 Dear Neighbors,
As we enter December, I’m reminded that progress in our city is built through partnership, from community organizations restoring historic spaces, to workers raising their voices for fair treatment, to students stepping into their roles as future leaders.
Last week, our work centered on strengthening housing stability, deepening accountability in our financial systems, and engaging directly with the people who shape District 1 every day. From introducing the Slow the Inflow resolution with my D1 colleagues, to meeting with East County superintendents, to joining Rotary members and labor partners, each moment underscored the importance of leading with transparency, compassion, and purpose.
Thank you for staying connected and for being part of the collective effort to build a safer, stronger, and more equitable Portland. Your involvement continues to guide and inspire the work ahead.
In service,
– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1
 Last Week in City Council:
Key Highlights
Pictured: Meeting with members of the Welcome Home Coalition to discuss housing stability and community needs.
City Administrator Report
I emphasized the need for timely, actionable financial information after learning that the Portland Housing Bureau discovered $21 million in unbudgeted funds months before Council was notified. This delay prevented us from directing the resources during Fall Budget Monitoring and is unacceptable.
I announced my intention to bring forward an ordinance requiring the administration to report newly discovered funds within 15–30 days, strengthening transparency and fiscal accountability.
Appointments & Consent Agenda
Council approved several technical code updates and confirmed appointments to:
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The Fire & Police Disability and Retirement Board
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The Revenue Division Appeals Board
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The Portland Children’s Levy Allocation Committee
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PCCEP (Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing)
These actions support continuity in City operations and community oversight.
Detention Facility Impact Fee
I supported the ordinance establishing a Detention Facility Impact Fee, a pragmatic step toward holding detention facility landlords accountable for their community impacts.
PF&R Discrimination Settlement
Council approved a $60,000 settlement related to an employment discrimination claim within Portland Fire & Rescue. I asked for clarity on:
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Preventive measures to avoid future claims
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Leadership recommendations
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How the Office of Equity & Human Rights is being used as a resource
Sellwood Community House Transfer
I supported the transfer of the Sellwood Community House to its community nonprofit, which has invested over $2.1 million into the property. This is a strong example of community partnership, though it reinforces the need for a citywide land banking strategy.
City Investment Policy
I raised concerns that the proposed Investment Policy includes no material updates despite repeated cyber fraud incidents—$6.7M in 2025 (recovered) and $1.4M in 2022 (unrecovered).
I requested:
Financial security and strong internal controls remain urgent priorities.
Work Session: 2026 Legislative Agenda
Council held a work session this week to begin shaping Portland’s 2026 State and Federal Legislative Agenda. We reviewed how the City prioritizes issues, discussed key areas of focus: housing stability, behavioral health, economic development, civil rights, and local authority and aligned on best practices for coordinated advocacy.
This session marks the start of building a unified agenda to guide our work in Salem and Washington, D.C., ensuring Portland’s values and community needs remain at the center of our legislative efforts.
Slow the Inflow Resolution –
District 1 Councilors
Sponsored by: Councilor Avalos, Councilor Jamie Dunphy, and Councilor Loretta Smith
Last week, I joined my District 1 colleagues, Councilors Avalos and Dunphy, to introduce the Slow the Inflow to Homelessness resolution, which directs how the City should allocate $21 million in newly discovered Rental Services Office funds.
With more people becoming homeless each month than finding housing, these dollars give us a critical opportunity to stabilize renters before they fall into crisis, especially in East Portland.
As I shared: “Our responsibility is to see the full landscape of need and intervene early. When these surplus dollars came to light, the opportunity was clear: act quickly and direct resources to the renters most at risk.”
The resolution prioritizes rent assistance, eviction defense, rapid rehousing, emergency housing vouchers, landlord/tenant education, affordable housing stabilization, and downpayment assistance. It also proposes a Revolving Loan Fund to help the City acquire housing and land for future social housing.
This is a practical, prevention-focused step to keep Portlanders housed.
City Announcement: Mayor Wilson Appoints Portland’s First City Administrator
This week, Mayor Keith Wilson announced a major milestone in Portland’s new form of government: the appointment of Raymond C. Lee as the city’s next City Administrator.
Raymond Lee brings decades of municipal leadership, including his most recent role guiding one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado. His experience in infrastructure, community development, and organizational transformation positions him to lead Portland through this next chapter of implementation and modernization.
The City Administrator will oversee day-to-day operations of all bureaus, ensuring greater coordination, efficiency, and accountability across City services. This appointment represents a significant step in strengthening the foundation of our new government structure and improving how Portland delivers essential services to residents.
We look forward to working collaboratively with Administrator Lee as we continue building a more responsive, effective, and community-centered city for all Portlanders.
Community Engagement
1803 Fund’s Vision, Albina’s Future
Pictured: Speaking at the 1803 Fund press conference.
 Pictured: Rukaiyah Adams, CEO 1803 Fund
Pictured (L–R): Mayor Keith Wilson; Ed Washington; Rukaiyah Adams, CEO 1803 Fund; Council President Elaina Pertile Guiney; and Martae Brown, Restorative Justice Specialist, PPS.
Pictured: Community members and partners gathered at the 1803 Fund press conference.
I was honored to speak at the 1803 Fund press conference, where CEO Rukaiyah Adams announced nearly $70 million in real estate investments to revitalize the historic Albina neighborhood.
The investment includes major redevelopment in The Low End, the cultural heart of Black Portland, as well as the transformation of the former grain silos into Albina Riverside, a future civic and cultural space reconnecting our community to the river.
As a child with deep roots in Albina, seeing this vision come to life feels like witnessing the future we’ve been waiting for, one grounded in restoration, belonging, and generational possibility. I’m proud to celebrate Rukaiyah’s leadership and the 1803 Fund’s commitment to building a lasting, community-centered legacy.
District 1 Councilors Meet with East County Superintendents
 I joined my District 1 colleagues, Councilor Candace Avalos and Councilor Jamie Dunphy, for a productive conversation with superintendents representing David Douglas, Centennial, Parkrose, and Reynolds High School. As leaders serving East Portland’s students and families, this meeting was an important step in strengthening our partnership with school districts during a pivotal moment in the academic year.
We opened with updates from each district on the start of the school year, celebrating early successes while acknowledging ongoing challenges, including the impact of state budget constraints.
Councilors then shared current City priorities across District 1, including:
• Community and public safety
• Housing stability and renter protections
• Awareness and communication regarding ICE activity in East Portland
• Upcoming citywide and community events
• Major initiatives shaping our work for families and youth
The meeting closed with a forward-looking discussion on opportunities for deeper partnership between the City and our school districts, ensuring that students, educators, and families in East Portland have the support they need to thrive.
This dialogue reflects our shared commitment to building stronger pathways between government, schools, and the communities we serve.
Breakfast with Central East Portland Rotary
Pictured: Joining the Central East Portland Rotary members for the Rotary anthem.
 Pictured: Councilor Smith speaking with community members during the Rotary breakfast.
I was grateful to spend the morning with the Central East Portland Rotary at Elmer’s to share updates on District 1 and hear directly from community leaders who care deeply about our neighborhoods.
We discussed our ongoing work in Gateway revitalization, public safety coordination with East Precinct, small business support, and workforce and equity initiatives that strengthen families across East Portland. I also shared the top needs I’m hearing from the community, safety and cleanliness, economic stability, and meaningful community representation in decision-making, along with the priority issues I’m focused on right now.
Rotary members also heard updates on local business challenges, crime response in Menlo Park, Gateway, and Parkrose, and the needs shared by our East County school districts, including food access, Safe Routes to School, youth programming, and expanded behavioral health supports.
I’m thankful for Rotary’s commitment to service and look forward to continued partnership as we work to support the residents and businesses of District 1.
Touring the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
 On Friday I toured the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters at their. I first met representatives Jesus Sauceda Jr. and Trampas Simmons during the Labor and Workforce Committee’s October 9th meeting, where they provided powerful testimony on wage theft and the challenges facing workers across our region.
Following that conversation, Councilor Kanal’s office coordinated this site visit to deepen our understanding of the issues impacting carpenters, apprentices, and families in the trades. This tour is an important opportunity to learn directly from workers, hear their experiences, and identify ways the City can strengthen protections and support fair labor standards.
I look forward to continuing this dialogue and working alongside our labor partners to ensure safe, just, and equitable working conditions for all.
Central Catholic’s Democracy in Action Event
I am attended Central Catholic High School’s annual Democracy in Action event on Friday. The event brought together more than 200 seniors from the school’s Government & Politics, We the People, and AP U.S. Government classes, along with elected officials and civic organizations from across the region.
Since 2012, Democracy in Action has helped future voters engage directly with public servants and community leaders. Students will move through tables in the Missy Mack ’88 Memorial Gym, asking questions, comparing perspectives, and learning what active citizenship looks like in practice.
I look forward to meeting these students and supporting the next generation as they step into their roles as informed voters, thoughtful leaders, and engaged members of our community.
Celebrating One Year of Leadership: Elijah’s Anniversary
 We’re proud to celebrate one year of outstanding leadership from our Chief of Staff, Elijah. Over the past year, Elijah has brought clarity, purpose, and steady direction to Team Smith, strengthening our systems, elevating our policy work, and ensuring our office delivers for the people of District 1.
His strategic mind, thoughtful guidance, and deep commitment to public service have shaped the way we operate every single day. Elijah leads with both brilliance and heart, and our team is stronger, more focused, and more aligned because of his work.
We are grateful for everything this first year has held and excited for everything we will continue to build together.
Happy 1-Year Anniversary, Elijah!
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