Mayor Ted Wilson used the work session to preview several near-term policy priorities, including public-safety leadership confirmations, an early budget timeline, labor negotiations and ongoing work on the CEI site and a land-use compatibility review for Zenith Energy.

Wilson asked council support for the continued leadership of Police Chief Day, saying he "has my confidence" and asked that the council consider his confirmation vote on Feb. 5. He also asked for council support for City Administrator Michael Jordan and City Attorney Robert Taylor, saying both have continued in their roles during a government transition and that he would ask council to interview and consider their appointments.

Budget timeline and process: City Administrator Michael Jordan and the mayor said the administration will deliver a set of budget recommendations on Feb. 28. Jordan clarified that the Feb. 28 package will be a set of recommendations (not a fully balanced legal budget) and that staff will seek council input before the materials are released so councilors can provide "fingerprints" on major choices. The mayor said he has begun district-by-district outreach and urged early council engagement ahead of the March formal budget process.

Labor negotiations and public safety: The mayor said ongoing union contract negotiations are a top priority and that the administration will keep councilers informed at major milestones. He also raised public-safety trends—auto thefts and shootings—and said Chief Day has his confidence to address those issues.

CEI/Zenith and regional coordination: Deputy City Administrator Donnie Olivera told council staff is evaluating a request from Zenith Energy Terminal for a land-use compatibility statement and coordinating with the state to share information relevant to air permitting. Olivera said the city has engaged on CEI matters for years and has a FEMA grant (about $600,000) to study planning tools and risks for that site; he said staff would prepare a work session briefing for council if desired. Councilors requested a public process and regular updates on the CEI/Zenith matter.

Portland Street Response and service alignment: Several councilors urged preserving and expanding nonarmed responders. The mayor said he supports expanding Portland Street Response's mission but called for council support and coordination because mission and budget changes would need council approval. Officials said Portland Street Response leadership and deputy chiefs have expressed interest in expanding PSR roles around shelter sites.

Small business and recovery: Councilors urged attention to small-business relief and to maintain investments in violence prevention programs as federal funding expires; the mayor said tackling homelessness and reducing burdens on public safety are prerequisites to broader economic revitalization.

Why it matters: The mayor framed these items as part of a larger push to stabilize leadership, address safety and homelessness, and accelerate a budget process that seeks early council collaboration. Several items — the land-use compatibility statement for Zenith Energy and the FEMA-funded CEI study — will require multiagency work and additional briefings to council.

What remains unspecified: The mayor called for confirmation votes but did not release formal appointment materials during the work session. Staff said more detailed budget options and CEI briefings will be scheduled for council work sessions.

Ending: The council moved to adjourn the work session to proceed to an executive session after the briefing.