New Online Tool for Council Business
Portland City Council has a new online tool that offers earlier access to current and upcoming legislation under consideration. The list will be updated every Friday at 9 am. Democracy relies on informed and involved community members, and this is another important step toward increasing access for Portlanders. Thank you Council President Jamie Dunphy for making this happen!
 Portland Firefighters’ Memorial
It was moving and impactful to attend the 114th Annual David Campbell Memorial and Remembrance Service on Friday. The service, held in the Firefighters’ Section of Lone Fir Cemetery, honors Portland’s firefighters who have given their lives in service. I am in deep appreciation for all the firefighters, present and past, who have put their lives on the line to help others.
 Age-Friendly Transportation System Plan
I want to share a small but important policy win today. Portland’s Transportation System Plan (TSP) is Portland’s 20-year plan to guide transportation policies and investments. Currently, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is updating its TSP, which will be in place through 2045 once it is approved. In collaboration with my staff and community advocates, we were able to help shape the draft 2045 TSP vision statement to include language related to age-friendly and accessible outcomes. Sure, it’s a draft version of a plan. But as I’ve learned as a legislator, laying good bricks is important if you want to achieve long-lasting and equitable outcomes. The vision statement matters as it guides future policies and implementation by explicitly calling out that our transportation system needs to focus on children, elders, and people with disabilities. I also appreciate the opportunity to work with the Public Works Service Area and PBOT, who continue to show up for Portlanders day after day.
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Summer Splashdown Series
The Summer Splashdown Series from Human Access Project will start with an event Tuesday, July 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Audrey McCall Beach, on the east side of the Willamette just south of Hawthorne Bridge. In addition to hosting the series every Tuesday in July and August, there will also be a Splashdown every other Friday starting Friday, July 10. There will be music, food trucks, lifeguards, and free lifejackets. You can check out the full schedule and get more information here.
RACC-Sponsored Performances
Some upcoming performances in District 3, sponsored by RACC, include:
- July 16: Sad Girl Summer, 7 pm at Black Water, 5115 NE Sandy Blvd
- July 26: HONK! PDX 2026 11 am to 6 pm at Montavilla Street Festival, SE 80th and SE Stark Street
CEIC, HappyLucky and SOLVE Clean Up
Central Eastside Industrial Council, HappyLucky, and SOLVE will be holding a clean up event from 10 am to 1 pm Thursday, July 16 starting at Now Serving, 330 SE 6th Avenue. The event will help get ready for Certified Freak, the Pride block party happening Saturday, July 18. Water and snacks will be available, and you can register to volunteer here.
Shade Equity Ride
350PDX will be holding their fifth annual Shade Equity Bike Ride on Thursday, July 16 starting at 6 pm at Lents Park. The one-way ride, focused on addressing canopy inequity in Portland, will end at Laurelhurst Park, and will highlight all the young trees that have been planted by Urban Forestry and community partners as part of the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) Equitable Tree Canopy program.
BIKETOWN Guinness Record Event
The Portland Bureau of Transportation will be celebrating the 10th birthday of BIKETOWN, the city’s system of shared e-bikes, by making an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for largest Electrical Bicycle Party and Ride in history! On the morning of Sunday, July 19 at Salmon Springs Fountain, Portlanders can gather for the 2-mile ride (set up at 8:30, start at 9:30). All bikes are welcome, but only e-bikes will be counted toward the total. The current record was set in Seattle in 2018 with 405 e-bikes. For more information or to register visit their website.
Rocky Butte Constituent Event
Just a reminder about my next constituent event, in partnership with Friends of Rocky Butte, Oregon Walks, and many others, at Rocky Butte Park on July 24 at the Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore St. We’ll start with a short walk and discussion at 11 am, and then have a post-hike Constituent Meet-Up with refreshments back at the Grotto at 12:30. I’m co-hosting the event with fellow City Councilors Jamie Dunphy and Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot here!
Governor’s Commission on Senior Services
The Governors Commission on Senior Services (GCSS) is looking for new members. The GCSS studies and advises state programming to ensure that older adults have access to services that provide choice, independence and dignity. Commission members will also help plan the Multi-Sector Plan for Aging being developed. You can apply on Workday. For help applying you can email adam.g.hansen@odhs.oregon.gov or call 503-855-8438.
Storefront Support Program
The city’s Storefront Support Program provides resources to small businesses in hopes of retaining existing storefronts and attracting new small businesses. New initiatives just began in targeted areas across the city, including in Hawthorne, Montavilla, Foster/Powell and Central Eastside areas. Small businesses now have more access to this fund, and can learn more here.
Greetings! My name is Sabatino Stacchi, and I’m interning in Councilor Koyama Lane’s office for the next six weeks through the SummerWorks program. In each edition of the Councilor’s newsletter, I’ll share some reflections on the work that I’m doing and all that I’m learning in City Hall.
Raised in Portland, I just finished my sophomore year at Loyola Marymount University (Go Lions!) where I’m studying history and economics. There, I’m also a member of a community service organization, active in the honors program, and the editor-in-chief of our campus newspaper. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in local government or public interest litigation. I’m over the moon to be spending the summer learning from Councilor Koyama Lane and her staff.
During this first week, I’ve been focused on getting onboarded, acquainted with other City staff, and up to speed on the Councilor’s current priorities. I’m eager to support the office’s work of serving the people of District 3 and look forward to sharing more moments from my experience in this column. See you next week!
Last week, the OPB Politics Now podcast covered the Moda Center negotiations, Tom Dundon’s visit to Portland, and my response to Mayor Wilson’s accusations against City Councilors’ push for transparency and a more democratic process. You can listen at opb.org/show/politicsnow.
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