Neighborhood program dwindled to one funded coordinator; staff propose modernization and updated ONI standards

Adam Lyons, interim district and neighborhood liaison, told council the neighborhood program is Portland's longest-standing civic infrastructure but has suffered operational disruption. "Until this fiscal year, there were 5 staff for this office, and now it's down to a single funded coordinator position," Lyons said, warning that a single staffer cannot meet the system's administrative and partnership needs. He recommended immediate priorities: contract and reimbursement stability, better information flow between bureaus and coalitions, and a program of rebuilding trust with partners.