September 16, 2026
Portland City Council — September 16, 2026 Council agenda
13 decisions explained in plain language.
Citywide
Council confirms business owner to homelessness oversight committee
Omar K.
Decision: Confirmed, 11 to 0, with 1 member absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People experiencing homelessness and Portland businesses, whose views this seat is meant to bring to the committee.
Next: His one-year term ends September 30, 2027.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
City creates new Data and Privacy Officer job and sets its pay
This creates a new city job called City Data and Privacy Officer.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0, with one member (Smith) absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: Mostly city government, which will have a new office overseeing how city departments handle data and privacy.
Money: Creating the job has no direct cost. Pay for the job ranges from $150,550.40 to $218,296.00 a year ($72.38 to $104.95 an hour). Staff recommend paying for it through the shared overhead costs that all city departments split.
Next: The pay range takes effect as soon as the council passes it.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
State grant pays police overtime to stop street racing and takeovers
The city accepts $207,411.35 from the Oregon Department of Transportation's traffic safety office.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading on September 23, 2026. No vote count was given.
Details
The money pays Portland Police overtime to break up and prevent street racing and street takeover events, and buys equipment like deployable cameras. These events have blocked emergency access, and the city says 12 homicides since 2021 were linked to them.
Who it affects: Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians across Portland, and people who take part in or watch street racing and takeover events.
Money: $207,411.35 in state grant money for police overtime, benefits, supplies and equipment. Police will add $50,000 from their regular city budget as a required match. The ordinance also moves $10,370.57 from the city's reserve fund to the Office of Community Based Police Accountability.
Next: Second reading on September 23, 2026 at 9:30 am. The grant period runs July 8 to September 30, 2026.
Steps: September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → September 23, 2026: Passed as amended
Police get $103,069 state grant for traffic tickets and crash drones
This lets the city spend a $103,069 state grant on Portland Police traffic work.
Decision: Moved to a second reading on September 23, 2026. The listing shows the ordinance as passed, but no vote count was given.
Details
It pays for officer training, printers to write tickets electronically instead of on paper, drones to document crash scenes, and a computer for crash investigations. The goal is shorter traffic stops, faster crash scene work so roads reopen sooner, and better data to guide enforcement.
Who it affects: Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in Portland, and police officers who do traffic stops and crash investigations.
Money: $103,069 from the Oregon Department of Transportation's Traffic Safety Office for training, ticket printers and supplies, crash drones and a computer. The Police Bureau adds $25,768 from its general fund as a required match.
Next: Second reading on September 23, 2026 at 9:30 am. It is an emergency ordinance, which means it takes effect as soon as it passes. The grant period ends September 30, 2026.
Steps: September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → September 23, 2026: Passed as amended
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.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0, with Councilor Smith absent. A proposed change by Councilor Zimmerman failed, 4 to 7.
Details
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.
Who it affects: Portland residents who want a say in whether large data centers are built in the city, and companies that may seek to build them.
Next: The council says it intends to pursue a moratorium or zoning limits on hyperscale data centers at the earliest time; no date was given.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Rescheduled → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Adopted as amended
Specific places or groups
City creates new spokesperson job for the City Council
Creates a new city job called Council Public Information Officer.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People who get news and information from the City Council, and the staff of the Office of Council Operations.
Money: Pay range is $102,856 to $133,619.20 a year full time ($49.45 to $64.24 an hour). The city says creating the job title itself has no direct cost.
Next: The pay range takes effect now that the Council has passed it.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
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.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. One member (Smith) was absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: The owner and others with a legal interest in 7545 NE Sandy Blvd, and neighbors living near the property.
Money: The City expects to recover about $20,495.06 from the sale, as of June 30, 2026. This covers the unpaid liens and the costs of the sale, collection and foreclosure. The actual amount may differ.
Next: The City Treasurer will begin foreclosure proceedings to sell the property. After the sale, the owner or anyone with an interest in the property has 90 days to get it back by paying the redemption price to the City Treasurer.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City moves to foreclose on troubled Sandy Boulevard property over unpaid liens
The city will start foreclosure on 7545 NE Sandy Blvd to collect unpaid city liens, which are debts tied to the property for code violations and nuisance cleanup.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. One council member (Smith) was absent.
Details
The city says the vacant, run-down property has caused problems for neighbors and drawn many police calls. The city plans to sell the property to recover what it is owed.
Who it affects: The owner of 7545 NE Sandy Blvd, anyone with a financial interest in it, and nearby neighbors.
Money: The city expects to recover about $9,727.43 from the sale, as of June 30, 2026. This covers the liens, the cost of the sale, and collection and foreclosure costs. The actual amount may differ.
Next: The City Treasurer will begin foreclosure proceedings to sell the property. After the sale, the owner or others with an interest have 90 days to get the property back by paying the amount owed.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City moves to foreclose on N Columbia Blvd property over unpaid fines
The City will start foreclosure on a property on N Columbia Blvd because the owner has not paid City liens.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. One member, Smith, was absent.
Details
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 vacant, distressed property has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
Who it affects: The property owner, anyone with a financial interest in the property, and neighbors near the N Columbia Blvd property.
Money: The City expects to recover about $12,754.37 from the sale, as of June 30, 2026. This covers the unpaid liens plus the costs of the sale, collection and foreclosure. The actual amount may differ.
Next: The City Treasurer will begin foreclosure proceedings to sell the property. After the sale, the owner or anyone with an interest in the property has 90 days to get it back by paying the redemption price.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
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.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. One member, Smith, was absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: The property owner, anyone with a financial interest in the property, and neighbors near 7101–7103 SE Division St.
Money: The city expects to recover about $430,219.01 from the sale, as of June 30, 2026. This covers unpaid liens, sale costs and collection and foreclosure costs. The actual amount may differ.
Next: The City Treasurer will begin foreclosure proceedings to sell the property. After the sale, the owner or others with an interest have 90 days to get the property back by paying the redemption price.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City moves to foreclose on problem property at 5706 SE Lambert St
The city will start foreclosure to sell a vacant, distressed property at 5706 SE Lambert St because the owner has not paid city liens.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent.
Details
A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed; these came from code violations, nuisance cleanups and similar enforcement. The city says the property has caused major problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
Who it affects: The owner and others with a legal interest in 5706 SE Lambert St, and neighbors who live near it.
Money: The city expects to recover about $13,503 from the sale, as of June 30, 2026, to cover the unpaid liens and the costs of collection and the sale. The actual amount may differ.
Next: The City Treasurer will begin foreclosure proceedings to sell the property. After the sale, the owner or anyone with an interest in the property has 90 days to get it back by paying what is owed.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
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.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: The owner and others with an interest in the property at 2734-2738 NE Alberta St, and neighbors who live near it.
Money: The City expects to recover about $105,627.81 from the sale, based on liens as of June 30, 2026. This covers the liens owed plus the costs of the sale, collection and foreclosure. The actual amount may differ.
Next: The City Treasurer will begin foreclosure proceedings to sell the property. After the sale, the owner or anyone with an interest in the property has 90 days to get it back by paying the redemption price.
Yes 11: Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
Steps: September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
Council rejects transfer of fuel pipeline permit to Zenith's buyer
Zenith Energy is selling its Portland fuel terminal to ISQ Springer Holdings.
Decision: Failed, 5 to 6, with one member absent. A motion to reconsider the vote is still pending. The council voted 8 to 4 to put off the vote on reconsidering until next week.
Details
Zenith holds a franchise, which is city permission to run a petroleum pipeline under a limited part of city streets. This ordinance would have let the new owner take over that franchise with the same terms, fees and duties.
Who it affects: It affects the companies in the sale and people who follow activity at the fuel terminal and the nearby Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, the area where much of the region's fuel is stored.
Money: No cost to the city. The new owner would pay the same franchise fees Zenith pays now.
Next: The council is set to take up the motion to reconsider next week.
Steps: September 2, 2026: Continued → September 9, 2026: Passed to second reading → September 16, 2026 (this meeting): Failed to pass → September 23, 2026: Passed
Written by AI from the official record and checked automatically. How this works