LGBTQIA2S+ Protection Legislation Coming Thursday
This Thursday, February 19, two important policies are coming to a vote in full Council. If passed they will provide protections for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Agenda Item 11 is an Ordinance that amends the City Code related to sexual orientation, family status definitions, and nondiscrimination clauses. Agenda Item 12 is a Resolution that declares that the City of Portland will defend the rights of transgender people and all of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The full agenda and link to watch are here.
The agenda items are back-to-back and are expected to start around 2 p.m. We ask our readers, constituents, allies, social justice advocates, and anyone else who wants to offer their testimony or support to consider showing up and sharing your thoughts on these important policies. To offer verbal or written testimony please sign up for Agenda Item 11 (Ordinance to amend city code) or to Agenda Item 12 (Resolution to defend community’s rights). Please note that registration for virtual testimony closes 1 hour prior to the start of the meeting and in-person testifiers must sign up before the agenda item is heard. You can call 311 for registration assistance.
Advisory Bodies Project Passes
This past Wednesday City Council passed Ordinance 192145, which aims to improve public participation in our city government. The ordinance sets clear guidelines, improves transparency, and creates better pathways for volunteers to share their expertise with the city. One of the most important ways that community members can participate in our democracy is by volunteering on appointed advisory boards, commissions, and committees (ABCs).
Portland’s ABCs provide opportunities for people to weigh in, engage, and provide input on the work of the city. For example, the Bicycle Advisory Committee meets monthly and advises the Portland Bureau of Transportation, City Council, and other bureaus on bike issues (e.g., they offered design input last week on projects underway in District 3). More information is available on the Advisory Bodies Enhancement Project webpage.
I want to offer a shoutout to Amanda Garcia-Snell, the City’s chief engagement officer. Amanda will be involved in multiple steps and changes to come. I'm proud to be a champion for community members and to try and make city government more transparent and equitable for all.
 All-User Restroom Ordinance
I’m so proud to be a co-sponsor who helped pass the All-User Restroom Ordinance – it was a good week for policy wins! This long-overdue change to City Code requires simple sign changes to create single-user restrooms in Portland. This ordinance and policy change is about access and dignity for all; it not only supports transgender people and the non-binary community, but also supports caregivers of small children and people who may need assistance.
I’m grateful for everyone who’s supported this work, including my staff and other councilors. I want to offer a special thank you to the late Commissioner Fish for kickstarting the all-user restroom campaign a decade ago!
 Neighborhood Meetings about Traffic Safety
This week I attended meetings with the Foster-Powell and Richmond Neighborhood Associations where we discussed the Better Center Project and PBOT’s safety project on SE César E Chávez Boulevard from Lafayette Ct to Schiller St. Both of these projects are focused on traffic safety, contribute to Vision Zero goals of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and support and protect families and Portlanders who walk, bike, skate, drive, and ride transit in our city.
I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to engage with the community, listen to feedback on how to improve projects and outcomes, and ask questions so that I understand what constituents are experiencing in District 3. I look forward to future meetings and opportunities to ensure improved mobility and traffic safety.
Vision Zero Dashboard
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) created the Vision Zero Dashboard to share clear, up-to-date information about its work to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. As noted in the webpage that serves as a guide to the dashboard, you can find data about efforts to reduce speeding and improve street design, as well as a summary of citywide traffic crash data. Take a look at PBOT’s recently-shared video of Alyssa Pichardo, a Vision Zero Data Analyst, who explains how to use the dashboard and what information is available. Staff update the dashboard regularly, and the dashboard also links to detailed crash data from the Oregon Department of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau. My team has also been working with the Public Works service area to explore ways to share age-related data in the future, as I think it’s important to know more about the trends and characteristics related to traffic safety.
Autonomous Vehicles in Portland and Oregon
In Salem, House Bill 4085 was being heard by legislators on the same day that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee received a briefing from the Portland Bureau of Transportation. I feel strongly that Portland needs to adopt policies that protect Portlanders by ensuring that traffic safety is being upheld as a key goal, workers rights are protected, and data is not shared in a way that harms people in our city. The Oregon bill would have limited what we could do in Portland and I signed a letter in opposition to the bill. We expect that a new bill will be introduced in Salem in 2027 and I am already working with leaders in the City to better understand the issue and prepare in a way that centers Portland’s livability and safety.
 Portland State University Panel
I was pleased to sit on a panel on Tuesday that was hosted by Portland State University’s (PSU) American Association of University Professors union along with Councilors Kanal and Green. As a proud union member I’m always excited to partner in ways that make our city more affordable, livable, and just. And as a teacher, I stand with PSU’s faculty and students and believe that Portland is better when the knowledge and skills from the university are being used to serve our city and community.
 Neighbors for Change Civic Action Fair
This past Saturday, I was honored to present a session about running for public office at the Neighbors for Change Civic Action Fair. I shared a bit about my story, and answered questions from the audience. I am so impressed by the civic education role that 50501 No Kings is taking on, and look forward to future events! We all make our community stronger by getting involved and taking actions as we are able. Thank you to those of you who attended the daylong event!
Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub
The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub is hugely important to Portlanders. The CEI Hub Policy Project is designed to update Portland’s Comprehensive Plan policies and City Code with the goal of regulating bulk liquid fuel facilities to make them safer. Among the proposed updates is a 20% required reduction of fuel storage capacity by 2036.
On February 24, the Planning Commission is expected to vote on what recommendations to present to the City Council. Your voice matters! Please consider reading the proposed draft and sharing testimony when the updated draft comes before Council. If you are interested, here is how you can sign up for updates on the CEI Hub Policy Project.
Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market will have more than 175 vendors and is being held from 4 to 11 p.m. tonight and Saturday, February 13 & 14, at 100 SE Alder St.
Monthly District 3 Cleanups
Foster-Powell and Mt. Scott-Arleta residents hold a monthly cleanup from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month in Laurelwood Park, starting at SE 64th and Foster. All materials are provided and you can register at the SOLVE website.
Montavilla Farmers Market
The year-round Montavilla Farmers Market runs every other week between January and April. The next market will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, February 15, at SE Stark and 76th.
To Catch a Fascist Conversation
The Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC) is hosting a conversation between To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right author Christopher Mathias and Leah Sottile at 7 p.m. February 26 at Clinton Street Theater. The event is sponsored by Western States Center and more information can be found on the event webpage.
APANO Rapid Response
With an increasing presence of ICE and federal agents targeting immigrant and refugee families across Oregon, it is essential to step up and support our communities. As a member of the Oregon for All Coalition, APANO is creating Rapid Response trainings to accompany families to their court hearings and documenting potential ICE activity while minimizing risk to yourself and our community. To sign up, fill out their Rapid Response Interest Form.
Azn Zine Fest
Azn Zine Fest, a day of art, connection, and pushing the bounds on what it means to be an Asian creative in traditional and non-traditional ways, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 28 at Fubonn Shopping Center, 2850 SE 82nd Ave.
Friends of Trees Plantings
APANO is partnering with Friends of Trees and Urban Forestry for plantings in East Portland on March 7 and 21. Events are from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the meeting location will be at Gethsemane Lutheran Church (11560 SE Market St) on March 7, and Level Beer (5211 NE 148th Avenue) on March 21. The plantings are part of the City’s Equitable Tree Canopy program funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, in an effort to add tree canopy to Portland’s most heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. Please consider volunteering to be a planter, truck driver, or crew leader.
 Human Trafficking Community Conversations
Madison South Neighborhood Association, Southeast Uplift and others are organizing a meeting and community discussion about human trafficking in the NE 82nd Ave area. Here is a document with the agenda and discussion focus. Consider joining with your neighbors, local businesses, and others from 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 5 at McDaniel High School Library, 2735 NE 82nd Ave.
Community Education Contracts Program
Portland City Elections is gearing up for the November 2026 election with a funding opportunity for Community Education Contractors. This election cycle, Portlanders will be voting for City Councilors in Districts 3 and 4 and the City Auditor, using ranked choice voting. The program is being launched through Community Education Contracts to support voter outreach and ranked choice voting education. Proposals will be accepted from February 23 through March 23.
The City of Portland recently hired Gerald Skelton as the new tribal government relations manager (Oregon Public Broadcasting). I enjoyed meeting with him this week, and am looking forward to working together!
 82nd Avenue is home to hundreds of locally owned and culturally diverse businesses. We invite you to show 82nd Avenue businesses some love during and after construction, which are open during 82nd Avenue renovations.
Tell us what you think!
What would you like to see included in the newsletter? Email councilor.koyamalane@portlandoregon.gov to let us know!
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