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I’ve been spending some time this week reflecting on my first year in office, and on the incredible volume of work my team and I have taken on. City Hall moves pretty fast. Rushing from one vote, meeting, or amendment to the next, if we don’t stop and look around once in a while, you can miss the thousands of little ways this work impacts the lives of my neighbors.
In my office, we try to fight against that. We have started a tradition that I picked up years ago while working for US Senator Jeff Merkley; keeping an ongoing record of our accomplishments, especially the small ones that don’t make the news or even the newsletter. I force my team to brag about themselves, which they absolutely hate, and to brag about their colleagues, which they’re always more enthusiastic about.
At the end of each quarter, we share them together as a team. Every item goes into a binder that lives in my office. It’s a simple practice, but an important one that means a lot to me. It reminds us that progress is often small, incremental, built through persistence, collaboration, and showing up day after day.
That binder has grown over time, and I hope that one day, when I’m retired from elected office, I’ll be able to look back through it and remember not just the policies and projects and the headlines, but the real cumulative impact of my team and I had on the community I love so much. The joy and the real long-term impact of this work is in the little wins.
As we head into 2026, I’m clear-eyed about the work still ahead. Portland continues to face big challenges, and there are no quick fixes. But I’m committed to approaching the coming year the same way we approached the last one by listening to my constituents, focusing on practical solutions, being unapologetically pro-East Portland, and doing the steady, often unglamorous work it takes to make progress.
Legislative Wins:
 Fair Wages Ordinance
Earlier this year, City Council voted unanimously to reinstate Portland’s Fair Wages Ordinance, restoring labor protections that had been repealed during a late-2024 code realignment. This sudden repeal raised concerns from workers and labor advocates, so my office worked closely with SEIU Local 49, fellow City Councilors, and City bureaus to ensure the policy could be restored and included in 2025-2026 budget assumptions.
The reinstated ordinance applies to City contracts for janitorial, security, and parking garage attendant services. It guarantees an hourly wage that exceeds the state minimum, preserves scheduled annual cost-of-living increases, and strengthens accountability by requiring the Mayor or City Administrator to come to Council for approval of any exemptions. These changes ensure the policy is clear, enforceable, and protected as we move into future budget cycles.
 Noise Code
Over the summer, the City Council voted unanimously to pass my ordinance to consolidate Portland’s noise code and move enforcement to a clearer, more transparent system. This ordinance repealed a section of Police Code that handled noise complaints under a separate “plainly audible” standard.
Going forward, all noise complaints will be handled under Title 18, the City’s existing Noise Control Code. While Title 18 still includes a “plainly audible” provision, it prioritizes objective, decibel-based measurements when available. This helps bring greater clarity, consistency, and fairness to enforcement.
For Portland’s music community, the reform marked a long-awaited milestone. “Portland has an incredible opportunity to be a national leader for independent music and culture,” said David “DJ OG One” Jackson, longtime DJ for the Portland Trail Blazers. “But we can’t do that when the rules are unclear or applied unfairly. This reform is about more than decibels, it’s about dignity and a chance for all artists to thrive.”
This ordinance stemmed from five years of grassroots advocacy work with community groups like MusicPortland, along with venue operators and music leaders across the city. It was beautiful to watch it become a reality after so many years of work.
 Budget Amendments
The Portland City Council gave final approval to an $8.6 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. This final budget closed a roughly $150 million shortfall while prioritizing key services, like funding to keep parks and community centers open. Despite tough tradeoffs, the adopted budget focused on stability and impact.
Key amendments my office introduced and passed include:
- A Motion to Amend the Budget to Reduce External Materials and Services Spending and add funding for Housing, Arts, and Operational Capacity
- A $5 increase in golf tee fees to help support Parks operations (which we amended to give the Golf Program more flexibility in how it increases revenue)
- Funding support for Leach Botanical Garden, District 1’s only community garden partner
- An amendment to restore the position of Noise Office Coordinator
- A process to improve the revenue sources for Vision Zero.
- A budget note to measure District 1’s share of funding from Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Bureau of Transportation
- Prosper Portland Budget Amendment that backfilled deficits from the General Fund with their $50 million Strategic Investment Fund to preserve vital Economic Development Programs.
This budget required hard choices, but it also created meaningful opportunities to protect what matters most.
By prioritizing parks, community spaces, and economic development, we were able to deliver a budget that responds to today’s challenges while laying the groundwork for a stronger Portland. I’m still not satisfied with the transparency of the budget, and am working with our Central Budget Office to demand more program by program budget transparency so we can adequately track spending, cuts, and their impacts.
All-User Restroom Ordinance
I had a full-circle moment during the December 9 Arts & Economy Committee meeting, when the all-user restroom ordinance authored by my office passed unanimously out of committee with a “do-pass” recommendation. This ordinance builds on work I began nearly a decade ago, when I authored Portland’s original all-user restroom resolution in 2015, sponsored by the late Commissioner Nick Fish.
That 2015 resolution laid important groundwork for inclusion, but it was limited to City-owned property. This new ordinance goes further. Once adopted, any single-stall restroom in Portland will be required to install signage welcoming all users, focusing on what’s behind the door, a toilet, and not who gets to walk through the door.
All-user restroom signage is a low-cost, high-impact way to signal belonging. It improves safety and dignity for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, people with caregivers, parents with children, and anyone else who needs flexibility.
When we remove simple access barriers in public spaces, everyone feels more welcome. I look forward to finishing this work early next year.
Unified Housing Strategy
One moment that stands out this year is the passage of the Unified Housing Strategy. City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of adopting this resolution, which I was proud to champion alongside Councilor Avalos, so we can begin to move away from piecemeal solutions and get our own house in order.
For too long, Portland’s housing efforts have been fragmented across multiple bureaus, all with different goals and levels of urgency. The Unified Housing Strategy directs the City Administrator to align existing strategies, consolidate work across departments, set clear and measurable goals, accurately reflect urgency, and coordinate housing supply with homelessness needs.
Final approval of the draft Unified Housing Strategy will come to Council in Spring 2026, and I’m excited to continue this important work in the new year. Full text of the resolution can be found here and a fact sheet can be found here.
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Code Alignment Project 1
As we wrap up the year, one of the clearest examples of progress I’ve seen at City Hall is how we’re starting to break down siloes and make our systems work better for Portlanders. This fall, Council unanimously approved the first package of changes from the Code Alignment Project, an effort I was proud to co-sponsor with Mayor Keith Wilson and Councilor Angelita Morillo. I’m grateful to be part of a Council that values a more streamlined process for Portlanders who are working to improve their homes, businesses, and communities.
The Code Alignment Project brings together staff across bureaus to solve problems collaboratively and create clearer, more predictable paths to permit approval. It’s a model of the kind of government Portlanders deserve, one that is practical, coordinated, and focused on results. This first alignment project is just the beginning, and I’m committed to continuing this work in 2026.
By aligning our codes, adjusting fee triggers to lower costs and suspending requirements that slow projects down, we’re giving people the tools they need to build, renovate, and adapt. This is a clear example of how Council and our bureaus can come together and deliver results that make it easier for Portland to grow and thrive.
Outreach Wins:
Gateway Town Hall
In early October, Councilor Avalos and I hosted our first-ever joint town hall in the Gateway neighborhood. In light of the serious economic and public safety concerns with the closure of the Gateway Fred Meyer, we went directly to the members of our community for what comes next for Gateway. We kicked things off with a community “build-your-own taco” dinner, which turned out to be a major hit and set a great tone for the evening.
We then shifted the conversation into breakout groups, with each table having its own topic of conversation, including subject areas like public safety, transportation, economic development, and more. This open format allowed attendees to share their true thoughts and hopes for the community. Notetakers stood by and captured community comments and ideas to share these themes back with the full group. Since then, our office has teamed up with all 3 District Councilors to demand renewed attention for Gateway, and re-deployment of TIF Dollars. We are currently working with the Mayor and Prosper Portland on a Joint Resolution that will re-assess the Gateway action plan and activate increased Economic Development dollars, using the feedback from this community session for the short-, medium-, and long-term.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. I was truly inspired by our neighbors coming together to dream big for our community, and I am determined to help make Gateway a neighborhood we are all proud of.
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 Unpresidented Brass Band
The Unpresidented Brass Band brings live music to protests across Portland, sparking joy wherever they go. Their presence has always been peaceful, without a single arrest since the band's formation in 2017. So it was shocking when the news broke that their clarinet player, Ori, had been arrested for assault of a federal officer. My team jumped into action to support the band and Ori at federal court, offering resources and solidarity in an uncertain time.
Later, we had the amazing opportunity to march with them in the No Kings march. It was a sight to see the bridge filled with a block of bananas, accompanied by the best brass rendition of the “Ghostbusters” theme song I’ve ever heard. While we didn’t get a chance to play an instrument, we did get to wear banana suits and march in solidarity, which was awesome. Next time, I’ll have to bring my mandolin!
Social Housing Research Trip
I joined a delegation of housing advocates, developers and housing-focused elected officials to study social housing in Vienna. And I still can’t stop thinking about it.
Folks of every income lived together in very intentional ways. You couldn’t tell someone’s income based on their address. Kids of all families got to play together safely in courtyards, and families gathered in parks and playgrounds that spanned across every block. There were small businesses, grocery stores, schools, health clinics, and cafés everywhere in sight. Every five minutes a train would pull up, like clockwork. It was the most impressive public transit I've ever experienced.
What we see every day here in Portland is unacceptable. Too many of our neighbors live in constant fear of losing their homes. Too many families are one rent increase or one layoff away from eviction. Vienna’s social housing model demonstrates that it doesn’t have to be this way.
To be clear: Vienna has a 100-year head start. Portland will not look like Vienna in my lifetime. But we can take meaningful steps now that will set us up for success for future generations.
Visiting Vienna and being able to see, live, and exist in their shoes for a while showed me that we can build neighborhoods where affordability is permanent, where people of all incomes live side-by-side, and where every family has the security to plan their future.
Russellville Senior Living Q&A
This fall, all three District 1 Councilors met for a great conversation with senior residents at Russellville Park West. This moment stuck with me because of how honest, transparent, and thoughtful everyone was on everything from how City Hall has changed over the years to how extreme our housing problem has become. No one should feel unsafe walking outside their front door, and their perspectives were invaluable to hear.
These residents have watched Portland change so much over the years, but it’s not all negative. City Hall has made some amazing steps forward in becoming more transparent and accessible to everyone, which often means meeting them where they’re at. As we work to build a city that represents all Portlanders, we must build structures that serves everyone, especially folks who may not yet feel empowered to explore their neighborhood safely in their golden years.
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Parkrose Glow up
The Parkrose Glow Up is a community campaign put on by Historic Parkrose to bring holiday spirit and pride to the neighborhood, as well as help to reduce crime by lighting up streets and storefronts ahead of the first ever Parkrose Winter Lights Festival installation.
If you are willing to donate new or gently used (no burned-out bulbs, please!) holiday lights and/or extension cords of any length, you can drop off them off either at our District 1 office at City Hall, or at the Historic Parkrose office Tues-Thurs from 10am-4pm, or text/call 503-964-7807 to schedule with them. We are especially seeking orange or green lights, but all are welcome!
Click here to learn more!
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Councilor Dunphy Constituent Coffee
Our next Constituent Coffee event will be back at Parkrose Coffee on January 16th from 1:00PM-3:00PM!
Whether you have questions about ongoing City Council initiatives, want to share feedback on neighborhood projects, or simply want to meet one of your Councilors in person, this is the perfect opportunity to engage!
These regular events are designed to be informal to foster open dialogue, so please come as you are! We are committed to ensuring that every voice in District 1 is heard and considered in policy discussions, and these coffee chats are one of the best ways to make that happen.
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