Part 1: Summary | Here’s a brief summary of what the trio of City of Portland District 1 City Counselors had to say at this session put on here, in outer East Portland …
In the Hazelwood neighborhood, in IRCO’s foyer, City Club of Portland Treasurer Ted Kaye checks in guests as they arrive.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There’s so much to unpack about what was said the on Tuesday evening, March 10 at the event produced by the City Club of Portland that call the “Meet Portland City Councilors Series”, East Portland News will break down what was learned into several parts, focusing on the many topics brought up.
A pelting rainstorm didn’t stop 88 people from attending this session, held in the in the Sokhom Tauch Community Center at the International Refugee Center of Oregon (IRCO).
Asked why a prestigious organization such as the City Club of Portland would produce an event like this in outer East Portland, their President Elect Guenevere Millius replied to East Portland News, as attendees were finding their seats.
City Club of Portland President Elect Guenevere Millius introduces the program.
“We want the people represented by these Portland City Councilors to have easy access to them, to hear from them directly, and to ask questions of them – here in their district,” Millius began. “So we’re pleased, and proud, to be able to host these forums in the various districts, including here in District 1, East Portland.
These forums help further their mission, she said, because, “We are a civic affairs organization. We are here to inspire people to connect with civic and policy issues of the day; and, in doing so, to become more engaged.
“Specifically, we’re excited to be able to expose Portlanders to their City Councilors now, as we’re moving into this new form of city government, and getting accustomed to it.”
The panel’s moderator, Willamette Week reporter Sophie Peel starts asking questions of Portland City Council District 1 Councilors Candace Avalos, Loretta Smith, and Jamie Dunphy.
Based on an analysis of our transcript, Counselor Loretta Smith spoke the most, Counselor Jamie Dunphy spoke second most, and Counselor Candace Avalos spoke the least, of the three.
Moderator Sophie Peel restated that the purpose of the conversation was a “one‑year check‑in” on Portland’s new district-based government and specifically District 1 priorities.
Councilor’s first-year highlights:
Loretta Smith: Led SIP (sidewalk improvement/paving), focused on Districts 1 & 4, youth apprenticeships/summer jobs, and opened her District 1 office.
Candace Avalos: Chaired homelessness/housing work (Unified Housing Strategy), launched Protect Portland Initiative (data/privacy, immigrant protections), and hired an Immigrant Affairs liaison.
Jamie Dunphy: Code fixes (restored fair‑wage definition), music/noise code reform, Code Alignment Project to reduce overlapping Bureau rules; co‑sponsored Unified Housing Strategy; and noted his relatively new role of Council President.
Major themes/issues discussed during the evening included:
Housing/homelessness: Unified housing strategy, debate over shelter funding vs. permanent housing, discovered unspent housing dollars and led a discussion of using them for eviction prevention, tenant services, social housing, and pipeline projects.
Budget pressure: Projected a large shortfall; the limited discretionary General Fund means hard reduction choices (police, fire, parks); disagreement on Mayor vs. Council powers, and tie‑breaking authority.
Infrastructure: Sidewalk Improvement and Paving, and a proposed Transportation Utility Fund (TUF) to fund streets/sidewalks; concerns about regressivity, and ensuring East Portland receives priority.
Economic development: The need to attract jobs and capital to East Portland; land‑banking, alternative housing models (government/social housing), permitting and access to capital challenges.
Public safety & place activation: Urgent street safety improvements after recent fatalities, efforts to activate Gateway Fred Meyer site (short/medium/long term plans), concern over the Parkrose Grocery Outlet loss, and food access.
Privacy/data: Opposition to license‑plate reader programs (Flock); Private Property Impound and new Data Privacy Office work.
The panel prepares to take questions from the audience.
The question and answer session with issues raised by the audience covered:
City of Portland revenue options
Home Forward and Prosper Portland accountability
Jobs and apprenticeship pipelines
Use of discovered housing funds
Nonprofit support
Food insecurity
Neighborhood activation
Counselors Avalos, Smith and Dunphy ponder the final question asked by moderator Sophie Peel.
The session closed with Peel asking each councilor to use a single adjective to describe “you three as a group”:
Avalos: “Bullish” – loud, determined, constantly fighting for East Portland.
Smith: “Scrappy, relentless, and fashionable.”
Dunphy: responded as asked, answering, “Unapologetic.”
To learn more about the City Club of Portland, see their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
