2013 Year in Review
December 17, 2013
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.