Northeast Portland residents and city commissioners debated in city
council last week whether the 72-unit Albert Apartments complex slated for N Williams is actually worth $1.12 million in city tax
abatements reserved for transit-oriented developments [“Hitting
the Wrong Notes,” News, July 2]. “If this is truly a transit-oriented
development, why are 48 parking spots being included?” Portlander Cathy
Galbraith asked council. Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda
Fritz agreed that while the building meets all the city standards
necessary to snag the public funds, it is worth looking into whether
the development delivers “bang for the buck.” Fish asked, “If we
conclude that the developer followed all the rules and we still come
away with a building that the neighborhood objects to, is it our role
at this point to yank the abatement?” Council votes on the apartments
on September 9. SARAH MIRK
***
Not even a year into his term, Bob Skipper may have to
step down as Multnomah County Sheriff. After twice failing the
police certification test, he requested temporary certification to gain
more time, which the state denied last week. State law requires all
sheriffs to obtain police certification within one year of
taking office, which, for Skipper, is November 5. The state legislature
passed a custom bill for Skipper in June allowing the aging sheriff to
bypass the 16-week boot camp required for entry-level officers and
instead participate in a two-week officers’ training course. Skipper
felt he did not need the basic training since he had served in the
Sheriff’s Office for 34 years before retiring in the mid-’90s. However,
Skipper failed the certification exam twice this summer, meaning
the only way to gain certification now is to attend the 16-week basic
training. RACHAEL MARCUS
***
City council has voted to approve free “all zones” transit
travel for high school students in Portland Public Schools. The new
“YouthPass” program for students will be funded with $800,000
from Portland Public Schools, and use up to $2.5 million in tax credits
from the Oregon Department of Energy, which has a business energy tax
credit program that gives state money for transportation projects that
decrease environmental impacts. TriMet recently axed its Fareless
Square program for buses in downtown Portland, in a move calculated
to save just $800,000. MATT DAVIS