VOTE NO ON TROUTDALE CITY HALL BOND!

Canfield & Company: Should 16 year olds vote? NO WAY!

Canfield & Company: Why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills?

On this episode: Troutdale just raised residential water rates. So why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills?

Why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills?

Troutdale just raised residential water rates. So why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills? Watch our next episode soon at robertcanfield.com!

CANFIELD & COMPANY-- with guest: Troutdale mayor Casey Ryan

Cronyism is alive and well in Troutdale

Troutdale resident John Wilson gave me permission to share the public comment he gave at the February 28, 2017 Troutdale city council meeting:

"I would like to talk about cronyism.  For those who do not know what this means, I will give you the definition:

Cronyism is the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues, especially in politics and between politicians and supportive organizations.  For instance, this includes appointing "cronies" to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.

  Mayor and the council, you may be wondering why I would like to talk about this.  The reason is what took place at the Committee Interview and selection meeting a few weeks back.

 First, let me say I am not hurt, upset or angry that I was not selected, and if Glenn White and Zach Hudson want to keep the Citizens Advisory Committee from having a knowledgeable member on that committee,  it was their call.

 I attended the entire meeting and I am here tonight for the other citizens of Troutdale that gave up their evening in hopes they could give back to the community.  I had told Rob Canfield who was also there, that after Corey Brooks interviewed  he would be selected for the Budget and Planning Committee, no matter who else interviewed.

 There were many better qualified candidates to be on the budget committee, more qualified than all of the City Council and myself.  You have one candidate who had a Masters degree and works for the county preparing budgets.  They have done this for many years.  Glenn (city councilor Glenn White) is on record as saying he thought there may be a conflict since he did budgets for the county.  Glenn, you have had the applications since January, you had plenty of time to check, you didn’t because you already knew who was going in this seat.  This was a very empty  gesture on your part.
 

Almost everyone that applied for the Budget committee had a bachelors degree and worked in accounting.    Glenn do you remember  last year when you were insistent that the person selected should have a degree in accounting?  You are on the record as saying this.  What happened to the same philosophy this year?  (City councilors) Glenn, Rich, Zach and David you could hear crickets around the room when Tanney announced Corey as his selection for the voting seat and alternate.

   The best qualified are supposed to be picked, but instead the friend of Glenn, Rich, Zach, David and got picked.  This person campaigned with Zach, Rich and Glenn and was supported by Tanney. For qualifications,  the other candidates had college degrees and experience with budgets and planning. The only qualification Corey Brooks could offer was his association with  (city councilors) Glenn, Rich, Zach, and David.

  The people who came in applying for the Planning Commission  had  college degrees.  One had a Masters degree in planning and land use laws.  Did he get picked?  No. The same person that was picked for the budget committee was also picked for the planning commission-- Corey Brooks.  

I do believe that Corey Brooks is a good husband, Father, honest and a good member of the community but he did not rise above the others, others raised well above him.

 My belief is that he was picked for the budget committee and planning commission  so he will have some city experience under his belt in two years to run for office. Because he is friends of Glenn, Rich, Zach and Tanney, all the other applicants had no chance of being selected .

In other words--- cronyism. 

Mayor,  I believe that as long as these three councilors  and the chair of the budget and planning commission are around,  the application to be on one of the committees should include “ Unless you are friends with Councilors Glenn White, Rich Allen, Zach Hudson or Committee Chair Tanney Staffensen ,don’t apply for the Budget Committee, Planning Commission or Citizen’s Advisory Committee because cronyism is key to getting on them”.

 Mayor, I believe that a committee person should only be chair of one committee and should only be chair once in their 2 , 3 or 4 year tenure. I believe that I have proved my point tonight with what has taken place in the Budget and Planning Committees by the current chair and certain members of the City Council.  I would like you to look into this and hopefully make it happen.

 While the council and the selection committee are free to choose whomever they want, certain council members have demonstrated that they have no ethics when it comes to selecting the right people for certain committees.  I do believe that the middle schools teach ethics,  and would suggest that these city councilors go back to middle school and take those ethics classes. 

 I do not hold you Mayor Ryan or Councilor Lauer responsible for this,  as this is the first rodeo of this type you have been at.  I also do not hold Councilor Morgan responsible as he was not at this meeting.
 

I do hold Councilors Glenn White, Rich Allen, Zach Hudson, David Rimpa as well as Tanney Staffenson, the Chair for the Budget Committee and Planning Commission responsible for the cronyism that took place at this meeting."

Your Vote Determines Progress Or Stagnation!

From Mayor Doug Daoust: Your vote will determine progress or stagnation:

"I have been the mayor of Troutdale the last four years. When I was elected, 70 percent of Worksthe voters put their trust in me to lead. Now I’m asking you to trust me again when I give you my opinion on who should be elected to council as I step aside.
I personally know all the candidates running this year. My recommendations are only based on the required skills, professionalism and attitudes of a good councilor, using experience working alongside many different people during my 20 years on council. Here it is: for mayor, Casey Ryan; for position No. 2, Randy Lauer; for position No. 4, Robert Canfield; for position No. 6, John Wilson.
If you want our city to keep moving forward, these are your people who will have the vision and right professional attitude. If you want our city to take some steps backward with developing our Urban Renewal Area, and put at risk the progress we’ve made in public safety, then the other four-pack slate of candidates may provide that for you.
I will always support whoever wins, but love and concern for the future of our community drives my honest opinion."
Doug Daoust

Mayor of Troutdale

Support Robert Canfield for Troutdale city council!

I am running for Troutdale city council. It is a volunteer position. In order to get elected, we need to buy signs, palm cards, mailers, postage, web sites,  buying a domain, paying to be in the voter pamphlet and many other misc expenses.

 All of this requires fundraising.  This is probably the hardest part for me.  If I could get each of my supporters,  friends and visitors to donate $10 or more it would help out a lot. Thanks for all of your consideration. It's easy, Just go to CANFIELDFORTROUTDALE.ORG and click on "DONATE".

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Canfield & Company- The Brian Sheets Interview

Why I'm running for Troutdale City Council

Why I'm running for Troutdale City Council, position #4:

 OUR CITY IS GOING BROKE.
OUR CITY COUNCIL IS BROKEN.

Yes, Troutdale is slowly going broke. Our city has been deficit spending for many years. During this year's Troutdale budget sessions, the city's finance director advised that in five years, the city's reserves could be so low, it's possible the city may have to borrow money to pay its bills at that time.

The budget committee, which includes the city council, has kicked the deficit can down the road for the last ten years. It's time we lived within our means. I will work hard to make sure our city balances its budget. You and I have to to balance our personal budgets, It's time the city did the same!

Yes, our city council is broken. If you don't believe me, go to a Troutdale city council meeting or watch a meeting on TV. You'll see petty bickering, indecision, councilors raising their voices at each other.  THE MORE THEY TALK, THE LESS THEY SAY.

 It's embarrassing to see such a lack of professionalism and mutual respect from some of our elected officials! And it is not acceptable!

Right now,  some members of the city council seem like they're  more interested pursuing their own personal agendas instead of looking out for YOU, the Troutdale resident.

If elected, I will have a different agenda- to do my best to  professionally and respectfully represent the 16,000 Troutdale residents who deserve a  balanced city budget, well-maintained parks, safer streets, and opportunities for new business.

In closing, let me tell you the most important reason I'm running for Troutdale city council: I LOVE OUR TOWN!

Let me know what concerns you have about our town!

Contact me at: troutdalecanfield@gmail.com

Troutdale City Government: Problems With Transparency

Did the Troutdale City Council and city staff violate Oregon's public meetings laws and Troutdale city ordinances?  According to the Troutdale City Council meeting minutes of January 13, 2015, the City Councilors publicly nominated candidates for Council President. However, according to the meeting minutes,

"Each member of the City Council submitted their vote for Council President to the City Recorder (a copy of the voting record is included in the meeting packet). Debbie Stickney, City Recorder, announced the results: Councilor Allen received 3 votes; Councilor Morgan received 2 votes; Councilor Anderson Received 2 votes. Councilor Allen has been elected as 2015 Council President."

 This voting procedure violated Oregon public meetings law because it was a secret vote.  This secret vote also violated the City of Troutdale's Title 2 because the City Council failed to publicly vote by roll call or by an "aye or "no" vote. In addition, the Troutdale City Charter and Troutdale ordinances do not authorize ballot votes at city council meetings.

By submitting their votes privately to the City Recorder, the City Council violated public meetings law, which specifically prohibits secret votes. According to the meeting minutes, City Recorder Debbie Stickney announced the votes for each candidate for Council President, but failed to identify the member voting and the result of that member's vote at the time of the vote. Although the meeting minutes state "copy of the voting record is included in the meeting packet" (referring to the meeting packet for the January 27 council meeting), her failure to announce "the member voting and the result of the members vote at the time of the vote" violated Oregon public meeting law.

"Voting- All official actions by governing bodies must be taken by public vote. The vote of each member must be recorded unless the body has 26 or more members. Even then, any member of the governing body may require that the votes of each member be recorded. ORS 192.650(1)(c). Written ballots are not prohibited, but each ballot must identify the member voting and the vote must be announced. Secret ballots are prohibited. The state law supersedes and nullifies any local government charter authorization or requirement for a secret ballot."

"A secret ballot is a vote of the members in private after which only the result is announced to the public. Absent specific statutory authorization, such a procedure would violate the Oregon Public Meetings Law. If improper procedures in voting such as the use of a proxy, an absentee ballot, a vote by mail or a secret ballot are used, it will cast grave doubts on the validity of any decision arrived at as a result of using these procedures."
-Oregon Public Meetings Law

http://www.doj.state.or.us/pdf/public_records_and_meetings_manual.pdf

This vote for Council President violated Troutdale Title 2-Rules of the City Council- because the votes were not taken by roll call vote, by "ayes" and "nos", and because at the time the written ballot was taken, the City Recorder failed to identify the member voting and announce the vote at the time of the meeting. In addition, nothing in the Troutdale city charter or ordinances authorize City Council votes by ballot at any city council meeting.

 On the contrary, Troutdale city code requires,

"Every councilor present when a question is put votes for or against the question unless excused by the council or required by law to abstain". 

In addition, The city code and/or charter do not permit ballot votes of any kind for public city council votes.

According to  City of  Troutdale Title 2- Rules of the City Council,

"The vote on motions to read or adopt ordinances and resolutions is taken by roll call vote. All other votes may be by calling for "ayes" and "nos." Any councilor may request and obtain a roll call vote on any item. At the conclusion of any vote, the recorder informs the presiding officer of the results of the vote, and the presiding officer announces the vote. A councilor does not explain his or her vote during roll call. Any council member may change the member's vote prior to the next order of business. The council president or appointed presiding officer acting temporarily as mayor may vote in all cases. Every councilor present when a question is put votes for or against the question unless excused by the council or required by law to abstain."

To quote the Oregon public records and meetings manual, I too have "grave doubts on the validity of any decision arrived at as a result of using these procedures."

 In the interests of local government transparency, the Troutdale City Council should:

1) Officially declare the vote taken for Council President on January 13, 2015 null and void;

2) In compliance with Oregon public meetings laws and Troutdale city ordinances, new nominations and a public City Council vote be conducted for Troutdale Council President.

COMING UP TONIGHT ON EAST COUNTY NOW

TUNE IN AT 6 pm this Saturday, March 21,Comcast ch. 11, Frontier ch. 22!

We'll talk with Troutdale mayor Doug Daoust and Troutdale city councilor John Wilson about Troutdale's proposed police department merger with the Multnomah County Sheriff.

Have questions about the merger? We'll get your answers!

-Why now?

-How much money will the city save?

-Where will the saved money be used?

-What will happen to the police community center?

We'll also talk about the budget pressures Troutdale is facing in the next few years.

Previous shows have covered community involvement at the Rosewood Initiative, racism in Troutdale, public subsidies for artists, and the future of marijuana clinics in east county.

Check out the show's Facebook page: Facebook.com/eastcountynow.
Viewers can also contact the show at: info@eastcountynow.org.

East County Now is a monthly talk show focusing on issues, people, and opinions in east Multnomah County, including east Portland, Troutdale, Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, and the Columbia River Gorge.

$160,000 For Public Art In Troutdale?

At a recent city council meeting, a group of artists asked the Troutdale city council to donate $160,000 for some sort of monument to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Columbia River Highway.

WOW. That’s my first reaction.

Maybe I want some of that government largess for myself! Let’s say I didn’t want $160,000 from the city for a statue. Let’s say I wanted the city to pay  for my food, clothing, housing. Governments do pay for people’s food, clothing, housing.

IT’’S CALLED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OR WELFARE.

If the city pays $160,000 to some artists for a monument to the Columbia River Highway, that would be by definition public assistance for art. In other words, it would be WELFARE FOR ARTISTS.

WHO would this art benefit? The artists? Yes. 15,000 Troutdale citizens? NO.

Let me ask you, my fellow Troutdalians, a question: If the city spends $160,000 for a public art "statue" today, how willing will you be to pass a bond levy in the future for a new city hall?

Let’s face it, to build a new city hall, the city will need to ask Troutdale taxpayers for the money in the form of a bond measure. That’s a tall order.

As much as absolutely possible, I want them to stay out of my wallet. I’m glad to pay a reasonable amount of taxes for police, fire and EMS. I’m happy to pay a reasonable amount of taxes for water service, sewer service, and roads.

By my way of thinking, any public official who spends public money for such baubles such as  $160,000 columbia river highway memorials should be shown the door at the next election.

The city should take the responsible step of setting aside $30-40,000 from their general fund every year and save up a down payment toward a new city hall. This would go a long way toward showing good faith to Troutdale voters that they're making a new city hall a higher priority than another unnecessary bauble.

Parks Pants On Fire-- via Snowjob

It's only October, too early for snow in our part of Oregon. Guess again!  Visitors to last night's Troutdale city council  meeting experienced not a snow storm, but a  snow job of monstrous proportions. 

Last night, Troutdale Mayor Doug Daoust  introduced a Proclamation that would  ". . .recognize the "Springwater Area" and its regional environmental designation in support of volunteer efforts to protect our way of life through the stewardship of natural resources and in so doing,  support citizen health and wellbeing, healthy outdoor activities and the growth of our local economy."

Mayor Daoust invited Cathy Sherick from a group promoting the  "Springwater Parks and Community District" to explain what the proclamation was all about. Sherick told the city council her group was only there to get the city to agree to to the concept of the proclamation. 

The meeting became heated when several city councilors objected to the proclamation, saying this was the first they had seen or heard of it. A majority of the city councilors spoke against even considering the proclamation until they had more facts about the proposed Springwater concept. Mayor Daoust seemed surprised and angry at the mass objections from the rest of the city council.

Mayor Daoust repeatedly echoed Sherick's claim that the proclamation was only to support the concept of a Springwater parks area.  You can watch the fireworks-- or snow job, to be more accurate, here: (the action begins at approx. 23:40 minutes into the video)   http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T02554&video=213009.

In spite of both Sherick and Daoust admitting  once or twice they were really talking about  forming a new parks tax district, they both talked out of both sides of their mouths and insisted they weren't talking about a  new parks tax district. Hence, the snow job.

I don't object to anyone proposing a new parks district. It never hurts to listen to new ideas and proposals. But Mayor Daoust and Ms. Sherick, give me a break! Who do you think you're kidding by continually insisting you're only there to talk about flowery concepts in a flimsy proclamation!  

Both Daoust and Sherick know what they want. They want a new parks taxing district. They want the new parks district to take control of Troutdale's parks and increase taxes for Troutdale residents.  

For proof, here is the smoking gun text from the Springwater Parks and Community Districts own web site http://www.springwaterpcd.org/plan/

Getting to YES         

    2013 - 2016

Building and Sustaining the Effort

• Assess community needs
• Propose a district concept map 
• Engage key community leaders and elected officials
• Invite and involve community schools, sports groups, parents, health providers
• Educate and inform the community
• Develop funding plan
• Secure additional resources

District Concept Development  

• City approvals of Springwater Concept Proclamations
• Gather feasibility data:  “Everyone puts coffee in the cup"
• Formalize defined Springwater District area boundaries
• Define key community challenges
• Refine solutions
• Design outcome measures

District Concept Refinement and Design

• List new capital improvements and new development efforts
• List upgrades to current parks and school operations and property
• Design policy body: how to elect or appoint leadership
• Staffing plan
• District Model
• Budget
• File with Secretary of State

The Public Campaign

• Implement a highly effective and large grass roots campaign / organizing effort
• Voter information
• Media, education and outreach
• New media: Facebook, Twitter

District Referendum goes to Voters                                                          November 2016

Compare the above actual goals listed on their web site with the flowery language of the proposed "proclamation":

I don't object to anyone proposing new ideas. However, you lose credibility if you attempt to hide behind feel-good proclamations and deny to an entire city council and Troutdale's residents your actual plans and motivations. The city council called out the baloney. They weren't fooled by this silly proclamation, not for one second. 

If you want a parks district, don't beat around the snow job bush! Proclaim what you want, up front and lay it out for everyone. And by the way, quit claiming  you're doing it "for the children".

 I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick and tired of the disingenuous baloney from our  local elected officials.

Troutdale City Council Campaigns: The Good, The Bad, The Empty.

They're not running against each other, but  Troutdale city council candidates David Ripma and Larry Morgan have both posted campaign videos on YouTube. And what about Morgan's opponent, Norm Thomas? Thomas has no campaign video, but we'll discuss his campaign web site.

In their videos, neither Ripma or Morgan said anything particularly valuable to potential voters regarding specific visions or goals for Troutdale. However, there was a tremendous difference in the impact of each video. 

First: the good: Morgan's video was short, concise, and to the point- about a minute and a half. He appealed to voter emotions by talking about growing up in Troutdale, and wanting to give his generation the same opportunities as previous generations.

Next: the bad: Ripma's video was extremely long, tedious, and unfortunately un-watchable due to Ripma's  decision to descend into policy wonk-speak. He droned on with numerous "umms" and aahs" about the tiniest details regarding a Troutdale city hall replacement.

He even contradicted himself regarding refurbishing the old city hall, saying refurbishing would be the "least expensive and best option". In his very next breath he said, "But that remains to be seen". Classic politician double-speak- Yes! But maybe No!

Ripma continues to drone on for the remaining video-over five minutes! The video violates a basic YouTube video rule: Grab their attention, keep it short, and use attention getting sound bites people will remember.

And last but most definitely the least: the empty. Incumbent Norm Thomas is Larry Morgan's opponent. Thomas doesn't have a video on YouTube. As far as I have seen, Thomas doesn't even have yard signs out yet. Thomas does, however, have a campaign web site.

On his website, Thomas listed several campaign endorsements, including the following:

PAUL THALHOFER, Mayor of Troutdale.

What can you say about a candidate for city council who claims to be endorsed by Thalhofer, who passed away seven months ago? It certainly shows a lack of respect for the late, great Paul Thalhofer, not to mention Troutdale voters.

There you have if so far. The good, the bad, and the empty of local political races in Troutdale.

Punk, Disco, and Troutdale Tax Levies

1977: Punk, and lots of city employees

Yesterday, we took a trip in the Troutdale Wayback Machine to 1977. While the rest of the nation was catching dance fever or head banging with the Sex Pistols, we discovered that the City of Troutdale's city staff grew from three to over eighty employees in 1977, thanks to President Jimmy Carters's gift to our city of over $250,000 in federal grants. 

Those federal grants eventually ran out and Troutdale ran out of money.  When the one-time grant money was gone, guess what the city did? You guessed it!  They put a $60,000 one year serial levy on the ballot in May, 1978 to replace some of the federal grant money. 

Fortunately for all those new city  employees, the levy passed, YES 459, NO 264.

Today, Troutdale's city budget is running six figure deficits, resulting in alarmingly decreasing reserves. It makes you wonder.


When Troutdale does run out of money, will local voters be willing to pass a local option levy like they did in 1977, when their federal grant money was all gone? 


To help answer that question, lets take a look at a short history of recent tax levies in Troutdale. What is Troutdale's won-loss record for tax levies since 1979?  Lets take a look:

April, 1979: A $130,000 operating levy passed. YES 246, NO 65.

May 1980: A $325,000 tax base levy passed. YES 777, NO 407.

June 1982: Voters rejected continuation of the street light levy.

Nov. 1982: A tax base serial levy defeated. NO 364, YES 214.

June 1986: A $102,000 2 year levy defeated. no 778, yes 430.

August 1986: voters defeated an $88,000 levy.  

NO 694, YES 620.

September 1980: City Council rushed to get an operating levy on the ballot but changed their mind.

March, 1987: voters rejected a $420,000 operating levy.

May 1992: voters pass $1.7 million bond for fire protection.

Total won-loss record for recent tax levies: Won 3, Lost 5. It's not a good prediction of future voter approval for any new taxes or fees. But it's always good to know what the past tells us.

(Sources: Oregonian Archives https://multcolib.org/resource/oregonian-1987-present;  Oregonian Archives https://multcolib.org/resource/oregonian-historical-archive)

COMING SOON! Can You Balance Troutdale's Budget?, Part 1

We'll be featuring the multi-part series "Can You Balance Troutdale's Budget?" in a few days. Stay tuned here for more details!

When Jimmy Carter Threw Federal Peanuts At Troutdale

"Five years ago, the City of Troutdale had three paid employees. Two months ago, the number had jumped to 25.  Today it stands at 89." . . . "Since June,  with more than $250, 000 in CETA special projects grants, the Troutdale staff has more than tripled. "-- The Oregonian, August 28, 1977

The Oregonian,Metro Section, August 28, 1977

Shortly after taking office 36 years ago, President Jimmy Carter gave Troutdale and hundreds of other cities across the nation large quantities of federal dollars.

The United States was going through a recession. Like Roosevelt before him and Obama today, President Carter decided to create jobs by throwing money at the recession. At the time,  it was one of the last gasps of 1930's New Deal make-work programs.


In 1976, Troutdale's city budget was $8.1 million. Thanks to President Carter, in 1977  the city's staff levels exploded after receiving over $250,000 in  Federal Comprehensive Training and Employment Act (CETA) funds.

Most people now agree that CETA, much like Roosevelt's New Deal, failed to stimulate the economy and ended up being just another "government jobs program that didn't work."

 According to the Oregonian article, many of  Troutdale's  CETA funded city employees were hired for  make-work projects such as:


"Organizing sports and other events,  including classes in belly-dancing,  ceramics, and jewelry making". . .

"Artists in residence Project: The city has hired a painter and sculptor to produce some art for the city. The sculptor is creating a wooden train for children to play on in Depot Park and a metal sculpture for outside city hall. . ."

The Oregonian article explained that "The regular CETA funds have allowed Troutdale to double its police force from three to six, to hire a city hall custodian, police records clerk,  and building plans worker.

When the CETA one-time grant money was gone, guess what the city did? You guessed it! They put a $60,000 one year serial levy on the ballot in May, 1978 to replace some of the CETA money. Fortunately for all those new city  employees, the levy passed, YES 459, NO 264.

The Oregonian, August 28, 1977

A street light levy also  passed: Yes 286, No 97. (The city's street lights had been turned off because they couldn't afford the electricity bill.)

Today, Troutdale's city budget is running six figure deficits, resulting in alarmingly decreasing reserves. It makes you wonder.

When Troutdale does run out of money, will local voters be willing to pass a local option levy like they did in 1977, when their CETA money ran out?

Stay tuned tomorrow for a history of operating levy elections in Troutdale from 1978 to the present.

Mayor Kight To Chamber, City Council: Fuhgaddaboudit!

The City of Troutdale gets an ex-officio Executive Board seat at the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce. That position has been held by Troutdale Mayor Jim Kight.

The Chamber recently requested that the city replace Mayor Kight on the Executive Board and appoint one of the members of the city's Economic Development subcommittee to the ex-officio seat.

Fast forward to the August 28, 2012 Troutdale City Council Meeting.  Instead of granting the Chamber's request, Mayor Kight told the City Council he was going to re-appoint himself to the ex-officio seat on the Chamber's Executive Board. You can listen to the relevant part of that city council meeting here.

According to both the city charter and city statutes, the Mayor has the power to appoint the City Council member of his choice, including himself, to non-city committees.

You don't have to read between any lines to figure out that the Chamber no longer wanted Mayor Kight on its Executive Board.  It's seems, however, they're stuck with him for a while. Badabing, Badaboom.

Troutdale Council Continues To Ignore ADA Laws

  After Troutdale's City Hall was condemned  last year by the city's building inspector, the City Council moved its meetings to the city's City Conference Building (CCB) at 223 SE Buxton Ave.

Fellow Troutdale resident John Wilson recently asked City of Troutdale Building Official  Dick Bohlmann if the CCB's restrooms needed to be ADA compliant.

Bohlmann told Wilson they weren't, and haven't been ADA compliant since the city purchased the building in the early 1990's.  Bohlmann also told Wilson that Troutdale's recently condemned City Hall restrooms were never in compliance with ADA standards, despite being the meeting place for City Council Meetings, City Court sessions,  and Planning Commission meetings for many years.

Bohlmann also gave a short history of the CCB building. It was originally Troutdale's US Post Office. After the USPS moved to its new building in 1989, a church purchased the CCB. The church was given one year to make the restrooms ADA compliant as a condition of occupancy. But they never made them ADA compliant. Several years later, the City of Troutdale purchased the building. The City also failed to upgrade the building's restrooms to comply with ADA requirements.

Fast forward to a Troutdale City Council Meeting a few weeks ago. Wilson, speaking during the public comment portion of the City Council meeting, brought up the issue of the CCB restroom lack of ADA compliance and requested that the City Council direct city staff to bring the building into ADA compliance. Wilson asked how could the City require Troutdale residents, businesses, and developers to spend thousands of dollars to comply with ADA requirements when the City had ignored ADA laws for years.

 The City Council refused to appropriate funds to bring the CCB building restrooms into ADA compliance. According to Wilson, a source from the city government stated this could be done for around $5,000. Even now, the CCB building is used weekly by city committees and local clubs and groups including the YMCA.

The City Council has directed the City Manager to enter into multi-year lease agreements for a non-city owned building in downtown Troutdale for meeting space to hold their City Council, Court, Planning Ccommission meetings etc. 

The City Council has appropriated funds to bring this non city building's restroom and a wall ($5,000) into ADA compliance as well as another $10,000 in annual rent to hold their City Council, Court and planning meetings in.  This pencils out to approx. to 70 meetings a year at a cost of $214.00 per meeting (1^st year costs $15,000) the first year.  

Say Goodbye To Your Tax Dollars, Troutdalians!

 Troutdale taxpayers: Is this ok with you? $5,000 to make a city owned building's restrooms ADA compliant, versus  spending $5,000 to make a non city owned building ADA compliant in addition to 1st year costs of $15,000 in rent?  What other buildings in Troutdale are out of ADA compliance?

This belongs in the "It's easy to spend other people's money" category, if you ask me.