Dear Community Members,
Last month, the Charter Commission finished its two-year term wrapping up the charter review process. On behalf of the Charter Commission, thank you for engaging with us on this once-in-a-decade opportunity to review and revise our City's charter.
The Charter Commission will be joining the City Council on January 19 at 2:00 p.m. to present a report on its work with an emphasis on phase II. Community members are invited to sign-up to give testimony or submit written comment to City Council. Learn how to sign-up and submit written testimony here. You can view the Council meeting on the City's YouTube channel, eGov PDX.
This is likely to be the final monthly email update from the Charter Commission. If you signed up for Charter Commission email updates, then you will continue to receive monthly email updates from the City on charter reform transition and implementation.
Final progress report
The Charter Commission is releasing its ninth and final progress report. The purpose of the progress reports is to provide Portlanders with a general sense of the Commission’s work and provide information on the policies considered in a transparent and accessible way. The report represents the final agreements made by the Charter Commission.
Phase II Update
The Charter Commission voted to refer nine proposals to Portland voters in November 2024 (as five ballot measures) and voted to recommend six proposals to Portland City Council.
Proposals referred to the November 2024 election:
The nine proposals being referred to the November 2024 election will appear as five measures. It will be the City of Portland’s responsibility to educate Portlanders on the ballot measures. Be on the lookout for future educational materials.
| Ballot Measure #1 | Delete the prohibition on mandating the weatherization of structures built before September 1, 1979. |
|---|---|
| Ballot Measure #2 | Create an Independent Portland Elections Commission. |
| Ballot Measure #3 | Delete outdated, burdensome, and redundant requirements for franchise agreements. |
| Ballot Measure #4 |
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| Ballot Measure #5 |
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Proposals recommended to City Council:
With the six proposals being recommended to City Council (below), Council will decide whether to refer those recommendations to the ballot as-is, modify them, or do nothing.
| Recommended Proposal #1 | Remove the 5% cap on the City’s transient lodgings tax. |
|---|---|
| Recommended Proposal #2 | 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. |
| Recommended Proposal #3 | Establish meaningful public engagement as a core value of the City. |
| Recommended Proposal #4 | Require the City to create by ordinance a participatory budgeting program open to all residents. |
| Recommended Proposal #5 | Expand right to vote in City elections to the fullest extent allowed by law. |
| Recommended Proposal #6 | Create an Office of the Transparency Advocate. |
Help spread the word
You can use the content below to help spread the word. We ask that you do not change the text so we don't create confusion in community about our work.
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English:
Last month, the Charter Commission finished their two-year term wrapping up the charter review process. The Charter Commission voted to refer nine proposals to Portland voters in November 2024 and recommended six proposals to Portland City Council. To learn more, read the Charter Commission latest progress report here: download (portland.gov)
Spanish:
El mes pasado, La Comisión de estatutos de Portland terminó su mandato de dos años concluyendo el proceso de revisión de los estatutos. La Comisión de estatutos votó para mandar nueve propuestas a los votantes de Portland en noviembre de 2024 y recomendó seis propuestas al Concejo Municipal de Portland. Para obtener más información, lea el último informe de progreso de la Comisión de la Carta aquí: download (portland.gov)
English:
The Charter Commission finished their two-year term wrapping up the charter review process. The Charter Commission voted to refer nine proposals to Portland voters in November 2024 and recommended six proposals to Portland City Council. Learn more: download (portland.gov)
Spanish:
La Comisión de estatutos de Portland termino su mandato de dos años concluyendo el proceso de revisión de los estatutos. La Comisión de de estatutos votó para mandar nueve propuestas a los votantes de Portland en noviembre de 2024 y recomendó seis propuestas al Concejo Municipal de Portland. Aprende más: download (portland.gov)
English:
The Portland charter Commission will be presenting to City Council on January 23rd at 2pm! Sign-up to testify or submit public comments: www.portland.gov/councilclerk/engage-council.
Spanish:
¡La Comisión de estatutos de Portland presentará al Concejo Municipal el 23 de enero a las 2 p.m.! Regístrese para testificar o enviar comentarios públicos: download (portland.gov)
Phase I Transition Update
Two months after voters approved historic changes to Portland's charter, the transition to a new election system and form of government is already underway.
Visit the transition website at www.portland.gov/transition to sign up for transition updates and submit transition questions or comments.
Apply now to serve on the Salary Commission
The City is recruiting for the inaugural salary commission - a five member body authorized to set the salaries of the mayor, auditor and city councilors. We are seeking qualified human resource professionals with compensation experience to complete this work. Apply here by January 31, 2023. The commission will be nominated by the mayor and confirmed by council by March 15, 2023, and will be required to complete its work by August 1, 2023, with salaries taking effect January 1, 2025.
Independent District Commission & district maps
The Independent District Commission is responsible for establishing four geographic districts for city council elections. Almost 280 Portlanders applied to serve on the 13- member body. Commissioners will be appointed later this month.
Public comment is now open, submit public comments related to districting here.
The City of Portland transition team will send out a more detailed email update related to transition later this week.