Council presses PCEF staff on geographic equity, BikeTown subsidies and BIPOC grant access

Portland — Councilors used the Oct. 30 work session to press PCEF staff on how the Climate Investment Plan distributes funds across Portland neighborhoods and on whether community‑led, BIPOC‑led and East Portland organizations are receiving expected shares of awards.

Equity concerns raised: Councilors asked whether PCEF funding is being used to pay for measures that would have occurred without PCEF and whether the distribution of community grants and strategic programs is proportionate to need in East Portland (District 1). Multiple councilors said many children and families live east of 80th Avenue and urged staff to ensure investments reflect that geography and the higher prevalence of low‑income households.

BikeTown and private partnerships: Councilors questioned whether PCEF investments into BikeTown or micromobility programs should be conditioned on private partners’ commitments. James Valdez said proposed scope refinements could allow limited PCEF funds for fleet upgrades but that would require renegotiating contractual terms with private operators and attaching conditions.

BIPOC grantee access: Councilor Smith and others raised examples of long‑standing Black‑led organizations that applied for funding or sought partnerships but did not receive awards. Staff said the PCEF grant process includes technical assistance and that projects not funded in one round are often encouraged to reapply; staff offered to provide council with lists of funded organizations and to work with council offices on targeted outreach and capacity building.

Why it matters: Councilors said PCEF’s mandate is both climate mitigation and community benefits; they argued that distribution and program design must demonstrably reach communities most impacted by climate change and historic disinvestment.

Next steps: Staff committed to provide program‑level distribution data by council district, to show how strategic program designs target higher‑need geographies, and to describe contract conditions for any funds used with private partners in micromobility or similar programs.