The Metro Council will consider a recommendation to distribute the entire $1.6 million fund balance of the North Portland enhancement grant program to select areas. A draft resolution, written by representatives from North Portland neighborhoods who serve on Metro’s grant selection committee, recommends spending the fund principal and interest earnings by 2018. The neighbors recommend the funds shouldbe divvied between the North Portland Greenway trail project and select local community-proposed projects.
The North Portland enhancement grant program, established in 1985 by an act of the Oregon Legislature, is a mitigation fund to compensate the community affected by the now-closed St. Johns Landfill. Funds were generated from a 50-cent surcharge imposed on each ton of garbage disposed of at the landfill. Interest generated on the fund – more than $2.2 million - has supported 465 local improvement projects that directly benefit residents or neighborhoods around the landfill, including Arbor Lodge, Cathedral, Kenton, Overlook, Portsmouth, St. Johns and University Parks.
Because of a lack of new revenues, low interest earnings and ongoing costs to administer the fund, the committee recommends spending the entire $1.6 million fund balance by 2018. The local community will continue to be the primary beneficiary of the remaining funds.
The committee’s recommendation will be considered by the Metro Council at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at Metro Regional Center. Public testimony can be given to the Council in person on Dec. 6, or by mail or by email before that date.