Council Work Plan

The why

Gresham community members desire and deserve a full-service City organization with the resources to deliver exceptional services that support a high quality of life. Establishing long-term financial sustainability is critical to achieving this goal for Gresham.  

Context

The City faces unique budgetary challenges stemming from sate limits on property tax rates. Despite decades of careful budgeting and austerity, rising costs mean that year after year a smaller portion of Gresham’s operations are funded by property taxes.

• Without meaningful action toward revenue generation, the City will continue to struggle to maintain service levels.
• In 2022, the City will address its economic limitations head on by taking foundational steps toward long-term financial sustainability through extensive community engagement, thorough planning and legislative advocacy.  

2022 activities 

• Research and report to Council both the City’s current and ideal-state resource needs. 
• Evaluate current revenue tools for equity and efficacy and consider new revenue tools.
• Discover and report to Council the community’s vision via the Imagine Gresham outreach initiative. Use these engagement results with the revenue tool analysis to develop a long-term financial roadmap that achieves the vision.
• Implement the Gresham Redevelopment Commission’s direction to extend Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal District beyond its 2023 expiration date and continue making strategic investments to improve the economy and enhance the community.
• Partner to advocate for future action by the Oregon State Legislature to address structural taxation challenges. 

Quarter 1 progress

• Staff completed three-year plans to assist with current and ideal-state resource identification.
• April 5 presentation to Council on current state resource needs.
• Currently evaluating existing fees and new revenue options.
• April 19 Council presentation on the community’s vision.
• Urban Renewal extension placed on May ballot.

Contact

• City Manager Nina.Vetter@GreshamOregon.gov
• Assistant City Manager Elizabeth.Coffey@GreshamOregon.gov

The why

The City strives to realize an equitably served and united community and seeks to demonstrate the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).  

Context

In 2021, the City Council started an Organizational Cultural Competence Assessment that lays the foundation for the creation of a long-term DEI program.

• The City adopted a DEI Resolution and Statement, confirming the City’s commitment to equity work.
• In 2022, the City aims to set a clear vision of DEI expectations with the goal of building an inclusive culture with a diverse and informed staff that shares mutual respect and understanding.
• This work will include:
  - Building internal capacity to support Council DEI goals
  - Re-examining policies and systems to deliver services in an equitable and accessible manner.
  - Continuing efforts to ensure the community is equitably engaged.  

2022 activities 

• Deliver DEI training for Council and staff. 
• Equitably engage the community in creating a vision for Gresham’s future via the Imagine Gresham outreach initiative. 
• Build the necessary internal infrastructure to support DEI work through hiring a new human resources director; examining internal policies and practices; and establishing a Council subcommittee to oversee DEI efforts. 
• Provide Council with quarterly reports on DEI implementation. 

Quarter 1 progress

• The City hired a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager.
• City leadership received initial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training in early 2022. A plan for staff training plan is being developed now.
• The City sought a vision for Gresham’s future from a diverse set of stakeholders through Imagine Gresham.
• DEI Manager is currently establishing internal infrastructure to support DEI work.
• Council will receive their first quarterly report on DEI implementation in April.

Contact

Deputy City Manager Corey.Falls@GreshamOregon.gov.

The why

A strong sense of community safety and confidence in responsive and equitable services are foundational elements of a thriving city.  

Context

Effective community safety services are at the forefront of discussions nationally, regionally, and here in the City of Gresham.

• In 2021, Gresham faced leadership changes, budget constraints and challenges with retention and recruitment of safety personnel, resulting in necessary but difficult changes to services valued by the community.
• In 2022, the City aims to align resources to respond to community safety needs, focus on reducing violent crime, and build trust and understanding with the community.  

2022 activities 

• Understand community needs and goals for safety through the Gresham Police Department independent review and Imagine Gresham engagement, working with the community to shape the future of community safety services in Gresham. 
• Increase transparency with Council and the community to understand community safety challenges through a Council Work Session.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with Council and the community regarding community safety. 
• Implement the Safe Gresham initiative, focusing on collaborative partnerships and community-driven strategies, crime intervention and youth violence prevention, and community healing. 
• Strengthen the relationship between Council and the Police Department through a facilitated discussion.
• Focus on recruitment and retention of Police and Fire personnel. Hold a Spring Fire Academy and examine long-term recruitment solutions. 

Quarter 1 progress

• Police organizational assessment underway to understand community needs and goals for safety. Council presentation planned for summer 2022.
• Staff delivered a presentation to Council on the Safe Gresham program. The Safe Gresham effort is now in the implementation phase. Staff will come back to Council with a “Future of Community Safety” presentation in May to continue efforts to build understanding and transparency.
• Staff and Council have conducted ride-alongs with police officers to build relationships and understanding.
• Council is receiving monthly public safety reports from both Police and Fire.
• Council approved a focus on recruitment and retention strategies through use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and both Police and Fire continue building the pipeline for future public safety personnel. Council also approved additional limited term firefighter positions using ARPA funds.

Contact

Deputy City Manager Corey.Falls@GreshamOregon.gov.

The why

Housing is a complex and critical issue in Gresham. The City is driven to act now to address our community’s short- and long-term housing challenges because everyone deserves a secure and reliable place to call home. 

Context

As is the case nationally, Gresham community members are also increasingly dealing with a housing crisis – a high cost of housing relative to income and availability, often resulting in housing instability, and for some, homelessness.

In 2022, the City will work to further influence the conditions that result in more equitable access to housing for community members at all stages of life. As well as seeking to provide services and engage in partnerships that meet the immediate needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.  

2022 activities 

• Conduct a comprehensive Council Work Session and regularly share information about City services to inform Council and the community about homelessness and houselessness in Gresham. 
• Focus on solutions to keep people housed, including exploring a displacement prevention lens in policy and strategy development, continuing collaboration with regional partners, and advocating for the needs of the Gresham community. 
• Support the unhoused via continued Homeless Services work and collaborative implementation of the Metro Housing Bond.  
• Strategically develop varied housing options to meet the full range of community needs, including:
  - Completing the implementation of middle housing code provisions.
  - Continuing work on a comprehensive Housing Production Strategy. 
  - Continuing policy direction regarding affordable homeownership, affordable multi-family and mixed-income multi-family housing opportunities. 

Quarter 1 progress

• Staff presented information to Council and the community about both the Homelessness Services Team and the City’s housing work at the Feb. 1, 2022 Council meeting. The City’s homeless services page serves as a comprehensive source of housing and houselessness information.
• Council approved additional resources for the homelessness services team through use of ARPA funds.
• As part of a strategy to develop varied housing options, middle housing code updates underway.

Contact

Assistant City Manager Eric.Schmidt@GreshamOregon.gov.

The why

A robust parks system with recreational opportunities for all is a key community priority. Beyond promoting physical health and fun, added benefits can include improved emotional health, community building, environmental awareness and crime reduction.  

Context

The City’s recreational facilities and programming have not kept pace with its growth, but the City hopes to change this through partnerships and creative funding opportunities.

• In fall 2021, the City created a new Parks and Recreation manager position and a limited-term external advisory group to support this work.
• The Gresham Parks and Recreation Community Advisory Group brings together diverse community voices and representatives from local institutions to discuss goals and potential solutions in a public forum. In 2022, the group aims to assess current recreational opportunities and gaps and recommend additional programs and partnerships to Council.  

2022 activities 

• Develop a comprehensive recreational programming asset map and identify recreational program gaps. 
• Review community feedback from the Imagine Gresham outreach initiative and other public outreach efforts to determine goals and potential solutions for the parks and recreation program. 
• Draft options for Council to consider for an achievable and comprehensive parks and recreation program, including recommendations for community partnerships and incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. 

Quarter 1 progress

• The Parks and Recreation Council Advisory Committee launched in November 2021 and is meeting regularly.
• The Parks and Recreation Council Advisory Committee is developing a recreational programming asset map to understand opportunities and identify gaps in services.
• Staff are compiling and analyzing community feedback from Imagine Gresham to better understand desires for parks and recreation services and amenities.
• The Parks and Recreation Council Advisory Committee will continue working to draft options and recommendations for Council to consider later in 2022.

Contact

Assistant City Manager Steve.Fancher@GreshamOregon.gov.