What's been on my mind lately

Connecting with my fellow City Councilors at our recent priorities setting session

City Councilors participating in collaborative discussions as part of the City Council Priorities Setting Session held on March 7, 2026.

My fellow Portland City Councilors and I took a bold step forward together recently at our first-ever City Council Priorities Setting Session—which, moving forward, will be an annual conversation to increase transparency and alignment ahead of diving into the full, formal development of our yearly budget. I'm proud to have sponsored and driven the legislation that created this annual convening; something that felt essential after last year's difficult budget discussion—our first in the new form of government with 12 City Councilors. 

During this discussion, facilitators guided us through exercises centered on defining our highest priorities with each other. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the key topics raised across all of the councilors include public & community safety, housing, parks, and transportation and safe streets. I learned a lot about where my colleagues are at and where they're coming from, and I shared my perspectives freely, too. 

Were there disagreements at times? Of course! This is democracy, and critical thinking can lead to what I call "positive tension." It was an essential we go through this experience prior to this year's budget conversations. Increased transparency can lead to greater alignment and understanding, and that's important as City Administrator Lee and Mayor Wilson prepare to release the Proposed Budget in April.

I appreciate my colleagues showing up on a Saturday to do this work in earnest together. It sends a positive message to the community that we are serious in working toward solutions.

Participating in a District 2 Budget town hall with Mayor Wilson, City Administrator, Lee, and D2 councilors

Councilor Dan Ryan, Mayor Keith Wilson, Councilor Sameer Kanal, Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and City Administrator Raymond Lee (L-R) at the March 14 D2 budget conversation.

This past Saturday, March 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, roughly 50 constituents from around the district joined Mayor Wilson, City Administrator Lee, and your D2 City Councilors for a discussion about the 2026-27 budget. Many thanks to everyone who came out on a sunny Saturday afternoon to ask some really insightful and important questions about the City's budget.

Topics discussed ranged from how Parks Levy revenues will be allocated and current thinking as it relates to the Moda Center and Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) dollars to budget plans for public safety, transportation, homelessness services, supporting Native communities, and more.

These types of conversations are vital. It was great to have this dialogue in the district prior to the release of the Mayor’s budget in April. Couldn’t make it? There will be additional opportunities to provide input on the budget before it’s final, so stay tuned. You can also read up on the 2026-27 budget preparation process, which started with guidance from the Mayor's priorities and forecasts from the City's Budget Office.

Celebrating Women's History Month—from my family and my office to women's sports

Kelly Knickerbocker, Kezia Wanner, and Edna Aguirre Velazquez (L-R), all members of Councilor Ryan's team.

If you know me, you know that I've been surrounded by strong, inspiring women my entire life. Who I am and what I stand for has been greatly impacted by the women in my life, and for that, I'm so thankful. When I think of Women's History Month, I think about my mom—Dona Jean Ryan. She had a dozen different guardians before she landed with her dad in high school. The challenges she faced and the harm she experienced is something I'll never fully know. But I do know that she wanted to have a big family and have it be full of love, and she accomplished that. She went back to college when I was in middle school, after raising eight children, and received her degree from the University of Portland in 1977. She was always service-minded, and I learned my service-first commitment from her. Professionally, I have been mentored by countless women, and the majority of my senior-level reports have been women. You know who you are, and I am most grateful! 

I also think about the dedicated civil servants who comprise my team. Chief of Staff Kezia Wanner is brilliant—there's no other way to put it. She provides strategic direction, oversees the policy agenda, manages daily operations, and supports my office's entire body of work. While I define and drive my policy priorities, Kezia knows the best levers to pull and when to pull them—it's why we call her "coach". Council Aide Edna Aguirre Velazquez is indispensable, organized, and detail oriented. She puzzles my schedule into something that successfully balances council meetings, constituent meetings, in-district time, and more. If you're a community member who has reached out to my office before, Edna is receiving those messages and working to get you the information you need. And lastly, there's my Communications Manager Kelly Knickerbocker. Prior to starting in my office in February, Kelly most recently managed communications for Portland's Office of Arts & Culture. I've been impressed by the immediate improvements she's made to my office's communications function and by her ability to clearly articulate my perspectives and priorities to community members.

Related to this month's celebration of women's history and women more broadly, I'm glad to see women's sports at the forefront—right now feels like an especially exciting time for the athletes and fans alike. We're fresh off the US women winning 17 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Closer to home, Portland is one of the nation's premier cities for women's sports. Buoyed by the NWSL's Portland Thorns, 2026 will be the inaugural year for two new Portland-based women's sports teams—the WNBA's Portland Fire and the Cherry Bombs FC. Women's sports have historically been ignored by TV and have received less media coverage, but the demand is there, the talent is there, the fans are there, and the tide seems to be shifting. I can't wait to catch some games this season at my favorite woman-owned sports bar and District 2 gem, The Sports Bra. 

Out and about: Community snapshots

Riding along with the TriMet team

City Councilor Dan Ryan, District 2, at a Storefront Support Program gathering with Bricks Need Mortar and Portland small business owners on Feb. 6.

I’m thankful to have been invited by TriMet for a ride-along earlier this month with General Manager Sam Desue Jr. and other TriMet team members.

We started our early morning journey at North Portland’s Delta Park/Vanport MAX station, transferred to the Blue line at the Interstate/Rose Quarter MAX station, and followed that up with a tour of TriMet’s Public Safety Office. Did you know that TriMet’s security camera infrastructure is among the very best of any transit agency in the nation?

During the experience, I found the conversations I was having with members of TriMet’s Safety Response Team (SRT) particularly insightful. That team is incredible at what they do, and each member possesses crucial knowledge and information that can serve as a first step toward getting community members access to any housing, mental health, and addiction services they might need.

Learning about E-zones at the East Columbia Neighborhood Association 

On March 11, I joined community members for the East Columbia Neighborhood Association’s quarterly meeting. Planners from the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability presented on the City’s Environmental Overlay Zones (E-zones), part of the larger Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) project.

These E-zone overlays help protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources—but they can also impact on what types of improvements and developments are allowable on residential and industrial properties located within the zone’s footprint. It’s clear that residential neighbors in the East Columbia Neighborhood, who made up almost all of the meeting's attendees, have questions and concerns about the proposed map updates and regulations. Some don’t feel seen in this process.

More information and draft documents are available on the project website, and while the formal public comment period has ended with the Planning Commission, residents who live near the Columbia River in North and Northeast Portland will have an opportunity to testify on this topic later this year at a City Council hearing. I look forward to more dialogue about this project with the neighbors in East Columbia, Bridgeton, and Hayden Island.

Upcoming meetings and events

• 3/17: City Council Work Session
• 3/18: City Council Meeting
• 3/19: City Council Work Session

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