This will be the first time I’ve been placed in charge of a utility bureau. One of my goals is to end my tenure with accolades similar to a City Commission report on Water Bureau operations in 1894:
“millions of dollars have been spent, a great public work carried to completion; no scandal exists; no charges of mal-administration are made; not even a hint of peculation is suggested….The work of the Committee is practically done. It must be judged by its works. The City of Portland will have a supply of water which for purity is probably unexcelled anywhere in the world. How much this will count for the future health and happiness of its citizens cannot be measured.”
I am also now in charge of the Office of Equity and Human Rights, a bureau I created in 2011 with Mayor Sam Adams. The Office was initiated to promote opportunities for all Portlanders in City jobs, contracts, and services. While we have made progress in those areas, more improvements are needed. I am excited to work with the staff in Equity, our community, and Mayor Wheeler to take this crucial work to the next level. The Water Bureau offers a significant opportunity in this arena, with a $500,000 million investment in water protection upcoming and many good labor jobs within the bureau and in contracts every year. PWB Director Mike Stuhr and Interim Equity Director Koffi Dessou will be my trusted partners. Interim Parks Director Kia Selley is doing amazing work in PP&R, and has my full support as she works with Commissioner Fish.
I thank everyone who has supported, visited, and enjoyed our parks system during my time as Parks Commissioner. I have deeply appreciated the opportunity to work with thousands of hard-working, dedicated staff and community members. I am more than happy with all the great accomplishments we have achieved together! The hard work and advocacy of many people in our community has led to significant investments throughout our City including:
- Allocating more than $65 million towards closing park service gaps in East Portland
- Creating six new parks – Luuwit View, Gateway Discovery, Gateway Green, Spring Garden, Khunamokwst, and Cully
- Dedicating over $28 million to build Errol Heights and Parklane Parks over the next few years
- Expanding inclusive play areas all over the city, and designating three new parks as fully-integrated adaptive play areas - Gateway Discovery, Couch, and Gabriel. When Couch and Gabriel are completed, there will be inclusive parks in N, NW, SW, and East Portland
- Passing and implementing the $68 million Parks Fix Our Parks Bond,
- The largest five-year expansion of restroom capacity in PP&R’s history, including significant investments in all-user facilities, the spectacular Pioneer Courthouse Square restroom renovation, and ten new loos
- Creating/updating Master Plans at Mill, Midland, SE 150th/Division and Washington Parks
- Creating an Equity Manager and team to ensure that issues of equity are considered as a top priority for the bureau, and empowering employees to create and advance the Racial Equity Plan and Accessibility Transition Plan
- Creating the Parks for New Portlanders Program
- Expanding the Park Ranger team, especially in underserved areas of the City
- Improving labor relations and supporting creation of new bargaining units for Recreation and Rangers, with over 100 new union positions
- Creating City policy that has mandated allocation of over $60 million so far towards major maintenance needs in infrastructure bureaus including PP&R
Special thanks to the staff in my office who have been particularly engaged in Parks issues: Tom Bizeau, Patti Howard, Tim Crail, Pooja Bhatt, and Cristina Nieves. I am grateful to all the wonderful staff in Parks, and to our labor partners particularly Laborers 483 who organized the Rangers and Recreation staff in addition to their staunch advocacy for maintenance workers. Thanks to the Parks Board and Parks Foundation staff and volunteers, too. The bureau depends on your leadership, support and advocacy.
My passion for Parks started long before I was elected as a City Commissioner, and was strengthened by my five+ years as Parks Commissioner. Portland's park system must be accessible to all. Being in charge of the Office of Equity and Human Rights will allow me to continue to pursue actions that will increase access for all Portlanders, in Parks and all other City bureaus. With Commissioner Nick Fish the next Parks Commissioner, I know that Parks will be left in good hands. He has been a strong Parks supporter throughout my time as Parks Commissioner, and I am confident that the work we have started will continue under his leadership. I will of course continue to advocate for Parks, and I know community members and staff will continue to do so too. Portland’s parks depend on you!