2.16.130 Portland Elections Commission.

City Code Section

(Amended by Ordinances 189078, 189336, 189531, 190598 and 191335, effective July 21, 2023.)

  1. A.  Duties.  The Commission is hereby created.  The Commission will:
    1. 1.  Assist the Director and Council in developing and implementing of the Fund.  The Commission may approve administrative rules necessary to the effective administration of the code as set forth in Section 2.16.030, until a City Administrator is hired, after which point the Commission may make recommendations to the Director regarding such administrative rules.
    2. 2.  Adjust matching ratios and contribution limits and modify regulations to improve operation of public campaign finance and achieve program goals.
    3. 3.  Advise the Director, advise the Director on administrative judgments, recommended policy changes, administrative rule development, and operation of the Fund.
    4. 4.  Recommend hearings officers or an entity to the Director for appointment to review cases and make determinations under Sections 2.16.160 and 2.16.170.
    5. 5.  Adopt such operating policies and procedures as necessary to carry out its duties.
    6. 6.  Prepare and submit to the Council a biennial report which will contain an overview and evaluation of the Fund during the previous election period.
  2. B.  Membership. The Commission will consist of nine members who have demonstrated an interest in campaign finance funding and, insofar as possible, represent diverse interests and diverse communities. The Director will solicit applications from the general public in order to recommend nominees to Council for appointment. Any member of the Council may make nominations to the Commission.
  3. C.  Appointments and Terms.
    1. 1.  Commission members will be appointed by Council and serve 4 year terms starting May 1 of odd-numbered years, except that the initial appointments will be as follows.
      1. a.  Four of the initial appointees will serve terms from January 1, 2019 to April 30, 2021; and
      2. b.  Five of the initial appointees will serve terms from January 1, 2019 to April 30, 2023.
    2. 2.  Members of the Commission are limited to a maximum of two full terms, except that members serving an initial term of less than 4 years may serve two subsequent 4 year terms. If a position is vacated during a term, it will be filled for the unexpired term. Council may replace any member of the Commission for due cause, including but not limited to malfeasance, incapacity, conflict of interest or neglect of duties.
  4. D.  Meetings, Officers and Subcommittees.
    1. 1.  The Portland Elections Commission will meet at least four times per year and may meet more often as otherwise necessary to conduct its business. Meetings will be conducted in accordance with rules of procedure adopted by the Commission. Five members will constitute a quorum. A quorum will be necessary to make decisions that represent the position of the Commission and to conduct any other Commission responsibilities. The election of officers will take place at the first meeting of each calendar year.
    2. 2.  The officers of the Commission will consist of a chairperson and a vice-chairperson. The chairperson will be responsible for conducting the meetings of the committee. The vice-chairperson will act as chair when the chairperson is not available.
    3. 3.  The Commission may form subcommittees comprised of Commission members which are authorized to act on behalf of the Commission for an assigned purpose.
  5. E.  Attendance. Members of the Commission are expected to attend each meeting of the Commission. Council may replace any member who accrues unexcused absences from three or more consecutive meetings or more than 50 percent of the meetings in any year.
  6. F.  Compensation. Commission members will serve without compensation.

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