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Check out a farmers market in your neighborhood. Find this one at Shemanski Park, right behind the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, on Wednesdays. Find other Portland Farmers Markets. Photo by Brodi Arreola
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Climbing high to keep the signal clear
Meet electronics technician Josue Castaneda.
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Electronics technician Josue Castaneda maintains the communications towers that play a vital role in public safety, allowing Portland's first responders to communicate during an emergency. Underpinning all that high-flying technology is an elemental skill: climbing hundreds of feet in the air.
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The public safety radio system is a vital part of Portland’s communications infrastructure. Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics from more than 80 different agencies all rely on this system, whose backbone consists of 14 communications towers strategically located around the metro area.
Stretching to the sky, these graceful structures are built to withstand high wind, freezing rain, searing heat, and even earthquakes. Portland’s Bureau of Technology Services maintains the towers and the critical equipment they support.
That's where BTS electronics technician Josue Castaneda comes in. He and his coworkers in the bureau’s Public Safety Technology team climb high above the city to make sure the signal stays strong and clear around the clock. The operational goal is to be up and functioning 99.9999% of the time.
Castaneda joined the City in 2019, having served in the US Marine Corps. “It’s honestly a lot of fun," he says. “You get very nervous the first couple steps, but after that, it’s incredible.”
The towers range in height from 30 or 40 feet all the way up to the imposing tower at Goat Mountain, which stands 150 feet tall, or the one at Council Crest, a gargantuan 420 feet.
“You get to transport yourself to another world when you’re up on those towers,” he says.
Watch this video about Castaneda and his work.
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The City took another step toward becoming a net-zero carbon fleet by 2050 with the official addition of a new Freightliner eM2, a fully electric medium-duty truck, to its municipal fleet.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is lowering the cost to park for anyone working swing shift or evening schedules downtown. The SmartPark Swing Shift Parking Permit is available to anyone working late or through the evening for $36 a month. Apply for a parking permit for one of the five public SmartPark garages. Permits valid from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily.
The Portland Police Bureau is seeking the public’s help in identifying additional victims of a woman suspected of selling counterfeit gold to numerous people. Investigators believe the suspect may have amassed $43,000 by selling fake gold to unsuspecting individuals.
Mayor Wilson encourages all Portlanders to take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies.
Data spotlight
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Number of affordable homes open or in progress in Portland with funds from two housing bonds approved by voters. With City oversight, the bonds have supported the development of 42 projects and counting. The combined bonds represent a taxpayer investment of $469 million, which leveraged a total investment of $1.95 billion in outside funding to house roughly 9,500 lower-income Portlanders with a wide range of backgrounds. Learn more in Portland's Housing Bond progress report.
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New city-set rates for curbside collection of large items make it easier to get rid of broken furniture, old mattresses, and other waste that’s too big to fit in your garbage bin. Use our online calculator to estimate costs, call your garbage company to schedule a pickup, and your stuff will be whisked away from the curb within a week. Plus, find options for donating or giving away items in good condition.
Rose City Self-Defense and the Safe Blocks Program invite you to join us for an Introductory Personal Safety and Self-Defense workshop to learn the empowering skills to help keep yourself and your young ones safe and strong! Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave).
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New job openings at the City of Portland
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BES Engineering Standards and Practices Program Manager (Analyst III - CPPW)
- Bureau Safety Officer (Analyst III)
- City Nature Analyst II – CPPW
- Civil Engineer - PBOT (Engineer - Civil)
- Land Stewardship Analyst II – CPPW
- Police Administrative Support Specialist
- Storekeeper/Acquisition Specialist III
- Traffic Enforcement Agent (Regulatory Program Specialist)
Portland seeks first long-term city administrator
The city administrator oversees an $8.6 billion budget and 6,800 public servants who deliver day-to-day services across four major areas: public safety, public works, community and economic development, and city operations. As Portland’s executive leader, the city administrator also serves as a trusted advisor to the mayor. A new city administrator is expected to start work by the end of 2025.
“How to Apply” Session
Gain an understanding of the City of Portland’s online application process, types of employment, creating an account on our online Applicant Tracking System, reviewing job announcements, reviewing and submitting application materials, and interview information. Next virtual session is Thursday, September 18, starting 12:30 p.m. Register for a session
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Grants and funding
The Office of Arts & Culture is excited to announce that MusicOregon’s Echo Fund is open for submissions through September 5, 2025. The Echo Fund empowers creative musical excellence and professional development by supporting independent, working musicians with funding for creative, non-performance projects that support new growth and spur creative and career development.
The Office of Arts & Culture is excited to announce that Friends of IFCC’s Artist Grant & Residency Program is open for submissions through September 12, 2025. The IFCC Artist & Residency Program provides artists with dedicated funding, studio space, and yearlong opportunities for collaboration and professional development. In fiscal year 2025-26, Friends of IFCC will offer grants and residency opportunities to support projects and programming for artists working at any level and in various disciplines. This program is part of a larger community-driven effort to revitalize the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC).
This Prosper Portland grant program provides funding to small businesses located in the City of Portland that have sustained physical and economic damage due to break-ins and vandalism.
This quarterly grant opportunity offers up to $5,000 for activities that align with PCEF goals of advancing racial and social justice while addressing climate change. Created in response to community feedback, these mini grants provide an opportunity for organizations to fund a wide range of activities, including grant writing support, small projects, events, and training.
Application Submission Deadlines: October 1
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Serve on a board or committee
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The City of Portland is seeking representatives from the community to serve on a steering committee that will make recommendations about the Future of Large-Scale Performing Arts project's direction and next steps. Apply by September 29.
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Give us your feedback
Join Mayor Keith Wilson on Sept. 18 to kick off the newly formed . Public comment is always welcome during these public meetings, which are held the third Thursday of every month. The Sustainability and Climate Commission will guide and champion climate action in the City.
Last year Portlanders used ranked-choice voting for the first time to elect the mayor, auditor, and city councilors. The City’s 2024 election saw 118 candidates, resulting in as many as 30 candidates in a single contest. The high volume of candidates caused various challenges. As a result, the City is reviewing the filing fee and related policies. Before moving forward, we want to know what options you prefer, and how you experienced the first ranked-choice voting election. Take our two-minute survey.
The City is taking the next steps to install more convenient, reliable and affordable chargers for electric vehicles across Portland. Where should we put them? Now is your chance to get involved!
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Portland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance today to move to a weekly Council meetings schedule. The Council will now meet on the first, second, fourth and fifth Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. and on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Evening meetings will adjourn by 9:00 p.m. Any recessed meeting with unheard agenda items will resume at 2:00 p.m. the following Thursday.
Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Only two more months to jump on the City Bike Bus before the 2025 season ends! Join us on one of nine unique bike bus routes on your ride to downtown on Sept. 10. A bike bus is a group of people biking somewhere together. Each bike bus departs from their starting location and arrives at Salmon Street Springs at 8:15 a.m. Stick around for coffee, treats, and conversation.
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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
This summer, interns from the Lents Youth Initiative learned how city government can make neighborhoods safer places to live and play. The project was led by Rose City Self-Defense, Safe Blocks, the Office of Violence Prevention, and WorkSystems Learn & Earn.
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Subscribe to the Rose City Connection newsletter during the month of September to be entered to win a custom engraved brick at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
To be eligible, you must subscribe to Rose City Connection newsletter during the month of September 2025 with a valid email address.
How're we doing?
How well do you like Rose City Connection? How could we make it better? Take our reader survey and give us some feedback.
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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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