 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
FEATURE ARTICLES | |
Memo Calendar | Memo Pad | Business Memo's | Loaves & Fishes | Letters | Home |
Leonard announces increased services in neighborhood bureau
To provide better services at the neighborhood level, the City has moved the noise control office and the neighborhood inspection staff into the Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) at City Hall beginning July 1, 2003.
This consolidation of neighborhood involvement services, neighborhood inspections, and noise control into one bureau is part of Commissioner Randy Leonard’s vision to provide better services to neighborhoods.
“The move brings many of the direct services of interest to neighbors together under one bureau,” says Leonard who spearheaded the proposal. “It will make it easier for neighbors to work together at the local level with their neighborhood associations, neighborhood offices, and city staff to get enforcement action on noise, substandard housing, and other eyesores in their neighborhoods.”
Leonard is also proposing to change the name of the bureau to “Neighborhood Services Bureau” to better reflect the importance of providing direct neighborhood services. “I want our citizens to know exactly where to call when they are looking for services and support for their neighborhood issues,” comments Leonard. Neighborhood Inspections and Noise Control had been part of the city’s Bureau of Development Services (BDS) at 1900 SW 4th Avenue until Leonard suggested the move last spring.
“This change brings many positive things to ONI,” said ONI Director Dr. David Lane. “I am excited about the range of tools that we will be able to provide to our neighbors. We will be working to implement Commissioner Leonard’s vision of out-placing services and staff, wherever possible, into the neighborhoods to increase our capacity to solve problems that most affect our neighborhoods.”
It’s the biggest change in ONI since its inception as a bureau in 1974, said Lane as he welcomed 22 staffers into ONI, some of who will be moving to City Hall. No new funds were allocated for the transition and no new administrative costs are planned. “I have been extremely impressed with the neighborhood inspectors and noise control staff’s dedication to neighborhoods and their enthusiasm for providing fair and competent services,” said Lane.
More than just a physical move of staff, the new setup will streamline services under one administrative umbrella. ONI already provides an array of services to neighborhood such as supporting the internationally recognized neighborhood system, crime prevention, graffiti abatement, and information and referral.
The Neighborhood Inspection Center administers Title 29 of the Portland Code. It consists of two main parts: nuisance regulations and property maintenance standards. The standards have to do with minimum housing standards, abandoned vehicles, trash and garbage in yards, tall grass and weeds, illegal dumping, fences, pools and sidewalk obstructions. The Noise Control Ordinance, administered by Noise Control Officer Paul Van Orden, regulates loud music, stationary mechanical equipment, construction activities, power tools, noise variances, and other activities. For more information contact Brent Canode, Commissioner Randy Leonard’s Office, 503-823-4686.
PortlandOnline, includes centralized updates from all bureaus
Now that the City of Portland’s new homepage is up, the Council resolution passed in November 2002 requires bureaus to put notices of new programs, policies, and projects on the City’s new PortlandOnline homepage. These announcements will include works in progress, new initiatives, as well as finished products and/or announcements. There will be links to each bureau’s individual web sites for further information and contact information.
“It’s my hope that this service will help inform the public and provide bureaus with an opportunity to collaborate and comment before policies and projects get to the final stages,” says Commissioner Jim Francesconi.
PortlandOnline is the City’s new web site, at www.PortlandOnline.com, and includes a wealth of information about the city, its bureaus, and its services. A central feature of the web site is a section on “News, Proposed Policies, Programs & Projects.” The goal of this service is to have one centralized place on the City’s homepage where citizens can routinely go to look for information about the City.
For more information, please contact Michael Harrison, Office of Commissioner Jim Francesconi, 503-823-3008.
August gardening tips
Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices. Always identify and monitor problems before acting. First consider cultural controls; then physical, biological, and chemical controls (which include insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, botanical insecticides, organic and synthetic pesticides). Always consider the least toxic approach first.
All recommendations in this calendar are not necessarily applicable to all areas of Oregon. For more information, contact your county office of the OSU Extension Service or visit the main website at extension.oregonstate.edu/index.php
Make compost of lawn clippings and garden plants that are ready to be recycled. Do not use clippings if lawn has been treated with herbicide, including “weed-and-feed” products. Control yellow jackets and wasps with traps and lures as necessary. Check for root weevils in ornamental shrubs and flowers; codling moth and spider mite in apple trees; scale insects in camellias, holly, maples. Treat as necessary.
Plant winter cover crops in vacant space around the vegetable garden; plant winter kale, Brussels sprouts, turnips, parsnips, parsley, and Chinese cabbage. Dampwood termites begin flying late this month. Make sure your home is free of wet wood or places where wood and soil are in contact. Begin soil preparation for planting new lawn. Fertilize cucumbers, summer squash, and broccoli, while harvesting to maintain production. Clean and fertilize strawberry beds. Monitor garden irrigation closely so crops and ornamentals don’t dry out. Use mulch to protect ornamentals and garden plants from hot weather damage.
Crafters needed for fall show
There will be a holiday bazaar at the Gresham Armory in November. If you are a crafter looking for a place to sell your wares, this is your opportunity. The show will run November 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and November 22 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information call Kari James at 503-257-9176.
...continued
MEMO Advertising | MEMO Archives | MEMO Web Neighbors | MEMO Staff | Home