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City of Portland Newsletter | November 12, 2025 |
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Hope takes flight
Thank you, Portland, for investing in your parks system! With the 2025 Parks Levy passing, Portland Parks & Recreation will continue delivering the services you count on: well-maintained playgrounds and pools, recreation programs for all ages, thriving trails and natural areas, clean restrooms, and reliable trash pickup. To all the park lovers, tree huggers, community center goers, volunteers, and staff: thank you for making this possible. Our green spaces aren’t just nice to have, they’re central to life in our city. Let’s keep working together so parks stay safe, welcoming and full of possibility for everyone.
Read Mayor Keith Wilson's statement:
Portland voters support their parks but need to see change (Oregonlive.com)
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311 is the right call
From abandoned cars and unsanctioned camping to missed trash pickups and leaf day schedules, PDX 311 is transforming how Portland community members connect with their local government—and it’s getting noticed.
City Cast Portland recently featured PDX 311 to spotlight its wide-ranging service—from helping newcomers navigate City life to empowering longtime residents to take action on local issues. With PDX 311, everyone living in Multnomah County has a direct line to helpful, highly skilled call takers who take time to answer questions, fulfill reports, and assist navigating non-emergency situations.
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Portland Bureau of Transportation is proud to sponsor free parking for on-street parking and all five SmartPark locations on Saturday, November 29 in support of Small Business Saturday. SmartPark will also be sponsoring two free parking weekends on December 12-13 and December 20-21.
Things change. Whether you’ve lost a job or are feeling the pressures of rising costs, we can help. If you or someone you know is struggling to pay the sewer, stormwater, and water bill, please reach out. Many people don't realize they're eligible for financial assistance.
Judge bars Trump from deploying the National Guard
Mayor Wilson responded to a final order from a federal judge barring the Trump administration from sending the National Guard to Portland. "As I have said from the beginning, the number of federal troops needed in our city is zero, and today's court ruling vindicates Portland's position while reaffirming the rule of law that protects our community. Portland values the constitutional right to free speech, and we will defend those rights. We will continue fighting in court and working with state and community partners to ensure public safety, protect civil rights, and stand up for our immigrant community." Sign up for Mayor Wilson’s newsletter.
After a sharp rise in copper thefts that inflicted more than $2 million in losses and damages, the Portland Police Bureau launched an investigation into a location on NE Skidmore Street. A search of the property revealed extensive evidence of copper theft and metal processing, including the burning and stripping of insulation from copper wiring.
The data shows that 39 people accepted shelter services and moved from camping on the street to spending the night inside at an overnight shelter.
The City of Portland released a report on how bureaus use surveillance technologies, highlighting efforts to increase transparency and accountability. Phase II will expand data collection and public engagement to build a citywide open data inventory by early 2026.
Independent Police Review employees represented by AFSCME ended their three-day strike and returned to work Monday, Nov. 10, as mediation continued that day.
Data spotlight
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135 million gallons per day. That’s how much water Portland’s new Bull Run Filtration Facility is designed to handle when it opens in 2027. The project will make sure our water is safer and more reliable than ever before. More than 350 skilled tradespeople are working on the project, including scores of apprentices. The overall economic impact is estimated at $1.59 billion. Learn more about the Bull Run FIltration Project.
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Curious about the zoning code and how it guides development? Join City staff to learn more about the basics of the zoning code at the ABCs of Land Use Planning. All are welcome! Thursday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm – Hybrid event hosted by District 2 partners
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Mandatory training for Portlanders running for Mayor, Auditor, or Council who wish to participate in the matching program. Those considering running or considering participating are welcome and encouraged to join. Confidential one-on-one trainings are available. Next session is on Nov. 21.
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We're sending a massive call for artists at the new CityFleet facilities on Swan Island. We invite artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications for artwork that will attach to two functional aluminum gates, and a large-scale sculpture. Made possible by Portland's Percent for Art Program, which specifies that up to 2% of qualifying infrastructure project budgets be dedicated to public art. Submit by Nov 24.
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Come join Rose City Self-Defense and the Safe Blocks Program in collaboration with the Midland Library for an Introductory Personal Safety and Self-Defense workshop to learn the empowering skills to help keep yourself and your young ones safe and strong! Nov. 19
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Join the City of Portland for a virtual panel on shaping Oregon’s digital future—exploring digital rights, access, privacy, and responsible technology use to ensure innovation serves the public good. Dec. 10
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New job openings at the City of Portland
Because of a budget shortfall, the City imposed a hiring freeze on most jobs starting October 1, 2025. There will be some exceptions. And positions that are open now will stay open until they’re filled. So check out our listings and apply today.
- Community Health Assess & Treat Medical Responder (Comm Health Med Responder) – Limited Duration
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Elections Analyst (Auditor - Analyst I)
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Senior Engineering Associate – Electrical Specialty
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Traffic Signals & Street Lighting Engineering Supervisor
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Grants and funding
The Small Grants Fund increases access to PCL funds for smaller nonprofits and strengthens their capacity to serve children, youth, and families. The grants are for program services in after school, child abuse prevention & intervention, early childhood, foster care, hunger relief, and mentoring. Grants are 3 years, 7/1/2026- 6/30/2028. The minimum 3-year grant is $81,000 and the maximum 3-year grant is $240,000.
Who's eligible: Community-based nonprofit organizations serving children and families in Portland. Nonprofit organizations must have annual revenues of $90,000 to $750,000 to apply.
Application deadline: December 1, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. PST. Applicants must register for WebGrants by November 14, 2025.
Prosper Portland provides funding to small businesses located in the City of Portland that have sustained physical and economic damage due to break-ins and vandalism. Grants assist eligible businesses to remain open and operational and contribute to maintaining a healthy street environment. Eligible entities may receive up to $25,000 over the life of the program for eligible repairs.
Who's Eligible: Small businesses and nonprofit organizations occupying a ground-floor storefront
Application Deadline: Ongoing
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Serve on a board or committee
The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone. It supports development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high quality and resilient buildings and public spaces. It also helps develop design guidelines for design districts and provides advice to other City Bureaus and Regional Government Partners. Apply by Nov. 20, 2025
The City of Portland seeks interested community members to serve a three-year term on the Noise Review Board. Portland's Noise Review Board is unique in the United States because it offers both residents and members of the business community the opportunity to help set the City's policies related to the environmental issues and health impacts of noise. The board reviews applications for noise variances for events and construction that may impact many people or take place over a significant period of time. It also addresses emerging noise problems in the community. As part of the board, you will also be responsible for working with the Noise Program to advise and make recommendations to the Portland City Council on sound-related code and policy decisions. Apply by Nov. 30, 2025.
The Urban Forestry Commission is comprised of 11 community members who play a crucial advisory role in managing Portland's trees, influencing policies related to the city's urban forest plan, budget proposals, and more. If you’re passionate about preserving, protecting, and expanding Portland’s Urban Forest, this is a great opportunity for you. It also acts as an appeals board for certain tree permits, nominates new and approves removal of Heritage Trees, and plays a significant role in updates to the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Apply by Dec. 8, 2025
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Give us your feedback
Join Portland Street Response for a town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 from 6-7:30 p.m. We will share program updates and an overview of the Portland Street Response Aftercare team. There will be time to ask questions and provide perspectives about this important community resource. We look forward to hearing from you!
Two opportunities to learn about and provide feedback to gun violence reduction
The Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group (FITCOG) works in collaboration with the Portland Police Bureau’s Focused Intervention Team to make recommendations aimed at reducing gun violence through prevention, intervention, and response strategies, ultimately creating safer communities. Your participation at these meetings is crucial to better understand community concerns build trust and possibly identify any systemic issues to ensure fair and equitable policing practices.
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FITCOG regular meeting: Nov. 20, 2025, 6-8 p.m., at Black Men in Training facility, 10534 NE Sandy, Portland, OR
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FITCOG Annual Meeting & Listening Session: Dec. 4, 2025, 6-8 p.m., Portland Community College Southeast, Community Hall, 2305 SE 82nd, Portland, OR
Administrative Rule review notices
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Looking for ways to stretch your budget, reduce waste, and meet your neighbors? The City’s Resourceful PDX calendar is filled with free and low-cost events, such as this clothing exchange, that make it easy and fun to live more sustainably.
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Featured events
Free events
November 21, 2025, Friday
November 22, 2025, Saturday
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Community events in Portland parks
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible. |
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Your Portland moment
Pioneer Courthouse Square will soon look alot like Christmas! Festivities this week welcomed the 75-feet tall Douglas Fir tree that comes compliments of Stimson Lumber. It will be decorated in time for the 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Presented by SmartPark on Nov. 28, 2025 starting at 5:30 p.m. Come for a joyful tradition that includes a community sing-along led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini and Santa Claus ‘flipping the switch’ to illuminate nearly 10,000 colorful lights on our City’s tree that will shine bright throughout the holiday season.
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How're we doing?
How well do you like Rose City Connection? How could we make it better? Take our reader survey and give us some feedback.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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