Portland City Council Finance & Governance Committee (Whole) 09/24/26

Unlike four related regulatory ordinances that advanced with do-pass recommendations, the secondhand dealers code amendment was referred to the Community and Public Safety Committee after Councilor Kanal's questions about background checks exposed language problems in both the proposal and existing rules. Councilor Novick noted the rules exist due to concerns about stolen goods and expects the delay, which creates a small funding gap, to be resolved within several weeks.

Councilor Ryan raised concerns that restaurant and small business workers in the Pearl and Slabtown neighborhoods struggle to find affordable parking, and said he hopes to work with Councilor Novick on establishing a discounted swing-shift rate similar to the one offered at downtown SmartPark garages. No formal action was taken; the idea was raised during discussion of the private parking ordinance.

The committee voted to send four regulatory ordinances—covering payday lending fees, private parking facilities, social games, and repeal of the amusement devices code—to the full Council with do-pass recommendations, passing 9-0 and 10-0 with some absences. The secondhand dealers ordinance was instead referred to the Community and Public Safety Committee after Councilor Novick noted language problems around background check requirements exposed by Councilor Kanal's questions.

The committee voted to send four regulatory ordinances (payday lending, private parking facilities, social games, and repeal of the amusement devices code) to the full Council with do-pass recommendations, passing 9-0 and 10-0. The secondhand dealers ordinance was instead referred to the Community and Public Safety Committee after questions about background check language exposed problems tied to concerns about stolen goods.

Not mentioned in this meeting; the session focused on regulatory ordinances for payday lenders, parking facilities, social games, and secondhand dealers, with no discussion of single stair building design policy.

Not mentioned in this meeting summary; the session focused on regulatory business ordinances (payday lending, parking, social games, secondhand dealers) with no reference to the Waterfront Park redevelopment or design competition.

Not mentioned in this meeting; the session focused on regulatory ordinances for payday lending, parking facilities, social games, and secondhand dealers, with no discussion of renter protections or rental housing conditions.

The committee referred the secondhand dealers code amendment (2026-327) to the Community and Public Safety Committee after Councilor Kanal's questions about background checks exposed language problems in both the proposal and existing rules. Councilor Novick noted the rules exist due to stolen goods concerns and expects the issue resolved within several weeks despite a small funding gap.

Councilor Novick reported that the Community and Public Safety Committee declined to advance concealed carry legislation in public buildings, held an initial discussion of a Safe Parks proposal, and plans upcoming sessions on police clearance rates, fireworks enforcement, restorative justice, and traffic enforcement disparities.

The secondhand dealers ordinance (2026-327) was pulled from the batch of business regulation ordinances and referred to the Community and Public Safety Committee instead of advancing to full Council. Councilor Novick said questions from Councilor Kanal about background checks revealed language problems in both the proposal and existing rules tied to preventing stolen goods sales, with resolution expected within several weeks despite a small resulting funding gap.