June 30, 2015
I'm pleased to share my mid-year report with you.
The Council adopted a balanced budget for 2015-16. The budget invests in basic services like roads and parks maintenance, supports small businesses and healthy neighborhoods, prioritizes funding for affordable housing, and continues to build strong community partnerships.
We strengthened transparency and accountability at City Hall. The Council unanimously approved my proposal for a new Portland Utility Board. I agreed with the Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon that Portland ratepayers should no longer subsidize developers’ fees. And I supported a proposal from the City Auditor and Ombudsman to make it easier for citizens to challenge City decisions.
As Commissioner in charge of the Bureau of Environmental Services and the Water Bureau, I have learned that what's good for the environment is also good for our ratepayers.
We said goodbye to long-time housing advocate and former City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury, who passed away in March. Her legacy of service lives on through her daughter, County Chair Deborah Kafoury.
As always, it’s an honor to serve you on the City Council, to work with the talented professionals at our public utilities, and to partner with Venture Portland, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Portland'5, Elders in Action, and the Governor's Regional Solutions Team.
Unsung Heroes
- Water Bureau engineers, who figured out a way to repair a broken water main buried 45 feet beneath the Willamette riverbed.
Proudest Moments
- Watching my daughter, Maria, graduate from college. This fall, she is heading to Europe on a Fulbright.
- Witnessing President Obama posthumously award the Medal of Honor to WWI hero Sgt. Henry Johnson at a White House ceremony.
- Celebrating marriage equality with the community after a landmark ruling by the United States Supreme Court.
Thanks for all you do for our community.