Phase II: Public Hearings

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Charter Commission Phase II Public Hearings
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Phase II public hearings

On October 18, the Charter Commission, as part of their phase II work, preliminary agreed on a series of proposals to advance and release for public comment and public hearings.

NOTE: These public hearings are NOT related to proposed ballot measure 26-228.

Phase II Charter Commission Public Hearings Information
Phase II Charter Commission Public Hearings Ways to Testify

Hearing information:

The public hearings were an opportunity for community members to provide input on the proposed amendments. The Charter Commission provided an educational presentation at the beginning of each public hearing on the proposed amendments and upcoming steps in the charter review process. Community members were given three minutes to share their thoughts.

  • Public Hearing #1: Thursday, November 17, 2022--- Watch the recording here
  • Public Hearing #2: Saturday, November 19, 2022-- Watch the recording here

Other ways to provide input:

The public comment period closed at 7:00am on Monday, November 28, 2022. Public comments were accepted via a variety of methods: 

  • Online comment form
  • Email to CharterReview@portlandoregon.gov
  • Phone call to 311
  • In writing to the: Office of Management and Finance, Charter Review, 1120 Sw 5th Avenue, Room 901, Portland, OR 97204

Phase II Proposed Amendments:

The Charter Commission released it's 2nd phase II progress report which included the drafted charter amendment language along with impartial narratives drafted by the City Attorney’s Office on November 10, 2022. Below is a list of the proposals the Commission is soliciting public comment and testimony on:

  • Proposal #1: Delete the prohibition on mandating the weatherization of structures built before September 1, 1979.
  • Proposal #2: Clarify language to reflect the City’s existing role to protect recreational and natural resources.
  • Proposal #3: Clarify language to reflect the City’s existing role to protect and manage water, sewage, and stormwater.
  • Proposal #4: Delete vague and archaic language: “roaming the streets at unseasonable hours”.
  • Proposal #5: Delete vague and archaic language: “offensive” businesses.
  • Proposal #6: Delete outdated, burdensome, and redundant requirements for franchise agreements.
  • Proposal #7: Remove the 5% cap on the City’s transient lodgings tax.
  • Proposal #8: Increase Risk Management’s settlement authority from $5,000 to $25,000. Please Note: An increase to the City’s Division of Risk Management’s authority to settle claims was part of the measure 26-228 in the November ballot. If measure 26-228 passes, this proposed amendment will not move forward because it is unnecessary. 
  • Proposal #9: Update, and make consistent, references to “protected classes”.
  • Proposal #10: Replace “disability” with “incapacity” when referencing an elected official’s inability to perform their duties.
  • Proposal #11: Create an Independent Portland Elections Commission.
  • Proposal #12: Create an article dedicated to environmental issues that includes environmental justice as a core value of the City, requires the City to assess the climate impact of its decisions and establishes a right to a clean and healthy environment.
  • Proposal #13: Establish meaningful public engagement as a core value of the City.
  • Proposal #14: Require the City to create by ordinance a participatory budgeting program open to all residents.
  • Proposal #15: Expand right to vote in City elections to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Contact

Sofía Álvarez-Castro

Charter Commission Engagement & Communications Coordinator

Past Events

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