*Authorize one-year exception to Mass Transit Code to allow the Bureau of Transportation to permit extended closure of the auxiliary vehicle lanes for film and video projects (exception to Code Subsections 16.50.410 A. and B.)

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: The City, through the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), manages the public right-of-way. Council passed Ordinance 183979, effective July 14, 2010, to establish the scheduled permitting times and days for Transit Mall . The designation of the multi model transit mall has included a continuous travel lane, bus and light rail through the transit mall, changing the dimension and utilization for safe travel of all pedestrians and vehicles, including streetcar, emergency vehicles and bicycles. Portland City Code 16.50.410 limits the duration of permits PBOT can issue for closures of this portion of the right of way. Requested uses have been made for a time greater than that allowance. Since 1990, Portland has recognized the significant positive impact of the Television and Film industry on local economy. The Film and Events Office in Prosper Portland is the primary liaison to the industry with staff in multiple City bureaus proving assistance with permitting to support the viability of this industry. PBOT is coordinating closely with major film productions requesting use of a portion of the Transit Mall for their work. The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), with authorization from their Executive Team, have agreed to make necessary changes to their traffic plans to work around requested closures. (Exhibit A) Per Portland City Code (PCC) Title 16.50 Mass Transit, closures of auxiliary lanes can be permitted by authority of the PBOT director for terms of less than 3 days. Approval of this ordinance would permit the exception to PCC 16.50.410 Vehicles Allowed on the Transit Mall and Auxiliary Vehicular Lanes by Permit, Part B, and allow PBOT, to issue necessary permits for Film uses for an extended period. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The provisions of City Code Subsection 16.50.410 A. and B. " Vehicles Allowed on the Transit Mall and Auxiliary Vehicular Lanes by Permit " , are waived for one-year to allow PBOT to permit extended closures for the Film/Video industry. All closures will be reviewed by TriMet, and traffic control plans shall be approved by the City Traffic Engineer, or their designee. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because delay in issuing these permits may result in a delay in the film or video production ; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.