Amend Code to align with the amended City Charter approved by voters in Portland Measure 26-228 (amend Code Titles 1, 11 and 27, replace Code Titles 10, 16 and 21)
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- On November 8, 2022, voters approved Portland Measure 26-228 (the “Measure”).
- The Measure significantly amended Portland’s City Charter. The Measure generally established a mayor-council form of government with a City Administrator, created four new geographic districts with three councilors represented in each district, and called for a new system of electing City officials using Ranked Choice Voting.
- City Code currently reflects the Commission form of government and must be updated to conform to the changes adopted by the voters in Measure 26-228, including reflecting the new responsibilities of the legislative-focused City Council, the executive Mayor, and the City Administrator.
- Additionally, grammatical corrections, removal of gendered language, and updates to the names of city bureaus and programs need to be made.
- The strikethrough/underline versions of edits for Titles 10, 16 and 21, which are being replaced, are included with this ordinance as supplemental attachments.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
A. Amend Portland City Code Title 1 as shown in Exhibit A.
B. Replace Portland City Code Title 10 as shown in Exhibit B.
C. Amend Portland City Code Title 11 as shown in Exhibit C.
D. Replace Portland City Code Title 16 as shown in Exhibit D.
E. Replace Portland City Code Title 21 as shown in Exhibit E.
F. Amend Portland City Code Title 27 as shown in Exhibit F.
G. This ordinance takes effect on January 3, 2025.
Exhibits and Attachments
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
In November 2022, voters approved amendments to Portland’s City Charter that included establishment of a mayor-council government, creation of four new geographic districts with three councilors representing each district, and election of City officials using Ranked Choice Voting.
This ordinance ensures Portland City Code Title 1 General Provisions, Title 10 Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations, Title 11 Trees, Title 16 Vehicles and Traffic, Title 21 Water, and Title 27 Heating and Ventilating Regulations to reflect the amended City Charter.
Charter focused changes include recognizing that the City Administrator has the authority to adopt administrative rules, direct the work of city bureaus and offices, and approve contracts or agreements.
Chapters which are either administrative in nature or severely outdated have been removed from the proposed code. Any chapter recommended for removal which is administrative in nature will be updated as necessary and adopted into a Portland Policy Document. Removal of these chapters from City Code ensures that the separation of legislative and administrative authorities granted in the amended City Charter are maintained.
Additionally, grammatical corrections and removal of gendered language were made.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
This legislation aligns City Code with the amended City Charter and has no direct fiscal impact.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Not applicable.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Not applicable.
100% Renewable Goal
This legislation aligns City Code with the amended City Charter and has no impact on the City’s energy use. This legislation neither contributes to, nor detracts from, the City’s goal of meeting 100% of community-wide energy needs with renewable energy by 2050.