passed ordinance

Amend Code to align with the amended City Charter approved by voters in Portland Measure 26-228 (amend Code Titles 13 and 28, and replace Code Titles 14, 26, and 29)

elections government
code amendment

Department: City Government and Leadership
Introduced by: Former Mayor Ted Wheeler
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

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 13 Bees and Livestock, Title 14 Police and Public Order, Title 26 Electrical Regulations, Title 28 Floating Structures, and Title 29 Property Maintenance 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 Chapters which are either administrative in nature or severely outdated have been removed from the proposed code.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 impacts

This legislation aligns City Code with the amended City Charter and has no direct fiscal impact.

Economic impacts

Not applicable

Community impacts

Not applicable

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

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. Exhibit E for a new Title 29 will not include Chapter 29.45, Odor Off-Site Impact Standard because, through Ordinance No. 191961, Council approved a revised Chapter 29.45, which will be effective on March 1, 2025, at which point it will be incorporated into Title 29. The strikethrough/underline versions of edits for Titles 14, 26 and 29, which are being replaced, are included with this ordinance as supplemental attachments. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: Amend City Code Title 13 as shown in Exhibit A. Replace City Code Title 14 as shown in Exhibit B Replace City Code Title 26 as shown in Exhibit C. Amend City Code Title 28 as shown in Exhibit D. Replace City Code Title 29 as shown in Exhibit E.

Tally

5 yea 0 nay