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06-14-2018 Council Newsletter i Comxdl Newsktkr F 1'ro=��le+X to tlJe Tgant(kO,Coeoiat!oii a a eek%)'%ziJBs tP .i/qy abraii(7/iuilen!(7th`4.f.f1V6;. June 14, 2018 1. Coalition of Communities of Color Study . Metro refers$652.8 million housing bond to Tigard has participated over the last two years on the November ballot Coalition of Communities of Color research justice • Oregon on the road to freeway tolling report about the lived experience of people of color in . Portland's next MAX line? 10 things to know Washington County. The final research report,Leading n th Race,was released on Tuesday,June 12, and a 8. Council Calendar media release is planned for 10 a.m. on Monday,June 18 at the Beaverton City Library. n1 Only: Monday,June 18 Town Hall with Senator The executive summary is included in the newsletter Burdick &Reps. Doherty & and the full report is available at Williamson u-,x-w.coalitioncommunitiescolor.org/leadingvL-ithrace. 5-7 p.m. - Public Works Aud. Marty is available for any questions you or community Tuesday,June 19 Workshop Meeting members have about the report. 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall. 2. Memo from Eric Z. Tuesday,June 26 Business Meeting In your mailbag you'll find a memo from Eric that 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall provides Council with an update on a vendor RFP. Tuesday,July 3 Cancelled for Holiday 3. Construction Project Update Tuesday,July 10 Business Meeting Mike McCarthy attached an overview of road, trail and 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall construction projects underway in the city. Tuesday,July 17 Workshop Meeting 4. Public Works Update 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall An update on Public Works activities is attached. Tuesday,July 24 Business Meeting 5. Approved Special Event Permit 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall - Taste of Tigard,June 16, 11 a.m. —7 p.m. - July 4 Block Parti-, 15243 SW Summers iew Dr., 6-10 p.m. - Farm to Table Dinner, Aug. 3, 6—9 p.m., Fanno House 6. Press Release • Tigard celebrates annual water independence day 7. News • Tigard gets input on smaller homes during open house • $30,000 loan by State of Oregon keeps flophouse open • Westside panel reviews lack of women as mayors 13125 SVS Hall Blvd Tigmd,OR 9722-3 1 Vv eb .tagaid-oigor Phone. 503 639 4171 . 0 FA 3.o84-29- � IT)T_) 503 b84 2772 Item# T Newsletter: 1 y� 4 Y L P !_ d1WW +moi �► ` ter Mort- 10 ort— Coalition of �� Communities of Color EXECUTIVE SUMMARY © 2018 Coalition of Communities of Color First Published in the United States of America in 2018 By Coalition of Communities of Color 221 NW 2nd Ave, Suite 303 Portland, Oregon 97209 Phone: 503-200-5722 www.coalitioncommunitiescolor.org Copyright 2018 Coalition of Communities of Color. Email: researchjustice@coalitioncommunitiescolor.org Some rights reserved. This report may be copied or redistributed in any format with full attribution to the copyright holder. No alteration may be made to the content of this material.This material may not be used for commercial purposes. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by the produc- er, publisher or printer for any infringement of copyright, or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inac- curate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book. Digital edition published in 2018 CITATION Coalition of Communities of Color. 2018. Leading with Race. Research justice in Washington County. Portland, Oregon: Coalition of Communities of Color. COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR INTRODUC ICON AND OVERVIEW We are thrilled to present this report that represents the culmination of over two years of engagement and relationship building in Washington County. This report is the first in-house research publication of the Research Justice Center of the Coalition of Communities of Color (CCC). We, the steering committee, share the desire to be proactive in bringing about racial justice in Washington county so that all our communities have the ability to flourish. We celebrate this coming together of community and government in equitable partnership in this research project. While this report represents the culmination of our initial inquiry, we intend for it to catalyze dialogue and action to build the communi- ty we want. We seek to unite people and various stakeholders in Washington County in collective action for the advancement of racial justice. It is time to act. The report is presented in three parts—eight community sections reflecting the lived experiences of eight communities of color living in Washington Coun- ty; data snapshots of four jurisdictions in the county that identify some key socio-economic outcomes for communities of color living in those cities; and a Call to Action that implores readers to take recommended actions based on the findings in this report. Communities of color in Washington County deliver three key messages. People of color have always lived in Washington County. We are part of the economy and social fabric. Its our home and we like living here. There is a popular refrain in Washington County articulated by elected officials, governments, community members including people of color—"Washington county is diversifying." This adage has become such a part of the county zeitgeist that it whitewashes the history of the county, which is a narrative that reinforces the White settler history often thought to be the official history of the United States. It fails to acknowledge that the reason why the county has been so White and has been diversifying only recently is inseparable from the genocide of Na- tive American tribes, historical "sundown" laws and redlining against Black peo- ple, exclusionary policies that restricted immigration from countries other than 3 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR Europe until the Immigration Act of 1965, and displacement of people of color due to gentrification. Communities of color have always lived in Washington County and they strive to make it their home. This land is Native land stolen by White settlers. It was cultivated, industrialized and developed by Black enslaved labor, Latino and Japanese farm workers, Indian lumber mill workers and Chi- nese railroad workers. The Silicon forest cannot function without the intellect and labor of communities of color. "Just think about this area—whose land are we ori? There was a bunch of little tribes that have been wiped out and we have to learn who exactly they were and teach the kids that you are right here in this area where those tribes were. The Latino workforce is integral to the economy of the Silicon Forest and a driver of Oregon's agricultural productivity--results of the value placed on ed- ucation. Immigrants and refugees from African and Middle Eastern countries are skilled professionals who like living in Washington County,for its diversitl; plentiful space and as a good.place to raise and educate their kids. Washington County is what it is today because communities of color were born here, moved here, refused to leave despite genocide and exclusionary laws, and have put down roots here. ■ a � COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR Our reality consists of both experiencing oppression by racist institutions and practices and our resilience and resistance to that. We are made to feel invis- ible and hyper-visible. [iliaand 1 1 I 1I1 P workers have lower incomes at similar levels of education as White workers High-income home loan applicants who are Black are P;rl% more likely and I:atino applicants are 125% more likely to have their home loan application denied compared to high income White potential homeowners O Somali speaking students are 1+97%more likely than White students to be expelled or suspended from school 68%of Native American single mothers with children are in poverty in Washington County,a higher rate compared to 48%of Native American single mothers in poverty in the US Communities of color in Washington County, compared to their White neighbors, experience disproportionately negative outcomes in employment, income, education, community safety and health. In Washington County, Viet- namese and Filipino workers have lower incomes at similar levels of education as White workers; high income home loan applicants who are Black are 86% more likely and Latino applicants are 125% more likely to have their home loan appli- cation denied compared to high income White potential homeowners; Somali speaking students are 197% more likely than White students to be expelled or suspended from school; 68% of Native American single mothers with children are in poverty in Washington County, a higher rate compared to 48% of Native American single mothers in poverty in the US. These are the cumulative result of racist institutions and practices like immigration and criminal justice policies, opportunity gaps of students and mortgage lending practices. Racism is real, it's historical and it is practiced and sustained today. Across different communities of color, residents talk about being made to feel both visible and invisible in 5 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR different ways. They are made invisible because of the size of their communities, immigration (both documented and undocumented) that pushes some into the shadows or disengages them from civic life, systematic attempts of genocide and exclusion, data practices that are inappropriate, non-representative and not trau- ma-informed, and by perceptions that some communities are not even part of racial justice. On the flipside, racism, intersecting with xenophobia, Islamopho- bia and patriarchy, "see" communities in very stereotypical and harmful ways. Communities battle racial stereotypes about being illegal, criminals, terrorists, lazy, living off welfare, and "model minorities." Despite all of this, communities of color live, play, pray and work in Washington County. We build support networks, create small businesses to nourish their communities, organize around and advocate for dismantling racist barriers that will not only improve their lives, but will raise the quality of living for the entire county. e r "I was talking to a White person at this restaurant I go to, and we had this discussion about race. He says to me, "you Asian people are not like the Black people that leech off the system or these undoc- umented workers that come across the river and take all these jobs. I wish other minorities are just like you guys. This country would be even better." I just sat there, and I was like okay, I will not be eat- ing with you anymore:' 6 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR We are experts in our lived experiences, and Washington County will be bet- ter by working together. This report shows us how to do that. Communities of color are experts on their reality and experiences. They are leaders. They must be part of removing barriers and dismantling deeply rooted racist institutions and practices. "No decisions about policies about our lives and outcomes can be just and equitable if it does not involve those most impacted." Institutions, and schools particularly,need to value and promote the multitude of languages, cultures, and histories of Washington county residents. Communities possess experiential, historical and cultural knowledge which must be centered in any data research initiative. Accurate data—using community verified, equitable practices—gives businesses, local governments, police, courts and schools effec- tive information and tools for their decision-making, and their effective engage- ment with families, students and Washington county residents. "People think all Africans are the same; that we have the same problems, same culture, that we come from the same place. But that's not true:" rN P COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST 10) 437 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Focus group participants and community reviewers were affiliated to the following identities.Pawnee,Alaskan Native and Tlingit, Northern Arapaho and Assiniboine and Sioux, Otoe- Missouria, Isle of Man and Creole, Choctaw from Mississippi, Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma, La Courte Oreilles Chippewa,Pond du Lac of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Chippewa, Cherokee,Yakama,Black Butte of Warm Springs, Cree, Metis (Canada), Modoc, Paiute, Karuk, Native Hawaiian and Klamath tribes 1 out of 3 under age 18 . 6,5 62 Native Americans in 0 Washington County are eligible to vote 1 out of 3 Native families ! ❑ and tun for political office have children attending school 10 J 7 Q U students identified as Native 1� Americans in 2015 60%of the community in Washington County is composed of biracial and multiracial people,due to a large extent to the cumulative impact of historical genocide of Native tribes The Native American community narrate their history as resisting colonialism that at its worst sought to wipe them out and take their lands and resources, and at the very least sought to render them invisible by displacing them, criminal- izing them, taking and assimilating their children, and robbing them of their traditions and heritage. The community is small in Washington County because of White settler genocide and forced sterilization of Native women. 8 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR .:V-V IV ' 7 r r l Even now, institutions carry forward that legacy of invisibility and assimilation in school curriculum, in the child welfare system, in data practices that label the community as too small to be "statistically significant." For Native American communities, it is crucial that the colonization of Native Americans be taught in schools and to elected leaders and government officials. However, the legacy of oppression is not just a matter for the history books. The community continues to be targeted by a wide-ranging spectrum of institutional racism. Their reality is equally of resisting colonialism and racism, and rebuilding, nourishing and pro- tecting the community. They have made a home in Washington County, many work with Beaverton and Hillsboro school districts to organize Native program- ming to strengthen multigenerational community building, and in 2012, there were approximately 500 Native owned businesses in Washington County that disbursed 11 million dollars in payroll and contributed 47 million dollars to the local economy. 9 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AFRICAN -,AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST 121357 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY African-American people have lived in the county for decades,some are newer residents;some left and moved back,some migrated from Portland,and some moved here From other parts of the country. f i of African-Americans in Washington = County are 18 years or younger. ■ African-American community identifies as youth,parents,family,LGBTQ people of faith, connected to other communities living in Washington County There is little documented history of the community in Washington County but community conversations suggest that some African-Americans have lived in the county for decades, some are newer residents; some left and moved back, some migrated from Portland, and some moved here from other parts of the country. Good schools, affordable cost of living compared to Portland and safe neighbor- hoods attracted African-Americans to settle down in Washington County. They have also experienced the old Jim Crow becoming the "new Jim Crow" in Ore- gon as Exclusionary Laws of the 1800s became redlining and divestment in the twentieth century and gentrification and displacement in the twenty-first. Black people of all income levels continue to experience discrimination in home loan 10 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR lending practices. They also deeply feel the criminalization of Black bodies as the most likely community to be incarcerated in the county. Black kids are most targeted by harsh disciplinary practices in schools. Despite every attempt to drive African-Americans out of Oregon they are still here and advocating for them- selves and their families, friends and community members. This is their biggest victory against racism. Community members want infrastructure to organize the African-American population in Washington County. The community also identifies building political power and redressing the lack of diversity in deci- sion-making as a high priority for social change in Washington County. They are skeptical about hollow attempts at diversity and representation that does not change outcomes either for their community or for people of color on the whole. I 1 C I f I Y COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AFRICAN COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST 41524 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Many community members find the label 'African"problematic because it masks the diversity ofexperiences in the community and is connected to the frustrating mainstream racialized stereotypes ofAfrica as a monolithic identity. Community has grown by approximately between 2006 and 2011 members of the Sub-Saharan African community living in TV Washington County are US citizens by birth and approximately half of them are Oregon-born 8 31fff of Sub-Saharan African immigrants in Washington County came from EasccI-i l a i i t i \'`c�,rc1r r, E-i tri(-;i Community advocates urge local governments to partner with them to conduct a trauma-informed community count in Washington County The African community in Washington County are varied and diverse—they are rich in cultural and linguistic diversity, in life experience as citizens, immigrants and refugees; as youth and elders, as working professionals and as students. Be- ing subsumed under the label "African" is problematic for many community members because it masks the diversity of experiences in the community and is connected to frustrating mainstream racialized stereotypes of Africa as a country rather a continent of different countries. They like living in Washington county 12 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR for its diversity, plentiful space and as a good place to raise and educate their kids. They also miss the community they left behind and want opportunities and spaces to build community here.African communities have high levels of educa- tion and expertise and they call attention to institutionalized racism in schools, employment and workplace culture and criminal justice, which constrains them from contributing their full potential to Oregon. They also prioritize boosting I r- a 1 culturally specific infrastructure as well as small business creation that supports community well-being. They urge readers and policymakers to take the experi- ences they share as a starting point and and take action and resource the com- munity that is already advocating for themselves to become partners in bringing about transformational change in Washington County. 13 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ASIAN ANIS ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST 730701 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY �. out of 5 Asians in Washington County identify as bi/multiracial, and it is crucial that their experiences codnt of Asian communities in % C"'7' Washington County are immigrants R^v �J// I 13 3 2 5 2 students that identifi ed as Asian or Pacific Islander in 2015 Asian communities in Washington County mostly originate from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, the Korean peninsula, Philippines,and Vietnam The stories of Asians and Asian-Americans in Washington County are stories of migration. The presence and size of Asian groups that live in Washington Coun- ty are a direct outcome of the Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965 and US Cold War politics in Southeast Asia. There is little recognition of that reality as well as the history of Asian communities who were used for their cheap labor in the nineteenth century, were subsequently villainized and excluded from the country before being allowed back in based on the US economy's needs. Racism in the US has lumped together communities of different histories and heritage into one catch-all Asian identity. Consequently, data practices assume that all Asians have similar socio-economic outcomes that are at par if not better than 14 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR t . FN('LO&Q •f White people. This has resulted in systemic practices that pit communities of color against each other. Asians, overall, are propped up as "model minority"— people of color who are seen as well educated and high income, law abiding and assimilating into American society, against African-Americans and Latinos who are vilified as not being able to "pull themselves up by the bootstraps," being "riven" with crime, and "refusing" to assimilate into the mainstream. Asian and Asian-Americans consider these to be extremely harmful because it both prevents them from articulating the manner in which institutional racism impacts them and marginalizes them from participating in bringing about transformational racial justice change in their region. Community members prioritize data disag- gregation as a means of deconstructing the Oriental notion of"Asian." They also militate against racist tropes of being considered foreigners and therefore not a part of civic life even though 43% of Asian and Asian-American communities in Washington county in 2016 were born in the US and that population has grown at a rate similar to immigrants in the community. Throughout their historical economic segregation and their current reality, Asian and Asian-American com- munities have shown up for each other by welcoming new immigrants, hosting cultural gatherings to combat isolation, opening and patronizing community- owned businesses. 15 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR LATINO COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST 96) 034 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY 17%of Washington County population Comprise 1/3 of population growth in the county between 2007-2016 o i in 5 people in the Latino community are of Puerto Rican,Salvadoran, Guatemalan,and Central and South American origins. 8;05 students in 2015,identified as Latino and Native American A4 Population of people of Central American(excluding Mexican)origin in Washington County is larger than in Multnomah County Over 2/3 of children and youth in the 5-17 age range are bilingual Irop Latinos have a long and rich history as residents of Washington County.They are a critical political, social and economic driving force here. The Latino workforce is integral to the economy of the Silicon Forest and a driver of Oregon's agricul- tural productivity. From the time that they first came to Washington County as 16 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR r +� ti - ! r seasonal farmworkers, the community has built community and infrastructures of support to counter the isolation, exclusion and marginalization effects of con- tinuing immigration policies. While immigrants have served to support the economic growth of the US and been drivers for economic productivity, some of them have not been granted the regard and legitimization of becoming docu- mented. The community is diverse and more than one story, as much as racism tries to put them in a box of stereotypes. Community members emphasise both the persisting intergenerational impact of exclusionary immigration policies and economic marginalization, as well as the creative and resourceful ways in which they have endured and pushed back against structural racism.As the community has grown in the region, representation in leadership and decision-making tables have not kept up. Latinos in Washington County are increasingly coming out of the shadows that they were forced into by fear of anti-immigration policies and economic injustices, and prioritizing civic engagement and building political power. They are increasingly running for office, getting elected and re-defining leadership. 17 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR MIDDLE EASTERN AND NOR-11'n' ' AFRICAN COMMUNITIES IN WAS. HINCTON COUNTY AT LEAST 91300 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY 1 out of 2 community residents in the County has at least a Bachelor's degree,a higher share than both the White population and the county on the whole. 57% Immigrants,Refugees and Asylum seekers '? 1 K-12 Students ■ o'er 3/4 of the community are eligible to vote or hold elected office Middle Eastern and North African community members in Washington County are part of immigration waves to the US that started in the early twentieth cen- tury. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act that removed restrictions on immigration from regions other than Europe ushered in a wide variety of Middle Eastern and North African immigrants including those seeking education, em- ployment and family unification as well as refugees fleeing conflict.They strive to put down roots in Washington County. They have been building and strength- ening culturally specific organizations here that serve their community and build 18 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR relationships with mainstream society. Despite their rich intellectual and cultural potential, they are hyper-visible and invisible in harmful ways. A long history of US involvement in the Middle East including the wars in Iraq, post 9/11 Is- lamophobia, the Syrian refugee crisis and Trump administration's ban targeting Muslims from that part of the world, makes Middle Eastern communities appear and be treated as an omnipresent threat to US society. At the same time, they are invisible in policymaking and data practices. Community members seek rec- ognition of their tremendous potential and vitality, and dismantling of barriers constraining them especially refugee communities. i A COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN AINID PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST !i1538 . IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Identity encompasses at least Ndistincr communiries,including Chamorros, Chuukese, Fijians, Marshallese, Native Hawaiians, Samoans,and Tongans. Fastest growing community(for whom data is Polynesian communities such as Samoans available)both in the US and in Washington and TOnganS am the largest sub group numbering County—they have grown by approximately 60%between 2010 and 2015. around ✓3 719 people in Washington County. • 1 ■ • 51 O/�Biracial and Multiracial People 71%English only Households Appr6ximately23761 Native. Hawaiian 1 out of 10 are immigrants residents and fewer than 1 3 0 0 0people of Micronesian descentg O°/n of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are US citizens by birth The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander identity encompasses at least twen- ty distinct communities, including Chamorros, Chuukese, Fijians, Marshallese, Native Hawaiians, Samoans and Tongans. They have experienced a legacy of colonization and political control by the US including being the base of nuclear weapons testing starting in 1946 that adversely impacted their social structures, 20 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR health outcomes and way of life. They are the fastest growing community (for whom data is available) both in the US and in Washington County. They have a strong sense of cultural identity but racist policies and institutions make them invisible by putting them together with Asian communities, which assumes they f s . have similar histories and socio-economic experiences. As Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities strive and advocate for issues that impact their lives and greater visibility and representation in public policymaking, they emphasise the need for more refined ways to tell their own stories. They prioritize the ex- pansion of diversity and equity to include their lived experiences distinct from the "Asian Pacific Islander" label and for visibility in data practices that are the basis of policymaking. 21 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR SLAVIC COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AT LEAST 111857 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY o a � of Slavic/Russian speaking adults in 6 6 /� of Slavic l4rop Russian speakers in Washington f O /O Washington County are citizens either by birch County are in Englid"niy households (70%)or by naturalization(20%). 4 U 7 Estimated K-12 Students Communiry members say there is a higher ^ O proportion of immigrants in the community L I% than the official estimate of The Slavic and Russian-speaking community has been the largest refugee-based community in Oregon. Slavic and Russian-speaking immigrants were historical- ly attracted to Oregon because of its farmland.Washington County has provided jobs (many work at Intel) and looked enough like their home countries, that the immigrant groups were able to establish their own communities. They live and work in the county, but few locals realize they are here. The reasons for the invisibility of the Slavic community are their appearance as White Caucasians and their preference to live in tight-knit communities. On the one hand, they are differentially treated as White by institutions such as law enforcement and schools, and on the other hand, their issues and concerns especially related to 22 COALITION OF COMMUNITIESOF COLOR language T r - • / r ■y E barriers, recent immigrant families, and foreign credential •. • are overlooked. They ask for visibility in data and policymaking so their expe- school system, child welfare, criminal and juvenile justice, health • social services are counted. COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR RESEARCH JUSTICE Community based participatory research methodology of this project is in- formed by our research justice vision and creates space for communities to be leaders and partners at all decision points of the research process. Our vision of research justice centers the issues of power and equity in research processes and argues that mainstream research practices and data have perpetuated systemic inequities. The CCC starts with the premise that the research process needs to be just and equitable, and to shift communities of color from research subjects into researchers, knowledge producers and communicators. Research practices should be anti-racist to achieve the racial equity we seek to achieve in the region. There are stories and priorities that communities of color and likeminded elected officials, public and private stakeholders want to tell about about the im- pact of institutional racism on lived experiences and there are stories that we are limited to telling because of data constraints. Communities of color are resilient; they have persisted, survived, mobilized and advocated. They are still here in Or- Right to Research ' The dijit eo wif thiurminr,nd crratt- knimledgc that wr onntdrt mos,vital lvr us to thrivr- Decolonize Data Right to be i kaxd Right to Know To use social science tool•-such r'o access information beyond our as.tustys,interviews,snapping.- ,each,whether that knowledge is to package our knowledge into inaccessible due w Lose:tewhnical data to coney to dtwton maktis jargon,or other barrier,, and other ehosc.a audience, 24 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR egon despite repeated systemic attempts of genocide, "sundown" laws, restrictive immigration policies that also extract their labor, Islamophobia and xenophobia. They continue to counter and push back on persisting racial inequities. Howev- er, mainstream data practices have either wilfully or unintentionally rarely cap- tured this resilience. Most attempts at data collection and analyses have rendered communities even more invisible or inflicted more trauma. Let the stories that are missing be a call to action for research justice—to empower communities of color as experts of their experience. Low 4 A I I 25 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR CALL TO ACTION We believe that Washington County is strongest when our communities thrive, where we are valued and respected, and the assets, strengths and resilience of our communities recognized. The following calls to action have emerged from this project. These are framed in a way that encourages various stakeholders such as local government, elected officials, public agencies, law enforcement, school districts, boards and commissions, private sector such as businesses, corporations and schools, to build power among communities of color to partner in racial justice change in Washington County. They are written in broad themes to give space for community-led, creative and cross-cultural solutions. 1 . CROSS-SECTORAL CHANGE: Communities of color experience institutional racism across systems of immi- gration, education, economic development, housing, health, incarceration and racial profiling and so on.Their experience in one system directly ties to their in- tersecting identities including documentation status and their experiences with other systems. a. Transformational change is cross-sectoral change and strategies should take into account the compounding effects of racism especially on undocumented immigrants and low-income people of color. b. Public and private institutions should prioritize and use their power to call out and dismantle racism across sectors. 2. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT: Communities of color are re-defining equity, inclusion, diversity and leadership and leading strategies to bring about transformational change. a. Governments and public agencies should continue to emphasize the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion by including all communities of color in decision-making. b. Governments and public agencies should redress lack of representation 26 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR and integrate communities of color into every fiber of public governance such as budgeting and procurement, and hiring and retention of employees of color. c. Governments should build partnerships and relationships with communities of color and not be transactional, by valuing the time, expertise and experience of our communities of color and addressing barriers to participation. d. Governments and public agencies should collaborate with one another to create and implement racial equity plans. e. Democratic government should form boards and commissions in partnership with communities of color that have decision-making power and to which they are accountable. 3. CULTURAL SPECIFICITY: Communities of color have varied histories and lived experiences in Washington County. a. There should be increased allocation of public and private resources for culturally specific and trauma informed services and programs. b. There should be increased provision of culturally specific and trauma informed services and programming especially in education, social services and healthcare. 4. EDUCATION: Communities of color see education an important pathway for economic em- powerment, an important basis of community building and cultural identity development among youth. a. Educational institutions should value, nourish and promote the various histories, heritage and languages of the student body. b. Educational institutions should reform practices to be empathetic of the lived experiences of students of color especially from low income, immigrants and refugee families in order to foster access to high quality education. 27 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR c. Educational institutions should address and dismantle barriers rooted in institutional racism to eliminate disparities in outcomes and experiences of all students of color. d. Educational institutions should be safe places for all students of color. 5. EQUITABLE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT; Communities of color contribute to the local and regional economy and seek to make Washington County their home. a. Public and private employers should ensure pay equity, opportunities for career advancement, workforce development and a safe and welcoming environment for employees of color especially for refugee communities. b. Both public and private institutions should dismantle discriminatory practices such as in financial lending practices, promote entrepreneurship among communities of color, recognize the aspirations, drive and talents of immigrants, and ensure affordable and fair housing. 6. POLITICAL REPRESENTATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Communities of color not only have a large voting eligible population, they are also organizers, thought leaders, candidates for office, elected officials and mem- bers of boards and commissions. a. Elected and appointed officials in all government and public agencies should reflect the communities of color they serve. b. Those in positions of power should make space for communities of color to run, vote, be elected, and be appointed to decision-making positions at all levels of power. c. Those in positions of power should create structures of support for people of color in elected and/or decision-making positions at all levels of power. d. Civic engagement should be inclusive of all people whether they have the right to vote or not. 28 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR 7. COMMUNITY BUILDING: Communities of color live, play, pray/worship and work in Washington County despite centuries of racism and oppression. a. Their efforts to build community and connections to counteract isolation should be resourced and supported. b. There should be a culture of compassion and everyone should be respected and made to feel welcome. c. Washington County should celebrate its multiracial and multiethnic population. 8. RESEARCH JUSTICE: Communities of color are experts in their own lives, possessing experiential, his- torical, and cultural knowledge. Mainstream research and data do not capture the full lived experiences of communities of color. a. Communities of color should be partners in research design, data collection, data ownership, and data analysis as experts in their experiences. b. Governments and public agencies should recognize community experiences, expertise, and knowledge as evidence in policy making. c. Public agencies including schools and law enforcement should track data about communities of color that is hidden in mainstream data practices in a culturally appropriate manner in order to accurately assess racial disparities and differential treatment. d. Both public and private institutions should be transparent and accountable to communities of color by including them in evaluation of impact of policymaking on racial justice transformation in Washington County. 29 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR COALITION OF r OF COLOR WASHINGTON COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE BEAVERTON , IONEo /SCHOOL DISTRICT �� NXELANTE aI,U ERU �, %R & UtylfTaalntix I.irHEA Garcia Memorial J EG HEALTH CENTER �.oarooN•u+rownuuar.mm�►.ia Vision Action Irco Metro �. MuehnFAu�atferyal7 0l Network CENTRO CULTURALCHIL4SBOR0 SCHOOL DISTRICT de t;1ashigWn County Oregon's Family Town FOREST t ! ' q GROVE oxFco� /y ?I . RBeaverton �ud � .. f: IIO.IIMNstlwc.w.ON J Hillsboro w ite OREGON cpecm Thanks to Focus Group Participants, Community Reviewers and Jurisdic- tional Reviewers Thanks and appreciation for support and advice: Britt Conroy, Joy Alise Davis, Kate Gonsalves, Roger Gonzales, Orlando Lopez, Nichole Maher, Marjorie McGee, Raahi Reddy, Vivian Satterfield, Emily Wang, Shannon Wight, Women's Foundation of Oregon Thanks and appreciation for data support: City of Beaverton, City of Cornelius, City of Forest Grove, City of Hillsboro, City of Tigard, City of Tualatin, Metro, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority,Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation, Washington County and its public agencies 30 COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Interim Executive Director: Dani Ledezma Former Executive Director (2009-2017): Julia Meier Principal Researcher and Writer: Shweta Moorthy. PhD CCC Board of Directors: Paul Lumley, Chair;Jose Eduardo Gonzalez,Vice- Chair; Lee Po Cha, Board Treasurer; Kara Carmosino, Board Secretary; Djimet Dogo, Carmen Rubio CCC Staff. Kodey Park Bambino,Jenny Lee, Shweta Moorthy, Nakisha Nathan, Maggie Tallmadge Funders: City of Beaverton, City of Cornelius, City of Forest Grove, City of Hillsboro, City of Tigard, City of Tualatin, Metro, Oregon Community Foun- dation,Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation, United Way of the Columbia-Wil- lamette,Washington County Community Partners:Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO); Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO); Kap- wa Consulting; Native American Youth and Family Center (NAPA); Oregon Somali Family Education Center (OSFEC), IRCO-Asian Family Center, IRCO-Slavic Network Of Oregon Research Team:Ann Curry-Stevens,Jaboa Lake, Pauline Lewis, Rachel Torres Demographer:Eco Northwest Communications and Design: Karalie Juraska, Eddie Sherman, Tripp Somerville, Rachel Torres Photography:Joshua Manus (Metro), Eddie Sherman, Steering Committee and Community Partners. Member Organizations of Coalition of Communities of Color http://,A-ww.coalitioncommunitiescolor.org/ccc-members/ 31 Construction Project Update —June 13, 2018 Item >�ft News er: k.-( Lf—( River Terrace Area Construction • River Terrace subdivisions are under construction particularly on the east side of Roy Rogers Rd south of Scholls Ferry Rd. If you have any questions,please contact Mike White at 503-718-2464. • .A contractor is building a new subdivision on the west side of 150`'Ave south of Hawksridge. • Bull Mountain Road Widening and Traffic Signal Construction: Fork is underway to widen Bull Mountain Road to 3 lanes with bike lanes, sidewalks and a roundabout. This project will also install a traffic signal at Bull Mountain and Roy Rogers Road. Visit GetUsThere.org for information and updates. Bull Mountain Road will be closed from 164`'Ave to Rov Rogers Rd Juice 18—August 20. • There are other significant road, sewer and water projects underway or planned in the area. Visit GetUsThere.org for information and updates. Summer Paving Summer paving work started this week with curb ramp and sidewalk reconstruction along Greenburg Road between Tiedeman Ave and Hwy 217. Some delays likely. Greenburg Road paving is scheduled in mid-July. The street crew- is continuing to patch pavement in preparation for a contractor slurry sealing man;-of the neighborhood streets in northern Tigard this summer. Crack sealing begins June 18th in northern Tigard. Crack sealing begins next week in northern Tigard. In preparation for slurry seal the second half of July. Fanno Creek Trail Rerneander Construction has started on the Fanno Creek Trail`remeander'project between Main St and Ash Ave to restore Fanno Creek to a more natural flow path and realign the trail. Crews are excavating the restored channel, followed by a trail closure starting in mid-July for a couple months for trail realignment. 217 Auxiliary Lanes The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is designing a project to add an auxiliary third lane on Hwy 217 southbound from Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy to Hwy 99W, and Huey 217 northbound from Hwy-99W to Scholls Ferry Rd. More information is on the project website at hwy217.org. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan A consultant team is collecting data on sidewalks,paths, and ramps for our required ADA Transition Plan Update to inventory accessibility needs on public facilities (sidewalks,parks,buildings, etc.). Crews are working northwest of Hwy 99XX'on this project to advance our accessibility and walkability for all ages and abilities. http:/,%-ww.dgard- or. ov ada Wall Street(south of Hunzikerl wall Street is under construction south of Hunziker Rd. Access is available to local properties (including Potso Dog Park) but drivers should expect delays. Interstate 5 (Hwy99W to I-205) Paving and Auxiliary Lane The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is adding a southbound auxiliary lane on Interstate 5 from Lower Boones Ferry Rd to I-205,improving on- and off-ramps, and repaving Interstate 5 (both directions) from Hwy 99W to I-205. Expect some nighttime lane closures through fall 2019. 113t1i Avenue south of Durham Road A contractor is building a new subdivision along 113`'Avenue south of Durham Road. Daytime delays likely. Fanno Creek Trail (Woodard Park to Bonita and Hall Blvd to Tualatin) Design work is in progress on a project to build the remaining segments of the Fanno Creek Trail from VX'oodard Park to Bonita Road and build a new connection from the end of 85`h Avenue (Hall Boulevard) to the Tualatin Bridge. Contact Mike McCarthy at 503-718-2462 or mikem&figad-r.g_ov with questions. 97th Avenue south of McDonald Street A contractor is building a new subdivision along 97`'Avenue south of McDonald St,including connecting'iew Terrace to 97th. Crews are laying pipes for water, storm, and sewer for future houses. Daytime delays likely. Oak Street near 90`'Avenue A contractor is working on Oak Street near 90`'Avenue for a new apartment complex. Daytime delays likely. 76`'and 79`'Avenues south of Bonita Road A developer is constructing the Elderberry ridge subdivision on the south end of 76`h Ave east of 79`h Ave south of Bonita Road. Bull Mountain Road (McFarland to 139`"1 A contractor is boring a new fiber optic line under Bull Mountain Road between 139`'and McFarland Blvd. 68"Parkway south of Hwy 99W A developer is building a new self-storage facility on the west side of 68`h Parkway south of Highway 99W. Some delays possible. School Construction Construction continues on the new Durham Center education services building near Durham Elementary School. The reconstruction of Templeton Elementary School starts this week. Public Works Update 6/14/18 item# Here is a summary of the work happening in Public Forks. Newslett r: & -I q-18 Wild Weather and Lots of Fun at Summer Kickoff Party Although the event started with heavy rain and hail,more than.60 people joined Parks &Rec on Saturday for a Summer Kickoff Party in Cook Park. Micah and Me is a Portland, Oregon-based Kindie rock band made of up of three dads who write and play music to inspire, excite and engage kids of all ages and the young at heart. Families could dance and sing along,join Parks &Rec staff for games and arts and crafts or sign up for summer reading with the Tigard Public Library. All and all,it was a fun e-vent. K. i � � F.. � �• ���,' LLL, � d' V 7, J k lY A r ti `A To Do: Make a Blood Donation Appointment Today Now is the time to sign up for the next city sponsored Blood Wh"you give blaaA Drive at the Tigard Public Library. yow give anothor chance. • WHEN:Wednesday,June 20, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 2:30Gove blftba p.m. Give f0day, . • WHERE: Library Community Room (13500 S)X'Hall + Blvd.,Tigard) i Three New Parks in River Terrace Three new parks in River Terrace were transferred to the city from the developer this week. The developer will continue to maintain the parks for three years as part of a maintenance agreement with the city. • Ernelia Park(13001 SW River Terrace Boulevard): Children's playground with climbing features and an open lawn area. Picnic tables and benches are also provided. • Sabrina Park(17400 SW Sabrina Avenue): Youth and tot play areas plus an open lawn area. • Orchard Park (15305 SW Nfissouri Avenue): Filbert orchard and a children's playground make up the majority of the park. Wastewater and Storm Crews Pose with New Backhoe The Public Works Wastewater and Stormwater Division posed this week with a nein backhoe used for excavation and earthworks throughout the city.The construction crew works on projects like installing catch basins and new stormwater and sanitary sewer pipe. Af AL 7f i q (Pictured L-R:Back row:Jacob Wlattenbarger,John Goodricb, Kiel Bowers,Joe Conrad, Craig Daill; David Morgan Front row:Andy Karliger,Jou Coulter, Bob Block) Item# City of Tigard Newsle er: (QUI q -1 Press Release z — - 13125 SV'Hall Boulevard Tigard, Oregon 97223 J www.tigard-or.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE I June 13,2018 Contact: John Goodrich Public Works Utility Manager City of Tigard (503) 718-2609 johng@tigard-or.gov Tigard Celebrates Annual Water Independence Day The City of Tigard and Tigard Water Service Area are again celebrating their Water Independence Day. This milestone date commemorates completion of the Lake Oswego- Tigard Water Supply Program on June 9, 2016. On Water Independence Day,Tigard proudly made the transition from renter to water supply owner, securing Tigard's water future. The City continues to deliver safe,high quality drinking water from the new supply to customers in Tigard, King City and Durham. Customers can learn more about their tap water in the City's recently-published 2017 Annual Water Quality Report, available on the City's website. The summer season is approaching. While we anticipate having adequate and reliable water supply,we encourage customers to use water wisely through prudent water conservation. The City is now offering free Water Audits to Tigard Water Service Area customers to help customers conserve water. To learn more and sign up for a free audit,visit our website: http://wv-w.dgard-or.gov/W-aterlkudit/index.php. Please join us in celebrating Water Independence Day and the value tap water brings to our community every day: delivering clean, great tasting Clackamas River rater; keeping our families healthy;making sure we have enough water to fight fires; and supporting our local economy. Page I of 1 Item# Tigard gets input on smaller homes during open house Newsle r: &.-1 q I� Ray Pitz Wednesday, June 13, 2018 Planners ask the public what they want in accessory dwelling units,smaller residences that address need for'missing middle' TIMES PHOTO: RAY PITZ- Schuyler Warren, an associate planner with the City of Tigard, talks about changing demographics and the citys plan to amend the citys development code to allow for accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs, during an open house at Tigard Public Library Wednesday night. The City of Tigard is pushing forward with plans to offer a wider variety of housing options for current and future residents,specifically addressing so-called "missing middle" housing. On Wednesday evening, an estimated 40 people gathered in the Tigard Public Library's community room to see what they think (or want to suggest) regarding the city's plans to implement an Oregon law that now requires cities throughout the state to allow a variety of options when it comes to building "accessory dwelling units,"or what's known as ADUs in planning circles. Those units are smaller than single-family homes and often consist of residential units such as cottages, courtyard units, row houses and what's sometimes referred to as "granny flats" or"mother-in-law apartments." Oregon Senate Bill 1051 mandates that cities must provide "clear and objective" standards to allow accessory dwelling units.While the city won't be able to have new code language up and running by the July deadline, planning officials say they are moving forward with the next steps to make development code amendments to allow for the structures. While planners say they get extensive queries about ADUs from the public, they don't get a whole lot of residents who pull permits to build one. In 2017, the city approved requests for six units, while there were three approvals in 2016 and eight approvals in 2015. Currently, the city of Tigard only allows ADUs that are attached to an existing residence, something that will now change once the new mandates are put into place. "This is a project that will eventually alter all the neighborhoods in Tigard,"said Kenny Asher, the city's community development director,who noted the lack of ADUs in the area and the high cost of single-family homes. "It is pretty bad out there." Asher said the problem is that as prices of single-family homes continue to rise, it will make it more difficult for young people to purchase them. That in turn makes housing in the Portland-metro area "at risk of becoming only affordable to the wealthy," he said. Schuyler Warren, an associate planner with the city, said demographic trends show a changing face of those seeking home ownership along with declining rates of people owning homes. "We have more demand for smaller housing units," he said, adding that both the baby boomers and the millennials want to live in neighborhoods that provide high levels of"walkability"to such amenities as nearby restaurants and retail centers. Addressing the lack of affordable single family homes in the area, Warren said while the median price for a single- family detached home is$357,261 in Beaverton, $370,047 in Hillsboro and $426,678 in Portland, that same home costs$430,869 in Tigard. Warren said among the attributes of"missing middle"dwellings are walkability, a smaller footprint, fewer off-street parking spaces, a simpler construction (but not poorly constructed), spaces that create community and structures that are marketable. Warren said while "missing middle" housing was popular in the 1920s, it largely was "zoned out of existence after World War II." Suggestions from the public from the open house will now be forwarded to the Tigard Housing Options Task Force, which will look at them before forwarding recommendations to the Planning Commission and the City Council for approval by the end of the year. $30,000 loan by state of Oregon keeps flophouse open OREGON-LIVE Pasted lune 13, 2018 at 06:03 AM Brad Schmidt The Oregonian/OregonLive State officials issued a$30,000 loan to prevent foreclosure of a home in Tigard. That home has been a frequent source of problems for neighbors and police. (Brad Schmidt/The Oregonian) WARNING! DOG ATTACK "Y'Z."°°''� ,,,,�•n=• A Tigard flophouse on the verge of foreclosure has +a nr..n"cgee discovered new life thanks to a nearly$30,000 bailout from .. the state of Oregon. Many neighbors, including one city politician, are in disbelief rwe cMwnnn w,+F.„�by that taxpayer money has kept open a home with a persistent history of criminal activity. Authorities raided the house twice since 2010,finding heroin,ecstasy, prescription drugs and hundreds of syringes. Cops logged nearly 600 calls there in the past five years.And at least 16 people associated with the home have been arrested in the past three years, mostly for outstanding warrants. Neighbors rejoiced when they learned the house faced foreclosure two years ago, believing a new owner wouldn't tolerate such trouble.They were dismayed when it inexplicably popped out of foreclosure. Dismay turned to anger when they recently found out the state was the one responsible for subsidizing their headache. "It's absolutely appalling.This is just too much,”said Victoria Non,who lives two houses away. "The state is supporting a drug house.Anybody would think that that would never happen. But it is." The dilemma in Tigard raises broader questions about whether taxpayer money may be keeping nuisance houses afloat elsewhere in Oregon.Already, more than 700 homeowners facing foreclosure have been granted state loans, and even more are expected in the next two years.State officials say they are not aware of problems beyond Tigard but concede they have not looked. "I acknowledge that this situation has definitely become an issue,"said Kenny LaPoint, assistant director of public affairs for Oregon Housing and Community Services. "It definitely is a concern for the neighbors." Officials deflected blame for the Tigard tale, saying they simply followed the rules they set for the loan program.The state is now evaluating whether its rules could be rewritten. But officials caution that new eligibility restrictions could run afoul of federal fair housing laws. "We're investigating options," said LaPoint, adding that there's no timeline for making a decision. "There's not one particular option that we're set on." Authorities raided the home on Southwest Gentle Woods Drive twice " since 2010.This raid, in 2014, led to the arrests of two people for outstanding warrants. But, unlike in 2010, authorities didn't find drugs in the home. (Photo courtesy Tigard police) In the aftermath of the Great Recession, Oregon became one of 18 states to receive federal taxpayer money from the "Hardest Hit Fund" to keep residents from losing homes. Oregon has subsequently handed out$9.7 million in forgivable loans from its preservation benefit program to families behind on mortgage payments. Last year,one of those loans paid off the debt of Jean Leake.The 85-year-old owns what is considered the biggest nuisance house in all of Tigard,a property where officers spend an "inordinate amount of time." "Is it a problem for us as a police department?" asked Tigard Cmdr.Jamey McDonald. "Well,yeah, clearly it is." The elderly woman isn't the source of complaints, neighbors say. It's her adult family members who also live at the home,the friends who frequently sleep over, the randoms who drop in for only a few minutes at a time. It's the drug needles found in bushes in a neighborhood where young children play.The cars that are broken into.The registration stickers that go missing from license plates.The blood-chilling screams that pierce quiet suburban life when someone inside the home is discovered,overdosing. "I don't think she knows what's going on," longtime neighbor Charlotte Haines said of the elderly homeowner. "And if she does, she's part of the problem." Neighbors have been dealing with these problems, and more,since Leake and her family moved into 7735 S.W. Gentle Woods Dr. in 2003. Neighbors complained to police.They kept watch.They even created a Facebook page dedicated almost exclusively to keeping tabs on the property. Nothing worked. And then, one day,word began spreading.The neighbors who nobody wanted might be leaving. Finally. The home faced foreclosure. Leake in October 2016 received a notice of default on her mortgage.The bank hadn't been paid for nearly a year and half, according to property records filed in Washington County. Leake owed more than $22,000 and the bill was climbing. Neighbors celebrated. Not because they wanted to see an elderly woman lose her home. But because the home they associated with so many problems might finally have a new owner. "Dancing in the streets,"one neighbor recalled. But any celebration was short-lived. State officials soon intervened. In March 2017, a state-run nonprofit called the Oregon Affordable Housing Assistance Corporation covered Leake's past-due mortgage payments, mortgage records show. It took more than a year for neighbors to piece together that the state was responsible. "They just had a fit," said Jason Snider,the City Council president and a candidate for mayor,who lives a few blocks away. "I did too. It's like, 'Are you kidding me?"' The total bill covered by taxpayers, according to data obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive through a public records request:$29,601. Snider said he understands the state must comply with the rules it set about loan eligibility. But he's still frustrated. "It doesn't seem like the best use of public resources to sort of prolong the existence of a chronic nuisance property in a residential neighborhood," Snider said. What's more, Leake may never have to repay a penny of her loan from the state. If she keeps her home for five years, the debt will be forgiven. "That's my tax dollars,"grumbled neighbor Mike Hollen. s» Tigard police have stepped up enforcement efforts under revised city rules.This home is now subject to an abatement plan and failure to comply could result in fines. (Brad Schmidt/The Oregonian) In the year since Oregon issued its loan, problems �.. r on Southwest Gentle Woods have continued. ''- Neighbor John Kastrava said he recently watched as a visitor of the house fled and dropped a small baggie, believed to contain drugs, in the bushes. "We just want it to go away," he said. A few weeks back, neighbors reported a dog attack. Fliers posted on a community mail box say a dog from the house"attacked a dog and its owner."The flier includes photos of the injured,shaven pooch and the woman's cut-up hand. "Take caution walking by this residence,"the flier warns. The Oregon ia n/Oregon Live attempted to contact Leake about her neighbors'concerns and the loan she received from the state. But a woman who answered the door at the house,who declined to identify herself but was identified by a neighbor as Leake's 57-year-old daughter, Bonnie,said Leake did not want to talk. Tigard authorities are now taking aggressive action on the home. Last month, code examiners visited with an administrative warrant to inspect the property.They found two violations and told Leake to fix them within 20 days.Authorities are also investigating whether a cell phone-repair business has been operating out of the home without a license. The City Council, meanwhile, rewrote rules for chronic nuisance properties, in part because of the Gentle Woods house. The revised policy makes it easier for police to label a home as a chronic nuisance.Authorities now have the power to mandate an abatement plan and fine homeowners who fail to comply. "I am cautiously optimistic that the latest changes we've made will further help with this property and others,"Snider, the city council president,said. Leake's home could be the first in Tigard cited under the new rules. Authorities have logged two recent violations tied to the property,and an abatement plan is now required.A third violation would trigger the home's official designation as a chronic nuisance. The homeowner who previously received a taxpayer handout has effectively been put on notice:Additional problems could result in fines up to$250 to $1,000 per day. Oregon's loan program The program: Oregon has helped more than 700 homeowners who fell behind on mortgage payments since 2012 through its preservation benefit program. Loans initially could not exceed$25,000.The cap has been raised to $40,000. The loans do not charge interest and borrowers do not have to repay the money if they keep their home for five years. The qualifications.The borrower cannot. earn more than 160 percent of the state median, spend more than 45 percent of income on housing, be convicted of a mortgage or real estate crime in the past 10 years, be in active bankruptcy,own another home.The borrower must live on the property, and the property can't hold more than four units. Borrowers must certify they've experienced a hardship such as unemployment, under-employment, divorce, disability or medical expenses.The unpaid principal on their mortgage cannot exceed $448,500. The scope Oregon has spent more than$9.7 million on the program,which is part of a broader$34.5 million effort statewide. Officials expect to spend $4.2 million more across all loan preservation programs in Oregon by 2020. The outcome For loans issued through 2016, 98 percent of program participants kept their homes at least 24 months after funding. New data won't be available until 2020 Westside panel reviews lack of women as mayors Peter Wong Sunday, June 10, 2018 Question arises during annual breakfast discussion by city officials at a Westside Economic Alliance event. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici was the moderator seated between eight men. Even before a woman posed the question, the answer was evident at the annual panel of mayors at a recent Westside Economic Alliance breakfast. The only woman among the nine panelists was Suzanne Bonamici of Beaverton—and as a U.S. representative, she was the moderator. All eight participating mayors were men—and except for King City's Ken Gibson, who is black, they are white. Of the five Washington County cities not represented on the panel at the May event, Teri Lenahan of North Plains is the only woman who is an incumbent mayor. But Bonamici, who got her start in politics as a school advocate before she was elected to the Oregon Legislature in 2006, said she is optimistic about the future. "I think we will see more elected officials that reflect the actual population,"she said, primarily because of the growth of support groups for women who seek public office. "Those organizations exist now, so women who think they might be interested can get some support, some education, mentorship and other things that help women run for office." Among them, she said, are the national group Running Start and Emerge Oregon, one of 24 across the nation that focuses on Democratic women. They join the Center for Women's Leadership at Portland State University, which runs New Leadership Oregon, and the Emily's List national political action committee, which has been around since 1985. Bonamici said training in the ins and outs of the political process is not enough. "People who study gender politics know that women often wait to be asked multiple times to run for office,"she said. "Men don't. They say'I can do that' and they run." Four women represent Oregon Senate districts that take in parts of Washington County— Democrats Ginny Burdick, Betsy Johnson and Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, and Republican Kim Thatcher—although all live in other counties. In the Oregon House, Washington County districts are represented by Margaret Doherty of Tigard, Sheri Malstrom of Beaverton, Susan McLain of Forest Grove, Janeen Sollman of Hillsboro—and also Debbie Boone and Julie Parrish, who live outside the county. Of the Washington County cities, three—Cornelius, Gaston and Tigard—have no women. All the rest have at least one, according to city websites. In Beaverton and Wilsonville, part of the latter being in Clackamas County, three of the five councilors are women; in King City, North Plains and Sherwood, three of seven. Civic involvement Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle said two ways to get women and minorities involved in city government are to get them involved early—there is a youth advisory board—and to get them into the network of advisory boards and commissions that most city governments have. "As a result, we have now seen our boards and commissions getting filled by people who make it look like the United Nations in action," Doyle said. "It's been great to see this happen —and it's about time it happens." Beaverton's newest council member, Laura Mitchell, began her involvement a decade ago before leading the city budget committee and its panel on social services grants. Forest Grove Mayor Pete Truax said that when a female student who accompanied officials on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., was asked along with others to offer her views on gun violence in schools, she did not hesitate to provide specifics such as broader background checks on gun purchasers and increased access to mental health counseling. "This country is indeed in good hands if we take care of those people," he said. Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway said the city council lost some women because of term limits, which exist in some cities. The current council has one woman. "It's a reality in some of our communities, where we lose talented, competent, intelligent people," he said. Women on city staffs Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden, who presides over a council with two women among its seven members, said, "I think it's a matter of timing." After the May primary election, he said, Washington County commissioners will have at least one woman—Pam Treece of Beaverton,who also is executive director of the Westside Economic Alliance—and Kathryn Harrington of Beaverton, a Metro councilor, is one of two finalists in the Nov. 6 runoff for board chair. The other is Commissioner Bob Terry. However, Ogden said women hold a number of the top staff posts in his city, among them the city manager, community development director and human resources director. "We need to make sure there are no barriers for people who want to move forward to have that clear opportunity," he said. Tigard Mayor John Cook said that's also the case in his city, where nine of 13 executive staff members are women, among them the city manager and police chief. But Cook said the ultimate judgment on elected positions is up to the voters. "It's not gender that should decide who wins the election, it's who is the better candidate," he said. "The more women who run, and the more women who get involved, the more people will see their effect on what the qualifications are." Metro refers $652.8 million housing bond to November ballot Jim Redden Thursday, June 07, 2018 The regional measure would cost the owner of an average$240,000 home$60 a year for the life of the bond, Metro says. COURTESY METRO-The Sunset View Apartments in Beaverton are affordable to a diverse mix of residents. R The Metro Council unanimously voted to refer a$662.8 million .. regional affordable housing bond to the November 2018 ballot �: ■� 0 on Thursday. The measure is projected to create up to 2,400 new homes—or up to 3,900 if a proposed amendment to the Oregon Constitution passes and eases an existing prohibition against private businesses partnering with governments on general obligation bond-supported affordable housing projects. The measure would create a new affordable housing function for the regional government. All seven council members said the affordable housing crisis is a regionwide issue that demands a regional response. They argued that lower-income residents cannot keep up with rising housing costs, with too many facing eviction and homelessness. "We have a moral imperative to help these people,"said Metro President Tom Hughes, who first announced elected regional government would consider such a measure last November. Councilor Craig Dirksen said passage of the bond will help mitigate housing cost increases created by gentrifiction caused by transit and transportation projects supported by Metro. "We need to be able to help balance out the negative impacts and help people stay in their home,"said Dirksen. The vote followed a three-plus hour long hearing dominated by supporters of the measure, inicuding affordable housing advocates, social justice advocates, public employee union leaders, and low-income residents who said they had been priced out of their homes. The most prominent opponents were two well-known free market advocates, Portland State University associate real estate finance professor Gerard Mildner and John Charles, president of the Cascade Policy Institute. Both blamed Metro for helping to create the affordable housing crisis by limiting the amount of land available for new homes with the urban growth boundary it administers. Milner and Charles said that government-funded housing is an inefficient way to create a limited number of additional homes that are unlikely to make much of a difference. "This is a feel good measure that won't be very effective," said Milner, who is also the academic director at the PSU Center for Real Estate. But Councilor Sam Chase, who began pushing Metro to adopt an equitable housing strategy in 2014, said private sector will not build affordable housing on its own. "Unless we provide for those at the lowest income levels, the market will not do that," said Chase. Metro says the measure would cost the owner of an average$240,000 home in the region $60 a year for the life of the bond. You can read a previous Portland Tribune story on the issue at tinyurl.com/yaxhkg3h. Oregon on the road to freeway tolling: • Jim Redden, The Portland Tribune Updated: Jun 14, 2018 07:09 AM PDT (KOI N 6 News) PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) --- The Oregon Transportation Commission will ask the federal government's permission by year-end to impose tolls on some or all of I-5 and I-205 in the Portland area. The tolls would be designed to raise money for highway improvements, and encourage some motorists to drive at less-busy times, alleviating congestion. Although focus group research found most participants oppose tolling existing freeways, the commission— which oversees the Oregon Department of Transportation—has no choice. The 2017 Oregon Legislature directed it to make the request in the $5.3 billion transportation funding package it approved. The decision was made after the Legislature determined that freeway congestion in Portland is a growing statewide problem, based on studies, surveys and public testimony. Not only are regional drivers frustrated by the increasing amount of time they are stuck in traffic, businesses in the rest of the state that must ship goods and services through the Portland area are,too. "Portland congestion was a theme that had to be addressed. The freeway system has not kept pace with population growth in the region, including Clark County," ODOT Assistant Director Travis Brouwer told Pamplin Media group editors and reporters last Friday. The commission held a special meeting Tuesday evening on the options it is considering. It is scheduled to decide on a direction by Aug. 17 and approve a specific proposal on Nov. 16. After presenting that to the Legislature, the commission plans to submit the request to the Federal Highway Administration by Dec. 31. At this time, five options are under consideration. They range from tolling only a small portion of I-205 to tolling all of I-5 and I-205 from the Washington border to their southern juncture north of Wilsonville. A consultant,New York-based WSP USA,has recommended starting by tolling parts of I-5 and I-205, and then phasing in tolls for all the Portland stretches of both freeways. In making its decision,the Legislature concluded that state,regional and local governments cannot build the Portland area out of its congestion problem. There is not enough readily available land or money for new freeways, in part because state gas tax revenues are not keeping up with construction or even maintenance costs. So the decision was made to pursue the idea of tolling existing freeNvays to reduce demand during peak hours and help generate enough money to fix existing bottlenecks, including the I-5/I-84 interchanges in the Rose Quarter, the Abernathy Bridge on I-205 and the nearby- stretch of I-205 that narrows from three to two lanes of traffic. The tolls could be increased when traffic is the heaviest and reduced when it is lighter, a concept called "congestion pricing" and "value pricing." "We need to look at it as a user-based system," Brouwer says. No specific rates or hours for imposing the tolls have yet been divulged. The commission is also studying ways to discourage drivers from diverting onto residential streets to escape the tolls, and to reduce the cost burden on lower-income drivers. All have been publicly discussed at a series of open houses and other forums over the past year. There is no guarantee the federal government will approve the request. Even if it does, the tolls probably cannot be fully imposed for 10 to 15 years after that. So far,the most vocal opponent has been Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican from Clark County, who has introduced legislation in Congress to delay the tolls from being imposed even longer. The Portland City Council has also directed the Portland Bureau of Transportation to study imposing tolls on roads and bridges in the city. A report on options is due by the end of the year. Studies chart increased congestion There is no doubt that Portland-area freeways are at or over capacity at peak hours,meaning that even slight increases in traffic greatly increase congestion and delays. The results have been documented by ODOT in numerous studies, most recently in the 2016 Portland Region Traffic Performance Report that was released last August. It found that although the population increased only 3 percent from 2013 to 2015,the hours of congestion increased 13.6 percent and daily vehicle hours of delay increased 22.6 percent. "Data for the region's six freeways show increasing congestion, decreasing travel speeds, greater delays and unreliable trip times," the report found. "Traffic congestion in the Portland region can now occur at any hour of the day, including holidays and weekends. It is no longer only a weekday peak hour problem." The cost to the economy has been repeatedly confirmed in a series of reports published by the Value of Jobs Coalition, which includes many freight-dependent businesses. The most recent one, published in 2014, found that significantly reducing congestion would generate 8,300 jobs and $1.1 billion in benefits in the region by 2040. But public testimony at commission forums indicates freeway tolls will be a tough sell. Except to construct the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver, freeways have not been tolled before in Oregon and Southern Washington. Although drivers have helped pay to build and maintain them with gas taxes and motor vehicle registration fees, for many,the idea of also paying for trips seems onerous. "Most Oregonians are not familiar with tolling, and congestion and value pricing is even more confusing," Brouwer says. "People agree that congestion is a big problem and government should do something about it,but they are skeptical this will work. And they're concerned about low-income residents and want to know where the money (raised by tolls) will be spent." No toll booths needed Other metropolitan areas have added tolls for express lanes and new projects in recent years. They include: the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco areas in California;the Austin, Dallas, and Houston areas in Texas; and parts of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota,North Carolina and Utah. "Portland is one of the larger metro areas that hasn't implemented congestion pricing," Brouwer says. In those and other areas, technology has eliminated the need for toll booths that slow traffic. Instead, scanners read tags,transponders and license plates to automatically charge vehicle owners when they use tolled lanes or freeways. The charges can be deducted from pre-established online accounts, and increase with fines if they are not paid. Brouwer also says that for tolling to effectively reduce congestion, other transportation options must be substantially improved to give drivers more options, including transit, carpooling, bike lanes and pedestrian paths. "We have to look at the transportation system holistically," Brouwer says. Tolling concepts being studied The five tolling options currently being considered by the Oregon Transportation Commission are: A. Tolling the northbound lanes of I-5 between NE Marine Drive and NE Going Street. B. Tolling all lanes of I-5 between NE Going Street and SW Multnomah Boulevard. C. Tolling all of I-5 and I-205 between the Washington border and their southern merger. D. Tolling I-205 between SW Stafford Road and the north end of the Abernathy Bridge. E. Tolling the Abernathy Bridge on I-205. Consultant WSP USA has recommended beginning with concepts B and E, and then C in phases. Portland's next MXAX line? 10 t'-ings t% rk-cne-m By Andrew Theen ; The Oregonian/OregonLive I Posted June 14, 2018 at 05:00 AM Oregonian File Photo The Portland area's next light rail line could be a 12-mile meandering route that planners say could transport about 43,000 people a day between downtown and Bridgeport Village in about a half hour. The so-called Southwest Corridor has been on planners' mind since at least 2009, but last week Metro and TriMet released the most detailed route yet for the estimated $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion project. The draft Environmental Impact Statement is the latest signal the transit project is inching closer to reality, and it includes more details on what the proposal might mean for Southwest Portland, Tigard and Tualatin than ever before. Vafi:r Bois 46N r.. •s R By the numbers "minntra from Rra3q.perr NYvpe to Portland 5toxr Untwrsol y 43,t3ti0 oldies 0 61 S tO s<4baboxt fvorms-r9 roo Ca*Am fort cwvcroYfat eicsd�4ttonnl The proposed route,courtesy of Metro Metro will start receiving public comments on the plan Friday. The public has until July 30 to weigh in. In August, a steering committee of elected officials and transportation leaders will decide on the final route. If constructed, the first trains would likely roll out in 2027. Here's what you need to know today: Barbur versus Naito •�. , r One of the biggest decisions planners had to make was on which way the train would leave downtown. The initial plan chooses _ Barbur Boulevard rather than Naito Parkway, thus saving an estimated $140 million. The plan calls for extending the Green - Line from its terminus at Portland State University. Tigard Transit Center The route pushes trains through the downtown Tigard Transit Center and includes a shuttle connecting Portland Community College's Sylvania campus to two nearby proposed MAX r stops. Oregonian File Photo Big changes for the Ross Island Bridge The light rail line could mean dramatic changes , - to the western end of the Ross Island Bridge, the workman-like span that carries U.S. 26 across the Willamette River. The idea is the revamped interchange would make the area safer for pedestrians and bicycles, but those details haven't been ironed out. A. w� s Displaced businesses, homes Any large infrastructure project will mean - displacement for some homes and businesses, and the light rail proposal is no different. According to the draft plan, an estimated 80 to 100 residential units will be forced out if the line is constructed, and 100 to 120 businesses will also be displaced along with 1,200 to 1,700 employees. In contrast to previous light rail ,, ,. i•� projects, the Southwest Corridor planners are trying to mitigate gentrification and displacement at the outset. r Metro approved $275,000 in grants to community groups in the proposed light rail area, and a separate upcoming housing bond could include money for affordable housing projects. "We are charting a new path to get ahead of this [displacement] and put policies and programs in place so that doesn't happen," Eryn Kehe, a Metro spokeswoman, said in a blog post on the regional government's website about the housing issue. "It's new ground. We're being creative. Nobody's quite done this before." $1 billion increase Depending on how the project rolls out, the proposed $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion price tag released last week is nearly $1 billion more expensive than the estimate revealed just two years ago. Officials say the figures included in the draft environmental impact statement are based on 2024 dollars and more accurately reflect the right of way, structures and businesses that must be bought, and the increased real estate costs in the 12- mile area. "We know more about what's out there than we did before," said Kehe. r• Oregonian File Photo Marquam Dill _ Plans call for creating a new way for pedestrians to get to Oregon Health & Science University's Marquam Hill F campus from Barbur Boulevard. 2020 bond plan Project costs are also going up because planners pushed the timetable back a couple years. There had been discussion of pursuing a transportation bond in 2018 to pay for the light rail project and other pricey transit proposals, but that was scuttled. Now, all signs point toward a 2020 transportation bond measure. Officials are banking on the Federal Transit Administration picking up close to 50 percent of the project cost. More than just trains' The project is about more than just light-rail transit. Much needed sidewalk, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements are planned throughout the Barbur Boulevard and Oregon 99W corridor. There will be parking The light rail planners indicate designs for 13 light rail stations and as many as seven park and rides with up to 4,200 parking spaces. How to comment Metro is encouraging people to comment through its website, or by emailing to swcorridordeis@oregonmetro.gov. Train color[bonus] What color will the new line be? Purple? Pink? Speculation abounds, but that will likely have to wait. "We don't know the name or the color of the new line at this point in the process," Kehe said.