September 23, 2026
Portland City Council — September 23-24, 2026 Council agenda
10 decisions explained in plain language.
Citywide
City accepts $207,411 state grant for police to stop street takeovers
This lets the city spend $207,411.35 from an Oregon Department of Transportation grant to fight street racing and street takeovers.
Decision: Passed with changes, 11 to 1. Two changes were added first: one passed 8 to 4 and one passed 12 to 0. It is an emergency ordinance, so it takes effect right away.
Details
The money pays for police overtime and equipment such as portable cameras to break up these events and charge people who break traffic laws. Council also moved $10,370.57 from a city reserve fund to the Office of Community Based Police Accountability.
Who it affects: People who take part in or live near street racing and takeover events, plus drivers, cyclists and walkers across the city.
Money: $207,411.35 in state grant money for police overtime, benefits, supplies and equipment. The Police Bureau adds $50,000 from its general fund as a required match. $10,370.57 moves from a city reserve fund to the Office of Community Based Police Accountability.
Next: The grant covers July 8, 2026, through September 30, 2026.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · No 1: Clark
Steps: September 16, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Passed as amended
Police get state grant for crash drones and electronic ticket printers
The city accepts $103,069 from the Oregon Department of Transportation's Traffic Safety Office for the Portland Police Bureau.
Decision: Passed as amended, 9 to 3. Council first approved a change proposed by Councilor Kanal, 7 to 5. It then added an emergency clause, 11 to 1, so the law takes effect right away and the items can be bought before the grant ends.
Details
The money buys crash investigation drones, a crash investigation computer, and mobile printers so officers can write tickets electronically instead of on paper. It also pays for officer training on these tools.
Who it affects: Drivers stopped by Portland police, and people near crash scenes where roads may be closed.
Money: $103,069 in state grant money for officer training time, mobile ticket printers and supplies, crash drones, and a crash computer. The Police Bureau adds $25,768 from its General Fund (the city's main budget) as a required match.
Next: Takes effect immediately. The grant period runs July 14, 2026 through September 30, 2026.
Yes 9: Koyama Lane, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Smith, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · No 3: Morillo, Avalos, Kanal
Steps: September 16, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Passed as amended
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.
Decision: Passed with a technical amendment, 12 to 0.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People and businesses in Portland that must follow fire safety rules, though the city expects little impact on residents.
Money: The city budget office expects no cost.
Next: Took effect as soon as council passed it.
Yes 12: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy
Council moves to make personal psychedelic use a low police priority
This new city law would make police treat personal, non-commercial use of natural psychedelic plants and mushrooms as a low priority.
Decision: Changed and moved forward to a second reading, a required second vote before it can become law. No vote count was given.
Details
Police would still enforce laws against illegal sales, impaired driving and other unsafe behavior. The goal is to focus police and health resources on trafficking and drugs linked to overdose deaths.
Who it affects: People in Portland who use natural psychedelic plants or mushrooms for personal, non-commercial reasons, and the police who enforce drug laws.
Money: The city expects little cost, mainly staff time to support an advisory group called the PPAC (meeting coordination, research and reports), paid for from existing budgets.
Next: Second reading on September 30, 2026 at 9:30 am.
Steps: September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → September 30, 2026: Passed as amended
Specific places or groups
Council lets new owner take over Zenith's fuel pipeline permit
Zenith Energy is selling its Portland fuel terminal to ISQ Springer Holdings.
Decision: Passed after a reconsideration vote. The council tied 6 to 6, and Mayor Wilson cast the deciding yes vote, making it 7 to 6.
Details
This ordinance lets Zenith hand over its franchise, the city permission to run a petroleum and renewable fuel pipeline under a limited part of city streets, to the buyer. The terms stay the same, and ISQ must follow all the same duties, including insurance and bonds.
Who it affects: People who live or work near the fuel terminal and its pipeline, and the terminal's workers, whom ISQ plans to keep on.
Money: No cost to the City. ISQ will pay the same franchise fees Zenith pays now.
Next: Within 30 days after the sale closes, ISQ must give the city proof of insurance and bonds and file a written acceptance. If it does not file the acceptance, the ordinance becomes void.
Yes 7: Novick, Clark, Zimmerman, Smith, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Wilson · No 6: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Green, Avalos, Kanal, Dunphy
Steps: September 2, 2026: Continued → September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026: Failed to pass → September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
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.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. One member was absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: Joseph Rios, who sued the city after a bicycle crash involving the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
Money: $125,000 from the city's Insurance and Claims Fund, a fund set aside to pay claims against the city. The full cost falls in the current budget year and does not change the budget.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
City may allow ads on Portland Streetcar benches and shelters
Right now, city code lets only TriMet sell ads on benches and shelters where people wait for transit.
Decision: Rescheduled to a later meeting at the September 23, 2026 meeting. The linked document is marked as passed, but no vote is listed for this meeting.
Details
This change would let the City, through the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), also sell ads on the benches and shelters it owns for the Portland Streetcar. PBOT plans to take over the streetcar ad contract when the current one ends in November 2026.
Who it affects: Streetcar riders, who may see ads at stops, and businesses that buy transit advertising.
Money: No cost to the City. Staff do not expect more ad revenue soon, but say it could help the streetcar ad program earn more over time.
Next: The current streetcar ad contract ends November 11, 2026, and PBOT plans to hold the next contract.
Steps: September 9, 2026: Rescheduled → September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Rescheduled → September 30, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 7, 2026: Passed
Fire department fees for permits and inspections set to rise
This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services so they cover more of the real cost.
Decision: Rescheduled to a later meeting at this session. City records list the ordinance as passed.
Details
It drops the permit fee for selling or storing fireworks, since the city banned fireworks in 2022, and adds new fees for fire system inspection, testing and maintenance and for a yearly laser display permit. It does not change fire safety rules.
Who it affects: People and businesses that apply for fire permits, inspections or plan reviews, such as builders, property owners, event organizers and businesses with hazardous materials.
Money: Fees will rise for some permits and inspections. The extra money will help pay for inspection, plan review and permit staff and costs, and reduce how much the city's General Fund (its main tax-supported budget) pays for these services. No specific amounts are given.
Next: New fees take effect after the Council passes the ordinance.
Steps: September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Rescheduled → September 30, 2026: Passed to second reading as amended → October 7, 2026: Passed as amended
Council weighs new limits on fuel storage in northwest Portland
This would further limit how much fuel the 11 existing fuel terminals in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub can store.
Decision: Continued to October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Spoken testimony is closed. Written testimony is accepted until October 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Details
The Hub is a six-mile strip along the Willamette River where most of Oregon's fuel is stored, on soil that can turn soft in a big earthquake. New tanks would have to meet the highest earthquake safety standards, and expanding fuel transfer equipment or adding a small amount of jet fuel storage (up to 5 percent per terminal) would need a special city review.
Who it affects: Fuel terminal operators in the CEI Hub and people who live or work near the Hub in northwest Portland.
Money: No new city spending. New reviews will use an existing city review fee.
Next: Council takes it up again October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. If passed, city staff must report on results by December 31, 2028.
Steps: September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Continued → September 30, 2026: Continued as amended
Council weighs cutting fuel storage at northwest Portland fuel tank hub
This proposed law would require the 11 big fuel terminals in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, a six-mile stretch along the Willamette River in northwest Portland, to cut their fuel storage capacity by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036.
Decision: Not voted on yet. The spoken testimony part is closed, and Council continued the item to October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Details
The goal is to lower the danger of tanks failing and spilling fuel in a major earthquake. Tanks used only for aviation fuel, regulated public utilities like NW Natural, and certain pipeline tanks would not have to cut.
Who it affects: It affects fuel terminal operators in the CEI Hub and people who live near the hub, including Linnton and parts of North Portland.
Money: The city estimates it will cost $10,000 in staff time to check each terminal's storage inventory, which would be covered by a new fee paid by operators. Fines for breaking the rules would go into a new fund for projects that reduce harm from the hub.
Next: Written comments are accepted until October 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm. Council takes up the item again on October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Steps: September 23, 2026 (this meeting): Continued → September 30, 2026: Continued as amended → October 7, 2026: Continued as amended
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