Below you will find information posted on social media platforms, links in footer, of slide text from videos followed by voice over content along with sources.

Week 1 1/3

Slide: Brick City Strategy logo
Voice Over: Hello, my name is Melody Brooks and I along with my colleague John Tappero are the partners of Brick City Strategy, an operations and strategy firm based in Portland, Oregon.​

Slide: Our own transition​​
Voice Over: As City of Portland employees, we found ourselves in the position of being laid off as part of the city’s transition from a commission form of government to a mayor-council form of government. This was a charter reform adopted by the public on November 8, 2022- measure 26-228  was supported with 57% of the vote. We whole heartedly support this change in governance as it increases transparency and better reflects Portland communities. ​

Slide: Opportunity through transition
Voice Over: While any transition can be daunting, we believe that when one door closes others open. Leaving the city allowed us time to continue to work on policy and strategy by building a business together. Our own transition has provided us with the opportunities to be more effective in our work and the freedom to connect with the public as we advocate for a better Portland. ​

Slide: Introducing the case study​
Voice Over: Our experience during the transition served as model to discuss best practices for Brick City Strategy. Our discussion yielded analysis that we would like to share with the community. This case study is an educational tool that can we produce because of our skills and experience in federal guidance, policy, and data analysis. We care deeply about the community and the thousands of employees at the city. We believe progress has been made and that there’s always room for improvement.​

Slide: Portland Governance transition- Case Study​
Voice Over: We are calling this series of videos a case study. Using good governance as a framework, we will be analyzing the historic process of Portland’s transition into a new form of government.​

Slide: Portland’s change of government. What is a city charter?​
Voice Over: The city charter is a guiding document that establishes the government system and structure of a city. It defines how the government is set up, how city leaders are elected, and the roles and responsibilities of those leaders. The city charter functions as the city’s constitution – it creates the city as a legal entity, authorizes city powers, and outlines the broad basic fundamentals of city government. Portland’s city’s charter can ONLY be amended  by a vote of the people. ​

Slide: What is a charter review?​
Voice Over: The city charter requires that, at least once every ten years, City Council appoint a 20-member Charter Commission to review and recommend changes to the charter. City Council appointed the current Charter Commission in December of 2020. ​

Slide: So, what’s the process for making changes to the city charter?​
Voice Over: There are 20 Charter Commissioners participating in the review process. If 15 or more agree to a recommended change, those recommendations go directly to the ballot for Portlanders to vote on. If 11 to 14 Commissioners agree to a recommended change, then those recommendations go to City Council. City Council will decide whether to refer those recommendations to the ballot as-is, modify them, or do nothing. Again, it is only by a vote of Portlanders that the charter may be changed.​

Slide: Charter Commission’s Community Engagement​
Voice Over: The Charter Commission led a one-of-a-kind community engagement process that is being used as a model for engagement at the City. ​

The Charter Commissioners and staff have given 119 briefings and presentations to various community groups and associations and connected with hundreds of community members.​

The Charter Commission partnered with the Coalition of Communities of Color on the design and implementation of community education and engagement activities including a community engagement cohort made up of seven community-based organizations.​

Public Comment: As of May 30, 2022,  the commission received 1,600 public comments through an online comment form, email, and 15 hours of verbal testimony.​

The Charter Commission and the Coalition of Communities of Color Collaborative hosted a total of 26 community listening sessions. ​

The Charter Commission has distributed and collected data from two multi-lingual surveys. The first, from which 1,036 surveys were collected, the second from which there were 2,977 survey responses.​

Slide: Charter Commission’s Community Engagement findings​
Voice Over: Portlanders have a desire for direct and responsive representation. Portlanders feel frustrated and abandoned by Portland City Council. Implementation of this measure is a rare opportunity for City Council and leadership to build trust with Portlanders. City Council and leadership will need to lead with transparency, focus on implementation, be clear about the timeline, meet the expectations, consistency and communication about key milestones, and build on the robust public engagement started by the Charter Commission. ​

Slide: Portland Charter Commission: Desired Outcomes​
Voice Over:  The Commission included 20 community leaders appointed by council in December 2020 to review the City’s founding document. They spent 18 months studying alternatives to the commission form of government and leading a community engagement process with people across the city. ​

The Charter Commission proposed change in  election system and form of government in 2022. ​

Portland Charter Commission: Phase I Desired Outcomes​

Trustworthy government. Councilors who safeguard democracy​

Participatory and growing democracy.  More voices being heard in elections​

Accessible and transparent government. Councilors who are easy to reach​

Reflective government. Councilors who look like the community they represent​

Responsive government. Councilors who understand your community needs​

Accountable government. Councilors who answer to the people​

Source: Portland Charter Commission: Phase I Desired Outcomes

Week 1 2/3

Slide: Charter Commission research leading to Measure 26-228​
Voice Over: The Charter Commission recommended to separate executive and legislative powers, ranked choice voting, and create four new geographic districts with three members elected to represent each.​ On June 14, 2022, the Charter Commission resoundingly voted to advance charter reform, known as measure 26-228, to the November 2022  election.

Slide: The League of Women Voters of Portland is one of 50 civic organizations that supported the Charter Reform ballot measure.
Voice Over: “In-depth two-year studies by the Portland League, the LWV of Oregon, and Leagues in other states persuaded us that the proposed changes will substantially improve Portland’s government structure and the way we elect our city officials.”​

​Source: League of Women Voters

Slide: Charter reform consisted of the following three changes: ​
Voice Over: One: ranked choice voting. ​Two: four new geographic districts with three representatives for each district.​ Three: change in mayor and city council roles, creating the city administrator position. ​

Source: Charter Commission Final Report Charter Commission June Progress Report #6

Slide: 1st change: Ranked choice voting.
Voice Over: Before charter reform, voters had the option to choose one candidate. The candidate who received the most votes, even if they received less than 50% of the vote, was the sole person elected. No matter how many  candidates were on your ballot, you only selected one  option, and a candidate won no matter how small their vote share was.  Ranked choice voting gives voters more choice. Voters can rank the candidates or just choose one candidate. Studies show communities that have switched to ranked choice voting have had an increase in voter participation. By giving voters more meaningful choices, they have more reason to vote. ​

Slide: 2nd change: Four new geographic districts, expanding city council from 5 to12 members 
Voice Over: An expanded council is more representative. There are now four equally sized districts with three representatives elected from each district. The maps were drawn using existing political boundaries with a goal to keep communities of common interest together.​

Slide: 3rd change: Redefine Mayor and city council roles, Creating city administrator position.​
Voice Over: Before the City of Portland had a commission form of government where city council members managed the day-to-day operations of bureaus,  the Charter Commission heard from voters that the commission form of government creates silos, avoids accountability, and lacks transparency.​

In the new form of government, city councilors are focused on passing laws and being responsive to community. The mayor is responsible for carrying out laws, and the city administrator manages city services.​

Slide: 3rd change continued: MAYOR-COUNCIL- City Administrator​ Roles & Responsibilities​
Voice Over: MAYOR, An elected leader: Carries out laws, proposes the budget, supervises the city administrator.​
CITY COUNCILORS, Elected leaders: Pass and amend laws, approve the budget, meet with community members.​
CITY ADMINISTRATOR, Non-elected official: reports to the mayor, manages city services, supervises bureau directors.​

Source: League of Women Voters top ten reasons we support Charter reform

Week 1 3/3

Slide: Portland Government Transition: Let’s review the timeline​
Voice Over: The charter commission meets in 2020, engages the community for two years, votes on amendment, the amendment goes to ballot.​ Measure 26-228 was successful. About 57% of Portland voters approved charter reform November 2022. The transition to a new form of government began in November 2022 – major changes were finalized by 2025.​

Slide: Four voting districts were created.​
Voice Over: February through August 2023, the commission hosted public hearings on the proposed districts, after reviewing feedback and public comment, the district plans were adopted on September 1, 2023. The newly approved districts, would be used to elect the new city council.​

Slide: Four-Year Terms. Council Election Every two years. ​
Voice Over: Elections for city councilors will occur every two years – district 1 and 2 will be on the ballot during presidential elections. Portlanders will vote for district 3 and 4 councilors and the city auditor during midterms elections. To maintain a staggered-term start the auditor and district 3 and 4 councilors will serve only two years and then four-year terms thereafter.  ​

Source: Yes, some Portland councilors will be elected to shorter terms | kgw.com

Slide: Major task: how to organize bureaus in preparation for the new city administrator.​
Voice Over: Internally, this was called the “ramp-up” and major decisions were made about appointments and service areas that we will be addressing.​

Source: Resolution 37609

Slide: Week 1 Summary ​
Voice Over: Brick City strategy, an operations and strategy firm, is publishing our case study of Portland’s change of government. This week we briefly reviewed the Charter Commission and their engagement process for measure 26-228: Portlanders voted to approved ranked choice voting, expanding city council from 5 to 12 members, and changing the mayor and city councilor role by hiring a professional city administrator to manage day-to-day city operations ​

Next week: we will discuss city policy standards and resolution 37609 which passed in 2023. ​

Week 2 1/3

Slide: City of Portland  hierarchy of law and policy ​
Voice Over: The city of Portland hierarchy of law and policy is as follows: ​
First, Federal & state law then​,
City code and charter  followed by ​
Citywide policy including ordinances, resolutions, and administrative rules…and  lastly ​
Bureau policies and standard operating procedures​

Slide: What is policy? What does it do?​
Voice Over: To address an important issue, policy is developed as an official response and direction. The purpose is to reflect the authority’s or leaderships decision that will guide future actions. It also defines and sets parameters of what can happen. ​

Slide: Examples of City of Portland Policy
Voice Over: Administrative rule example: admin rule ARA 1.01- Auditor’s Office – states that The mission of the Auditor’s Office is to ensure open and accountable government by providing independent and impartial reviews, access to public information, and services for City government and the public.​
In this example, the auditor’s office defines and declares the purpose of their work in the city ​

Resolution example:  resolution 37720 – Adopt the Portland Urban Forest Plan to improve public health, build resilience to climate change, and promote environmental justice. ​
Here, a resolution is utilized to adopt the City’s plan build and protect green infrastructure including expanding the tree canopy and reducing tree care costs for Portlanders   ​

Ordinance example: ordinance 191973 – Amend Code to align with the amended City Charter approved by voters in Portland Measure 26-228.
This ordinance ensures that the city charter reflects  the new form of government including ranked choice voting and the change in responsibilities for city council​

Slide: Chapter 1.07.020 of City Code- Definitions​
Voice Over: A. Binding City Policy means statements of the Council, expressed in a resolution or ordinance, that are directed to future decision-making or procedure and have binding effect or serve as mandatory approval criteria. The resolutions or ordinances must state in their text that the policy being adopted is a “Binding City Policy.” ​

B. Non-binding City Policy means a statement of the Council’s opinion, expressed in a resolution or ordinance, that does not have binding effect or serve as mandatory approval criteria for future decision-making. The resolutions or ordinances must state in their text that the policy being adopted is a Non-binding City Policy. Examples include statements urging support for charitable or political efforts and statements encouraging civic involvement.​

C. Administrative rule or rule means a binding requirement, regulation, or procedure that is formally adopted by (1) the City Administrator pursuant to rule-making authority granted by the Charter or delegated by the Council, or (2) the Auditor pursuant to rule-making authority granted by the Charter or delegated by the Council. This definition excludes Bureau Policies. An administrative rule must be labeled as or state in its text that it is an administrative rule.​

​Week 2 2/3

Slide: City of Portland Resolution 37609 ​
Voice Over: Over the coming days and weeks, we will be discussing City of Portland resolution 37609: Establish focused transformation, alignment of services, and shared priorities for Portland City Government.​

This resolution was Adopted by mayor wheeler and commissioners Gonzalez, Rubio, Ryan,and  Mapps on February 2, 2023​. It was the only item on the city council agenda that afternoon. The resolution is a non-binding policy. ​

Slide: Resolution Significance ​
Voice Over: Resolution 37609 was the 1st major response to the historic charter reform vote to change the city’s form of government. ​

The Measure vote took place in November 2022, Resolution 37609 was adopted in February 2023​. It was council’s plan for the implementation of a mayor-council form of government. According to this policy,  Portland City council are the key decision-makers on how the city will be organized and who will lead the transition. ​

Slide: Resolution structure: change drivers   ​
Voice Over: Resolution 37609 is structured into three change drivers or mechanisms for city transition. The change drivers structure facilitates a broader scope than just charter reform. The resolution focuses on council’s goals and priorities.​

The Three change drivers are: ballot measure 26-228 compliance, organizational alignment around service areas, and addressing Portland city council’s  priorities in the form of 90-day plans​

Week 2 3/3

Slide: Portland City Council’s Rebuttal to Charter reform ​
Voice Over: The Charter Commission urged Portland city council to build trust with Portlanders by implementing the will of the voters expressed in measure 26-228 ​

Unfortunately, city council used the transition process to promote their political interests by appointing loyal staff and creating 90-day plans to serve as platforms their mayoral candidacy ​

In resolution 37609, City Council directs the chief administrative officer and bureau leaders to assist council in realigning service delivery. These decisions were made without public input. ​

Slide: Professional management of service delivery
Voice Over: During the commission form of government, commissioners had bureau portfolios that were changed and redistributed often. Bureau priorities would change based on the commissioner’s political agenda and citywide efforts were difficult to coordinate. ​

Charter reform addressed this issue. Portlanders approved the measure to change city council authority and responsibility, the new City council would be focused on legislation and being responsive to constituents, not managing city operations.​ The mayor, with the help of a professional city administrator, would manage the day-to-day operations.​

Slide: Resolution 37609: Observations ​
Voice Over: The resolution positions city council as SME, Recommenders, and decision makers. There is limited measure 26-228 compliance language and significantly more focus on the commissioner’s professional priorities ​

For example: when printed, 10 out of 13 pages address council’s priorities in the form of 90 action plans from each council member. In contrast, only 1 out of 13 pages addresses ballot measure compliance​, the majority of the resolution 37609 was not regarding the voter’s will.

Slide: What should have been included ​
Voice Over: It is common for Portland resolutions to detail history or events necessitating the passage of the resolution ​

Ex: resolution 37710 refer the voters a five- year local option tax levy for the November 4, 2025 election to maintain safe parks, nature, affordable recreation through 5-year levy…details the importance of the Portland parks system and the need for sustainable funding.​

37609 should have included the charter commissions public engagement efforts and why charter reform was necessary, most importantly, the resolution should have detailed action plans to hire a new professional City Administrator and ensure community oversight of organizational realignment. The city admin and an independent reorganization process should have been a priority for the city council in 2023. ​

Slide: What should have been included ​
Voice Over: Multiple readings including evening council sessions so that Portlanders would understand the significance of the resolution  ​

For Example: emergency Ordinance 192196 : Approve levying taxes for the City for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027​ was on the council’s agenda three times: June10, June 11, and June 17 of this year​

There should have been community education about 37609 and multiple opportunities for public comment, and finally, based on community feedback, council should have made a commitment to be more attentive before leaving office and implement reform faithfully ​

Slide: Week Summary ​
Voice Over: we have reached the end of week 2 posts of our case study analyzing Portland’s change to a mayor-council form of government. This week we reviewed the City of portland’s policy standards and resolution 37609 as resistance – Resistance to changing the form of government and reducing city council’s involvement in the day-to-day management of city operations. ​

We’ve covered a lot, next week we will do a deep dive into the change drivers in resolution 37609 and why Portlanders wanted to change the city form of government. ​