Appoint members and alternates to the Sustainability and Climate Commission

TO THE COUNCIL: The Sustainability and Climate Commission (Commission) is established to advance and develop climate action and outcomes across our city with a focus on environmental justice and accountability to the City's sustainability goals. The Commission creates and evaluates the City's Climate Action Plan that identifies and outlines specific actions to accomplish the City's sustainability and climate goals and the associated outcomes. The Commission includes four youth dedicated seats and one alternate from ages 16-24. These are yearly terms and their participation is to specifically ensure that the perspectives of those who will live longest with the consequences of today's climate decisions are centered in the Commission's work. To be in compliance, it is recommended that Council reappoints one current youth member, appoints three new youth members, and one youth alternate. Additionally, it is recommended that Council appoints one at-large alternate to ensure continuity in Commission service. As Mayor, I request Council confirmation of the following appointments to the Sustainability and Climate Commission: Name Appointment Term District Celeste Ruiz Youth reappointment June 7, 2026 - June 7, 2027 1 Christian Flores Youth appointment June 7, 2026 - June 7, 2027 1 Alma Valls Youth appointment June 7, 2026 - June 7, 2027 4, student in 3 Shubh Narayan Youth appointment June 7, 2026 - June 7, 2027 4 Giovanni Vaz Youth alternate appointment June 7, 2026 - June 7, 2027 student in 2 Ben Hodgson At-large alternate appointment June 7, 2026 - June 7, 2029 2 Individuals represent themselves; affiliations are listed for identification purposes only. Youth reappointment: Celeste Ruiz (District 1) is a Parkrose resident who brings lived experience as a Mexican American constantly confronted with environmental injustices in our community, which has led her to become an advocate for other underprivileged minority communities in Portland facing similar issues. She has previously served as the Co-Chair for the Multnomah Youth Commission's Transit Equity Environmental Advocacy Committee and has received recognition from Neighbors for Clean Air as one of the Clean Air Champions in Oregon. Celeste supports community-driven climate and land use policy and is deeply committed to environmental justice, inclusive engagement, and elevating underrepresented voices in public decision-making. Statement of interest: "I am deeply passionate about addressing the challenges of climate change and creating sustainable futures for our communities. Serving on this advisory body excites me because it offers opportunities to influence policies and initiatives that can drive equitable, meaningful change." Youth appointments: Christian Flores (District 1) is a student at Portland State University studying Geography with minors in GIS and Sustainability. His research has examined tree canopy coverage, transportation access, and urban heat islands across Portland, and he brings professional GIS experience from a solar siting internship spanning multiple states. Christian is motivated by using data and community engagement to empower neighborhoods and advance sustainable energy and climate solutions. Statement of interest: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the Sustainability and Climate Commission, as it champions the advocacy of sustainable practices. Throughout this term I aspire to uphold the merit that the commission holds, such as environmental justice and speaking for the community. Representing the home that we call Portland is paramount to me and I am eager to make a positive contribution." Alma Valls (District 4, student in District 3) is a senior at Cleveland High School, where she is the president of the Cleveland Climate Club. Alma believes that building an informed, empowered community is the foundation for all other climate priorities, and believes in engaging with peers to ensure her advocacy reflects the broader student voice. She is committed to compiling and sharing existing resources and curriculum to improve climate literacy without recreating work that's already been done. Statement of interest: "I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to represent younger generations on the Sustainability and Climate Commission! I hope to engage with other members of the Portland community constructively and to advocate for protecting vulnerable community members from the climate crisis. I am committed to doing quality work in this role and listening to other perspectives." Shubh Narayan (District 4) is a Lincoln High School junior and SIV Impact intern who utilizes a global perspective shaped by living around, Chennai, Indonesia, and Portland. Bilingual in English and Hindi, he applies a business driven lens to sustainability by breaking down complex city policies into manageable, data backed actions for Portland's youth. Shubh is dedicated to ensuring that climate work is not only visionary but also actionable, measurable, and deeply informed by student voices. Statement of interest: "I am excited to serve on the Sustainability and Climate Commission because climate change is not something I only read about. I have experienced climate impact across the places I have lived, from New Delhi, Chennai, Singapore, and Jakarta to Portland. I hope to bring a youth perspective to the Commission and help make Portland's climate work more understandable and actionable for students, families, and communities whose futures will be shaped by the decisions being made today." Youth alternate appointment: Giovanni Vaz (student in District 2) is a junior at the University of Portland studying Economics and Political Science, where he serves as an ASUP Senator for the Junior Class and the 13th Speaker of the ASUP Senate, becoming the first Speaker in ASUP history to be elected to a second term. Born and raised in Portland, Giovanni previously served as ASB President at Reynolds High School and as a student representative to the Reynolds School District Board, where he advocated for expanded student transit access and stronger student representation in local decision-making. Drawing from his background in student government and community advocacy, Giovanni is committed to ensuring young people are meaningful partners in Portland's climate and sustainability planning. Statement of interest: "My interest in climate policy deepened after taking a Climate Change & Energy Economics course at the University of Portland and visiting New Zealand, where I saw firsthand how local governments, such as the Christchurch City Council, are taking action to combat climate change. Those experiences inspired me to become more involved in addressing sustainability challenges in Portland." Alternate appointment: Ben Hodgson (District 2) holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from UC Davis, where he served on the university's Environmental Policy and Planning Commission and conducted a sustainability audit of campus organizations. He works as a GIS analyst researching how transportation infrastructure affects wildlife populations. Ben is focused on promoting sustainable transportation and pedestrian safety and believes that including community as direct participants in climate decision-making is essential to building a more equitable Portland. Statement of interest: "I am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with other Portlanders to help our city achieve its ambitious climate goals. I look forward to applying my knowledge and continuing to learn as part of a commission working to shape a sustainable and equitable future for Portland."