Governor Brown’s Remission Order- Then Governor Kate Brown issued a remission order (forgiveness) for unpaid fines and fees associated with a traffic violation that has resulted in subsequent driver’s license suspensions due to failure to pay, comply, or appear in the case in court. With the passage of HB 4210 in 2020 legislature acknowledged that it is bad policy to suspend driver’s licenses for nonpayment of traffic fines without any inquiry into the driver’s financial circumstances or ability to pay. This causes low-income Oregonians into a court debt spiral because they often continue to raise additional fines for driving with a suspended license to obtain goods and services to meet their basic needs. In addition, they are less likely to get or keep a job to pay these fines without a license. For Gladstone Municipal Court, the presumptive fines on the citations to be dismissed equals $25,910. The number of penalties after failure to appear fees and other assessments have been added is $96,730 (the amount the collection agency has in the system).
There is a story in the Clackamas Review regarding one individuals impact of not having a driver’s license. Milwaukie elected official relates with constituents who drove with suspended licenses | News | clackamasreview.com
Clackamas County Coordinating Committee (C-4) Sub-Committee- The mission of C4 is to provide a table for “policy coordination” within Clackamas County, but the C4 bylaws specifically name transportation, land use, and housing as leading topics. Regional appointments, funding buckets, and other state and regional decisions frequently happen at these meetings. The C-4 sub-committee focuses on transportation and regional tolling. This week they received a presentation from Metro on the High Capacity Transit Strategy, specifically on the vision for high capacity and how the corridors will be prioritized. Clackamas County staff also updated the cities’ appointment process. The Gladstone City Council will appoint an elected official to represent Gladstone at the February 14, 2023 Council meeting.
There was also an update regarding the Carbon Reduction Funding Program at this meeting. In 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established a new Carbon Reduction Program to reduce transportation emissions through the development of State carbon reduction strategies and by funding projects designed to reduce transportation emissions. Metro will receive about $18.8M in formula funding over five federal fiscal years. About $17M of the Metro share is anticipated to go towards projects. Advancing implementation of the regional Climate Smart Strategy, Metro staff proposes these funds focus on the following investment areas; transit, active transportation, and system management and operations. Because there is a short turnaround for identifying projects, Metro staff proposes to self-identify an allocation proposal for the funds. Then, in February, they will return to the committee with one or more specific project and program proposals with the carbon reduction funding levels.
Gladstone Senior Center Advisory Board- This week, the Gladstone Senior Center Advisory Board drafted a community outreach plan for a name-changing process for the Senior Center. The Mission is: To enhance the vitality and wellness of a multigenerational community through meaningful connections. The Vision is: To provide an enriching space for community connections. Encourage and provide space for group activities, meals, recreational classes, sharing information about health and wellness, and other social gatherings within a community. The Board would like the community engagement plan to be launched in February. Please watch for opportunities to provide feedback on the name change on social media, through surveys, in the City newsletter, and person at the Senior Center.
Clackamas County Library Advisory Board Meeting- The Clackamas County Library Advisory Board met this week to receive an update from the Library Director of Gladstone and Oak Lodge Libraries. Mitzi is working with the Gladstone Senior Center on a potential partnership with Homebound clients, and she is also working with the Portland Early Literacy Agency to have a bilingual storytime. This program will likely start in Gladstone and expand to Oak Lodge.
Attached is also a copy of the Gladstone Library Statistics for December 2022. In addition, Gladstone/Oak Lodge Library Manager Mitzi Olson will provide a 2022 Annual Report of the Gladstone Operations at the February 28th work session.
Gladstone Audit Committee- The Gladstone Audit Committee will meet on February 2, 2023, at 5:30 pm to review the City’s Audit and Urban Renewal Agency Audit for the fiscal year ending 2022. The packet will be available on the website one week before the meeting.
Gladstone Traffic Safety Advisory Board- The Traffic Safety Advisory Board will meet Monday, January 23, 2023, at 6:00 pm. The agenda can be accessed here by the end of business hours today. Meetings | Gladstone, Oregon
Gladstone City Council Meeting- The Gladstone City Council will have a work session on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 5:30 pm. The packet can be accessed here. City Council Work Session | Gladstone, Oregon
Gladstone Volunteer Ethics Training- Volunteers on City Boards, Committees, and Commission are invited to attend the Volunteer Orientation and Ethics Training on Wednesday, January 26th at 5:30 pm via zoom. The City Attorney will review Oregon Government Ethics, open public meeting laws in Oregon, and public meeting best practices. The link to the webinar can be accessed here Volunteer Orientation and Ethics Training (via Zoom) | Gladstone, Oregon
Gladstone Bingo by Rotary- Creating a “Life at Night” atmosphere in Gladstone begins tonight! The Rotary Club of Gladstone/Oak Lodge is hosting a community bingo at the Gladstone Senior Center every third Friday of the month. It begins at 5:30 pm and ends at 8:30 pm. Rotary obtained the proper permit to serve beer, wine, & soft drinks, and there will be hot dogs and hamburgers to purchase. Outside of the cash prizes awarded during bingo games, all proceeds will go to local nonprofits.
Gladstone City Council Goal Setting- The Gladstone City Council and Management Team had a special goal-setting session last weekend. SSW Consulting and I will present the report summary and the proposed City Council Goals for years 2023 and 2024 on February 14, 2023. The retreat outcomes were as follows:
We established a shared understanding of the community context as the basis for goal setting
We developed a focused list of shared goals and priorities to guide the organization
We reviewed and discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Council and staff
We built a collaborative team between the Council and staff to advance the Council’s goals and support a high-performing team.
We all care about the Gladstone community and are committed to working together for the betterment of our residents.
Have a great weekend.
Jacque M. Betz, City Administrator ICMA-CM, MPPA
City of Gladstone
18505 Portland Avenue
Gladstone, Oregon 97027
Supporting Documents
Original source can be found here.
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