[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6401134,"mediaKeyId","2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd","parentId",2066116,"title","Public speakers press council for shelters, crime response and transparency on police payouts","audioSeconds",559,"startMs",2296000,"endMs",2855000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd&start=2296&end=2855","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd/thumbnail_2296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6401134/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Public-speakers-press-council-for-shelters-crime-response-and-transparency-on-police-payouts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401134-3cc933920d91053d49cd1149bb2b3864/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394772&Signature=alhqHQ1oke99ipn1N22rAXmiY9PUw95mNnAtB-waVKcVuHejjRu2NQVGWvVeL2CMmVrefPMWko9m4ewp11D4M34Z8H65NuqwfrTWwc9cTX-7jn-HnvebVdnjCwYHXF6GBLz9gwuU-FV74TzD2gFEECb1WXiwkevGoseoN1oj9kKGUhT9FmInmfBG9X1D6Wd9ZrmdVwN6W~9wDtj5gLixBwyxmRaFAfmpbm5fvKneZ5K7oqDxjXQKAxJkksS8aK7e0Fmr-54rYENE5n-Gt1dPiEUyx6qjDaaYtTMZlI2tC7WrgL7K73cJ-LAAYERFYREs92~6ucKcA~LNYrl2S~w0MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Portland, OR","date","2025-01-04T00:32:33.443Z","article","Multiple public speakers at the Jan. 2 Portland City Council meeting urged immediate action on homelessness, expanded shelter capacity and clearer accountability for police misconduct and settlement transparency.

A business owner near Providence Park described repeated shoplifting, vandalism and threats, saying her store suffered thousands of dollars in losses and that employees regularly face harassment. The speaker asked for stronger enforcement, suggested outsourcing some enforcement work to private security and stressed penalties for repeat offenders.

Corey Seamer, describing lived experience with addiction-related homelessness, told the council that “addiction related homelessness is directly linked to the public safety issues in my neighborhood,” and urged the council to continue outreach while also addressing criminal behavior tied to active substance use. He said enforcement and the availability of overnight shelter beds should be part of the response.

Dan Handelman of Portland Cop Watch urged transparency around settlements for police misconduct, noting a charter change that gives the city administrator authority to resolve lawsuits under a higher threshold. Handelman said it is “imperative” that the council ensure transparency about the cost of police misconduct so the public can see how taxpayer dollars are used and so underlying policies can be reviewed.

Health care and community representatives also testified. Eric Weiser, a physician and board member of Neighborhood House, said housing-first approaches must be combined with “wraparound” services — including health care, mental health and case management — to address the root causes of unsheltered homelessness. Peyton Chapman urged the council to “center children and families” in planning for safe public spaces and community facilities in the city.

Councilors acknowledged the testimony and said they will work with the mayor and county on shelter capacity, outreach strategies and public safety responses. Several councilors also pressed for a governance approach that balances urgent operational needs with long-term public engagement and oversight.

Why it matters: Public testimony captured the intersection of homelessness, addiction, public safety and business concerns in Portland neighborhoods. Speakers pressed the city for both immediate beds and longer-term services and policy changes, and for greater public transparency on police-related payouts.

What’s next: Council members said they will pursue follow-up with bureaus and with the mayor’s office on shelter openings, outreach and enforcement strategies; multiple speakers said they would continue to press county and city leaders for resources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portland City Council Regular Meeting 01/02/25","oneSentenceSummary","Public testimony at the Jan. 2 Portland City Council meeting focused on homelessness, public safety and business impacts: business owners described repeated theft and violence, advocates pressed for transparency on police misconduct settlements, and health and community leaders urged wraparound services alongside shelter capacity.","taxTitle","Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon","taxId",2765,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6401139,"After multiple ballots and legal questions, council elects Pearl Guinea as first council president; Koyama Lane chosen vice president",4604,6149000,10753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd&start=6149&end=10753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd/thumbnail_6149000.jpg","/articles/6401139/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/After-multiple-ballots-and-legal-questions-council-elects-Pearl-Guinea-as-first-council-president-Koyama-Lane-chosen-vice-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401139-447ca61646937b74a24042b0595dfc39/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394772&Signature=MGumFXCPGJdF2J5Dj1SIL1di97JQHlVuN2eNHw1hR4pVdGoYno4aWpA3PzY2sLRfVdQWXis1NR6XH6rkLYH-DxtNlyXkkjU8X-jK9lCiBWWiAXD4Ix4ic4J7hxby5Gnlf4D4l29ylYAXHuwq6fG2d0DbSvhTbj~AtD1HL8X1TcFKkDcNcBaaidfJg8XT6mg7ACHHR5AZVofZRsvL-FdSRbId7BkBZTovNq~DgKvuhblKUzAhuqjufTPJrY3PwFk2g~6VSurM6P1FSb-VW8yaHKusqsAQVU6zXwatFYyewx5EAMkgPVHvxAhJ7vG4AZjCSohTPDDtyxFGcol6MbEEnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After more than four hours of nominations, debate and roll-call voting on Jan. 2, 2025, the Portland City Council elected Councilor Pertle Guinea as council president and Councilor Koyama Lane as vice president.

The election required multiple rounds of ballots. Early rounds produced repeated 6–6 ties between nominees; that deadlock prompted a contested legal question about whether the mayor could cast a tie-breaking vote in the internal election. City Attorney Robert Taylor advised the council that the charter “reserves that decision solely to the 12 members who are present,” concluding that “the mayor is not authorized to cast a vote in the election for Council President and Vice President because the mayor is not a member of council and is not one of the councilors present at the meeting where this election occurs.”

A motion on the floor to adopt a rule allowing the mayor to break tie votes failed. The council then continued balloting. After several additional rounds of nominations and votes, the council recorded a final tally in which Councilor Pertle Guinea received a majority of votes present and was declared elected council president. The clerk announced that Councilor Avalos received five votes and Councilor Pertle Guinea received seven votes; a majority was achieved and the clerk declared Pertle Guinea elected.

After the presidency was decided, the council elected Councilor Koyama Lane as vice president. The roll-call vote for vice president recorded Koyama Lane receiving 12 votes; the clerk announced that Koyama Lane received 12 votes and the council confirmed the choice.

The election process included extended deliberations and public attention. Council debate touched on expectations for the president’s role, power sharing across the enlarged 12-member body, and whether the council should adopt a sunset for its initial rules to allow later revision. Several councilors emphasized the need for a president who will promote collaboration and ensure that the newly restructured city government remains accessible to neighborhoods across Portland.

Why it matters: The council president has responsibility for setting and organizing agenda flow, and the election establishes leadership for the council as it moves to form committees and begin substantive work under the city’s new charter. The close votes and legal questions illustrate how the new structure will require the council to make precedent-setting procedural choices early in the term.

What’s next: With a president and vice president in place, the council will proceed to form committees and assign leadership roles consistent with Chapter 3.02 and the rules it is developing. The council also scheduled a second reading on code amendments for Jan. 15, 2025.","Following repeated rounds of voting and a legal dispute over whether the mayor could break tie votes, the expanded Portland City Council elected Councilor Pertle Guinea as council president by majority and Councilor Koyama Lane as vice president (unanimous).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6401144,"Council approves first reading of narrow amendments to council organization code",5361,773000,6134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd&start=773&end=6134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2066116-dedd4e1029cc88b498e80d22752cffcd/thumbnail_773000.jpg","/articles/6401144/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Council-approves-first-reading-of-narrow-amendments-to-council-organization-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401144-df6b79fbc73443f3968dddde688ccd42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394772&Signature=GI391Si3SLq7lQzvQgHuopG4Ibt7Tn12ptnIKp24uEPyO8UvXxOcZQckk7oBawpdNnkf1HJGI0SNDwoTGufviVVpC5NhfOIbYz74Y2S3QwJfceT~4fymTFqG15eUIa9Zjoysatwn4stOqQvzYUnDDFBXYOAsrnJ-aDIHzXYw0nTWEN3NNob2MaBLzO7CKmQYP1vi9xZCObwVPguhTTWpQDUTp2XeFBIqjlLFccX0jkNzYfvh4192MVJUumBkrbIiH2a-1RZYFwDCVcVLIbZG9VyNKQSY~uuQEc1Qmk57-OD1tAZKsfYnIF~85t46ufMAaE~9Uq60I5kHNuFqFzCuGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland City Council on Jan. 2, 2025 approved on first reading a package of short-term amendments to Chapter 3.02 of the city code intended to make council processes more accessible and to clarify roles while a longer rules review proceeds.

City Attorney Robert Taylor introduced the item and turned the floor to the ordinance sponsor, Councilor Kunal, who described the measure as “a narrow compromise measure, a short term fix designed to ensure that we're able to operate in a way that's more accessible and easy for the public to participate, more transparent for community members to know what's going on and ultimately more responsive to Portlanders.” He said the ordinance is intended as a “patch” while a broader, deliberative rules process continues.

The ordinance makes several procedural changes that the sponsor said will streamline how items move to committee, clarify the auditor's and president's roles in setting agendas, and remove a district requirement for committee membership. Councilor Zimmerman, who also spoke in introduction, said the changes are designed to protect the structural changes in the charter and allow the enlarged council to operate as an equal body.

Councilors approved two amendments to the draft ordinance before moving it to second reading. Councilor Zimmerman moved to amend Exhibit A, section 3.02.020.b.4 by striking the words “complete items” and replacing them with “items that meet the administrative requirements.” Councilor Ryan seconded; the amendment was adopted by roll-call—each councilor present answered “Aye”—and the chair declared the amendment approved.

A second amendment changed language in Exhibit A, section 3.02.050.a.2 to make committee membership nominations start from the council president’s proposal, with the council resolution to affirm that proposal. Councilor Zimmerman moved and Councilor Novick seconded. The amendment passed on roll-call and was announced as approved.

Several members of the public and advisory groups spoke during the public testimony period. Terry Harris, identifying himself as a member of the Government Transition Advisory Committee but testifying in his personal capacity, urged the council to retain district representation on standing committees and to consult GTAC research on legislative frameworks. Dan Handelman of Portland Cop Watch asked the council to “codify in a document ... that any cases of police misconduct … be placed on the agenda for council approval,” citing a charter change that shifts settlement authority and a concern that smaller payouts could be resolved without council review.

Council discussion after testimony included multiple councilors urging a sunset or review clause for any short-term rules so the council can revisit them after public engagement. Councilors said they want rules that enable public access and committee work while preserving deliberative review.

Because the ordinance was filed as nonemergency, the council took a first reading only. The item passed to a second reading, as amended, on Jan. 15, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.; the council may consider adding an emergency clause at second reading to make changes effective immediately upon adoption.

Why it matters: The changes alter how the council will route items to committees and how the council president sets agendas, shaping who can bring items forward and how quickly. Councilors and multiple public speakers urged safeguards—such as district representation on committees and a sunset clause—so short-term changes do not set permanent precedent without broader public input.

What’s next: The ordinance returns for a second reading on Jan. 15, 2025; that session may include additional amendments or an emergency clause to change the effective date.","Portland City Council approved, on first reading, a package of short-term revisions to Chapter 3.02 of the city code intended to clarify committee assignment, agenda flow and the president's role; councilors approved two amendments and the ordinance moves to a second reading on Jan. 15, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

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Public speakers press council for shelters, crime response and transparency on police payouts

After multiple ballots and legal questions, council elects Pearl Guinea as first council president; Koyama Lane chosen vice president

Council approves first reading of narrow amendments to council organization code