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Public Welcome. Get Involved!
When: Tue, Mar 09, 2021 7PM-8:45PM |
Please note, this is a Zoom meeting. For additional information about this meeting or how to attend via Zoom, please visit the Coalition webpage, and view the agenda.
For more information about the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations, contact Carol Rulla, Coalition President, at 503-663-1466 or crullaor@gmail.com.
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Get involved, Make a difference
When: Wed, Mar 10, 2021 6PM-7PM |
The Historic Resources Subcommittee maintains an inventory of historic landmarks in Gresham, reviews and recommends a decision on proposed actions to alter or demolish structures on the adopted inventory, and participates in special projects and events that increase public awareness or provide education on historic preservation.
For more information about this event, contact Mary Phillips at Mary.Phillips@GreshamOregon.gov.
 Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall |
City hopes team can change decade of funding frustration, improve parks & recreation Source: Gresham Outlook, March 19 2021 |
A decade ago, Travis Stovall joined a task force dedicated to seeking solutions for Gresham's parks funding woes.
The Green Ribbon Task Force was created in 2010 to address the need for sustainable parks funding within the city. After investigating various funding methods, the task force put forward its suggestion — a parks district in East Multnomah County.
The idea represented an exciting way to bolster parks and recreation that had been withering for years. The task force wanted the city to implement a $0.25 property tax levy to generate roughly $2.1 million a year. They spoke of Gresham partnering with Fairview, Wood Village and Troutdale, which would have resulted in an annual payment of $31 to $53 for the average home in East Multnomah County.
But that idea was never put before voters as a ballot measure to save parks, with city officials citing a lack of support from the public. Thus, the city effectively ignored the work done by the Green Ribbon Task Force.
"I was disappointed they didn't move forward with the ideas," said Stovall, who has since been elected as mayor of Gresham. "At this point, we need multiple opportunities for council to work with and think of initiatives that would lead to (parks) ballot measures."
Now 10 years later, Gresham is convening another green team to investigate potential solutions to stop the continued hemorrhaging of parks and recreation.
During a Tuesday morning, March 16, meeting, Gresham City Council helped plan the Parks Community Advisory Group. The team would have up to 30 members, with a broad representation of the community and members who live or work in Gresham. The city wants to have 30% of participants be Black, Indigenous or people of color.
The Parks Community Advisory Group would create a vision and options for the future of Gresham parks and recreation — including two or three funding options and mechanisms to support them in an effort to avoid the failure the last time this was attempted.
"We really want to make sure council's expectations are clear to this group to avoid any frustrations," said Steve Fancher, director of environmental services and city operations.
The city hopes to find participants for the Parks Community Advisory Group in the coming weeks, and will be recruiting from local organizations and communitites.
This story first appeared in The Outlook. Support community newspapers. Subscribe at http://savinglocalnews.com
PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall celebrated the youths maintaining Nadaka Nature Park during a visit Thursday morning, March 11.
Source: Gresham Outlook, March 16 2021
By Christopher Keizur
Nonprofit Play Grow Learn celebrates youth-oriented efforts at Nadaka Nature Park
When the winter ice storm hit East Multnomah County earlier this year, it wreaked havoc on a popular Rockwood greenspace.
Nadaka Nature Park had been buffeted by rain, sleet, snow and high-winds. Branches fell across the 10-acre property, young trees had been uprooted, pathways destroyed, and the community garden was a mess.
But for the youths who have been working at Nadaka for the past year, the damage was not daunting. Instead they rolled up their sleeves, grabbed their shovels, and got to work.
"This park is beautiful," said 19-year-old Rico Garland. "We all care about it and helping our community."
Twice a week, 20 youths have been working at Nadaka Nature Park, 17615 N.E. Glisan St., through the nonprofit Play Grow Learn. They plant, weed, and clean the park to ensure it remains a safe and fun place for local families to visit.
The Play Grow Learn youths, ages 15-24, all receive a stipend for their work, and are helping fill the gaps in Gresham when it comes to funding and maintaining parks. For those kids, Play Grow Learn led to the first time they had ever visited Nadaka, despite it being in their community.
"They want to work and take ownership of the park," said Germaine Flentroy, program coordinator with Play Grow Learn. "All it takes is one opportunity."
Now, if not for the youths, the state of Nadaka would be in a much more dire place.
"I'm so grateful (they) are helping maintain this park, because the city isn't able to," said Lee Dayfield, the creative force behind Nadaka.
 PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - The youths led Gresham leaders on a tour of everything they have accomplished at Nadaka in the past year. |
On Thursday, March 11, those kids were able to showcase their hard work to Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, who visited Nadaka to learn more about Play Grow Learn's efforts. |
The mayor walked along a newly constructed path through the wooded area, toured the gardens where community members are learning to grow their own healthy produce, and admired the dozens of trees that have been planted. He even got a lesson on how to propagate new plants from cuttings.
"What Play Grow Learn is accomplishing here is incredibly important and impressive," Stovall said. "The best part was listening to their passion about planting trees."
The tour was also a chance for the youths to connect with the new leader of their city. Many were excited to meet "someone famous," and used the opportunity to speak with Stovall about what their communities need.
And of course, they were proud to show Stovall all that has been accomplished at Nadaka.
"Do you see that — we planted those trees," Garland said.
Fund-amental problem
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For many years it has been the same song, different tune in Gresham — the city does not have the funding to support parks. The problems began two decades ago with a pair of ballot measures passed in Gresham that hamstrung the city's ability to fund greenspaces. |
 PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Mayor Travis Stovall spoke about the need to find funding mechanisms for Greshams parks. |
The votes set a permanent property tax that was the second lowest in the state.
In 1990, Gresham's property taxes paid for 100% of police and fire services. Now, those taxes are only able to foot 40% of those expenses. And the lion's share goes to public safety, leaving parks to wither.
"It's about funding mechanisms to get our parks to a new level," Stovall said.
One solution would be to form a parks district, which the city is investigating with a feasibility study. The district would have the power to construct, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, operate and maintain lakes, parks, recreation grounds and buildings; acquire necessary lands; and to call necessary elections after being formed.
But it is difficult to implement, and necessitates city leadership lessening control over greenspaces and a successful public vote. Other solutions include a new parks utility fee; increasing the existing Police-Fire-Parks fee; or vying for an Operations Levy/Bond Measure, which would collect from property taxes.
A group within the community, including Dayfield and other leaders at Nadaka, have also requested participatory budgeting when it comes to parks, which allows for community input in how to spend funds.
"Years ago the city had to cut parks and recreation programs, which was really hard on the community," said Keri Handaly, who works with the Nadaka kids through Gresham's water resources division. "Programs like Play Grow Learn help bring back those needed services."
While there are no easy answers, the work being done by youths at Nadaka highlight a potential future for the city's parks.
"We are doing the stuff that otherwise isn't going to get done, and showing the city what can be accomplished with a shoestring budget," said Anthony Bradley, executive director of Play Grow Learn.
Seeking support
 PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Play Grow Learn youths are filling in the gaps at Nadaka Nature Park. |
Play Grow Learn is thriving at Nadaka thanks to a coalition of partners all coming together. Friends of Nadaka lends guidance and has continued its ambassador program. |
Vanessa Chambers and Rhonda Combs continuing oversight at the park, tidying the playground and ensuring the space remains safe and welcome to the many families who visit.
City staff and Friends of Trees visit to provide expertise; Adam Kohl and Outgrowing Hunger operate the community garden and assist in securing grants; East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District provides funding; and Metro Regional Government and East County Rising both have backed the nonprofit organization.
The latest partnership is with PGE Project Zero, which will send two interns this summer to help Play Grow Learn at Nadaka.
"The program connects young folks with meaningful employment," Taaj Armstrong, cohort dean for Project Zero's green jobs internship program. "We are so excited to partner with Play Grow Learn."
But everything Play Grow Learn is accomplishing remains on unstable ground.
"This all could be gone tomorrow," Flentroy said. "We are surviving on short-term grants and solutions."
Play Grow Learn requires more support to keep going, and they hope the visit from Mayor Stovall might signal future backing from the city of Gresham. The nonprofit organization needs more stable funding and in-kind support to continue teaching youths skills and keeping them out of dangerous situations.
"I believe the support is out there," Bradley said.
If they can secure it, Play Grow Learn has a bright vision for Gresham. They want similar programs in every East Multnomah County park, with teams of teens caring for greenspaces, learning valuable skills, and finding future employment opportunities.
"We all have to do our part to represent and teach kids of color," Flentroy said.
Support Play Grow Learn
To volunteer or provide donations to Play Grow Learn to back its efforts to teach youths valuable skills, email Anthony Bradley anthonybradleypgl@gmail.com or Germaine Flentroy gflentroypgl@gmail.com.
This story first appeared in The Outlook. Support community newspapers. Subscribe at http://savinglocalnews.com
The City of Gresham is partnering with Multnomah County Office of Sustainability and Friends of Trees on a grant from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) to get trees surveyed, maintained and planted in the Rockwood, Wilkes East and North Gresham Neighborhoods. From mid- December 2020 to end of February 2021, you may notice a small
crew of three to four members wearing bright fluorescent safety vests, known as the Gresham Tree Team. The 2020 Gresham Tree Team is a group of County staff and interns making the following improvements to your neighborhood:
Gresham Tree TeamFrom 2018 – 2020 this team has:
This EMSWCD Green Gresham, Healthy Gresham grant project will improve your neighborhood with information on where to plant more trees along with newly planted trees that will help:
Work will be performed Tuesday through Saturday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
More Info
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Tina.Osterink@GreshamOregon.gov or call directly at 503.618-2392.
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Seeking Volunteers
When: Thu, Jan 07, 2021 via Zoom |
Gresham residents may participate in our COVID-safe bird survey this winter to help the City collect information about local bird populations and habitat needs. The City is offering free online training to all interested volunteers. Experience is not required, and training is open to all ages. Families are encouraged to join in.
A smartphone or computer is required. All other materials will be provided.
Two trainings are available via Zoom:
RSVP to receive the training invitation.
For more information, contact Marissa.Eckman@GreshamOregon.gov
Learn more about the City's bird surveys.
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Neighborhood Board MeetingWhen: |
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SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS |
Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230
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Get Involved, Make a Difference
When: Mon, Jan 11, 2021 5:35PM-7:30PM |
City Council has selected three finalists for the City Manager recruitment, out of an initial applicant pool of 64.
Read more about the candidates.
While ultimately, City Council will make the final hiring decision, they are soliciting input from the community during this final phase. Please save the date for an online community forum hosted by Mayor Travis Stovall. Each candidate will have thirty minutes to answer questions.
To date, these three candidates have participated in individual interviews with the City.s executive recruiter as well as semi-finalist interviews with the current and elected Mayor and Council. Standard background and reference checks will also be conducted during this process.
The forum will not allow for live questions from the audience. However, if you have a question you.d like to ask the three finalists, please submit for consideration by noon, Friday, Jan. 8 to Communications@GreshamOregon.gov. Given limited time with each candidate, not every question may be asked.
After the forum, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback about the candidates through an online survey. Feedback will be shared with Council for their consideration as they make their next decision.
Interpretation will be provided upon advance request. Please notify Alex Logue at Alex.Logue@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-3214 by noon, Thursday, Jan. 7.
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Get involved, Make a difference
When: Mon, Jan 11, 2021 6:30PM-8:30PM |
In order to protect public health, safety, and welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gresham Planning Commission will meet remotely at 6:30 pm on Monday, Jan. 11, via Zoom.
Citizens wishing to provide oral comment during this Planning Commission meeting must register by sending their name, email address, phone number, and the subject matter to Jennifer McGinnis at Jennifer.McGinnis@GreshamOregon.gov at least 24 hours before the meeting. Written comments, including photo or other evidence, must be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting. Persons who desire to provide comments and are unable to provide written comments in advance or are otherwise unable to access the meeting via Zoom are encouraged to contact Jennifer McGinnis as soon as possible, but at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, so that the City can provide alternate arrangements.
If you experience technical difficulties accessing the meeting at the time of the meeting, please notify Amanda Lunsford at Amanda.Lunsford@GreshamOregon.gov. The meeting agenda may be accessed via the Planning Commission page.
The Planning Commission advises the City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within Gresham.
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Public Welcome. Get Involved!
When: Tue, Jan 12, 2021 7PM-8:45PM |
Please note, this is a Zoom meeting. For additional information about this meeting or how to attend via Zoom, please visit the Coalition webpage, and view the agenda.
For more information about the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations, contact Carol Rulla, Coalition President, at 503-663-1466 or crullaor@gmail.com.
Thank You!
Wilkes East Neighborhood would like express our gratitude to the following for their generous contributions & continued support:
• Jazzy Bagels, Main St & Powell
• Parkrose Hardware, 106th & Sandy
• Growers Outlet, 162nd & Glisan
• SOLV, Bringing Oregon together
• Albertsons, 181st & Glisan
• And, all the many volunteers!
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