Michelle DePass on the race for Portland's 2nd District

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Michelle DePass is running for Portland City Council in the district where she was raised - District 2, representing North and Northeast Portland. It is one of four districts that has the most candidates running for a council position.

DePass is a long-time City of Portland employee, who's worked in the parks bureau, the housing bureau and now the bureau of planning and sustainability. She is additionally a two-term member and vice-chair of the Portland Public School board.

On this week's Eye on Northwest Politics, DePass said her priorities - should she be elected - focus on livability, climate and safety. She believes the new model for Portland City Council - which includes 12 city councilors and a city administrator - will aid in furthering those goals.

"Many other cities around the country have the form of government that we're moving to. It's been really difficult as a city employee to collaborate across bureau in the current forum. I hope that what happens with this new structure is that we'll able to collaborate across bureaus," DePass said. "For instance, transportation and parks intersect all the time. Transportation intersects with housing. And so the ability for those bureaus to work together, I think will strengthen our outcomes for the city and we'll be a more professional-run city."

Having grown up in the area District 2 covers, DePass has seen a lot of changes over the years, including gentrification. As a result, she said the biggest issues center on lack of opportunities.

"There's millions of dollars of investment happening in Albina through the modernization of Jefferson High School, the relocation of Harriet Tubman. And the work of the Albina Vision Trust is bringing millions of dollars in a spotlight on the area that's been disenfranchised for some time, for generations," she said. "So I'm looking at opportunities to bring people back into housing through the City of Portland's preference policy, and also looking at development opportunities such as the Lloyd Center."

DePass added her experience with both the city and the school board well prepares her for city government.

"I have insight into two very different organizations that are publicly funded," she said. "So I have insight into the budgeting process, the decision making process as an elected and the nuts and bolts, if you will."

There have been a number of recent shootings at North Portland's Dawson Park, which is located within the bounds of District 2. DePass has a special connection to the park, since it was where her parents first met. She now believes the what's currently happening at Dawson Park requires extra special attention when it comes to public safety.

"I see what's happening there. There's drug dealing and people are homeless. And it's an area that absolutely needs a little bit more attention from public safety attention," she said. "It needs some community, really some community support. And in fact, just last night I noticed a poster. There's a community member trying to organize just some activity there that's positive."

With Portland Public Schools starting the new year on August 27 - along with a new superintendent, Kimberly Armstrong - DePass discussed how another factor, the $30 million budget shortfall, is going to impact the classroom.

"Going forward, we're going to have bigger cuts, very likely. And that's what we're working on right now," she said. "Our big thing is working with families, with our legislators to advocate for more school funding."

Watch the full interview in the video above.