October 30, 2019
The
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INSIDE L O C A L N E W S
Week in Review
M ETRO
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P ortland o bserver arChive Photo
Bishop Marcus Irving of the Albina Christian Life Center on North Willamette Boulevard is pictured
in this Portland Observer photo from last fall. Irving is one of the church leaders who have spoken
out against new regulations on posting earthquake warnings and opposing new rules for upgrades
over concerns they would lead to the displacement of churches like his and other businesses and
nonprofit organizations in communities of color.
Reprieve on Earthquake Rules
City exchanges
requirements for
voluntary effort
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
O PINION
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The Portland City Council
has voted to remove mandato-
ry requirements to post warning
signs on unreinforced masonry
buildings and require future up-
grades to meet new earthquake
safety standards. The decision is
a win for some African American
community church leaders and
others who said the unintended
consequences of such a measure
would lead to more displacement
of homes, business and nonprofit
organizations.
Instead, city commissioners in
the decision made Wednesday will
allow the city to form a committee
to develop a voluntary seismic ret-
rofit program for buildings prone
to partially or complete collapse
during a major earthquake. The
new effort will also focus on pol-
icy and financial options to help
for-profit and non-profit unrein-
forced masonry building owners
reduce the seismic dangers posed
by their structures.
It follows the temporary sus-
pension of the requirements from
Portland City Commissioner Jo
Ann Hardesty, who was elected
as the first black female member
of the council last year. A lawsuit
against the city by business own-
ers also sought to remove the new
rules.
“As a long-time organizer and
C ontinued on P age 12
Nov. 5 Election Ballots Due
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A measure to renew critical funding for teaching
positions in the Portland School District is before
voters this week with the ballots due by
Tuesday, Nov. 5 at county election offices
or at official designated ballot drop-off
locations.
Portland will also see a measure to
increase protections for the Bull Run
Watershed, the city’s source of drink-
ing water, and ask for approval of
emergency mutual aid agreements with
other municipalities. Troutdale voters will
decide on reconstruction bonds for its old city hall,
and Sauvie Island residents will vote on a levy for
fire protection.
A Metro regional government ballot cov-
ering Multnomah, Clackamas and Wash-
ington counties will ask residents to re-
place an expiring levy with a new one
to pay for parks and natural areas, and
provide new protections for water qual-
ity and wildlife.
Ballots are generally mailed, but a
postmark does not count for meeting the
deadline. Ballots must be physically received
at any county elections office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.