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Neighbors press county on animal‑health at a shelter, park and school safety, and rushed outreach
Summary
Public commenters raised several community concerns: an animal‑health allegation at a county shelter, repeated safety incidents near Couch Park/Metropolitan Learning Center, and criticism of short notice and outreach practices for the Harrison Community Village site.
During the board’s public comment period and the Harrison Community Village hearing, residents raised distinct issues spanning animal welfare, K‑12 pedestrian safety, and community engagement practices.
Animal‑health concerns: A public commenter identified in the sign‑in as Anna (Anna Aziz Khani) said she had reviewed public records and described multiple dogs with severe respiratory illnesses she linked to alleged misdiagnosis at a county facility she referred to as the "Multnomah County Bridal Shelter." She said volunteers who pushed for veterinary attention were punished and cited a county response that (she said) reported 37% upper respiratory infection rates and 5% developing pneumonia. The commenter named a state veterinary statute by chapter and asked the board to act. The chair invited written testimony to be shared with staff for follow‑up.
Neighborhood safety and schools: Multiple parents and neighbors described a pattern of harassment and incidents along routes children use to reach Portland Public Schools and neighborhood parks. Testimony included an account of a machete incident near a route to school and repeated verbal abuse while escorting children. Speakers asked the county, PBOT, Portland Public Schools and the parks bureau to take proactive steps — including changing restroom siting, improving patrol/maintenance and creating safer walking routes.
Process and notice complaints: Several public speakers connected to Montavilla and the Montevilla Neighborhood Association said notice for the December 5 community meeting was short and that adjacent schools had not been meaningfully engaged before a vote. Speakers urged the board to delay final approvals until further engagement and review of Oak Street Village lessons. JOHS staff said they had canvassed a quarter‑mile radius and mailed flyers to about 628 addresses and that outreach efforts included neighborhood association notices and a Dec. 5 meeting with more than 60 attendees.
Responses and follow‑up: Board members pressed staff for documentation of outreach, asked JOHS to publish how feedback was addressed, and secured an amendment to the Harrison project requiring signed Good Neighbor Agreement commitments and school engagement before opening. The chair invited the public to submit written testimony for staff follow‑up on the animal‑health allegations.
