960-2022

Report

Reappoint Jessie Gittemeier to the Planning and Sustainability Commission for a term to expire May 31, 2023

Accepted

Dear Council Colleagues,

As Mayor and Commissioner of Finance & Administration, I request your confirmation to extend the term of our current Youth Commissioner to the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC).

I’m requesting this extension because the PSC is continuing its work as we are working on a Planning Commission Code Amendment proposal, which will come before Council early in 2023. We’d like to have the current Youth Commissioner be able to finish the work on the PSC before any changes to the Commission are made.

Jessie Gittemeier, the current Youth Commissioner – an appointed and voting 2-year term – is slated to have her term expire at the end of the calendar year, December 31, 2022. To align with other terms and the expected changes to the Commission, I request your confirmation for an extended term ending May 31, 2023. Jessie has participated in approximately 18 meetings in her short term thus far, including staff briefings, public hearings, and work sessions. Her dedication – while simultaneously finishing law school and recently taking the bar exam – is commended, and the Commission’s work would continue to benefit from her participation through Spring 2023.

Therefore, I request your confirmation for the following position and term extension:

Position

Appointment

Term

9

Jessie Gittemeier

January 1, 2023 – May 31, 2023

Respectfully submitted,

Ted Wheeler
Mayor

Jessie Gittemeier
Jessie Gittemeier is a recent graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School. While in law school, Jessie worked with environmental justice non-profit, Breach Collective, and the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems doing legal work to support the Just Transition. She is passionate about building a more sustainable and equitable Portland and plans to continue advocating for change in her personal and professional life. As the PSC Youth Commissioner, she has advocated for an aggressive anti-fossil fuel agenda, creative anti-displacement strategies, and community centered work plans. 

Statement of Interest
I’m interested in continuing on the PSC to provide some consistency and expertise in the final days of the Commission’s work as the Planning and Sustainability Commission. Over the past two years, I have seen first-hand the challenges this PSC faces balancing its large purview, limited time, and competing priorities. As we move into a two Commission framework, I believe extending my term can help ensure the PSC continues recommending thoughtful, equitable, and sustainable policy changes to the City Council. 

Impact Statement

Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information

Extend the term of the Planning and Sustainability Commission Youth Commissioner position through May 31, 2023.

The Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) is composed of 11 volunteer members with expertise in a range of areas. The Commission includes one 2-year term for a Youth Commissioner, currently held by Jessie Gittemeier, which is set to expire on December 31, 2022. To ensure continuity on the PSC until the Planning Commission Code Amendment proposal is adopted, we would like Commissioner Gittemeier’s term to match the term of other Commissioners.
 

Financial and Budgetary Impacts

n/a. This is a volunteer position.

Community Impacts and Community Involvement

The PSC has specific responsibility for the stewardship, development and maintenance of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Climate Action Plan and Zoning Code. By holding public hearings and discussing issues and proposals, the PSC develops recommendations to City Council in hopes of creating a more prosperous, educated, healthy, and equitable city. Having a diversity of opinions is critical for the Commission to make thoughtful and informed recommendations.

The application process details and information are available on an ongoing basis. Anyone with an interest in a PSC position is welcome to apply.

100% Renewable Goal

Not applicable. 

Agenda Items

Confirmed

  • Commissioner Mingus Mapps Yea
  • Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
  • Commissioner Dan Ryan Yea
  • Former Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty Yea
  • Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea

Contact

Sandra Wood

Principal Planner

Requested Agenda Type

Consent

Date and Time Information

Requested Council Date