Sam Baraso

The morning session included recognition for two United States Presidential Scholarship semi-finalists from Portland. Public testimony focused heavily on two major issues. The first concerned neighborhood safety, including issues of trespassers, vandalism, and crime related to a specific property, with a request for quicker owner accountability and potential demolition. The second concerned wage advocacy for direct service workers at community-based organizations (CBOs), emphasizing that current salaries are below local living wages, leading to worker vulnerability and high turnover. Speakers requested policy actions to ensure CBOs can pay living wages, noting that while some funds were allocated for wage increases for the Joint Office of Homeless Services, further commitment is needed. Another speaker addressed receiving notices from the Portland Department of Revenue regarding assumed back taxes and fines, asserting they live outside the jurisdiction and have no business dealings within Portland or Multnomah County.

The primary focus of this work session was Public Safety in Portland, specifically reviewing several initiatives by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). The discussion heavily featured data concerning stolen vehicle operations, which utilize evidence-based practices developed in collaboration with Oregon State University (OSU) researchers. Key metrics highlighted the increased efficiency of identifying and recovering stolen vehicles and the nexus found between stolen vehicles and illegally possessed firearms. The session also noted a significant year-over-year decrease in reported stolen vehicles. Commissioners expressed strong support for expanding the pilot program citywide and discussed funding mechanisms, including overtime budgets and federal grants. A related discussion touched upon reviewing the city's pursuit policy to address potential gaps compared to neighboring jurisdictions regarding stolen vehicles.

The meeting was a work session focused on addressing the historic housing crisis and the difficulty cost-burdened renters face in paying rent, including water and sewer services. The discussion centered on proposed changes to the financial assistance program administered by the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services. Key goals driving the proposals include targeting resources to those most in need, reaching multifamily renters who lack direct water bureau accounts, and sharpening existing tools to reduce shutoffs for low-income customers. The presenters highlighted extensive collaboration with nonprofit partners, the Portland Utility Board, and the Oregon Citizens Utility Board to develop innovative solutions. The session reviewed the history of existing discount and assistance programs, such as the Low Income Discount Program (LINC), the Crisis Voucher Program, the Fixture Repair Program, and the Utility Safety Net Program, noting that the new proposals aim to extend benefits to renters.

The afternoon session of the Portland City Council meeting focused heavily on continuing discussions related to the Central City 2035 plan amendments. Key discussions included providing background on maximum building heights and Floor Area Ratios (FAR), which included how extra height is incorporated to manage challenges posed by small, alley-less blocks. The council reviewed the proposal to adopt various components of the Central City 2035 plan, including action charts and green concept reports. A significant agenda item addressed Commissioner Fritz's request concerning property ownership within the West Quadrant Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), involving a review of disclosures and a map showing height increases or decreases overlaid with property ownership data relative to buildable lands inventory. Additionally, the council began reviewing amendments concerning Height and FAR, specifically addressing a proposal to restore existing height limits (460 feet) in a six-block area near the Rosalind Theatre along the transit mall, counter to staff's proposal to reduce heights.

The meeting served as a work session, following an executive session, to discuss cost and legal implications related to the Class Comp study prior to council adoption on September 5th. Key discussions focused on the history of the Classification and Compensation (Class Comp) study, which began in Fall 2014, including the creation and approval of individual position descriptions and the subsequent development of new classification specifications. The presentation detailed the transition from 450 non-represented classifications to approximately 100, and the shift from 17 pay grades to 12 broader pay rates, including a new entry-level grade. Furthermore, the process for market compensation research using public sector comparators in the Pacific Northwest was explained, alongside the methodology for creating the new compensation structure, emphasizing work descriptions over job titles. A significant topic involved the determination of FLSA exempt versus non-exempt employee status based on new position descriptions, leading to discussions about management adjustments. The council also reviewed the financial implications of the new structure, noting that the initial implementation is designed to be budget neutral, with only 11 out of over 1,600 employees falling above the new maximum pay rate.