*Accept a grant from the Bullitt Foundation via the City of Seattle to provide funding to Portland State University to support research on community-sourced displacement data to inform analysis and accountability in the Anti-Displacement Action Plan in the amount of $10,000

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: The City of Portland has been engaged in a Peer Cities Initiative with the Cities of Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. After an initial meeting in Vancouver at the end of 2017, the Bullitt Foundation awarded the City of Seattle $10,000 to support a second “peer city convening” between planning, sustainability, urban design, and transportation staff from the three cities in March 2020. However, this event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-city staff group met to discuss repurposing the funds to support meaningful learning, action, and equitable outcomes, particularly in light of the pandemic’s ongoing impacts on BIPOC communities and the galvanizing Black Lives Matter movement. It was decided that the money could be best spent on work in one city, with an expectation that the selected city would bring the work back to the Peer Cities group for sharing and discussion. A proposal from Dr. Lisa Bates at Portland State University was selected to receive the funds and the Bullitt Foundation supported the proposal. BPS is committed to equitable community engagement, partnering with Portland State University, the Anti-Displacement Coalition and community-based organizations to develop and implement equitable community strategies that benefit low-income, communities of color and/or immigrants and refugees. BPS will pay $10,000 to Portland State University to support community stipends for participation in Dr. Lisa Bates’ work to identify and collect metrics that speak to the needs of BIPOC communities, with a focus on the most under-served and under-resourced. The work will also explore the use of Zoom to broaden participation, provide support, translation, and opportunities to participate. Research findings will inform the continued improvement of anti-displacement analysis and accountability tools as part of the Anti-Displacement Action Plan, and support cross-city learning resulting from the ongoing Peer Cities Initiative. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The Director of BPS is authorized to accept $10,000 from the Bullitt Foundation via the City of Seattle and execute a contract with Portland State University in the same amount, in a form substantially similar to Exhibit A and approved to form by the City Attorney. To the extent it applies, the City Council waives the competitive application process required in FIN 2.04-Budget. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to forward funds for services to continue work that benefits the City. Therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.