1) Overlook Neighborhood Board Meeting (Nov. 4)
2) City leaf pickup service scheduled for some of Overlook (Dec. 5)
3) Daylight savings (Nov. 2) and a pedestrian sting (Nov. 5)
4) Madrona Hill Café applies for liquor license
5) Proposed city street tax and improvement projects (Nov. 5 & 20)
6) Willamette Speaks storytelling (Nov. 16)
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1) Overlook Neighborhood Board Meeting (Nov. 4)
The Overlook Neighborhood Association Board will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the Overlook House. All residents are welcome to attend and observe.
OKNA board meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7-9 p.m.
Overlook House, 3839 N Melrose Dr.
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2) City leaf pickup service scheduled for some of Overlook (Dec. 5)
The City of Portland’s annual Leaf Day Pickup Service begins on Sunday, Nov. 2, and extends through Dec. 17, offering a one- or two-day leaf collection and composting service in neighborhoods with mature trees. The Overlook Triangle (South of N Going Street) is scheduled for pickup Friday, Dec. 5
The Portland Bureau of Transportation urges all residents to keep streets and storm drains clear of leaves in the coming weeks to prevent slippery conditions and street flooding, which can occur when storm grates become clogged or when leaves are left in the street. PBOT asks residents to sweep up leaves as they fall and place them in yard debris roll carts for collection and composting.
The city’s leaf pickup service is provided to 30 designated leaf removal districts in neighborhoods whose high concentration of street trees need a higher level of service than residents’ and the city’s regular street cleaning operation can provide.
The Transportation Bureau composts all leaves that are picked up through the program at its Sunderland Recycling Facility. Last year, the Leaf Day service collected 12,681 cubic yards of leaves, turning them into 2,536 cubic yards of compost and zero waste. One cubic yard is roughly the amount that can fill a small pickup truck.
Residents in leaf districts have received letters and brochures notifying them of the service, which costs $15 for the single-day pickup in Overlook. The letters also show how to opt out of the service for residents who wish to remove leaves themselves. The last day for opting out is Nov. 1. People may verify their dates of service and find other information online. Residents with questions may call 503-865-LEAF (5323).
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3) Daylight savings (Nov. 2) and a pedestrian sting (Nov. 5)
Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, which means the clock turns back one hour and darkness arrives earlier in the afternoon. Don’t forget to fall back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night!
The city urges all travelers to be visible and look out for each other, especially as people adjust to the time switch and low light conditions of late fall and winter.
Drivers can do their part by driving at safe speeds and continuously scanning the environment for pedestrians and people on bicycles and being ready to stop as needed.
Bicyclists, by state law, must have a white front light and rear red reflector or red light at a minimum during “limited visibility conditions.”
Pedestrians are encouraged to be more visible by wearing retro-reflective wear, carrying a flashlight or blinking strobe, and investing in bright and contrasting outerwear
The City police and transportation bureaus are holding this month’s crosswalk enforcement action during the evening rush hour to reinforce the need for drivers to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in the crossing at all times.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau will conduct a crosswalk enforcement action on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the intersection of N Lombard Street and N Leavitt Avenue to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws.
Crosswalk enforcement actions involve a designated pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk while police monitor how people who are driving, bicycling and walking adhere to traffic safety laws.
Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who fail to follow Oregon traffic laws may be issued a warning or citation.
The N Lombard Street at N Leavitt Avenue crossing has a marked crosswalk (marked on one leg), curb extensions, and signage to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians in the crossing.
Crosswalk enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate pedestrian right of way laws to both drivers and pedestrians. The transportation and police bureaus do enforcement actions about once each month in response to requests by community members, city traffic safety engineers, and Portland Police to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.
Learn more about the Transportation Bureau’s safety work and pedestrian rights and responsibilities online.
Crosswalk enforcement
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 4:30-6 p.m.
Lombard Street at N Leavitt Avenue
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4) Madrona Hill Café applies for liquor license
The City of Portland received an application for a liquor license from Madrona Hill Café at 5937 N Greely Ave. View the complete application and comment on it online. Comments are due by Nov. 13.
For more information about the café, visit its website at madronahillcafe.com.
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5) Proposed city street tax and improvement projects (Nov. 5 & 20)
The Portland Bureau of Transportation invites the public to learn more about the Our Streets PDX transportation funding effort and provide comments at two upcoming public meetings.
Discussion of a transportation user fee was started earlier this year by Mayor Charlie Hales and Commissioner Steve Novick. One study group analyzed how to lessen the impact of a transportation fee (and other City utilities) on low-income residents as well as non-profits and public institutions. Another study group consisted of leaders in the business community who considered how to refine the business and non-residential component of the fee.
Instead of a transportation user fee based on average daily trips, the workgroups recommended a personal income tax and a business flat fee. The workgroups’ full recommendation report is available at OurStreetsPDX.com.
An open house about the personal income tax, business fee and potential transportation improvement projects will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Carvlin Hall at St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Ave. Enter Carvlin Hall from the parking lot, which can be accessed from SE 16th Avenue or from SE Tamarack St. PBOT subject matter experts will be available to answer questions and the public is welcome to provide comments that will be forwarded to the City Council.
A City Council hearing and first reading on an ordinance for the funding effort will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, at City Council Chambers, 1221 SW Fourth Ave. A second reading and vote are expected in December.
Learn more at www.OurStreetsPDX.com. Ask questions or provide comments at ourstreetspdx@portlandoregon.gov. Talk about it on twitter using hashtag #ourstreetspdx or see @pbotinfo
Street fee information session
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Carvlin Hall at St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Ave.
Portland City Council street fee hearing and first reading
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 1221 SW 4th Ave.
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6) Willamette Speaks storytelling (Nov. 16)
The Willamette Speaks Oral History project seeks to gather community wisdom and reconnect residents with the Willamette River through storytelling.
Stories from a native American perspective as well as others who worked and played on the lower Willamette. Superfund advisors will be on hand give updates. The event is free to the public and refreshments will be provided. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
