[{"_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",6476785,"mediaKeyId","5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606","parentId",5716835,"title","Public testimony at county meeting spotlights homelessness, housing displacement and calls for body-worn cameras","audioSeconds",574,"startMs",136000,"endMs",710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606&start=136&end=710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606/thumbnail_136000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476785/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Public-testimony-at-county-meeting-spotlights-homelessness-housing-displacement-and-calls-for-body-worn-cameras","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476785-c84a01eefd6635f1f0bdb54e31cf3a4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448734&Signature=InsDVag1IoL938JPWdo3spEe85BTp8l0YUUsM4baossnge4EGaLAvgkYqGxmVrPLUQGDdwO4Fls2ku6GjOqvh-xGpD1RpKf1D~oRNG2dJZcTvY4~mO3RZxb1U17Q5KHMA7Yt814KPsU1VK9P~daorFAMOR1gRzlQCf4lFZnQE9kQNxxox6lrXkezPvRuGyTQf8rXCWv7xnx39iiAXlOLJWw8Jri8JYytkLVsibeaEmRqwIXcV-XIJ21olopwBT1f1~xS2CNSPI1hivoiRV3yVqaOLt73uMM3N~mlQeEiglJUTP0ocyQUjy8QRZ3tTZQgHFaCI3Mn41GvzE3k8Us9xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Multnomah County","date","2025-09-04T00:12:59Z","article","Four public commenters addressed the board on non-agenda matters during the meeting’s public testimony period. Speakers raised recurring concerns about homelessness and housing placement, access to benefits, treatment of service animals, and calls for increased police accountability.

One speaker who identified themself in the transcript as \"Injured and pissed off\" described a long dispute involving attacks on a service animal, spinal-cord injuries, multiple medical procedures and recent homelessness since Aug. 17. The speaker said housing placement had taken several months and that service-animal restrictions had posed barriers.

Charles Johnson (who introduced himself during testimony with variations of the name in the record) urged the county to prioritize funding for aging and disability services, noting that older adults (people roughly 55 and older, as he framed it) are a fast-growing segment of the homeless population. Johnson also asked for clearer coordination among housing providers and advisory boards, and urged the county to track whether housing placements tied to public-private projects provide equitable benefits to taxpayers and residents.

A commenter who identified themself as Lightning, representing a group they called Lightning Super Humanity, urged the board to seek body-worn cameras for sheriff’s and corrections officers and recommended sending a request to the governor if the county lacks direct authority. Lightning also offered a separate public comment about corporate investment in local industry and workforce—recommending bringing in private-sector talent and investment to expand jobs.

No formal county action was taken during the public-comment period; commissioners listened and, in later agenda items, referenced broader work on public-safety strategies. The board did not adopt immediate policy changes in response to the public testimony during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09.04.25 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters at the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners meeting urged more action on homelessness and housing placement, described personal experiences with service-animal attacks and medical neglect, and asked the county to press for body-worn cameras for law enforcement and corrections staff.","taxTitle","Multnomah County, Oregon","taxId",2759,"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},6476789,"Multnomah County adopts ordinance restricting concealed handguns in some county buildings",1145,1205000,2350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606&start=1205&end=2350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606/thumbnail_1205000.jpg","/articles/6476789/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Multnomah-County-adopts-ordinance-restricting-concealed-handguns-in-some-county-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476789-1ba91d68c773ea0baf7e8d6d807a8f60/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448734&Signature=IX5x1Waj10bIv8BE5caKT8UosGaUiRI8rLbVxyR1r0xp~vkH4HavWeK5gy4kqmWa-JJFOpHleC-pCU3LkxX6~BzzQcav8-9X8Sha1RM7y58HnNKkgzbd7LZLDbVf86GIw3nSTa4ezQctOib-SwFLfp6BA0skr8c2AFkFxSjW9d~FRZxxGXsJDyd1SNCt7pMzPuKWeYnwgMMqW~f1hJG9qG1HzmBgZM3nKk6ELCjJTcsm7vvrKWVJodSb6tSMl6k1LG5j~Om-gJ1BwF~1BnQPLQ06fZjOPPmBr0VSfGfbFBlC5jvtcehV7KqG99y26yp6L9ztV2DSFfmNQMTuZZ-hmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance amending county code Chapter 15 to restrict concealed firearms in certain county buildings and to require clear signage at entrances.

Commissioners said the change implements authority granted by recent state legislation. Commissioner Joan Singleton and Commissioner Brim Edwards led the ordinance presentation and told the board the move is intended to make county buildings safer and more welcoming for residents, employees and visitors.

Staff told the board the change responds to Senate Bill 243 (referred to in the presentation as the Community Safety Firearms Act), which went into effect on Sept. 1, 2025, and gives governing bodies the ability to adopt policies restricting concealed firearms in public buildings. County counsel and operations staff briefed commissioners on administrative steps for implementation.

Under the ordinance as described at the meeting, the county would remove an affirmative defense for people who hold concealed-handgun licenses; the ordinance would require posting prominent signs at normal points of public entry to notice the restriction and the loss of that affirmative defense. Officials said violations could lead to exclusion from the applicable building. Staff identified several exemptions consistent with the statute as presented: persons authorized by the Multnomah County sheriff, government employees authorized or required by their employment to carry, and security guards at FDIC-insured financial institutions, among others noted by staff.

Commissioner Moyer asked about timing; county staff indicated a series of administrative steps to determine which buildings are eligible and that signage and communications would be required before the restriction is enforceable. County staff estimated initial implementation work could begin within about 45–60 days, but noted signage must be posted for the policy to be enforceable.

Public testimony included Charles Johnson, who said he supports broader gun-safety efforts and urged the county to pair the ordinance with outreach, signage clarity and community education. Several commissioners emphasized the ordinance is one tool among many to address gun violence and asked staff to produce clear communications and to work with frontline employees during implementation.

The roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Moyer, Singleton, Brim Edwards, Jones Dixon and Chair (recorded as) Veil Peterson as voting yes. The board adopted the ordinance by emergency declaration.","The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted an emergency ordinance amending county code to remove the affirmative defense for concealed-handgun-license holders and require signage at covered county buildings, citing a new state law allowing local jurisdictions to act.",{"_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},6476794,"County approves $130,933 increase for Sellwood Library refresh project",480,720000,1200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606&start=720&end=1200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716835-13ed868d41284f6a6df54dcb5a18c606/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6476794/Multnomah-County/Oregon/County-approves-130933-increase-for-Sellwood-Library-refresh-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476794-57abe6831daedf456532a428fbc623eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448734&Signature=DMkN8fIAfGTvRTU3PBAZ~58ZEEm1k7BxAJ9D36QRma4l-CawX5YSJMFsiquvQ5UvZcADutbbBm8tfb348cLT33bSxhJ7J1KX9bbRalVibQlemHP7aON6MK6hrtOuBV7ZDHW3xxn7JIzTp6GH8JidGzbRy~4w2~4LtsLuFTYYY9IZzL6ZW3UQrpTQ85XADX~DP1Ysrwx1Qx6Ihs08~0Gbvh03M7TAGbA9e0~mwd-ibJDc6ldHGc1CHVLSdn0pbOi4UPKQ2zAJz~adiOFpclnzcDeoEMAHktqXTSWnUnYVZxLrTxof38TmHQeJilyAZXyu1WgwmC-puNFNAPMOklJ3aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to increase the contract price for the Sellwood Library refresh by $130,933.11, the board clerk announced after a roll-call vote.

County procurement staff told commissioners the increase is needed to cover added scope including upgraded lighting and replacement of the storefront door, and that the funds will come from contingency within the library capital bond fund.

The change exceeds the 33% contract increase threshold that requires board approval under a county procurement rule cited by staff. Heidi Leibrant, procurement and contracting manager for the Department of County Assets, told the board the increase surpasses the 33% authorized limit on a contract and therefore required formal approval.

Kate Vance, deputy director for the library capital bond program, said the Sellwood refresh is part of a program of “light-touch” updates to 11 branches that are not undergoing full renovations. Vance said executive leadership authorized releasing a portion of the program’s contingency to combine lighting upgrades and the storefront-door replacement with the existing refresh work to minimize overhead and reduce disruption to patrons and staff.

Vance also identified the project accounting: the resolution affects the library capital bond program fund labeled in staff materials as “fund 25-17” and the bond that authorized the work as Measure 26 (as referenced in staff materials to the board). She said the contingency funds being used are already in the county capital construction bond fund and that no change to the Multnomah County capital construction bond fund is required.

During public testimony, Charles Johnson urged the county to consider broader housing and equity outcomes when allocating bond funds and to ensure advisory boards reflect community representation; the board heard that comment before voting. Commissioner roll-call responses indicated unanimous support: Commissioner Moyer, Commissioner Singleton, Commissioner Brim Edwards, Commissioner Jones Dixon and Chair (recorded as) McPherson voted in the affirmative.

The resolution was adopted. Staff said the increase will be processed and the Sellwood refresh will proceed with the added scope funded from the bond fund contingencies.

The county did not provide an updated timeline for when the additional work will be completed during the public discussion.","The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to increase the Sellwood Library refresh contract by $130,933.11, citing added scope including upgraded lighting and a replacement storefront door to be paid from bond contingency funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public testimony at county meeting spotlights homelessness, housing displacement and calls for body-worn cameras

Multnomah County adopts ordinance restricting concealed handguns in some county buildings

County approves $130,933 increase for Sellwood Library refresh project