Hot Topics
Three things I’m hearing a lot about from constituents:
Council Updates
Public Hearing on Mask Ban Legislation
On January 13, the Community and Public Safety Committee held a presentation and public hearing on the ordinance my office has developed to prohibit all law enforcement from using face coverings to intentionally obscure their identities. The purpose of the presentation was to share the details of the proposed policy with the public, what it does and why it matters, and to give Portlanders a chance to express their thoughts.
We’ll be incorporating the feedback we received into the final draft of the legislation. Stay tuned for when it will next appear on a Council agenda!
Learn more about the “Right to Know Who’s Policing You” ordinance.
New Council President & Vice President
After many rounds of voting, the City Council elected District 1 Councilor Jamie Dunphy as Council President and District 4 Councilor Olivia Clark as Council Vice President. I congratulate them both and am confident they will be effective leaders this year.
Thank you to all who expressed their support and encouragement for my candidacy during the election process. I’m touched by how many Portlanders reached out to share their well-wishes and express their belief in our shared vision for a successful City Council. Serving the people of District 2 is truly the honor of my life, and I’m excited for the work ahead this year advocating for the needs of North & Northeast Portlanders.
The First Police Oversight Board Meeting is Here!
1,926 days after its creation was approved by Portland voters, the Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA) will hold its inaugural meeting! The CBPA is the independent governing body in the City’s new Oversight System. At this first meeting the Board will begin establishing procedures to carry out its work.
The new board is the product of many years of hard work, including the ballot measure in 2020 and the work of the Police Accountability Commission, who developed proposals for how the new oversight system should work. As the Project Manager for the Police Accountability Commission, I am incredibly excited to see that work move into its next phase with the first meeting of the CBPA.
Watch the meeting online or in person on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Portland Building, 120 SW 5th Ave, Room 108.
City Launches FY 26-27 Budget Learning Session
Planning for fiscal year 2026-2027 has begun and the City of Portland is launching a virtual budget learning session to help explain the basics of how the City’s budget works. Join fellow community members in the early planning stages of fiscal year 2026-2027 by participating in a virtual budget learning session on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
Events
The Neighborhood Association Tour Continues
I’m one month into my tour of North/Northeast neighborhood association meetings with a goal to visit every single one in the first half of 2026. Most recently, I spoke with Woodlawn and Eliot neighbors and heard about issues like the proposal for a Woodlawn Street Plaza and the need for urgent attention to the Dawson Park Apartments. Coming up, I’ll be at:
Hope to see you at an upcoming meeting!
Urban Forestry Presents: Black Tree Stories
Celebrate Black Heritage Month at the Albina Library on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 2-3:30 p.m. Urban Forestry Presents: Black Tree Stories returns to this community space with a program of tree-themed stories, songs, education, and Afro-botanical art. Kids accompanied by adults are welcome at this tree-literacy winter experience.
Land Banking Community Webinar
Land banking is an important tool to scale up housing affordability. Join this first in a three-part webinar series to provide community members with tools and language to explore social housing possibilities in Portland. Thursday, February 5, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
This session will feature Andrea Pastor, Senior Development Project Manager with Metro, along with speakers representing a long-established social housing system in Vienna, Austria, a newer system in Ireland, and a new domestic model in Los Angeles, California.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to hear about social housing possibilities locally and learn what pathways other cities are pursuing.
North Portland Aquatic Center Community Gathering
Portland Parks & Recreation is building a new indoor aquatic center in North Portland at Northgate Park, and they want your input. Come to the community gathering at Roosevelt High School, 6941 N. Central Street on Tuesday, February 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and share your thoughts on the final design concept.
City Council Meetings
City Council meetings are held every Wednesday with one evening meeting a month. If there is sufficient business, additional meetings are held on the following Thursday at 2 p.m. The next meeting is February 5 at 2 p.m. Community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person at City Hall or view the live broadcast on YouTube. Agendas post on the City website the Friday before each meeting.
Committee Meetings
City Council Committees meet on the second and fourth week of the month. The next meetings are:
- Monday, February 9, 9:30 a.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure
- Monday, February 9, 12 p.m.: Finance
- Monday, February 9, 2:30 p.m.: Governance
- Tuesday, February 10, 9:30 a.m.: Arts and Economy
- Tuesday, February 10, 12 p.m.: Homelessness and Housing
- Tuesday, February 10, 2:30 p.m.: Community and Public Safety
- Thursday, February 12, 9:30 a.m.: Climate, Resilience, and Land Use
- Thursday, February 12, 12 p.m.: Labor and Workforce Development
This committee schedule is likely to change after the March 23-28 Council recess.
Community members are welcome to attend meetings in person at City Hall or view the live broadcast on . Committee agendas post online the Thursday before the meeting.
Neighborhood Association Meetings
The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods posts information about neighborhood association meetings on its website. See when your neighbors are gathering this month!
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Dear Portlanders,
