Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Portland Street Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee forwards Portland Street Response committee appointments to City Council
Summary
The Community and Public Safety Committee voted to send a resolution appointing members of the Portland Street Response (PSR) committee to full council after hearing from nominees and discussing recruitment and district representation. The motion to refer passed by unanimous consent in committee.
The Community and Public Safety Committee on Dec. 9 voted to refer a resolution appointing members to the Portland Street Response (PSR) Committee to the full City Council with a recommendation that it be adopted.
The committee heard a staff presentation on the selection process and a slate of nominees before moving the appointments. Councilor Knoell and Caroline Pope, who identified herself as PSR community engagement staff, said the process began with 85 written applications, a multi‑stage review and interview procedure, and a final recommendation of 15 members: 14 community appointees and one PSR staff representative. The proposed appointees would serve staggered terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2026.
The nominees who introduced themselves to the committee described a mix of lived experience and professional expertise. Akila Bandura (District 4) noted prior EMT volunteer experience and research in health outcomes for marginalized communities; Rod Houle described years of lived experience with addiction and recovery work; Emily Likely cited research and evaluation of alternative first response; and Jamie Kennel described paramedic experience and health‑equity teaching. Other nominees who spoke included Beatrix Lee, Estella Lavasphere, Robin Matsumoto, Rebecca Morgan, Marcela Pacheco, Jill Ripes, Kaia Sand, Chris Thompson, Sasha Vine and Mia Edera (video submission). Several nominees emphasized lived experience with homelessness, mental‑health crises, addiction or direct service work.
Councilors asked routine vetting questions, including district residency to ensure geographic representation, and pressed one nominee on the nature of recent volunteer and internship activity with a local outreach organization. The nominee, Jill Ripes, said she had limited involvement through an internship tied to a grant and had since stepped back from more active organizing roles.
A motion to refer the resolution (document number 20,254,799) to City Council with a recommendation for adoption was moved and seconded in committee and passed by roll call; the clerk recorded five ayes. The referral sends the full slate to the City Council for final consideration.
Next steps: the nomination resolution will appear on the City Council agenda for final adoption. The appointments will take effect if and when Council adopts the resolution and appointees begin their terms in January 2026.
