Calendar: February 15 to February 22

Tuesday, February 15

4:30 p.m. — Oregon Nurses Association Virtual Summit on Providence Health System

ONA will host a summit covering the Providence Health System, which ranks near the bottom of Portland-area hospitals for staffing, as well as for pay and benefits for nurses. Multiple contracts between ONA, Oregon’s largest nursing union, and Providence facilities will be negotiating new contracts in 2022 and this summit will cover topics relevant to those negotiations. The summit will be held on Zoom as well as streamed on Facebook. Zoom attendees must register in advance.

Wednesday, February 16

9:30 a.m. — Portland City Council Meeting

Portland’s city council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for this meeting is online and includes public testimony about lead in Portland’s water, as well as a consent agenda appointing two new members to the Portland Charter Review Commission. Attendees who wish to testify must register before 4:00 p.m. today (Tuesday) and use Zoom for the meeting. The meeting will have an afternoon session starting at 2:00 p.m. to adopt a project to correct environmental overlay zone maps.

12:00 p.m. — Historic Resource Regulations Changing Lunch and Learn

The City of Portland’s land use regulations affecting historic resources are scheduled to change on March 1. This information session will go over the code changes. Representatives from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and the Bureau of Development Services will be on the call to answer questions. The session will be held on Zoom.

5:30 p.m. — Multnomah County Charter Review Committee Meeting

The MCCRC’s monthly meeting includes time for public testimony, although members of the public wishing to speak must sign up by 4:00 p.m. today (Tuesday). The agenda is online and includes a values workshop and reports from committees. The meeting will be held on Zoom.

Thursday, February 17

9:30 a.m. — Multnomah County Board Meeting

Multnomah County’s board of commissioners’ meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda is online and includes a hearing on changing Multnomah County’s codes regarding woodsmoke with the goals of reducing pollution and health impacts. A draft of the new ordinance is online. Members of the public wishing to testify virtually must sign up by Wednesday at 4 p.m.

4:00 p.m. — City of Portland Cultural Arts Plan Bid Submissions Close

The City of Portland will close bid submissions for a consultant to oversee the development of a new long-term plan for the city’s culture. The previous regional cultural plan was published in 1992 and updated in 2009 after consultation with the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Proposals will be accepted through the city’s procurement system.

5:00 p.m. — Public Comment Period Closes for the Quarterly Report on Portland’s Compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Settlement

The Portland Compliance Officer/Community Liaison is accepting feedback on its report covering July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. The report does not cover the Portland Police Bureau training materials released in January. While Police Commissioner Ted Wheeler was aware of the materials during the period covered by the report, he did not share those materials with the DOJ or COCL.

6:00 p.m. — City of Portland Charter Commission Meeting

The Portland Charter Review Commission’s upcoming meeting will include time for public comment. Members of the public wishing to speak need to have signed up in advance and the sign-up period has already ended; however, if scheduled speakers do not attend, people who are in attendance may be allowed to testify. The agenda is online. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom.

Friday, February 18

Deadline — Applications for the Metro Tri County Planning Body on Homelessness

Metro is recruiting for a new advisory body that will work on the implementation of the supportive housing services program. Members will be expected to spend approximately five hours per month on work and will serve for either one year or two years. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. — Desire Path: Access Art Virtual Launch

The Curiosity Paradox, in partnership with Portland’s Office of Community and Civic Life, is hosting a virtual launch for learning materials the organization developed around accessibility. Attendees must register in advance and the launch will be held on Zoom.

Sunday, February 20

Deadline — Metro Survey on Parks and Nature

Metro is conducting a survey on six programs funded by the 2019 parks and nature bond measure in order to refine priorities. The Northwest Trail Alliance is asking that community members specifically weigh in on the potential purchase of the Rocky Point Recreation area, which is listed as the Multnomah Channel Headwaters in the survey. (Bike Portland has more details).

11:00 a.m. — Mutual Aid Fair

A mutual aid fair will take place in support of the Regence Vaccination Clinic at 4430 North Trenton Street. Mutual aid groups will have food, clothes, harm reduction supplies, and rapid COVID-19 tests available. There will also be a petting zoo with goats and rabbits.

Monday, February 21

Holiday — President’s Day

President’s Day is a federal holiday: Most government offices will be closed, as will schools. Mail will not be delivered. Many park systems will offer free access, including:

Deadline — Applications for the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications User Board

The Portland BOEC is recruiting for a community representative position on the bureau’s advisory board. The board provides advice on most aspects of BOEC’s functions and requires a commitment between two and six hours quarterly. It is likely that the board will be responsible for planning a restructuring of itself in 2022, with the goal of expanding representation. The current open position must be filled by a community member residing in East Portland, between the Willamette River and 122nd Avenue. The application is online and includes general background questions, a conflict of interest disclosure, and four brief essay questions (answers should be less than 250 words).

By Thursday Bram

Thursday Bram founded PDX.Vote after making numerous zines, newsletters, and other media about politics in Portland, Oregon. Thursday has also written for publications ranging from Autostraddle.com to Entrepreneur Magazine. You can find more of Thursday's work at ThursdayBram.com.