Finance Committee reviews shelter relocation costs, Riverton Pool funding gap

The City of Portland Finance Committee discussed the $13.95 million cost to relocate the family shelter to 353 Cumberland Avenue and a $1.6 million funding shortfall for the Riverton Pool renovation. Staff will provide a revised cost estimate for the shelter that excludes major system-wide improvements, while the committee will vote on bonding or reallocating funds for the pool at the next meeting.

Key points

• Staff reported the family shelter relocation to 353 Cumberland Avenue would cost approximately $13.95 million in capital costs and $1.5 million annually in operating expenses.
• Councilor Benjamin Grant requested a revised estimate for a "bare bones" shelter option that defers major HVAC and roof repairs, which staff agreed to provide.
• The Riverton Pool renovation faces a $1.6 million funding gap due to unexpected structural issues, with options including new bonds, reallocating CIP funds, or pausing the project.
• The committee directed staff to present options for bonding or reallocating funds for the pool at the next meeting, noting that public hearing timelines prevent a vote this week.
• Public commenters from the Portland Public Library requested a budget increase above the recommended 5% to address wage stagnation and inflation.
• A public commenter from Portland Cruise Control urged the committee to remove LNG from the clean fuel list in the port tariff and require verification mechanisms for environmental discounts.

Next steps

• Staff to provide a revised cost estimate for the family shelter relocation that excludes non-essential building-wide system improvements.
• Staff to prepare a comparison of options for funding the Riverton Pool shortfall, including bonding versus reallocating existing CIP funds.
• Committee to hold a public hearing and vote on the Riverton Pool funding option at the next meeting.

Read the full transcript