AMENDS CHARTER: DEFINES MISSION, INCREASES OVERSIGHT OF PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
QUESTION: Shall the Portland Development Commission budget be subject to City Council oversight with financial and performance audits by City Auditor?
SUMMARY : Under the current Charter, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) is the City's urban renewal agency. This measure directs PDC to implement the City's urban renewal, affordable housing and economic development vision and goals. If authorized by state law, the Council will be the budget committee for the Commission. The Commission budget will be required to incorporate City goals and will be submitted to the Council in conjunction and conformity with the City budget process. The measure provides that the Commission shall advance social equity, involve the constituencies of the City, and promote home ownership and the creation and retention of multi-family housing.
The measure authorizes the Mayor to appoint and remove PDC Commissioners, with approval of the City Council. The measure provides that the Commission shall be subject to financial and performance audits by the City Auditor. The measure requires that the annual Commission report to Council include an evaluation of Commission activities with respect to City adopted vision and goals. The measure would be effective July 1, 2007.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure is one of four recommendations by the 26 citizen-member Charter Review Commission.
It gives authority to the City Auditor to conduct financial and performance audits of the Portland Development Commission and provides budget oversight by the City Council.
Background
In November 2005, Portland City Council appointed a panel of 26 Portlanders to take the first comprehensive look at the City Charter since 1913. This independent volunteer citizen committee – the Charter Review Commission – represented a wide range of ages, ethnicities, experiences and backgrounds.
To facilitate its work, the Commission held over 100 public meetings, collected information from a variety of sources, including review of written reports, invited testimony from legal and academic experts, and public testimony, including:
- Testimony from current and former elected officials of Portland and other municipalities, City employees, community organizations, neighborhood associations and other stakeholder groups and individuals;
- Testimony of outside experts in government studies and public administration; and
- A survey of comparably-sized cities.
What does the measure do?
The Portland Development Commission has a $250 million budget and is responsible for implementing the City's vision and goals relating to urban renewal, economic development and affordable housing. Additionally the Portland Development Commission has been directed to involve the constituencies of the city to create, maintain, and promote a diverse, sustainable community in which economic prosperity, quality housing and employment opportunities are made available to all residents.
The measure:
- Provides that the Portland Development Commission shall be subject to financial and performance audits by the City Auditor;
- Provides that the Portland Development Commission's budget will be subject to City Council oversight;
- Requires the Portland Development Commission to report its progress on meeting urban renewal economic development and housing goals to the Council each fiscal year; and
- Requires the Portland Development Commission to involve the constituencies of the City in promoting home ownership and the creation and retention of multi-family housing.
The measure helps define the mission of the Portland Development Commission and provides City Council with budget oversight and City Auditor with more authority to review the Portland Development Commission's work.
If passed, the measure will be effective July 1, 2007.
Submitted by:
Mayor Tom Potter
City of Portland
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
PARENTS, TEACHERS, ACCOUNTANTS, RETIREES, COLLEGE STUDENTS, PARKS SUPPORTERS,
SCHOOL ADVOCATES, CONSER VAT IONISTS, GRANDPARENTS, AFFORDABLE ACCESSIBLE HOUSING ADVOCATES, SMALL BUSINESSES, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, SENIORS……
WE ARE CITIZENS TO REFORM CITY HALL*
David Martinez
Lisa Naito
Melanie C. Davis
Clara Padilla Andrews
Andrew S. Estrada
Steffeni Mendoza Gray
Sen. Margaret Carter
Philip H. Lowthian
Jackie Lowthian
Marta Guembes
Vaughn De Lorean
Patricia McCaig
James Vukanovich
Mahhew Aasen
Brieanna Wilson
William David Shepherd
Grant L. Jones
Barbara Joan Hansen
Jacqueline Mercer
Jaime Lim
Barbara J. Trachtenberg
Dana Estrada
Nichole Maher
Bruce Harder
Kyle Chown
Sherry Fishman
Allyson Spencer
Robert Schmaling
Teresa M. Bliven
Scott Andrews
Janet Campbell
Jay Clark
John L. Trachtenberg
Kilong Ung
Namrata Singh
Maren T. Walta
Herbert Hansen
Becky Bilyeu
Beverly Newton
Bob Ball
Karin Hansen
Jamey Hampton
Shirley Minor
Michaela Bancud
Linda Castillo
Steve Oster
Rodney Page
Scott Floyd
Tom Potter
Linda L. Martin
Kyle Harrington
Carolina Perkins
Skye Bordcosh
Carole B. Von Schmidt
Melissa Crawford
Tom Walsh
Kevin Litle
Harry L. Newton
James A. Meyer
Madhusudan Ramachandran
Lauren Rhoades
Carol Blanusa
Maria Lisa Johnson
Claire Oliveros
Elmer Bancud
* a partial list.
We hope you'll join us….
For more supporters go to www.ReformCityHall.com
(This information furnished by Kyle Chisek, Citizens to Reform City Hall)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Extensive Public Input
In November, 2005 a unanimous City Council appointed a panel of 26 Portlanders to take the first comprehensive look since 1913 at how the City was working. This independent volunteer committee spent 15 months developing their recommendations and held more than 100 public meetings .
These volunteers listened to over 2000 hours of testimony from:
• Current and former elected officials;
• Neighborhood organizations;
• Senior organizations;
• Minority media representatives;
• Youth organizations;
• City workers;
• Bureau directors;
• Academic and legal experts;
• Public administrators;
• Community organizations;
• Labor representatives;
• Auditors;
• Professional managers; and
• Community members.
The panel developed draft recommendations and presented them to more than 30 diverse community and neighborhood organizations for review and discussion .
All of the panel's meetings were open to the public and televised . The panel reported formally to the City Council 3 times throughout the 15 months in addition to meeting individually with City Commissioners. The panel's final recommendations were submitted to the City Council in January 2007 and referred to the voters.
Portlanders will have been discussing the need for these reforms for many years by the time they vote May 15 th .
And, these reforms are long overdue!
They are the first to be submitted to the voters in 94 years that include more citizen oversight, streamlined government, and increased accountability.
(This information furnished by Kyle Chisek, Citizens to Reform City Hall)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A MESSAGE FROM TOM POTTER
Real Reform at City Hall
Dear Neighbors,
Two years ago I campaigned for Mayor by asking for your help in changing how City Hall works. You told me about the problems you had in accessing City services. We've made a good start together, bringing a renewed sense of openness and transparency, and making City Hall more welcoming to everyone.
Now it's time to finish the job.
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to adopt four reforms proposed by an independent committee of Portlanders that will increase accountability, achieve more efficient use of tax dollars, and bring more community oversight to City Hall.
I'm proud to support this volunteer commission's recommendations for real reform at City Hall. Their reforms include some of the most significant changes to our City since 1913. And, it's about time!
- 89: Provide you the opportunity to review city government every ten years and allows the public to vote on community recommendations;
- 90: Streamline and modernize public employee provisions – eliminate outdated, confusing and conflicting rules;
- 91: Eliminate duplication of City services and improve communication and coordination between City bureaus by allowing managers to run City bureaus, and hold them accountable; and
- 92: Give the City Auditor more authority to conduct financial and performance audits on the Portland Development Commission;
Reforming City Hall will take hard work, but that's what you've elected me to do.
I need your help.
I hope you'll help me bring more accountability and citizen oversight to City Hall by supporting Reforms 89, 90, 91 & 92.
Take care and thank you,
Tom Potter
Mayor
(This information furnished by Kyle Chisek, Citizens to Reform City Hall)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
INCREASE OVERSIGHT OF PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Give City Auditor More Authority to Conduct Financial & Performance Audits
After 100 plus public meetings, 2000 hours of testimony, and 15 months of work, the volunteer independent committee concluded that Portland has outgrown our politician-run government.
They recommended a package of reforms designed to increase efficiency and accountability and give Portlanders a voice in improving City Hall:
- 89: Give the community a chance to review how the City is working every ten years and then let the community vote on the recommendations.
- 90: Streamline and modernize public employee regulations – eliminate outdated, confusing and conflicting rules;
- 91: Eliminate duplication of City services and improve communication and coordination between City bureaus. Allow experienced managers to run day to day operations, but hold them accountable for performance; and
- 92: Give the City Auditor more authority to conduct financial and performance audits on the Portland Development Commission.
Specifically Reform 92 provides:
- The Portland Development Commission shall be subject to financial and performance audits by the City Auditor;
- The Portland Development Commission's budget will be subject to City Council oversight; and
- The Portland Development Commission will report its progress on meeting City goals; and
- The Portland Development Commission will involve the community in promoting homeownership and creating and retaining multi-family housing.
Bring accountability and oversight to City Hall – Vote Yes on Reforms 89-90-91-92.
(This information furnished by Kyle Chisek, Citizens to Reform City Hall )
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A GREAT CITY
Accountable AND Responsive
The Portland Development Commission and its $250 million budget is our single most powerful tool for creating homes for families, good-paying jobs and clearing the blight that cripples our neighborhoods.
These citizen-led reforms will provide real oversight and accountability over the city's urban renew agency for the first time:
- Giving the City Auditor the power to perform financial and performance audits;
- Forcing the PDC budget to reflect the urban renewal, economic development and housing goals of the elected City Council; and
- Requiring the PDC to publicly report its progress to the Council every year.
Portland is growing fast and we can see the changes all around us. These reforms will keep the Portland Development Commission strong by providing the oversight and accountability that earns community confidence and builds community support.
Please support Reforms 89, 90, 91, & 92 – for a Great City.
(This information furnished by Kyle Chisek, Citizens to Reform City Hall)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
VOTING YES ON 26-92 MEANS
MORE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR TAX DOLLARS.
The Portland Development Commission spends over $247 million of taxpayers' money every year. Yet there is very little public accountability for how the money is spent:
- Currently there is no Charter requirement for public hearings. The public has a right to know and should be allowed to comment to their elected representatives on how the PDC is spending their money.
- Portlanders' elected representatives have no direct oversight role in the operations of PDC, one of Portland's largest government agencies.
- There is no requirement for regular, independent audits. Better auditing and oversight would have helped prevent some of the financial missteps PDC has made over the past few years.
Measure 26-92 will solve these problems.
- 26-92 will require public city council hearings on the Portland Development Commission budget before its budget is approved, giving the public a voice in how their money is spent.
- 26-92 will also require oversight by the City Council, giving Portlanders additional accountability through their elected representatives.
- 26-92 will require the City Auditor to conduct financial and performance audits of PDC.
MAKE THE PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO TAXPAYERS
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-92
(This information furnished by Mark Wiener, Portlanders for Accountability)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Measure 26-92 will help make sure that
PDC serves our interests, not special interests.
The Portland Development Commission spends hundreds of millions of public dollars on development that is supposed to serve the public. PDC's priorities are supposed to include
- Revitalizing struggling neighborhoods,
- Increasing the availability of affordable housing.
- Improving Portland's economic vitality.
When that much money goes into development deals, it is absolutely critical that there be full public involvement, oversight and accountability for how the money is spent.
Measure 26-92's increased oversight will help make sure that PDC is making responsible investments that benefit the entire community – and does not engage in deals that provide a greater benefit to developers than to the public.
Public budget hearings before the city council, independent financial and performance audits and the scrutiny of our elected officials are indispensable tools to protect our interests and our money. Right now none of those things is a requirement for PDC.
Measure 26-92 will place these critical protections in Portland's Charter.
That is the kind of accountability we need for our money, our priorities and our future.
Vote YES on Measure 26-92
(This information furnished by Mark Wiener, Portlanders for Accountability)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Yes on Measure 26-92.
Because it's your money and your future.
It's pretty simple: if somebody is spending hundreds of millions of dollars of your money every year, you should be able to keep an eye on it.
That is the most important reason to vote YES on Measure 26-92. If it passes, it will be the first time the Portland Development Commission will be required to have public hearings before the City Council – before its budget is approved. Instead of the entire process being dominated by a few insiders, you will have a voice in how your money is spent.
But there is another important reason to vote Yes on 26-92: the future of our city.
The decisions that PDC makes have the power to change Portland forever. Will all your tax dollars go to expensive developments like the Pearl District or South Waterfront? Or will there be room in their budget to make investments that benefit neighborhoods and small businesses, and create more affordable housing for regular people?
There is no question that the broader community will benefit when they have a chance to be part of the process.
That is what 26-92 provides:
The right to know how your money is spent.
The power to make sure it is spent responsibly – and on the right priorities.
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-92
(This information furnished by Mark Wiener, Portlanders for Accountability)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
WOULD THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT PORTLAND EXIST UNDER MEASURE 26-92?
DON'T RISK IT. VOTE NO.
If all you knew about urban renewal in Portland came from politicians, you might want to overhaul it, like Measure 26-92 would. But be careful about throwing away something that has served Portland well.
Pioneer Square, MAX, Waterfront Park, Riverplace, Chinese Garden, historic Meier and Frank Building, are just a fraction of major urban renewal projects in Portland.
Start-up loans for neighborhood businesses, affordable apartments, low interest home rehabilitation loans, recruiting and retaining businesses to create jobs are key PDC initiatives. These are all in the urban renewal system that has made Portland a model city.
In 1958, voters created an urban renewal system where:
Elected officials (City Council):
- Set Policy,
- Establish and approve urban renewal areas and plans,
- Issue urban renewal bonds,
- Appoint commissioners to oversee urban renewal.
Appointed citizen volunteers (Portland Development Commission):
- Set urban renewal budgets,
- Serve as the directors for the urban renewal agency,
- Implement City Council policy and plans.
Why this structure?
- Holds elected officials accountable for policy but prevents them from using urban renewal money for political goals.
- Makes qualified citizen volunteers directly accountable for implementing urban renewal decisions.
We need to keep this.
Would so many projects that benefit the city have been completed if elected politicians had complete control of urban renewal expenditures, as under Measure 26-92? Or would they use the money to build political careers and satisfy supporters?
The citizen Charter Review Commission recommended maintaining our system with minor modifications designed to enhance the city's responsiveness to community needs. City Council drastically changed the recommendations to make themselves the PDC budget committee. You have to ask yourself why?
We can't risk the future of our City. Vote No on Measure 26-92.
BUD CLARK
Former Portland Mayor
NOHAD A TOULAN
Charter Review Commission Member
PSU Urban & Public Affairs Emeritus Dean
(This information furnished by Nohad Toulan)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-92 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
MEASURE 26-92
1. DESTROYS ALMOST 50 YEARS OF CHECKS AND BALANCES;
2. HANDS OVER URBAN RENEWAL SPENDING TO POLITICIANS;
3. GIVES CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY OVER MULTNOMAH COUNTY AND SCHOOL FUNDS.
VOTE "NO" ON MEASURE 26-92
Since 1958, Portland's urban renewal has been the envy of cities worldwide. We have an elected City Council that sets policy, approves urban renewal districts and plans and appoints volunteer citizens to oversee expenditures.
Measure 26-92 would hand over urban renewal spending to politicians (Remember water bureau billing system cost overruns, the tram, the expensive takeover attempt of PGE, covering reservoirs in Mt. Tabor Park, etc.?) Would that be wise?
Also, consider whether it's fair to give City of Portland politicians control over money that isn't even theirs to spend. Most urban renewal money is not City of Portland tax money. More than 60% would otherwise go to Multnomah County for social services, jails, bridges and other essentials, and for school funding. Why hand spending authority to Portland politicians?
Voters thoughtfully decided in 1958 against giving complete control over urban renewal money to elected officials, fearing they might be motivated by personal or political goals such as reelection and helping campaign supporters. Instead, our system allows citizen volunteers to direct urban renewal spending, following City policy.
Read Measure 26-92 carefully and ask yourself:
1. Are you prepared to destroy a balanced system in place since 1958?
2. Do you want to put control over urban renewal spending entirely in politicians' hands?
3. Is it fair for Portland City Council to determine how to spend the 60% of urban renewal money that would otherwise go for essential Multnomah County services and school funding?
CREATING A BALANCE OF POWER FOR URBAN RENEWAL SPENDING WAS A GOOD DECISION BY VOTERS IN 1958.
PRESERVING IT IS A GOOD DECISION NOW.
VOTE "NO" ON 26-92
VERA KATZ
Former Portland Mayor
Advisor, Charter Review Commission
(This information furnished by Vera Katz)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.