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Music teacher Lisa Dunlap (shown here) leads Bridger kindergarteners in a raucous rendition of “I Know an Old Lady” -- with students assigned to different instruments, from triangles and tambourines to bongos. Thanks to the Arts Access Fund (powered by the Arts Tax), this year’s high school seniors are part of the first class of students in Portland who have had access to an arts education from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
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Meet the Problem Solver
Anne Hill runs the Problem Solvers, a small but mighty team working to make Portland’s public spaces safer and friendlier by solving problems, one block at a time.
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Portland has come a long way in the last few years. Crime is down, paychecks are up, and people are coming back downtown in droves. But plenty of challenges remain, especially in the city’s business districts. Empty lots. Forbidding intersections. Sidewalks that families won't walk down.
Cue Anne Hill. As director of the City’s Public Environment Management Office and leader of its Problem Solver team, she’s on the front lines of an innovative project to reclaim public spaces that have fallen into disrepair or neglect. Through meetings with neighbors and business owners, the Problem Solvers identify issues, come up with environmental solutions, and navigate a maze of overlapping bureaucracies to make things happen.
The Problem Solver are more than a cleanup crew. They are the vanguard of a movement to use the tools of environmental design to energize the city's streets and sidewalks so that everyone in Portland can thrive.
What are the Problem Solvers, exactly?
As you know, the pandemic was tough on downtown Portland. We had storefronts boarded up, graffiti, needles, biohazards, vandalism. In 2021, Mayor Ted Wheeler and his team went walking up and down the streets. They started taking notes about things that needed to be cleaned up, block by block. He launched PEMO through an emergency declaration. And I got hired to set up regular neighborhood meetings where we can tackle these problems. We focus on the business districts or community hubs, because they've been hit the hardest. We use an incident command model – the same one emergency responders use for wildfire or floods. We bring folks from the community, folks from the city, folks from the police together to solve things.
How many business districts do you cover right now?
We hold 14 different Problem-Solver meetings to cover the whole city. Downtown, Parkrose, North Portland, Hollywood... We meet every other week and go down the list – what are the issues, what can we do to fix them?
So many things. Something was vandalized. People are selling drugs on the corner. There’s a chop shop over there. Can we check on the RV that’s been parked for two weeks. Graffiti, garbage. All the things.
The primary goal is activation. That’s when you want to restore confidence, change the vibe, make the site friendlier. For example, we work with street artists to put up murals. It changes the mood. And it really discourages vandalism.
Take the Chevron gas station on Fourth and Burnside. It was having a rough time. They had graffiti, their windows kept getting smashed. Someone tried to steal a car while the driver was putting gas in it! So we cleaned up the graffiti. We put up fairy lights to light the sidewalks. So we put up a mural highlighting Darcelle [Portland's legendary drag queen]. It’s not perfect, but it’s a lot better than it was. That’s activation.
The thing is, we are creatures of our environment. Our environment shapes our behavior. If we accept vandalism as normal, if we accept graffiti and drug dealing, then they become normal. When we abandon our public spaces, or give up, then chaos takes over and no one feels safe. People leave, businesses close, and you’ve got empty buildings, abandoned public spaces and neglect. We can do better. The built environment can lift us up.
What gets you up in the morning?
I like getting to Yes. Solving problems. My job is to go out and listen to people and identify the problem. Then I bring it into the bureaucracy and figure out how to get it solved. So what gets me up in the morning is making things better. You don’t have to take your kids to school and walk through a cloud of fentanyl smoke. You don’t have to have graffiti all over your building. Let's make it better. That’s what gets me up in the morning.
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Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry is launching a major expansion of its citywide tree planting efforts, supported by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).
The Portland Police Bureau released a video reassuring the community that they do not enforce immigration law. “We want everyone in Portland — regardless of immigration status — to feel safe calling us for help, speaking with our officers, or simply being part of this community without fear,” Chief Bob Day says. The videos, in Spanish and English, show how to distinguish the Portland Police from other law enforcement agencies.
The emerald ash borer is here. The invasive beetle has devastated ash trees across the nation, killing millions of trees in the last two decades. Portland Parks and Recreation has been preparing for the beetle’s arrival for years and has developed a response plan. Read more about what we’re doing and what you can do.
Home Forward, in partnership with the Native American Youth & Family Center, have opened a new development called chaku kumtuks haws, meaning "learning house" in the chinuk wawa language. The project, funded by the Metro Affordable Housing Bond, brings 84 new affordable homes to the border of Concordia and Cully, and is co-located with PCC's new workforce development center.
The City of Portland believes the federal government violated detention conditions of its land use approval 25 times in a 10-month period, according to federal records. Next steps could include fines or a land use hearing.
Cost-saving measures are designed to close a budget gap during the current fiscal year. Exceptions will be made for frontline public safety roles and other critical needs.
Proclamations
Data spotlight
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Rose City Self Defense offers classes, workshops, and youth camps at no cost to Portland residents. Surveys show that 84% of our students have more trust in their fighting skills after completing a class, 76% have more confidence in self-defense, and 75% feel more knowledgeable. Some 1,585 participants have taken a class so far this year. Learn more about Rose City Self-Defense, which is part of the Office of Violence Prevention.
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This fall, Portland Parks Foundation is partnering with the City’s Portland Monuments Project to examine the interplay of nature, monuments, memory, and cultural placemaking.
Join us for the inaugural Portland Rental Education Week, hosted by the Portland Housing Bureau's Rental Services Office! Free educational sessions will be held every day about important topics in rental housing. Learn about conflict management strategies, fair housing, disability-related housing rights, and property maintenance standards. Each 1-hour webinar is led by a partner agency and will also include an overview of PHB and the Rental Services Office.
The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub in northwest Portland stores 90% of Oregon’s liquid fuel. Draft policy and zoning code alternatives for the CEI Hub Policy Project have been released for public comment. Comments are welcome through Friday, Oct. 17.
Registration is currently open for several Rose City Self-Defense classes happening in October!
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New job openings at the City of Portland
The Office of Government Relations seeks to hire a Tribal Government Relations Manager (Government Relations Specialist III). Long before the city of Portland was incorporated, Native American and Indigenous people lived in thriving communities along the Columbia and Willamette rivers and throughout the surrounding geography. Now, the City of Portland seeks to address a history of harm to indigenous people, rebuild trust, repair relationships, and create an inclusive, welcoming city for Tribal members and all Portland residents alike.
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9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee
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Automotive Equipment Operation II: Street Sweeper – CL
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Benefits Human Resources Analyst I
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Business Operations Financial Analyst II (Financial Analyst II - CPPW) Limited Term
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Business Systems Analyst I
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Compliance & Utility Support (CSA III)
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Lateral 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee
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Preparedness and Response Coordinator (Coordinator III – CPPW)
- Sr Public Works Analyst (Analyst III)
- Senior Public Works Inspector - Lab Services
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Street Cleaning Maintenance Supervisor I – NE
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
This year, for fiscal year 2025-26, Arts & Culture provided $1,200,000 to be distributed via RACC for its Portland Arts Project Grants. Last year, for fiscal year 2024-25, the Arts & Culture provided RACC with the same amount, which was then awarded to 275 Portland-based grantees—185 individual artists and 90 arts organizations. Funds for this program are sourced from the City of Portland’s General Fund and Arts Access Fund, powered by the Arts Tax. Apply through Sept. 24
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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Give us your feedback
Join Mayor Keith Wilson on Sept. 18 to kick off the newly formed Sustainability and Climate Commission. 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.
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Serve on a board or committee
Are you looking for a space where your passion, knowledge, and skills will contribute to a more just society? Do you envision your city as one that advances racial justice and leads with equity to provide a clean energy future for frontline communities? The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) Committee is seeking leaders like you. With your help, we can ensure the most impacted Portlanders are prepared for a changing climate as we move toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Closes Sept. 28, 2025
The Portland Pedestrian Advisory Committee advises City Council and all departments of the City on all matters that encourage and enhance walking as a means of transportation, recreation, wellness, and environmental enhancement. In this context walking includes the use of medically approved devices that provide a similar level of mobility. Closes Oct. 19, 2025
The Portland Street Response Committee is a volunteer body that will advise City Council as it supports the development and sustained growth of Portland Street Response. Closes Oct. 27, 2025
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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On Saturday, September 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pioneer Courthouse Square will be transformed into a vibrant regional tasting table as “Bounty of Umatilla County: Farm to Square” brings the flavors of Eastern Oregon to the heart of Portland.
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Featured events
Free events
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Community events in Portland parks
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter.
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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
The first day of Welcoming Week 2025 at the City of Portland featured East African dance performed by Josephine Namuddu and Ukrainian songs by Inna Kovtun and her students. It was a celebratory day with community, members of the New Portlanders Policy Commission, and elected officials.
Welcoming Week was launched in 2012 by the nonprofit Welcoming America to provide individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all.
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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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