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 A view of downtown Portland from Pittock Mansion.
Happy new year!
As a new year begins, so does Portland's new form of government. Our 12 new city councilors meet for the first time Thursday, January 2. Keep reading for tips on engaging with our city's new leaders and the latest news across the city. As our city nestles into the gray blanket of winter, we offer ideas at your fingertips for staying active.
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New Year, New City Council
A message from Keelan McClymont, City of Portland Council Clerk
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While much has changed at the City of Portland, one thing that remains the same is the Council Clerk team’s dedication to providing access to Council meetings so community members may participate in the City’s legislative proceedings and policy decision-making. We are a small but mighty team of six staff, and we are eager to help Portlanders understand how to participate in City government. |
 Keelan McClymont, City of Portland Council Clerk, helps with the signing of the oath of office for incoming City Councilor Angelita Morillo.
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As we welcome the City’s first-ever, 12-member Council to the newly renovated Council Chambers on January 2, I want to share with you the different ways you can engage with your elected officials.
Do you want to watch a Council meeting, learn more about what is on the Council agenda, register to provide verbal testimony at a meeting, or submit written testimony? You can do all of that by viewing the Council agenda online:
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To sign up to provide verbal testimony at Council meetings on issues that matter most to you, look for the button that says “Testify on this item.”
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To submit written comments on a specific agenda item, review the item you are interested in, and look for the button that says “Submit written testimony.”
Do you want to sign up for a public communication to address Council at a regular meeting for three minutes about any topic of your choosing? You can learn more by visiting the Council Clerk’s website:
Work sessions are another type of meeting where members of Council meet to discuss important issues impacting our City. Members of the public are welcome to watch work sessions in person at City Hall in Council Chambers, or via streaming on the City’s YouTube channel. Find out when work sessions are scheduled and what the topics will be by visiting the Council Clerk Events webpage:
You can reach out directly to your City Councilors through the online Contact an Elected Official form:
We are happy to answer any questions you have about how to engage with City Council. You can reach out to us by email at councilclerk@portlandoregon.gov or by phone at 503-823-4082. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Resources and engagement opportunities |
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Winter is on its way and there’s no better time to start preparing. When temperatures dip below freezing, water pipes can freeze or break. Lower your risk by taking steps now to protect your plumbing. Winterization can be a fun activity for the whole family.
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Apply to serve on the City of Portland’s new Sustainability and Climate Commission. Twenty Portlanders will be selected to serve on the advisory body, which includes four youth seats (ages 16-24).
Applications are due January 17
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This year, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is asking the public to help name five of the 56 snowplows that they own and operate. PBOT crews have been preparing for the possibility of winter weather since October and need your help!
Submit your ideas by January 5 at 5 p.m.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation wants you to get home safely from your New Year's Eve celebrations. We are providing a limited number of coupons for discounted rides in a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Rides must start in the City of Portland.
Valid from 7 p.m. December 31 to 4 a.m. January 1. While supplies last.
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Now that Portland’s first ranked-choice election is over, the City’s Transition Team and Elections Division want to hear from you! Feedback will be used to evaluate this year’s voter education and may inform future efforts. Results will be included in a final voter education report. Thank you for weighing in!
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Meetings and Ongoing Opportunities
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Renderings of Legin Commons (left) and Tistilal Village. Both projects received funds from the Metro Housing Bond, which is bringing over 2000 affordable homes to Portland. Thank you to the voters of the Metro region! |
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Tistilal Village, a 57-unit affordable housing project in Portsmouth, is now open. Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) replaced and expanded an existing complex to create this new housing opportunity for low-income families, with 16 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for those exiting homelessness.
Legin Commons, a new affordable housing development by Our Just Future, Edlen & Co., and APANO in Montavilla, can now begin construction on 124 homes for low-income families and individuals. Next to the Jade District and 82nd Avenue, Legin Commons is located next to Portland Community College's Southeast Campus.
In 2022, the City of Portland agreed to assume ownership of 82nd Avenue from the state of Oregon and is bringing the total programmed investment in 82nd Avenue to $208 million. Portland Bureau of Transportation continues to make improvements to the corridor, such as: upgraded street lighting and corner ramps, installed speed and intersection safety cameras, completed bike and pedestrian crossings, and will pave two miles of 82nd Avenue by 2026.
If you saw an overflowing trash can on the sidewalk at your favorite park, who would you call? Is this a job for the Parks & Recreation? The trash company? The Portland Bureau of Transportation? Should you even call anyone? What if the line is busy? What if you’re busy?
A city like Portland can be big and complex, and designing a way to request reliable, accessible, and effective services can end up being, in itself: another service. That's why the Service Innovation Team exists, to make City services more intuitive, accessible, and responsive to community needs.
Celebrating its 17th anniversary, the 2024 Sunday Parkways season by Kaiser Permanente drew an estimated 50,000 participants across three events in East Portland, Northeast Cully, and Southwest Multnomah. Each route was tailored to reflect the neighborhood, offering free activities and inclusive experiences for families, friends, and neighbors to bike, walk, and roll on Portland’s open streets. Explore the 2024 Annual Report for insights, testimonials, and stats that showcase this program's impact!
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The Portland Winter Ice Rink is open through January 5.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible. |
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Your Portland moment
You too can prepare for emergencies
Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) held multiple trainings recently, including this Spanish language training series at Rosewood Initiative (above). Volunteers were trained in first aid, basic disaster response, search and rescue, and a fire extinguisher exercise.
If you want to help your neighborhood be prepared for emergencies, then the Basic Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) training is for you. NET volunteers are Portland residents trained by PBEM and Portland Fire & Rescue to provide emergency planning and assistance within their own neighborhoods. Sixty-five people recently graduated.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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