2013 was a busy and productive year.

We welcomed a new Mayor and Commissioner, closed a significant budget deficit, and took on new bureau assignments.

In June, Mayor Hales asked me to lead the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services — and to serve as Council liaison to Elders in Action, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and Portland’s small business partner, Venture Portland.

I am grateful to the dedicated teams at my former bureaus - Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Housing Bureau - and proud of what we accomplished during challenging times.

Facing a $21 million deficit, we made tough choices: cutting budgets and laying off employees. But we also prioritized funding for the Safety Net, invested in job creation and small businesses, and protected vital programs for families, children, and older adults.

Here are three more highlights:

Most Inspiring Moment:

Touring the visionary Bull Run Watershed with Water Bureau employee (and Spirit of Portland award-winner) Briggy Thomas.

Proudest Achievement:

Working with our public and private partners on Operation 305— a community-wide effort to find homes for over 300 homeless veterans.

Unsung Heroes:

During an extended cold snap in December, water mains broke in neighborhoods across Portland. The challenge of quickly responding to these breaks (at all hours of the day and night) brought out the very best in our City employees.

As always, it is an honor to serve you on the City Council — and to work with the talented professionals in my bureaus and my City Hall office.

Thank you for all that you do to make Portland a special place.

Operation 305	Section 8 Reform
Age-Friendly Cities	Bull Run Watershed
11 x 13: Preservation	Chief Financial Officer
Supporting Small Businesses	Foster Floodplain Natural Area
Spirit of Portland	Completing E205
Private Parking	Grant Field
50th Anniversary: March on Washington	The Fields

The first six months of 2013 have been marked by big changes, new challenges, and much to celebrate.

First, the big news: Mayor Hales has asked me to lead two new bureaus – the Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services. He has also asked me to serve as Council liaison to Venture Portland, Elders in Action, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

Last month, the Council approved a balanced budget that reflects our community's best values: preserving the safety net, investing in strong neighborhoods and healthy small businesses, supporting older adults and youth, collaborating with our public and private partners, and preserving our fire stations and patrol officers.

As I move to my new assignments, I’d like to thank our stellar community partners and the talented teams at the Portland Housing Bureau and Portland Parks & Recreation for five great years.

Dear Friends,

It is an honor to serve on the Portland City Council - and to work with my dedicated teams at Portland Parks & Recreation, the Portland Housing Bureau, and in City Hall.

During challenging times, we made progress on many fronts:

Expanding opportunity for all.

Protecting our most vulnerable.

Investing in parks, trails, and natural areas.

Promoting healthy living.

Strengthening our public-private partnerships.

Thank you for all that you do to support our community.

Happy Holidays, and best wishes for the New Year.