Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for ARA 7.01, 7.02, and 7.03 | October 2024

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Authority

Portland City Charter Section 2-506(a) authorizes the City Auditor to establish rules for the Office of the Auditor. Therefore, the City Auditor’s Office proposes the revision of the below administrative rules, which are available for public comment for thirty days before adoption.

• ARA-7.01 - Drafting Manual for Ordinances, Resolutions & Reports
• ARA-7.02 - Council and Contracts Program Policies & Procedures
• ARA-7.03 - Council Documents: Redaction / Non-Disclosure Policy

About the changes

The Council Clerk Administrative Rules (ARA 7.01, 7.02, and 7.03) have been updated to meet the requirements of the voter-approved Charter amendments in effect January 1, 2025. The three rules have been revised to remove obsolete information and update guidance in accordance with changes to Oregon Public Meetings laws and new City system updates for filing items and agenda management. The rules are reorganized to clearly delineate between procedures for staff and Councilors (ARA 7.01), guidance for community members to engage with Council (ARA 7.02), and updated information about redaction of Council agenda records (ARA 7.03). 

ARA 7.01 - Council Procedures and Drafting Manual

Proposed changes to ARA 7.01 overhaul the Council Procedures and Drafting Manual to align with current processes, Charter Reform, and Code changes. 

ARA 7.02 - Council Agenda Public Communications and Testimony

Proposed changes to ARA 7.02 revise the scope of the rule to focus on procedures for community members to provide a public communication, provide verbal testimony, or submit written testimony for agenda items. The rule has been updated to reflect amendments in Code Chapter 3.02 and clarify lobbyist disclosure requirements. 

ARA 7.03 - Redaction and Non-Disclosure of Council Agenda Records

Proposed changes to ARA 7.03 clarify circumstances and outline the process for members of the public to request redaction of information in Council agenda records. The rule also includes updated personal safety exemption information and a direct link to review criteria or submit a safety exemption request.

Submitting Comments

The City Auditor invites employees and the public to comment on the proposed revised rules. To be considered, comments must be received by 5:00 PM on November 25, 2024. Comments may be:

• Submitted through our online form.
• Emailed to auditorsoffice@portlandoregon.gov
• Submitted in person or by mail at City Hall, 1221 SW 4^th Ave., Room 130, Portland, OR 97204.

Submit public comment online

Reviewing the Proposed Rules

The proposed rules text can be found below. The full list of Adopted Rules for the Auditor's Office is available on the City of Portland website, or rules can be requested from the City Auditor's Office Operations Management division.