Portland City Council AM Session 10/07/26
Council tacked two amendments onto the plan to shrink fuel storage at the CEI Hub by 2036: one ties the drawdown to cutting fuel demand first and pushes transit/bike spending (passed 8-4), the other forces a full evacuation and fire-safety plan for the hub by Sept 30, 2027 (passed 10-2). Final ordinance vote is November 5 — meanwhile they got stuck mid-debate on raising Fire & Rescue fees (unchanged since before 2012) and never took a vote, leaving an $800K budget hole unresolved.
Summary
Two amendments were added to Portland's proposal to shrink fuel storage at the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub in Northwest Portland by 2036. The first, Councilor Novick's, passed 8-4 after the meeting paused for live rewording. It says reducing fuel demand is a precondition for the drawdown to take effect. It also commits the council to work with the Portland Clean Energy Fund committee so the next Climate Investment Plan spends more on transit, biking, walking and electric vehicles, in line with transportation's 40% share of emissions. Councilors Avalos, Smith, Koyama Lane and Council President Dunphy voted no, arguing those decisions belong in the community-led investment plan process. The second, Councilor Kanal's, passed 10-2. It requires the city to deliver an interim update by March 31, 2027 and a full public health and natural hazards plan for the hub by September 30, 2027, covering evacuation of Linnton and North Portland plus firefighting and emergency supply needs. The ordinance returns November 5.
In his monthly report, City Administrator Michael Jordan Lee announced a new Performance Lab, the start of the next Climate Action Plan, and the hiring of the city's first Chief Asset Officer. He also reported a rise in federal immigration detentions, including 10 in the metro area the day before. Councilors asked about contract change orders, an expiring cleanup contract, and how bureau performance measures will be set. Councilor Kanal objected to councilors being told to file public records requests to get information from bureaus. The council unanimously passed the consent agenda, eminent domain for the SE Division Street project, and a change allowing advertising on streetcar benches and shelters.
The meeting ended mid-debate on raising Portland Fire & Rescue's fees, most of which had not changed since before 2012. Council President Dunphy and Councilor Ryan said the increases pile costs onto small businesses, venues and arts groups the city is trying to help, and said they would vote no. Councilors Green, Kanal and Smith said they would vote yes rather than leave an estimated $800,000 hole in the fire budget. The Chief Financial Officer said future fee changes will be brought forward alongside the budget. The vote was not captured in this transcript.
Key Points
- Council adopted two amendments to the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub bulk fuel terminal capacity reduction ordinance (2026-312). Novick 4 passed 8-4 and states the council's commitment to work with the PCEF Committee to bring transportation investments more in line with the 40% of emissions from transportation. Kanal 2 passed 10-2 and requires a public health and natural hazards risk reduction plan for the CEI Hub. The ordinance was continued to November 5, 2026.
- City Administrator Michael Jordan Lee's October report covered several items: the new Portland Performance Lab, the start of the next Climate Action Plan, a 22.5% rise in parks volunteer hours, and the hiring of Emily Trent as the city's first Chief Asset Officer. He also reported an uptick in federal immigration detentions, including 10 in the metro area the previous day, 3 of them in Portland.
- Councilors questioned administration on several matters: procurement change orders (including Bull Run), the expiring Rapid Response Bioclean contract, how performance metrics for bureaus will be set, and staff telling councilors to file public records requests for information.
- The council unanimously passed the consent agenda and three second-reading ordinances. One allows advertising on city streetcar benches and shelters. Another authorizes eminent domain for temporary property rights on the SE Division Street (148th–174th) project.
- Debate on increasing Portland Fire & Rescue's fee schedule, most of which had not been updated since before 2012, exposed divisions. Council President Dunphy and Councilor Ryan said they would vote no over the cumulative burden of fees on small businesses and venues. Councilors Green, Kanal and Smith said they would vote yes to avoid an estimated $800,000 budget hole.
Votes (7)
Approval of Agenda
Approval of the October 7, 2026 meeting agenda
Novick 4 Amendment to Ordinance 2026-312 (CEI Hub Bulk Fuel Terminal Capacity Reduction)
Adds findings that reducing liquid fuel demand is a precondition for a drawdown requirement to become effective and that the city should work to reduce demand. Commits council to work with the PCEF Committee and stakeholders so the next Climate Investment Plan brings transportation investments more in line with the 40% of emissions from transportation, increasing PCEF spending on transit, biking, walking, electric vehicles and diesel emission reductions.
Kanal 2 Amendment to Ordinance 2026-312 (revised Kanal 1)
Requires the City Administrator to present a public health and natural hazards risk reduction plan for the CEI Hub by September 30, 2027, with an interim update by March 31, 2027. Required contents: evacuation plans for Linnton and North Portland west of the railroad cut, plus proposals for industrial firefighting capacity, fire and rescue capacity, and emergency supplies.
Consent Agenda
Approval of remaining consent agenda items (none pulled)
Item 10 – Document 2026-334
Authorizes the Bureau of Transportation to acquire temporary property rights through eminent domain for the SE Division Street (SE 148th to SE 174th) project
Item 11 – Document 2026-335
Second reading of a non-emergency ordinance (subject not described in transcript)
Item 12 – Document 2026-212
Amends the bus bench advertising code (Chapter 17.45) to allow advertising on city streetcar benches and shelters
Action Items
- Procurement disparity study expected to be finalized mid-to-late November 2026; Councilor Morillo requested a summary in the CA report
- City Administrator to confirm whether Portland Water Bureau change orders (CMTS LLC) relate to the already-approved Bull Run budget increase
- Follow up on three identical Green Street repair price agreements and a nearly $3 million off-the-shelf software award (Councilor Green)
- Follow up on the status of unspent arts funds, about $9 million (Councilor Smith)
- Follow up on plans for the Rapid Response Bioclean contract expiring December 15, 2026, including council and public input (Councilor Kanal)
- Look into whether police practice will change on citing drivers who hit bicyclists, following a plaintiff's verdict against the city
- Correct two of Councilor Kanal's 2025-26 budget notes (Kanal 8 and Kanal 13) incorrectly marked complete
- PGE Harberton land use decision expected by December 31, 2026 unless PGE signs a waiver; a possible appeal could come to council in December
- Emily Trent, Chief Asset Officer, to present the asset management plan at the next Public Works Committee meeting
- Appendix listing bids and solicitations to be added starting with the November CA report
- Urban Alchemy oversight hearing scheduled for November 5, 2026; council to discuss contract authorization and the Lyft/Biketown vendor
- Kanal 2: interim CEI Hub risk reduction update due March 31, 2027; full report due September 30, 2027
- CA leadership to develop a process for handling councilor information requests outside the public records request system; Lee said councilors will not be charged
- Andrew Fitzpatrick identified as Prosper Portland staff lead for vacant storefront grants (Councilor Ryan request)
- Fire Bureau to meet with Councilor Ryan about the fire fees new businesses face; comprehensive fee study to consider impacts on at-risk populations and businesses
Issues Discussed (11)
During the first reading of the CEI Hub fuel storage reduction ordinance, council adopted two amendments: Novick's (passed 8-4) ties the 2036 drawdown to fuel demand reduction and commits to aligning PCEF climate investments with transportation emissions, while Kanal's (passed 10-2) mandates an interim update by March 2027 and a full public health/natural hazards plan by September 2027 covering evacuation and emergency response for Linnton and North Portland. The ordinance was continued to November 5, 2026 for further action.
Council passed Councilor Kanal's amendment (10-2) to the CEI Hub fuel storage reduction ordinance, requiring an interim update by March 31, 2027 and a full public health and natural hazards risk reduction plan by September 30, 2027, addressing evacuation needs for Linnton and North Portland along with firefighting and emergency supply considerations. The overall ordinance was continued to November 5, 2026 for further action.
Council debated raising Portland Fire & Rescue's fee schedule, largely unchanged since before 2012, to close an estimated $800,000 budget gap; Council President Dunphy and Councilor Ryan opposed the increases citing impacts on small businesses and arts groups, while Councilors Green, Kanal and Smith supported them. The meeting ended mid-debate with no recorded vote, and the CFO noted future fee changes would be presented alongside the budget.
Councilor Kanal raised concerns about councilors being directed to file public records requests to obtain information from city bureaus, highlighting transparency friction between council members and staff. The City Administrator's monthly report also touched on governance infrastructure, including a new Performance Lab and the hiring of the city's first Chief Asset Officer.
Council adopted two amendments to the CEI Hub fuel storage reduction ordinance: Novick's amendment (passed 8-4) tying the 2036 drawdown to fuel demand reduction and committing to align future Climate Investment Plan spending with transportation's emissions share, and Kanal's amendment (passed 10-2) requiring an interim update by March 2027 and a full public health/natural hazards plan by September 2027 covering evacuation and emergency response needs. The ordinance itself was continued to a November 5 vote.
Council adopted two amendments to the CEI Hub fuel storage reduction ordinance: Novick's amendment (passed 8-4) ties the 2036 drawdown to fuel demand reduction and commits to aligning future PCEF Climate Investment Plan spending with transportation's share of emissions, while Kanal's amendment (passed 10-2) mandates an interim update by March 2027 and a full public health/natural hazards plan by September 2027 covering evacuation and emergency response needs. The full ordinance was continued to November 5, 2026.
Council adopted two amendments to the CEI Hub fuel storage reduction ordinance: Novick's amendment (8-4) ties the 2036 drawdown to fuel demand reductions and commits to aligning PCEF climate investments with transportation emissions, while Kanal's amendment (10-2) mandates a public health and natural hazards plan addressing Linnton/North Portland evacuation and emergency response by September 30, 2027. The full ordinance was continued to November 5, 2026 for further consideration.
Council adopted two amendments to the CEI Hub fuel terminal capacity reduction ordinance: Novick's amendment (8-4) ties the 2036 drawdown to fuel demand reduction and commits to aligning PCEF climate investments with transportation emissions, while Kanal's amendment (10-2) mandates an interim update by March 2027 and a full public health/natural hazards plan by September 2027 covering evacuation and emergency response needs. The full ordinance was continued to November 5, 2026 for further consideration.
Council adopted two amendments to the CEI Hub fuel capacity reduction ordinance: Novick's amendment (passed 8-4, with Avalos, Smith, Koyama Lane and Dunphy opposed) ties the fuel drawdown to reduced demand and commits to aligning future Climate Investment Plan spending with transportation's emissions share, which dissenters argued should be decided through the community-led investment process; Kanal's amendment (passed 10-2) mandates public health and safety planning deadlines for the hub. The ordinance itself was continued to November 5 rather than finally voted on.
Council passed Councilor Novick's amendment (8-4) to the CEI Hub fuel storage reduction ordinance, committing the council to work with the Portland Clean Energy Fund committee so the next Climate Investment Plan directs more spending toward transit, biking, walking and electric vehicles to better match transportation's 40% share of emissions. Councilors Avalos, Smith, Koyama Lane and Dunphy opposed, arguing such funding decisions should remain within the community-led PCEF investment plan process.
Council debated an ordinance updating Portland Fire & Rescue's fee schedule, most of which hadn't changed since before 2012, with Dunphy and Ryan opposing due to cost impacts on small businesses and arts groups, while Green, Kanal and Smith favored the increases to avoid an estimated $800,000 budget shortfall. The debate was ongoing when the meeting ended, and the vote was not captured in the transcript.