January 23, 2024
Office of Community and Civic Life, Office of Equity and Human Rights
will shift to Mayor Wheeler’s portfolio
The move is part of the City’s broader effort to streamline the
Charter Transition process and improve service delivery to Portlanders.
Today, Mayor Wheeler announced the move of the Office of Community & Civic Life and the Office of
Equity and Human Rights to his portfolio as part of the alignment of bureaus into service areas
established by City Council in Resolution 37609. The offices had been under Commissioner Dan Ryan’s
portfolio since the beginning of 2023.
On Nov. 1, 2023, City Council adopted a new organizational chart to be fully implemented by January 1,
- Under that arrangement, both offices will be placed in the City Administrator’s Office. The Office
of Community & Civic Life will report to the Assistant City Administrator and the Office of Equity and
Human Rights will report to the Equity Officer.
The Office of Community & Civic Life was created in 1974 to build stronger communities by supporting
and empowering Portlanders to get involved with their local government through civic engagement,
community leadership, and support for neighbors.
The Office of Equity and Human Rights, created in 2011, holds the City accountable by providing
leadership and developing policies, practices, and procedures that dismantle systems of oppression
and build equitable foundations for systemically excluded and institutionally oppressed Portland
communities.
“I am proud of the work we accomplished returning the Office of Community and Civic Life to its core
mission of serving Portlanders with a renewed spirit of civic engagement that includes listening and
learning from the wisdom in our neighborhood communities”, said Commissioner Dan Ryan. “Over the
past year, the Office of Equity and Human Rights has focused on building capacity to deliver on the
equity needs of all Portlanders. Positioning both offices under the City Administrator in the new form
of government will ensure their ongoing success.”
“I’d like to thank Commissioner Ryan for his leadership of both offices over the past year and his
commitment to serving Portlanders,” said Mayor Wheeler. “Together with my colleagues, we will
continue to set Portland’s next government up for success so they can hit the ground running in
January 2025.”
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or other auxiliary aids or services, contact 503-823-1125, Relay: 711.
(503) 823-1125: 口笔译服务| Chiaku me Awewen Kapas | अनुवादन तथा �ा�ा |Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo
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Community Info Session Details: Date: January 22, 2024Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Location: Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N Brandon
Copyright (C) 2024 Office of Community & Civic Life. All rights reserved.
Apply Now for PIR-North Portland Advisory BoardAfter a three-year pause, the PIR-North Portland Trust Fund has amassed $120,000 in funding. NPNS seeks advisory board members from each neighborhood association to steer impactful community projects. Whether it’s noise reduction, cleaner air, or community engagement, your input matters. Apply now to shape North Portland’s future! The first advisory board meeting will be held at the end of January. 
Community Activities Funds AvailableThe Office of Community and Civic Life supports neighborhood associations and other community organizations through the Community Activities Fund (CAF). The CAF reimburses volunteer-run organizations in the southwest, north, east neighborhood district for money spent on community-building and civic engagement activities. Eligible organizations in these areas are invited to apply.
Basic Net Training Registration Serve as a crucial part of Portland’s safety net by becoming a Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) volunteer. The next free training cohort will run January 13 though February 4 on a flexible weekend schedule. NET volunteers are trained to safely assist Portlanders with downed power lines, home fire evacuations, Rose Festival events, or a catastrophic earthquake. Join 2,000+ NET members and learn how to save lives and property. The NET program is run by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management’s Community Resilience Team.
Final Online Open House and Survey Now AvailableThe North Portland in Motion team invites feedback on project and program recommendations after two years of analysis and community engagement. The online open house and survey, available until January 31, showcases refined project descriptions, policy and program recommendations, and longer-term considerations. The draft plan will be released in early 2024, with council adoption expected in mid-2024. Anticipate the implementation of several projects on the ground throughout 2024. 
Candidate Learning SessionsLearn how to run for a City of Portland office. The City Elections Office is hosting learning sessions to help you understand the nuances of running for office in our city. Learning sessions will be held in person on January 8, and online on January 10. 
Summer Free
Vanport History AudioboxesThe Vanport Placemaking Project has installed audio boxes around Portland to share the history of Vanport with more Portlanders. The exhibit features the voices and stories of 18 original Vanport residents. The stories tell listeners about everyday life in Vanport, work in the WWII shipyards, the traumatic flood of 1948, and more. They are located in downtown Portland at the Park Blocks entrance to Lincoln Hall and on the south side of Force Lake, a historic Vanport site. 
DEQ Seeks Public Input The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting public input on proposed amendments to OAR 340-141-0290, aiming to establish a “per tank fee” on oil-filled train cars entering Oregon. The proposed fee, set at $19 per rail car as mandated by ORS 468B.435 (13)(c), will be utilized for high hazard rail route training exercises/ DEQ welcomes comments via email, postal mail or at a public hearing on January 16. The deadline for comments is 4 pm on January 22. The rulemaking supports DEQ’s statutory obligation, addressing environmental concerns related to oil transport. 
Update your Neighborhood Association Contacts Is your neighborhood association contact information up-to-date? If there have been changes to your contact details or leadership roles within your neighborhood association, please take a moment to provide us with the latest information. Keeping our database current helps us maintain effective communication, ensuring timely updates, event invitations, and important announcements. Thank you for helping us keep our neighborhood association contacts accurate and relevant! 
North Portland Events CalendarThe North Portland Events Calendar, coordinated by Kevin Micalizzi of Arbor Lodge, is a centralized Google Calendar aimed to boost community engagement by showcasing and coordinating events from various neighborhood associations. Become an editor to add your events. For invitations, email Kevin at 
Zoning & Land UsePublic notices for North Portland
NPLUG+TNPLUG+T is a forum for land use and transportation. Representatives from the Bureau of Transportation, Planning and Sustainability, and Development Services are invited to provide updates, trainings and presentations on projects impacting North Portland. Hybrid meetings are typically held at The Historic Kenton Firehouse the last Thursday of the month 7 – 8:30 pm. 
NPNS ChairsNeighborhood association chairs from North Portland come together to share insights and updates on a wide range of topics, from urban development and sustainability to social initiatives that enhance our neighborhoods. All are welcome to attend. Hybrid meetings are held at the Historic Kenton Firehouse on the first Monday of the month from 6 – 8 pm. 
Portland COAD The 
PSACPublic Safety Action Committee (PSAC) is a monthly meeting held to address local North Portland resident and business concerns related to public safety and livability issues. Virtual meetings are held the third Thursday of the month from 7 – 8:30 pm. 
Copyright (C) 2024 Office of Community & Civic Life. All rights reserved.
Happy Holidays from NPNSAs the festive season unfolds, we extend warm wishes of joy and cheer to our incredible community. Thank you for being part of NPNS. Here’s to a season of happiness and a new year filled with possibilities. Happy Holidays!
Small Grants & Sponsorships Awards AnnouncedThe Office of Community & Civic Life awarded a total of $32,180 to nine community groups serving North Portland. Congratulations to Jefferson High PTSA, Sauvie Island Center, Royal Rose Foundation, Chief Joseph Elementary School PTO, Lavender League, St. Johns Swap n Play, Freinds of Ours, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, and the North Portland Tool Library.
Newsletter AnnouncementStarting January, our newsletter will shift from bi-monthly to monthly. Please be sure to send any announcements or events for the upcoming month by the last Friday of the month prior to your event. 
Apply Now for PIR-North Portland Advisory BoardAfter a three-year pause, the PIR-North Portland Trust Fund has amassed $120,000 in funding. NPNS seeks advisory board members from each neighborhood association to steer impactful community projects. Whether it’s noise reduction, cleaner air, or community engagement, your input matters. Apply now to shape North Portland’s future! The first advisory board meeting will be held at the end of January. 
Portland Winter Ice Rink is OpenThe Portland Winter Ice Rink and Woodsy Winter Village has opened in downtown Portland. The Winter Village is open 12 pm to 8 pm through December with modified hours in January. 
Summer Free
Major Funding Boost Secured for North Portland Aquatic CenterCommissioner Dan Ryan allocates an additional $59.8 million in Park System Development Charges for the North Portland Aquatic Center, securing $91.5 million of the $102 million needed. The project includes a 35-meter “fast” pool, meeting increased demand for lap lanes and school aquatics programming. 
Vanport History AudioboxesThe Vanport Placemaking Project has installed audio boxes around Portland to share the history of Vanport with more Portlanders. The exhibit features the voices and stories of 18 original Vanport residents. The stories tell listeners about everyday life in Vanport, work in the WWII shipyards, the traumatic flood of 1948, and more. They are located in downtown Portland at the Park Blocks entrance to Lincoln Hall and on the south side of Force Lake, a historic Vanport site. 
ODOT Invests in U.S. 30 CorridorODOT is improving the corridor by designing and construction six projects. The $38 million investment aims to increase safety, preserve roads and bridges, build protections for rivers, fish and public health. 
Candidate Learning SessionsLearn how to run for a City of Portland office. The City Elections Office is hosting to help you understand the nuances of running for office in our city. Learning sessions will be held in person on January 8, and online on January 10. 
DEQ Seeks Public Input The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting public input on proposed amendments to OAR 340-141-0290, aiming to establish a “per tank fee” on oil-filled train cars entering Oregon. The proposed fee, set at $19 per rail car as mandated by ORS 468B.435 (13)(c), will be utilized for high hazard rail route training exercises/ DEQ welcomes comments via email, postal mail or at a public hearing on January 16, 2024. The deadline for comments is 4 pm on January 22, 2024. The rulemaking supports DEQ’s statutory obligation, addressing environmental concerns related to oil transport. 
North Lombard Street TransformationODOT’s Great Street Program announced four projects that have been selected to share the remaining $36 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act including improvements to N. Lombard Street. Enhancements include extending sidewalks, protected bike lanes, replacing turn lanes with green stormwater treatment areas, and pedestrian plaza intersection safety improvements. 
North Portland Events CalendarIntroducing the North Portland Events Calendar! Coordinated by Kevin Micalizzi of Arbor Lodge, this centralized Google Calendar aims to boost community engagement by showcasing and coordinating events from various neighborhood associations. Become an editor to add your events. For invitations, email Kevin at 
Zoning & Land UsePublic notices for North Portland
NPLUG+TNPLUG+T is a forum for land use and transportation. Representatives from the Bureau of Transportation, Planning and Sustainability, and Development Services are invited to provide updates, trainings and presentations on projects impacting North Portland. Hybrid meetings are typically held at The Historic Kenton Firehouse the last Thursday of the month 7 – 8:30 pm. 
NPNS ChairsNeighborhood association chairs from North Portland come together to share insights and updates on a wide range of topics, from urban development and sustainability to social initiatives that enhance our neighborhoods. All are welcome to attend. Hybrid meetings are held at the Historic Kenton Firehouse on the first Monday of the month from 6 – 8 pm. 
Portland COAD The 
PSACPublic Safety Action Committee (PSAC) is a monthly meeting held to address local North Portland resident and business concerns related to public safety and livability issues. Virtual meetings are held the third Thursday of the month from 7 – 8:30 pm. 
Copyright (C) 2023 Office of Community & Civic Life. All rights reserved.
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 