The City Organization project is creating a reporting structure that can be managed by one city administrator, instead of five elected officials. This multi-step process will help the City of Portland prepare for a new form of government in 2025.
To set up Portland's first city administrator for success and to ensure employees are supported throughout the transition process, the team has consulted with city administrators and leaders at other cities to learn best practices and more about the lessons they've learned during similar transitions.
Centering equity through organizational change panel
Moderated by Jeff Selby, Interim Director of the Office of Equity and Human Rights. Panelists include Amanda Jasso (Interim Equity Director; Austin, Texas), Mayor Jake Spano (Mayor; St. Louis Park, Minnesota), Joanne Pierce (Assistant County Manager for Community Well-being; Durham County, North Carolina).
What is a city administrator panel
Panelists include Jason Grant (Advocacy Director at the International City Managers Association), Jenny Haruyama (City Manager for the City of Beaverton, Oregon), Heather Johnston (City Coordinator of Minneapolis, Minnesota), Christopher Shorter (County Executive of Prince William County, VA).
Understanding deputy administrator roles and responsibilities panel
Panelists include Lindsey Appiah, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ); Lon Pluckhahn, Deputy City Manager for Vancouver, WA; Valmarie Turner, Assistant County Administrator at Loudoun Co. VA; and Rey Arellano, former Assistant City Manager, Austin TX.
Deputy City Administrators: Office Composition and Executive Leadership Roles (February 26, 2024) panel
Panelists include Rosalynn Hughey, Deputy City Manager, City of San Jose; Stephanie Betteridge, Chief Innovative Officer, City of Bend; Matthew Whelan, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, City of Albuquerque.
Leading and Planning Strategically (March 28, 2024) panel
Panelists include Stephen Williams, Director of Health and Human Services, City of Huston, TX; Karen Moe, Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations, City of Minneapolis, MI; Tyler Bonanno-Curley, Deputy City Manager, City of Long Beach, CA.
Delivering Services in a Districted City (April 25, 2024) panel
Panelists include Jenifer Chao, Director of the Department of Neighborhoods, City of Seattle, WA; Veronica Davis, Director of Cities Program, for AtkinsRéalis, Houston, TX; Gabriel Sanchez, Brookings Research Fellow on Governance Studies and Director of University of New Mexico Center for Social Policy, NM.