[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6343923,"mediaKeyId","2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d","parentId",2251503,"title","Council confirms Michael Jordan as city administrator through Jan. 2, 2026 after heated public testimony over Zenith land-use decision","audioSeconds",9072,"startMs",1931000,"endMs",11003000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d&start=1931&end=11003","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d/thumbnail_1931000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343923/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Council-confirms-Michael-Jordan-as-city-administrator-through-Jan-2-2026-after-heated-public-testimony-over-Zenith-land-use-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343923-9b4bec8d0cc620cd48440565e82056be/orig.mp4?Expires=1777189185&Signature=N33hTg5JdlaqPZwEt8B4EcQx5thBH9MXoeKN0SJNQGAhOu0KpcuoyCrV4GkE14O1yqkmcVKL-3J6oqNFNTw3I9NYppkZ~61YPKRLeAMT3p~aH5MIAub0rd4CDTi6ULlhY8SgsJJ-McfbMIw-T-2nvMzkXI~ZJmu63tXuLpB7UENa1EfYzIoYVMFCKowhlHxlgstlqhk6N9~fVP7FSgk2DxiJrEt1jYybPNBKSeAS7~Y~KqWMgsz6wixcyChOa0PTXgBNMyphiUY2V7DMI7zn-bnmQEvTBK6eOU3LxLnJ9dl~7Ql0h~QLooZCxdd0mXCG8RY5lid6c1MD64I63K6dQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Portland, OR","date","2025-02-05T21:13:08Z","article","Portland City Council confirmed Michael Jordan as city administrator on Feb. 5, 2025, adopting an amendment that sets Jan. 2, 2026, as the end date for the appointment. The vote followed more than two hours of public testimony focused on the city’s recent land use compatibility statement for Zenith Energy and broader demands for transparency and oversight.

The council approved the amendment to the mayor’s resolution to add the Jan. 2, 2026 end date, then voted to adopt the resolution as amended. Mayor Ted Wilson introduced Jordan’s reappointment and proposed the end date to allow a nationwide search for a permanent city administrator this summer. Jordan addressed the council and said he would assist with designing a transparent recruitment process for the permanent hire.

Why it matters: Testimony from scores of residents, tribal leaders and environmental advocates urged the council to delay or investigate the Zenith action. Commenters said the administration’s handling of Zenith’s land-use matter lacked transparency and omitted past violations that environmental regulators had investigated. Multiple council members said they shared constituents’ concerns and supported a formal investigation; Mayor Wilson said he supported a council-led investigation as well.

Council discussion focused on balancing continuity in city operations during a major budget year and the need for a robust, community-informed search for a permanent administrator. Several council members said Jordan’s experience would help lead an urgent reorganization of bureau structure and the difficult budget reductions ahead. Council members also pressed for clearer, consistent communication from the executive branch when major administrative actions occur.

Public testimony: Speakers included tribal leaders and representatives of the Portland Harbor Community Coalition who described the Willamette River as culturally and ecologically significant and urged more scrutiny of Zenith’s record. Several speakers called for the administration to rescind the Zenith land-use compatibility statement or to pause implementation pending a council inquiry. Others urged the council to prioritize transparency and accountability in future dealings with private companies that affect public health and the river.

Related votes at the meeting: Council also confirmed Robert Taylor as city attorney (12-0) and approved a demolition review and findings for 118 SW Porter Street in the South Portland Historic District (findings adopted; one abstention accepted). The council approved the consent agenda (minutes) by roll call earlier in the meeting.

What happens next: The amendment sets a deadline of Jan. 2, 2026, for Jordan’s appointment and Mayor Wilson said a national search would begin this summer to find a permanent city administrator. Councilors said they would pursue a formal investigation into the Zenith land-use matter and urged clearer protocols for notifying council about high-profile administrative actions.

Votes at a glance: Michael Jordan, city administrator confirmation (as amended) — outcome: adopted as amended; recorded final tally 11 yes, 1 no. Robert Taylor, city attorney confirmation — adopted 12 yes, 0 no. LU 204770225 DM, demolition review for 118 SW Porter Street — findings adopted (abstention recorded). Consent agenda (minutes) — adopted (12 yes).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portland City Council Regular AM Meeting 02/05/25","oneSentenceSummary","Portland City Council confirmed Michael Jordan as city administrator on Feb. 5, 2025, adopting an amendment that sets Jan. 2, 2026 as the end date for the appointment after extensive public testimony about a recent land-use compatibility statement for Zenith Energy.","taxTitle","Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon","taxId",2765,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343913,"Engineer urges council to ease barriers to adaptive reuse to spur downtown housing",168,1365000,1533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d&start=1365&end=1533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d/thumbnail_1365000.jpg","/articles/6343913/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Engineer-urges-council-to-ease-barriers-to-adaptive-reuse-to-spur-downtown-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343913-340b11907e6374a1cf039b90c1db98bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1777189185&Signature=YzAfGvFK20clmx52gobDrVcX6KH27ltx-f4FZo7ES1eJ~-JH~xJrsTwN87iveO9CpYPYHzwOnX3Iv-DVpyQejK-bEgdZ61ODgMlQW0CchqGcwTRfWB78RWfoBjPZzlb95t5JG-WeavDo55bX-LrhgcBnVsUk2N1N2Q4jRgjvo5kRlJgdQJtHI0T9xJ5rwpe5xaAK5ZoTUoNAcr~9tzAkewiNZy5QFEtf4AinYCjDBeVe5SbKqZ~Jsd5XI~ZC3xRzVX0ycxHG2JcZ9UefrtH5kDA2uWgepNZcD80A~9HhdVayFHIjJQ983jT64Zr28I0XjbSukdpI4TWQt1q~vQBKTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carl Close, a principal at Kurt Fisher Structural Engineering and manager of the Downtown Portland office, spoke during public comment on Feb. 5 and recommended that the City Council consider regulatory changes to encourage office-to-residential adaptive reuse in downtown Portland.

Close said conversions can reduce carbon impacts compared with new construction, preserve historic buildings, and improve seismic safety because renovated structures are retrofitted. He told councilors that office-to-residential projects face financial, time and risk barriers in Portland’s market. As an example of one approach, Close pointed to Los Angeles’ 1999 adaptive reuse ordinance, which made conversions \"by right\" in designated areas and exempted projects from some zoning and design-review steps, accelerating approvals and reducing costs. He offered to provide further information to staff and council on possible local policy changes.

Council response: No formal action was taken at the meeting; the comment was received as part of the public communications period.

Why it matters: Adaptive reuse is one tool cities use to produce housing, reuse existing built fabric, and reduce embodied carbon. The proposal focuses on zoning and procedural relief to lower time and cost barriers for private owners and developers.","A structural engineer and downtown building owner told the council that Portland can expand housing supply and preserve historic buildings by easing zoning and design-review requirements for office-to-residential conversions, citing Los Angeles’ 1999 adaptive reuse ordinance as an example.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343919,"City workers urge council to press negotiators to settle first CPPW contract and avoid mediation or strike",552,801000,1353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d&start=801&end=1353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251503-3355d0a1764cc3cc170a3748390a759d/thumbnail_801000.jpg","/articles/6343919/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/City-workers-urge-council-to-press-negotiators-to-settle-first-CPPW-contract-and-avoid-mediation-or-strike","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343919-311cf05606e000233f1ab27ceeb55eac/orig.mp4?Expires=1777189185&Signature=U7BTCLor6Rryd~GObjxmQ3CWDzMhCr~BqUXZQ02ovq6Iemf50jZYXOJr8Q-jlPyrv5-R~DL~vnP6C7J-fxCrr4qTjRkEtMN6wn1QxwI~MpjEx120qXuihWMCJKwu8vGqvEHAjCUuNppxKTcBWUiN90wORbUQGB30U1CGW5T8FiqsRB0S5epUFETsFCsnnHJdW8jlrOm~VdDbdByiewAe2HYQJE5YaeggMyjTaZxpTSNlK8xM-ZGrNYeaChjFGMgw0aKk6OprtoFVvHnGzbSRtYxcuH3-iIXvcXbmgvB5BbHe2HZhSlLKYBms4XngUITgcJiuuccGDmLgOMMjTmGvoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the City of Portland Professional Workers (CPPW) — a newly formed union representing roughly 800 city employees — addressed the council during public communications on Feb. 5, 2025, urging elected leaders to press city negotiators to conclude contract talks and avoid expensive mediation or strike preparation.

Speakers Carrie Coe, Glenn C. Devitt and Anna Maria Perez, all CPPW members and bargaining-team leaders, described classifications covered by the union (coordinators, analysts, administrative specialists) and the role those workers play across bureaus including permitting, emergency management and planning. They said bargaining began in March 2024 and that while the union has secured about 12 tentative agreements (many described as boilerplate), important articles remain unsettled — examples noted in testimony included sick leave, layoff protections and overtime.

The CPPW speakers asked councilors to \"empower\" the city’s bargaining team to reach a fair contract without forcing the union into mediation or a strike, which the speakers said would be costly and damaging to city services. They also said recent messaging from the administration about budget shortfalls and layoffs has created fear and low morale among workers, which they urged council to counter by refocusing on essential services and stability for employees.

Why it matters: CPPW members perform data, permitting and program work across bureaus; bargaining outcomes affect workforce stability and the city’s capacity to deliver services. Speakers framed settlement as a fiscal and operational priority for the coming budget cycle.

What speakers requested: CPPW asked council to support negotiators at the table, pursue settlement rather than prolonged mediation, and consider the union’s perspective in budget conversations.","Members of the newly formed City of Portland Professional Workers (CPPW) union asked the City Council to support their bargaining team and encourage the city's negotiators to settle the union's first contract, saying stalled talks and fear-based budget communications harm morale and service delivery.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council confirms Michael Jordan as city administrator through Jan. 2, 2026 after heated public testimony over Zenith land-use decision

Engineer urges council to ease barriers to adaptive reuse to spur downtown housing

City workers urge council to press negotiators to settle first CPPW contract and avoid mediation or strike