City government
Council decisions about city government: 24 decisions. Map ›
October 2026
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City picks a different way to hire builders for streetcar extension
This lets the city skip the usual rule of hiring the lowest bidder to build the Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension. Instead, the city will ask builders for proposals and pick one to help during design and then build the project. This hiring method is called Construction Manager/General Contractor. The extension will carry the streetcar north on NW 23rd Avenue to new one-way tracks on NW Roosevelt and NW Wilson streets.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Passed, 12 to 0. · District 4
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City joins state and county in new group to oversee Moda Center
This lets the city sign an agreement with the State of Oregon and Multnomah County to create the Oregon Arena Joint Authority. This new group will oversee planning, paying for and running a proposed public renovation of the city-owned Moda Center. A state law requires this group before state money for the renovation can be used.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Passed, 8 to 4. An earlier motion by Councilor Green to change the item's impact statement failed, 5 to 7. · District 2
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Council names three city staff to oversee Moda Center renovation money
The council confirmed three city staff members to a new seven-member board called the Oregon Arena Joint Authority. The board, set up by the state, the city and Multnomah County, will watch over how public money is spent to renovate the city-owned Moda Center. The three are City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III, Building Official Natalie Didion and City Budget Office Deputy Director Brian Connell.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Confirmed, 12 to 0. · District 2
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Council moves to ban concealed handguns in some city meeting buildings
Guns are already banned in City buildings, but people with a concealed handgun license have had a legal excuse, called an affirmative defense, that protected them. This change removes that excuse in certain City buildings used for official meetings, as a 2025 state law (SB 243) now allows. The City Administrator will set rules naming the buildings, post signs at entrances and on the City website, and use warnings and removal from the building before calling police.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Changed and sent to a second reading, which is a later vote. No vote count was given.
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Council opposes laws that would block climate lawsuits against oil companies
This resolution states that Portland opposes any federal or state law that would shield fossil fuel companies from lawsuits over climate change costs. It also says Portland supports the right of cities, counties, tribes and states to sue or pass laws to hold those companies responsible for climate harms. A resolution is a formal statement of the council's position; this one does not file a lawsuit or spend money.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Adopted, 11 to 0. Councilor Zimmerman was absent. · District 3
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Council moves fall budget update forward to a final vote
This is the city's yearly fall budget update. It changes how much money is set aside in 69 city funds, based on how much money was left over when last fiscal year closed. It also changes the number of city jobs and sets starting budget targets for next year's General Fund, the city's main pot of money for basic services.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Council changed the ordinance with an amendment from Councilor Dunphy, 9 to 1. Smith voted no, and Zimmerman and Morillo were absent. The ordinance then moved to a second reading, the final step before a vote.
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City plans a savings cushion for swings in business tax money
This law would move the City's financial planning rules into City Code. It would also create a new savings fund for the Business License Tax, a tax on businesses that makes up close to 30 percent of the City's main general budget. That tax money rises and falls a lot from year to year, and the savings fund is meant to cover those swings.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Passed to second reading. No final vote yet.
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Council sets the schedule for building next year's city budget
This sets the timeline the City Council will follow to build the city budget for the year starting July 2027. It includes planned public hearings and community listening sessions on the budget in each council district. It also sets council break dates for 2027 and changes some committee meeting dates to fit the budget work.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Passed, 10 to 0, with 2 members absent. Before the final vote, the council changed the calendar details (Exhibits A and B) in a 9 to 1 vote.
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City picks a different way to hire builder for NW streetcar extension
This lets the city skip the usual rule of hiring the lowest bidder to build the Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension. Instead, the city will ask companies for proposals and choose a Construction Manager/General Contractor, a builder who helps during design and then builds the project. The streetcar would run along NW 23rd Avenue north of NW Northrup Street to new one-way routes on NW Roosevelt and NW Wilson streets.
City of Portland · October 14, 2026 · Moved forward to a second reading, a required second council vote. No vote count was given. · District 4
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City starts process to consider pausing commercial drone facility construction
State law says the city must warn a state land-use agency 45 days before it can adopt a moratorium, which is a temporary ban on building. This vote tells the City Attorney to send that notice about facilities that support commercial drones. It does not create a ban or change any building rules; it also lets the Council President handle related paperwork and legal steps, but not decide on the ban.
City of Portland · October 14, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One councilor was absent.
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City moves toward joint state-county group to oversee Moda Center renovation
This lets the City Administrator sign an agreement with the State of Oregon and Multnomah County to create the Oregon Arena Joint Authority. This new group would oversee planning, paying for, renovating and running the city-owned Moda Center. State law requires this group before state money for the renovation can be used.
City of Portland · October 14, 2026 · Moved to a second reading, a required later vote, on October 21, 2026. No vote count was given. · District 2
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Council delays naming city's three members to Moda Center oversight board
The Mayor asked council to name three city staff members to the Oregon Arena Joint Authority. This is a new seven-member board set up by the state, city and Multnomah County to oversee public money for renovating the city-owned Moda Center. The proposed picks are City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III, Building Official Natalie Didion, and City Budget Office Deputy Director Brian Connell.
City of Portland · October 14, 2026 · Delayed to October 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm. No vote was taken. · District 2
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Proposal to ban concealed handguns in some city meeting buildings, vote rescheduled
Guns are already banned in City buildings, but people with a state concealed handgun license can use that license as a legal defense if they carry one there. This change would remove that defense in certain City buildings where official government meetings happen. The City Administrator would pick the buildings, post signs at their entrances and list them on the City website.
City of Portland · October 14, 2026 · Rescheduled. No vote was taken.
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City plans to end permits for pinball machines and pool tables
This would end a city rule, dating to about 1929, that makes businesses get a yearly permit for amusement devices like pinball machines and pool tables. The 199 businesses that hold these permits would no longer need to apply each year or pay the fees. The repeal would take effect December 31, 2026.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Moved forward to a second reading, a required later vote before it becomes final. No vote count was given.
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Plan to bar concealed handgun license holders' guns in some city buildings
Guns are already banned in many City buildings, but people with a concealed handgun license have had a legal excuse (called an "affirmative defense") if caught carrying one. A 2025 state law lets cities remove that excuse in buildings used for official government meetings. This proposal would remove it in certain City buildings, with signs at entrances and a list of buildings posted on the City website.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Rescheduled to a later meeting. No vote was taken.
September 2026
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City pays $125,000 to settle bicycle crash injury lawsuit
The city will pay $125,000 to Joseph Rios to end his lawsuit over injuries from a July 17, 2023 bicycle crash involving the Portland Bureau of Transportation. City lawyers said the city could lose if the case went to a jury, so they recommended settling. Because it is an emergency ordinance, it takes effect right away.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One member was absent.
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Portland updates its fire safety rules to match new state code
This updates Portland's fire safety rules to follow the 2025 Oregon Fire Code, which is based on the 2024 International Fire Code. Portland runs its own fire rules, so the city must adopt the state code itself, with some local changes and clearer wording. Because it is an emergency ordinance, it takes effect right away instead of after the usual waiting period.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Passed with a technical amendment, 12 to 0.
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Council confirms business owner to homelessness oversight committee
Omar K. Salomon joins the committee that sets goals and tracks progress for the homelessness response system run jointly by Portland and Multnomah County. He fills the seat for a business sector representative, which has no vote. He owns XoCOTL, a juice and smoothie bar, and once worked for the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Confirmed, 11 to 0, with 1 member absent. · District 1, District 3
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City creates new Data and Privacy Officer job and sets its pay
This creates a new city job called City Data and Privacy Officer. The person will set up and run a new city office that handles how the city protects, shares and manages its data and people's privacy. The job is "non-represented," which means it is not part of a union.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0, with one member (Smith) absent.
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City creates new spokesperson job for the City Council
Creates a new city job called Council Public Information Officer. This person will speak for the City Council, handle news media, share public information, manage messaging in emergencies and help with community outreach. The job is "non-represented," meaning it is not part of a union.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent.
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City moves to foreclose on troubled NE Sandy Blvd property over unpaid liens
The City will start foreclosure to sell 7545 NE Sandy Blvd because the owner has not paid City liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed. These liens came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and related enforcement at a vacant, distressed property that the City says has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One member (Smith) was absent. · District 3
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City moves to foreclose on troubled property on SE Division Street
The city will start foreclosure to sell 7101–7103 SE Division St because the owner has not paid city liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed; these came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and other enforcement. The city says the vacant property has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One member, Smith, was absent. · District 3
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City moves to foreclose on troubled NE Alberta Street property over unpaid liens
The City will start foreclosure to sell 2734-2738 NE Alberta St because the owner has not paid City liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed. These liens came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and other enforcement, and the City says the property has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent. · District 2
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Council asks city leaders to keep data center deals public
The council asks the City Administrator and other city leaders not to sign secret agreements (non-disclosure agreements) about data centers. It asks that the council be told when anyone seeks early meetings or permits for a data center using 20 megawatts of power or more. It also says the council plans to pursue a pause or zoning limits on very large "hyperscale" data centers as soon as possible.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0, with Councilor Smith absent. A proposed change by Councilor Zimmerman failed, 4 to 7.