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Government

Government Affairs

The Office of Government Affairs works closely with the Mayor, City Council, and City leaders to promote and address Gresham’s needs and priorities.

  • Goals
  • Legislative Strategies
  • Contact
Goals

Government Affairs shapes policies and secures resources that enhance the community’s safety, sustainability, and quality of life. Our goals are to:

  • Serve as the primary liaison between the City and its local, regional, state, and federal partners. 
  • Manage, strengthen and promote the City’s legislative and policy priorities.
  • Advocate for our community to ensure Gresham’s voice is heard at every level of government.
Legislative Strategies

Policy development

Collaborate with City departments to identify key legislative and regulatory issues impacting Gresham’s residents, businesses, and services.

Intergovernmental relations

Building and maintaining strong partnerships with local, regional, and state agencies, as well as federal representatives, to foster collaboration and secure resources for the City.

Community engagement

Ensuring residents and stakeholders are informed and engaged in the legislative process, providing opportunities for input on key policy issues.

Contact

To learn more about Gresham's priorities or to get involved in advocating for the City, please contact:  

Larry Morgan, Chief of Staff
Larry.Morgan@GreshamOregon.gov

Chris Fick, Senior Policy Advisor
Chris.Fick@GreshamOregon.gov

Legislative priorities 

State Priorities

Funding requests

Gresham Youth Services: $6 million 

Funding to continue and expand the East Multomah Outreach Prevention Intervention (EMOPI) program. EMOPI provides critical services for youth violence prevention to improve public safety and improve outcomes for at-risk youth.  

Gresham Fire Department: $10 million 

Gresham’s fire stations are outdated and in need of replacement. State funding would go towards the replacement of Fire Station #74, which serves large industrial and residential areas of north Gresham.

Transportation and utility infrastructure: $10 million 

Pleasant Valley is expected to be home to more than 4,000 housing units over the next 20 years. To accommodate the development, upgrades are needed for roads and utility services. 

Legislative policy and funding priorities

  • Financial sustainability
  • Community well-being
  • Housing and community development
  • Public safety
  • Transportation
  • Thriving economy and land use

Read the 2025 legislative agenda.

Federal Priorities

Funding requests

Pleasant Valley Corridor Transportation Improvements: $4.25 million

  • Federal funds are requested for the design and planning of a transportation roundabout to address safety and traffic issues.
  • Funding would also pay for environmental analysis to ensure compliance and sustainable development practices; acquisition of right-of-way for necessary infrastructure improvements; and mitigation of wetlands impacted by the project.

Read the request and project description.

Cybersecurity Upgrades: $2 million

  • Investments would bring the City’s water treatment facility up to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance covering threats, vulnerabilities, security controls, and a defense-in-depth approach.
  • Improvements would prevent unauthorized remote access to critical systems.
  • Ensure the safe and consistent operation for 129,000 residents served across Gresham, Fairview, and Wood Village.

Read the request and project description.

Flood Mitigation: $1.425 million

  • Funding would address recurring maintenance and flooding issues near Division Street and Cleveland Avenue.
  • A former tributary to Kelly Creek transitions from a piped system to an open channel system as it flows through the city, before entering a piped system again.
  • The open channel collects debris, that then clogs the pipe, causing flooding to sidewalks and roadways, and damaging local businesses.
  • Funding would extend the piped system to prevent flooding, as well as reduce debris that flows into Kelly Creek and then the Sandy River.

Read the request and project description.

Park Safety Improvement Project: $800,000 

  • Funding will provide permanent infrastructure for improved lighting and security cameras at five Gresham parks – Nadaka, Rockwood Central, Pat Pfeifer, Red Sunset, and Main City parks. 
  • Limited lighting and the lack of cameras have led to reduced visibility, vandalism, unauthorized camping, and safety concerns that have discouraged public use.  
  • This funding will support the installation of 50-60 lights, the necessary electrical systems, and security cameras in the five parks.  

Read the request and project description.