Portland councilors debate weekly meetings, committee roles and a proposed schedule ordinance

Portland City Councilors spent most of a July 30 work session debating how the council should use its full meetings and committees, and whether the council should return to weekly meetings.

The discussion began with Council President opening the work session and asking members to focus on what work they want committees to accomplish versus what must be decided by the full council. Councilor Kunal introduced a previously filed ordinance to set a regular council meeting schedule and said he would offer amendments to modernize the text.

Councilors described three recurring concerns: lack of predictability about when items will reach the council, overlapping agendas and shortened council time because of executive sessions or work sessions scheduled during council slots, and how to balance opportunities for public testimony with efficient use of council and committee time. “What is the work that we want those committees to accomplish? And what is it that we want council where we all sit to be able to weigh in on?” the Council President asked at the start of the session.

Several councilors said the committee structure should be used for policy development, oversight and early…