Portland Land Bank Commission approves April minutes, hears parks updates and a rare request to buy landlocked parcel

The Portland Land Bank Commission on July 9 approved minutes from its April 9 meeting, received updates on several park projects and property management activities funded or supported by the land bank, deferred officer appointments because a quorum was not present for that vote, and heard that a member of the public will ask next month to purchase a 4,800-square-foot, landlocked parcel on Sumner Court.

The April 9 minutes were approved after a motion and second; Commissioners Josh Barber and Rob Foster abstained. The commission deferred formal officer appointments (secretary and treasurer) until a future meeting, but Commissioners discussed nominees and said they would finalize nominations at the next scheduled meeting.

Commissioners received a parks division update on land bank–funded projects. Staff said a Stroudwater boat-dock project is funded at $30,000 and assigned to staff member Jen DeRise to investigate required permits, with bidding expected this fall and installation targeted for next spring. A Stroudwater Bridge/boardwalk-style project (referred to in materials as the Stroudwater Bridge) is ready for the procurement queue after combining funding from Portland Trails, neighborhood contributions, Recreation Trails Program grants and capital improvement (CIP) funds.

Staff reported the Portland Youth Corps is running a service-focused session for middle- and high-school students working primarily on land bank properties — notably North Deer Park — doing trail work, conservation education and outdoor trips. The commission also heard that park ranger staffing has increased to three full-time rangers (plus six part-time/seasonal rangers) to patrol roughly 1,400 acres across about 70 land bank locations. Staff said weekly campsite reports show progress: this week there were 33 camps citywide and four on city property, down significantly from a high of 214 citywide during the same period in 2023.

Commissioners discussed property transfer timing for a development that will convey land bank property to the city after the developer completes required phases; staff said a recreation easement is already recorded and the parcel is expected to transfer once the final phase is complete.

Looking ahead, staff said a member of the public has asked to purchase a landlocked parcel on Sumner Court (about 4,800 square feet). Staff told the requester to expect due diligence requirements and described the track record for such requests: sales are rare, the land bank would first need to recommend sale to the City Council, and sale would require an 8-of-9 supermajority on council to proceed. Staff cited a past, exceptional outcome where the land bank issued a 20-year license for an irregularly created parking area instead of a sale, for a $20,000 license fee.

The commission also heard a preview of future agenda items, including a proposal to add “rustic play” features (boulders, logs and natural play elements) in University Park and updates on watershed planning: staff said two requests for proposals (RFPs) are active — one for flow and water-quality monitoring along Fall Road and a second to develop a watershed management plan for an area staff referred to in the meeting as "Wallbrook/Dole" (materials and staff will provide details). Staff emphasized that some trails in that corridor are informal and work is under way to improve connectivity and activate those routes with positive uses.

Separately, staff briefed the commission on an abandoned encampment on Portland Water District property that had a large fire in the past year; the Water District’s security team has that site on a cleanup list. Commissioners and staff noted ongoing partnerships with Portland Trails, the Home Services Center and private landowners to reduce hazards and improve trail access.

The commission closed by noting nominations for secretary and treasurer will be taken up at the next meeting and by reminding new and returning commissioners that staff (Jess Teasdale and others) manage meeting materials and the shared drive for project records.

Ending: The commission adjourned with plans to compile nominations and bring the Sumner Court request and the University Park concept back to the full commission at the next scheduled meeting.