Moda Update
Public money deserves public accountability! As I wrote last week, I was invited to participate in a small group of councilors working on negotiations related to the Moda Center deal. After being told I would be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), I chose to step away, as I do not believe decisions of this scale should be made behind closed doors. Portlanders deserve a process they can see, understand, and trust.
I will continue to use my platform to raise questions about the process, including calling attention to elements that I find concerning — particularly the role of lobbyists, the pressure campaigns happening behind the scenes, and the use of non-disclosure agreements in shaping a deal of this magnitude.
Other Moda concerns I am keeping in mind include:
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Use of PCEF funds: I share the concern that the Portland Clean Energy Fund was created with a clear voter-backed purpose, and any proposal to use those funds must be evaluated against that intent.• Independent cost evaluation: I strongly support the need for an independent assessment of renovation costs. Decisions of this scale should not rely solely on estimates provided by parties with a financial stake in the outcome.• Owner participation: It is reasonable to expect that private beneficiaries—especially ownership—contribute meaningfully to the cost of renovations, consistent with practices in other cities.• Community benefits and labor standards: Any agreement should include enforceable community benefits, including strong labor standards, protections for workers, and tangible investments in surrounding neighborhoods.• Long-term value for Portland: We must ensure that any deal reflects a fair return for the public, including appropriate lease terms, financial protections for the City, and benefits that directly impact everyday Portlanders.
Here are some helpful resources that are part of this conversation:
I remain committed to approaching this proposal with the level of scrutiny it deserves — asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and advocating for a process that Portlanders can see and trust.
 Oregon Active Transportation Summit
This past Thursday, I was invited to speak at the 15th Annual Oregon Active Transportation Summit, hosted by The Street Trust at Portland State University. I highlighted City Council’s recent legislative successes like Vision Zero and the Transportation Utility Fee, and the importance of ensuring youth, families, caregivers, people with disabilities, older adults, and new active transportation users are able to experience safety and comfort when using our transportation and mobility systems.
At the Summit I also spoke with Eve Nilenders (in photo on left), a Multnomah County transportation planner and parent to one of my former students. Eve shared information about an ACCESS shuttle that she’s been working on with the county, which is a great example of inclusive mobility that connects Portlanders to services in Districts 1 and 2 (District 3 can access the shuttle near NE 92nd Avenue and Prescott Street)
 Mt Tabor Middle School Visit
I had a wonderful Monday afternoon at Mount Tabor Middle School, talking with Yuuki Sakai’s eighth-grade classes about Japanese American History including my own family’s experience. I’m always glad to go into Teacher Tiffany mode; thank you to Sensei Sakai for the invitation! In exciting news, the principal and I along with parents, students, and some of the SUN school staff recently worked hard to convince the Mayor to not have Mount Tabor SUN school on the chopping block. Mayor Wilson wrote a handwritten letter back to each student who wrote to him, and took the SUN school program off of the cut list in the proposed budget that he shared with City Council this week!
 Past Lives Maker Space
A huge thank you to Past Lives Makerspace (2808 SE 9th Ave in District 3) for an amazing tour last week! The community-led program, founded by a formerly incarcerated person who is creating a space to help people gain skills and expand community connections, offers events and classes, as well as mutual aid opportunities. The space has a wood shop, metal shop, textiles studio, stained glass space, tech hub, and photography darkroom, as well as private studio spaces and Guild membership opportunities. I highly recommend checking out this incredible resource!
82nd Avenue of Roses Parade
Come find me at the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade, tomorrow, April 25, starting at 9:30 a.m. We’ll be marching on 82nd Avenue from SE Cora to SE Clinton. Expect lots of candy and smiles! The parade is part of an all-weekend series of events, celebrating the Parade’s 20th anniversary.
 Budget Town Halls Sunday and May 5
The mayor’s budget is out and it is time to make some important – and difficult – decisions. All three District 3 Councilors will be at Mt. Scott Community Center for a Budget Town Hall hosted by SE Uplift this Sunday, April 26, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Please come and share your thoughts and priorities! Refreshments will be served and RSVPs are requested.
There will also be a virtual Budget Town Hall from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5. You can RSVP for the Zoom link here.
Zine folding party with Little Zine Revolution!
Little Zine Revolution / LZR! will be holding a zine folding party from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow, April 25, in the Zen Garden at Third Eye Books, 2518 SE 33rd Ave. Celebrate Indie Bookstore Day by folding some anti-colonial zines and taking some to distribute! They will also have ICE alert whistles to hand out. You can check out their catalog at LZR.LIFE.
Jade Clean Up Day
On Sunday there will be a Jade Clean Up event to help clean up 82nd Avenue, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, starting at APANO, 8188 Southeast Division St. Trash grabbers, safety vests, gloves and trash bags will be provided. You can sign up to volunteer here.
Resistance Skills and Strategy Training
Scott Nakagawa, co-founder of the 22nd Century Initiative and author of The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook , will be presenting a Resistance Skills and Strategy Training from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 9. The free workshop on collective noncooperation uses the "Freedom Trainers" curriculum, and will offer practical ways to take action. Register for the training and get venue details here.
Bike Rides Planned
Portland Bureau of Transportation regularly hosts bike ride events to make biking more accessible and fun. Two upcoming District 3 events are:
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New to Portland Ride: Lents – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, starting at Lents Park (at SE Steele Street and 89th Avenue). People new to Portland or just new to cycling are especially invited to explore some of the best low-stress bike routes in the Lents, Foster-Powell, and Mt Scott-Arleta neighborhoods. The ride is an 8-mile, moderate-pace (8 mph), no drop, loop ride that will include some parks, Heritage Trees, and other highlights of the area.
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Bike to Books Family Ride – 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, starting at the Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Avenue) and ending at Sellwood Library (7860 SE 13th Avenue). The family-friendly bike ride will explore bikeways connecting the two libraries, and will highlight some Bike to Books art along the way. It is a 4-mile, moderate-pace (8 mph), no drop ride.
Migra Watch Trainings
Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) continues to offer Migra Watch trainings, which focus on teaching skills for interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and keeping community members safe. Upcoming trainings (all virtual) include May 13, May 16, June 9 and June 20. To register you can visit PIRC's LinkTree site.
I love how vibrant and alive Portland feels, with activities happening around the city, throughout the year. There are so many ways to create events that build connections – neighborhood block parties, business district events, parades, concerts, activations of public plazas…. If you are wanting to create an event but aren’t sure about permitting and other requirements, Portland Events & Film Office has a guide that can help! Check it out; I’d love to hear about what you’re planning!
The Emerald Ash Borer has officially been confirmed in Portland, as of last summer. Now that it is here, there is a moratorium on pruning and removing ash trees from April 1 through September 30 every year. Property owners are allowed to treat their trees with insecticide with a chemical treatment permit. More information about the insects can be found on the City’s Urban Forestry website.
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