President’s Message
Editor’s note: Though speaking to many of the same topics reported in this issue’s front-page article, Tim’s review of the general meeting adds valuable detail and useful context to the story.
Discussing current issues
At February’s general membership meeting Representative Barbara Smith Warner, state representative for District 45, which covers the majority of Beaumont-Wilshire, presented the legislative priorities that had been agreed to by the governor and leadership of the House and Senate. These priorities included:
- Funding Oregon’s portion of the Medicaid expansion funding gap to support the Oregon Health Plan; 2) Housing supply and renter affordability; 3) Education funding and revenue reform; and 4) Advancing the Clean Energy Jobs bill, which would put a cap on carbon emissions. A good discussion followed with questions from neighbors about the potential impacts of the proposed legislative solutions to these issues. Neighbors were particularly concerned about the potential impacts of House Bill 2001, which would require cities to allow multi-family housing in areas currently zoned for single-family dwellings. Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association has previously advocated that increased density be focused on commercial corridors and areas well served by frequent public transit.
Following the discussion with Representative Warner, the City of Portland Office of Community and Civic Life’s (OCCL) code change process was discussed. A committee has been formed by OCCL to recommend changes to the City Code (Chapter 3.96) that governs neighborhood associations and district coalitions for consideration by the City Council in July 2019. The code has not been revised since 2005, and OCCL is seeking to ensure that diverse and underserved communities are better included in civic engagement opportunities. While it remains to be seen what the proposed changes to the code will be, many neighborhood associations and district coalitions are concerned that it could mean a diminished focus on the neighborhood association governance structure, which has been a positive way for many neighbors to engage with city government and effect positive changes in their neighborhoods.
Anticipating Taste of Beaumont
Finally, please join us for Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association’s Taste of Beaumont event at Beaumont Middle School at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. We will once again be sampling items from some of our neighborhood’s many fine restaurants while enjoying music from the Beaumont jazz band under the direction of Cynthia Plank. We will also elect members to fill BWNA board positions. We have a number of vacant board positions that we need to fill to help us continue our mission of building community in our special corner of Portland and advocating for city policies and services that will improve our neighborhood’s livability. This year’s revised format will see a shift to nominations and voting at the very beginning of the evening, when the crowd is at its peak. Please join us at this event, and do let me know if you are interested in joining the BWNA Board. I’d be happy to explain the work we do to see if it matches your interests. Have a great spring and see you at Taste of Beaumont on April 2nd!