Thank you Victoria Purvine and NEMCCA for sharing these notes from the meeting!
NEMCCA Safety Meeting Notes
Northeast Multnomah County Community Association
1/3/2024
OSP: Lt Huskey
Patrol staffing is still running around 65%. I have 2 that will be going solo soon, but that means I will lose two to our Drug Enforcement Section. I have 3 more in the Academy. 2023 proud moment:
The Portland Area Command was the leader in our Fatal 5 statistics for the state. (Speed, Occupant Safety, Lane Usage, Intoxicated drivers, Distracted Driving) Fatal 5 are the category of traffic violations that cause death on our highways. This office was responsible for 415 DUII arrests. I am super proud of my folks, they work really hard.
Corbett Water District: A. Linden
Our biggest news was fixing a leak on Hurlburt that has plagued us for almost a year.
If the board and budget committee agree I plan on hiring 2 temporary field workers, this summer. I hope to hire local youths who are interested in the water industry. There are lots of opportunities for a great career as well as college funding if they are interested.
I am looking for a volunteer to help me coordinate volunteers. If you know anyone who is local and likes to organize people - have them get in touch. We have almost 10 volunteers and I'd like to get organized with policy and a program.
I am wondering if anyone has a good contact for the Job core?
(
closser.sandra@jobcorps.org)
Lastly, I asked about road work classes last month and was able to find some information on the ODOT website - I haven't heard back from the contact form I submitted, but am hoping that is due to the holidaze.
ODOT: T. Lingley & K. Kalsch
The Multnomah Falls Viaduct project is going forward and you'll be seeing contractors out doing some prep, but work that will be impacting traffic won't be seen until September or October. The West Viaduct will be completely close October through May (to cars, bikes, walkers) with a turn around at Wahkeena.
This is going to be a major project and there will be a lot of public outreach to make sure the message gets out.
Terra Lingley had a two hour meeting with OPB and there was a segment heard on the radio on January 2, 2024. It was a very thorough interview and went well.
(Notes will be updated when a link is available.)
Dabney Springs is still being discussed, currently regarding what it would take to move it and if its even feasible. (More discussion under ORPD).
Bridal Veil Bridge (East of Bridal Veil) is going to be having maintenance work done on it this year, the plan is to have the work done during the West Viaduct work, so sometime in September or October. The Bridge had some rebar movement during its original pour and some of the rebar had worked to the surface. Work was done on it during the 1970's but this work now needs and update. The rebar will be treated and covered, the bridge will be pressure washed and cleaned. This will require scaffolding set up under and around the bridge. This portion of the road will not be completely shut down for work, but it will be going to one lane and you should plan on a 15-20 minute delay during travels.
The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will be meeting next on March 21, 2024, location to be determined. (There is still a position available on the Board if anyone is interested. Please contact Terra Lingley for more information:
terra.m.lingley@odot.oregon.gov)
The Summer Congestion plan is expected to look a lot like last year's plan with the entrance and exists staying the same. There may be some operational changes, but the basics should remain. It is expected that time use permits will be issued again in the parking lot at exit 31.
Mitchell Point grand opening is being readied and is expected to happen in April or May. This could be a progressive opening due to limited space with walkers one day, bikers another, etc.
General Fund dollars have been shifted by the Governor to ODOT but this can't be approved by the vote until the end of February. Right now it won't make any difference if the weather event discussed right now happens this coming week, or even this year as there is a current staff reduction and if it was possible to bring people on right now, they wouldn't have enough time to be trained and up to speed for this season. Staff is down three people in the Gorge area and the districts are moving staff around to help cover each other's areas where the need is greatest.
Right now mowing is being done during the daytime hours from Latourell to the Vista House, evenings with dry weather we could see some pothole patching.
Question regarding tolls? Governor has said to delay implementing tolls until 2026. This is impacting work that had been planned, including adding a third lane on I-5 to ease traffic. There has also been some requests for further studies on the impact the tolls will have on neighboring streets when people take the side streets instead of the highway. The tolls will not be with toll booths, but rather cars will have transponders and if you don't have one there will be a picture taken of the license plates and a bill will be sent to the vehicle owner. The copy of an email with additional information on tolling will be at the end of the notes for those who would like to read them.
Emergency Management Systems: C. Voss
This is budget and grant season and the fact is, the more activity in the area with things like fire, the more money is available for grants. So, if you have some projects that will do hazard mitigation, there may be a grant available for you. Firewise might have some grants available, there is going to be some discussion. Also possible grants available for ODOT regarding mudslide mitigation.
EMS will be looking at fire evacuation zones and redoing them for the entire County. They found different zones aren't matching up between Counties and there could be multiple levels of evacuation in a neighboring County that doesn't meet our County's zones, this is one of the items they will be considering when they meet.
There will be public meetings on this subject in the near future.
Firewise: T. Kurkinen
Corbett not only met, but exceeded the required hours needed in hazard mitigation and risk reduction this year to remain a Firewise Community.
They are looking for an Action Team of Volunteers to help those who are unable to do the risk reduction around their homes. Please contact Tim if you are interested:
tim@menucha.org Oregon Parks and Rec Department: D. Spangler
The Department is working with OHA to determine if it is even possible to get the water certified prior to finding out if its feasible to move the water under the road and over to Dabney. There is concern over the high nitrate levels, the fact the spring boxes don't meet standards and would have to be changed, and the significant road block when it comes to the fact OPRD doesn't own the water rights and would need to work with the Department of State Lands to see if they can obtain the rights. Studies will be continuing, along with public information being shared.
The Vista House is leaking. It has leaked since it was built, but has continued to worsen every year. The engineers have been studying possible mitigation avenues to pull the water away from the skylights, but the problem is more than a heavy caulking will resolve. There are no easy fixes, and no real options available for under $100,000. The engineers are looking at what it would cost of a full mitigation effort, while doing what can be done for the next 2-4 years to get by. This project is going to be bigger than can be paid for by Oregon State Parks and funding will need to come from outside the regular budget cycle. The last update and work done on the building was funded through the America the Beautiful grant and they probably wont' qualify for another grant. In that case there will need to be funds brought in by the Feds, private grants, etc. Another option would be to have the work divided up into several smaller chunks and get it done under the biennium budget over several budget cycles. Once they have a better idea of just what kind of money is being discussed they can narrow down the discussion. The plus is that the Executive Team is looking at getting the work done and things are in motion. The work would require the closing of the building and Parks would be working closely with Friends of the Vista House regarding the shutdown. There is no time table for the work, the engineers are taking 2023-2025 to narrow down the true cost. There is a project manager dedicated to this work.
Latourell Trail is closed for two to three more weeks, then will be open or closed depending on the Bridge work. Two bridges were flown in and placed recently, handrails for the bridges will be redone and the gravel leading up to and along the sides will be part of the work. The next phase of work will have a closure from Guy Talbot to Latourell Falls.
(Discussion regarding recent firing of guns at the park - with the changes to the Women's Forum being stalled the Department is looking at installing gates to close the park. Deferring additional information to MCSO.
Also discussion regarding a dead tree at the entrance to the Women's Forum that is concerning locals. ODOT and OPRD will look at the situation.)
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office: Deputy Kaiser
There were reports of shoots being fired by residents in the area. It was a case of shots being fired into the air, multiple rounds. Deputies responded and stopped a person of interest.
The incident where a vehicle crashed into a power pole by Yoshida's is an on-going investigation. The truck hit the pole and it is understood the power was out for several community members for over five hours. The vehicle was stolen and the investigation is on-going.
MCSO was on the double homicide in Boring with the suspect ending their life in Clackamas County. It was a tragedy and at this time is still an on-going investigation.
Lt Stewart wants the Community to know he will be out in the area and is working on getting more patrols out to the Vista House and along the Old Scenic Highway. He recognizes there are certain hours when the highway is being used as a speedway and will be working to mitigate the situation. If you're a local and get caught speeding, don't expect any special treatment!
There have been some illegal dumps on Chamberlain. One investigation appears to be a bear getting into the garbage across the road and bringing it "home" to spread around and search. The other appears to be an individual who is purchasing beer and tossing the cans out along the road. Discussion was, NEMCCA can use any and all donation of money to help cover their costs, but it would be nicer to not have to be picking up the cans to get it.
Discussion on body cams mentioned they are currently stalled on implementing, it is unclear why but it could be budget.
There have been some changes with the Community Patrol and it needs to be acknowledged just how much they do for the community and mentioned that there is the awareness that CP has been feeling a bit neglected this past year. There were some changes that had to be addressed due to accreditation requirements by the State but CP is very hard working and very good at what they do. Thank you.
(Discussion: MCSO is going in to budget talks right now. Regarding if the CRO is on the budget or the chopping block it seems like its always in the "iffy" category. The Community would like to see this as a funded position.)
Corbett School District: D. Fialkiewicz
On December 11, 2023 CSD received a bomb threat that came through at 10:53 in the morning. The email was sent to the Superintendent at 10:57, and the call to 911 was made at 10:58. The call was answered at 11 - students and faculty were already being evacuated. By 11:10 everyone had been evacuated from the buildings and MCSO began arriving at 11:15. It was suggested by the CRO that the students be moved to the Corbett Community Church and Todd Williams, the Transportation Director, worked quickly and effectively to get the drivers in and the buses moving. Thanks to the work of Todd the kids were all at the church by noon. Thank you to the Corbett Community Church for letting the students evacuate to their location, thank you to Community Patrol for coming out and helping at the church, thank you to the parents and staff for the organized and calm checking out of the students as they were picked up. This isn't something you practice for, and the process went seamlessly as could be.
Staff and agencies met the next day for debriefing and the kids were back on campus the next day. The School sent a cleaning crew from ServPro to clean up after they had been there.
(Discussion: Why was the location of pick-up released to the media? Parents were notified directly by the district on where to pick up their student. The Superintendent did not release any information to the media until after the last student was picked up. If any information went out to the media prior to that last pick up that did not come from the District.
Doesn't the release of the pick up location make it possible for that area to now be targeted? The District has several locations they can evacuate the students to, and those locations are not revealed. There have been requests for evacuation plans to be released to the public but the District will not do it for that reason.
Corbett Middle School (it is not called Woodard Middle School) has had its ribbon cutting and will be open for students after break. Hopefully everyone who wanted to had an opportunity to tour the school. There were comments made about how good the school looks and concerns that there were a lot of frills in the building. Be assured this is not true, it just is brand new so it looks good. (Comment from a resident who had toured the building that he did not see frills and the job was very well done.)
One of the accessory buildings at the new campus is being looked at for the administrative offices, but right now they will be staying in their current location.
Forest Service: E. Monje & N. Brodie
Efeydi's last day will be January 7, 2024, she will be going back to work at the Timberline Job Corp. (Comment- she has been a wonderful person to work with, all of the volunteers have really enjoyed working with her and she will be missed.)
The Wildland crews will be doing burn piles weather depending, and one will be at the Sandy River Delta. It was necessary to drop a large Oak last year due to disease and that pile will be one of the fires.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle that is devastating to the ash tree. It has been found in a nursery in Forest Grove and traps have been set in the Sandy River Delta to monitor for movement into the area. Check the Oregon Invasive Species Council if you suspect a beetle is doing damage. (
https://www.oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org/)
There has been some illegal trail building going on in our area, one area noted being lower Larch. It is one thing to clear a tree or debris off a trail that you walk in your neighborhood, it is illegal to cut a trail into virgin forest. Enforcement will be getting sent out to stop this work.
There are no major trail closures right now. There was a decent size landslide above the switchbacks on the Larch trail (441) above the bridge. Most likely work will not start on the trail repair until Spring.
Community Patrol: R. Cannon
The communication from the school was outstanding during the recent bomb threat. The families were wonderful and kept things flowing during pick up, all very positive. Not sure how things will look once school opens up again as they have not been asked to be at the middle school, traffic should be greatly reduced at the main campus.
Thank you to Malcolm and Kathy Freund for all the work they have been doing with the Water Department and helping them with their flagging.
(Discussion: The signage for the new school has not come through. This has been a two year project and it would be nice to have the signs up and the speed reduced prior to school opening on Monday. It was suggested that the District email the involved agencies and include AskODOT as ODOT has to approve school zone signs.)
Historical Society: M. Freund
Things are moving along gradually. They are working on the railing around the deck, which is being constructed from rail road rails that came off the mountain at Palmer Mill. The verticals to hold the rails came from the Bull Run Power House at the Sandy River.
Notes regarding tolling
SALEM -- The Oregon Transportation Commission met Tuesday, Dec. 12 for a meeting to discuss the Oregon Toll Program and ODOT's Strategic Action Plan. The commission decided to advance key elements of the low-income toll program and a report requested by Gov. Tina Kotek.
Low-Income Toll Program on Track to Set National Precedent
There are more than 300 toll programs in the United States, and Oregon will be the first in the nation to have a low-income toll program on day one of operations. This program will serve low-income travelers who cannot change their travel schedules or who travel frequently on the interstates. Importantly, the program will balance impacts to other travelers while still achieving overall program goals to reduce traffic congestion and raise revenue for transportation improvements.
The commission approved several elements to advance the low-income toll program and a draft set of administrative rules for public feedback in 2024. The drafts were developed following more than a year of study and input from two advisory committees and thousands of public comments.
Key commitments include:
Provide customers living in Oregon or Washington whose household income is up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level at least a 50% discount on tolls.
Analyze whether additional discounts for households earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level can be offered and still meet the toll program's congestion management, revenue, safety, and equity goals.
Exempt members of specified federally recognized tribes and tribal government vehicles from paying tolls, in recognition of their sovereignty and to provide access to historic lands. Extending this to a number of tribal governments, beyond what had been guaranteed in federal treaties, would be a first in the nation.
Exempt public transit, military, and emergency response vehicles.
The draft rules will be published in 2024 for public review and comment following legal review. In addition to discounts and exemptions, the draft rules cover the toll rate-setting process, toll payment compliance, and maintaining customer privacy and enrollment. Final adoption is expected in mid-2024.
Commission Approves Toll Report for Governor Kotek
The commission also approved the submittal of a tolling implementation report requested by Governor Kotek. The report summarizes past actions and the sequence of steps ahead to address concerns related to equitable benefits, diversion onto local streets from the interstates, allocation of net revenue generated from tolls, and ongoing transparency and accountability.
Commission members emphasized the need to address the concerns of the region without taking tolling off the table. "When you look at what's left to be done, there is a lot of room in here for comments, discussion, a thoughtful process," said Commissioner Jeff Baker about the report.
The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2024, in Salem. Sign up to receive automatic emails about the commission and its work on the website.
