191814

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1. The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) shapes Portland’s future and advances climate protection for a more prosperous, healthy, equitable, and resilient city now and for future generations.
2. To meet Portland’s climate action goals, there is an urgent need to fund and accelerate greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions and sequestration, especially within low-income communities and communities of color.
3. In November 2018, Portland voters created the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) program, which invests in community-originated climate action projects that advance racial and social justice (Ballot Measure 26-201). City Council codified non-taxation elements of Ballot Measure 26-201 in Portland City Code Chapter 7.07.
4. The purpose of PCEF is to provide a consistent, long-term funding source and oversight   structure to invest in climate action projects that align with Portland’s climate action goals and that support environmental justice and environmental, social, and economic benefits for all Portlanders, including the development of a diverse and well-trained workforce and contractor pool to perform work that reduces or sequesters GHGs.
5. In 2020, City Council declared that a human-made climate emergency threatens our city, our region, our state, our nation, humanity, and the natural world, and that such an emergency calls for an immediate mobilization effort initiating greater action, resources, and collaboration that prioritizes frontline communities to restore a safe climate and established a City-wide target of net zero carbon emissions before 2050 (Resolution No. 37494, as amended “Climate Emergency Declaration”).
6. In its Climate Emergency Declaration, City Council also resolved to advance climate justice and climate action initiatives that are led by the community, especially frontline communities and youth from frontline communities, and accelerate investments in projects that benefit these communities in ways that are restorative, reparative, and build present and future well-being and wealth.
7. In July 2022, City Council adopted the Climate Emergency Workplan to implement its Climate Emergency Declaration (Resolution No. 37585).
8. In October 2022, City Council amended the PCEF code to strengthen and streamline the PCEF program. The amendment broadened eligible funding recipients and funding areas and required the development of a five-year Climate Investment Plan (CIP) to direct PCEF’s investments (Ordinance No. 191046, the CIP is defined in PCC 7.07.030(D)).
9. The CIP outlines PCEF’s planned investments to ensure funding decisions will have a lasting impact on Portland’s GHGs and frontline communities.
10. From December 2022 through July 2023, BPS staff worked with the PCEF Committee to develop the inaugural CIP.  Development involved extensive community outreach, public workshops, and focused roundtable sessions to gather input from subject matter experts and community members. BPS staff received over 1,000 unique comments across the community visioning and public comment periods. 
11. The CIP guides investment of $750 million between 2023 and 2028. The CIP serves to outline performance measures and goals, educate community members, and provide certainty to businesses, nonprofit organizations, government, and residents who are critical to PCEF’s success. It includes 16 strategic programs and allocations for community responsive grants in accordance with PCC Chapter 7.07. The CIP supports actions identified in the Climate Emergency Workplan.
12. On July 20, 2023, the PCEF Committee unanimously recommended the CIP to City Council for adoption. On September 27, 2023, City Council adopted the CIP, Ordinance No. 191463, to fund 16 strategic programs and the Community Responsive Grant program. That includes Strategic Program 6: Comprehensive E-Bike Access and Support.
13. In the City's most recent carbon emissions inventory released July 2023, , the transportation sector in Multnomah County made up 44% of carbon emissions; the reduction of fossil fuel car trips is essential to achieving Portland’s net-zero goal.
14. The 2019 Oregon Department of Transportation - Oregon Household Activities Survey included 4,516 households; it showed that the average daily trip in the Portland Metropolitan Region was six miles, 80% of which were completed with a car. This is well within the range of any e-bike. 
15. Research by the Rocky Mountain Institute shows that increasing e-bike usage can reduce emission releasing vehicles trips by 59% within 10 years. 
16. In addition to carbon reduction, e-bikes have many other benefits. E-bikes are substantially cheaper to own and operate than fossil fuel vehicles, providing significant financial benefits. Households will sometimes forgo an additional vehicle, using an e-bike instead. E-bikes also provide important health benefits with reductions air pollutants, principally in the particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), both of which harm the respiratory system. These may lead to increased risk of asthma or chronic lung diseases; heart attacks; stokes; certain cancers; and vascular, neurological, and pulmonary disease. 
17. The City of Portland is committed to equity while achieving net zero. The PCEF Comprehensive E-bike Access and Support program will support that commitment by providing incentives for e-bikes and adaptive e-bikes for low income and low-income Portlanders living with disabilities, provide for training of e-bike technicians, and pilot multifamily storage and charging of e-bikes in the city. Each of these programs will be designed with an equity and accessibility framework.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

1. The Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to perform one or more competitive solicitations in accordance with Portland City Code 5.33 for the purchase of services to administer and oversee Strategic Program 6: Comprehensive E-bike Access and Support. 
2. Upon Council acceptance of the Chief Procurement Officer’s Report, Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to negotiate and execute one or more contracts for a cumulative amount not to exceed $20 million for five years, provided each contract has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office. 
3. Contract award(s) will pertain to the following program responsibilities: Central Program Administrator, Rebate Payment Processor, Strategic Program Evaluator, E-Bike Mechanic/Technician Training Initiative, and Multifamily E-bike Charging and Storage Initiative. 
4. The Mayor and Auditor are hereby authorized to pay for the contracts from revenue generated by PCEF’s Clean Energy Surcharge.