June 10, 2021

Hello Fellow Portlanders,

This is an earlier-in-the-month than usual email from me - and also it's somewhat abbreviated. 
Why early and brief? Well - I have to have (non-elective) surgery tomorrow which will require me to lay low for 1-2 weeks. So - I want to be sure to get my monthly Zoom meeting info out - and to be able to connect with you - before I put up my out of office message. 
So - here we go!

First. Zoom.
June’s Mayor Zoom Meeting will be Wednesday, June 29th at Noon. 
Here's the Zoom Link! and FMI from the City's website, go here.
As always, join when you can between Noon-1:00pm - there’s no formal “start time”.
This is an easy going forum. I’m interested in hearing what you’re thinking about, and I’ll do my best to answer questions and share my perspectives. If we reach a natural conclusion before 1:00pm, we will end the meeting. 

Second. City News & Updates.
If you’re generally curious about City updates and news - please click here to subscribe to the ‘City News’ group. (You can also go to that page to click on the latest weekly update - and look back through news, too.) It has everything from Council decisions to construction updates to news about free community composting. It’s a fantastic, concise, easy to read resource. 
If you sign up, you can opt for text and/or email. Every Friday you’ll get an alert that the news is ready. So easy! 

Third. Council Work.
So far, June has been busy! (Again, this is briefer than usual...I'm trying to tie up some loose ends before the day's end.)

The June 7th agenda was full.
Lots of Licenses approved. LGBTQ+ + Pride Month Proclamation, and:

• The Fiscal Year 2022 Budget (which takes effect July 1, 2021) was unanimously approved as recommended by both the Council's Finance Committee and the City Manager. The Municipal Budget does not increase the tax rate, it uses Federal Funds to fill in for Covid-19 related lost revenues, and it restores some (not all) positions and services lost in FY21. 
• A Resolution that I introduced, Increasing Frequency of Property Revaluations for the City of Portland was unanimously approved. Newly assessed property values will be delivered end-June. There's a lot of anticipation - and trepidation. Values all around our city have changed, and it's been 15 years since our last revaluation. That's too long. It creates inequity, and stress. Let's commit to 5-year revaluations. It's best and fairest for everyone. 
• A 180-Day Moratorium on New Shelters in the Bayside Neighborhood was approved 6-3. This action does not close or alter any current services, or approved and yet to be opened new shelters. It pauses any new/proposed shelters for this one neighborhood for up to 180 days. 
• And, the First Letter Agreement with Developers Collaborative for the Homeless Services Center Project on Riverside Street was approved unanimously of those present (8-0). 

My sincerest wishes to you all for good health, 

Kate Merchant Snyder
(If you don't already - please follow me on Instagram @katesnyderportland. I often post updates, check ins, city news, events, and more.)

Meetings are still remote, and we welcome your participation:
Council Meetings: The Portland City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. In the case of a Monday holiday, we typically meet the next Wednesday. In the case of school vacation weeks, we typically push the meeting by a week. Agendas and Info, go here.
The next meeting is Monday, June 21st. Councilor Nick Mavodones will be chairing the meeting, as Mayor Pro Tem, in my absence. 

Council Committee Meetings: There are five Council Committees: Finance, Health & Human Services & Public Safety, Sustainability & Transportation, Housing & Economic Development, and Legislative & Nominating. For Committee Meeting Info, go here.