*Authorize Housing Bureau to dispose of hazardous equipment used to collect readings of the lead content of interior and exterior painted surfaces
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
The Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) is committed to the vision that all Portlanders can find affordable homes and have equitable access to housing. To achieve this vision, PHB is responsible for developing citywide housing policy, increasing affordable housing, promoting stable homeownership, and managing resources.
The neighborhood housing preservation team purchased an XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) equipment over ten years ago with HUD funding.
An XRF device was used to collect readings of the lead content of interior and exterior painted surfaces throughout the residence home. An XRF device uses radioactive waves to find and determine how much lead is in paint.
In 2023, HUD granted PHB funding to buy new XRF equipment that does not use a radioactive isotope.
City Code 5.36.010, Disposition of Surplus Property, notes that items in the category of “Exempt Property” (subsection F) which require Council approval to dispose of includes “Hazardous Items.”
The current XRF with the radioactive isotope is obsolete, not in use, and costs the bureau over $1000 to maintain each year.
- The XRF equipment will be decommissioned by an approved device manufacturer.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Mayor is hereby authorized to approve the disposal of the XRF radioactive isotope equipment.
- The Office of Management & Finance Grants Management Division is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation the disposal of a fixed asset (XRF radioactive isotope equipment).
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the equipment is hazardous, not in use and needs to be disposed of safely and appropriately; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage by the Council.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The City of Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) is committed to ensuring that all Portlanders have access to affordable homes and equitable housing opportunities. To achieve this vision, PHB is responsible for developing citywide housing policies, increasing the availability of affordable housing, promoting stable homeownership, and managing housing resources.
PHB received a HUD lead remediation grant over twenty-five years ago. Using that grant, PHB purchased XRF equipment to test for lead in paint. The XRF equipment has a radioactive isotope that is considered hazardous if not maintained and used properly.
In 2023, PHB received a new healthy home production grant which allowed PHB to purchase a new XRF equipment that does not utilize a radioactive isotope.
For this reason, PHB no longer uses the obsolete XRF equipment that has the radioactive isotope. For PHB to retain the equipment and keep it shelved, PHB is required to pay over$1000 annually to maintain the equipment.
PHB would utilize a professional company who will be able to decommission the XRF equipment with the radioactive isotope in a manner that is safe to the environment and community.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There is a small financial cost of $500 to decommission the equipment. Finance and accounting will work with central accounting to correctly remove this fixed asset from the accounting book.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Disposing the XRF equipment with radioactive isotope will eliminate the exposure of a hazardous material in the community.
100% Renewable Goal
Approval of these funding award contracts does not impact the City’s total or renewable energy use.
Financial and Budget Analysis
There is a small cost of $500 to decommission the equipment. Decommissioning and disposal of the equipment would save PHB about $1,000 each year that it would otherwise have to pay for maintenance.