the link to see the statistics in Oregon:

http://nlihc.org/oor/oregon

Oregon is ranked having the 17th highest rent in the country.

The following is an email from Tracie Heidt, Project Coordinator for the City of Portland's PPB Strategic Plan. If you plan to attend please RSVP using the link provided in the text. Help Define Policing in Portland Community Discussion Group Do you want to be a part of shaping what policing can look like in our communities? How do you and your community interact with police now? What could be better? The Portland Police Bureau is developing a strategic plan to better define what community policing can be for Portland. To help do that, they want to understand your vision and priorities for the Police Bureau’s future. You have valuable insight. The strategic planning team invites you to a safe, small-group conversation to explore your community priorities for Portland Police. This meeting is specifically for businesses/organizations in Outer East Portland. We know that your organizations have specific needs and issues when it comes to police and safety, and we want to make sure your voice is heard. The meeting will be held on July 17th from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at Southeast Works: 7916 SE Foster Road. Here is the list of organizations invited to this meeting: Southeast Works City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement Rosewood Initiative Human Solutions East Portland Action Plan Committee Historic Parkrose East Portland Neighborhood Office East Portland Chamber of Commerce Lents Grown Centennial Community Association Parkrose Heights Association of Neighbors East Portland Community Center Division Midway Alliance Jade District OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon Opal Bus Riders Unite PCC Southeast We are asking one representative of each organization to attend. If you think anyone is missing, please let us know. We’ll be holding similar meetings with a range of interest groups across Portland. Other opportunities for the public – and you – to share their vision for Portland Police include public meetings and an online survey. How to sign up Click here to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Qyr4U2ImmNennSXVDCf_MK-0JUZsuin99IFt8D7Bb0s/edit . Considerations We realize that talking about policing can be tough. To help individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, neutral moderators from JLA Public Involvement will facilitate the meeting and no one providing comments will be identified. If you have additional concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Above all, thank you! We, together with the Police Bureau, appreciate your time and commitment in helping make our community safer for everyone.

You have the opportunity to get in front of the GEAC committee during the 3rd and/or 4th Qtr and promote your company by simply sponsoring the refreshments at the meetings for $300 per quarter. The Adventist Medical Facility provides the room.   Your $300 will cover the expense of the coffee and pastries for a quarter. These informative, well-attended meetings give you an opportunity to be seen by many members and guests. Let Debbie, our managing director, know if you want to participate with your sponsorship.

The GEAC committee and all early morning coffee drinkers will appreciate your support of this committee.

OTC will hear public comments Thursday on congestion pricing

July 9, 2018

For more information, contact Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452

PORTLAND -- The Oregon Transportation Commission will hold a special listening session on Thursday, July 12 to hear public comments on congestion pricing recommendations.

The recommendations were submitted to the OTC July 5 by the Portland Metro Area Value Pricing Policy Advisory Committee, carrying out a directive from the 2017 Oregon Legislature to develop plans for congestion pricing in the Portland area.

The listening session will help the OTC prepare a proposal, which will be sent to the Federal Highway Administration by the end of 2018.

Here are details of the session.

• What: The Oregon Transportation Commissions invites the public to comment on congestion pricing recommendations.
• When: 4 p.m. Thursday, July 12. Signup to speak will be 3 to 7 p.m. Each person will have up to three minutes to speak to the commission. Written statements are also welcome.
• Where: Columbia Falls Ballroom, University Place Hotel and Conference Center, 310 S.W. Lincoln St., Portland, OR 97201.
• Agenda: The meeting will begin with a presentation on the recommendation followed by public comment. Elected officials and any members of the policy advisory committee in attendance will speak before members of the public. The public will speak on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Why: Public comments are a critical part of the process for the OTC in preparing its proposal.
• Watch it Live: The meeting can be viewed live at https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Get-Involved/Pages/July12Session.aspx.
• Comment online: You can also comment on the recommendation through the value pricing web site, ODOTValuepricing.org.

Comments provided at the session and written comments received through July 20th will be part of the OTC record prior to its August meeting when it provides direction to ODOT about moving forward. Comments received through July 20 will be provided to the OTC prior to its August meeting when it will provide direction to ODOT. The OTC will also provide an opportunity for public comment at its August meeting and on the final proposal it takes up in November.

The meeting can be viewed live at https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Get-Involved/Pages/July12Session.aspx.

In 2017, the Oregon Legislature approved HB 2017, Keep Oregon Moving, which directed the OTC to pursue congestion pricing on the I-5 and I-205 corridors, or segments of them, from the Columbia River to where the two highways meet near Tualatin. The 25-member policy advisory committee met six times, November to June, in preparing its recommendations for the OTC.

# # ODOT # #

Portland Metro Area Value Pricing Feasibility Analysis | Policy Advisory Committee – Final Meeting #6

 

PORTLAND – At its final meeting, the Portland Metro Area Value Pricing Policy Advisory Committee recommended congestion pricing concepts for the Portland metro area for further traffic, revenue and environmental analysis, along with mitigation and other priority policy issues. A report of the PAC’s recommendations will be submitted to the Oregon Transportation Commission in early July for consideration before the commission prepares a proposal for the Federal Highway Administration in late 2018.

All meeting materials and a video of the entire meeting can be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Get-Involved/Pages/Value-Pricing-Committee.aspx

Value pricing, also known as congestion pricing, is a type of toll that aims to reduce traffic congestion with user fees that are higher during more congested times of the day. The goal of congestion pricing is to get the most out of the existing system by encouraging some people to travel at less congested times or to choose an alternative mode such as transit, carpool, bicycle, or walking. The result is reduced congestion and more predictable travel times.

Following significant discussion, a majority of PAC members supported or accepted the following elements of the recommendation to the OTC:

Any congestion pricing program should include strategies to improve public transportation, contain provisions to assist environmental justice and low income populations, and minimize negative effects of freeway diversion onto local roads.

• Congestion pricing pilot projects should be moved forward through the implementation process on both I-5 near the central city (known as concept B) and I-205 near the Abernethy Bridge and Stafford Road (known as modified concept E) to study effectiveness of congestion pricing in this region.

• A two-tier approach should be used that starts with tolling discreet segments on I-5 and I-205 as pilot projects before moving ahead with tolling larger portions of the two corridors as part of a larger scale phased implementation and planning effort.

Approximately half of the committee supported starting with broader initial implementation of tolling on all lanes of I-5 and I-205, as opposed to the two-tier phased approach. In addition to the recommendations of pricing concepts and mitigation strategies, the PAC suggested that the OTC conduct planning of more system-wide feasibility of congestion pricing and planning for adding capacity to accommodate regional growth in a congestion pricing environment. The committee also agreed that net revenue from tolls collected in the region should be used to improve the transportation system in the region.

The PAC was charged with developing a congestion pricing recommendation on I-5 and/or I-205 in the Portland-Vancouver metro area for the location, type and mitigation strategies for tolling. The Oregon Transportation Commission was directed by the Oregon Legislature to develop the proposal as part of House Bill 2017, a package of investments to address congestion and make other multimodal transportation investments in Oregon.

A public comment period on the PAC’s recommendation is now open through July 20 to inform discussion by the OTC over the next several months. The commission wants to hear from the public. Comments may be sent via the comment form on the website at www.ODOTValuePricing.org.

In addition, the Oregon Transportation Commission is scheduled to hold an open public comment session on congestion pricing July 12 at 4 p.m. at University Place Hotel and Conference Center, 310 SW Lincoln St., Columbia Falls Ballroom, Portland, OR 97201.  The public may sign up to comment between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m at the event where each person will have up to three minutes to speak to the commission.

More information and a form for questions and comments may be found at: www.ODOTValuePricing.org.